zoftig

I have been having a weird pain in/on (?) one of my suture scars? This is almost a year out? Almost feels like a slight burn?

Yea. Hit onederlad - and during the holidays. Who'd-a-thunk-it!?! I gotta admit I am not the best patient. I didn't eat much crap before (no soda, not much processed food, etc.) but obviously I ate too much. I don't eat 'low fat' foods per se. I use butter. I put raw sugar and half and half in my coffee. I eat triple creme cheeses and pate (and a lot of sashimi). I eat delicious rich foods, just in very small portions. I guess it's probably why I am a "slow loser"? 48 pounds since surgery in July and many mini stalls along the way, but I would rather still delight in eating and lose more slowly. I don't freak out about it. I figure it's a long journey. If it stops working, I will re-evaluate. If I didn't lose another pound I would still be happy I got the surgery. I feel so much better. I still take a bite too much with more frequency than I would like to admit and still have horrible acid problems (even after treating the h. pylori they found taking the biopsy of my discarded stomach). Both of these things make me throw up more than I should. Like I said, not the best patient- (refuse to give up my one cup of coffee). What has changed? No longer have asthma (quit smoking in April when I was thinking about getting the surgery). The seatbelt is easy to put on, even if I am wearing a bulky coat. I can cut my toenails again. I can fit in a 'regular' bathroom stall at school, no problem. I can run across the street and climb the stairs with out fear of arriving to class red faced and sweaty. The indignities of being obese are so much more than people realize. And...I feel 'hot.' Amazing how crappy I felt when I hit #200 on the way up, many moons ago. Hitting it on the way down, I look at my body in amazement. I caught a glimpse of myself in the kitchen window the other day and marveled that I had my old face back - where were those nice cheekbones hiding? Anyway, thanks for being out there. Thanks for being so helpful and informative when advise was sought. Thanks for being supportive. Thanks for your struggles and your hard work.

Excellent start. Good luck.

You look fantastic! And Happy!

I know it's common to have aversions, post-sleeve, to foods you previously enjoyed. And, I know that milk is a common one. But, I LOVED MILK, loved it, and now I can't tolerate it and I'm sad. Yogurt too and Protein drinks - all staples pre-surgery. (but, I can eat cheese?). It's hard to get all the protein in with out my babies. So, my question, will I ever be able to love again? Will my organic 2% ever be part of my life again, not to mention Greek yogurt? Please say yes people.

Wow, my doc said 3 months, (but i had an iced americano yesterday 2 months out and I want another one today!). I did take extra antacid though. I don't think it's a caffiene question, but rather an acid question.

um, you mean sashimi?

doing some research. from Web MD: "I tell my patients to take the kind that they tolerate best and is least expensive," Bolster says. She says she recommends calcium carbonate because "it's inexpensive, won't cause discomfort, and is a good source of calcium." Some people's bodies may have problems making enough stomach acid, or may be taking medications that suppress acid production. For them, a calcium citrate supplement might be better because it "dissolves a little better than calcium carbonate for these people." The body can absorb only about 500 milligrams of a calcium supplement at any one time, so you can't just down a 1000-mg supplement first thing in the morning and call it a day. Instead, split your dose into two or three servings a day. "The best way to take it is with a meal; calcium is absorbed better that way,". If your daily diet includes calcium-containing foods and drinks, you may not need multiple doses. Some of your best sources of dietary calcium are yogurt (over 400 milligrams per 8-ounce serving), nonfat milk (about 300 milligrams per serving), and cheeses like mozzarella and cheddar (between 275 and 315 milligrams per serving). Some dark green vegetables, like spinach, are fairly high in calcium as well. Keep in mind that there's really not that much difference between getting calcium in a supplement and calcium in food. Hope this helps.

Yeah, I tried the Unjury (multi and Calcium) but I could not stomach (ha) them after two weeks. (Anyone out there want two, mostly full, bottles?). It's hard to find the citrate. Since I can now tolerate pills again, I have gone back to Costco multi and calcium (carbonate) - what I used to take before surgery. I'm hoping the amount of soy and regular milk I drink will make up for the lesser absorption?

And,...what's the difference btwn Citrate and Carbonate? Does it matter?

I want to ride horses.

absolutely not. your body may still be pumped up with fluids and is also still recovering. I gained weight in the first week. no worries.

OK, I guess I must be an anomoly because I don't mind the foamies, I think it's kind of interesting. Maybe it's only been mild?

I forget and can't find it in my post-op intructions, she says as she has already run an delicious bubble bath. I am 24 days out and look to be healed up.

Hooray, thanks all!!

In response to the 6 flags dilemma, this makes me sad. Your husband obviously loves you - he committed to spend the rest of his life with you!!! If this is a friend of his, he will likely love you too - for making his friend happy. The fact that you might be slimmer 2-3 months from now is not the answer. You are still YOU!!! That is enough, even if you never lose the weight. Please do not stop living because the weight shames you. Weight is not the answer (not denying that that it adds dramatically to our sense of self worth, but...) you are! Go have fun with the man who loves you and his friend. Keep trying on the pre-op diet. If it's any consolation I am 3 weeks out and just gained 2 lbs!! Sucky, but not uncommon. Were you close to getting your period when you had to weigh in? that often adds a lot of weight (probably my gain). Also your profile pic- adorable!! Get out there with your bad self and live a little.

D.C. is probably on the list because it has such a high population of young people. Think of all those colleges and all those congressional staffs in such a small area. Also it is a very competitive town, that probably adds too.

Yea, and thanks ya'll.

My big question. If more info needed: the Soup in question is butternut squash (from Trader Joe's in the tyvek carton) with some non-fat milk thrown in to thin it out. I'm 13 days out. Thank you.

YES. Your body is still recovering from surgery and is still probably pumped up on fluids and bloated, etc. I gained two pounds after surgery (after dropping 10 pre-op). I am almost two weeks out now and it is starting to come off (down -12). Don't kill yourself, let your body heal. It's a marathon, not a sprint (cliche, but hey). My advice: take it easy on yourself.

No one made snarky comments? One person made an obvious joke and lots of people related plausible hypothesis. I think all these people answered you with kindness in their hearts. Many people expressed similar feelings which is usually helpful in not feeling so alone or abnormal. What is it exactly that you are looking for?

I think most of us feel guilt and shame, but fact of the matter is that 95% of people who lose, gain it back...plus some. I finally realized I was not in that 5% so it was either make peace with my size or surgery, (which is the one thing shown to make inroads into battling obesity). Also, it's not like you get surgery and get to do whatever you want. Trust us there is still lots of work to do, but the sleeve is a tool making the motivation and work so much easier (I'm hoping, only one week out). You can still take pride afterwards in watching what you are eating.

Could be so many things. Sorry, but you should probably be assessed by a professional. People on the boards can offer hypothesis' but that's all. Good luck and take care.

I wish I could *like* more than once! This is exactly how I'm feeling, I haven't even attempted Protein today yet. thinking about it makes me gag!