OneCessnaFlyer

I hear that every once in awhile. I used to explain the whole surface area of the stomach and all that biochemistry and then it dawned on me . . . it really doesn't matter. I think people project THEIR own fear of failure on others, to justify their own in action or inaction. I tend to laugh it off, but also push them away, because this is hard enough without the negative sideways comments. Your vision surgery comment is spot on, I may steal that! In the meantime I am running sometimes, walking 5 or 6 miles every other day, going hiking AND now I can get on a rollercoaster. ha ha ha Success! Still a way to go, but little things add up to big things.

Walking, walking, walking . . . I was told it was crucial to my success, I though people telling me to walk when I was so sore were wrong- among other things. =) Turns out, they were right on! A few minutes a day, a few times a day for about 2 weeks made a huge difference.

I bought the Couch-to-5k app for $2, probably one of the most useful purchases of the year! Turns out, is is easier than it seems. I also bought a bike, haven't ridden is yet, but I will. May I suggest looking on Amazon for a bike? I got a helluva deal on a hybrid bike, it was $200 less than d**k's, d**k's being the cheapest in my area. I was sleeved 8/8/13 and noticed there is apparently a sweet spot. For me, 1000 calories a day and 30 minutes of moderate cardio, and I will lose about a half pound a day. It looks like you are dropping weight very fast. What's your secret weapon?

I have the same problems; I spoke with my doc and the nut and neither seems too concerned as long as I am making progress and doing well overall. Here's the hints they gave me: 1. Plain Greek yogurt (I like Fage) with a touch of Crystal Light mixed in for flavor, helps w/ getting Protein in. 2. sugar-free popsicles, helps with liquids 3. Diet peach tea Snapple, seems like its the only thing I can drink reliably.

Peppermint tea?

I felt the same way. I think it is normal, the whole deal with the sleeve that people don't mention too much is that, for me, at least, the physical prep was pretty easy. But mentally it is hard, it still is. I went to the Padres v. Mets game last night was surrounded by everything good. My secret weapon . . . a hard boiled egg. It is not as good a hot dog wrapped in bacon and a pint of whatever you like served at 34 degrees, but it fills your stomach and anymore than that will be punishing. Pre-op was hard, no denying it, it is hard and that's all there is too it. But I would try the hard boiled egg trick, I used to carry 3 of them. I also liked to add in licorice tea . . . if you like black licorice you'll love the tea. My pre-op was a lot of Protein shakes. Post-op, I stocked up on all the same Protein Shakes that I drank getting ready for my surgery. My surgery though also snipped my sniffer and I simply hate the smell of a Protein shake and I cannot drink it. My guess is that if you get through now, and make it to post-op day 4 or 5, you will really be very happy with yourself. I assure it gets easier, quickly. Now the hard part is trying to eat enough . . . ah skinny people problems!

Oh absolutely, I am sure some is gas like mentioned below and frankly walking seemed like the only thing that helped. I am a little more than a week out, I still get pain across the middle of my chest, near the base on my sternum. I think it is incisional pain, one of my scars is near that area. For me, this was a painful surgery and hurt more than a broken leg a suffered a few years ago. I have been prescribed liquid Loratab with Tylenol . . . it may be something worth talking to your MD about if you haven't already. It helps with the incisional pain.

Looks like a couple of us are having surgery this week. I am day 2 pre-op diet, liquids are boring, but frankly it is not as bad as I thought it would be and in 2 days I have lost somewhere in the 12 pound area. Good luck and happy healing to everyone.