Kindle

The drain gave me cramps, too. Didn't know that was it until they pulled it....Aaaaaaa! Drinking is definitely a chore in the beginning. All you can do is sip sip sip. I started when I woke up and never stopped until I went to bed. Had a glass or bowl of something with me at all times. And once I started puree's and then soft food it was even worse because just a tablespoon or two would make me full for hours. Don't worry about calories, just do what you can do. Everything will eventually normalize. It took 3-4 months for me, but it has been more than worth it! Congrats to all the new sleevers!

I actually think that's a very good answer from your surgeon. And normal range might just be your new normal...not what the charts say. I don't think having a number will mark when you are "done". ...no one can predict that. I'm under both numbers that my doc and I chose and still waiting to be done. If I had picked a lower number, I might get frustrated because I'm not "at goal" yet. Guess I'm just letting my body go where it wants to be, too. Mentally, I've been in maintenance for a couple months. I'm just eating what I feel is "normal" and not doing anything in particular to lose.

No WLS will fix eating disorders. To think it would just "go away" wasn't very realistic. Did you discuss these things in your preop psych eval? If you have been totally honest with your doc and nut I'm surprised they haven't addressed this issue earlier. They should have advised you that Surgery is easy, the mental aspect of post-surgery life is the hard part. And yes, it's something we have to deal with for the rest of our lives. No different than an alcoholic or drug addict. I regained my appetite and hunger after about 4 months. I've had to deal with cravings and find things to distract me from food. I've established new ways of dealing with stress, boredom and other emotions besides turning to food and alcohol. Cynthia Alexander's book, "The Emotional First Aid Kit- a Practical Guide to Life after Bariatric Surgery" was very helpful for me. I researched the hell out of this whole process before having surgery, so I knew what to expect. Since I had surgery in Mexico, I've dealt with all the " head stuff" on my own, but you should take advantage of any resources you can.....therapy, counseling, support groups, etc.

HW: 238 SW: 216 CW: 143 GW: 150 TPL: 95 TPG: 88 No change this week.

*LIKE* *LIKE* *LIKE*

I am 45 years old, 5'5" with a large, muscular frame. My doctor set my goal weight at 160 (not sure why). I set my personal goal at 150 because that's what I weighed in my 20's when I was very fit and active (I was a raft guide and ski instructor and did lots of backpacking, kayaking, and mountain biking). I'm now under that and in clothes sizes I haven't worn since middle school. Definitely the thinnest and boniest I've ever been as an adult. I really am ready to stop losing. I'd even be OK to bounce back up to 150.

I just kept doing what I had been doing the whole time....64 oz Water MINIMUM; whole food vitamins; eat when I'm hungry (5-6 meals/snacks) and just until satisfied, not full. Protein first, but include veggies, fruit and whole grains for a healthy balanced diet. I have a 30-40g protein smoothie with 10g Fiber everyday. Other than that I don't track calories, carbs, fat, etc. I've had Desserts, bread, pancakes, rice, chips, alcohol, etc., but always in moderation. Actually, once I was within 10 pounds of goal I started adding in more grains, more fruit and more fat to try and slow my loss. I continued to lose and am now 7 pounds under my personal goal. Of course my goal was not as ambitious as yours....I was happy to be just in the normal BMI range. I haven't lost anything in 2 weeks, so I'm kind of hoping I'm done. It would be nice to finally be able to buy some new clothes, rather than wear whatever I can find at the thrift store. Good luck with your final sprint to goal and maintenance!

I lost 17 pounds at 7 weeks postop and I was thrilled. If you can't be happy with your rate of loss, then stay off the scale!!!! It's too bad someone gave you unrealistic expectations, because this surgery is a wonderful thing and you should be enjoying yourself. Seriously, you've lost 5 pounds a week and you're complaining? And just FYI, you will probably be hitting a stall soon, so I strongly recommend putting your scale away for at least a month.

Just wondering where you read this? It's about as accurate as the "if you jump up and down after having sex you won't get pregnant" theory. Periimplantation genetic diagnosis with invitro fertilization is the only scientifically proven way to improve your chances of having a particular sex baby. Things like eating certain foods or timing when you have sex or certain positions have NEVER been proven to work. So many articles claim "it's a known fact that....." But they never provide a single piece of documented evidence or scientific study that supports their "fact".

Everyone's tastes are different, but here's what I like and still drink 8 months postop... Syntrax nectar cherry, lemonade, apple, and fuzzy naval Premier Protein chocolate, strawberry and vanilla (diluted with milk....Too thick and sweet for me to drink straight) Syntrax matrix vanilla Muscle Milk cake batter, red velvet cake, and banana cream Spirutein banana Garden of Life Raw Protein chocolate, vanilla and Marley coffee Garden of a Life Raw Fit original unjury unflavored I also use Torani SF syrups, Mio Water flavors, bananas, peaches, mangos, blueberries, coffee, etc to add variety to my shakes. Ones I didn't like.... Isopure Jay Robb Chike

I was hoping that would happen to me. I was never a cheap drunk....I could out drink a football team and still not be "drunk". Unfortunately postop is the same. I've had 3-4 pretty strong vodka or whiskey cocktails post op in one sitting a few times with barely a slight buzz. It would take thousands of calories to even make a dent in my alcohol resistant physiology, so I guess I'm stuck with sobriety. (I'll keep trying, though ). Oh yeah, I also wish I could drink hard cider....yum....but carbonation is the only thing my tummy can't do.

Wish I could get buzzed...... . Maybe I need to come hang out with you!

I've had hard liquor and wine a couple times/month since 4 months post op. I have no clue if I gained temporarily when I did because I don't weigh myself that frequently. But since I'm 7 pounds under goal weight at 8 months postop I'm not about to second guess any of my choices. Just one more reason to throw your scale away....guilt free enjoyment of libations!

You have gone through all the holes on your first NSV belt you bought at 3 months postop and now you have to buy another new belt. Sure was purty (Don't know why the pics turned upside down)

I've lost a total of 96 pounds so far and well in the "normal" BMI range. I passed my surgeon's goal at 6 1/2 months. Passed my personal goal at 7 1/2 months. At 8 1/2 months I'm still losing at a rate of about 2 pounds/month. Like I said in a previous post, I chose to not track and measure my food. I simply eat balanced, healthy meals, focusing on Protein. I did limit, but not eliminate carbs. I've added fruit to my protein smoothies, and had occasional crackers, bread, dessert and alcohol since about 3 months out. As I got within 5 pounds of surgeon' goal, I added in even more fruit, whole grains and fats, and have continued to lose (20 pounds since upping my carbs and fat). I guess I'm officially in maintenance, but haven't really changed what I'm doing because I'm comfortable with what and how much I eat. But I totally agree with bearman99....you just need to find what works for you for the rest of your life. There are dozens of ways to make this work.....whether it's tracking and measuring or not, or going to the gym everyday or not. Postop life is all about choices, so you can choose whatever path works for you.

I don't measure my portions or track calories, carbs or fat. I pay attention to making sure I get at least 64oz of Water and I have a 30-40g Protein shake everyday. Other than that I just eat smart and healthy.....protein, veggies, fruit and whole grains. I eat when I'm hungry and just until satisfied, not full. Like RJ, I have never thought of postop as a diet. I had surgery so I don't have to ever be on a diet ever again. I now eat like a "normal" thin person. I make smart choices, but If I want dessert, I have dessert. If I want a cocktail, I have one, if I want a pancake with butter and syrup, I have it....just everything in moderation. So far at 8 months postop, I am finding that this is definitely a lifestyle I can live with.

Glad to hear you all are doing well. The Marriott had pineapple Popsicles when I was there. And when we went shopping on Avenude Revolucion, I found the BEST hibiscus Popsicles. I also walked up to Walmart and got herbal tea bags (vanilla chamomile) and drinkable yogurt. I got my drain pulled the Monday before Christmas so OCC was actually closed for the holidays and we had the place to ourselves....just 5 patients that were sleeved on Friday, a nurse, Dr. So and Joel. But Gloria came in and made us chicken broth while we waited our turn to get our drains pulled and fluoroscopy. LOVE the OCC team! Wishing you safe travels back home!

Heres a link to a good article about NSAIDS.... http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3251190/ I've actually had 3 friends have severe allergic reactions to NSAIDS. they've taken them for years for various aches and pains, just like all of us. Then, out of the blue, with no warning, had severe reactions that sent them to the ER. One actually had his heart stop in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. They absolutely can never ever take NSAIDS again.

The reason we are not supposed to take NSAIDS is because of their risk of causing ulcers. With our teeny sleeves, an ulcer would be that much more dangerous to deal with and treat. It doesn't matter if it's administered orally, IV or sublingual. The systemic action of NSAIDS that relieve pain and inflammation is the same mechanism that causes ulcers... "NSAIDs work by inhibiting two enzymes, substances that cause chemical changes in the body, called COX-1 and COX-2. Both enzymes produce prostaglandins—chemicals produced in the body's cells—that promote pain, inflammation, and fever. However, unlike COX-2, COX-1 produces another type of prostaglandin that protects the stomach lining from stomach acid and helps control bleeding. By inhibiting COX-1, NSAIDs increase the risk of a peptic ulcer developing and bleeding. Many people have come to rely on NSAIDs. Some take the smallest possible dose of aspirin once a day to keep their heart healthy. Others take NSAIDs throughout the day to reduce pain and inflammation. As with all medicines, NSAIDs offer many benefits, while also carrying some risks. Doctors and patients work together to weigh the benefits and risks of using NSAIDs, even when NSAIDs have caused an ulcer. Patients who stop taking an NSAID at their doctor's request may want to resume use once they feel better. In other patients, the benefits of taking an NSAID outweigh the risks. In such cases, the doctor works with the patient to determine how an NSAID can be safely continued. Whether deciding to resume or continue using NSAIDs, patients should tell their doctor about all prescription and nonprescription medicines they take. The doctor then decides if the patient can safely use an NSAID that caused an ulcer or should switch to a different NSAID. In either case, the doctor prescribes a PPI or H2 blocker to protect the stomach and duodenal lining and promote healing. People with a current or resolved NSAID-induced ulcer who need the benefits of NSAIDs can promote healing and reduce the risk of ulcer recurrence by..... taking the NSAID with a meal using the lowest effective dose possible quitting smoking avoiding or limiting alcohol Peptic ulcers can return, however, even when patients have been careful to reduce their risk." That being said, my surgeon actually sends his patients home with a 5 day supply of a sublingual NSAID. It's the only pain med he Rx's postop. He explained the benefit of reducing inflammation at the incision sites and in the new sleeve outweigh the risk of ulcers. Especially since it's short term and we are taking a PPI at the same time. I had so little pain I actually only took them for 2 days, so I have extra on hand if I need them for back aches, knee pain, etc. (And as a side note, so you don't take NSAID warnings lightly, aspirin is SO good at causing ulcers, they actually used to administer aspirin to induce ulcers when researching ulcer treatments)

HW 238 SW 216 CW 143 TPL 95 TPG 88 No weight change this week, but I've blown right through my 9/10 jeans in the last month and bought a pair of 7's this morning. Holy cats!

That clinic is giving you a load of BS. Yes, the part of our stomach that produces ghrelin is removed. But 1)ghrelin is produced in other parts of the body, too and 2) ghrelin is NOT responsible for mental hunger. Cravings may go away temporarily while you are healing, but they WILL come back. Like I said...check out the veterans forum. And yes, the sleeve will limit your portions. In the beginning, I was FULL all the time. 3 tablespoons would leave me stuffed for hours. But as time goes on, you can eat more and more. Now I get hungry and have to eat about every 3 hours. And I could graze all day long and never get full if I chose to. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my sleeve and love how I feel after losing so much weight. I would encourage anyone with weight issues to consider this option. I just think you may have unrealistic expectations of what this surgery will do. Just keep reading and researching and asking questions.

No WLS fixes eating disorders. You don't lose weight and keep it off just because you had surgery. Once you are healed and a few months out, you will be fighting hunger and cravings and temptations just like before surgery. It gets even harder years down the line. If you are a stress eater or emotional eater or drinker or whatever, it is much easier to put all your weight back on that it is to keep it off. I'd suggest spending some time on this forum, especially reading the complications and veterans subforums to see if this is really what you want. It is NOT an easy solution to your weight issues. Btw, even by 4 months out I have had no food restrictions or problems eating. I have to choose, everyday, to not chow down on cake or potato chips or ice cream or mashed potatoes or Hershey's chocolate or tiramisu, or Crown and Water or vodka cranberry drinks, etc.

I am not a fan of cooking, so here's one of my favs.....buy a rack of BBQ ribs from the local deli (they are REALLY good) and cut them into pieces...two ribs each. Then I individually wrap and freeze them. Whenever I feel like it, I take out a pack, add a few spears of asparagus or brussel sprouts or green Beans or whatever veggie I'm in the mood for and throw it in the microwave for about 1 minute. MmmmMmmmmGood P.S. I do the same with meatballs and pork loin kabobs from the deli.

Drove myself home from the airport 4 days postop...5 hour drive in a snowstorm on icy roads. I could have driven the day after surgery, but I was in Mexico getting shuttled around by the nice taxi, OCC and hotel shuttle drivers.

Go to the subforum for stalls..... http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1102-dont-sweat-the-stall-stuff-new/ Or just use the search function and you will find that EVERYONE experiences this and there are hundreds of posts about stalls.