piercedqt78

My before pics.

These were taken today. The 2 "selfies" were in the doctor's office, and the one with the Water in the background is from his parking garage. I don't mind walking the entire length of the garage with a view like that.

or just eat the filling. I skip the shells now.

@@KittyKatt Check everyday, twice a day if it makes you feel better. And you know what they say, "the squeeky wheel gets the grease"

Some people become lactose intolerant after surgery. Maybe try switching your Protein Shake? Remember if you are only taking in liquids you are only going to put out liquids.

I am a band to sleeve revision and to me that does seem extreme. You will feel hungry, not starving like before, but hunger still happens. You don't want to restrict yourself to shakes (they get old trust me) and then binge on the wrong foods. I would make a plan for lean Proteins, and some veggies. Protein shakes are not going to provide you with complete nutrition, and it worries me that a NUT would be ok with that plan. I would run it past your surgeon and see what they have to say.

I am almost your exact story just one year ago. Instead of a pregnancy I had back to back major surgeries and they emptied my band. The only other difference was you were WAY more successful with your band. I was revised May 8th 2013, and yes it gets better. I was told the migraine is a mix of things, lack of sugar, calories, caffine, and the zofran or similar meds from your time in the hospital. It does get better. I think I had those spasmy cramps for about a week. Try sipping something warm, decaf tea or broth. That was much easier for my new sleeve than anything cold. I know some say the exact opposite, try it both ways. Welcome to sleeveville population:awesome!

I came down with a stomach bug friday night, I thought it was a reaction to taking my Vitamins on an empty stomach, I just wasn't hungry so I skipped dinner. I was up dry heaving all night. I would have been in panic mode with my band, for fear of slipping. I was calm and took my zofran and laid down. It passed but holy moly was I hurting when the dry heaves started. I haven't really had any vomiting issues since surgery. I've had a bite too much and felt really full but this was intense. I know now it was a stomach bug because my poor daughter has it today. Glad it was only like a 12 hour thing, and she should feel better quickly.

You are on day 3 post-op.

@Aaliyanah http://www.wlscenter.com/restaurant_card.htm If you google bariatric restaurant card several different options pop up. I had mine laminated and carry it in my purse. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/90444-lapband-friendly-restaurants/ There are several lists online. I know that most places will work with you if you ask. The only place I've had deny me is baker's square, they are like a Denny's and have pie.

I use the P3's mentioned by @@DelayedGratification and love them. I eat the meat and cheese for my meal and then have the peanuts or almonds for later. I have also discovered that if you ask nicely at Wendy's they will go into the salad options and just charge you for an extra chicken breast (about $1.75-$2.00) it's grilled, and they will also give you a sauce or dressing if you ask for it. Right now I'm hooked on the pom vinegarette and the new Asian ginger, both are light, and really give the grilled chicken some flavor. I usually get that, and pay the extra and have them add shredded cheese to my chicken if I'm really hungry or haven't had any dairy for the day. If not I have my chicken dipped in the dressing (a better choice than their sauces) and I'm full, my lunch was cheap, and I have zero guilt. If my daughter or hubby go they get a burger and baked potato and I steal a bite of their potato, or chili, but I don't touch the fries, bun, or crackers. Not that I'm denying myself, but even pre sleeve those weren't my thing. I have also ordered the "salad sized" chili. It's the one that comes with a green salad and tortilla chips. It's also in the salad options on the register, I have had to explain it at a few locations but they are ALWAYS great about it, and more than willing to help me out. I guess they figure if I can tell them how to ring it up, that I'm a regular at their chain. I like Wendy's better than any other burger place, because they do have some healthy options. We also really love Chipotle, I order a single soft taco, and just skip the tortilla. I have them do super light rice (hey I'm skipping the tortilla, so a little rice is ok, chicken is my go to, but I also like the barbacoa, fresh tomatoes, corn, and light sour cream and cheese. I don't usually finish an entire taco. And when I ask for no tortilla they make it in the container for the bowl and I end up with almost double what comes in a taco, I hate to waste food, but it doesn't reheat well, so I either give the tortilla to the hubs to go with his bowl, or I toss it. I would rather toss a tortilla than a huge pile of meat and veggies.

@@KittyKatt Sorry you are having to deal with redtape. It's worth it. Keep your chin up, and remember things happen for a reason.

I'm 5'4 and have gone from a 22/24 to a 0/2 or an small to extra small depending on the cut and fabric. I LOVE being able to go to thrift stores and find amazing vintage dresses that actually fit. I went out with my family today to Celebrate Mother's Day early, since we have other things going on tomorrow and I wore a small from forever21. I also just bought a pair of walking shorts from Victoria Secrets in a size 0 and they fit. I thought I would faint when I tried them on. My plan was to put them up for after my plastics, but they fit NOW!!!! I'm not sure what size I will wear after plastics. It's a running joke in my family that I can shop in the kids section, not Jr's, but actual kids and I will look like an 8 year old after plastics. I'm getting tattoo'd and the shop gives out t-shirts to clients, even the small was like a night shirt on me. I took the med (the design was bigger) and I'm going to chop it up and tie it down the back or sides. I want to advertise the amazing shop, but not ask them to order me an xs, since my artist is 6'7 he already calls me tiny or short stuff, I don't want to just toss gas on that flame. he jokes that he has burritos bigger than me for dinner. My original goal was single digit sizes, but as the weight loss continued I adapted to my new body. I did go to a higher end store and worked with a personal shopped to help me with proper fit and sizing.

When you try on a size 4 and they fall off, same with a size 2. I got into a size 0 today. Does that mean I no longer exist?

How are you today? Home? How is the liquid diet treating you? Make sure you are walking, getting in enough fluids, and resting. Take it easy, and rest now, as soon as you are cleared you will want to start moving, it not only makes you feel better, but it speeds weight loss. Congrats on joining the cool kids club, welcome to sleeveland!

I'm doing a family cruise in Nov and can't afford both, since I'm in the process of fighting to get my plastics covered (legal fees may kill me) but next year for sure. I LOVE to cruise.

I'm 200% with your friend that doctors need to look beyond just weight. I spent 35 years of my life with an auto-immune disorder and was told my pain, and joint problems were all weight related. Well now I'm 110 pounds on a good day and my pain and joint problems are still here. The only difference is now that I'm no longer fat they actually looked at my health and didn't dismiss me. I have a diagnosis, is it what I wanted? no, is it the hand I was dealt? Yes. But I could have avoided 5 surgeries if I had been taken seriously from the first doctor, and not just dismissed for being fat. I had a doctor tell me that I tore my rotator cuff because of being morbidly obese.

Gym membership with trainer duke rice diet atkins (I'm glad I did this one, the reduced carbs helped shrink my uterine fibroids and resulted in my amazing daughter) fasting cleanses (more than I can list) the weight loss wraps vegetarian diet paleo only the bible diet low calorie low fat nothing refined or processed the raw diet 5:2 starvation diet pills (enough to fill a landfill) a gallon of water a day the grapefruit diet Weight Watchers no salt no added sugar power walking slim fast spin class x5 days a week zumba I'm sure there are more...

7 weeks after my sleeve I had to have my rotator cuff repaired. Just make sure they don't give you crackers or Cookies in the recovery. I took a cup of apple sauce, and a yogurt with me. I was told I had to keep something down before I could be discharged from the surgi center.

I met my husband at a bowling alley. I was there with friends, and he was there with co-workers. I told one of my male friends not to sit next to me, I didn't want the good looking guy to think I was taken. LOL Turns out my guy friend had worked with the guys I pointed to, and walked over to talk to them. I wanted to crawl under the table, as my bff has no brain to mouth filter (why we are besties) and I had no clue what he was saying. He pointed my direction, and I lifted the drink menu over my face like I was soooooo interested in the beer specials. What he was actually doing was showing them where were were sitting. When they finished their "team building exercise" several of them joined us on our lane for the next few hours of bowling, drinking and just a general good time. 3 of those guys asked for my number, only one was interested the other 2 were planning on telling him I had asked them to pass the # on to him. He called me a few days later and we started seeing each other for odd dates, I worked nights and he did daytime retail management, so time was limited. This was in Feb of 2000, I got hurt at work in late April, and he very kindly offered to come and sleep on the sofa and help take care of me. When I returned to work 6 weeks later, I asked if he was leaving or if he wanted a key. He took the key, and a few weeks later told me that we needed to talk. I thought for sure he was moving out and breaking up with me. He told me that he had never seen me wear jewelry so he didn't know my taste, he got down on one knee and proposed. We were married that Oct, in a bowling Alley (where else?) and have been together for 14 years this year. He's not a knight in shining armor, but he's also not a retard in a tin foil hat either. He is the father of my only child, my best friend, and the one person that I never have to doubt when it comes to having my back. Like Forest Gump says "we are like peas and carrots" he has always dated bigger girls, so I was a little worried when I started getting thinner. Just a few weeks ago he told me that I look amazing, and he is proud of my weight loss, and the fact that I did this to get healthy for myself, and our family. I said all of that to say this, I had planned to get a few beers and bowl a few games with my friends that night and met my future husband. I wasn't looking for anyone and he just dropped into my life. Sometimes the dating sites, looking too hard makes you walk past the one that you should have seen. Best of luck to those getting back into the dating scene.

Today is my one year anniversary! I will be celebrating it with a nice long walk, and I just might go buy myself a new outfit!

I had my lap band at UIC, but was very unhappy with my care. If you are willing to go to the south west burbs I can't say enough great things about Dr. Lahmann. He was my followup provider after my surgeon moved to California. Dr. Lahmann also removed my gall bladder, he is a kind and caring man, and the staff is really amazing too. Dr. Joyce is very good as well. http://bmisurgery.org/_live/index.php?ID=team&PERSON=lahmann

I agree, but at the same time why isn't she beautiful the way she is? Not everyone wants or can afford plastics. I know if my insurance doesn't cover mine they won't be done, at least not for a LONG time. And until I started having health issues,(lower back pain, skin problems, and trouble with sitting on rolls of skin and causing pain and skin trauma) I never even considered plastics.