piercedqt78

My mom is amazing, and she is a great support. But she tells EVERYONE about my surgery. If we go out to eat and I don't order, she tells the waitress that I've had WLS and I'll just pick off her plate, like I'm 4. Or when I don't finish my meal, she tells them I had most of my stomach removed and can't eat much and that I will need a box, then she proceeds to ask me why I don't request one when I order my food. (sometimes my dad eats whatever I have left over, so no box is needed). She added me to the prayer list at church, and instead of just listing surgery or medical issues, she actually had it printed in the bulliten that I had WLS. I don't even attend there on a regular basis. But now when I visit, people ask me if I'm the WLS daughter, and how much I have lost. It's crazy. I HAD to tell my mom, she helped with my daughter while I was in the hospital, my hubs works a lot of over night shifts, and my daughter was only 11 when I had surgery.

at the pureed stage I used tajin on my cottage cheese, it was the only way I could get it down. I had no issues at all, and I was about 3 weeks out.

I have found a great snack. They are called P3, buy Oscar Meyer, and they are meat, cheese and nuts. About 150 calories, but 14-16 grams of Protein. I get them at walmart by the lunchables for $1 each. I always have them on hand in the fridge, so if I get hungry or my family chooses to eat something that I either don't like, or isn't good for my sleeve, I can have that. I like them for lunch, or I split them into 2 Snacks in the same day. At the 4ish month mark I was able to start really eating, and when I say really eating, I mean 3-4 oz at a time, three times a day. Tonight for example, I had a piece of corned beef, about 3/4 the size of a deck of cards, 1/2 of a red potato and 3 or 4 cabbage leafs. I was satisfied, but not stuffed. I skipped the Irish Soda bread, and the Guiness cupcakes that were for dessert. Instead about 2 hours after dinner I had the other half of my greek yogurt from Breakfast that I had stuck in the freezer, so it was like ice cream. And last night for "dessert" I had 1/2 of a banana that I had stuck in the freezer tossed into the yonana machine, and made into soft serve. I don't feel deprived that way, and I'm eating things that are good for me.

I was told not to use the gummy Vitamins. Not sure why, but both my surgeon and the NUT said absolutely no gummy vitamins. I will ask why when I go in next time.

I use Centrum and my blood work has been perfect for the last 2 visits. My first post-op set of labs showed me Iron and folic acid deficient so I added those, but other than that I'm within normal levels of everything he tested me for, and it was a HUGE list. They aren't bariatric specific, but they are complete.

I went from band to sleeve, and haven't regretted it for a moment. I made it to my goal in 6 months. I'm under my original goal, and in a size 4/5. My goal was to be in the single digit sizes, now everyone says I'm "tiny". It's crazy. I talked to a plastic surgeon, and he wants me to gain 10 pounds before he will even consider a skin reduction.

I'm down 125 pounds and I went from a 42dd down to a 34c. They are proportionate to my body, so I'm happy with the size reduction. And all the women in my family are big chested.

I second the resale shop suggestion above. Look online for thrift stores or the salvation army has stores in many areas. I have a store in my area that benefits a womens domestic violence shelter. We joke with the ladies there that I rent my clothes. I buy them, (really cheap) and then re-donate when I have lost out of them. I have gone from a 22 to a 4/6. Now they keep an eye out for me, and when things come in that fit my style and size they hold them for me. Remember that alcohol is empty calories, and the hangover isn't really worth it. Don't go down a dangerous path without a really good plan, and drinking is a dangerous path. Since you already know that many people turn to alcohol then be prepared, and keep any drinking in strict moderation. Also remember that your tiny tummy will absorb the alcohol quicker, so you will become drunk very quickly, and then sober up just as fast. Since my surgery 10 months ago I have only had 4 drinks, 2 glasses of wine at formal dinners, a mixed drink in the Bahamas, and a hard cider. That's the extent of my drinking, and I always made sure I had someone to drive me after, and also that the people around me knew that I had a low tolerance for alcohol. You were very pretty pre surgery, but you are smokin' hot now. Great work!

I was sleeved May 8th 2013, and I am glad to say I will NEVER shop for myself at Lane Bryant again! Don't get me wrong, I loved being able to go in and shop and not feel like everyone was staring at me, or having a super tiny sales associate look down her nose at me, but I'm also glad to not have to pay $30 for a tank top ever again. Oh, and for some inspiration, when they have their annual sale, Victoria Secrets panties are not too crazy priced, and they are soo super cute. I went in and asked for a med, and the sales girl told me I looked more like a small, guess what? She was right. The effort you put out there is so totally worth it, work your sleeves for everything they have, and you will love the results!

I did the band out and revision the same day. I was more sore from the port removal than anything else. So the sleeve should be much easier than the band removal, at least I would think so. I had my band for almost 8 years, and I still have a nasty knot of scar tissue where my port was, my hubby calls it a phantom port. I'm hoping when I get my plastics done, they will remove the port scar, and the hard knot that is under it. Now that I'm at goal, it sticks out, and looks like a tumor.

Don't stress about one day of "wrong foods" we all have days where we make less than perfect choices. I know I for one have had some horrible food days, but I bet even making bad choices you still ate 80% less then you would have pre-surgery. Think of it like this, last night I had 2 oreo Cookies, presurgery I would have had 2 ROWS of oreo cookies. So my bad choice was still less than a full serving, I satisfied my sweet craving, and guess what I'm still down 126 pounds. I got up this morning, and I'm still at goal, my size 4 pants still fit me, and my world didn't collapse around me. I had my sleeve done, to get the weight off, not to have to eat "diet food" the rest of my life. If I was able to make perfect food choices 100% of the time I wouldn't have needed the sleeve to begin with. So give yourself a break, take a deep breath, and know that a "bad food choice" here and there isn't a deal breaker. Don't add to your stress by freaking out over every non diet food you put in your body. I made it to my goal in less than a year, and I still eat things I crave. I make good choices 95% of the time. But I do occasionally have an ice cream, or a cupcake. And it hasn't derailed my progress at all.

I know when I got to the "Whole liquids" or pureed stage, I requested that my creamy chicken be ran through a blender at a local restaurant, and they were able to do it no problem. I have also had them puree the black bean Soup at panera and it's like thin refried black Beans. Basically if they offer smoothies, or blended mixed drinks they have a blender and will usually puree Soups for you. I also order my salad with no lettuce, just the toppings, so I get tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese, onions and a few croutons, dressing on the side. I dip my veggies in the dressing and nibble while waiting on the main course, or I get a soup to go if that's an option, and it's lunch the next day or dinner that night when we do lunch out. My 12 year old is not able to finish an adult meal, and isn't much for the kids options, so we usually split something grilled, or blackened. We love blackened chicken, and if she eats the soup or salad I get to choose the side, if I take the soup home she chooses the side. Sometimes we take turns picking the meal, but honestly I eat so little, and I'm not really a picky eater so I try to get her to make the selection. I think it's a good way to get her to make healthy choices for herself, and starting her on a better path to adulthood. She knows my limitations, and almost always makes good choices for both of us. I guess I'm lucky, she was never a hotdog, grilled cheese, or spagetti kind of kid, so kids meals haven't ever really appealed to her. They offer such horrible choices to kids at 99% of restaurants. But we have learned over the coarse of the last year or so that some places have kid sized portions of the adult options, just ask.

Just don't cover it with a waterproof band aid for long term, or use bandaids. Use a simple tape and gauze as mentioned above. You don't want to hold moisture on that area. The band aid does not allow enough air to get to the area and it will not stay dry. I put a waterproof band aid on mine for my shower, then removed it and washed it at the sink with clear dial liquid soap, patted it dry with a paper towel, and then put on clothing as normal. It healed in about 10 days.

I know people that took out the underwire in their bras, and replaced them with lead fishing weights. They also put extra weights in their shoes.

I started at 244 8 years ago, and had a lapband. I had major complications, and had a revision on May 8th 2013. I was 206 the morning of surgery, and I'm 120 now. I went from a size 22 to a size 6 in 10 months. Today: A few months before my revision surgery:

I'm at goal. I was 244 8 years ago when I had my lapband placed. Then I was 206 the morning of my revision to the sleeve. I am 120 pounds today.

I haven't tried them, but we make our own. I prefer the homemade ones, as they are not frozen just chilled. I use fresh strawberries and banana slices. I get the bakers brand microwavable cup of chocolate, all you have to do is heat it for 30 seconds at a time until it is smooth. Then dip the fruit, cheese, or Cookies. I have dipped strawberries, bananas, mangos, pear slices, apples, and used the leftover chocolate to drizzle over cressant rolls.

We really like Singleton's, it's near a wonderful state ran park, Hannah Park. Perfectly clean beaches, and cheap camp sites. It's close to our hometown since we are also in North Florida. We live in the west burbs of Jacksonville. My surgeon is in Jacksonville, as is the hospital that he works in. I'm loving the weather now, and can't wait for summer. And Gman, I agree that Universal is amazing. We can't wait for the new Harry Potter area to open in June! We are 2 1/2 hours from Universal, 3 hours from Disney, and only 2 1/2 hours from Cape Canaveral for cruising. We can do the last minute deals with no problem. I was born here, but spent 17 years in Chicago. Every year I swore I was going to move back South, and finally due to medical issues with my daughter (now 12) we moved back just over 2 years ago. I love being back close to family, but more then that being back with my piggies in the sand.

I swear by warm apple juice/cider. It works like a charm for me everytime.

I didn't read the entire thread, but maybe you didn't need a Whoa! moment, maybe you have always been beautiful?

Beginning weight 244 Current weight 123 (12 pounds below my goal)

By before I weighed 244, I'm down to 123 in my current pic. It was taken last week by my daughter. I went from pics of myself being as rare as a bigfoot sighting to signing up to do a pinup girl style photo shoot.

I'm with you on the liquid being gross. I have started shaking my little yogurt cup before I open it, problem solved.

I'm in Jacksonville, and it was too cold for me last week, so I did a last minute deal on a Bahamas Cruise. I was born and raised at Jacksonville Beach, move to Chicago in my teens, and lived in the freezing cold hell for 17 years. I moved back here 2 years ago to help with my daughters health issues (the humidity is better for her) and I'm in heaven here. Love having the beach just a short drive from home, and only being 2 1/2 hours from Orlando. Also being able to throw a bag together and do a last minute weekend getaway cruise for 80% off rocks!