Thick'n'Thin

If you search the forum you'll this topic is one of the most common on the site, the "week three stall". You are fine. You're body is taking stock of itself after all that weight loss and needs a bit of time before it will let you drop some more. 100% normal and to be expected.

Hi December sleevers! I just wanted to tell you where we are on the "pounds lost" thread. It's absolutely amazing! I was hoping for a goal weight loss of 5,000 pounds when we started it. As of today, we are working our way up to 10,000 pounds.
Here are the stats:
We have 74 December sleevers participating! YAY!
We are currently at 9090 pounds for our goal....SOOOO close to 10,000.
I am incredibly impressed with the December group...you're all like my other family and I just appreciate you all!
If you haven't joined and want to do so, please jump over to the thread and send a message or post!
I am SO excited to see our pounds just melt away in 2014!
Remember, I will post the weekly pounds lost tomorrow....so if you haven't recorded your weekly weight loss yet, please pop over there and do so!

It's hard when the clothes are nice, but I donate them anyway.
My doctor's office offers a support group and once a month you can bring clothes that don't fit and then someone there is bound to have your size. Saves money for everyone, and it's fun to do. Also, then you get to see that they go to "a nice home" so to speak. lol.
You might want to suggest this to your doctor if they have support groups, or if they wouldn't mind keeping the office open late one day a month for a clothing exchange.

I took clothes to my face to face support group. Left them in my trunk and had people take what they wanted after the meeting was over. What people didn't take, I donated to charity.
Lynda

Weighed in this am, down 4 more!
HW 348
SW 330
CW 300

This is so exciting Jerzygurl...almost into two-derland!

New update:
Surgery 12/02
HW 348
SW 330
CW 304
About to leave the 300's--Yippie!! Plus I've lost so many inches--8 inches off my waist alone!
It's going to be the Best New Year in YEARS!

Hello to all postop sleevers, I pray that its gotten/getting easier for yall!! Tya again for paving the way for us. Dec 30 th is finally approaching, so I ask that you all take a moment, plz, to pray for our group. Ty in advance:). I pray that God will guide the surgeons hands for tomorrows group and pray that we all have safe passage to the losers bench, free from all error and minimal discomfort. I pray that all that will b asked of us, we will b able to accomplish with flying colors. I pray for the families, esp the kids who are struggling w our decisions, reassure them that God is good and He will take care of us! Know that I will continue keeping us all lifted in prayer. Tya, congrats, and a big XOXO, to u all. Please let the group know how u all are doing as soon as u can, as will I. Bc of our postops advice, I want to encourage us all to walk, sip, walk, sip, walk. Take ur gasX with u and pillow for helping w bracing the coughs. Put our trust in Him and all will go accordingly. I want to add all of this as well to the Dec 31st group, as I may not b able to do so, but know u R all in my thots! Take Care, God Bless and make space for us on the losers bench cuz here we come;) sleep tight if U can. Dee Dee:)))) And just in case, have A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

One day I felt a bit like that, I drank my Water while I took my walk. The wiggling side to side kinda helped bring the bubbles up. Plenty of people need a prescription strength PPI to help reduce the acid. If u suspect that is your issue I'd call the doc. You may not have to suffer like this.
Also, could I ask what you are eating in a given day? Perhaps we can pinpoint something that is aggravating things. For instance, some people become lactose intolerant for a time post op.

I'm not having a LOT of heartburn but, considering I didn't have reflux or heartburn before surgery, it has increased. For me I think some of it's a combo of gas bubbles causing wet burps and acid production. I was told to get Pepcid Complete to help with that. I also take gas x chewable.
If the heartburn is bad I would ask the doc for a prescription PPI. Also, do you think it is related to a certain food? Soft egg yolks were so satisfying for me, but they bit me back a few hours later. Apple sauce with cinnamon also had me pacing the streets with discomfort a couple hours later.
I hope it improves soon!

Sleeved on the 27th with hiatal hernia repair. Glad to have finally made it to the losers bench. Still at hospital...day 1 post op. Well be discharged tomorrow. Overall doing good. Have been experiencing some pain, but it's manageable. Walking and walking and walking and using gas x strips, but the gas is stubborn and don't won't to get out. It hasn't been all peaches and cream, but it is doable. Plan to hang it there, because for a change I KNOW I CAN SUCCEED WITH MY NEWEST TOOL.
HW 308 in March 2013
JW 289 in Oct 2013 (weight when I started this sleeve journey)
SW 276.4 (lost 12 pounds on pre op diet)
CW...will update after 1 week post op appt
The best item i brought with me was my mini electric massager, it really helped relax my back and shoulder muscles which seemed so tensed and achy after surgery.
Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts of well wishes!!!
My thoughts and prayers go out for those yet to be sleeved, and also to those already sleeved.

I'm not having a LOT of heartburn but, considering I didn't have reflux or heartburn before surgery, it has increased. For me I think some of it's a combo of gas bubbles causing wet burps and acid production. I was told to get Pepcid Complete to help with that. I also take gas x chewable.
If the heartburn is bad I would ask the doc for a prescription PPI. Also, do you think it is related to a certain food? Soft egg yolks were so satisfying for me, but they bit me back a few hours later. Apple sauce with cinnamon also had me pacing the streets with discomfort a couple hours later.
I hope it improves soon!

Edit: HEY, I just noticed we're Surgery Twins! WHOOOO DECEMBER 23!!!!
I'll be sure to check out your blog. Always curious and interested in all things WLS. Here's my menu from yesterday:
Day Four, Full liquids Diet:
8oz GNC Lean Protein shake
4 oz seafood stew (husband strained it for me. he combined shrimp, crab and veggies in a crock pot, poured on some seafood broth and seasonings and cooked it about 8 hours. It was delicious)
11oz plain Water
4oz Dasani Drop flavored water
3.6oz SF chocolate pudding
6oz Butternut Squash broth (Trader Joe's)
8oz Blackbean Broth (Trader Joe's)
2.5oz Chobani Plain, Lite Yogurt sweetened with Dasani Pina Colada Drops
Today I am going to strain some Zuppa Toscana from Olive Garden so I can eat out with my family.

I had never been one to consider wls as everyone I knew that had the band was back to being morbidity obese again. 2 years ago a co worker who was 1 year older than me an much smaller than I was had a massive stroke at work. He will be on disability for the rest of his life and has 2 small children.( one hadn't been born yet)
I was taking 3 blood pressure pills daily just to try and keep it normal. I would get home from work and start checking my BP. Many nights I will would lie on the bed with it wrapped on my arm cuz it was at stroke levels. Asking my husband should be go to the hospital yet? What should be wait for before we go????
I couldn't do it anymore! My time was spent wondering if it was time to head to the hospital or wondering if my new life would be like my old co worker.... lucky that he lived but his body and mind will never recover from the damage from the stroke. I viewed my only choices were chance a surgery that could have bad outcomes or basically wait to die of the stroke I knew was coming for me. At 37 it sucks to make those choices but I wanted to live a normal life so I looked into the sleeve. It seemed the safest from my research. I had the sleeve Feb 21st, total weight loss is 120 lbs, Tummy Tuck was done sept 24 th. My favorite part of the tummy tuck surgery was when they took my BP and didn't need the jumbo cuff!!!

I found this tid bit of statistical data very motivating when it comes to weighing the risk of surgery. 89% reduced risk of death in five years in one study. I can't seem to copy and paste. It's on page 1018 of this paper: http://weightloss.clevelandclinic.org/images/file/Articles/Surgical%20Approaches%20to%20the%20treatment%20of%20obesity.pdf

You will be ok, try to hand in there a bit longer ok? It will get better!
I noticed I get gas bubbles from swallowing seem to happen less if I drink my Water while I am walking.
When can you advance to puree with your doctors blessings? Hopefully soon. There could be recipes you can eat soon that will help. Maybe a ricotta bake, pureed deviled eggs, pureed tuna salad, refried Beans with salsa, cheddar, and sour cream, etc.
If you are on full liquids what about egg drop Soup, yogurt, pudding, ricotta mousse, pumpkin pudding, sugar free fudgesicles or popsicles? Egg drop saved my day!
have you spoken to your doc about your challenges? Could Pepcid complete help? A pain med? Gas X chewables? Is milk giving you trouble?

I'll be your buddy. PM me your number if you'd like to talk some time! I've made a couple friends off this site so far, both are preop. Since we are the same day it would be cool to keep in touch. Cleared to eat what you can tolerate? Like anything, or thickened liquids or what? I'm jealous! But, after my egg yolk incident, I want to be careful. No puking here so far, thank God!
I want refried Beans with mils salsa, cheddar and light sour cream. This is my goal in life. And maybe that ricotta bake everyone talks about. *sigh* soon enough!
Myology is sold by Puritan Pride. It's still on sale B1G1 (so 41.95 for 2 containers of 32 servings, 30 grams protein a scope) here: http://www.puritan.com/myology-brand-0559/whey-protein-isolate-chocolate-031471?scid=4150
Here's a 10% off coupon code over $59: MRRYP10
They also have B1G2 on their brand Vitamins. I found liquid vitamins with super foods and Fiber on the list: 3 bottles, 32 servings each for 34.95 here:http://www.puritan.com/multivitamins-067/biorganic-life-complete-liquid-nutrition-019835?ssl=1&
I haven't tasted it yet though. I think after my first post op appointment perhaps. No vitamins for me right now, maybe cause of my blood thinner shots, perhaps it could interfere.

I got the best Christmas present yesterday! Got on the scale and I am down 30 pounds!
Small victory to certain family memebers (in laws need I say more) but to us sleevers that is a huge feeling of accomplishment!
Wow! 30 pounds already! I'm just so happy to be out of the 290's in the low 260's!!!!

Please add me to December 30th!! So excited and nervous!!

I'll be your buddy. PM me your number if you'd like to talk some time! I've made a couple friends off this site so far, both are preop. Since we are the same day it would be cool to keep in touch. Cleared to eat what you can tolerate? Like anything, or thickened liquids or what? I'm jealous! But, after my egg yolk incident, I want to be careful. No puking here so far, thank God!
I want refried Beans with mils salsa, cheddar and light sour cream. This is my goal in life. And maybe that ricotta bake everyone talks about. *sigh* soon enough!
Myology is sold by Puritan Pride. It's still on sale B1G1 (so 41.95 for 2 containers of 32 servings, 30 grams protein a scope) here: http://www.puritan.com/myology-brand-0559/whey-protein-isolate-chocolate-031471?scid=4150
Here's a 10% off coupon code over $59: MRRYP10
They also have B1G2 on their brand Vitamins. I found liquid vitamins with super foods and Fiber on the list: 3 bottles, 32 servings each for 34.95 here:http://www.puritan.com/multivitamins-067/biorganic-life-complete-liquid-nutrition-019835?ssl=1&
I haven't tasted it yet though. I think after my first post op appointment perhaps. No vitamins for me right now, maybe cause of my blood thinner shots, perhaps it could interfere.

Hi guys. I am sitting in bed right now at hospital nova 2nd day out. Was sleeved yesterday and boy do I have updates for you all. Little groggy and tired so I promise to tell you my story in two days when I return home. Have barium swallow test tomorrow and I get to shower. Pretty excited for that. Until then....

What if jesus comes back before I reach onderland ???????

In the past, I have given lots of expensive clothes to people who wanted them and never saw them worn. I did give a whole carload to a rehab/thrift store and they were very happy to get them
This time I took I took all my clothes to this nice resale shop we have locally. Let me tell you, I made almost a thousand bucks over a period of 4 months!!! Expensive, plus size clothes are snatched up quickly!!!!

I'm going to offer them as transition clothes to people on here and then donate what's left.

Could you offer them on Facebook? "Have a lot of <insert size> clothes, dresses, nice tops, etc to give away. Anyone interested?" I was jsut thinking about asking on FB myself for friends to keep me in mind, but I didn't want to put all my business out there like that. Could you offer them at a support group or to a local forum member? I think most people losing weight like we will/are would be thrilled to have some good hand me downs, and then they could pass it on when they outgrow them as well.