JeanZ_RN

That was one of my all-time favorite posts too! Congratulations on making goal! Our numbers are almost identical, so it's interesting to me to see how long it took you to get there. You ARE an inspiration! I'll continue to follow your posts, so I can learn from you re maintenance. Here's wishing you a wonderful 2014!

Laura-ven, your post should be required reading for every person considering WLS!! I have a friend who had the band and was not successful, and is now considering sleeve vs RNY. I'm concerned that she may be thinking one of these surgeries will be a magic bullet, and I'm going to send her your post. Your posts are always on point and also to the point, both of which I appreciate a LOT! Your weight loss success and your approach are inspiring!

Mine is not as bad as you describe, but I've definitely noticed a change. I attribute it to the lack of fat in my diet. The remedy I'm trying is Jojoba oil, recommended by my massage therapist. I apply it to my arms, hands, lower legs and feet every day or two. Best time to apply it is just after a shower, when skin is still damp. I purchased the oil at Whole Foods market, and it's not cheap - $34 for a 9-10 oz bottle (I'm not sure how many oz it is). I just Googled jojoba oil (pronouced hoHOba), and found one site that offers a 16 oz bottle for $21, so if it works as well as I think it's going to I'll be purchasing online from now on. My masseuse said that other oils that are also good are almond oil and coconut oil - and those are less expensive.

I had TMJ pain that was severe, years ago, and have since had surgery to alleviate it. My part of the "cure" has been to learn to change the behaviors that cause the pain or make it worse. The changes include (in no particular order): >> In general, avoid chewing gum. When you occasionally do chew it, take half a stick only, and chew it for just a short time. To freshen your mouth try a breath mint instead, and don't chew it! >> Don't chew ice or hard candy, or anything else of that nature. Let them melt in your mouth instead. >> If you chew your nails, stop. I know, it's not easy. I did it, though, so I know it can be done! >> Avoid nuts and other foods that require much pressure of jaws to chew. That's not to say never eat them - just make it rare at least until the pain is under control. >> Learn not to clench your jaw. To do this, keep the lower teeth very slightly apart from the upper teeth. It's a difficult habit to change, but you can do it. Try keeping your tongue between the upper and lower teeth, so that if you start to clench your teeth you'll bite your tongue and thereby be reminded. >> Several times a day, become aware of the level of tension in your jaw. When you realize the TMJ is tense, open and close your jaw slowly, massage the joint, thrust the lower jaw forward a bit - whatever it takes to relieve the tension in the TMJ. >> I just read the post above by Branmuffin, and it reminded me -- change the habit of propping your chin on your hand or fist. When I need to prop my head, what I do now is prop my cheekbone(s). Here's what I mean: Spread your thumb apart from your index finger, and center the web part on your upper lip, just under your nose but leaving room to breathe through your nose. Use the thumb joint to support one cheekbone and your index finger to support the other. Or just prop your fist against your cheekbone instead of against your chin. Those are the ones I can recall. I bet you can find more by Googling TMJ pain . Best wishes!

My BMI was 36 when I started this journey, but the only one who has asked me a question like the ones you've gotten was someone on this forum. It didn't bother me, especially when I saw on my questioner's profile that he/she started out at a much higher BMI. Even though my weight was "only" 204 when I met my surgeon, he did not indicate any hesitation about my need for the surgery. My goal weight is 130, and I have tried many, many times to lose that 74 lbs. While I am almost totally off my diabetes meds now, and I hope to be able to stop my BP med soon, my motivation for having the surgery was just as much to look better as it was to be more healthy. I want to be in a relationship again some day, and I'm convinced it won't happen until I'm at a "normal" weight. I know, it might not happen even then... but at least I'll have a chance then, and I don't think I have that now.

I agree with Noor1969 - you express yourself so well! I always enjoy reading your posts. Thank you for inspiring me.

Keep your chin up! You can do this! The first couple of weeks are the hardest, physically. The pain gets better quickly, and in the meanwhile you have pain medication, right? You just concentrate on getting Water in. Yes, Protein is important, but right now water is your priority. Do you have at least one person who can be with you, who did NOT tell you not to do it? Ask that person to visit you for at least a couple of hours a day, and let him/her help you with the things that need to be done - feed the pets, stand by while you shower so you won't be alone when you might get dizzy... And set up a pattern of checking in with him/her by phone 2-3 times a day so that someone keeps tabs on you while you're vulnerable. You can do this!

I'm with Tampa. Been getting massages twice a month and will continue to do so. My skin has become very dry since my surgery, which I attribute to having almost no fat in my diet, so the massage oil helps for that. But I'd continue to get them even if that wasn't the case, just for the relaxation and the feel-good-ness.

At my 4-week check-up I told my surgeon that even though I'd started on soft foods I would like to continue to have a Protein shake for Breakfast each work day, since it's convenient and a time-saver. He said that would be fine.

Congratulations! And I can really see the difference! Your more recent pic doesn't show it, but I bet you've had a chin-ectomy...

My favorite is Premier Protein chocolate. They make a vanilla flavor also, but to me it has a grainy texture. I tried Bariatric Advantage chocolate and one of the nectar ones, but hated them both. Haven't tried unjury (but what's with that name??).

WooHOOOOOO! You done GREAT!! Congratulations! If you're caught without Water again -- which I bet you won't be after this, but anyway -- try gum or a breath mint. They can help a bit with thirst.

I had no drain, and if there was any leak test it was while I was under anesthesia.

I can see a difference! I can see a waist in the pic that has you smiling! You just keep working that sleeve, sista, and you gonna be FINE.

Before having the surgery I had doubts about my need for it... "Shouldn't I be able to do this without surgery?" But now I know that would not have worked for me any more than it did the other zillion times I've tried to change my eating habits. The pre-op diet - 1 week of just 4-5 Protein shakes a day and no solid food - was SO hard; I was desperately hungry a LOT of the time. The only thing that kept me going was the knowledge that the diet was a prerequisite for the surgery. I could not have maintained a very low calorie diet for long without the sleeve. I am thankful every day for the greatly-reduced hunger I now have as a result of the surgery. PLEASE NOTE: I'm putting in my 2 cents here NOT to discourage you, but rather so you might not beat on yourself too hard if you are not able to maintain the dietary restrictions you're planning. You say going to Mexico is a last resort... but many of the veterans on this site have chosen that option. You might want to read more about their experiences before you cross that off as a possibility. Whatever path you choose, Best Wishes!

What is Braun surgery? I tried Googling it but no luck.

Good on you!! Congratulations, and Thank You for posting. I hope to be in that same situation after I reach goal. So far I've been scared to try carbonated beverages, but one of these days the diet root beer in my fridge is going to leap out at me and I'll have to try it. IMHO, the best of all possible outcomes is to be healthy AND be able to eat whatever you want! (Possible because of the sleeve and re-training ourselves to want different things than pre-op.)

The best revenge is living life your own way. You will be the one still on the healthy path when the holiday is over; they will be continuing their self-destructive habits. I agree with L-in-NJ wholeheartedly: ...be firm when they insist on you breaking your diet. Just tell them you're committed to it and you would appreciate if they didn't try to deter SABOTAGE you.

Congratulations!! That means there is hope for me too!! Yipeeeeee!

As I've seen here said by others: The operation is only on our stomachs, not on our brains. We have to do that part ourselves, and ain't nobody perfect. I've also read on this site that our docs and NUTs expect (hope) we will make smart choices 90% of the time. Your ticker says you have been doing something RIGHT! I do understand how you'd be upset with yourself, and that is certainly valid. But don't beat yourself up - just learn from it and keep going forward!

Surely you are not on solid foods yet, at one week out?? I know all surgeons are different in that regard but ... ??? Most people have trouble getting their fluids and Protein in for the first week or two, so just do the best you can. If a food, or the thought of it, makes you nauseous then don't eat it. When you do introduce a new food item, go slow! And if your new small tummy rejects it, wait a week or two and try it again.

When I get closer to goal I'm going to try http://www.loveafterwls.com.

I live in North Dallas, and was sleeved by Jeffrey Henke, MD in November. I never had the band, so can't speak to a revision specifically, but Dr Henke is WONderful. He and his partner Joseph Kuhn, MD, have offices at Medical City Dallas and at Baylor.

I'm a nurse, working in an administrative job in a small hospital. Another nurse was hired for a similar position in our hospital, and in the course of conversation he soon volunteered the information that he's had the sleeve surgery. I had not heard of it, so I asked some questions, did my research and decided to start the journey. When I scheduled the time off for the surgery it just seemed natural to tell my peers on the management team the purpose of that leave. They have ALL been supportive, which has helped me tremendously. My only family - 2 sisters and 1 brother - all live hours away, and while we do keep in touch by phone and email, it's great to have supportive people whom I see every work day. Now I get to hear several times a week congratulations on how great I look and other congratulatory stuff. I'll TAKE it!

How did you meet Mr Right? I would REALLY like to be in a relationship again.