Kbee

gorgeous dress Misty. You look fabulous. Hope you had a wonderful night at the jazz club! Happy 2014.

Hey Chisti, I felt exactly the same on the liquid phase. I think it's a combination of heeling and just having liquid. I'm now in the mince phase and like some others have suggested feel MUCH more satisfied after eating. Now my biggest problem is making sure i go slow and don't overfill myself - it certainly has taken me some bad overfull experiences to learn but you do learn fast! I hope you have the same experience on mince. Best of luck - the two weeks of liquids are the most challenging, it will only get better from here! K Ps - I also found following the don't drink either side of eating rule really good and always have Protein first.

42 pounds is amazing - big congratulations! Surgery in francs sounds like a nice way to do do it. Congratulations again on your amazing losses. I am now on day 16 post op and starting to feel really good. I've lost 15.4 pounds since the operation and did the pre op diet and lost another 26.4 pounds. I have a lot more to go but on my way. Best of luck to you in 2014 too and thanks for posting.

All - I am two weeks post sleeve surgery and am meant to be going to Melbourne for my granddads 92nd birthday this Friday (that will be 16 days post surgery). I stupidly didn't ask my doctor if it was safe to fly in an aeroplane that soon after having the procedure. Can anyone help with their own experiences? It's a domestic flight within Australia. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Merry Christmas to everyone out there.

Thank you all so much for your advice. Greatly appreciated as my surgeon is off enjoying a well deserved break in the sun. I'll be sure to drink lots of water and wear my decompression socks. Merry Christmas to you all and may 2014 bring you all your heart desires!

Ahh apologies I misunderstood. I am really not sure sorry. I had stitches that dissolved. Can't help. Hope you recover well.

aAHhhh right apologies I'm an idiot! Everything re resting still applies though right?! Get better soon. :-)

Which is good right so you don't have to stress about another procedure!

Hey Ree. They are very tiny and never come out!

Yes yes yes! Pre op I was the queen of bland. Now all I want is spicy, chilly, pepper fuelled foods! It's totally bizarre. Also, I usually enjoy sweets but because of the liquid diet I have been completely off sugar. Today I tried the tiniest piece of plum pudding and it was revoltingly sweet. I believe that's common after detoxing from sugar. It's really interesting observing the changes! Good luck with your journey.

Don't over do it Misty. You have to remember you've had major surgery and need to give yourself time to heal. I know this as I AMA shocker for never sitting still. Rest up, get better and take care of yourself. Terrible timing to get sick. Drink lots of water and try bettadine sore throat gargle - I think it's the best. I guess on the upside at least you won't feel like eating! Get well!

You're an inspiration re the shakes and you are right we just have to respect the healing process - there is no choice. Sipping on another shake as we speak - vanilla with an expresso coffee shot! Merry Christmas everyone and just IMAGINE how we are all going to look next year!!! Eye on the prize as they say....

Ps Sandisleeve sorry to hear you are not well. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Terrible timing to be unwell.

Carolina don't worry about what other people think. You've done something amazing and proactive to help your future health. Just the sleep apnoea alone is enough to warrant getting the procedure - that's so dangerous and debilitating. Here's to your new quality of life. I am 14 days post op and I have told my inner circle of friends and family. I am glad I told them. The people that really love and care for you will support you no matter what. Take care!

I am in Australia and it took me about four months from the initial appointment. It's a big decision and one not to be taken lightly. For me personally (I am now two weeks post surgery) it's the best decision of my life. My weight has been my Achilles heel since I was young and I can only explain this as sheer relief that I now know something is working. I have a long way to go but I am just not that stressed about it anymore as I have faith in the process. Make an appointment and start the journey - I know I felt better just doing that. Very best of luck to you!

Ps you are ABSOLUTELY doing the right thing to start all this pre-op so you can detox from sugar/carbs and work out what's going to work post op. Best of luck and let us know how you get on!

I hear you re the shakes. I've always struggled with milky stuff and most of them are dairy based. Check with your Dr. but mine has allowed me to make up green juices (green apple, cucumber, mint, celery, kale, spinach, ginger - take what you like don't like) and add a protein powder. I've found this is a good replacement for shakes and you get the benefit of all those greens/nutrients. Usana make a good protein powder which is US based. The other option is to take a basic low fat tin soup eg tomato and add protein - pea protein is good with soup and you can't really taste it. Start with small amounts and experiment with combinations till you find what suits your taste buds! Good luck!

Ps I have lost 16kg (35 pounds for all you US people) since I first saw the surgeon about four months ago. Still a long way to go but you have to start banking the progress right and not look at the overall number you have to go?!

I'm a December sleever. I had my procedure done on the 11/12/13 - nice easy date to remember. I have to say two weeks in I am feeling pretty good but very sick of shakes and broth. Looking forward to moving to the next phase. What is everyone's strategies for getting through Christmas? Our family is ALL about food so it's going to be a big change for me not partaking in the feasting this year. Would love to hear what people are planning. I am reminding myself it's not about the food - it's about the people. Seasons greetings to everyone and good luck!

Hi everyone. So I am a newbie. It's day 13 since my sleeve. I have nearly got through the liquid phase and am very excited at the prospect of some puréed veggies and turkey tonight. I have a big European family and we always celebrate Christmas Eve with LOTS of food. In fact the whole world evolves around food with our family. I'm sure other people can relate to that! Anyway congratulations on all the amazing success stories out there - they are SO inspiring. I hope to be one of them myself in the near future. In the meantime, if anyone has any tips for a few weeks in I'd be most grateful. Enjoy Christmas (in moderation everyone!

Hi elleelmo - I know you posted this much earlier in the year but I moving to Canberra in 2014 and would love a walking partner. I had my sleeve done on 11/12/2013 so early days. If you are still interested, I am sure I could really benefit from your experiences!