SparkleCat

I have 2-3 cups if coffee each day. NUT gave me the go ahead about 2 months out. Haven't had any problem with it. I did switch from half and half to powdered milk (not coffee mate!) to boost Protein a bit

I had no pain....no gas pain at all and didn't take any of the pain meds they sent me home with. Day after surgery was a little ick (sore in my sternum area and one, short bout with nausea)....after that, nothing! My Surgeon used the On-Q pain pump...maybe that helped...who knows, but I was grateful for the super easy recovery!

* My boobs are now bigger than my belly * I have more clothes to donate than I have to wear * On that note, All of your extra money goes to clothes! * You spend twice as long in the dressing room because you constantly have to swap out clothes for a smaller size...your brain just can't comprehend that you are actually "that size" * FINALLY wearing normal size boots rather than "Wide Calf"!! (Can anyone tell I went shopping yesterday? New boots, Size 6 Jeans [please tell me Kohl's jeans run large...I still can't comprehend this one!], new bras and a HUGE pile of clothes to donate!)

Linda, 10 was my goal....never in my wildest dreams did I think I would put on a six! My belly looks like silly putty left in the sun, but I'm now okay with it! You WILL get there!

Thanks! I'm literally in shock!

You can't stop looking at/examining your collar bones, wrists, ankles, ribs and hip bones cause you've never actually knew they existed. Your bras cost less, which is a good thing because your buying them every two months or so You throw away food with little guilt Your stomach and thighs look like melting silly putty and you couldn't care less! Weight loss ads are no longer intriguing, but profoundly annoying. Cameras and mirrors are now your friends

I just found out my surgeon uses a catheter...apparently inserted when I'm out and I will wake up to it. Of all the things to be nervous about, I have to admit catheter removal is right up at the top of that list! Having never had one, all I can imagine is extreme discomfort while in there (how the hell am I supposed to walk the halls with an effing catheter coming out of my crotch??), and removing it...oh god...removing a catheter!!?? Is it as bad as I am imagining it? I am not picturing pain exactly, but very weird nerve pain that will last long after the deed has been done....with ghost pain days after Has anyone successfully lobbied their surgeon against giving them a catheter? It's an hour long surgery for cripes sake....stick a puppy pad under my butt if they are that concerned. If you had the unfortunate experience of waking up with a catheter, would be willing to possibly describe the process so I am not so completely freaked out? And if they are going to be down there sticking tubes up the hoo-ha...should I be considerate and groom? I, frankly, was planning on keeping things au natural down there for a while Thanks for a place for a frank question and thanks in advance for the frank answers!

NSV! Well, my dermatologist wouldn't agree! Got my very first sunburn on my white belly after wearing my first bikini to the pool today!

Sleeved 4/22/14 HW: 231 SW: 220 CW: 162 Start size: tight 16, XXL Current size: 10, L (some M) Start BMI: 38 Current BMI: 28 I have recently stopped tracking food...I knew I didn't want this to be "another diet" and didn't want to track everything I put in my mouth as I tend to get obssesive. We will see how the no tracking goes...I will go back to it if I start gaining. I also promised myself to not freak out over stalls and, in general, I have been good at this...I still weigh every day and my weight loss looks like the dreaded "stair steps"...down a little, then stall, down a little more, then stall. I know this is normal. I am loving my new confidence, I change clothes several times a day just because I can!, I bought and have worn my first bikini ever and don't give a rat's a$$ what my saggy skin looks like! So glad I took the leap of faith and had this surgery! I know I am going to struggle, but am looking forward to struggles that aren't weight obsessive...I have spend 40 some-odd years with nothing in my brain but my weight, food and my appearance...it's time to start living and experiencing life's ups and downs without that monkey on my back!

Update! Surgery date: 4/22/14 Complications: 0 Difficulties: Still eating most of my calories at night in front of the tv. Oh! and beer...I miss beer. Bubbles really irritate my sleeve. Luckily I have never cared about soda Disappointments: None really...losing my hair is pretty horrifying Beginning weight: 231 Current weight: 162 Pounds lost: 69 lbs Size: Went from a tight 16 and am now a solid 10...can probably wear an 8 in some brands, but haven't tried one on yet. Body parts lost: My friend saw me in a bathing suit yesterday and exclaimed "What the hell happened to your boobs!?" I am shedding hair like a dog in summer!

Wasn't bad at all! Though getting up to walk and moving certain ways did give me some "zings" that weren't great....so I was glad to get it out, but all in all it was worth it for the peace of mind!

My surgeon used a catheter because he said one of the first signs of a leak is decreased urine output....having a catheter gives them the ability to quickly see output. He has only had one leak and he caught it within 24 hours. Once he explained the reason...I was more on board!

One of the highlights of my hospital stay was packing up the box of pee to walk the halls! I actually psyched myself out for nothing! Glad to get rid of it, but it wasn't a huge deal

Thanks All! I have never in my adult life been this thin and NEVER have I lost this quickly...and I am FAR from perfect in my eating habits (I allow myself small bites of whatever I want, I enjoy the occassional adult beverage, probably snack to much at night which has always been a problem for me) I guess I am so afraid of doing this wrong, that I am seeing problems rather than success. I got the sleeve so I could control my portions rather than particular foods. The skin and hair thing definitely bug me...but I was expecting them. I just didn't know the extent to which I would have to deal with both. I feel kind of selfish even posting about this...but it has confused, concerned and excited me all at the same time. I will definitely count my blessings and keep my Protein and Water up....I also promise to never bitch about a stall again!

Have the "get-2-goal" app where wls patients can enter their weight and see if their loss is below average, average or above average. Well today my weight weight below the above average line. I'm torn between being thrilled and a little concerned. My hair is now starting to thin (a little early compared to what I've read here) and I would like my skin to have some time to bounce back as I lose. I eat between 800-1000 calories a day, usually get all my Water and get between 60-70 grams of Protein a day. I tend to lose nothing for several days (even gaining an ounce or 3) and then, BAM, I will have big losses for several days in a row (at least a lb a day) My next nut appt is next week. Do y'all believe there are consequences to losing too quickly and are they great enough to make adjustments? Stats: HW: 231 SW 220 CW 176.8 Height 5'5" Surgery date 4/22 Start size: 14/16 (probably closer to 16/18 since my only pants that fit were very stretchy Old Navy Sweetheart jeans size 14....and they were super tight!) Current size: 10/12

I still seem to be losing quicker than normal.... my nutritionist says I am ahead of most of their sleeve patients it should slow down, but I have to admit I am kind of freaked out. I know most would love to have this problem (and a big part of me is thrilled), but I am starting to look like a bag of skin and my hair won't stop falling out.... I don't want to mess up my metabolism or go bald! At the rate I'm going I should be at goal (150 lbs) within 5 months of surgery if not sooner Are there any major side effects to losing too quickly? Or should I just enjoy the ride and stop worrying about a "problem" that many would kill to have? CW: 166 HW: 231

Yay!!!! I am planning in going to the pool today sporting my first ever bikini....I'm terrified, but gonna do it anyway!

My dr and nut said not to worry about calories....concern yourself with Protein. They (and I) don't want the sleeve to be another diet....most of us were slaved to diets and calorie counting and wls is the start of a new life that, for me, isn't dictated my # of calories or the # on the scale. Frankly, I was relieved when the nut "gave me permission" to stop counting calories....it was a revelation! I do track protein on MFP....but not calories

3 months post op and am shedding big time. RD says there is nothing you can do but wait it out. Rograine has become my best friend....but I don't even think it helps

I had my surgery in April 2014 and I never felt like I really lost my appetite....until now. I have noticed in the past week or so I am just not hungry...I have to make myself eat. For example, this morning, I know I need to eat Breakfast...I made a skim milk latte earlier this morning and had to force myself to drink it. I am now "force-feeding" myself a cup of greek yogurt, not because I want it, but because I know I need it. Two weeks ago I would get up and be excited to make breakfast...almost couldn't wait to get it in my mouth! Now? It is a chore. I am not really complaining...just curious. Do ghrelin levels change this far out? Being overweight most of my life, I have never experienced lack of hunger and no desire to eat...prior to surgery, all I could think about was my next meal or snack...it consumed me 24/7, so forcing myself to eat is completely foreign to me. Just trying to figure out how this ghrelin/ hunger thing works post op

Thanks for the info!! Like I said...it's not really bothersome, just one of those new experiences for me! I truly never understood would people "forgot to eat" and now I totally get it! Eating like a skinny person is strange

I, luckily, was never a soda drinker so I have no desire to have any post-op...However, I did enjoy a beer and have a good friend who owns an amazing brewery, so, of course, I had to see if I could have a glass of his amazing Stout every now and then....Nope! Can't do it...two teeny tiny sips make me miserable. I am actually pretty sad about it All in all, for me, the benefits of the sleeve outweigh the sacrifices...I am happy to avoid bubbles for this healthier me!

I had 5. One under my sternum, one above my belly button, two on the left of side of my stomach and one on the right. Luckily none near my bra line or waistband. I saw a thread earlier that asked this same question, the range was between 3-6 with the majority being around 5

3 month progress SD: 4/22/14 HW: 231 SW: 220 CW: 171 1st pic: 1 month pre-op at my HW 2nd pic: 2 weeks ago, around 175 I don't have a goal weight, but would be thrilled with another 20-30 lb loss

Anyone now have trouble with deoderant working?? I have never had a B.O. problem as long as I remembered deoderant...Degree has always worked well for me...until now. I have found I am "powering through" my deoderant if it is more than 75 degrees outside. Does this last? Is there a deoderant that y'all have found keeps newly discovered BO under control? Or have I just become more stinky for reasons other than WLS?