CheleLynn45

I am only down 40lbs but I am loving my skinny jeans and my boots. My daughter picked them out for me. I can't imagine what I will get into once I am closer to goal

I just had to come on here and share how happy I was when I left my monthly support meeting last night. They have them every first Tuesday of the month. This month we had three people come and talk with us about their journey and experiences with the sleeve surgery. It was three men in three different phases of their journey. It was so nice that I was able to take something away from each speaker. I also choked back tears a few times, but they were good tears. Each one hit on something that pertained to me in one way or another, but the main thing I took away and I going to try and hold on to is what the one gentleman said is to....."Take pride in yourself, be proud of you!" This really hit home and I know he saw that. The last guy that talked noticed it too and hit on it also. I am sure like so many others while I was overweight I just wanted to be covered up neatly and blend in. Never liked to stand out, I was definitely not one of those overweight women who could dress how they want and rock it. Which is weird because I am not shy at all. LOL Well last night my family went out to dinner for the first time since my surgery. My daughter had talked me into buying two pair of jeans (I never wear jeans, only capris because I am only 5'3" and I could never find comfortable jeans that fit, thank goodness I live in AZ and could get away with that), She said they looked so good on me, but of course could I believe her, no. My husband really liked them on, could I believe that, nope. I wore a pair to work and got compliments, again nope they are just being nice. So last night when we headed out I had on three things I have not worn in over 15yrs, a pair of skinny jeans (jeggings actually and they are soooo comfy) tall black boots, a black top and cute scarf. Now I felt good but did I believe I should be wearing that, nope!! I said maybe I should wait till I lose 20-30 more lbs?? But I wore it. Out to dinner and then onto my meeting, After hearing the guys speak I walked out of the meeting with my head held high and smiling. I felt good and I BELIEVED I looked good!! One of the speakers actually said to me in front of the whole room, that I was beautiful and looked good and I should not question myself so much. That was one time I almost cried with tears of joy. Sorry this is so long but I have been pretty positive since about week 2 post op that I can do this and I will do this, but last night just pushed me over the edge and I am super positive I got this!! Support is a great thing and it saddens me when I see so many that don't have it. I am very lucky with my family and friends and now my monthly support group. I am attaching a pic of me from last night (hopefully it works never attached a pic before) that my daughter took so I could send to my mom who is in NY. I am not posting it for kudos but I am posting it because before last night I would have NEVER put myself out there. You know how you pick apart pics of yourself? I am going to try and not do that anymore. I only 6 1/2 weeks post op, down 40lbs but I feel good!!!! Here's to anyone struggling, waiting for surgery or doing good with the process.......TAKE PRIDE IN YOURSELF, YOU MATTER AND YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!

I go to they gym after I have had my morning Protein shake/tea. I have just recently started strength training and I feel pretty good and am able to get thru itit all and still do 30 mins on treadmill. I usually wait about 40 mins then go, that way I can drink my Water while I am there too!!

Skippy Peanut Butter was all we ate in this house. Loved it straight out the jar. I am very picky about my food. PB2 is really pretty good. We use it mostly in our shakes, but I did try a nibble the one day my husband mixed it with some Water. Tasted pretty good!!

I switched to decaf tea as soon as I got my surgery date. it wasn't to bad and I didn't find I went thru withdrawl or anything. I never drank coffee but would be lost without my tea. On my days off I drink 32oz of decaf black tea with unflavored Protein in it with a some splenda and 2 tbsp. creamer. On the days I work I only do 24oz. I brew one decaf black tea k cup thru my kuerig twice. I also drink 24oz of decaf tea at night with my miralax in it. (that has been a lifesaver) I also drink plain Water to make up my 64-80oz of liquid I get in everyday. I am in AZ and when it was hotter out it was easier to drink more water but with it being cooler in the mornings and evenings the hot tea just goes down easier and is way more enjoyable for me. Oh and one other super positive with drinking hot tea for me is it helps my Vitamin go down so much better than just water. I have been able to swallow them since the doc put me on them but I'm not going to lie they are pretty big!!

I use my Tervis cups all the time. LOVE THEM!! I wanted a bigger one but 24oz is all I could find. I ended up finding double walled 32oz cup at Target called Bubba (that is the actual name of the cup) LOL With my Tervis cups I have both lids the hot coffee sip style and the flatter one that works with a straw. I never was told not to use a straw and had no problems from day one. (but like everything else you should follow your docs orders) I cannot stand using Water bottles that sweat. I have two camelback type ones too that are 32oz but once you put some ice in them they sweat and make a mess. That is why I love the Tervis brand. You will figure out what works best for you. In the beginning it seemed like all my hubby was doing was washing water bottles. LOL We had so many different ones I wasn't sure which ones I liked the best. But now that I have a routine we are good and I only have like four that I use on a regular basis. Good Luck with your surgery and I hope that everything goes smoothly for you!!

Go to musclegen.net They have a sampler pack for $3.50. This is the website I got my samples from berfore I ordered it from amazon.com with my prime free 2 day shipping.

How do you buy/order the shredded deli chicken at Walmart??

I also use GENEPRO. Love it. I order it off amazon.com too.

I didn't care for the unflavored unjury. I use GENEPRO daily and LOVE it!! If you order in on Amazon it should come pretty quickly. I order it using my prime membership and get it in two days!! But whatever you use you have to like it or you wont use it. It is so hard to figure that out, believe me!! I use the Genepro every morning in my decaf hot tea, and I use the RTD premiere Protein in vanilla and chocolate. I also have vanilla and chocolate splendor from Unjury but really don't use that anymore, my husband and daughter love it and use it almost daily. LOL Good Luck!!

Congratulations!!! Looking good!!

I drink 32oz of decaf tea (I brew one k cup thru my Kuerig twice, so not using two k cups) almost every morning with my unflavored Protein powder, a little splenda and 2 tbsp. fat free creamer. I love it and it and I count is as half my Fluid intake for the day. I also drink about 24-32oz of regular Water daily too. Then I usually have another 16oz of decaf tea with my miralax in it at night. I feel good and have been losing every week so far, and I am almost 6 weeks post op.

I am almost 6 weeks post op am suppose to get 60grams in a day, I usually get between 70-80. My doc wants me doing two shakes and one meal a day. Most days I eat my meal at dinnertime with my family. With this program I have no problem getting in my Protein and liquids in a day.

My surgery was 10/27 and I was off of work till 11/28. I only work part time and am not the main bread winner in our house. So I took as much time as I could off. I felt very lucky that I could do that. I really wanted to have everything under control and be on somewhat of a routine before I returned. I was able to get short term disability which I wasn't expecting, I also think if I wanted more time my doc would have wrote me off for it. I feel like I really could have returned to work 2 weeks after if I had to, I had a very good recovery, I was lucky!! Good Luck with your upcoming surgery!!!

Drinking Water never really bothered me. But now that the weather is cooler I find it harder to get my water down. So I am dinking more hot decaf tea. Goes down very easy and I am having no problem getting all my liquids in.

Good for you!! I was back in the gym two weeks after surgery on the treadmill and it really felt good I have to say. My whole family belongs to our gym here. I love that my husband and 15yr old daughter are so supportive with my workouts. I know for me I need that. Keeps me motivated. I have even been going to zumba classes our gym offers, the instructor is so fun and nice. Now don't get me wrong I have to modify the moves big time. but I am moving the whole time. This weds though I made it thru the whole class. WOO HOO!! My surgery has made a difference in my family too. They don't have a weight problem but they are eating healthier and we are exercising more together as a family. I love that I am not a bystander anymore to my life! And so does my daughter!!! Go get em!! You got this girl!!!

I was sleeved 10/27. My doc had me start my Vitamins about 2 1/2 weeks post op. I am taking the Bariatric Advantage capsules. I am able to swallow them (they are a little big). I have never been able to swallow pills no matter what size they were. It did take me a few days to figure out what time of day was best for me to take them. I was doing after Breakfast and dinner but found I was waking up in the middle of the night tasting them. yuck!! So now I take them after breakfast and lunch, I find if I take them when there is something in my tummy then all is good. I know there will be people who will have advice for you. I have seen many who have helped so much on here. I just wanted to let you know what worked for me. Hang in there as they days go by it will be easier for your to get your Protein an Water in.

I am a little over 5 weeks post op and have been losing every week so far. I am hoping to not have a stall but I know that will almost be impossible. I have lost 37lbs so far. So when that dreaded time comes I hope I can just remember to keep doing things right and the weight will start coming of again. This is one reason I take my measurements too!!

I take the Bariatric Advantage Vitamin capsules. They go down ok. I have to just take a min after I swallow them to make sure they are staying down Haven't had one come up yet. Whew!! I did find that I have to take them after Breakfast and after lunch. I was taking them after breakfast and dinner but it must have been to late cause I was waking up at night tasting them YUCK!! Now I don't have that problem.

The only things I brought with me to the hospital was my phone, charger and this awesome nivea lip balm. I didn't need anything else. I was up and walking same day of surgery and just used a second gown like a robe when I went out walking.. Didn't need slippers or anything because my hospital had colored socks with grippies on the bottom for you to wear. Depending on your color is wether you could get up by yourself or not Mine were green so I was good to go. As far as preparing metally for surgery I did as much research as I could. I liked that I had to do a 6 month doc supervised diet since this surgery is not something I sought out. It was recommended to me by my doctor. So the time I had before surgery I needed, My surgery was scheduled for Nov 3 but then it was moved to Oct 27th and I was like OH NO, but once the initial shock wore off I was ok. You really can only do so much before hand. it really wasn't till I was home not in much pain that I realized I could do this!! Good Luck in your journey!!! Follow your docs order as close as you can!!

OMG.....I have typed a reply twice now and for whatever reason, probable more me than my computer I lost them both times. I would definitely call your doc. I am 5weeks post op and was doing fine in the #2 area until this weekend. I had a horrible day on Monday, but after some stool softners, some magnesium citrate and an enema (God I love my hubby, poor thing. he used to be an RN so it is so helpful to have him around, none of this stuff bothers him) things started to move a little. This morning I finally feel back to normal. I called my doc 's office on Monday though because I wanted to know what to do to prevent this from happening again. She told me to get Miralax and mix it into my evening tea and it should help keep me regular. I used it last night and the good thing is it is completely tasteless. Whew!! So hopefully it will work for me. I really hope you get this figured out, it is not pleasant in the least bit. Good Luck!!!

I am only 5wks post op and down 37lbs. I can see it starting in my arms, but I have also just started strength training last week, I have been working out since day one and can only hope for the best. About 14yrs ago I lost almost 100lbs in 18 months just thru diet and exercise. I am 46 now so I would have been around 32. I had no sagging skin anywhere, except my boobs, but I blame my kid for those. LOL What I do have to deal with is a ventral hernia that is on my right side lower abdomen area, This will be removed once I lose my weight. In clothes you don't notice it but naked you can definitely see that it protrudes a little. Some days more than others. But the way I feel at just losing this weight is incredible, I cannot imagine once I reach 100+ pounds!!

I am only 5 weeks post op so my answer of me making myself a meal and me making a meal for my husband and daughter is where we are right now. They have been so supportive in this whole process. I knew they would be or I wouldn't even ventured ahead with this. Once I am further out my answer would be I'm really lucky my family doesn't mind eating healthy, one meal and I just eat less of it!! I would love to see more answers like this......I get that this was our decision ultimately, but support goes a long way!!

You can find Genepro unflavored protein on amazon.com.

I use the unjury here too. I like the vanilla and the chocolate splendor with PB2 added to it. I also like to add less milk and more ice, makes it feel like melted ice cream or a real thick shake. My husband and 15yr old daughter both use the Unjury at least 4-5 times a week. They add yogurt and fruit to theirs. They really like them.