wildGoose

My favorite thing is having people not recognize me! I love flying now, and I used to not go anywhere. I love being told I'm too thin. I love weighing less than my friends. I love putting on clothes I don't think I can possibly get into and having them fit. The simple stuff is the best. I'm 62. Now I'm waiting for my plastics, which I did not think I'd want, but I do. I'm a year out from my liquid diet. I measure from there. 110 lbs. oh my.

I like Quest bars, too. I like Choc Chip Cookie Dough and Raspberry white chocolate. If you go to GNC and join their discount program for $20 you can get a box of 12 for $25.

I just learned that Medicare will pay for a tummy tuck and a boob job. I had no idea. There is a really good plastic surgeon who said he'd give me a good deal on doing my face if he did the tummy and the boobs. I am very happy. really just letting you know.

That is so cool!!!

I honestly believe that if you can make it through a few days there discomfort will stop. what kind of shakes are you drinking?? I had a few rough days, and then I totally fell into a rhythm. I felt better and lost weight like crazy before the surgery. I was drinking premier protein shakes. I still drink them from time to time. I was on the liquid diet for six weeks, because I did not lose enough leading up to that point. I think the trick for me was to not think about it too much. And if you feel you need to eat, try just having an extra shake. You really want to lose as much weight before the surgery as possible. It will help to shrink your liver and your surgery will go better the more you shrink your liver. hang in there. It will be worth it.

The place between plus and regular size was the worst for me. After my surgery I went from size 22 to size 14 plus. It was easy. I just kept buying the next smallest size of pants - the same kind. I was buying style&eco jeans at Macy's. then I got to the 14s, and I just did not know what to do! I went to Macy's regular women's dept to buy jeans and it was like they totally re-invented buying jeans in the years I was in the plus sizes. I almost had a nervous breakdown right in the store. Rather than embarrass myself, I left. I called a friend, and she told me to go to Costco and buy some Gloria Vanderbuilts in a few sizes. they are very cheap And very easy to return. I bought 14 and 12s. the 12s fit - I returned the 14s and bought a second pair of the 12s. since then, I've shrunk into size 10s. since then, somebody gave me a few pairs of size 10 Gap jeans which were perfect. Now I'm ready for the size eights. I think that will be my size. Shopping was really hard for me. it is getting better. I did not want to spend a fortune on clothes while I was shrinking. the Costco idea was really helpful. I bought leggings there. And when I was thin enough, I bought shorts. my surgery last October 28,2014. So it was about 11 months ago. I've lost 107 pounds and think I can lose maybe 10 more. what an amazing journey. I'm so grateful.

I am a big believer in the re-set. The way I learned it was to have 4 or 5 protein shakes and nothing else on day one. Then, on day 2, have four protein shakes. And then make your dinner a weighed amount of chicken. Eat what you can - until you are full - and then weigh the rest so you can know just how much you are. I've done this twice. It really helps.

My PA considers foamies to be in the Dumping family. I don't know. I've had foamies before, but I learned quickly to not eat too much and to figure out when I am full. There are a few things you can do to fight the foamies. First, chew some sugarless peppermint gum. Next, lie on your left side. This helps to move the food out of your new stomach. it really helps.

I gave up my Diet Coke when I went on my liquid diet. Cold turkey. A few months after my surgery, I had a sip of a friend's diet coke, and I hated it. I haven't even thought of having even a sip since then. I've learned to drink herbal tea. If I need sweetener I use Liquid Stevia. I don't recommend Truvia. please stay away from carbonated drinks.

I'm so happy I found this group again. In the beginning, this group was my absolute rock. I'm doing well. Off most of my meds, not being treated for Diabetes at all any more. Since I first went to my surgeon, I've lost 107 pounds. Now, I lose very slowly, but I am totally okay with that. I went to the doctor, well, his PA, and she told me I had to stop losing so fast. Imagine that. Things have been hard here as my neighbor's 8-year-old daughter was raped and murdered by another neighbor, a 15-year-old boy. I ate too much at first, but my food of choice was blueberries! People were talking about yogurt and fruit. That's absolutely my favorite food. I have it for Breakfast every single day. I love FAGE 2%. I gave up the non-fat because i realized I needed to be eating more fat. Every single day I wake up amazed that I can get out bed. I look at my size 10 pants and am sure that I cannot possibly fit into those tiny things. I've learned how to shop for clothes, though I have to admit it was very traumatic at first. My arthritis remains bad, but I go to physical therapy three times a week, and my legs are getting better. Everyday I am totally grateful that I had my surgery and that I have totally hung in there for almost ten months now. I won't lose this group again. I hope everyone is doing well. With love, WG.

Mu dry mouth is gone. But while I had it, I chewed gum, drank Water, ate sugar free popsies and sugar free Jello. Good luck.

How much white flour. That's still a Nono for me.

I tend to think that your job at this point is to get the food and water in you. Everything is swollen and tender. I thought that would last forever. It doesn't, I promise. In a few weeks you will be able to get a more set pattern of eating, but as I remember it, I was tender for the first three months. Now that I'm about 10 months out and down 107 pounds, my new stomach reminds me that I had the surgery. the surgery is smartest thing I've ever done. hang in there. And congratulations on having your surgery. We all know how hard you had to work to get to this point. The hard work has to last forever. My suggestion is to log all your food into myfitnesspal or another food logging site. That has totally helped me to stay on track. Best wishes.

Your body is losing weight at an alarming rate. If you can, let your body rest as much as possible. At some point you will wake up with more energy than you know what to do with. Seriously. Good luck.

I have been going to physical therapy for three months to help with the joint aches and pains that I have started having since I lost a bunch of weight so fast. I go to a center with a hot pool, and the work is really helping me. I've always had arthritis, but never had pain until I lost weight. I don't know the answers to all this, but I do know the therapy is helping and I am getting better.

I eat prunes. They aren't the best choice, but I think they do work. The thing about constipation, and after eight months, I feel like an expert, is that no one remedy will work all the time. At least not for me. Nothing works all the time. Personally, I like Smooth Move tea. But it is only for "occasional constipation." Prunes, which are also known as "dried plums," have no added sugar. I'd check with someone on your surgical team first, but if they say yes, I'd start with one prune. Then, I would move up to two, etc. See what happens. I think the best thing for constipation is drinking lots of Water. I have become very good at this.

I now use liquid Stevia. I buy it in 8 oz bottles from Amazon.

Remember that if you change surgeons, you can take your test results with you. A new surgeon will know how to get the records. The skill of the surgeon is a major factor in the quality of your recovery. Good luck. keep moving forward.

I'm almost 8 months out. Constipation has been my biggest problem. I don't want to speak too soon, but it seems to be better. I've lost 99 pounds. Now my constipation is better and I seem to be in a stall. It is always something!! For constipation, I suggest Smooth Move tea. Also Peppermint tea is a good remedy for your while GI tract. Once you are further down the road, you'll be able to eat more veggies and fruits. If you are having smoothies, throw in some prunes. good luck. it really does get easier.

Everything will change. Hang in there. Good luck.

What are you eating? How much and how fast are you eating? If I were you I'd be checking with my surgical team. Are you throwing up food or foam? If something got stuck in your new stomach ... Meanwhile, drink Peppermint tea. It will help.

I love MFP. I use it every day. It is the one thing that keeps me totally honest about what I am eating and the protein and calorie counts. I believe this is what keeps me honest with myself.

You can buy quickly dissolving calcium citrate at Target. (Target brand). They are pills and work great. Nutritionists appear to be in cahoots with the Bariatric supplement folks, and it pisses me off big time.

Are you diabetic?? I had RNY, because Medicare in California only will pay for RNY or band. I had wanted the sleeve as it seems to be the IT surgery these days. But in the end I decided on the most restrictive surgery - the gold standard. not one regret. good luck to you.

I am so happy to be in this forum. I am seven months out from surgery and I have recently weighed in at 182. That is down 100 pounds since I started on the liquid diet. I'm still losing, maybe 5 or 6 pounds a month. I am not sure about my goal weight. I want to let my body figure that out for me. I am so grateful to be this size, and resentful that I have to keep buying new clothes. For me, body image is one of big issues. I don't know what I look like. Before surgery I went about 15 years without looking in a mirror. now I am trying to take an honest look at myself. it is sort of fun. I have a great support system, and I have people calling me skinny all the time. ???? I go shopping and shock myself with size 12 jeans. yikes. I am so grateful. I was in a stall, and then I started drinking lemon water. I do this first thing out of bed in the morning. juice of one whole lemon in a half liter of spring water. I put liquid stevia on it. I think it is better than coffee, and it is filled with all kinds of stuff. Ok. I am babbling now. ????????????????