Babbs

I'm sorry Jane. I'm here if you ever need to talk. Just pm me. Congrats on your loss. Isn't it funny though, that we get so wrapped up in ourselves with this whole journey, but in the end there's a big world that just keeps going, full of good things and bad things no matter how much weight we lose. I think it just makes all of us that much more brave to endure it all while still going through our own challenging weight loss journeys

That's how I quit before surgery! It was a couple months before, and I just tapered off the nicotine on the vape until I was at zero. My surgeon didn't test for it, but I figured I was doing it to get healthy anyway. Anyway, here's a link I hope helps answer your question and good luck! http://www.fastmed.com/m/#!/health-resources/related-searches/how-long-does-nicotine-stay-in-your-blood

I love that chicken salad!

And I reread and realized she was talking about seltzer Water. So, my answer is the same. Wait until you're close to goal, see how it sits, but watch calories. I'm not sure about naturally flavored seltzer waters with calories, but as a rule, it's never good to drink your calories aside from protien shakes. And I stand by my belief that carbonation does not stretch the sleeve.

Have you been cleared for excerise yet by your surgeon? Usually they like you to wait at least 6 weeks for weights and anything really strenuous?

I don't think it's a forever thing. The "carbonation will stretch your sleeve out" thing is a MYTH. I know several sleevers who are at goal and maintaining that have diet soda once in a while. Heck, I know one that has 1 daily. I think the only problem may come with how well your sleeve can handle it. I tried a sip or 2 at almost a year out and OUCH. The bubbles hurt! Plus I have terrible GERD, so I don't need anything else causing problems with heartburn or reflux. I'm obviously talking about DIET soda. I don't even need to explain the issue with regular soda. (Empty calories galore!)

Why in the world would you take offense when she is simply telling us how she used to feel?? The post isn't about you and people should be able to post what they, themselves, feel about themselves. Okay, offense was the wrong word. It just made me a little sad she felt that way. And no, she can't help how she feels. But she feels great now, and honestly, that's all that matters. More power to her!

Mine just urged me to quit, so I did a couple months before. I know some actually do nicotine tests. Do you know if yours does? Because if so, I don't think a week will be enough for the nicotine to get out of your system. If they don't test, then good job on quitting and keep it up! It's such a hard habit to break! Good Luck!

Well, I just asked him and he said "I dunno. Would your big brown eyes have looked any different at 235 pounds? Because that's what attracted me to you initially." I see your point. I really do, and you are certainly correct in the fact as a single gal needs certain assets to attract a man. But why does it have to be her pant size? Believe it or not, not all men are that shallow. At least the ones that are worth having. After all, how many women on this site met spouses being overweight or even obese? I have friends who got married being obese. Plenty of men thought they were worthy enough for a second look, eh? My point actually was it just made me a little sad that at 145-160 pounds you still felt "fat and saggy" and not worthy of being loved until plastic surgery and you were a size 0. You honestly don't see anything wrong with that picture? I'm happy you feel plastic surgery has made you feel more confident. But there's a difference between a new found confidence and feeling you're worthy enough to receive love because you now feel you physically fit the mold. That's all I'm saying on the subject. You're great and I honestly do love your posts. This one just raised a red flag for me, that's all. You can tell me to piss off if you want.

@@AvaFern With all due respect, I really take offense to you basically saying you were unlovable before you had plastic surgery. I notice when you were ticking off all your wonderful assets, your weight and the size 0-2 came before the doctorate or high IQ. In my opinion, that's more important than what damn pants size you wear. And should be more important to any decent man worth dating you. You will learn that if someone truly loves you for you, it's not about your surgery scars, what size you are ( I had to laugh when you said when you were "larger" at 145-160, like that's ENORMOUS). I met my husband 28 years ago this month at 145 lbs. He has seen me from 135-235 pounds, and has loved me at every stage in between. I'm pushing 50, getting wrinkles and things are sagging. I know I don't have to run out and get plastic surgery for me to feel worthy enough for him to love me. Looks fade, but inner beauty and having a good head on your shoulders is forever. You are, and always have been worthy, no matter how much you weigh or what pants size you are. And it makes me sad that you and so many others feel they aren't unless they attain the societal perfect standard of beauty. I see it on this site all the time where women don't think they are worthy of love and respect from anybody because of what size they wear or the number they see on the scale. Like I said, it just makes me sad.

So I'm assuming they know you had WLS? When you tell people, expect the backlash of pettiness and snide comments. Comes with the territory. That's why many choose to keep it on the down low. Me? I pretty much tell everyone. The difference is I don't give a flying fuck what anybody thinks about it. My life, my choice. Haters gonna hate.

You will learn to adapt. Actually, there are lots of choices on a Chinese buffet! Soup, mussles, shrimp, chicken, egg fu yong.... I don't think I have EVER eaten at a restaurant where I couldn't find SOMETHING to eat. You'll learn to get a little more creative and adaptable as time goes on. Hang in there!

It's the 3 week stall that 99% of people go through. No worries. Keep on keepin on!

If getting on the scale every day has the ability to ruin your whole day and cause you to obsess about just the numbers: Bad If you can get on the scale every day and understand that fluctuations and stalls are a normal part of the whole process: Good

@@SWEETTEA No, don't worry about it. I struggle with depression, and my mom was bi-polar, so I can recognize it pretty easily. I'm glad you're in therapy, as it sounds like you have a lot you have to cope with right now. Just be aware that you're walking a fine line with the fear of weight gain. Make sure your therapist knows about your fear and treats you accordingly.

Here is a study from Cornell University that just came out recently: http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2015/06/18/cornell-researchers-actually-you-should-be-weighing-yourself-every-day/ I myself believe if it's going to drive you crazy during the losing phase, don't weigh every day. But I believe during maintenence it's a must for accountability.

@@SWEETTEA Are you in therapy? Sounds like you need to be in therapy. Not just about with the weight thing, either. You sound depressed.

As you heal, and the swelling goes down and things relax a little, you will find that the natural progression of things is that capacity goes up. I remember when I could go from 1 egg to 2. May even been as far out as you are right now. It also depends a lot on what the protien is. I can eat 5 oz of fish easily, but only 3 or 4 of beef. I can eat about 4 oz of chicken breast, but more of dark meat for some reason. 4 ounces seems perfectly normal to me. Just keep doing what you're doing and weighing out your portions so you feel you aren't over eating. You're doing just great!

Interesting topic. I've been thin, then fat, then thin again, then fat, now thin again. So I kind of had an idea. But I have not been this size in over 20 years, so things have definitely changed with my body being an almost 50 year old woman. I also got to my heaviest before my surgery, so there is definitely more skin to contend with. So yeah, skin and sagging. I honestly didn't have any visions of how I would look once the weight came off. The problem I was having was dealing with like a dismorphia as I lost weight. I just couldn't see it. I felt I looked HUGE in pictures still, even after losing 50 or 60 pounds. I think my brain couldn't quite catch up to the weight loss. All that said, sure I have a little bit thinner hair, my boobs sag, my stomach is terrible with the skin, but I am HEALTHY and wouldn't change a thing! I've learned to overlook those things and embrace my new normal size. Because, although we all love the fact that we will look a little better and wear smaller clothes, isn't it ultimately all about living a longer, healthier life? It was to me!

This explains why it happens in the first few weeks. Good stuff! http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.php

Grains? Protein is what you should be concentrating on. I didn't have grains until I'd lost 75% of my excess weight. Sorry to say, but suck it up, Buttercup. Food is not supposed to equal pleasure right now. Food equals healing and getting healthy. And protein is a big part of that equation. You should be able to have your cabbage rolls soon. That would actually be an excellent source of protien (exclude the rice though).

This whole no NSAID thing has really been a pain in the butt for me, and I have to say, I've had to break it BIG TIME because of these ******* doctors who are SO AFRAID of prescribing pain pills! I've had a running injury that was prescribed muscle relaxers (worthless), and after some major dental work and subsequent dry socket, basically was refused any more pain medication and told to take Advil, even after I told them I can't take it. I was forced to resort to it just so I wasn't living in excruciating pain. Any suggestions for other, non NSAID pain meds (Tylenol doesn't work well for me) or how to handle these doctors that are so terrified to prescribe pain meds because all the junkies ruined it for the rest of us?? I still have more dental work ahead of me, and i'm really not looking forward to being in any more excruciating pain! I SWEAR when I tell them I can't take NSAIDS because of the surgery, they think I'm drug seeking....

I'm not one to tell people to go against their surgeons orders, BUT..... I've used a straw from almost day 1, and know a lot of other sleevers who do on this site. Sometimes when surgeons differ opinions about something (like the straw thing), I find it's best to do what works for you. If you find using a straw puts way too much air in your sleeve and gives you gas or makes you feel bloated, by all means don't use it. I've never had any problems.

Have you tried using a (GASP) straw? I hear it really helps with the Water consumption. I do it, and I know a lot of others that do, too. And what everyone else said.

Was this your decision to do this? Did you feel pushed to do it by someone else? How long ago did you decide to have it done? How much research and planning have you done about the procedure and beyond? Sorry about all the questions. Just trying to get a better idea about your thought process