Sparklingbeauty53

My lovenox was a spring loaded thing and the nurses gave it to me everyday and it took 5 seconds. No pain. Leaves big time bruising-big deal. Did not hurt and it is quick so nothing to worry about. My Proteins are all good and I am losing my hair some. Hard but I can handle it. Hospitals are scary to everyone. Normal! Walk and the gas gets better. Walk and you get out sooner. The cons are there but the pros are so good! Good luck!

Good Luck! Thinking and praying for you!

My rule of thumb: No Protein? No touch, no eat. This excludes almost all the munchies I want.

I needed all my records from my pcp along with a referral from him for consideration. I also had my endo's records and a letter of necessity from her. I had to show that weight was an issue for years and that I had all the comorbidities that they said I did and the records proved it. I think you should share with your pcp because after all is said and done that pcp will be checking your levels for the rest of your life after the surgeon releases you.

Good questions Ginger Snaps. It is true you don't have to feel down to be depressed. Loss of interest in things you used to like, not feeling like you are deserving, comparing then to now, anxiety tendenacy? Do you feel there is a stigma attached to that diagnosis?

I went back to work at week 5. I think you will be pushing yourself a little. This is major surgery and you need to let your body heal. Are you young? That might work to your advantage. Talk to you doctor and the staff. If for some reason the laproscopy can't be done and you are cut open then it would be a definate no.

I went through broth like it was my best friend. I sipped that all day long for liquid and it was so soothing to my insides. sugar free popsicles and crystal light are must haves as Water (plain) will be hard to get down by itself. The second week I added "cream of soups" to the broth and it felt like a treat. I would buy samples of different Proteins to try now. Experiment now-see other threads here on proteins to try. I mix mine with vanilla flavoried unsweetend almond milk. Some people use skim milk, soy milk or water. My tastes did not change at all. I will say I now crave fish and previously I hated fish. Weird! Other than that I have stayed the same. Different proteins taste different and you will like some and hate some. It is a very personal thing. Buy sample packets. Hope this helps!

Pupichupi That is a color run you are talking about and I want to try one too. They throw powder at you that is colored. Paint would be a hoot though! I wish we lived closer so we could be motivating to each other!

Hot stuff Brian!!!!!

It sounds normal. Everyone is different and experiences different things. You just aim for getting your shakes in a sip at a time, change how you are making them-if with milk try almond milk, or Water. Sip every time you do one lap around the house. Sip every commercial...sips help and walking helps. Try sugar free popsicles to refresh you. Check in with the surgeon's office to report your progress and symptoms as they are there for you! Good luck and everyday gets better. Truly!

It really is a very personal taste. You should buy sample packets and try them. I ordered the unjury Protein sample pack and I can't wait to try the different ones. I did the same with the nectar, etc. Presurgery I bought some rice Protein Powder in a big container and HATED IT. I am going to try it again sometime when I am brave (it was bad but I am stuck with it). Do yourself a favor and try samples! Much smarter and cost effective.

I want to be independently wealthy-maybe from the beautiful things I create or write. I want to turn that wealth into ways to genuinely help those less fortunate. A best seller author or a recognized artist but definitely do: but I want all of that money to be shared with others. Right now I make beautiful bookmarks that I give away or sell for $2.00. I don't see the independently wealthy part coming anytime soon from that but it does give me pleasure to create, and pleasure to give.

Thank you that was beautiful.

I agree with all of the above. It is a medical necessity for you to have what you need and they would have a lawsuit on their hands if anything happens to you while you are there...the medical note should suffice and you bring what you need. I did Disney World Theme Parks and they were very accommodating right down to letting me order off the children's menu-no questions asked.

Thank you for taking the time to post this for us!

This is it for you. This will work if you allow it to and if you play the game right. If you are not willing to, then don't do it. It doesn't matter what came before this, it is now and you have this opportunity but it is a two way street. You must comply and be willing. If you are willing and you commit then you will be given this wonderful tool to help you on this journey we all find so, so difficult. I think our fear of it not working works to our favor. It isn't that hard to do if you are smart and research and learn all you can about it and start before hand. Don't drink with your meals. It is really hard but conquer that. Start trying Protein drinks you like and adding them to your daily regime now. Start trying hard to lose now-your doctor might make that a requirement. Mine didn't but lots do. Read here like crazy and good luck!

I love the world According to Eggface Blog. She is really creative with the bariatric recipes and Protein,.

How many shakes do you have each day?

Thank you everyone for your responses. I drink 2 a day one in the am and one in the afternoon. I am thinking of adding a third to get my Protein up to 80. My nut and dr are fine with that as well. I have been averaging 60-70 grams a day and I want to try to get to the 80 because I have heard the skin issues are better and the healing is faster and I am still learning what I can tolerate real food wise and I have had two strictures so real foods are hard still for me.

If you have a problem with cigarettes people won't necessarily know unless you smell or you smoke in front of them. If you have a problem with drinking it can be hidden If you have a drug problem it can be hidden. All of the above can be hidden until certain points. With food it is not that way. It is visible all the time. Unfortunately, we are judged by our size before we even speak or share who we really are. We know it is true. The converse is also true. Any success we have at the scale is visual too so people think we are ok to talk to about it. I am early on and want to hear about my success. When it gets old I will probably feel the same way as most of you. I think we are just stuck with the visual aspect of this.

When I was home from surgery I realized just how many food commercials there are on tv. Forget holidays-each and everyone involves special foods...I hope Beach Lover is right and I forget about it and it won't bother me eventually.

Cool Beans, er cool ladybugs! Neat idea.

Welcome Matt! It is an amazing journey and I am glad you joined along. I am 4 pounds from leaving the island as you called it. I can't wait. Men are amazing at losing fast so it should be quite the experience. Read the posts here for a wealth of information and enjoy! Congratulations!

The first goal seems reachable (at 3 mos I am at 41) the second 100 pounds might be far reaching but you never know. Guess what? We are all different and lose at different rates. Men lose so so fast! We all had/have those fears-they are perfectly normal. We know what it is to be how we are not how we will be. I don't think thin, but I am going to try to learn to. Speaking of perfect expect that you won't be. Nope. You will screw up. What matters is what you do next-do you get back on that horse or not? Know that you will try your best as we all do but you will fail at times and that is ok. You just have to have the right goals and reach for them. Your fear of failure will be a good friend to keep you on track. We are all human and we try. Good luck to you and know we are all here for you!

I am craving cabbage. I am thinking a veggie Soup with cabbage instead of noodles or rice. I am thinking that is what i will have... any recipes out there for cabbage?