OnePhatWhoDat

I'm from Louisiana as well! No boudin for me! The rice is the reason why! For Mardi Gras, no King's Cake either. Gumbo minus the rice hurt my stomach and made me sick for days! I guess it was the flour roux. Don't really know. And I'll be 6 months out on April 15. good luck to you!

Memphis, Tennessee. Great barbecue and soul food restaurants on every corner, great live music venues.

I got fat four years ago, after turning 40 and moving to a city where I had a quality of life. This life consisted of socializing, eating, and drinking, partying - all of this in a city for lovers of good food, good music, and good times. Single, with no kids, and looking to have fun in my new city. At some point I was exercising, but the weight just stopped falling off. I got heavier, and stuff started hurting - back, knees. At 5'2", I got up to 215 pounds, and hated myself and the way I looked! I vowed to stop the madness where it was! A hater was my motivator: she had a really irrational reaction to discovering a friend of hers had possibly had Bariatric surgery. I made it known that if my insurance covered it, I'd consider having it. I quietly started the process, and had the surgery. My first outing with the girls was today - had a nice time eating braised chicken and creamed spinach, with unsweetened ice tea. I'm six weeks post-op, and down almost 30 pounds. Couldn't be happier!

The chewable calcium irritated my stomach and caused cramping. Therefore, it had to go!! Buh-bye! Maybe when the sleeve gets some muscles is when I'll try to take it again. But!! Lucky me, I went to Walmart shortly thereafter, and guess what was on sale for nearly half price? Wellesse Liquid Calcium and Vitamin D! I got two bottles at about $7 each.

A little more than five weeks off. I work in a prison, so I was in no hurry to return.

...it's so strange. I'm 6 weeks out, and I haven't craved anything at all - no steak, pizza, none of my "favorites". I'm not hungry, and have to set my alarm to remind me to eat. But popcorn?? OMG! I think I'll fight Godzilla for a handful of popcorn right about now. This time of year, I'd order my usual holiday Garrett's Popcorn out of Chicago for myself, family, and friends. But if I can't have none, then they can't either! . Good luck, and thanks to everyone for the info.

Yes, she came running through there like she was one of Charlie's Angels on a case! It was too funny! Caught me completely off-guard.

I told no one! I just disappeared. They found me in the hospital. One of my coworkers literally arrived at my bedside in pre-op just as they were about to wheel me in for surgery. No one knows what I had; they think I became ill and had emergency surgery. When I return to work ( I took five weeks) they'll see my medical ID bracelet, but they won't dare ask.

I looked at the Etsy ones,and there is nothing - no medical symbol (cadeuceus) - to identify it to medical personnel as being a medical alert, so no on those unless the Etsy owner will engrave. Instead, I ended up ordering two from Lauren's Hope! Beautiful choices!

I am one Pretty, Hot, And Tempting (PHAT) Who Dat!! Is there anyone on Earth who doesn't know what a "Who Dat" is? Anyone?

October 15 sleever here! I have two more days on full liquid diet, then I go to puréed foods for two weeks. Not having any problems (knock on wood) but today I became extremely nauseated after drinking decaf coffee. This scared me. Looking for some delicious puréed food recipes to try because this liquid stage is hard! Oh, and think I hit my stall right out the gate. Total weight loss: 5 pounds since surgery. Not really worried because I'm still healing. I can't eat so the weight will come off sometime.

Since surgery, I have lost 5 - that's right - 5 pounds! Sleeved on October 15. I started going back to the gym and put the scale away. Walking daily for one hour for starters. Still on the two-week liquid diet. Will start on puréed on 10/30. Will weigh again at my first post-op doctors appt. on Thursday.

Surgery Oct. 15th. Plan to return to work on November 17. I'm trying to push it to six! Not trying to head into that job before Thanksgiving really.

There is an incredibly bright BRIGHT spot in all this! I have no cravings! ZERO! And I'm doing my recovery in Memphis surrounded by my Louisiana family who has sampled every Memphis "delicacy" during their stay with me: Rendevous Ribs, Gus' Fried Chichen, BB King's for music and dancing- you name it, they are eating it. I have not wanted a bit of it! Their next stop: Dyer's Hamburgers or Westy's. They are sitting here trying to make up their minds. Friday, it's Miss Alcenia's. Me? Not bothered a bit, and I'm thankful. Some of my old faves are striking me as a little repulsive. But I can't wait to get to puréed.

I know, right?? Mine is fourteen days - all liquids post op. I'm drinking low fat cream soups, waters flavored with Crystal Light, and sugar free Popsicles. Not too much variety on this stage. I also have to get my proteins in, so each day I try a sample of the ones I purchased, including Isopure, Premiere Protein, Un.Jury, and Syntrax Nectars. One week left then I go to puréed!