MrsSugarbabe

Awesome progress!!! And great lessons learned! Congratulations and good luck on your journey!!

I'm 5 months out and still have remember to drink slowly and only sipping - no large drinks of liquids as it will cause some temporary discomfort. The same applies to eating regular foods.....very small bites, chew chew chew, and eat slowly. I was always a slow eater, but now I have to eat even slower. It takes time to make the adjustments. Good luck to you both, @@Netteyazz and @@aubrey222!

@@cmhueto Follow all the guidelines provided to you by your surgeon and nutritionist for pre-surgery and post-op. Even though a lot of us receive similar instructions, I've noticed that some are very different from mine; it all depends on the surgeon. About cravings......some of mine have been greatly diminished, others have become so unimportant that I don't pay any attention to them. Once you start eating LOTS of Protein and cutting out the majority of carbs (focusing on the good carbs in fruits and veggies), you may find that your cravings diminish. I know I did when 6 months prior to surgery I chose to start using unjury Protein powder for two of my meals Monday-Friday. Within two weeks I noticed that my craving for things like Pasta was nil to non-existent. I've been very fortunate in that my new tummy has tolerated everything I've eaten. The one thing it doesn't tolerate is when I eat or drink too much and/or too fast. Even though I was always a slower eater, post-surgery I wasn't slow enough. And when I'm really enjoying a meal (the 1/2 cup that it is), I can sometimes take too big of a bite or eat it too fast. Twice now I've caused myself to be very, very uncomfortable after eating. Slow and small bites are the way to go. You're headed in the right direction in teaching your son how to make smart and healthy food choices now. A wonderful legacy! Good luck on your, journey!!!

@@cmhueto -- Once I was given the go ahead to resume regular food "as tolerated," it wasn't until about month 4 before I ventured back to eating an occasional salad - nothing fancy, just iceberg, tomatoes, cucumber, a little carrot, maybe some sunflower seeds, and most importantly, Protein in the form of roasted turkey. I always eat most of the meat first, then the veggies. My instructions were to always eat protein first, then add in some veggies and/or fruits. Pre-surgery one of my favorite meals was a large salad with grilled chicken breast (at a favorite restaurant). I grieved a bit over having to give up that large salad because I love my salads!!! Now that I'm eating a similar salad, but on a much smaller scale, it's okay that I can't have that big salad anymore. It's been interesting to me how being sleeved has changed my desires and preferences (in large part, but not totally). I do have to be very careful not to let old, bad habits worm their way back into my life and routine.

Well, now that I'm down about 60 lbs. it was time to replace my old lingerie with new, more appropriately sized lingerie. The "girls" just were not happy hanging out in the old stuff, so I went shopping yesterday after work and got re-fitted for a new bra. The style I had been wearing for 2-3 years is no longer available so I had to find a new style. It never fails, find a style of something that you love and that is working for you and they always discontinue it sooner or later. Same with make-up, nail polish colors, Bath and Body Works scents. Can you relate?? Anyway, I'm very pleased with my new purchases, and so are the "girls." Next shopping trip will probably be for more slacks for work. I'm down 2 sizes since surgery, just starting the current size this week. Need to make a return trip to a consignment shop a friend had told me about. First trip there I found several tops for work for very little money (in comparison to buying brand new). Did I mention how much I hate clothes shopping???? Always have and probably always will, but at least now I've got more options because I'm entering the area where I don't have to shop the plus size stores or sections of department stores. Happy shopping, ladies!!!

@@Djmohr - I buy my bras at Lane Bryant - the Cacique brand. New commercial out says #I'mNotAnAngel...LOL!!! Pre-surgery I would joke that I'm a 44D long. Well, now the girls are 42C long....LOL!!! Never been perky, ever, and they sure aren't going to be as I get older. I still love wearing the fun colors and prints tho. That "other" store won't get my business because the one time I walked in there to see if they carried my size, their customer service stunk. The gal at Lane Bryant the other day was awesome and extremely helpful in getting me fitted properly in a new bra style and correct size underwear. Enjoying all!!

@@JustWatchMe -- YOU ARE AMAZING!!!! You have accomplished so much!! Be proud of yourself, and always remember one of the last things you wrote -- "I am precious in God's eyes.." THAT is priceless and no one can take that away from you.

Here we go!! My starting weight for this challenge is: 207.5. Goal weight: 199 or below I'm getting tired of flip flopping around within a 3-4 lb. range. Hopefully that cycle can be broken by doing this challenge.

From Beck Daily Diet Solutions - http://www.beckdietsolution.com/daily-diet-solutions/ Daily Diet Solutions April 10, 2015 - Friday Weekend Warm-UpIf you slip up this weekend, get immediately back on track. Doing so means you’ll get to go to bed feeling PROUD of yourself for your ability to recover, instead of MAD at yourself for getting off track. April 9, 2015 - Think Thin ThursdayIt’s hard to keep track of how much you’re eating when you’re taking handfuls from a big bag or a communal bowl. To keep yourself accountable, put whatever serving you intend to eat in your own bowl before you start eating. That way, you’ll be able to enjoy each bite more because you’ll know exactly how much you’ve had and exactly how much you have left. April 8, 2015 - Wednesday SabotageSabotaging Thought: I’ve blown my diet for the day so I might as well keep eating and get back on track tomorrow. Response: It’s not as if, at a certain point, the calories stop adding up. If I go on to eat 2,000 more calories, my body will count them. If I go on to eat 4,000 more calories, my body will count those, too. It makes NO SENSE to continue eating off track because the more I eat, the more weight I may gain. Get back on track RIGHT NOW! April 7, 2015 - Tuesday Reality CheckNow that holiday weekend is over, consider throwing away or donating leftover candy and treats. If you think, “But that would be a waste of money,” remind yourself that the money is already gone; eating the treats won’t bring it back. The only thing it will do is knock you off track and make you gain weight. Just get rid of it! April 6, 2015 - Monday MotivationDid you get off track this weekend? Here’s the good news: It doesn’t matter! No matter what you did or didn’t eat this weekend, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a FANTASTIC day today and go on to have a great eating week.

Great progress!!! Congratulations!! I think I'll give your MD's suggestion a try. I keep fluctuating within a 2-3 lb. range right now. A jump start is needed. My calorie intake is between 1000-1300 and primarily Protein. I had an RMR prior to surgery, and haven't had one since. My surgeon's office has not said I needed to have it redone.

@@Swampdoggie - We're on a roll!!! Let's keep on keeping on! I do love finding stuff on sale, and love buying colors! Always have. Since I've always had a waist no matter my weight, I've always preferred fitted clothes, esp. for work; moreso now that everything has shrink in size I've always been of the mind that I never leave the house without some make-up on; but, as I've gotten older, on the weekends I don't worry as much with it when I head out to run errands, etc. My biggest challenge right now is dealing with my hair.... It has gotten so thin and dry. I know it will grow back, but styling it like I like has been a bit challenging. It used to be so very thick. Patience...patience...patience.

Welcome to BP!! You'll find a lot of encouragement and information here. As a diabetic, I was told to discontinue my Metformin (500 mg. 2x/day) prior to surgery, and have not gone back on it. Pre-surgery & on Metformin, my A1C maintained around 5.8 on average - managed with food, exercise, and Metformin. Post-surgery, my A1C as of mid-February was 5.7 - now managed with food & exercise only. Also, my blood pressure medication has been discontinued since just before surgery. We're keeping an eye on it because my diastolic pressure runs a little high due to me having diastolic dysfunction. Good luck on your journey!!

I love the unjury Protein powders!! Loved them before surgery and, fortunately, still love them post surgery. You can order Unjury online at www.unjury.com. If you're not satisfied with the product, you can return it. For me, it comes to about $1.25 per serving for just the powder. They even have a chicken Soup option that I use for lunch at work; just be careful of Water temperature (read the directions). It took me weeks before I felt like I was able to drink enough liquids throughout the day. Some days it's still a struggle to get enough in. Sip, sip, sipping all day long is the key. Once I recovered from my complications and was able to eat regular foods, getting enough protein became a little easier, but I still supplement with protein shakes, at least 1-2 servings a day. My new tummy doesn't tolerate much food at meal time. Some "go to" foods for me are (in no particular order): 4 oz. 2% cottage cheese (or less fat) Unjury protein powder mixed with various beverages, i.e. skim milk, SF drink mixes, etc. Low fat cheese/cheese sticks Beef Jerky (a favorite) (Aldi's/Simmons brand) Boiled egg Peanut Butter 1/2 cup black beans w/meat (my made up "recipe") Yogurt Roasted chicken Good luck on your journey!!!

Down 90 pounds!!! Awesome!!! You're obviously staying the course Some "go to" foods for me are (in no particular order): 4 oz. 2% cottage cheese (or less fat) unjury Protein powder mixed with various beverages, i.e. skim milk, SF drink mixes, etc. Low fat cheese/cheese sticks Beef Jerky (a favorite) (Aldi's/Simmons brand) Boiled egg Peanut Butter 1/2 cup black beans w/meat (my made up "recipe") Yogurt Roasted chicken These are typical things I keep on hand at work and home. Also, I use SparkPeople to track my food and exercise which really helps keep me on track. Good luck to you on your journey!!!

Awesome!!! Celebrate your 29 lb. loss!! For every pound we lose, we're that much healthier! Having "wiggle room" in chairs with arms is a fantastic feeling!!! I don't know about you, but for my entire life, it always took at least 20 lbs. of weight lost before I could feel any difference in my clothes and to lose one size. Post-surgery It wasn't until I'd lost about 50 lbs. before people started telling me it was time to buy some better fitting clothes. Hang in there!!! You will get there Good luck on your journey!!

@x0CheekzVSG @@BLERDgirl, @@WL WARRIOR, and @@Babbs all made very valid statements about our need for Protein and fluids, healing, etc., and I agree with them. There is a lot of great encouragement and support on this site, along with some great suggestions; however, bottom line - you should be doing exactly as your surgeon and NUT have recommended you to do. Based on my understanding and research, the portion of our stomachs that was removed is where the grehlin was produced and which is what makes us feel "hungry." Therefore, you probably won't feel true physical hunger for awhile which is normal; at least it was for me. I was probably at least 2 months out before I actually said to my husband "I'm hungry." During that time I still drank my protein shakes and ate what I could and drank liquids as much as possible. Like many others, it took me awhile to reach my protein and liquids daily goal; some days I still have trouble getting enough liquids in, but I keep pushing forward. As for the BM issue, it will be very different from your pre-op days. Because we're consuming so much more protein than we are of Fiber early on, there isn't going to be a lot to process through. That said, I agree with checking in with your surgeon's office. It could be you need to add a little fiber (i.e. Benefiber) to your shakes to get things moving along. I still have to do that occasionally because once I've eaten my protein, there is rarely any room for veggies and/or fruit during the day. You are still in the very early stages of your post-op journey. I wish you the best of success in your journey. Be patient and do what your surgeon and NUT have recommended for you. Different surgeons and NUTS have different plans so not all of us get the same instructions, although our instructions are pretty close a lot of the time.

@@CanyonBaby - Sound advice and wisdom. I agree with what you've said in your comments. Good reminders for me, too, as today I'm finding myself just nibbling away at stuff (jerky mainly) even though I've eaten my lunch and am drinking my Water and have had/am having a Protein beverage. Trying to refocus my energy (what I have today anyway) to stop eating since I'm not physically hungry. Thank you, @@reyes7472, for your original post! Today has been a challenge for me and your post is the first one I saw when I did a search on this topic. We will win!!! We will get past this bump in the road!!! WE CAN DO THIS!!!

Love your love story, @@CanyonBaby!!! Thank you for sharing it. I met the "one" for me 12 years ago through a similar process as yours (list, prayer, trusting), although God had me waiting until I was 47 to bring us together. And guess which avenue He used to bring us together?? I always figured I'd meet "him" at church or through other Christian singles. Not!! It wasn't until 2 of my girlfriends and I decided just for the heck of it to sign-up on eHarmony New Year's Day 2003 when they were offering 3 months free. My attitude was "fine if I met someone, fine if I didn't" because I had learned "to be content" with my life. I was serving my Lord, fellowshipping with other believers, and had a great group of Christian friends. Gary and I met a couple weeks after I signed up, first coffee date was 2/13, got engaged in May and married in October 2003. We're like peas in a pod. Although he calls me his little Sugar Babe I had always wanted a daughter, but gained 3 adult daughters and 2 grandkids when we married. My bonus daughters and I have a great relationship and I have now have 8 grandkids. Extremely blessed!!! Beyond anything I could have imagined New Year's Day 2003!!

Congratulations!!! You're looking fabulous!!!

November 10th for me. Slow going at the moment. Sooooo close to Onederland!!

Congratulations!!! Awesome! @@becweaves

Hey, ya'll!!! I'm a November sleever, too, and just found this site!!! It's encouraging to me to see how others are doing who had their surgery about the same time as I did. My surgery was done on 11/10/14. So far I'm doing quite well, although the weight loss is a little slow right now. Several days after surgery and while at home, I began experiencing some complications. I we admitted to the hospital again with pleural effusion (reactive fluid collecting around my left lung), infection, hematoma in the gut, and bile collecting under the diaphragm. Spent 13 days in the hospital and another 6 days in inpatient rehab for some intensive physical therapy. Even though I had to deal with all of this, I'm glad I had the surgery and would do it again. I've joined the Memorial Day Challenge with the goal to break under 200 lbs. I'm so close, but keep bouncing around within about a 5 lb. range. I am doing what I'm supposed to be doing - tracking food, keeping within calories, carbs, and protein goals, and exercising (all more days than not ). I'm hoping this challenge will get me into Onederland .

Thanks, @@stephh!! I'm in This is my first challenge. I'll check in on Monday with my starting weight. At this point, my goal will be to enter ONEDERLAND!! I'm so close and hope this challenge is the extra "umph" I need to make it over into the 190s.

@@Elode -- What about large purple Comic Sans????