Paloma68

I was a serious diet coke-aholic. Had serious urges after surgery which went away the minute I tried the soda. Was disgusting. Can't tolerate at all. Hopefully that will happen to you because not a good habit to have. I'm glad it turned out this way.

I got one for Christmas! Best gift ever. Didn't know how awesome they were. Mine even vibrates w calls and can see who's calling by looking at Fitbit. Love the counter and the sleep assessment most.

I'm also 5"2' and at my highest was 191. I've been stuck at 149 for a month. Your story has inspired me! I know it can be done! My goal of 125 is reasonable. Time to get with it! Thanks for the kick in the pants!

I'm similar to you. 5'2" and starting at 185. Sleeved 8/4/14. My entire 3rd month was a stall. No weight loss. It kicked up again when I began exercising. I do Firm tapes which have cardia and weight training and Brazil Butt Lift tapes which are cardio and toning. I'm a pear shape. Has really helped w/ loss. But Low BMI'ers like us will lose more slowly. Keep at it! I've still got 24 pounds to go, but I've accepted it'll be slow and steady.

I have had that intense craving about 3x since surgery and gave in. Bought a soda fountain diet coke. Couldn't take more than 3-5 sips. Stomach rejected it big time. It's been over a month now since last time I had diet coke, and I don't think I'll crave it ever again...

Jodi-S. I have been getting up at 5 every morning and doing on MWF "The Firm" 20 minute exercises. They're interval training w/ cardio, weights and a mix of both. Then I do on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday the "Brazil Butt Lift" program. Very intense lower body workouts. I'm pear shape and even though I've lost 35 pounds, butt and legs are where the weight seems to hang... On Sunday I do a 15-30 minute stretch on You Tube. Is there any such thing as a butt lift? Once I lose the remaining weight, I know I"m going to have extra skin on my butt and thighs.

Reading your story makes me so glad I didn't tell anyone. Good luck and stay positive!

My self-pay surgery was done 2 weeks after my initial visit. Did labs, psyche and everything as soon as I could then reserved space at hospital.

I was sleeved on 8/4/14. 4 months out.

I started with a BMI of 33. Have gained and re-gained the same 50 lbs for 20 years. I'm 35 pounds down. Goal is to lose 60 lbs. Weight loss has been a little slow. I had a one month stall that finally broke. Amping up my exercising. I was self pay. From first appt it took 2 weeks to get surgery. Cost was about $10k w/ Doctor and Hospital and all labs and includes lifetime follow-up. I have told only a few people and feel great!

Drinking with a straw - I tried for a couple of months to sip my liquids, but it was so hard getting it down. I saw someone post they've been using straw without any problems, so I tried it. Been 2 months now drinking with a straw and no problems with liquids... Gummies - My surgeon said no gummies for Vitamins, etc. Well, I tried crushing, soft chews, powdery chewable. Everyday I dreaded the pill taking times... Finally said I'll try a gummy and just chew it into bits before swallowing. I like the gummies. I hope I'm not damaging sleeve. Low Carb - I know the goal is Protein first then if there's room, veggies and then maybe carbs. But I've been following more of a weight watchers recommended diet. I stay between 1000-1200 calories a day. I eat carbs but try to get them in on 100 whole wheat or crackers. Limit sugar (which was a problem for me) I still make it a point to have protein first at every meal. And the powder protein helps. No hair loss and steady weight loss...and don't feel deprived. I'm NOT drinking with meals which is a big no-no, but so far I've been okay with my choices. I'm afraid of the judgmental backlash, but I guess I want opinions on if I'm damaging my sleeve? My 6 months follow up is February 13th.

Because of my job, I'm on the road quite a bit. My favorite fast foods - Mcdonald's grilled chicken snack wrap (not the big one). Focus on the fillers and only eat a little of wrap. Wendy's chili w/ cheese. Yummy. Taco Bell crispy taco - $1.19. Ask for a tray and dump the contents and eat very little of shell. I live in South Texas so we have a lot of Mexican food options. I usually get a bacon and egg or chorizo and egg taco and eat mostly the insides for Breakfast. Tacos - like fajitas, chicken or beef. Mainly, again, eating the insides of the tacos. At restaurants, I usuallly go w/ family or friends and they'll order a bigger portion so I can just eat some of their Protein choice - steak, chicken, fish. And the veggies. If I can't share, I get the best protein choice appetizer that seems appropriate.

Costco.com has the calcium chocolate chew. They're very good.

I could have gone. I only took pain meds once after surgery. That was it. Aside from feeling tired and a little nauseous, I woud have been able to go to a 1-2 hour class where you sit... It'll depend on how you're feeing as I know from reading forums everyone is different. I went back 4 days post op because I HAD to (self-employed - no work, no income) and I was fine. Mentally knowing you have to do it makes it possible, I think... It helped me.

I've had this too. Usually it's after taking my iron pill before bed. It's a small pill but I still get it. I thought it was maybe the swallowing of pill.

My doctor said ok. They have nasal spray instead of shot so I'm doing it.

Completely normal. Stay the course and it'lll come off little by little.

I went back to work 5 days post op. No problems but just got tired faster - because of the ittle bit I was eating I think. Could do almost everything but lift. I've noticed on threads that the heavier your start weight, the harder it seems to recover.... not sure though. Just an observation.

I was exhausted all the time first month after surgery. Still easily tired. Try to eat small meals frequently. I believe lack of food makes me tired and you feel better if you eat 5-6 small meals. I'm much better now but don't know if it's because trying to eat more or time healing me.

I was a 25 year diet cokeaholic. I'm 6 weeks post op. The other day was craving a diet coke so bad and ordered one. Was only going to take a few sips. Yuck!!! One sip made me sick. Threw rest out. Now I don't have craving at all. There's a video on funnel effect and Water with food. I would cheat a little on that 30 minute before/after rule, but stopped after watching that video. Really opened my eyes. IDK if anyone knows how to post link but it'll help. I hated not drinking w/ meals, but now, 6 weeks out, I've adapted. Find that I'm fuller longer also. I was a chugger too, and definitely can drink more than at beginning but my 44oz drinks are now 16-20 oz. I use straw, even though not recommended because it helps me drink more and I haven't seen any negative side effects from it.

My surgery pain was nothing compared to intense headaches I had 2-3 days following surgery from caffeine withdrawal. Wish I had given up before especially since pills were hard to swallow and crushed pills gagged me. Quit now with Tylenol every 4 hours. That way only surgery pain. For me surgery pain was minimal.

5'2" and I'd love to be in a size 4. Currently in 12-10.

My doc said to make sure you sip, drink every 15 min at least 1-2 oz. Focus on hydration for first two weeks...add protein as possible but hydration most important.

I think that's the rudest comment I've ever seen on this forum. I'm with Avafern. Loved her suggestion. Using your logic, VSGann2014, then you should've never had this surgery.

I had surgery Wednesday and had to return the following Monday. I did absolutely fine. Towards the end of the week, I was very tired, but able to work. Fell asleep very early. I carried small ice chest in car with liquids, puddings, yogurt so I wouldn't forget to eat and drink.