IronDruggist

Warm liquids help you feel full for a little while...try some fasting tea or flavored broth. Most of all, keep busy! Distracting yourself is the best way. During my pre op I would munch on low carb veggies to help stave off the need to chew. Celery and cucumbers with done zero cal ranch dressing was my go to when I couldn't stand it any more.

I'm only 4 months post op and I've enjoyed a good glass of wine on the special occasions. I haven't had any problems with losing weight while enjoying the finer things :-) but, for some reason, Franken-tummy doesn't handle wine as well as liquor. Must be the tannins. I was raised in a tasting room, so I'm still going to drink it, just in small amounts...May as well get the good stuff!

Ok, so I don't have any before pics at my highest weight (I refused!), but here is 75 down, size 14/16. HW 315, CW 239, sleeved 9/2/14.

I'm 5'10, and yeah body dysmorphia is a thing, it a real b!

Ok, so I found some pics on my mom's phone that were close to my high weight, maybe 15lbs off. I feel crazy that I don't see much change. Body dysmorphia makes this whole thing extra fun, lol. And I totally agree that I should have taken more pics before surgery. I regret that now, although I know why I didn't at the time. It was hard to hand my phone to my mom to take the pic today, let alone 75lbs ago! To anyone just kicking off this adventure, take those pics! Even if you have someone else take them, and not look at them until later. I wish that hunk in the pic was mine! But, alas, this was a meet and greet at a comedy show :-) I did get my boobs signed though! Lol

A1c takes a while to change. The error of those tests can be as much as + or - 0.5! There are other things that can make it falsely high, like low iron. Was you iron panel normal?

I found that I really just wanted to CHEW. And eat something that wasn't full of artificial sweeteners. My "go to" was about a cup of raw veggies (like cucumbers, bell pepper, celery) with Walden Farms calorie-free ranch dressing. Really satisfied the urge to chew. Also, I loved those flavored "soup starter" broths. Much better than the standard Petri dish tasting ones.

Topamax itself helps reduce weight, not just for headaches. That is why it is used in combination with phentermine. I still gained weight on phentermine, so I wasn't ever impressed lol. FYI phentermine was half of PhenPhen, another combination product. The other half is what was taken of the market, which was the main culprit in the coinciding mitral valve disease reported with the combination.

I am just over 3 months, and 70lbs down :-D. Still having a hard time getting my water and protein in, but getting better. I've never had a doctor tell me to eat more before my last visit! Kind of surreal. I can't stand any more protein shakes, so I got some bars. More calories, but it will probably do me good. I'm looking forward to starting up my Zombies, Run! app, but I worry that I'm not getting enough calories or water to support running :- Weather is cool so that will help. It's funny...before surgery, I wished I hating eating. Now I do, and I'm bummed! I still love food, and I just made an awesome chicken curry with saffron rice. It is so frustrating to eat 3 bites and be stuffed, 4 bites terribly uncomfortable. I propose someone invent an external stomach, like an external hard drive. Just eat what you want, and dump it out!

The highest strength that comes in is 10/325, which is what I was taking after surgery, every 4 to 6 hours. The hydrocodone part (ie 5, 7.5, 10) should be taken as you need to relieve pain, while limiting side effects (sedation, constipation, nausea). The Tylenol portion should be limited to 4000mg per day, so roughly 12 tablets per day. Do not take your pain meds more than prescribed. If they are not working, call your md to get something different. There is no shame in using these drugs if you are uncomfortable...don't fall into the trap of comparing your recovery with anyone else's. Stay ahead of your pain, and you'll have a much more pleasant recovery!

Got mine today! So pretty :-)

McDonald's - snack wraps or nuggets are great Mexican fast food - I usually just get a taco, carne Asada street style is the best. I've been to restaurants several times, the best kind being sushi. You can just get a couple pieces of sashimi (no rice) and miso Soup, that is a great high Protein low calorie dinner. Anywhere else, we just order one entree to split. It is less awkward than ordering your own dish and only eating 2 bites!

You don't have to find a ladder rated over 300lbs!

Been looking at either the original Couch to 5k app or Zombies, run! app. I'm a huge horror movie fanatic, so the zombie one sounds fun. What experience does everyone have with these?

Thanks! Just waiting for my new Asics to come in the mail :-) actually kind of excited!

Any stimulant laxative, "natural" or not, can cause dependence. Opt for the stool softeners for long term use, i.e. docusate or miralax. Bulk forming products, like psyllium are good too for fiber and for regularity. Remember, not everybody has to "go" everyday. Regularity is relative. If you like the taste of smooth move, try throat coat in the same brand...yummy licorice flavor :-)

Yes, totally normal. Your body is in a huge calorie deficit, with surgery recovery and eating restrictions. You body prioritizes energy, mainly going to your brain and heart. Keeping your peripherals warm is low on the priority list. Just think of a time when you've been super fatigued, it's hard to get warm, right?

Obesity is a health problem. A health problem that leads to innumerable other problems. I weighed 315lbs at 5'10. I had no other co-morbities save depression and some mild pain in my knees and hips. I had surgery to PREVENT the inevitable hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease caused directly by obesity. Why wait until you are irrevocably unhealthy to have surgery to change your life? It is the best decision I've ever made!

Having thanksgiving dinner on Saturday. I'm not really planning on changing any food, but just having a bite or two of each, or until my sleeve says I'm done. Holiday weight gain doesn't happen over 2 meals...it happens over the 2 meals, left overs, parties, not exercising as much over vacation time, etc. Enjoy your one thanksgiving meal of the year, screw sugar free cranberry sauce :-P. Moderation is key, may as well learn it now.

Just ordered mine from Laurens Hope, I didn't even think of this! They have such beautiful stuff too :-D. FYI get 10% of by putting "FAN" in the promo code box.

I just ate pizza, and I don't feel any guilt. I only ate half a slice, and I'm still at my calorie goal for the day. As long as it's an occasional indulgence, who cares? The sleeve is a tool...that is a tool to develop normal eating habits. Normal people eat pizza every once in a while. Normal people do not eat a WHOLE pizza, which I could before surgery. Stop worrying so much, you'll just switch out one eating disorder for another.

I would highly recommend getting the pneumonia vaccine before your surgery if you are recently quit. Being a smoker qualifies, even if you aren't over 65. Most pharmacies can give these now, without a prescription from your doctor. Better safe than sorry, pneumonia is such a common infection in hospitals.

The risk is two fold...I used e-cigs for a few weeks, then stopped completely about 2 weeks before surgery. Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, especially in the gut, restricting healing blood flow. Smoke on the other hand increases your risk for blood clots. In my opinion, it is more important to be smoke free rather than nicotine free, if you have to choose. I still struggle, went back to smoking 3 weeks after surgery, but bought a pack of e-cigs today. The problem is I don't want to quit, I enjoy it. I'm a pharmacist, and I'm completely aware of the risks. I think you really have to get inside of your own head and convince yourself that it is no longer enjoyable, stinky, and bad for your skin. Vanity usually wins out for me

I switched to e-cigs about six weeks before. They are definitely not the same, but better. What you worry about most is blood clots, which smoking increases your risk of. The e-cigs don't contribute to blood clots, however nicotine itself is bad for healing, especially in the gut. That being said, I made it 3 weeks post surgery and caved. My mom lives with me and she smokes, makes it really hard to quit. I'm going to switch back to e-cigs soon...I hope.

Ok so there are two recipes... Choice 1: Fortified milk-May substitute with soy or almond milk -1 quart skim or 1% milk -1 1/3 cup dry milk powder -(optional) 1 packet no-sugar instant breakfast to each 8 oz serving. Blend milk and powder and chill overnight. Add instant breakfast, if desired, to each 8 oz serving. Total Protein 21g. Choice 2: Cleveland Clinic Protein Drink -1/3 cup egg substitute (ie Egg Beaters) -8 oz skim or 1% milk -1 packet no-sugar instant breakfast Thoroughly blend ingredients, serve over ice. 20g protein. Drink 3-4 shakes daily. Must reach about 70g protein per day. Any low calorie Clear liquids are also allowed. My surgeons 2 week plan is one of the stricter plans...shakes and clear liquids only, no solid food. That being said, I of course allowed myself an occasional pickle or celery stick. Not chewing is oddly maddening after a while.