glitter eyes

That happened to me to in the beginning. I just made sure I ate tiny tiny bites (I used baby spoons and tiny cocktail forks for months-they helped me with the portion size of my bites). I also chewed my food until it almost disappeared in my mouth. I watched the time on a clock or my phone, waiting several minutes between bites. This turtle speed eating was very annoying until I got used to it then it was second nature. Now at a year and a half post op I chew and eat almost normal again without any problems. Good luck

Congrats on your surgery and feeling awesome!! If it were me I would stick to my doctors plan. Even if three weeks feel excessive to you- your surgeon must feel it's necessary. In the grand scheme of things one more week is nothing. If you have already done two, then you can do three. You are going so good you don't want to do anything to mess it up. If you are desperate for food you could always call the surgeons office to see what they have to say- maybe they will advance your diet. You can do this!! Good luck

I had to experiment with lots of different flavors added to my water and different temperatures. I finally settled on very cold peach flavored propel as my drink of choice. Plain water gave me pain and nausea. I just started being able to tolerate plain water at a year and half post op. Hang in there and keep trying until you find what works for you. Congrats on your surgery.

I was in the hospital two days and when I can home my husband was there the first day and then went to work the next day. I was fine by myself at that point. I was mostly taking slow walks in between my constant sipping and frequent naps.

Seems like having WLS gives people some crazy idea that they can ask personal questions they would never ask anyone on a "normal diet". I have lost weight before and no one ever barged in and asked for a number or gave advice. Now, the majority of people want to know how much, and give advice. It is super annoying but I try to just let it roll of my back. I know most of my friends and family are super supportive of just a little nosy. One of my biggest rants is the few ( I have only had three people ask this and they are people who I only see like once a year) who ask "So, have you started gaining any weight back yet?" My response to all three of these butts have been... "Oh no, as a matter of fact I just dropped a few more pounds and I have to work really hard not to keep losing a lot more. I don't want to get too thin at my age. Sometimes it's a struggle to get all my calories in and I have to resort to eating chocolate or cakes." This is such a lie, I work my butt off for every pound lost- but I remember when I was heavy I detested people who used to say they couldn't keep their weight up and would lose so easily. After I said that it shut all of them up and then they all started moaning about how they wish they had that problem and everything they ate made them gain weight.

I take 20mg of Prilosec once a day with the occasional Zantac to help with breakthrough heartburn.

I would definitely recommend getting checked for the hiatal hernia since you already have heartburn. My experience was I didn't have any heartburn before my sleeve. After my sleeve I developed heartburn and acid reflux. It is manageable by taking Prilosec and not eating two hours before I go to sleep. However, we are all different.

150 today- up five pounds from my goal weight. I knew I would gain about this much due to the holiday!! Back on my high protein low carb eating plan today. Should have the five pounds off in less than a week.

Prior to surgery I didn't have any issues with GERD. About 8 months post op I began to develop heartburn and acid reflux. I take 20 mg of Prilosec a day with the occasional Zantac. My reflux is horrible if I eat and try to lay down and sleep. I will have acid come up and I will wake up choking. I just don't eat about two hours before sleep and I am ok. However, definitely developed these problems post sleeve.

I thought I was the only crazy person in love with their old car. I have a 2002 Toyota Avalon. It has 215,000 miles on it. I have taken very good care of it and it looks much newer than it is. However, I know she is an "old granny" now and may have a cardiac arrest at anytime. I dread the day I have to replace it. I drove my daughter to her first day of preschool in it and my dream is to drop her off at college in it. She is a junior so it just needs to last another year and a half. I think whenever I get a new car and have to drive away and leave it behind at the dealer I may cry. I feel your pain.

@@HopefulMe2016 I had my sleeve done at the hospital where I am the nursing administrator. I have worked there for over 20 years so I know everyone there; so I had a very similar dilemma as you face. I knew that I would be unable to keep my surgery on the down low, much less a secret. So I just decided to embrace my choice and be happy that at least I would get top notch treatment!! One thing that helped was everyone seemed very accepting of my decision- of course since I am the boss maybe that's why?? LOL I had a first class hospital stay from the time I walked through the door, everyone was so wonderful. One of the slight downsides was I had a tons of visitors during my stay. People were in and out of my room day and night. However, since I knew that was going to happen I was up and dressed in a nice gown and robe and had my makeup on and hair fixed within one hour after getting back to my room. So in hindsight it probably kept me up and moving. When I returned to work I did get lots of questions about "how was I feeling?"I just tried to look at it from the view that everyone was just concerned. Eventually I became old news and everyone has kind of forgotten about it and the new thinner me is just the norm. So overall it was a great choice to have it where I work. Ultimately,it is your body and you have to do what is right for you!! Good luck on your choice.

Merry Christmas!! Great progress!

Today is a new day!! As long as you don't let one slip up continue days after day and meal after meal you will be fine. Life happens and many people have the occasional meal or day where what they eat isn't completely healthy. Just get right back on you plan!! I am in maintenance so Christmas I ate whatever I wanted. Back on my normal eating plan today. It will be a slight challenge because all the cakes, pies, and other goodies are still hanging around for my family. My plan is to stay busy and remained focused!! You can do it!!

Congrats on your surgery.

1. Pillow to brace your stomach 2. Biotene mouthwash- helps dry mouth 3. Lip balm 4. Phone charger 5. Comfy clothes for ride home

So I have been one of the unlucky ones who has had significant hair loss. I probably have lost about 2/3 of my hair. Thank goodness it was thick to begin with. I am almost a year and a half post op and nothing has helped... I have tried it all. Lots of protein, biotin, various shampoos, lab work has been fine, tried various oils, castor oil, emu oil, coconut oil, essential oils and nothing helped. It was a constant science experiment. I then added liquid silica to my water once a day( got it from Amazon) and that slowed the loss down but it was still falling out. Then I ordered a marine collagen called Vitaglow and began taking that. All I can say is finally something worked!!! After four weeks my hair has quit shedding and is thickening up. A bonus is my nails are strong and growing like weeds. After I ran out of the Vitaglow brand (it was a little pricey) I switched to a brand called VEDApure and it seems to be working just as well. Also, my hair is a lot softer and doesn't look as fried/dry. Hair success!!! Just thought I would share if anyone needs help with their hair woes.

My mouth was super dry in the hospital and maybe for the first day or two at home and that moisturizing mouthwash came in so handy. Haven't needed it since, but it was a lifesaver in the beginning

Margie122 I take a marine collagen and it probably took about 4-6 weeks before I could tell for sure that it was working. However, before that my hair began to slowly get softer and less dry/brittle. The hair loss had slowed way down. I still lose some, but nothing dramatic like I used to. I also have little to no breakage now.

Marine collagen helped me the most.

145- no loss or gain

A stall can definitely happen this early and at anytime. You body is still adjusting and healing post surgery. Give it some time and keep focusing on your plan. I avoided the scale during this time and just weighed about once every week or two. Hang in there.

Congrats!!! You are doing awesome.

I agree with MichiganChic I personally have to eat very low calories, around 900 a day, in order to lose weight. I also have to limit my carbs. I can eat around 1000-1200 to maintain with the occasional treats or a higher calorie day. I have kept a log of my food, calories, protein and carb counts so it has been easy for my to look at the numbers to see what works for me the best. Hang in there- sometimes our bodies just need a rest and then we begin to lose again. As long as you are staying on track you should begin to lose.

I eased into my pre op liquid diet and I am so glad I did. I eliminated all caffeine about two months before and then about 30 days before my pre op diet I cut out all refined sugar and focused on protein and veggies. I think it made my liquid diet so much easier. I never had any headaches, feelings of hunger or low energy. It was relatively easy. I think my last day, the day before surgery, was the hardest and I think it was mostly due to last minute jitters.

I swear by collagen supplements. I use a marine collagen powder I can mix in my water. It has helped tremendously. I am a year and a half post op. My vitamin levels have always been normal, I get tons of protein, water, exercise and still my hair has taken a huge hit. Much thinner, drier, and brittle. The collagen had slowed the loss way down and it's much softer and healthier looking. I don't think my hair will ever be what it was pre op, but it's worth it.