BLERDgirl

They work by sensing your movements and heart rate. It also tracks your sleep. Most of the popular activity trackers from $80 - $150. The UP2 currently on sale at Target is $69.99

I'm gonna veg this up with soy crumbles instead of bacon. (Sorry, no food with faces for me.) I love beans. I just set the crock pot to cook overnight so the smell doesn't drive me crazy waiting for things to cook.

Counseling sounds like a good idea. Over a year out I still attend my programs support groups. They are a tremendous help to me. I bookend my workouts with protein. Pre-workout a have either a potent protein shake with yogurt, protein powder and a bit of nit butter or something hearty like steel cut oats with a bit of protein powder added in. Post workout, I may have the rest of my protein drink and an ounce of nuts. It helps me not go into that crazy hungry mode after a work out and fuels me during my workout.

Call your doctor and double check. Different doctor's have varying timeline for when patient can return to exercising. It also depends on how your body is healing. Get clearance from your doctor and then take it slow. Listen to your body so your don't injure yourself.

@@Ms. Babyboo - LOVE The hospital and the program. I had Noel Williams as my surgeon. Everything went smoothly, no pain post-op, no complications. I had a private room. Staff was friendly and attentive. I adore Sam the nutritionist. I still go to the support groups from time to time.

My story is similar. No 6mth monitoring just 3 mths of visits with my team. I used the time to have the various pre-op testing. I didn't have high BP or diabetes. I had mild arthritis in my left knee.

You could start looking at programs and informational seminars. There may be a rep there that can answer insurance related questions like this.

@@magtart - Not sure if it makes a difference but the Jawbone 2 are on sale at Target. I liked my jawboneUp24 but I needed something water proof for when Ii work out in the pool and I like having my info on my wrist.

I have to say after seeing post from people vomiting from eating too fast, getting that stuck feeling or worse the foamies, I am glad I had to practice chewing and eating slowly pre-op. Just hang in there!

Many people choose to avoid carbs or go low carb. I don't but it's not uncommon.

Another Philly gal here. I had surgery at HUP as well. Have you picked a program yet?

YAY!!!!!!! Congrats!

I love clothes and fashion. I held on to a lot of clothes that I am enjoying getting back into because they were designer things or just too pretty to part with. My favorite thing is wearing my heels again. It just got too uncomfortable to wear anything over an inch wedge or heel. Now I'm back to wearing my 3 inch heels and loving it! I think it's a better reward than splurging on something food related.

Forgot to add regarding loose skin and hair loss. It's not uncommon but not everyone gets either. I started at a high weight so it's a bit unavoidable for me. It looking like it will mostly be lower body skin on my belly and thighs. Time will tell. I wear compression yoga pants and I work out regularly in the hopes to replace some of that fat with muscle. I had some thinning of my hair around the temples, starting around month 6. I just got my hair done today and it appears to be slowing. It wasn't awful though. I could mostly style around it. Either way, I would trade lose skin and hair loss for the ease of mobility and overall health any day of the week.

After a week of all liquids I wanted something to chew as well! Honestly, I just wanted something other than a Protein shake! For that part, you just have to hang in there until you progress back to food. As for the hunger, are you having head hunger or is it something else?

She's asking here. Isn't that the point of this forum?The point of this forum is sharing experiences. We aren't doctors or nutritionist. I was advising her to go to professionals and get facts.Yes. Everyone should go to doctor.Who doesn't know that? *rolleyes* In the meantime, people are looking for support and have questions. Thankfully others have jumped in to give her actual help and advice. No quite sure why you are so butthurt, but surprisingly many people do not know to go to a seminar or to actuality pick and choose a doctor instead going with the first one they find in the phone book. The advice was to start with an informational seminar.

Welcome to both of you and congrats on taking a positive step! People here are more than happy to share their experiences, but ultimately it is your doctor and nutritionist you need to confer with. As for horror stories, well it it a surgical procedure and as with any surgical procedure there are risks and the possibility of complications. As for me, I had NONE. I started at an extremely high weight, I'm over 50 and menopausal. I also have multiple food and drug allergies. I am on a daily medication that has been known to slow the metabolism. I looked at 2 different programs before choosing my surgeon. I couldn't be more pleased! I had no gas pains, nausea, vomiting, constipation, etc... I was able to get in and out of the bed independently and walk in recovery. Pain was minimal. It felt like I had done 1,000 sit ups the day before and my abs were sore. I didn't use the pain pump or take oral pain meds. I tolerated the liquids I was given in the hospital and have had no problem transitioning back to regular food. I realize this is a tool so I work with it. I drink my fluids (mostly water), I keep my Protein at 100gms a day or more, I eat a balanced diet including vegetables. I limit processed carbs an breads. I work out 4 -6 days a week & keep a food log. I make sure to take my Vitamins & supplements and have regular bloodwork to monitor my levels. That may sound like a lot, but it has been for the most part and easy journey. When I decided to do this, I committed myself to doing whatever it takes to make this work and now these things are a way of life. I am 14mths post-op and down 115lbs. My only regret is waiting until I was so large that my journey will take 2 years instead of one. These forums can be an invaluable tool. Use the search feature. There are many good post about Protein Drink & shakes, Protein Bars, recipes, ways to drink Water, exercising, etc... If you are still unsure, post and ask, we're here to support you.

She's asking here. Isn't that the point of this forum? The point of this forum is sharing experiences. We aren't doctors or nutritionist. I was advising her to go to professionals and get facts.

Everyone responds differently. Some of us rebound quickly & others need a few days or even weeks to get back to normal. You had the additional trauma of requiring blood. Just focus on getting rest & staying hydrated. As your body heals your energy should return.

Get to an informational seminar. Ask questions & take notes. You need facts not rumors.

You are doing fine. 50 lbs is a good weight loss. Everyone loses at his/her own pace.

I didn't. Currently I rely on my Bariatrc program support group. However I think it's smart to use one if you feel you need it.

Sip super slow. Wait between sips & walk after drinking.

Please continue to research. Even with the sleeve you need Vitamins for life. Routine bloodwork is key to monitoring your nutritional levels.

@@chilepeppr4 - Some do. You can email them and ask. Some sell single serving packs. Most places accept returns of unused portions if you keep the receipt.