CanyonBaby

In time. I am finally drinking normal now, only about 1/2 cup at a time, though. It took me about 3 months to get to feeling "normal" about drinking. But at least it doesn't feel like a ton of bricks hitting a wall anymore. I had a hiatal hernia repair, which really slowed down the drinking. My NUT suggested water-enhancer drops to help get fluids in, and also using tepid water, especially first thing in the morning. She also suggested, when your on solid foods, to start by eating a couple of bites of very soft food, to "prime" the tummy, before eating anything hard or crunchy. It all helped, but I think time was the biggest healer. Good luck to you!

Again, some will always think they know more than the doctors, but the doctors have their reasons. Perhaps they feel your liver is not small enough yet, and don't want to risk knicking it during the surgery. There may be other serious risks involved. Did you ask "Why?"? Maybe they don't feel you have tried hard enough, or are not as committed as you could be. One thing is for sure, you sure sound committed NOW!!!!! All the best to you and good luck on your surgery!

My NUT made one very important point that really stuck with me: "this is not a diet, that is what you had surgery for". Not saying that we go hog-wild, but to remember we did a lot to change our lives, NOT to destroy our happiness. Everything in moderation. THAT'S the key!

Best tip EVER: READ the posts that interest you, or would answer any questions you may have. There is a search feature in the upper right-hand corner of the page, and it has soooooo many posts, from all kinds of folks willing to help. If you can't find what you're looking for, definitely ask, someone is bound to answer! Good luck to you!

Oh,yeah, we all have them. I try to think of healthier ways to have my cravings, for example, pizza. Make your sauce, season how you like it, heat it up. Wrap the pepperoni around a cheese stick, then dip it in the sauce! Or, wrap a thin slice of cheese around a green pepper spear and dip.....Little carbs, lots of protein, lots of flavor! Try this with other favorites. PLAY with your food!

I've always wondered, what would the world pick on if we were all BLIND? "Your voice sounds funny", "You smell weird", ""Your hair isn't soft enough".........Things will always be there for people to pick on, there are even people who pick on someone because they are NICE or KIND. I have never thought of niceness or kindness as a WEAKNESS, quite the contrary, but some do. And they find a reason to judge that, too. We all have flaws, even those "beautiful" models out there. Is anyone of us "better" than the other? No, but some BEHAVE better, and THAT is what should be evaluated (notice the lack of the useage of the word JUDGE), and nothing else. Not the size of your nose, the color of your skin, the AWESOME jiggle of the backside, or any other physical feature. When LOOKS are judged, you wonder if the inner person was ever even noticed, let alone appreciated. What a loss.

Best news I've had all Day!!!!! Congrats!!!

I live in Cheney, WA, and had the sleeve done 12/3/14. I attend the support group at Rockwood, but have yet to have anyone respond from this site to me (that is local). You can message me directly by clicking on my logo here, if you would like! Welcome to WLS!

Best thing to do for that is ask his surgical team. They can give advice on what he needs, and which form to take. He should start picking up energy soon, is he up and exercising yet? Walking is a good way to start. Walk everywhere! Get the muscles moving, so they can wake up. Focus on the Protein first, very little carbs. Make sure he's getting all his fluids in, that is vital. There are sublingual Vitamin B12, and other vitamin forms are chewables, dissolvables, and liquids. You can find most of these on Amazon.com. He really shouldn't have any pills yet, but ask his doctor if it is ok. Remind him that the surgery is just a tool, and he will need to work to have this be successful. You are doing a great job at supporting Hubs, I'm sure he is grateful! Good luck to you both!

Are you using an acid reducer? If not, call your surgical team and ask if it would be ok for you to use one. Also, if you ARE already using one, ask them if they could up the dose for you, if it is ok. Cut your carbs, I am allowed 20g. Carbs will make you want more carbs. A no-win game. Try to eat protein first, with very tiny amounts of carbs as the last thing, and make sure they are good carbs, not simple sugars. Vegetables and fruit for the carbs. You have done great losing 75lbs! Well done!!!!!

It should. It may take some time, and everyone reaches that point on their own time. Be THRILLED for this, it is awesome! This is why we did it. For the nausea, try eating very slowly, and CHEW. Even if it is baby food. Chew it as fine as possible. Drink tepid fluids instead of cold. Especially in the morning when your new tummy is waking up. Always introduce the tummy to food with very soft food for the first few bites, until you are over the nausea. It really helps. Welcome to your new life! Good luck to you!

@@Kindle I am so sorry for your loss. My father in-law did the same, a tragedy where no one wins. My prayers are with you both.... @@kimpossible67 Praying for you and mama....all the best kiddo...

@@turnaroundtina Good for you for going for it! I'm going to wait for you to tell the world that it was the best decision you ever made! As for the downside of side effects, yeah they come. NOT right away, but a few months down the road. And if it's going to happen (and more than likely it will), it doesn't seem to matter if you take all your supplements and Protein. Your body is sending the nutrients to the vital areas of your body, and the hair on your head just isn't one of them. It passes. Biotin will NOT prevent hair loss. Read up on it. It just makes what you have look great. And sagging skin is also part of the deal, but what you have to remember (and I think you already know this) is that your health is so much more important than hair and saggy skin. I have found great 3/4 sleeve tops that conceal my saggy arms, and cool capris pants that conceal the saggy inner thigh area. All look great, I FEEL great (now in a size medium), and this is the greatest thing I ever did for me! I think you'll feel the same! I wish you the best on your new journey!

That is seriously awesome! And if YOU feel that way, even more awesome!

You're doing it! It just has to naturally be released, and the more you walk, the better. Not miles and miles, mind you, but when you feel uncomfortable, walk some more. Just keep moving, every once in awhile. It'll pass. All the best.....

Great! You should do really well, and be the "star" supporter on this site! Good luck to you!

Sugar- free popsicles, as many as you want! Lots of flavors, gives you the crunch and chew! Enjoy!

After hearing so many nightmare stories of the band, I never even considered it. I do not regret having the sleeve done, it has allowed my diabetes to go into remission (which is the number one reason I did this surgery). I suggest you use the search feature (in the upper right-hand corner of the page) to find answers for this; so many have contributed, and many are finding what is right for them this way. Good luck to you!

I wonder if this is nature's hint that we SHOULDN'T be sitting much at all..............................hmmmm

@@Rogofulm No, No, NOOOOOOO. I am NOT going to visualize that. NO!

Are you using Biotin? If so, that is likely the culprit. Even though it does not prevent hair loss, it will make what you have look great and LUSH! I have lots of lovely eyelashes, eyebrows (also known as the "unibrow"), hairs where there should not be hairs, FORESTS of leg hair (let the clearcutting begin!)..... I take 10,000 units of biotin a day (my NUT thinks I'm crazy and says I'm just peeing it out), but my eyelashes are awesome! I imagine if we cut back or even eliminate the use of the biotin, things will get back to normal. What hair that remains on my head looks great, though, so I don't think I'll stop for awhile!

@@shirleyjohn001 You should do some shopping around for your Vitamins, unless, of course, the are prescription strength, and you have to have them filled at a pharmacy. Check into Amazon.com for bulk quantities, and generic versions. As far as after the surgery, unless you have complications, you should be up and running within a week or two. Everyone heals differently and at their own speed. You will find yourself weak, cold, generally unhappy about typical first-time experiences as a bariatric patient, but this will pass. You might even want our stomach back, but it is gone for good. Read the posts about what people experience after the surgery, that will help you mentally prepare. Prior to the surgery you will want to get all the things you'll need for afterwards. sugar-free popsicles will be helpful to have on hand for before and after the surgery. LOTS of them! Your tastes will probably change after the surgery, so do yourself a favor and don't get huge quantities of shakes. They may taste terrible after the surgery. Instead, get a few of several varieties so you can see which ones you will like. Get a TON of unflavored Protein powder (again, you can get this on Amazon if you can't find it locally), you can add it to Soup, broth, any type of liquid. I prefer making my own drinks with it as opposed to the pre-made shakes. Get some Water Enhancer drops in lots of flavors (you can even mix up the flavors!), for me, these were a life-saver, as I use them just to get my quota of water in. Then I add the unflavored Protein Powder and my powdered calcium citrate and my Benefiber to it to make my "cocktail". Benefiber (I use Shopko brand, and there are other cheaper brands,a s well) is, for me, essential to keep things regular. Metamucil will just fill you up, according to my NUT, so I won't use that. I ate a lot of baby food in the pureed stage, all three stages, as I progressed. The prunes really help in regularity. The leftover jars I donated to a food bank. They LOVE getting that! YOu may wish to get a heating pad for the soreness around your incisions. Other things you might want to have on hand (because you won't want to go out to shop right away) are Kleenex for the "sad" days, a teddy bear for said days, some really good movies, a couple of new hobbies to keep your hands busy when you think you're hungry, and a cople of books on the surgery. Again, Amazon carries those, as well. That should help a little. It's a start, anyways! Let me know if you need a buddy, we can always write! Good luck to you!

@@Bluesea71 Absolutely. In fact, I am going in to see my PCP about my heart. MY HEART! IT'S A MUSCLE! I have been experiencing serious fluttering and pressure these last couple of days, so in I go on Thursday, sooner, she says, if it stays symptomatic. CAN'T WAIT, huh. And my other muscles are a mess. I am kinda lookin' weird right now! Hopefully things will balance out, soon. Please say a prayer for me!

@@dhrguru Girl, you 've got your head on straight! You are going to do great!!!!!

Awesome job! Well done! Yes, a few more pounds lost should help your joints feel better. Have you noticed a lessening of the pain, though? You should soon, I would think. You may still have pain, but is it as much as before? What helps me is a warm mattress pad (full length of the bed), that I have on low just before I go to bed, then shut it off after I get in bed. Kinda loosens the joints a little, making it more comfortable to sleep. Not looking forward to the heat of the summer, though, it will be too hot for the pad, and then my joints won't be getting their warmth. Can you believe I look forward to the cooler days again!!!