CanyonBaby

I feel the same way, and have said as much. There will always be new-comers, who need just as much support as we do, and if I have the time, I can do that. Why not? Sure summer is coming and things will get busier for all, but how much time are we talking about? Can I spare a few minutes to help someone who may just be doing this to save their life? YES! Period. And if we can all admit it, this IS saving our lives. Onto the new......

Think of those nights this way.....one more closer to your FREEDOM! Blessed Be The Day!!!!

@@likelike Are you allowed Benefiber? My NUT recommended it, and it works great for regularity. I use the Shopko brand, as it is far less expensive. Maybe call your NUT and ask, then they will know it is NOT for weight loss. And you AREN'T using it for that, so you would be honest about it. Sounds like a good pre-op plan, and don't forget the sugar-free popsicles for THOSE moments!!!

OH! And get lots of sugar-free popsicles! Gotta have 'em around, they can be life-savers! You can have as many as you want!

@@GARYG Thanks....now my hunt begins.....

So, being fairly ignorant about such stuff, here's a question for the ladies: I am 5'5", now at 179lbs, and CANNOT FOR THE LIFE OF ME find things to fit. What to do? I am travelling in a month's time, and am stuck in that "in-between-world" (also known as never-never land) of plus sizes and misses sizes. I don't think I'll lose more than 5lbs in that month, as I am slowly losing at 1-2lbs per week. I really don't want to invest a lot of $$ right now, only to end up giving those clothes away. Any suggestions for clothing styles and brands that carry those styles would be much appreciated. The climate to where I am going is central Minnesota, where ANY weather can happen in May! Also, I am finding such inconsistencies amongst sizes and brands, and even within the same brand. VERY frustrating! SO please, tell me some of your favorite stores, brands, perhaps flexible sizes in said clothes, if you're of a mind.....and THANK YOU SO MUCH IN ADVANCE!!!!!

Ok. Went to the stores to, and lo and behold, ONCE AGAIN I am BETWEEN sizes!! This is a good thing, but very frustrating.....SOOOOOO, I decided HEY! I am going to reward myself for every ten pounds I lose!!!! YIPEE! Since I couldn't legitimately purchase clothes that were too big or too small, with nothing fitting in between, I TOOK CONTROL of the situation and told myself "All is not lost, you should have a treat"! So I bought a bag. Oh, she is pretty, and I deserve it! I will set aside money every month, to be able to buy something special for those ten long-lost pounds. And when it is all said and done, I WILL NEED A NEW CLOSET!!!

What brand are you using? I haven't found any tropical flavors here (Washington state), but I may be able to request them. Thanks!

Well, what have you been doing so far? Are you on a pre-op diet? If not, why not try having the protein shakes for your breakfast and lunch as meal replacements? When you get hungry, drink tons of water (use the water-enhancer drops, if you like). Or do some exercise for 10-15 minutes, or try to re-focus on something else. I know it's easy for me to say, but we all have to go through this at some point, and it doesn't get easier. Try eating sugar-free popsicles when you HAVE to have something, and you don't have to limit it to one. At least they let you crunch and chew. Good luck to you and let us know how it goes!

Thanks for sharing, I think we all need to keep in mind this isn't a "free" ride! And I have read that the body wants to stay where IT thinks it should be, whether at, say, 240lbs or 140lbs, and it will fight to be that weight, and we have to fight against it constantly. I hope not. The info the Dr. gave you is good to keep in mind, and it sounds like it has been working for you - YAY! Good luck to you...

Aren't they great?! And you can make your own, as well. I wonder if you are putting too much in your tummy and that is why it doesn't feel so good after eating? Remember the next time you eat to try and FEEL where the food hits, and when you are full, you are TOO full. Then the next time try to eat a few bites less. You want to feel sated, not full. Full means you have food in your esophagus, and that is not good. This takes a lot of practice, but you will get the hang of it. Good luck!

KIndle has said it all! Thank goodness for the savory options, and unflavored protein powder, I HATE the sweet shakes. Water enhancer drops added to the unflavored protein powder in water is another great alternative, you can adjust the sweetness level. Good luck!

Have you had your surgery yet? I was told to take chewables, dissolvables, or liquids ONLY after the surgery for 8 weeks. No pills at all for 8 weeks. This included my prescription meds, which I had to crush or get in liquid form. You may have to wait to take the pills until your new tummy can handle a pill. Your NUT should be able to tell you when. Good luck to you!

Yeah, the hair on top is definitely less in quantity, but today I noticed the "fuzzy" look - you know, when the new hair grows in, but is to short to bend over like the rest of them, so it sticks out all over! Which is a GOOD thing! At least something is growing up there! One other point, I now have the GREATEST eyelashes I have ever had!!!! Must be the biotin! Unfortunately, I also have a FOREST of leg hair that would make Yeti proud! Not to mention the uni-brow, and boundless hair growing elsewhere where it really has no business being....SO WHY LEAVE MY HEAD NAKED????? I just want to know....

@@nyxn If you don't mind, please let us know what your NUT says about the hair loss and it's prevention, if there truly is any, ok? As far as sweet potato puree goes, I had them (in baby food form) and I can honestly say it was the best thing to eat, no problems at all. I love them with salt and black pepper. One of my favorite things to eat, period. What was and still is strange is that so many things now taste differently to me, where I used to like them and now don't, or the tummy isn't going to have it so forget it, tongue!!! Butter is one of the things. My tummy just won't have it, and before, I single-handedly would keep butter producers in business! So don't be surprised if your tastes change. Some things for me also taste differently, and I can't figure out why. And these days, all I want is fish and grits. Go figure. I used to hate grits. I have eggs almost everyday, and am constantly buying cheese. I used to never eat cheese. Just wasn't my thing. So strange how it has all changed. When is your surgery? Keep us informed, we're all pulling for you!

We may be just starting a trend here! I am loving mine, I got them in olive, navy, back and cherry. For fun, I also got an olive and a navy in the petite, for a little shorter, sportier look. I plan to wear them with sneakers, and also sandals. The nice thing is they look good with the shirt tucked in OR left out! We are having WAY too much fun here (like I said, I am easily amused!!!)!

@@Luvin_Life125 You have been so GREAT! Thank you! I am going to go to Kohl's tomorrow, and hopefully have some luck - the good kind! I sure have had (luck) finding all you kind and helpful folks....just wish you guys were my next door neighbors!!!!

I have found the best thing is to re-focus the second I realize this is happening. I have lots of hobbies, plus 4-leggeds to care for (who has time after 6 of those?!!!), and if I just get off the couch...and redirect to something else, I'm good. Try not to look at the clock, and if you absolutely HAVE to put something in your mouth, make it water. Thirst is often confused with hunger, so fill up on water (thirst is a symptom of dehydration, so if you wait until you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated!) Good luck to you and visit those craft stores soon!

Another 12/4/14 here, and am down 53lbs, so it sounds like along with everyone else sleeved on this day, you're right on track! It shouldn't be a surprise that your body has stalled, because you have given it 2 whammies in such a short period of time. Now it is saying :STOP THE MADNESS....I'M ONLY HUMAN!!! You can't expect it to act like normal, because what it has had is anything BUT normal! So, take a deep breath, give yourself a MAJOR break, and just let yourself have some peace. Fretting over this won't get you back on track, TIME will! You appear to be doing everything right, so if you can, take it easy and get your mind off all the worries that will send your body's metabolism into hiding. Stress and worry can harm you just as much as anything, have PEACE!

I'm loving the sugar-free hot apple ciders and sugar-free hot chocolates with the unflavored protein powders! Nice change for those snowy days (it's snowing BUCKETS here today!), kinda hits the spot!

Same here, no way can I eat that much. Since there are no regulatory guidelines on sleeve size, you may just have a larger sleeve. Maybe ask your Dr. about it. Be careful not to overfill your sleeve, since you're still fairly recent to your surgery, you may not have the ability to fully sense what your sleeve can truly hold yet, and you may be overfilling it. Try to slow down the eating a bit, take some time between bites, really chewing well (even if it is mushy). Put your fork/spoon down between bites, and let that puppy fill at a slower pace. Then try to really FEEL where the food hits. When you are full, you are TOO full. You want to be sated. Too full means food is in your esophagus. Good luck to you!

@@merry1126 I've heard other folks say that as well, so I brought the package to my NUT, since she had never heard of it. She didn't have a problem with it, but did notice that it hadn't appeared to have gone through any type of trials or testing. As far as the grams of Protein in the actual grams of product we couldn't really figure out, either, except we figured it is probably in the processing of the product. I'm not sure you can say it's something and it is not, legally, but who knows. I have used it for a couple of months now, with no ill effects, and it seems to be doing the job (although how can you tell?), so I'll use what I have, and consider other options, as well. Thanks for you input!!!

@@CrissyBat Just try the enhancer drops a little at a time, to see how your tummy reacts. Maybe a drop to start, then build from there as you tolerate it. Let me know how it goes!

@@CrissyBat I don't think you will stretch your sleeve with Water, since you're not putting all the 64 ounces in at one time (or are you?!), it should be just what it wants to take. Are you trying the water-enhancer drops? Those really helped me get the water in. If cold water seems to be the problem, and that isn't unusual, try tepid water. It is much "friendlier" to the tummy than cold. You can still use the flavorings in it, as well.

@@JeanneKoch Remember: "I also know the plans I have for you: plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11... You are NOT alone!