CanyonBaby

Are you hydrating enough? I have found that VIGROUSLY massaging CeraVe cream (in the big tub) has really improved my skin, overall, even my face! I use sunscreen if I go outside, but I gotta say for a 53 year old I don't look so bad! I honestly thought the weight loss would leave me saggy and baggy (on the backside I can't seem to fight the B. and S. so well!). Like Blerdgirl said, hydrating well does miracles for the skin. Good luck and a Blessed Easter to you!

@@Luvin_Life125 We have a KOH'LS!!!!!! I'm going to check this out next time I go, and THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! And a Blessed Easter to you!

I think there is one thing a lot of younger/healthier people don't think about so much is the future. And what I mean by that is how are they going to feel when they are older...is that knee injury going to turn arthritic? How about that back you twisted when you were a cheerleader? Or that shoulder you hurt while playing baseball? If you ask virtually any "older" person about how they feel - physically - NOW, most will tell you about their aches and pains. Pains they didn't have when they were young. And most of them take something for it, whether prescribed, or OTC. This is where it becomes VITAL to ask your surgeon their opinion on N-Saids, because if you can't take them now, you probably won't be able to take them later on in life, either. This can also be said for headaches, migraines..... If this concerns you like it did me, ask BEFORE you have the surgery, so you can prepare. It's why I chose the sleeve over the RNY, my surgeon knows my arthritis situation, and has okayed N-Saids for me. Not all will agree, so ASK! VERY IMPORTANT!!!!

You definitely want to ask your NUT about this one. You may be having a reaction to them. I have a terrible time with Vitamin D, and I take TONS of it for other reasons. I have to take Calcium with it to avoid the nausea. But you can't take calcium with certain other nutrients, such as Iron, as the calcium will block the absorption of it. So call tomorrow about this. Good luck and a Blessed Easter to you!

Yeah, chat with your surgeon about this one. All surgeons do things differently, some may have one night, mine had me there 2 nights and 3 days, others...who knows. And it will also vary if you have additional surgery (like me...a hernia surprise, so hernia surgery at the same time). That is a VERY important part of your surgery for self-pay...I was self-pay...I paid my program fee, but the hernia repair was an additional cost. Now, my insurance picked that up, but FIND OUT if yours will BEFORE you have the surgery...you don't want any nasty financial surprises. I was not denied insurance, I just didn't want to wait for the INFINITE amount of months for them to get their act together while I was increasing my diabetes complications. They did pay for the hernia repair, no questions asked...why would they...they got the hospital, anesthesia....paid for by ME! All they had to pay was the surgeon, for that part only of the surgery. Good luck to you and a Blessed Easter to you, as well!

And when you use your Vitamixer, maybe get some small freezer containers to freeze the leftovers (there are ALWAYS leftovers!), then you can just pull them out when in a hurry. One more thing you might want to do, if you don't already have one, is start a hobby - one you can just hop (get it? HOP!!!) over to when you want to eat...then you can get your mind off food quickly. All set? You're on your way! Blessed Easter!

Not weird, normal! It depends on your doctor. It seems everyone is different about this, so you should ask any and every question you can think of, while you are there. It also will depend on your insurance, if you are using it. I hope this helps (probably not, but it is worth it to ask), and have a Blessed Easter!

Yup. Been there, still there. Been shedding for at least a month now, I didn't really take note as to when it started. My surgery was 12/3/14. It appears to be slowing, and I am using Nioxin shampoo, not the scalp treatment - the treatment or conditioner seems to make me lose more hair than when I don't use it. But the shampoo seems to work well, it does what it says - stimulates the hair follicles, and cleans them out good. Who knows when it will stop, I've heard many months, for some. I cut my hair to just under the chin, and it looks fuller that way - lots of compliments on it. I brush it vigorously every morning, which seems to have stopped most of the daily shedding all over the place. I figure it will come out anyway, just get it over with! We should keep a log of it, to show others what we experience, then they can have an idea of what to expect. Hope you have a Blessed Easter!

Sugar-free popsicles, you can't really have too many! They saved my "bacon" more times than not, I just powered through with those! Get a hobby where you can go to it when you want to eat. Just get your mind off it ASAP when it hits. This is going to be good training for you for after the surgery. You have to get ahold of this as soon as you can, because it doesn't really get that much easier afterward, just read all the posts regarding head-hunger! I know that is discouraging, but I won't lie to you about it. You CAN do this, but it take s willpower. And I have the feeling you have that in you!

Sit and Be Fit is a good program to do at home, and you just use a chair! It is on PBS here in Washington state, and can be found on DVD. I used it prior to surgery, when the weather was too bad to get out and walk. Good luck and a Blessed Easter to you!

Same here, 4 months out and when I go too long without (especially) Water or food, then I feel it. I think the tummy contracts while empty, then the slam of the water or food nails it. Be gentle on it, drink tepid water to start, or soft food for the first couple of bites to help "prime" the stomach for what's to come. Good luck and a Blessed Easter to you!

Heating pad for your tender areas after surgery, a couple of pillows to prop up your body while recovering, all your foods (baby food is great for emergencies and travel, all 3 stages), popsicles (sugar-free) - you will want to crunch and chew, A puppy or teddy bear for the sad times (I prefer the puppy), Nioxin shampoo/treatment for the hair loss (neither it or Biotin will regrow hair, but the biotin will make what you have look great, and the Nioxin will stimulate the hair follicles), a tape measure so you don't get caught up with the outright LIES the scale will tell you, and lastly, DON'T FORGET THE PUPPY! Good luck on your journey and a Blessed Easter to you!

Can't do anything over ten pounds for a year, due to my hernia repair, so I can't say anything about that. But please be careful! Make sure you get clearance for the weight lifting, I'd hate to hear YOU got a hernia from it!!! But I am envious, as I am so weak in that area, and always have been. Good luck to you and a Blessed Easter!

@@SleevedNFree I am so glad to hear of your success! This will probably be one of the most challenging things you will ever do for yourself, and in following the plan, for you LIFE! As far as meds for your hunger, it is actually for your acid, which makes you FEEL like your hungry. Some Dr.s prescribe it for a year, mine didn't give me one at all. It is an acid reducer, and I think Prilosec is one brand (people help me out here, I don't know all the brands!!!), and I think you can get them OTC, but you should probably ask your Dr. how they feel about it, for your particular situation. I understand many on this site use them and have good success with it. Like I said, I have never used one, to date, and am able to control the hunger by doing one simple thing on my plan: eat every 3 hours. No time to get hungry! And Protein first. Another thing I think people forget about is their thirst. Hunger can easily be mistaken for thirst, so try drinking first. Thirst is a SYMPTOM of dehydration, so when you are thirsty, you are ALREADY dehydrated! So keep ahead of that! Sometimes all your body wants is fluids, Water really. And summer is coming on, so dehydration is going to be a big problem for us, especially those who are still having problems getting water in. Remember to add the Water Enhancer drops to assist you in getting the water in. It REALLY does help! I hope this all helps, and have a Blessed Easter!

Oh yeah, this will be my undoing (I AM easily amused, after all!)!!! These things will last for years, and I am thrilled I found something to replace shorts! They never did look good on me. Maybe we'll start a trend!

@@AgentShepard Thanks! All good advice! You know, I was thinking, all my abdominal surgeries that have contributed to the odd shape of my belly area were done AFTER I put on most of my excess weight, so I DON'T know what the belly will do as I lose weight! It appears to be going down, but I don't know how far it will go, with all the scar tissue and what-not. I don't know if it will be smooth or full of waves and wrinkles! Of course, it is taking it's own sweet time in going down, but the suspense is killing me!

Did he give you an idea of what you should lose, and did he give you a diet plan? When is your surgery scheduled? If you absolutely HAVE to lose weight before you see him again, why not try using the Protein shakes as Meal Replacements until that time? You could kind of do a pre-op diet to show your intentions are good, and that you are serious about this. Many go on pre-op diets, anyway, so this would show you know what you need to do. Good luck to you!

@@Glute1 Thanks....so I have to ask....does it taste like eggs? Sometimes that will just throw me off for days. Always looking for options here!

@@sh1211 I think if you try the GENEPRO (wee small scoop gives you 30g/serving!!!), you can get it in the smaller package to start, then if you like it, it goes up to a 3lb container.

So I found something interesting I have just received...found it on QVC.com. The brand is Women With Control, and they make all kinds of leggings, pants, tops...the usual stuff. BUT they also make SKORTS! Swingy skirt with a short built in so no "peeks" allowed! A heavy knit with a control-type top part, several colors, and even PETITE sizes! They fit GREAT! I got both the regular and the petite, since I wasn't sure how long I wanted it to be, and both work great. I will use the shorter one of sportier occasions. MAN, am I getting adventurous or what?!

@@pansy63 Sorry to interrupt.....but maybe this will work for you: On Amazon.com type in unflavored Protein powder in the search box. I use TG's and GENEPRO. Good luck!

@@CowgirlJane Ok. I did it. I ordered my first dress! I feel like a kid who got caught in the cookie jar! Do I dare put it on when it gets here? I chose the size that I have worn in this particular brand (Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren) before, so hopefully it will work. It is a style that I can wear year-round, with tights and boots in the winter. I have to say this scares me a bit! I thank you again for the suggestion, and I'll let you know how it looks!

Look at that! You are already on the mend, but might not know it! IT HURTS TO HEAL. Period. But you're on your way, and everyday it should be easing up. You may have some set backs...maybe you bent over the wrong way, or ate a little to much, or something didn't agree with your new tummy, but these are things to face and look past. SURGERY HURTS. Period. But the hurt will pass and like most who have gone through childbirth, you "forget" that pain in the awesomeness of this new "baby" you have just born...NOW, NAME THAT BABY!!!

Sounds like it is time to attend a bariatric surgery support group. Do you have one in your area? Check your local hospital, and if there isn't one, maybe you could start one! Talk with any/all bariatric surgeons in your area, just call them and ask about it. Ask for any/all free written material they could give you. Ask if they have informational sessions on the surgery. And don't forget to get some books on the subject, there are quite a few out there. What all of the previous posters have said is awesome, and remember, you always have this site to come to for answers/help. Good luck to you! Happy Easter!

How about this? Pulling up the car seat so much that my 185lb husband has to push it back just to get in!!! Or, having to re-lace up all my lace-up shoes because my FAT FEET are no longer FAT!!! Or being able to slide between the cars in the garage WITHOUT getting a dirty a** in the process!!! Minor things, yes, but it is AWESOME that I can now do those things! GREAT POST!