CanyonBaby

Same here! Congratulations, there are more wonderous things ahead - keep looking for them!

I've had 21 surgeries to date. This was BY FAR the least painful and least intrusive of them all. I tolerate pain really well, though, most surgeries I never took any meds for pain. Yes, you will have some, but the benefits far outweigh the pain. Just think of all those benefits (health, a more comfortable life, excitement when you shop for clothing, did I say HEALTH?!) and there are even more. Good luck to you, we are here for you!

900-1200 calories a day, with men on the 1200, women toward the 900, according to my NUT, but she said if you really are burning calories, to get more in. Don't try to equalize by burning the same amount of calories you are consuming. NUT advice has worked great for me!

I've been told that in about a year's time, my sleeve should hold about 6 ounces, or around 3/4 cup of food. At the most. I think if one is always stuffing it and constantly grazing, it is possible to get to a larger size, but I've been wrong before. It makes sense, though.

Now is time to turn the corner. What is around that corner? Should you advance a little ways and see if it is safe? Should you turn around, run back and hide? There are many unseen things around this corner, some good, some not so good, perhaps, but the ADVENTURE is there. Are you ready for it? Ready or not, here it comes! And ice cream and cigarettes are NOT the tickets on get on this ride. Good luck to you and God Bless....

I don't know if this helps or not, but my NUT has this plan for us: half your plate is protein, half carbs. Focus on the protein, but try to eat it all. Make sure it is all nutrient dense. I hope it helps!

If you still have questions about HIPAA, maybe visit your local hospital - they may have an expert who could answer your questions. I would hate for you to not get a job because of this. Good luck!

There are some great books about WLS and cookbooks for WLS, as well. I've spent a lot of time reading those while recovering.

If you are like me, you've been told no aspirin or Ibuprofin, just Tylenol-type pain killers. No capsules or pills, just liquid form. So I found liquid Tylenol in the plain form, and cold formulas. Today I discovered Mucinex has a liquid cold formula, as well. There may be others, but I don't know about them. I hope this helps. I will be allowed the other types of meds later down the road, when I am more fully healed. I find the liquids don't seem to last as long as the pill/capsule forms, but it seems the time frame between dosages are the same, I think, which for me is frustrating as it seems to wear off faster (for me, anyway). Good luck and I hope you feel better.

Oh, Boy! We are going out tonight for dinner!! First time in almost 2 months! Were going to an Italian restaurant that specializes in chicken cannelloni; very finely ground, spiced and yummy! Their sautéed spinach is worth every penny! So it'll be that or fish (my favorite), and I'll probably bring at least one week of meals home just from the leftovers!!! Oh, the joy!!

Yes, it should be labeled a holiday! I have waited so long to get to this day, I am so happy for it! Now only 20 days to regular food day! Hooray!! Oh. What do we eat on soft food day? What are all your favorites?

I've heard a lot of people take Prilosec for acid, but I'm not sure about how it might work for sugar in particular. And since I have yet to take it, I can't tell you from my personal experience. I wouldn't know if you take it before or after you eat the sugar. Hopefully someone will respond to this run with some suggestions for you. If you don't mind, please let me know what you find out? Good luck, again....

Oh, and how!!!!! So is it just a taste that does it to you, or a full serving?

It seems other people have had this issue, as well. How are you with artificial sweeteners? I personally can't stand them, but then I have never had much of a sweet-tooth. I have used Splenda in baking, but I find it dries the end result out too much AND too soon. The other types of sweeteners I just can't stand the taste of, especially stevia and the sweet-n-low stuff. Does an antacid help? Gosh, I wish I could help you. Keep us informed of how you resolve this, ok? Thanks....

@@LumpySpacePrincess Oh, Princess, I'm sorry you had to go through all of that. So sorry. And how you have grown from it! Very impressive! I, too like to think in the vegetable world! I see people as either onions, or apples. You can peel away the layers of an onion, peel, peel away. You will never find a core, only tears. Now an apple, you will not only find a core under that sometimes tough peel, you will also find it sweet. Sometimes tart-sweet, but sweet nevertheless.....

I am sorry for you suffering! Have you noticed if it is always the same foods? Do you think you may have developed an allergy to them? Have you stayed away from them for awhile, then gone back to see if they do it to you again? Last question...have you asked your doctor about it? I am still new to all this, having my surgery in December, so forgive me, but I am learning from you! Good luck and I hope you feel better VERY soon!

@@proudgrammy - thank you thank you thank YOU! After I've been on the blah for so long, any REAL food is welcome!

@@Miss Mac - you have made me so hungry! (I'm just not sure if it is in my head or my belly!!!) I'm coming to your house for dinner!

The one I use "seems" to firm my skin somewhat, but the #1 reason I use it is for how long it moisturizes my skin in this dry winter air (also I notice how much dryer my skin has gotten since the pre-op diet). It is called CeraVe Moisturizing Cream for normal to dry skin. They have other products in their line, as well, and I find them very reasonably priced (I think the big -16oz- tub was around $13 at Walmart). The moisture lasts all day, I mean, when I wash in the evening, you can still feel the layer of moisturizer. There is no scent, and I have found it GREAT for my face, hands, body...all over. I don't need to reapply during the day, even on my hands, unless I wash them a lot throughout the day. Let us know what you find out!

MAYBE it's time for a treat! Sounds like it to me! No, I don't mean an "eat treat". I mean go get yourself a new workout outfit, or a special journal for your journey. You need a treat to remind you how special you are, cuz I'm figuring you haven't heard (or said) that for awhile, huh? Sometimes we just need a little jab in just the right place to get us back on track. Consider yourself "jabbed"!!!!

I haven't had that experience, but if you're concerned, please call your surgical team. Don't risk an abcess or infection. Good luck to you and I hope you feel better soon!

Lately I've been reading a lot of posts from newbies who haven't much information to get them started (perhaps it was surgery in Mexico, or you didn't get a lot of written information from your doc. that you could reference later...) so I'm hoping this will help you all. There are several good books you can get that are loaded with information for after your surgery, including recipe books. Most are written by folks who have had the surgery, some by the surgeons. I have found several on Amazon.com, type WLS in the search box. One I like especially is Weight Loss Surgery Cookbook for Dummies by Brian K. Davidson, David Fouts, and Karen Meyers. And for all those who are thinking about the surgery, there are books about the surgery, as well. I wish you all good luck and happy eating!

@@livvsmum, Excellent! I think any additions people want to add is a great idea, as it helps all of us on our journey. Thanks!

I'm loving it, and it fits! Now, go get yourself a new baby!

Forgiveness is far easier than forgetting, and forgiving can be the hardest thing you'll ever do. When you forgive someone, you release. You release the person(s) involved, and you release yourself from the sadness, anger, hate which all contribute to very harmful effects on YOU. Now, I agree with Elode, and believe as she does. But God did not make us stupid. Do NOT allow the same wrongs to happen to you again. Learn from the past, and carry on.