twinhappy

The EGD is so easy! Don't worry - you will do just fine :-) I was super nervous about it. You literally fall asleep and the next thing you know you are waking up. I got a waiver on the need to wear a CPAP during surgery. I tested just one point over normal.

I didn't want to eat at all after my surgery so eating very little wasn't a problem. I didn't even get my hunger back until after about 4 months. You'll do just fine :-)

Now that I have lost 91 pounds my lower legs look so much better. (My thighs are a lost cause! ha ha) My only problem with my legs from my knees down to my calf area is vericose/spider veins. I am thinking about having them treated but I am afraid it hurts? My legs are already sensitive the way it is. Has anyone done this already? If so, how do they do it? Needles? Lasers?

If I can get these veins taken care of on my legs I will probably wear skirts again. I am scared it will hurt though so I haven't even gone in for a consultation.

You are brave! I have never done that. I'm always worried I will end up seeing the person who performed the waxing in Target or something! LOL

I also get my shakes from Insure Nutrition. No co-pay. My insurance covers it. I like the chocolate but not the strawberry. I drink one every morning on my way into work :-)

I am 7 pounds behind you. I can't wait to hit One-derland!! Good job!

Do you have a Smoothie King near you? They have a shake called the Gladiator that has 40 grams of protein and only 1 carb (I think) before you add in any fruits. I get the strawberry flavored protein powder and have strawberries mixed in too for the fruit. It is DELICIOUS! I know that can get expensive so here is a trick - On $5 medium Mondays go in an have them make you a few but have them split the medium down to 2 small cups. You can place them in the freezer. I take one out of the freezer in the morning and it is ready by lunch. You can buy a bucket of the Gladiator protien powder there too for around $50.

Cashews are my go to snack at work. I also like raw green Beans and carrots dipped in a little bit of salad dressing or just plain. Hummus is a good dip too.

I can't do it. I am addicted to weighing myself every morning. I even write the weight down on the calendar so I can see how much I lost from week to week or month to month. It isn't causing me any frustrations though. Good job to you!

I just have a regular scale. I think it is weight watchers brand. I am more about just dropping the pounds at this point. I may invest in a fancier scale later on when I am closer to my goal weight.

I also have BCBS of IL (and I have twins too!) and my plan actually paid 100% of my procedure. All the money I have paid in premiums finally paid off! Good luck!

I haven't heard of that one. Sounds pretty annoying. I hope it clears up for you soon!

I purposely didn't tell many people about my surgery because I am a sassy girl and I know I'd get into some fights with people who tried to say it's the easy way out! My sleeve was far from easy! The good thing is that the weight has come off at a relatively normal pace (about 2lbs a week or around 10 lbs a month on average) so people just think it is my new food choices and exercise. While my weight loss is from that it is also from the fact that my stomach is tiny and my cravings have been majorly curbed with the surgery. It has really just been an aid for me - not the sole reason I lost weight. Good Luck!

Happy surgiversary! Great story. Thanks for sharing :-)

I love my sleeve. I am 6 months out and I have lost 88 pounds. I followed my doctors special diet requirements for the first 3 months and I have had zero issues. I can eat anything I want and my stomach can handle it. That being said, I still make good choices because I don't want to gain any weight back. No bad carbs, no sweets, no junk, no fast food, etc. I basically just have a smaller stomach than I did before so I can put so much less in it. Also, my cravings have been curbed tremendously. I have heard too many horror stories from bypass patients. Good luck!

Congrats! Can't wait until I am with you. 18 pounds to go!

No one at my work said a single thing about my weight loss until I had lost about 55 pounds. I guarantee you they notice but just don't want to say anything. To ask if you've lost weight means they are implying you are fat and need to lose weight (This is what a lot of people think to themselves). So, they'd rather just carry on and not ask about it. On a side note - I cut about 12 inches of my hair off last week. It is above my shoulders now. Not a single person has said anything. You just have to laugh it off :-)

I am 4 months out and I have been having hot flashes and generally feeling warm lately. Not so bad that I am sweating or anything. It definitely isn't menopause :-) I am even warm at night with the A/C set at 67. Anyone have the same thing?

I had the same issue! Drink some Smooth Move tea. You can get Smooth Move in the tea section at most grocery stores or Wal-mart. Tastes pretty good. It will clear you right out within about 8 hours. That is what I did for about a month when I would get constipated. Now I am 4 months out and I take a Probiotic daily which helps tremendously. I hope you feel better soon!

To me the carb count isn't worth it. I used to love oatmeal prior to my surgery. Now I avoid it due to the carbs. You can can get your protein and fiber in other ways without adding the carbs.

The gummy vitamins taste the best but have some carbs in them so watch that number. Good luck!

My go to Protein kick that tastes great is a strawberry gladiator smoothie from Smoothie King. I buy a medium and have them split it into 2 small (bigger than the average small) cups. There is 45 grams of protein in the smoothie so when you split it between two you are getting the proper amount of protein for one serving. The best part - it tastes awesome and there is only a couple grams of carbs!! If I had the money I would be drinking these on a daily basis. Oh, and you can freeze the second half and have it the next day :-)

I didn't do that until I was 3 months out and I had no problems at that point.

I am 3 months out and down 65 pounds. Problem is I am also starting to lose my hair too. I try to get as much protein in a day as I can but it is probably only around 40-50 grams daily. Does anyone use protein pills? If so, what kind? My stomach is good with pills so if there was something out there that could get me another 40 grams in a day that would be amazing.