*susan*

No problem. That's what we are here for. You got this girl! Sent from my iPad using VST

They are okay, but I only eat them in a pinch. They are super high in sodium, which makes me retain Water and it directly affects my weight loss. I do eat carbs, our body needs a certain amount of healthy carbs, but I get mine from whole wheat pastas, brown rice, etc. Sent from my iPad using VST

Ha ha, I remember the first time I looked down in the shower and saw my own feet, I cried like a baby. Just one of many great NSV's you will experience in the coming months, enjoy them! Sent from my iPad using VST

It is so natural to feel nervous before your surgery. I was excited, nervous and scared all at the same time. I got through it by just reminding myself of the prize, a happier, healthier me who will be around for a long time. Good luck with your surgery and let us know how everything goes! Sent from my iPad using VST

Again, I don't go around telling people what they do or don't need. If they ask, I am more than happy to share my experience with them. In my new position. I tell people who are interested in getting weight loss surgery the facts, what the benefits of each are, etc. But, when it comes down to making the final decision of if they will have surgery and which one, the final choice is one that is decided between them and their doctor. Just like on the forums, when people post a question, I try to directly answer in response to what they posted and not read more into it. I don't consider any question to be "stupid", I consider not asking the question to be, though. A lot of people don't have as much access to professional help as others, whether it be due to financial issues, they had surgery out of the country, or whatever. So they come here to seek advice. I comment on those I feel I may have some valid input on, and bypass the ones I don't. Sent from my iPad using VST

Ahhhhhhh, breathe in, breathe out, deep cleansing breaths... Don't we feel better and calmer now? I have to be honest, if anyone had ever suggested to me that I needed/need counseling, I would have been personally offended and probably even angry. I probably would have demanded to know what their credentials are to be telling me I need counseling. Heck, I worked in behavioral health care for 13 years, but even then, I don't feel qualified or confident that I would gain enough information from reading a couple of posts on a message board from someone to recommend they get counseling. But, that is me and my opinion. I respect your opinions and am happy to discuss them without attacking anyone personally. Sent from my iPad using VST

Yes, it would. But thanks for the visual, lol. Sent from my iPad using VST

Guys, I just want to put a small reminder in here about one of the rules you agreed to when joining our forum, we are here to offer support, not be the grammar police. 5. Members will treat each other with courtesy and respect, especially when they disagree. We understand that bright, intelligent and educated people may not always agree, but personal attacks in the form of insults, abusive language or other means of obvious harassment will not be tolerated. - Do not attack, mock, or otherwise insult others. You can respectfully disagree with the message or topic, but you cannot attack the messenger. This includes attacks against the user’s spelling or command of written English, or belittling a user for posting a duplicate topic. Sent from my iPad using VST

Everyone's body tends to have a different tolerance level for alcohol. What is important to remember is when we drink, we do responsibly and with an understanding of our bodies limitations. If we know we plan on drinking in excess, then as responsible adults we should have a plan in place prior to doing so for safe transportation home. Sent from my iPad using VST

Basically, I was told I have a normal functioning stomach, it is just smaller than the average persons. I had my first drink at about two months out and did fine. I have a tough time with carbonated beverages unless I let them sit for awhile. I do best with wine or, my favorite, white Russians. I was making them with fat free milk, which was good, and recently tried it with almond milk and that was just as good. Post sleeve, I have found I am quite the light weight and I have to be careful as it only takes two drinks of anything for me to feel the effects. Sent from my iPad using VST

I agree. It took us a lifetime to develop the habits that made us fat. We are not going to be"cured" of them overnight. It takes time to battle these demons. Most of us know what we need to do, we don't need a "professional" to tell us what we already know. We just need a good support system, people who empathize with what we are going through and are willing to listen to us vent when we need to, offer support when we need it and cheer for us when we are doing good. Sent from my iPad using VST

Catracks, your post reminded me of someone I haven't thought of in years. Growing up we lived next door to a very tall, skinny, unhealthy looking boy. We lived next door to him for at least five or six years, until I was about 15 years or age. He literally lived on McDonalds french fries and coke. He wouldn't eat anything else. His parents would go to McDonalds and pick up several orders of fries so he would be able to heat them up for Breakfast, take them to school for lunch and have them for dinner. He claimed if he ate anything else he would gag and choke on it, and his parents actually went along with it. Even at 15, I knew how incredibly unhealthy that was and how sickly he looked. I remember numerous conversations amongst the neighborhood parents about how they did not understand why his parents let him get away with this and why they did not get help for him. It has me wondering now what ever happened to him. Sent from my iPad using VST

One of my favorites at that stage was scrambled eggs with a little cheese, it filled me up in a hurry. I would also do mashed potatoes, but they were the kind made with cauliflower instead. Sent from my iPad using VST

Even as far our as I am, I still have a tough time with carbonation. I usually have wine or a White Russian made with skim milk. Sent from my iPad using VST

As you said, best of luck to him in his endeavors... Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

Please stop the arguing and remember our forum rules. The new topic has been closed. Sent from my iPad using VST

Topic closed. We will not create topics for the sole purpose of arguing/attacking another member. Moving the argument to R&R does not justify doing so. 5. Members will treat each other with courtesy and respect, especially when they disagree. We understand that bright, intelligent and educated people may not always agree, but personal attacks in the form of insults, abusive language or other means of obvious harassment will not be tolerated. - Do not attack, mock, or otherwise insult others. You can respectfully disagree with the message or topic, but you cannot attack the messenger. This includes attacks against the user’s spelling or command of written English, or belittling a user for posting a duplicate topic. - If you are attacked by another user, and you reciprocate, you will also be subject to the same consequences. Defending yourself or a friend is not an excuse! Do not take matters into your own hands – instead, use the Report Post link to report an attack and we will be happy to handle the situation for you.

I moved your thread to our suggestions and assistance forum. Are you still having problems? Sent from my iPad using VST

Girl, I was the queen of UTI's and kidney infections the first month after my surgery. I had an awful time getting my Water in and ended up in the hospital on IV fluids three times due to severe dehydration. Finally, I just had to conciously force myself to sip, sip, sip all day long. It is tough, but the only way you are going to feel better is to force yourself to drink. And, you will find that the more you do, the easier it gets. Sent from my iPad using VST

I think what people have to accept is everyone has different philosophies and methods of what does or does not work for them. There are the die hard "I will never put another unhealthy bite of food in my mouth" people, the "everything in moderation" people (me) and those who are still just trying to find their way. Personally, if I was so strong that I was able to say "I will never put another unhealthy bite of food in my body", then what the heck did I need the sleeve for to begin with? I am not that person. I am a foodie, I like enjoying different cuisines and such. I just wanted to be able to eat like "normal" people do. Instead of sitting down and having a whole bag of chips and dip, now I just have an ounce of fat free Pringles when I want chips and I am completely satisfied. If I go to a birthday party and there is cake, heck yeah, I am going to have a piece, especially if it is chocolate. Difference is, a few bites and I am a satisfied girl. My fiancé is a licensed nutritionist, personal trainer, yoga instructor, owns a martial arts school and counsels people on healthy eating and also cooks healthy meals for the senior center. Yes, he is a very busy guy. He agrees with my philosophy on everything in moderation. Better to have a small, satisfying serving now than to deprive myself and eventually end up binging. And guess what, we eat Pasta too! Your body actually needs a certain amount of healthy carbs, it's okay. We have whole wheat pasta once or twice a week. At the same time, I do make sure I drink plenty of Water, eat healthy fruits and vegetables and lots of Protein. I also exercise and do martial arts. I eat an average of 1800 calories a day. I do not believe that living on 800 calories a day outside of your initial weight loss period is healthy for ones body. I am three years out, have lost over 113 pounds at a healthy pace and feel great and am happy. So, I guess what I am saying is, if you are of the "I will never put another unhealthy bite of food in my body" people, great! I think that is awesome. I will not try to push my methods onto you, I will not chastise you for the way you do things and I will be 100% supportive of you. In return, I ask that you not criticize me for my methods, especially when they are working for me, or make me feel like I am less of a person or a sleeve failure because I want to enjoy everything life has to offer, including food treats. If you see a thread where somebody wants to know about eating macaroni and cheese, instead of criticizing them or making them feel bad, either choose to simply keep the peace by passing up that thread, or perhaps offer some healthy alternatives like many have chosen to do. Peace and love to all! Sent from my iPad using VST

When I want chocolate, which occurs one week every month, I really enjoy the Skinny Cow clusters. They are yummy! Sent from my iPad using VST

I wasn't able to eat Pasta until about six months out. My personal chef/licensed nutritionist/martial arts instructor/personal trainer agrees that swearing off all carbs is not good. Our bodies require a certain amount of healthy carbs. I don't recommend white pastas, but whole wheat pastas are fine in moderation. And be very careful when eating pasta because just a small amount can fill you up very quickly because it tends to swell up once inside your tummy. I love eating whole wheat pasta with a nice EVOO and lots of veggies on it, major yummy. Sent from my iPad using VST