Tiffykins

Cross posted from my blog. A bit of back story. When John and I met, I was at my heaviest between 265-270. That meant I weighed more than 100 pounds more than he did, and he didn't care. He loved me regardless of my pant size, or what the scale read. I was never one to hide my weight from him even when we were just dating. I wasn't happy at that weight, but I was happy that he loved me for me. Today, I now weigh about 30lbs less than he does. When he deployed mid-March, I still weighed 100lbs more than he did. He worked out, strength training mainly, and bulked up a bit. I dropped a bunch of weight, and it's like a new found adventure for us. For the first time in my entire life, my husband can carry me. He did it when he first came home, but I made him put me down really quickly. He can hoist my "tiny hiney" (his words) up in his arms, and carry me around the house. I'll admit, I was still scared of 'hurting' him. But, not anymore ! ! ! I, by no means, have a perfect body, and I have my flaws, but for me this picture is priceless even with the little bulge of my thigh ! ! !

Hi and welcome to VST. It does take some adjusting with eating and drinking, but every day gets a little better. Keep us posted on your progress ! ! !

Some surgeons place a jp drain to allow excess Fluid to drain for a couple of days post-op, and/or to perform a leak test. I've never heard it called a port so that's why I was confused. I think that is what you're asking. Every surgeon has a different technique. My surgeon does not put a drain in unless there are complications.

I crashed super early last night sorry I missed everyone. I'll be in chat for the next 45 minutes or so. Then I'm off to bed so I can bowl tomorrow.

I second everything that Lee stated. I've tried most of them, and I really dig myfitnesspal.com I have yet to find a food product, ingredient, or drink that wasn't already in their database with confirmed nutrional content.

What type of port? A lapband port revision?

I hate half of the WW meal which was only 115 calories. Then I had 9 pita chips with another chunk of that cheese stuff. I hit close to 900 calories. I honestly can't fit anything else in my body. Tomorrow, I'm going to shoot for a little more. I should be going out to lunch with the girls after bowling so I'll have a yogurt first thing in the morning, then one of the Protein bars, and then probably slider foods for lunch (Soup, chili). I mean I am technically still "overweight", but I do not want to get below 135-140. 135 is stretching it. If my bones weren't protruding through my skin, and being able to see my veins in my neck, arms, legs is pretty creepy looking, I think it's difficult for me to even consider getting down to 115-120. If I have to, I'll drink Protein drinks with soy milk and yogurt thrown in there. I'll freeze that one Protein Drink I like, and eat it like Ice cream. That'll give me an extra 200+ calories a day.

I ate mashed potatoes on the mushy stage, and seriously, the amount of rice/pasta you can consume early out is so minimal I really don't believe it can stretch the sleeve. My nutritionist cleared all foods once I got to that stage. You just have trial and error everything. Some things work for some people, others can't tolerate pasta/rice. It can expand in the stomach and cause some discomfort (that's what happened when I first tried rice and stovetop stuffing), but now I can rarely get in more than 1/2 cup (4oz) of any starchy food and that is if I eat that all by itself. If I have any meat before, I can only get in a couple of bites of potatoes, rice or pasta and I'm almost 8 months. Soupy type foods like chili I can get in about cup, but I take breaks in between bites, and eat pretty slowly. Stretching of the sleeve is minimal. I'm looking for the link on the 5 year patients that did the barium swallow to show that the max was around 8ounces (1 cup). It's going to take me awhile to go back through all the research links. But, as soon as I find it, I'm posting it.

I looked up the nutritional information, and that stuff looks pretty good. I would ask your surgeon, but I don't why it would not be acceptable. I bet it would add some great flavor to Protein drinks.

Okay, I ran to Publix and picked up some healthy stuff. I purchased avocados, pears, cracker barrel individually wrapped sharp cheddar chunks, Planters South Beach Diet Mix of macadamian nuts, almonds, and cashews with sea salt, some low carb/high Protein wraps, 4 1cup individual servings of a new greek yogurt with fruit(pineapple and strawberry), baked pita chips, hummus dip, dreamfield's elbow noodles, cheesy whole wheat tortelini, I also picked up some South Beach Peanut Butter Protein Bars, some Silk soy milk. No Mootopia here. I also picked up some Weight Watcher meals. I'll only be able to eat 1/2 of one per meal, but I figure I can save the rest for later in the day. Today, I've already eaten 3 times, every 3 hours since 9am. I had 3/4 cup of Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal with 1/2 of 1% milk. The bottom half of a Lender's Blueberry bagel, toasted with a dab of butter. (That really didn't feel all that great once I ate it so probably won't do it again) Then at 2:45ish, I hate 6 almonds, 4 macadamia nuts, and 1 of the sharp cheddar chunks. I am stuffed. Tonight, I'm making it leftover night for the guys, and I plan on having part of WW meal for dinner. I'll try my best to get in more nuts and some cheese before bed, but I really don't want to push it. All of that is only 533 calories. So, here's to tonight, slow and steady dinner with a snack. I'll eat dinner about 6, then try to have a snack around 9pm.

You are definitely not alone. I have had this happen twice now with the major cramps. Now, with the acne, I swear I look like a puberty ridden 14 yr old. My skin was pretty flawless before surgery. I would get the occasional pimple here or there, but now I break out at least twice a month. I also had to buy some of those Biore blackhead remover pore pads for my nose and chin. I chalked it up to crazy hormonal changes and hope my skin settles down soon.

Hey Pennie, This probably sounds crazy, but I bought the chicken and veggie flavor boullion cubes. The other broths just didn't appeal to me. Plus, I was able to dillute it for my tastes.

I waited until I was ready to slow down my weight loss to incorporate those type of foods. Except, I did try rice and Pasta around 3 months post-op. Rice hurt, pasta was good and didn't cause any issues. Of course, I only ate a couple of bites to begin, but now I can eat 1/2 cup (4oz) of mac-n-cheese without issue, and the same goes for white/brown rice/flavored rice. I can eat part of the inside of a very light yeast roll (like the kind they serve at restaraunts/steak houses). I can eat about 3/4 of a fajita size tortilla. I can eat 1/4-1/2 of a low carb/whole grain/high Protein wrap. I can eat a few pita chips with dip. I eat pretzels occasionally with a cheese slice. It'll just take a while to get to those foods. I had issues with tortillas for awhile. But, now I can tolerate them. I enjoy various brands/types of cracker including saltines, ritz, goldfish crackers on occasion. I'm not a big fan of sandwiches nor do I like toast. But, I did have 3 small bites of my kiddo's grilled cheese one day last week and didn't have any problems. I can eat 1/2 of a crescent roll with a little bit of brummel and brown butter and homemade blackberry jelly. Sorry for the ramble, I hope that helps.

Since my hair has thinned out severely, I need a new "do". So I'm going to post some pics, and y'all be honest, and tell me what ya think. Also, I have a HUGE forehead, so bangs (even side bangs) help disguise it's monstrosity. My face has shrunk a bunch, and it's been determined I now have an oval shaped face instead of round and fat. Ignore the color because I will be getting heavy blonde highlights. I'm leaning towards A or B. A: B: C: D:

Non-Scale Victory - anything that is a wonderful thing related to our weight loss without being related to the numbers on the scale.

Through Google Search here's an Xray of a normal stomach. From this website page discussing RNY. Google Image Result for http://secure.visualzen.com/duke/wlsc/images/NormalStomach.jpg Here's a fluoroscropy image of normal stomach:

Barbara, you are definitely in my prayers. I had a superficial blood clot in my leg back in December, and it was so painful. I was restricted on my activity for almost 3 weeks. Take care of yourself, and I hope you get good news at your appointment today.

That's an amazing accomplishment and NSV ! ! ! Congrats.

Good luck and best wishes to both of y'all ! ! ! We'll all be anxiously waiting for updates as soon as you are able to post. Take care of yourselves ! ! !

Thanks everyone. I sent Mac a pm on OH. The odd thing is that I increased my calorie intake last week, and I don't feel like my appetite is any less than it was before. I'm on the generic form of Wellbutrin SR 150mg twice daily. I plan on making a grocery run today, and try to find some healthy Snacks. I was hoping Dr. Jossart would chime in with some suggestions. So, far on my list is that Mootopia milk everyone has been talking about, Almonds, Avocados, Cashews, and some whole grain pitas/wraps, more greek yogurt, and whatever else I can find that I think will help. Mentally, this is really difficult for me to deal with. My brain is saying you are NOT hungry, quit feeding me. But, I know I need to eat more. In all truthfulness, 150 is a really high weight "goal" for my height. But, I already have bones protruding. I really am big boned. My shoulders, ankles, elbows, wrist and my neck is nothing but skin and bones. I am going to end up looking "sick" if I keep dropping weight. I'd be happy at 140, but I'm fearful that I'm going to keep dropping.

I miss HEB stores, and Albertsons. I never thought I could miss a grocery store, but I definitely miss those 2 the most. I lived in Waco for awhile, and I loved going there. There's Albertsons all over the D/FW area where I'm from and totally miss them as well. Geez, y'all make me miss Texas soooooo much ! ! ! I like the commissary, they do have a good variety, but nothing like Albertsons or HEB.

Hey Christabel and welcome. I had both the band and the now the sleeve. I'm one of those that had severe complications, but I would do it all over again to live the life I'm living right now. Well, I am frustrated that I lost this week since I'm in maintenance mode. But, besides that, I'm truly loving life. I love cocky surgeons, I don't know why, it's probably because I'm pretty cocky myself. Best wishes with your appointment tomorrow. It definitely sounds like your history would deem the surgery "medically necessary". Stay positive, mentally, emotionally, and physically prepare for surgery. I know a lot of patients forget they operate on our stomachs not our brains. Ask a slew of questions, and know that you are making the best decision to help you achieve a healthy, and happy life. Let us all know how your appointment goes tomorrow ! ! !

I agree 100%. It isn't like it stretched out for the "wrong" reasons. But, I have less restriction at 8 months than I had a month post-op. I think it's pretty obvious that it's going to stretch once it heals, and the tissue relaxes.

I promise I'm not sensitive, and I know you aren't being prickly. I'm only concerned because I've dropped 7lbs in 1 week. I haven't lost like that in months upon months except when I was in WV for Thanksgiving and was living on yogurt and Protein bars because I could not bring myself to eat all the fat-filled, grease-ridden, fried foods they consume up there. That's my only concern. I have actually been eating more this week, and truly adding in more carbs. I wasn't trying to lose. I really wanted to maintain between 145-150. I think I'm going to get some more greek yogurt, nuts, and just start piling in the protein, good fats and good carbs. If I can't maintain, it puts my "baby making" on hold. I also started Wellbutrin last week to help me quit smoking. I posted a question in this same forum, but didn't get a reply so I'm not sure if this one will get a reply either. I did put in a call to my surgeon, but I probably won't get a call back until Wednesday at the earliest.