Tiffykins

Here is a list from another thread on here that I thought you might find helpful. I took my favorite lip balm, and I wore the hospital gowns because I didn't want to dirty up my pj's. I wore lounge pants, and big lightweight t-shirt home from the hospital. You may want to take some GasX strips and a heating pad as I hear they both helped people with gas pains and discomfort. I did not have my surgery in Mexico, but I thought this list might help you.

I wanted to maximize my "honeymoon" phase for the first 4-6 months. I was not obsessively tracking, but I did monitor my carbs very carefully for the first 4 months. I was very label conscious, and knew that if I follwed the rules, it would and did work for me. Protein first, green veggies then if any room carbs, it's logical and it works. I don't track religiously now that I'm at goal, and eat a wide variety of foods, including white carbs. I think mentally you have to decide how you want to use this tool. If you want simple portion control, you have it. But, if you want the tool to work, as with any WLS, you have to change habits, and make the best choice to maximize your success. I have only had 1/10 day stall, and I was already 6 months post-op. I never had a stall while monitoring my carb intake. I'm now maintaining, and know that if I would have been consuming 60+ grams of carbs per day, I'd not be anywhere near goal. I had WLS to be able to enjoy food in moderation, and be healthy. I obviously failed at my "diet" attempts pre-op, but the sleeve made decisions for me, and assisted me in making better choices of what I put in my mouth/body.

Yeppers, I had horrible insomnia, and slept very sporadically. My surgeon gave me a RX for Ambien, and that resolved my issues. I had a 30 day supply that lasted over 2 months bc I only took one every 2-3 sometimes 4 days. It seemed once I got back into a good pattern I didn't need it. A lot of my issues with sleeping were related to John being deployed, and our communication was null and void for several weeks. I did NOT have any horrible side-effects with the Ambien. It was the regular Ambien, not Ambien CR. I would take it, 30 minutes later I was relaxed, and about 30 minutes later I was asleep. I slept 7-8 hours, and woke up, well-rested and alert.

Plano is a great area. I would seriously consider priceline.com for hotels in the area. You can get some really great deals. LaQuinta is usually decently priced with good rooms and beds. I'm glad you're mom is on board with you. I remember a great outlet mall is there as well. There's lots of shopping, and fun things to do.

That would work great. . . I picked smoking back up after my revision. I'm back in the process of quitting. BLAH.

You gotta find a distraction. Anything, start a blog, pick up a new hobby, or habit. I know that helps me a lot mentally.

Hey there, and welcome to VST. Congrats on getting your date. I think the one thing that may help with the pre-op diet is to pick up another hobby, or distraction. Anything that will keep your mind, and hands occupied. . .

I'm in chat tonight ! ! !

When you make your ticker for your signature, make sure you use a PIN number so you can update the same one. You'll just find a post you made, click on the ticker. It will open a new window for you, and you'll enter your PIN #, and update your stats. You should NOT have to come back to edit your signature. It will do an update on all the website you have the ticker set up on.

were invented by the devil himself ! ! ! I am so very out of shape, and could NOT even remotely keep up. I did stay for the entire class, but there is no way that I have the stamina, nor leg strength to do the entire routine. I went in today to do my strength training program, but the physical coordinator talked me into her spin class. I told her I really wanted to do my strength training, and she was like "ohhh do it afterwards, it's just a 40 minute class." My cheerful self says "okay, sure what could it hurt." Well let me tell you, IT HURT EVERYTHING. My thighs were burning, my calves were aching, and not to mention the pain in my nether regions from the "saddle" of the bike. I am supposed to do a Spin class at least once a week, and hopefully I can get better as the weeks goes by. I was able to get in half of my strength training routine, but I still have to do my Ab work out tonight. This working out thing is a big eye opener to just how out of shape I am. Plus, it proves even though I've lost a bunch of weight, I am totally out of shape and need to really focus on toning, and burning the rest of this fat off my body.

You're doing fabulous ! ! ! Keep up the great work. . .

Calcet Creamy Bites Just fill out the form, and it'll be shipped to you.

I ordered the sample of Lemon Calcets. If I like them, I will be ordering them. I can handle the calorie intake at this point since I'm trying to maintain so it'll just add to my daily calorie count.

You are doing the right thing if you want to live a longer, healthier, fulfilling and happy life. You are going to be fabulous, and we're all going to be here for you through the ups and downs. Drink some warm chamomile tea, pop in a sappy movie, have a good cry, snuggle up with a fuzzy blanket, and have faith in yourself, your surgeon, and his/her skills. Or, you could write out a " I want to do this _________,_________,______, and _________ when I lose XX pounds." as a motivator. I'll definitely keep you in my thoughts.

DeeDee, you are so awesome, and I love that you are so close to your goal ! ! !

YAY Barbara, I'm so excited for you ! ! !

So frustrating ! ! ! I hope it continues to heal. You'll be up and moving soon. Hang in there.

Congratulations on your results thus far ! ! !

Definitely not a dork. It's a frustrating process, but believe your victories will outweigh the frustrations very soon ! ! !

I haven't gone back to be perfectly honest. I skipped most of December for working due to the blood clot in my leg taking forever to resolve. I traded spin class for some Hip Hop Abs to get in my one day of cardio. I just do not have enough strength built up to handle the spin class. I may try it out again in February once I build up more stamina and true muscle strength.

I follow the rule of drinking right up until I take the first bite, and I'm compliant with the at least 30 minutes after (for the most part). Once liquid enters the stomach, it pops open the pyloric valve and empties out of the stomach. We don't have pouches where food or liquid have to "seep" through a tiny opening. Therefore, the 30 minute before rule doesn't really make much sense since our stomach still functions normally. With the band/RNY, you have a pouch and a stoma. The 30 minute before rule makes sense because liquid does take up room for a longer period of time.

I never even attempted to count net carbs.