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I had the sleeve done on 12/14/10. I told no one but my mom, my hubby and 5 close friend (who all live away). I chose NOT to tell anyone else because I did not want to have to hear all the negativity that usually comes with WLS. When it comes to time to eat with the extended family, I always involve myself with the kids and no one notices that I do not eat (we are usually a larger group also, so it is easily done). However, I am in a pickle of a mess because next week, I have a friend that is coming to visit from CO. She does not know about my surgery and I know that she is going to ask why I am not eating much. What do I tell her? I am not ready to tell her that I had the sleeve. She is also going to want to drink and I don't know what to tell her. How can I answer her questions with out revealing that I had the surgery?

I relied heavily on low sodium broth, sugar free popcicles, lukewarm water. Didn't worry about protein the first 10 days or so, just tried to get as much hydration as possible. Don't get dehydrated, you will suffer with terrible constipation (TMI).

I was holding off grocery shopping for my post-op diet until I saw my NUT...I am planning on doing that shopping this weekend...it's about time, since my surgery is Monday I have been taking notes from the message boards for several weeks now, and I am merging those notes with the packet my NUT gave me Wednesday...I could use a little advice and guidance please My post-op prescribed program is Clear liquids for the first two days...that includes a clear Liquid Protein drink--60 to 70 grams of protein each day...the brand my NUT recommended is New whey liquid...they come in 3.8 oz liquid vials, and each vial contains 42g protein...that means I would drink (sip) 1.5 to 2 vials each of the two days...she is advising I just sip about a third of each vial in a "sitting," which means it would take six sittings throughout the day to get it all in...plus of course the rest of my fluids...I am tempted just to buy the 4 vials of what she recommended--it's only 4 two days post-op, and I think I could drink them very cold and tolerate them for just 2 days...any feedback on this? I am more concerned about shopping for the next 10 to 12 days when I will be on a "full liquid" diet...the NUT says that the New Whey Liquid used during the first two days aren't sufficient nutritionally for this full liquid phase...she gave me a list of suggested brands with her personal recommendations highlighted...here are the highlighted options (in this phase I need 70-75g protein daily): --EAS Myoplex Original ready to drink; 17oz has 42g protein --Oh Yeah! Nutritional shake from GNC in powder or ready to drink; 32g protein in 14 oz drink --Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Protein from GNC in homemade vanilla ice cream flavor; 23g protein/scoop of powder --Pure Protein Shake from Walmart or GNC; comes in chocolate and vanilla with 35g protein in 11 oz drink --Unjury Whey Protein Powder (comes unflavored; also in a chicken Soup flavor) each scoop has 20g of protein From my notes from the message boards, I have these recommendations: --Syntrax nectar shakes --Matrix (mint cookie flavor) --Premier Protein (choc and vanilla) ready to drink has 30g protein per bottle --Isopure fruit flavored (orange, grape) --EAS dark chocolate with PB powder My NUT says during the full liquid phase, I can mix the protein powder with low-fat milk products if I desire; also I can have cream Soups (like cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, cream of celery) and I can add unflavored protein powder to the soups my other two options on full liquid are low-fat cottage cheese (which I don't like now) and light yogurt (not sure what "light" means here) I must complete my shopping on Sunday--any advice, feedback, guidance from those who have "been there" will be appreciated...at this time I am not even planning for the soft food stage, since I won't be there until after my follow-up NUT visit two-weeks post-op

When I first started soft foods, this is what I had. Day 1 Breakfast 1 scrambled egg topped with 1 T. shredded cheddar 1/4 c. sugar free yogurt with 1/2 scoop of unflavored Protein powder lunch 1/4 c. fat free cottage cheese 1/4 c. sugar free pudding with 1/2 scoop Protein Powder dinner 1/4 c. refried Beans topped with cheese 1/4 c. fat free ricotta with 2 T. applesauce and a sprinkle of cinnamon Day 2 BREAKFAST 1 hard boiled egg 1/4 c. applesauce with 1/2 scoop protein powder LUNCH 2 egg omelet with 2 T. cheddar cheese and 1 T. salsa 1/4 c. sugar free pudding with 1/2 scoop protein powder Dinner 1/2 c. Ricotta cheese with low sugar spaghetti sauce topped with mozzarella and parmesan 1/4 c. sugar free pudding with 1/2 scoop protein powder I did not even come close to finishing any of these meals. LOL To be honest I was really scared to take the first few bites. EDIT: I forgot to mention that at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. I had Protein shakes as my snack

Thanks! My meal plan is to limit carbs to breakfast or lunch but other than that I eat everything. The only real rule I follow is to stop eating the minute I start to feel full. I walk/run for 1 hour three times a week. I wasn't really exercising early on. I am going to get about 10 pounds of excess skin removed from my lower abdomen later this month thats been hindering my running. I am hoping to increase my workouts once I'm all healed.

This isnt really right. Tricking your body into satiety like a band does doesnt negate the fact that you're underfeeding it. It still has to learn to be VERY efficient with what it is fed. Starvation mode is a contentious issue, and not everyone agrees it exits, but for some people super duper low calories dont result in much weight lost - although over time it HAS to. But the sad fact is for ALL of us who have lost weight, they dont remove the band at the end because in the process of losing we have all taught our bodies to become remarkably efficient and most of us can probably never again eat the calories that a person of our weight who had never been fat could eat. We will always have to undereat to maintain our losses. It may not be by much, but even an excess of 100 calories a day does result in a lot of weight over say a decade. Moderate calories and slower weight loss is better. Most women cant really achieve adequate nutrition under 1000 calories a day and honestly, a band that restricts you to 700 or so is probably too tight (apart from in the post op phase). If you eat too little, you will lose a lot of lean body tissue as well as fat and that compounds the metabolism slowing problem doubly - since muscle is metabolically active and the more of it you have, the more you can eat. I had a good example of this the other day. As a 5ft 10 150lb woman, who is very fit, I can eat quite normally - about 1800 calories a day to maintain my weight. That's fantastic. But to do that, I have to run for an hour most days and do some good honest heavy strength training on a regular basis. My pals at uni were incredulous, being 20 somethings who had never been fat - most of them ate much more calories than me - because being that age, there was a fair bit of alcohol and fast food in there - and never exercised. They stay THINNER than I am and were generally much smaller too (I'm very tall) so the calorie disparity is really obvious. I dont care, 1800 a day to me is generous, satisfying and allows for a very normal diet. But it illustrates a point.

I have been researching these topics and issues for the past 10 years because of my own personal issues and have discovered that it is as simple as this. We have to burn more calories than we consume. Overall to make sure we are getting all nutrition we need, we should consume between 1000-1200 calories a day and that is with nutritious food and not just empty calories. If you are fairly active, then that amount needs to be increased slightly. The more active we are the more efficient our body becomes and begin to burn the food we are eating. If we are starving ourselves, we begin to store food and it takes a lot of activity to make our bodies burn those calories. I noticed that if I drop the amount of food I eat and dont workout either I will be at a stand still or I will gain a couple of pds. But, if I eat 3 meals and workout I will lose a lot in a week. so it really depends on what we are burning.

Marshall's gets some Marika sometimes, they are the best sports bra I have ever owned. I grabbed 3 different sizes last time I saw them. It's called the Marika Miracle. They retail for 50$ I got mine for 10$. They are adjustable all over. And held me in well. Cause I do a lot of running and heavy duty cardio.

Kaiser Permanente. They make you take 12 weeks of classes before scheduling your surgery, in which time you must drop 10% of your body weight. But they say once you get the referral you are good to go as long as you do what you are supposed to do.

I cut mine shorter (to my shoulders), wash it about every three days, keep pulled into a "soft" pony tail. I also sweep the floor daily, clean the drain in the shower and wipe my bathroom counter off religiously - to keep from looking at all of the hair. I am almost 7 mos post (this Sat) and the hair loss started about 3-4 months ago and seems to have slowed down a bit...so has the weightloss (from about 10-12lbs a month) to about 6-7lbs a month. I am okay with both

Alright I've been doing so insane research about LapBand, reading all the benefits, and risks. I've decided I would like to have the surgery. BUT I'm only 20, and can't prove I've been dieting, i.e. I've never tried weight watchers/bally ect. Also I don't have (to my knowledge) a secondary medical cause because just being over weight. I'm 5'6/5'7'' and weigh 260, my ideal weight is 143-140. My BMI is about 40-42. I've been on a diet for 8 months, and have gained at least 10 lbs. So does anyone know if TRICARE will approve me? IDK if it helps but I have endometriosis, and the hormones are why I've gained over 50 lbs in a year. Thank you so much <3

After my surgery I could do mostly just walking. No lifting anything over 10 pounds and no stomach crunches. I could do any type of walking. But in reality, I didn't want to do to much after surgery because it took too much energy. I had to let my body tell me what to do.

Anyone else go shopping in their closets? Finding clothes you loved but couldn't fit in or things you forgot you even bought? Been finally able to fit into those items that didn't fit but you bought anyway (because it was cheap/awesome) for after "the diet" and resulting weight loss? HW 385 SW 359 CW 305 Sleeved 10/5/16

I've had plantar fasciatis, tendinitis and nerve damage in my feet for over 10 years! I've had multiple kinds of injections, night splints, soft cast, foot braces for my shoes, medically made inserts, medical foot rub, you name it and it all helped for only a short time I wasn't even as heavy as I am now when I developed it however, I do have a hard labor job that now, I really can't perform, this pain has hindered me from a lot and in return, I've gained a substantial amount of weight along with bad knees and hips:(. I will look into the website for other methods, it definitely wouldn't hurt to try...... Thanks for the information

1. The longer I go without seeing people, the greater my opportunity to surprise them with my new skinny self! 2. It doesn't matter that my bras don't fit, b/c I don't have to wear one! 3. By wearing jammies every day, I have no idea what size clothing I wear, so it will be a fun surprise when I finally decide to get dressed again! 4. Working from home, I don't have to worry about temptations from coworkers bringing in donuts, cookies, etc. 5. Also no restaurant temptations, since I eat every meal at home. 6. I can use all the $$ I'm saving on not getting hair and nails done to get extra glamorous when I break out of here someday. 7. Amazon delivers my favorite protein shakes. 8. I have plenty of time to try various free workout videos on YouTube. 9. Plenty of time for weighing experiments, before shower/after shower, before pee/after pee; the possibilities are endless. 10. I can drink as much water as I want, b/c I can pee every 10 minutes if I have to (which is also fun for #9).

Hi all! H/W=255 Current= 250 Surgery Date 09/10/10 I am new to this site..and still anxious and excited! Has anyone felt extremly nervous about complications? Wait...anyone who is having major surgery should be a little concerned right? My past few days have been filled with constant stress and worry...but that it partnered with excitement. I think I want a guarantee that I won't have a leak and spend months in the hospital recovering...but that isn't going to happen in my wildest dreams! I am excited to start my journey. I have always struggled with my weight and have spent the last 6 years trying to lose it...and I am at the point where I feel that it isn't a choice. Does anyone ever feel like we are having surgery to fix something that is possible on our own? However, I do not believe that I on my own will and power could eat 3 ox meals and be satisfied...I also believe that it is not possible for me to spend 1-2 hours a day in the gym working out... So many thoughts...I feel like a head case :biggrin2: Much love. Sarah

The nurse said the same thing 2 weeks; I'm like are you sure? She said the most was 4 weeks;????????? I'm puzzled; my friend had bypass last year; at her 2 week mark she had to have gallbladder surgery; total 6 weeks out of work. I'm kind of worried because we are 10 days full liquids prior to surgery and 16 days after full liquids. ( 5 of those clear only) therefor the gallbladder has nothing to work for and can cause stones. They found 2 small stones at the bottom of my gallbladder ; hoping he takes it at the same time. I will know I guess the morning of : 7 more days. Whoooo hoop!

I agree with the above posters. Keep Water with you at all times and sip all day. You may also want to set short-term goals. For example 8 oz when you get up in the morning. Another 8 oz before 10 am, etc. It does get easier, especially as you can take bigger sips and eventually just drink normally.

I didn't have any external stitches. I wore steri-strips for ten days after surgery and then after they fell off, the incisions were stuck together. Some surgeons do use external stitches, and you can go to your PCP for removal. Kaiser health group, here in California, gave me a "suture removal kit" after I had a cyst removed last year and I took out my own stitches after 10 days.

Hey, I'm 10 days post op now and I haven't had any problems. I see my doctor tomorrow but my scales tell me I've lost 20 pounds since surgery I am doing absolutely fine Do let me know If you have any questions x

Thank you for your posts.... Makes sense w the gall bladder... I had mine removed over 10 years ago...I will keep track & see if there is a pattern! Thanks!

Remember that your head gives up before you body does! Slow progress is still progress. You can only walk 10 feet today. That's totally okay. Tomorrow you'll do 12 feet. Just strive to be a little bit better than you were the time before, and soon you'll be up and about without even noticing! You can do this!

ooooh this sounds just like my posts ... i was sleeved on8/14 at 218 im like 10 weeks out and am currtently 186 ... but ihad a stall for 5 weeks !!!! it sooo frustrating reading all these posts i feel like i should be 15# lighter ..... hell idk

here's my list 1- i can tie my shoes without holding my breath or passing out 2- i did a 5k with my teenage cross country running son, and didn't die 3- my teenage son told me that he was proud of me 4- i'm sexy enough to wear abercrombie and fitch (which i would only buy from the thrift store) 5- being able to shop at the thrift store 6- i can do a pull-up (chin-up) for the first time in my life 7- i can sit in a booth at the restaruant 8- in an emergency, i can use a portapotty if i have to. 9- not having to use the handicap toilet in public restrooms 10- skinny sex is better.

Just had follow up blood work done, specifically to test for Vitamin D and A1C levels - pre surgery my Vitamin D was at 10, now at 29 (recommended is 30+). My A1C was at 7%, now at 5.8% (7 is diabetic and 5.8 is pre-diabetic). Feels so great to moving myself outside of the dangers that come with diabetes! Fortunately all my other numbers were good. And, I have just donated 10 bags of professional clothing that no longer fits me and my closets are empty. I want to thank the posters of these Forums - I don't fear the stalls (had a week 5 one, others to come no doubt), I am tracking everything, relate to the # on the scale as a tool to assess what's working and what's not working and feel great. I am proud to have lost 30% of my excess weight and can't believe what has gotten accomplished in the past two months!!!!! Life is a privilege!