If people decide to not be compliant with this surgery the worst result isn't weight gain or feeling sick for a bit, it can seriously lead to their death.

We are a group of people who would like to make sure that this gift we got is still available for those who truly want and need it. If people come in wanting to do exactly what they used to do and expect different results, no one will support that here.

I believe that DS'ers are a very unique, intelligent bunch of people, who have love knowledge and respect the God given brain we were given. I have heart, but you better believe I choose to exercise my mind as well.

I agree that it seems you are going to just need more time. We are adjust and heal at different rates, mine was slow.

The smells were pretty hard to take for quite a while for me, months...but less intense after the first month.

Everyone is different regarding getting in more volume, for me...took a long while, restriction was pretty darn strong. But as everyone else said, you are early out...it'll get better.

I have been back to work for 3 months. I also had the same concerns and I ate pretty much the same as you pre surgery, skip breakfast, eat lunch, then eat from 6pm ----till?

I have not had your complications by far, but had my fair share and worried whether I'd be able to even sit at a desk for more than a few mins without having to run to the restroom. After my revision, I stayed at home getting better and once I felt confident that I was better, could hold my own nutrionally speaking and work, I did so.

Main thing is to alway plan ahead. It's a new thing to me, obviously if you look at my previous habits. That is one huge difference for me now, is that I have to think about myself. I also have my vites for the day brought in 30 days at a time and in my desk.

First thing is, I do have to get up early and make sure I have plenty of time to use the bathroom a few times. That isn't any complication anymore, it's just normal ds bowel movements for me. I also know which restroom I can run to during the day if I have to go again, that happens sometimes with our makeup.

Eating. I eat/drink all day long. I keep food, shake mixes and flavorings for those shakes, as well as the shaker bottles at wor****ep mayo in the fridge, tuna in my desk for a backup for a quick bowl of tuna, which I usually have a can of a day, besides shakes/meals. I can take in a few eggs in a bowl, a few slices of mircowave bacon and have it on first break if I am running behind. (I don't mind nuked scrambled eggs)

Liquids. We are provided with ice, tea, coffee and splenda at work. I use the coffee/ice to make shakes. I use the tea to make fresh splenda tea all day long by brewing it and pouring it over ice.

Lunches are usually leftovers from home, tuna, tilapia, salad or homemade soup. I make up a huge batch of soup or chicken salad and take it in everyday.

ETA: forgot to mention that work is not a place to experiement. Know how your react to a food prior to eating it at work. I had an "oreo ball" a co-worker brought in for a luncheon, and I knew it'd been a better idea to try it at home...phew...that wasn't a nice experience.

lmao Jennifer! I am not that person, oh dagum I am laughin so hard, you have blessed me with that response!

I am so NOT the scare factor, I am the person you relate to....

I chose slap chop back when someone was givin me issues... I was about to say screw it, when I posted these updates.... I get fearful, but really .....who cares? some people are just plain sick.


I am Charity. I am not the slap chop dude. lol . I am 36. I am so happy.

I don't think we should cure America one slap atta time..but I think it's funny still.

And I am pretty darn happy. I thought back 2 years ago that I'd have some long, emotional post, but I just don't have it right now. I feel relatively normal. I have yet to slow down lately to reflect a lot. I know I have a lot to share, I just don't even know where to start and where to end at right now. SO much has changed besides the 175 pounds. My life seems like it doesn't resemble at all the way I used to live and my journey to this point where I am not only normal, but sorta kinda mentally normal..and functional ...feels like a lifetime.

I have been SMO. I have been obese. I have been normal. I have been malnourished. I have been normal. I live normal.

Sometimes I think when words escape us, the best way to share is in pictures. I didn't dress up. I changed my clothes when I got home from work and after I planned an especially sinful breakfast for dinner and realized I hadn't updated on the 9th. This is me. It's hard for me to relate lately. I haven't had plastics, I wish I could afford it. But I just deal with what I have. These clothes in the pics are my "who cares, I'm chillin clothes." Fitted things hide my skin issues. If you are thinking about attempting this journey, I hope my photos help you to decide to live again. Others gave me this gift.

If I'm feelin fancy, I use a scoop of Click mocha and a scoop of reg choc protein mix, 1 cup reg coffee, splenda, milk/cream/or whatver other dairy and ice..shake er up.

If it's a normal day, it's two scoops of protein, coffee, splenda, ice and whatever dairy.

I prefer mine iced...haven't cared much for the texture warm, even when I pay careful attention since when I drink coffee hot, it must be HOT.

INCREDIBLE! You look amazing...please tell us more about how you are feeling!

Since it'll be 2-3 weeks away, I'd have several good novels. I'd research the area and pick a place where I know I can get out to walk, sight see and eat...because you'll be able to do plenty of it in that length of time. 

Drinking Fresca is a long, on-going joke between my husband and I. It's very elitish, yuppy soda. (I guess now they'd be called hipsters.) I love it, don't get me wrong...

Once we were at the marina and an ivy league wanna-be couple decked out in their best nautucal sailing attire were at local piggly wiggly asking if they carried Fresca...and you should have heard to tone and accent ...

LOL...Fresca...oh boy...never thought you as a Fresca drinker...my world just went upside down...lmao

The first symptom was fatigue. My legs, head and arms felt "heavy." Yeast and thrush problems were either next or right along with it. The next was the swelling of feet/ankles. Lack of appetite, strangely enough...or craving odd things was also part of it.

I have a lap. There's a space between my legs. I figured this out by losing my cell I had sat in my lap ..it was just on the steps below me where I was sitting for break...and I was giggly about the whole ordeal for the rest of the day.

Being referred to as little bit all the time and being one of the smallest women in an office. It floors me everytime.


No one dreads getting on an elevator with me. Sitting near me. No one seems to even watch me eat, but less get grossed out by me.

Shoes are tied in the center, who knew...mine were always off center because it was such an ordeal to bend over. Also...I hate CROCS now!

I don't wear big shirts to "cover up" anymore, I wear a medium/lrg tee now that is big on me because it feels so darn good.

I walk SO fast. I can stand on my feet all day and never hurt.

Yup, those piles of poo amaze me. I usually get done and weigh just to see if the scale changed. It usually does it's so much.