beckyboop74

Hi everyone, It has been a bit over a week since my surgery on the 23rd and tiredness is setting in big time now. Maybe its hormones, maybe its the tiny amount of food that I am getting in - compounded by the two week pre-op plus this week and two days? I don't know - ugh. Its hard to be motivated to try and do the research about how I am now going to eat from this point forward PLUS do so soul searching and take this time to really figure out how I got so addicted to food to begin with. I spent a lot of today going through this forum, doing web searches etc and I found some books that I ordered online and some I requested at the local library on adjustments after WLS and also cooking after WLS. I got the usual suspects found on the lists here at VST but I am also thinking of getting the following books or at least checking them out from the library: 1. TheEverything Post Weight Loss Surgery Cookbook - Jennifer Whitlock Heisler, RN 2. TheBiggest Loser Family Cookbook 3. TheHigh Protein Cookbook - I really don't like this cookbook so I would notrecommend it 4.Cookin For Weight Loss Surgery Patients - By d**k Stucki "The UltimateGourmet" 5.Extraordinary Taste - Shannon Owens-Malett, MS,RD, LD I think I got some of these from a list online here that I found. Here are the ones I just bought or am checking out from the library: Exodus from Obesity... by Paula Peck Before and After Living and Eating Well after WLS by Susan Maria Leach Eating Well After WLS by Patti Levine recipes for Life After WLS by Margaret Furtado I am a big reader so I don't mind trying to read as much of these as possible and to learn as much as possible. I also found this website for recipes: WLS Journey Recipe Central = http://recipes.wlsjourney.org/. I also found The World According to Eggface blog that everyone here talks about and I think she will be my new best friend when I don't know what to make for dinner. I love the idea of the bites Michelle has on this page. Seems like they would fill my mental cravings in a nice healthy way! So, from what I can tell with all my research thus far, I think if I try to stick to as much low carb and low fat as possible, I should be okay in the future. I would love to hear from the rest of you on what you have found really helpful in whatever format, meetings, books, web, etc. Take care! Becky BTW I lost 10 pounds my first week. I am so psyched! I couldn't resist weighing myself on Monday. it was a good surprise!

Hang in there. I know the feeling. You are half nervous, half excited. One second, the journey took forever and the next it is hard to believe it came so quickly. Don't worry too much though. Many people have a lot of different experiences and sometimes what is posted here can make you more scared than you may need to be. Not that it is a bad idea to get an idea of what could happen! But keep in mind that there are also many of us whose experience was a lot better than we ever thought possible. For me, my main issue was being too doped up on pain medication. This made me feel worse than any of the surgery pain or the recovery since. I am able to get my liquids and Proteins in fine - probably because my swelling went down quickly. I was sleeved on the 23rd so it will be a week as of tomorrow. One incision still hurts a bit but the rest are starting to itch so I am having a fast recovery, all in all! Focus on getting through the surgery because afterwards you start the journey toward weight loss and keeping yourself healthy. For me, I think that will be the biggest challenge in the future. I am glad to be able to take a bit of time off of work so I can focus my energies more on figuring out what my go-to food and nutrition choices will be. I have been working on lists of items that will be a standard part of my daily diet. This has got me a bit overwhelmed but I know it will make it easier when I go back to work. Take care of yourself and I wish you the best on your surgery and recovery!

I hear you! I was like a 52 DDD before I started losing weight. I am not down to a 44DD to 48 DD, depending on the style of the bra. I am okay with them getting smaller but my husband is in a bit of morning. I think its mainly because he's worried that I will lose too much of them. I already told him that if I could get a breast reduction at the end of this process, I may look into it. It would be nice to feel a bit more proud of how they are shaped. But I admit that I am a bit worried that I will get real small after everything in the cup area. Being big busted has always been a part of my identity so it will be an adjustment if I do get smaller than a D in the end. I think it is a price I am willing to pay but it will take time to get used to! Becky

I hear you! I was like a 52 DDD before I started losing weight. I am not down to a 44DD to 48 DD, depending on the style of the bra. I am okay with them getting smaller but my husband is in a bit of morning. I think its mainly because he's worried that I will lose too much of them. I already told him that if I could get a breast reduction at the end of this process, I may look into it. It would be nice to feel a bit more proud of how they are shaped. But I admit that I am a bit worried that I will get real small after everything in the cup area. Being big busted has always been a part of my identity so it will be an adjustment if I do get smaller than a D in the end. I think it is a price I am willing to pay but it will take time to get used to! Becky

Hi all, I'm on full liquids for another week and a half or so. I was so proud today because I managed to get my Protein levels in. But tonight I am worried because I know I got protein in but I don't think I got enough liquids. Do I just count the Water or Crystal light that I drink? Or can I count the full liquids I am consuming for food, like Protein shakes, puddings and water with Protein powder in it? I do not feel dehydrated today because I had two and a half thin protein puddings today, 1 pint of Lemonade and at least 16 oz of other drinks or water. But I wasn't sure if I can count the protein shakes or water with protein powder? I want to get my protein in, which I know it will take time but I don't want to think I can calculate the liquids that they have in them as part of my 64 oz intake if that is not correct. What have your doctors told you? I always got the impression it was in addition to your full liquid meals. Thanks! Its the holiday weekend so I don't want to call my doctors until next week but still want to do the best I can with both fluids and protein!

I was sleeved on the 23rd so we will be following each other as we go through our stages! How did you become an ex-pat? You can PM with the answer if you like? My husband and I have thought about living in another country but I honestly do not know how to do it, find a job, etc. How did you do it? Don't get me wrong, I love America but not all of it sometimes. Plus we like to travel to new places and have a broader experience. I would love to hear from you when you are feeling up to it! Becky

Hi, I just got sleeved on Monday. You are perfectly okay to be nervous. It is a big operation and one that should not be taken lightly. But go through your list of reasons on why are doing this and weigh that against your fears. After that, think about what will happen if you let those fears get to you. If you do, then you will most likely have to have an operation in the future on one of the many diseases you already have or will have due to obesity. You have come too far to let fear get the best of you. I was nervous too but mainly about the operation - my mind had been made up that the operation was the right thing to do. The process was run smoothly and everyone was so nice that the process toward getting on the operating table was a breeze. It happened so fast, I didn't have time to really panic. It helped a lot before that I needed to not act scared or too worried because it would only cause worry and panic attacks for my mom and husband. It made it easier to be stronger, having to reassure them. You will probably feel the same way. I will admit I cried the morning after my operation because I was in a lot of pain and no one was around that I had to worry about worrying. The nurse was nice and just told me to get it out. I actually forgot about that now and just told my husband about it. It seemed so hopeless in that moment but I got over it quickly like it was a passing thunderstorm. But I got discharged by 5:30 on Tuesday and felt pretty good at home that day but still really groggy so I slept a lot. When I woke up on Wednesday, I felt like myself mentally and had a good amount of energy. Everything still hurts today but Tylenol takes the edge off when I really need some prescription assistance. I think it will be worth those two days if the sleeve helps me lose the 100+ pounds that I still need to lose. I am worried to a certain degree because I can really put down some liquids - more than I thought possible but in reality I am only doing 2-4 oz over an hour's time. I admit I am worried what the end results will be, that I will be one of those people who don't have much restrictions. However, liquids are different than other foods so I am sure I will feel A LOT more restriction after I move to them which will not be for awhile. I guess I should be glad to have gotten all my Protein in today! I'm sure your surgery will go well - I wish you the best and feel free to contact me with any questions. I may not know of them but I may remember someone who can answer it for us!

Please check out article below! Spark People is a really good site for exercise and a healthy lifestyle. I am trying to learn as much as I can while I am recovering! I would love to read any articles that other VST members have found helpful! http://www.dailyspark.com/blog.asp?post=study_reveals_tips_to_make_your_healthy_habits_stick

H all, I just got sleeved on the 23rd! I was released from the hospital on Tuesday about 5 p.m. It was rough going at first but I think now it was due to the morphine. I was so groggy and slept all of the time. Started taking Tylenol this morning and have moved around a lot today. Much better. I would stop taking your big boy pain medication as soon as you can because you will feel more like yourself. I am not going to weigh myself for two weeks because I know the surgery makes you gain weight. I do not seem to have the no hunger thing that people talk about. I am kinda disappointed about that because I feel like I could eat a horse right now. I am sure I can't but my stomach is GROWLING. I was hoping I'd be one of the lucky ones! Oh well, hopefully the restriction will help me. I'm taking it really slow! I wish you all the best!

HI everyone, It is my fifth day out now. I think most of the major hunger sensations have gone away so it must have been the gas. I do get that empty feeling when it is time to eat but I am not getting the growlies. I made this high Protein pudding recipe where it had cottage cheese, sugar free pudding mix, whip cream, vanilla Protein powder and 4 tbs of milk. It was really good and keeps me full for so so long. I have to find the full recipe and put it in the recipe section. I think this pudding will be my friend for the next 12 days. I just tried this Red Pepper and Tomato cream Soup made by Pacific Natural Foods - I got it at Giant food in their organic section. My husband was eating pizza and this tasted just like a really good pizza so I wasn't at all jealous! I feel like I could eat more than the 2oz at a time I have been trying but I figured I will just eat every 4 hours or so and that would probably be better than eating too much at once. I definitely feel the restriction of my stomach but I thought that it would be worse - that I'd get some nauseous feelings or something. Maybe I am not became I am eating small amounts at a time and really sticking the full liquids that my doctor put me on for two weeks? I don't want to push it too far right now either in volume or anything off of the full liquids list I was given. I guess I will feel it more when I move into pureed foods, etc. Ok, back to reading everyone's posts! Becky

How/what do u make your Jello sots in? I was thinking ice cube trays but thought that will be too big. Thanks.

Hi! I still feel too tired to stay n the computer for too long but I am sure it will get better every day. My doctor put me on Zantac but it is too hard to tell if it is working yet because of all the gas I have in my system, still working its way out from surgery. I guess I will know more as time goes by. If it doesn't seem to help, I will ask for another one. In some ways, this has been easier than I thought and in other ways, much harder. So weird! The sensation of Fluid and other full liquids moving through me feels so different and I know if I push it too far too soon, it will cause me issues so I am definitely following my doctor's advice to the letter. But I am not having much trouble getting as much liquid in as I thought. I am not up to goal yet but I was able to get 32 ounces in yesterday in addition to the popsicle I eat and the broth. So I think that is pretty good. Now that I am not so doped up, it is much easier to remember to do it and it does make me feel better. My mom had flown in to help me but she has to go home today but my husband is laid off at present so he will be around to help me. I figure after this first week, I will be pretty functioning from how I feel now. So, other than help doing stuff around the house, my hubby will be let off the hook! But I will play it day by day. I know I will miss my mom, because there is nothing like a mom to spoil you! I definitely feel satisfied with what I have been eating. My brain doesn't think it will happen but then I eat, wait for a little bit and then I feel like I eat a big meal. So I hope, even if I keep the hunger, it will continue this way. I haven't updated my ticker yet (forgot my pin at work, ugh) but before the surgery, I had lost a total of 58 pounds, after the pre-op diet. I do owe it all to knowing this surgery was coming because I knew I was going to get help in the future to continue to lose weight. I tend to start to stall all the time around 50 pounds so I know that was around the corner. It has given me the motivation to lose what I have already and hope to lose more soon. I will let you know in about 1 and half weeks because I figure I will wait until then to weigh myself again. I don't want to get disappointed by any surgery fluctuations. It will wait at this point. I can't thank all of you enough for getting me through to this point and I'm sure more in the future. You have answered more questions and worries then I could ever name in the past seven months. Thanks! Becky

I just received a letter on my surgery from my hospital - it is on the 23rd. It says females need to stop taking birth control bills 8 weeks before surgery. No one, no doctor - ever told me that in this long process. I am freaking out because I didn't stop until today. I am afraid when I call Monday, they will postpone my surgery. I've already been on the pre-op diet for a week. I am freaking out! I am so so worried they will postpone! Any advice?

I have definitely got that feeling too. But for me, I think my numb feeling is coming from the pre-op diet. 5 shakes a day every day for 5 days so far, 9 days to go! I am getting sleeved on the 23rd. My head feels fuzzy, I'm really tired and am now sick of shakes. That is weird because I always liked the taste of them before. I guess too much of anything is not so good. The sweetness makes my mouth feel like it is filled with cotton balls. The only thing that is getting me through this is drinking tons, tons of Water. I've been trying to practice the 30 minutes before/after I eat but the taste of these shakes needs to be washed down! I am working but can't think straight and I have tons of stuff to do before the surgery so now is not the time! Ugh! I keep telling myself - IT WILL ALL BE WORTH IT, IT WILL ALL BE WORTH IT! I told my work in advance to deal with me a bit so hopefully they won't kill me before next week is over with! As for the surgery, I'm not that nervous - I have made my decision and I am secure in it. I think I will be nervous the night before and the day of, just because I haven't had a major operation before - just more minor stuff. So that will be weird and scary. But I know I have to trust my medical team and will go through with it. Any advice from anyone on the fuzzy head feeling during pre-op diet?

I have BCBS Maryland and it is covered there. My doctor's nurse says Federal is usually quick with approvals. So I think they do.

It definitely does. I guess my weeklong food funeral where I honestly went totally off my diet that I've maintained for more than six months really has messed me up. I didn't think I would be suffering from massive hunger pangs, etc at this point but I know I really eat too much this past week. My husband told me that I was probably doing more harm than good but it was fun while it lasted! I really don't like a lot of the sweet and fried foods the way I used to. I think my head likes them a lot more than my taste buds and body do. Which is good and I will continue to focus on that fact when my head tells me I want fried foods, etc! They don't do anything for me anymore, really are just okay, not thrilling. The weight loss has been more thrilling. I am stressed too because it is the last two weeks at work and I need to get a lot done before I am out but I have no energy right now to work overtime or even that hard at present. Hopefully, I will feel better near the end of the week so I can pull some extra hours. I told my co-worker today that if I leave a lot of stuff undone when I'm out - that I am apologizing in advance! Ugh! The start of this diet so makes everything real for me. The surgery is going to happen - it is so awesome! This pre-op diet is tough but it will be worth it. And hey, I have two more shakes for today so I should be okay with dealing with too much hunger. I think I am going to hide in my room tonight while my hubby has his dinner. If not, he will start looking like a chicken leg - ha ha! Hope your surgery goes great - yours must be around the corner!

i am also on Day 1 of my pre-op liquid diet. I thought it really wouldn't get too hard until like the 3rd day or so. I have been fighting a headache all day. I'm hungry but not too bad because of trying to do shakes for meals on and off for a month or two. Maybe it is my blood sugar because I am diabetic. Feel like crap today. Ugh, I hope it does get better. I wasn't expecting this for a couple of days when the hunger would really hit. I guess I shouldn't assume on how things will go. I know it will be worth it in the end so I will stick with it, even if it gets worse. I am worried about taking too many Tylenols for headaches this close to surgery. I guess I should check with my doctor. Has anyone heard anything like this? I can't believe my surgery is on the 23rd - I keep telling myself that like a mantra over and over. This diet will help me get my liver in shape before surgery so I have to do it for my health. I can't wait until my stomach is too small to care as much about not getting a lot of food. That will be awesome! I wish the best to all of you in this process as well! Becky

I wish you a swift recovery. I am scheduled for the 23rd and am excited!

Today was the first time since I was 11 years old that I actually went into a store and bought clothes a size smaller (one was actually 2 sizes smaller). I mean, I've lost weight before but I honestly can't remember purposely buying smaller sizes because my clothes are not fitting me good now - with plans that I will get smaller. Its weird! I guess because I haven't lost almost 50 pounds in a long long long while. I always just dealt with my clothes I had because I always knew I'd gain weight back. Now I KNOW I will just get smaller. I am due to have surgery in late May but I am proud of what I've done so far. I know with the sleeve, I will be able to do wonders! So that's my NSV and I am relishing it big time! Can't wait until there are more to come. Of course, a couple of scale victories would be awesome too!

You are HYSTERICAL! You will do fine! My surgery is in May but I get the feeling!

Hi all, I just found out my insurance approved me! And the surgery dates approved for the hospital stay is May 23-25th! I have to find out what date exactly from my surgeon but I assume it will be on one of them and that is good enough for me! I am SO EXCITED! My surgery will be with Dr. Christopher You in Baltimore, Maryland! I have to do a two week pre-op diet where I drink about 5 Bariatric Advantage shakes a day! I know it will be hard but I'm willing to do what I gotta do. I have already been having a shake for Breakfast for about a month now to get myself more used to it. So far so good! In any case, I have to find out if I have to drink the shakes with Water or milk. I so hope milk because it makes the taste better. So SO SO SO SO excited! I can't thank all of you enough for your posts, really have inspired me through my six month insurance period. I've learned a lot. I hope to learn more every day! Becky

Ugh, waiting for approval and a call from my doctor's office is almost unbearable!