MustangAli

Im three weeks and 3 days post op, and i Just got transitioned to soft foods yesterday from full liquids. I say "soft foods" but my bariatric coordinator at the surgeons office said I could basically eat anything except for beef and bread. I had actually been eating a few bites of fish chewed really well and a couple bites of mashed potatoes within the past few days to see how it sat in my stomach and It did fine, so I think that's why they let me advance. I'm so glad I didn't have to do an awful purée stage. Today ( right now ) I'm eating a slice of deli turkey with a slice of havarti cheese ontop heated up in the microwave for about 20 seconds and rolled up. Freakin delish! Also having a couple veggie straw "chips" from costco. I'm learning my stomachs limits and I'm just trying to take it slow when I eat because I fear the V word... (vomit) I haven't thrown up since surgery but I did dry heave a few days ago... I guess I would've thrown up if I would've actually had something in my stomach... Anywho. On the medical front, I have to go to the lab today to get my PT/INR checked for my Coumadin, going to see my pulmonologist next week to follow up on my blood clots... Need to see my hematologist so he can tell me if I indeed have some mystery clotting disorder... And an OB/gyn to see if he's figured out a method of birth control I'm allowed to use since I have blood clots... I am feeling SO much better though (other than a sore throat). I can't wait to be back to my old self (not eating wise of course). I have lost 32lbs total so far since the 14th of last month. My BMI went from 43.6 to 38! Alright everyone. Sorry for the long post. Have a happy Thursday

All you really can do is wait it out. My head hunger and craving were killing me in the begining. I told my Family to go on like normal, and trust me, smelling bacon cooking in the morning was almost as painful to me as being punched in the face. Smelling my Mom's dinner made me wish I could have just one bite. I wanted meat SO bad. I think I was 4 weeks out or so and I couldnt take it anymore. I took a piece of steak, chewed it up, enjoye all the flavor, and spit it out. It helped. I was able to last if I allowed myself a "taste" here and there.
It gets easier, it gets better. I promise.
Hang in there <3

My first tip: Do NOT watch videos of this surgery on YouTube.
My second tip: While watching videos of this surgery on YouTube, I found one by a doctor in California who was giving a presentation to other docs on this. He said that almost all of his bariatric patients are deficient in certain vitamins/minerals that are essential to healing, and most docs don't think to check for this. I had never heard of the things people were deficient in, so I don't think you'd find them in normal Vitamins. He puts them on a product called Pro Care prior to the surgery to boost their nutritional readiness. I found it online, and there are several products, including one for surgery prep. When I have my knees replaced this summer I plan to go on this for a few weeks prior.
Please let us know how your surgery goes!

I was sleeved 2/22/11, got into a serious relationship 2/7/2012, and barely told him last month the truth about my extreme weight loss. We have been friends forever so he knew I lost fast but didnt know how. I didnt want to tell him, but I did, and Im glad. I no longer have to make up excuses why I cant finish a plate of food. He understands and supports me. If you are serious with someone, and evern better IF THEY LOVE YOU, it will all be ok. Promise =)

I hated wine UNTIL I had surgery. I love red wine and sangria now. My first drink was a vodka infused stawberry lemonade. Pretty sure it was all sugar. Then I did vodka-cran for the rest of the night. I drank beer at about 5 months out. No huge issues. If I chug, sometimes I'll feel a slight tightness but nothing too too bad. and sometimes just to avoid it, I pour my beer into a glasss before I drink it so that it flatens out a little. Now, here's the fun part; Get drunk WAAAYYY faster. No hangovers, Im assuming cause it filters through so fast? the down side to that is, I only stay buzzed for a little while. Example - 3 beers will get me buzzed, but if stop, in 30 mins Im sober. Have fun, be careful, and just play around a lil until you find what works for you.

I had surgery on 2/22/10. I lost 60lbs. 40lbs before hand so a total of 100. But, I started slipping up, and drinking and eating anything I want. I am now passed the 18 month window of losing the most weight. I am trying all these crash diets hoping to get back on track. Nothing seems to work. I am on day 3 now of no drinking. Trying to vut out carbs again. Feeling sad mostly cause I feel little restriction. I know I have stretched my sleeve. I still cant eat like I could Pre-op, but I definitely do not eat like someone who has had 80% of her stomach removed. I feel I am going into these diets a huge failure. I had surgery just to still have the same issues I did before? I try to look on the bright side...little regain...I am 100lbs lighter...with the love of my life...did some great things that I would have never done at 300 lbs (becoming an EMT, Cutting my hair, going after the man I wanted)
but still....have I failed?
I just need some words of encouragement for those who have time. Not looking for sympathy cause I know whose fault it is that I am here, and she doesnt deserve sympathy. Anyone in my boat? If not - STAY AWAY FROM THIS BOAT. IT F**KING SUCKS.

Sorry I am being so negative, I am usually not like this. But, that number on the scale this morning blew me away. I feel lost and desperate

MustangAli.. I think you are great.. if you were my neighbor I would drop by with a freakin' crystal light and cheers you! lol

Thank you all so much. Your responses made me laugh, made me cry, and made me feel good inside to know that I am not alone. I have been sitting here evaluating myself. My life. My goals, dreams, hopes...I have so many. I have always tried to rush things in my life. I rush. Thats me. Right now Im about to take a huge leap into paramedic school without having real experience as an EMT. I have realized that I live my life mostly for others. I want so badly for my Parents to be proud of me. I want my Brother and my Sister's to be proud to have me as their Sister. I thought this going into surgery too. I wanted my parents to be proud to introduce me to people...I wanted to be pretty. My Parents called me beautiful every single day of my life. They still do. My Dad introduced me to his friends and after the hand shake he put his arm around me and said "Isnt she beautiful?" His friends agreed but I was like...yeah, right. I'm 300 pounds of shame and hideousness! Now, it's nothing different. I want to succeed. I want them to all be amazed at my change...
The person I can never please though...is ME. I'll never be proud of me at this rate. I am seriously looking into therapy. I have no insurance anymore so I'm looking into low cost centers that have students looking to get experience. I did this before when my one and only relationship ended and honestly I loved the therapist I saw. She was amazing.
Sorry for another rant but I think Im slowly starting to see that IIIII am by biggest obsticle. I am my biggest critic. If I continue to hate myself - I'll continue to sabotage myself.
God help me

Thank you all so much. Your responses made me laugh, made me cry, and made me feel good inside to know that I am not alone. I have been sitting here evaluating myself. My life. My goals, dreams, hopes...I have so many. I have always tried to rush things in my life. I rush. Thats me. Right now Im about to take a huge leap into paramedic school without having real experience as an EMT. I have realized that I live my life mostly for others. I want so badly for my Parents to be proud of me. I want my Brother and my Sister's to be proud to have me as their Sister. I thought this going into surgery too. I wanted my parents to be proud to introduce me to people...I wanted to be pretty. My Parents called me beautiful every single day of my life. They still do. My Dad introduced me to his friends and after the hand shake he put his arm around me and said "Isnt she beautiful?" His friends agreed but I was like...yeah, right. I'm 300 pounds of shame and hideousness! Now, it's nothing different. I want to succeed. I want them to all be amazed at my change...
The person I can never please though...is ME. I'll never be proud of me at this rate. I am seriously looking into therapy. I have no insurance anymore so I'm looking into low cost centers that have students looking to get experience. I did this before when my one and only relationship ended and honestly I loved the therapist I saw. She was amazing.
Sorry for another rant but I think Im slowly starting to see that IIIII am by biggest obsticle. I am my biggest critic. If I continue to hate myself - I'll continue to sabotage myself.
God help me

I'll have a celebratory cocktail.
And there's a guy at work who is doing his paramedic internship & I'm sure will be quitting once he gets his P-card. Anyway, I like him a lot, we get along great, have a lot in common and have worked together for a year and a half.
Once I get to goal (or maybe a little before) I'm going to ask him out.
)