emily_0192010

I took 2 weeks, but I was ready to go back after 1. I was a bit tired and bit slower than usual, but not by much. Once I started it was much easier to keep going. Any way you can start back part-time? To ease yourself into it? It may also be helpful to start on weds or thurs instead, that way you won't have to work a full week. It would ease you back into it a little easier.

My lunches generally aren't foods that need to be prepared. My favorite is roast beef slices (lunch meat if I have too, but sometimes my mom spoils me and makes an actual roast) with a slice of cheddar melted on top. When I use deli meat it requires just enough time to put it into a container. Sometimes when I know my time is going to be cut short I will just make extra the night before, so that I can have the leftovers the next day. The george forman is my best friend though. If I cook a thin piece of chicken or pork it is literally done within 2-3 mins. MAX. And during the couple minutes it takes to heat up I am normally prepping whatever i'm cooking. My forman has the removable grilling element thingies, so I just pop them into the dishwasher (it said it was dishwasher safe!). Easy peasy for me! Another thing I sometimes make in bulk are meatballs. They freeze easily, re-heat easily and go down great! They take some prep work if you want to make them from scratch, or your can buy them pre-made. I personally am not fond of the pre-made, but you might find some you like. Sometimes I drizzle some tomato sauce and cheese over it for fake spaghetti. I just pretend that I already ate the spaghetti! A favorite "snack" of mine is pepperoni chips! You buy the pre-cut pepperoni, put them on a paper towel on a plate, stick them in the microwave for a minute and voila! Crispy chips! Sometimes I sprinkle cheese over them before microwaving them... very yummy! Not so great on cals, but okay on Protein and zero carbs!

I had a prescription PPI... the tablet was very small (smaller than tylenol) and I was allowed to swallow it from day 1. I'm not sure why you still have to. How far out are you? Are the capsules large-er then tylenol? Size could be a factor as you don't want the pill to get "stuck" at any point.

Visualizing the future is a great tool when it comes to weight loss! All of things you mentioned are true at the 3 month mark. You may still be obsessing over food, but only to the point of "did I get enough Protein in today" type of things. Congrats on getting so far in your pre-op diet. According to my surgeon, TONS of people never stick it out and either end up paying out of pocket or just never come back. I truly think it is one of the hardest parts of the journey. The hardest being waiting for your insurance approval, followed by waiting for you date! Be happy You are doing great and it is obvious in your post!

I have! Not that early, but still, I have. It SUCKS! Big time! For me the main problem ended up being stress. I was in a high stress situation and as soon as I left said situation I started losing again. During the stalls you have to focus on water, protein and vitamins. Get in some exercise. Move on. Pay attention to the way your clothes fit, I'm sure they will start to feel MUCH looser soon (if not already). The biggest factor for me, outside of stress, was water. If I wasn't drinking, I wasn't losing. Your body NEEDS water in order to dissolve that fat! Also, at 6 weeks out you are either starting to phase in regular foods or already have. You're body could just be freaking out over the change. Are your carbs high? If you are only drinking you could be drinking more than you think. You may be carb-sensitive. A lot of people can lose with a regular carb diet, but some people (like moi) are carb sensitive. Meaning, if I eat too many carbs I don't lose. Period. I'm planning on using this to my advantage when I hit maintenance. You should also contact your surgeon or your nutritionist or your weight loss counselor and ask them. Make sure that there isn't anything wrong physically. Good luck, chin up, you WILL LOSE!

It's interesting that you say this... for me its actually the opposite. I have a much easier time avoiding eating too quickly (and hence, too much) when I AM at the table. During the day, if i'm home, I weigh out my Protein and eat a bite here and there while I'm doing other things. I don't let myself space it out too much, but I give myself 30 mins. I used to try for less, but I either end up eating too little (and not hitting my protein goals) or too much (and being VERY uncomfortable). I guess having it in front of me makes me focus on it too much. It is much easier for me to do something else while I eat. When I was first sleeved (well, at the 2 month mark), we would go out to eat... I would end up sitting there all meal coloring in my sister's kid's meal menu/coloring book thing because it helped me not eat too fast. The waitress was awesome We know her outside of the restaurant, and she started bringing me a coloring packet of my own LOL! No more stealing from my 6 year old sister!

Hope your surgery went well! Please update when you feel up to it Sending you well wishes and hoping for a speedy and painless recovery for you!

Thanks for this thread! I gave the elliptical a shot a few months back... HATED it!! I am short, so I don't know if that makes a difference, but I felt like I was over-extending my legs, WAY too much, I felt like I was doing lunges on a machine. I'm going to ask one of the trainers at my gym (I just joined, I get a free hour!) to check if my form is right and if I'm doing it properly. I'm currently making my way thru the C25K program, after that my goal is to then add in the elliptical. I think both is too much for me! From reading this it seems like the long stride is normal, but geeze I could barely move!! Plus I think I ended up going backwards ?!????!?

For many of us sleevers, especially at the beginning, if you feel "hungry" it could actually be extra acid in your stomach that is causing the sensation, not actual hunger. Taking a PPI (proton pump inhibitor) can normally get rid of this! Come to think of it, I don't know if it has to be a PPI or if any acid reducer will help. Prilosec, prevacid, zegerid are all PPI's for example. They work really well for us sleevers It would at least be worth a shot. In the meantime, if you are stuck at home... try exercising?? Might as well do something extra productive to keep your mind off of it!

Congratulations! I am glad to hear that you are doing so well! Sip, sip, sip that water! Thank you for updating!

Congratulations on making the decision! Sometimes that is the hardest part. Admitting we have a problem and making an effort to fix it is never a bad thing though! Some people are worried about the risks of the surgery, but considering the risks that we put daily on our bodies by being obese... it is beyond worth it! I also wanted to say kudos to you for having your kids so young and being a great mom to them (its obvious because you want to take care of yourself so that you can be around longer for them). My mom had me young too, and I love her so much! We may have struggled at times but I always knew how much I was loved and cherished and that is the best possible knowledge a child can have! I love young and/or single moms Good luck and please keep us updated!

Sounds yummy!! Thanks for the idea

Well, it really depends on your insurance and/or if you are self-pay. I know self-pays at my surgeon's office go from first appt to surgery in about 2 months. I had insurance and I went from my info session (which I decided to go to on a whim) to surgery in 5 months. If the speed is bothering you, you can always slow it down. They may be pushing to get these tests done so that they can submit for insurance, which can take awhile. You ultimately control the entire process. I hated the waiting that I had to do, but I know that everyone is different. On another note, welcome And congrats on starting your journey!!

AWESOME! Doesn't it feel amazing when these things sorta sneak up on you?!?!?! Best feeling ever IMO. Great job!

Thanks for sharing!! I may have to look into this, though i'm not sure if I would be willing to deal with the "spanky" feeling lol. I love to swim so I'm not sure if the restriction would be worth it.. but maybe!

My mom used to make this a lot when I was younger It always comes out GREAT! My personal favorite way to eat chicken is grilled on the george forman. I'm a pro at it now so 99% of the time it comes out moist and tender. Thanks for sharing

Welcome!! And congrats! We will be saving you a spot on the loser's bench And in India!! That is awesome! Please keep us updated

Congrats!!! And welcome I'm so happy to hear that you are doing so well!

Hey everyone So I chose to follow a low-carb diet while I'm in "losing mode". It was what my surgeon and his team expected and it seems to work well for me, as the weeks that I am "high-er" carbs I don't lose as well. I have recently decided to up my exercise though, and I am not sure how to adapt my diet to accommodate the extra fitness. Everywhere online says carbs, carbs, carbs. Is there a way to eat properly while exercising (or before/after) that won't completely blow my diet? I have nothing against carbs, but I still struggle to get my Protein in so I really don't want to use up any space with food that is lacking in protein. I wanted to follow the low-carb until I hit my goal weight (about 28 lbs away) or my year mark, whichever comes first. Thanks for any advice!

Hello You are doing AMAZING! Don't be discouraged about the stall, you have hit the typical "3 week stall"... it is completely normal and happens to just about everyone. It's just your body's way of dealing with all the change. It sounds like you are doing great sticking to your diet. When you are in a stall your focus should always be "Water, Protein, vitamins" and not on the number. Stalls happen throughout the entire weight loss journey. They are frustrating, but you work through them. Also, keep an eye on how your clothes are fitting during this time. For me, I almost always dropped a size while I was stalling, so I didn't mind too much!

Awesome job!!! It's great to hear that your hospital stay went so well and that you are doing great now!

Congrats!!! The first major hurdle IS over!! For me this was the HARDEST part of the entire process!! Try to focus on other things, and it will go by faster than you know it!

At 1-2 weeks post-op I wasn't "eating" anything! I was still on full-liquids. But for me, it was mainly water and attempts at protein drinks. My sleeve didn't tolerate anything more until the 3rd week. The shakes I did try were thinned out or the "clear" isopure drinks.

Ugh, unfortunately Protein is expensive. Please remember though, you are not going to be buying "regular" food for yourself for quite awhile!!! I have a very tight budget and I have found the best for me is the GNC brand protein. I don't remember the numbers exactly, but it worked out well. Plus it was 100% whey protein which is VERY important!! There return policy is amazing as well. If you open it, try it, and don't like it? No problem, just bring it back. There are also a lot of pre-made Protein drinks that include Vitamins in them. Those are really great as well. You might want to try the ones your doc suggested, even if its just at first. It IS the only thing you'll be "eating" for awhile.

(((hugs))) I really can't say much, since I'm not an expert. But I know that the point of the eval is to make sure that you understand the risks of the surgery, the permanence of it, how it will change your life. It is also to make sure that you have the ability and tools to handle it. You're past doesn't matter. If those aspects of your life are under control, then it shouldn't matter. The fact that you were honest is great! You've had issues, and you've dealt with them. That shows control and maturity. If for some reason they don't think you are ready, they are not going to say a flat out "no". They would ask you to have a few more sessions, etc, to make sure that you can handle it. So it would most likely only be postponed. In the meantime, don't worry about it. If it doesn't turn out the way you wanted it, then you worry about it then! There is no point in stressing yourself over it now! (((((hugs))))) Chin up! Smile! You are one step closer to your goal! Have a GREAT weekend!