Amanda 3.0

Those shakes sound really good, but I don't have much of a sweet tooth at all. I expected to be making protein smoothies post-surgery, and that is one of the reasons I bought all the powders, but I have no real interest. Also, quite a while ago I stopped using artifical sweeteners, as it isn't sugar that made me fat. So while I realize that these Protein drinks I am using for now do have artificial sweeteners, it is my long term goal to minimize sucralose, aspartame, etc., etc. Also, since surgery, I can't imagine getting a whole smoothie into me before it separates and looks gross. I had been making them with frozen unsweetened fruit before surgery.

I don't mind the actual products that I bought (although I am not in LOVE with everything), I just wish I hadn't bought so much. Eventually they will get used, but what a stockpile until then. I am not a cluttery person and I feel like I have too much junk. For example: costco had a sale on the large tubs of Muscle Milk. Why did I have to buy two? The tubs are huge and since I only use one scoop per day in my coffee, I have SIX MONTHS of Muscle Milk on hand. This is not fun for a person who is not cluttery. That in addition to the two months of Premier shakes, and Protein powders I am not even using at the moment. Plus all the Vitamins I bought before just going with the Celebrate brand so I didn't have to think about if I was getting all I needed. I should have just bought the minimum. As for the head work, I am not sure how that will play out. Of course at four weeks out I feel in control with no cravings whatsoever. I don't think I had real cravings even before the surgery. I did do some counseling and reading, and I do need to do some more. I used to enjoy drinking but now it doesn't interest me. I was majorly depressed about my weight and now I don't feel helpless or depressed at all. I am full of hope now. I hope that most of my eating problems are behind me but at least during the preoperative process I finally found a counselor I would go to, not just one who claimed to have knowledge of eating issues but was actually clueless. Don't get me started on that!

You are saying that he says he supports what makes you happy. If it were me, I would accept that as good enough (unless you don't believe him and you think he is going to nag). I don't think people have to agree 100% to be supportive. He supports you and he may or may not come around later. I'm sure he is just worried about his kid.

I no longer think that throwing food away is a bad thing. I think it is extremely liberating to not care about the food. The idea that all food has to be finished, be it now or later, in my opinion is not healthy. I'm not at the point of going out to eat on a regular basis yet, and so far the times I've gone out, I've had Soup. But as little as I get to eat now, I will not be bringing boxes home to eat the same thing all week. Restaurant leftovers don't really appeal to me a few days later (sometimes even the next day). I'm not saying that I enjoy wasting food, but I am not going to lose any sleep over throwing excess away. Especially junk foods or stuff I am just tired of eating. At this time my plan for eating out will likely be to get a side, and maybe have a bite or two of my husband's entree.

If they knocked me out with a couple of valium in pre-op because of my nerves, I don't know why they wouldn't give you a valium to get you there and back home?

Well, if you know it all, what the heck are you doing here? You are coming across as rude, whether or not intentionally.

Not sure why this thread turned so negative. I am sure she will ask her doctor what he recommends. But if we applied the "ask the doctor" logic across the board, there wouldn't be much use for this forum. It doesn't hurt to find out what others are doing, it is a good way to come up with questions for our doctors. She never said she wasn't going to follow doctor's orders.

I did not have to do a liquid diet before surgery. I had to do 100% vegetarian, very low fat, and low calorie. So no birthday dinner at the Brazilian steakhouse. Of course I could not eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery. I was at 40 BMI and I have the five incisions (that are mostly gone already, thankfully).

I agree with circa. While weight loss surgery is certainly a money-making industry, there are a lot of people who have no idea what they are doing regarding the surgery, who live in denial of how they got in the situation they are in, and let's face it, not everyone out there is a rocket scientist. No surgeon wants to have a failure like a death or complications on his/her record, or that malpractice suit to defend. Many overweight people have psychological reasons for overeating, and I think those need to be addressed. I appreciate the psychiatric component of the prerequisites. I have found the extensive presurgical process to be extremely helpful. I read some of the situations posted around the internet by people who have had this surgery and I think to myself that these people must have not had a very good preparation, if they are having certain issues and surprises.

Good thread. I am four weeks post-op and missing my vegetables. I want to eat them raw. When I read on Facebook that my local produce guru has two kinds of arugula and a special delivery of awesome tomatoes, I want to run and get some, but at this point, what would I do with them? My family isn't into vegetables quite like I am. Now I am hopeful!

If I had not found out about Orthaheels, I would still be in New Balance. They are both very good shoes. Orthaheel is a very good corrective shoe, where I have very happily used New Balance for years as a non-corrective shoe. Love New Balance! The correction on the Orthaheel is rather dramatic. It takes a couple of days to get used to them. I was hesitant to spend $100 on a pair of shoes off the internet, but the reviews were that good and I was that miserable. They are "walkers" but I used them at Zumba every week at boot camp. Now I use them for walking and on my elliptical. I also wore them on a 5K that was mostly going up stairs in a town situated in a ravine, if you can imagine that. There are a lot of good choices out there, and the people at any serious running store should also be able to help you find a good cross trainer. And, they can show you tips on how to lace them different ways so that they fit perfect.

I was supposed to be in for two nights, but they kept me an extra night because I couldn't get anything down. Late in the second day, everything fell in place and the third morning I was feeling 100% wonderful, like nothing had ever happened. I really appreciated the third night, although I am not fond of hospitals.

My psychiatric exam was covered, as well as the counselor sessions. My nutritionist visits, which were through the hospital, were not covered by my insurance. I did get a cash discount for those. I think I paid a few hundred for those total. I had to pay for things that the insurance required, but didn't cover. I don't think that is right, but I feel fortunate that the surgery was covered at all, considering it wasn't until 2011.

I have bought many pairs of cross trainers at running stores. I think most running stores offer a selection, so worth a try. I recently had a bout of plantar fasciitis, and the doctor wanted me to buy custom shoes from him. I instead looked online and found "Orthaheels" brand. They have a ton of styles from flip flops to slippers to athletic shoes. Once I tried the flip flops, I got rid of all my other flip flops. Then I bought the athletic shoes and they are great too, so I got rid of my New Balance. My neighbor bought the athletic shoes and one pair of flip flops and called them "life changing". I bought my husband the Orthaheel orthotic inserts and he says they are his favorite. He has some nerve damage in one leg and they correct his gait. I swear I do not work for Orthaheel, I just have no more pain since switching to their shoes and they are a heck of a lot cuter than the nasty custom shoes at the foot doctor. You can read reviews and buy them at Zappos.com, but they are not the cheapest shoes out there for sure. I plan to buy some for my stepdaughter because she pronates, but they are not really the style for 17 year old girls, sadly.

Hello, I am four weeks out, and was just allowed to try an egg. I've been doing great with my "liquids" (includes purees), no problems at all. I'm enjoying my coffee, my spicy sauces in my Soups, no sugar added ice creams, etc. No problemo. No intolerances. But, try anything slightly thick and I am stuffed to the gills. Wow. WOW. My egg experience earlier today consisted of maybe a tablespoon total. I felt like I had eaten a boulder. No pain, just stuffed. I've kept the remainder of the egg to show my husband when he gets home, so that he can see how little I can eat. He will be very surprised. I had less than 1/4 of a soft avocado with a tablespoon of salsa on top, and was full and had to throw it away. I can eat about 1/3 cup of my homemade soups like pea and black bean, with no problem. I get full, but not that stuffed feeling. I cannot imagine ever again ordering a plate of food for myself, although at some point I am sure I will. And then throw most of it away, more than likely. Part of me says "Bummer" and the other part of me says, "Hallelujah!"

LOL - you don't want to know what I told my stepdaughter about the removed part. We have a warped sense of humor here. It is probably incinerated or something. They pull the unnecessary part of the stomach through one of the incisions, the largest one. My largest incision is only 1-1/2 inches long, and they pulled it through that hole.

I haven't tried meats yet, but I have heard that they are not easily tolerated soon after surgery. Perhaps try something else? I have heard that eggs, chicken, tuna and other meats can come right back up. I am not even supposed to try meats or tuna until five weeks (so many different variations in instructions, I know!) Perhaps try some oatmeal with milk, or refried Beans thinned with a little chicken stock? Those have gone down without any problem for me. You can even spice up the refried beans if you want. Hope you manage to avoid a repeat of the tuna incident!

I am only using small plates and bowls. I also had to make a conscious decision (long ago) to just go ahead and put food in the trash. It has taken some time, but I really don't care anymore. My husband is still in the clean plate club, which is upsetting when I am losing and getting my act together but he is not. He is NOT a big man, by any means, as he wavers between normal and overweight per BMI charts, but he IS eating stuff he really doesn't want to eat. I keep encouraging him to practice throwing stuff away and noticing how quickly he forgets about it. As in, it doesn't cause lasting upset to throw away food. I also reminded him that he can either throw away the food, or throw away part of his life. And also how he feels more miserable when he eats beyond full than he does when he throws away some unwanted food.

I have not even thought to do such a thing, even at four weeks . I would definitely try to get some help with your food addiction. I think you could be in for problems if you don't heed the instructions of your surgeon. Maybe give their office a call and ask where you could get some support on this? I wish good things for you!

I get to try to eat an egg today. Other than that, still on liquids/pureed foods for two more weeks. Congratulations on real food! My surgery was only one day later than yours, so many different regimens out there!

Yes, please call. I had the shoulder pain from gas and the surgeon's office said that it can last up to two weeks. One month? Definitely get it checked out ASAP!

I started menopause at around 39. It took a few years. I didn't do HRT, I refused it. I just didn't see the necessity as this is what our bodies are meant to do. I am a happy camper now, and other than being overweight, I am in very good health. I know HRT is controversial, but if you can manage the "side effects" of menopause, it isn't a 100% sure thing that you need to do this. For me, the side effects were just inconvenient.

I don't know why this lady should have such strong feelings about your surgery. It has nothing to do with her. Unless, like mentioned, she is just feeling sour because you won't be overweight with her anymore. And we all know that it is no fun being the only overweight person. I wouldn't discuss it with her anymore. As management, she should know better than to discuss your personal health circumstances with the others. It's really none of her business anyway.

I love your NSVs, and you look great! Going to the salon is always an uncomfortable experience when big. Those shampoo capes are so unflattering. Your hair is very pretty!

No, I am sorry, I have never heard such talk from my husband. As the others here have said, that is completely inappropriate. I don't have any advice to offer, but I hope you do not end up putting up with such disrespectful behavior for the rest of your life. That is 100% unacceptable. How cruel, and mean spirited! In our home, I make fun of my own size (my big bubble butt), and sometimes my husband chimes in ("I love your big bubble butt"), but that is the extent of "fat talk" in this house.