putasleeveonit

So, against my better judgment I've been weighing in everyday since surgery. The first week I was very disappointed because when I finally weighed in on Day 5 or so, I had only lost something like 8 pounds. I thought to myself, "I could have lost this in two days doing Stillman's Diet!" Then I got over it and the losses continued, and now I've lost 17.2 lbs. The thing is, for the past few days, the loss has been lower and lower until this morning when it only showed a 0.2 lb drop. From my pre-surgery research, I know all about the stalls that occur 2 to 3 weeks post op (I am on my first day of Week 3). Still, I can't help but feel like I need to eat a little more. I'm sick of the liquids every day! I'm ready to jump to purees! And it doesn't help when I see that people who went to other surgeons are starting solids now! I'm now wondering what if any harm would come by fast-forwarding this process...

Congratulations. I've seen people on youtube who became pregnant 6 months post op. Hopefully you've been taking your vitamins! The key will be to make sure you're taking a good prenatal vitamin (I really liked Walgreen's version--it had everything in it and was cost effective) and eating at least 1800 cals/day in the beginning, and up to 2100-2300 later on. Because you're pregnant, your body will do whatever it can to make sure you get those calories in--and everything will go to the baby first. Luckily, vsg doesn't have the same malabsorption issues like the other surgeries. There's a great site called www.babyfit.com that creates menus for you every day in order for you to get your minimum nutrients in. The main thing is not to be overly stressed or worried, as that could be way more harmful than what you eat.

Thanks for this post. I'm a little over a week out from surgery and I had the low carb strategy in mind, but its interesting to see people say they just blend regular food. I know myself and I know what led me to this point. I don't want to fight the same battles that I did pre-sleeve. It's sort of like an alcoholic playing around with one or two drinks here and there. In the beginning, it's fine, until that binge day comes. No thanks! Will I slip up and try things here and there? I'm almost certain of it, but I will always strive to get in all my Protein first before I eat anything else! Also, I want to add that modified low carb that includes 1.5 servings of fruit per day works quite well for me (think Scarsdale's plan).

Hey everyone! I hope to be 173 lbs! I would need to lose 8 more lbs to reach that goal

Yes, I was sleeved by Dr. Aceves almost a week ago on 10/8! Back home now, and doing well so far!

Your story is almost exactly like mine! Congratulations on the revision surgery and I hope you're doing well!

Wow! Keep up the good work! Congrats! :thumbup:

November will be here in no time!

Hang in there, you're doing great! Is your liquid diet low carb? That might help a bit if you went into ketosis, which suppresses the appetite. In a few days, you'll be sleeved and your appetite will be completely gone! Good luck!

Last night I came on to this site, and I ended up reading a couple of my past blog entries. A little over a week ago, I was desperately wanting and hoping to get sleeved. After reading that, I felt a little silly about the complaining I've been doing so early on in the process. I knew exactly what I was getting myself into. I was able to get this procedure done with no complications (so far), and I should be grateful, not miserable! So that's the way I felt before going to bed. However, I woke up really early to stressful thoughts that were unrelated to WLS and my diet. For the past 7 days, I haven't been able to run to food for comfort, so now I'm having to face issues that were really bothering me before. I had a mini-breakdown when I realized just how stressed and overwhelmed I felt with regard to all the changes that have taken place in my life over the past 3 years. With the economy crashing and destroying the value of my home, to the stress of work, to being a first time mom and being in a relationship I'm not happy in. But, the strange thing is that after my breakdown, I was fine. Even though my problems had not been resolved, I was able to face the pain I was in rather than turn to food. This morning, after thinking about what happened, I decided to dig up the book I bought but never read, it's called Women Food and God by Geneen Roth. I'm going to read a chapter a day and try to resolve the lingering issues I have. I planned to start meeting with a therapist, but I must admit, I'm kind of skeptical of whether that would actually help me or not. As for my progress on the clear liquids, I did very well yesterday. I think the "eat first- log later" approach worked much better than trying to pre-plan all my meals the day before. We'll see...

Wow, thanks!

So yesterday was Day 5, and it was the first day that I woke up in my own bed since surgery in Mexicali. I had an ambitious menu planned for how I would get all my protein in. Since I can't consume more than a sip of liquid at a time without feeling awful, I set my phone to chime every 15 to 20 minutes to remind myself to take another sip. Not only that, but I woke up at around 6:45am and took what was supposed to be a 15 minute walk, which actually ended up a 33 minute walk! OK, so far so good. But then around 11am or so, I felt confident enough to drive about 5 miles away to run some errands. I made a foolish decision to put on a girdle because I thought that would hold everything together well (sort of like a compression garment). The problem is, it was way too tight. 5 minutes into my ride I was really regretting my decision. I was really uncomfortable and worried that I had done damage to my stomach. OK fast forward. I got back home, and continued on plan. By afternoon, my timer became unbearable. The gas was annoying. I was doing a lot more physical activity than I had planned, with my baby and also with climbing the stairs back and forth. By midnight, I had not met my nutritional goals. I was exhausted and for the first time in my life, I had a new thought: Food was a nuisance. I no longer had control of what I ate, my sleeved stomach did. And meals were no longer fun or appealing. Last night when I went to bed, I thought to myself, I'm not going to even bother with the timer. I'll just sip when I'm hungry. But I know that's not the right way to go about it. So here I am, once again, with the Isopure zero punch by my side, hoping today will be better. I just looked at my food log again, and I actually didn't do that bad as far as getting my protein in. I got approximately 71 grams (I originally thought it was around 60, but I forgot to add the punch). Today I'm taking it easy, no long walks, driving, or anything else. Today will just be a restful day (hopefully).

That's good to know. Thanks for sharing!

The internet has been down the entire time here, but I'm using my phone right now.

I've experienced that before. I think the reason is that it happened so fast (within 2 weeks?). People have not had a chance to figure out what's different yet.

but something about the idea of getting sleeved in two days seems a little too surreal... like it's too good to be true... I feel like something will go wrong at the last moment. Like maybe my pre-op test will show something crazy and my surgery will be canceled, making my trip to Mexico a colossal waste of time. I don't know why-- I've been so blessed in my life, but a part of me always feels like things won't work out for me. Like a negative outlook or something. Not only that, but I've done my part to sabotage everything. Even though I wanted to do a pre-op diet, I completely failed in that effort. Completely and utterly. The sleeve is my last hope, but my fear right now is returning to Atlanta, fat and unsleeved.

Great job! Congratulations!

Same here. Over the years I've lost and regained hundreds of pounds. I'm tired. I know one of my major issues is portion size, combined with feeling discouraged from time to time. I need something to catch me when I fall. I wish this surgery was an option for me 10 years ago.

Unfortunately yes. But I'm still very confused about what direction I want to take.

As I get closer to surgery, my mind keeps trying to get me back into "last supper mode." A part of me keeps saying, "just eat what you want until surgery since you weren't given any rules!" Also, I keep moving the goal post. First I said I wanted to eat low calorie/low carb for two weeks pre-op. Then I said 8 days pre-op. Now I feel the need to move it to 7 days pre-op (to get one last slice of pie ). I feel out of control and stressed out. I feel very discouraged right now because I'm wondering how I will handle the sleeve if I can't get my thinking together. I wish I could see a counselor before going, but I don't have the time now. I kind of wish I was in a local bariatric program where they provide the counseling and guidance. I've had none of that. I'm basically just going to be flying into the unknown on Friday and then sent back home. I'm 99.9% sure that I will follow the post-op guidelines (I've buckled down in the past with no problems). I think my number one objective should be to take things ONE DAY AT A TIME. Sometimes I think way too far ahead and stress myself out unnecessarily. Thoughts like, what if this doesn't work, etc etc. The moment I start having doubts about something, the first thing I want to do is EAT.

I haven't had my surgery yet, but I was considering doing Medifast or a cheaper version of it post op in order to take the weight off quickly and then maintain from there. But I don't know if that's just my old way of thinking taking hold. I'm curious to see what the responses will be! The problem is, it is so difficult to do that there's a chance you could end up on a yo-yo cycle.

<br><br><br>LOL! Thanks! It's definitely a struggle!<br>

The hardest part about chronic "dieting" is fighting cravings that pop up when I'm in social situations. For example, yesterday, I wanted to pack up my baby and visit my mother's house so she could spend time with her grandson. But I didn't go. I didn't go because I was afraid I would end up falling off my low carb plan. For one, I could have been "ambushed" with a pizza or dessert that they had. Or, oftentimes my parents stress me out with their comments, etc., so that could have led me to emotional eating. Third, just being around them makes me want to eat. I associate their house with eating. Unfortunately, my parents frequently indulge in cakes and high calorie foods. Now take today. Suddenly my SO decides that he wants us to visit a church that is an hour away. Of course, I'm panicking. I went ahead and cooked my food for today, but I'm worried that the road trip will make me fall off plan. I associate long car rides with being able to stop for food. I know that this is not the way to live--either overeating with no restrictions, or eating right, but avoiding everyone and staying at home. My hope is that by the time I'm 6 months post op, I will be at my goal weight and I will never have to dodge a social situation again due to fear of breaking a diet and/or weight gain. My hope is that the sleeve will allow me to eat just a little of whatever is available or whatever I choose, and then I get full and that's it. Or, if that's not possible, just make it so that I'm so afraid to eat certain foods that I bring my own foods with me.

For a couple weeks after deciding that I wanted to get the sleeve, I couldn't control my eating. I ate so much! It was ridiculous! I think a lot of it was "last supper syndrome," and also doubt. In the back of my mind, I was hoping for an effortless quick fix. When I read more and learned that I would still have to put in hard work, I think that bothered me also. I'm finally at peace with the fact that the surgery won't solve all of my problems without effort. I'm now ready and willing to do everything I have to, especially in the first 6 months, to ensure success. I'm also going to meet with a counselor to help me work through the problems that cause me to overeat. I'm not sure which route will be best-- a hypnotherapist or a traditional psychologist? Now that I'm 2 weeks pre-op, I suddenly am a lot more focused, calm, and able to control my eating. Don't get me wrong. I didn't do it on my own. Yesterday, which was my first day of change, I literally had to pray every few hours just to keep my mind in check. When the "food addiction" thing takes over, no amount of pills or anything can stop me. Prayer is the only thing that works when I'm that out of control. And even then, it's a huge struggle. I can't say with 100% certainty that I'll make it through today without indulging in junk. In the past I've been so sure and then failed. But I will do the best that I can. Last night I thought about my goals as far as weight loss, and I feel so much better now that my path has been set. Yesterday, I weighed in at 188 pounds. My first mini goal is to get to 145 pounds. That would but me at a BMI of 27.3-- still overweight, but I look good at that weight. Everything I lose after that will be like a bonus. My ultimate goal, however, is 125 pounds.

I'm really happy for you! I wish I had the opportunity to get this surgery when my weight problems began at 20! Good for you and good luck!