Katie713

I am 2 months out today, and when I weighed this morning I was so elated because I'm down 40 lbs from my pre-surgery weight. Unfortunately my elation didn't last for long. ;(
I am a private person, so I haven't told anyone at work that I had WLS. When people say something about my weight loss I cringe and stumble through the whole, "I'm working really hard, under a DRs & NUTs care, no carb, low fat, no sugar, blah, blah, blah" schpiel. I hate addressing people's curiosity, and because 2 other ladies in my office had WLS in the last few years, I'm sure that some people are digging for info. I usually manage to brush these encounters off, but today was different.
So this morning as I'm rocking a brand new size 8 pair of jeans...down from a 16-TYVM...I go to the break room to cook my egg whites that I'm getting so damn sick of having for Breakfast, and a friendly colleague of mine says, "Girl, you are wasting away right before my eyes". I say, "I'm getting there." She then proceeds to tell me that she is so glad I didn't take the easy way out like the other two did!!!! I am dumbfounded, and trying to gracefully and tactfully get myself out of this conversation, but I honestly wanted to cry. I told her that I didn't think there was an easy way out with weight loss. She said, "yeah, I know, but taking the easy way out is sad and it really shows that you have no self control."
I was devastated, and I've been in a funk ever since. I know without a shadow of a doubt that she would have never said that if she knew...that makes me so sad. It also makes me sad to think that someone I admire in my professional life would be so condemning of an issue she obviously has never struggled with. I felt dirty and cheap and like a coward for not coming clean and telling her, "My dear, I had WLS and it is not the easy way out." Instead I just let her walk away thinking I'm this goddess of self control and that I have done this all by myself. Ughhh, I'm so mad at myself.
I have worked my ass off to get to this point and I've invested a TON of money in making sure my future is as healthy and happy as it can possibly be, because there are people in my life that I adore and I want to see 30,000 more sunsets with them. I have never fought for something so hard in my whole entire life.
I didn't take the easy way out. The easy way out would have been to do nothing. The easy way out would have me giving into every craving and eating grotesque amounts of food just because I can. The easy way out would have been to continue to get fatter and fatter, and sicker and sicker and to die way before my time.
Sorry, I just had to come here where y'all would understand. Today hurt, and it discouraged me and it sucked. Thankfully, tomorrow is a new day...and I'm going to be one step closer to my goal.

Buffets are tricky with our little sleeves...I've done a few, but I never get my money's worth!! And no doggy bags
At the seafood buffet I usually get a bowl of steamed clams, and take my sweet time when dining with my family...that way the pace works out ok...but you really only eat a few ounces of Protein all the rest is shells...then I might have a bit of stir fry from the teppan grill - 2oz of rib-eye with bean sprouts, mushrooms and a bit of napa cabbage...
At the Mexican buffet, 1/2 a bowl of Soup that I just have a few spoon fulls of, then maybe two tacos - and I leave the tortilla behind, a small salad with a nice pepita dressing.
I don't go out much to tell you the truth, but vacations are always special and I do intend to enjoy all my future vacations, whatever the table might bring, I will try and enjoy it while still respecting my sleeve.

I find it so amazing how many times I see people on this forum "afraid" to tell their" boss" or coworkers about their surgery. It always seems to spiral into a debate of tell or not tell. I have a recommendation of my own. Be honest, tell your "boss" about the health problems you've experienced let them know that you intend to be a healthier person going forward in life. Not only is this good for you, but it is good for them too. Healthier team members tend to be more reliable & more productive. There are also benifits to all your coworkers. As you lose weight it brings down the offices average BMI which more often than not has an effect on everybodies insurance rates.
After all of this, if the office proves to be so toxic that you can't be comfortable there, then ask yourself. Why do I choose to stay in a toxic situation. Maybe as you are making positive changes in your life, working a job you love, with people you trust might go on your list.

Buffets are tricky with our little sleeves...I've done a few, but I never get my money's worth!! And no doggy bags
At the seafood buffet I usually get a bowl of steamed clams, and take my sweet time when dining with my family...that way the pace works out ok...but you really only eat a few ounces of Protein all the rest is shells...then I might have a bit of stir fry from the teppan grill - 2oz of rib-eye with bean sprouts, mushrooms and a bit of napa cabbage...
At the Mexican buffet, 1/2 a bowl of Soup that I just have a few spoon fulls of, then maybe two tacos - and I leave the tortilla behind, a small salad with a nice pepita dressing.
I don't go out much to tell you the truth, but vacations are always special and I do intend to enjoy all my future vacations, whatever the table might bring, I will try and enjoy it while still respecting my sleeve.

Good luck tomorrow Deb...deep breathing if you feel anxious, or ask for something to to relax you before you go in for the procedure. I had a little nausea after but they gave me something right away that helped so much. I didn't even use the morphine pump much, but I did use it to sleep because I couldn't get comfortable, but gosh it felt so good when they encouraged me to walk, and I stayed out of the bed for awhile, sitting down made a few calls, used the bathroom, they took my catheter out after I was in my private room just a few hours after surgery. That help me normalize since the walking helped with the gas pain. Amazed how well I felt when I got home, and being able to take in all my liquids and Protein. Those 6 months have flown by...I feel completely normal now, just eat so much less, but still I have to exercise and eat right to get to goal and to keep it off. Anyone can gain the weight back if they start eating the wrong stuff again, its a fact. I want to be healthy so I try to stay on track.
Let us know how you're doing when you're up to it....

YAY Deb!!
Congratulations, you've made it through and it is good to hear that you are feeling ok. Sounds like everything went like clockwork.
Now go enjoy the sun and sending nothing but positive thoughts your way!!

I'm planning on having a beautiful lotus blossom done kind of Indian style celebrating my metamorphasis of change. Almost like something you would see with a henna tattoo, lots of scroll work surrounding the central blossom.

I'm planning on having a beautiful lotus blossom done kind of Indian style celebrating my metamorphasis of change. Almost like something you would see with a henna tattoo, lots of scroll work surrounding the central blossom.

I'm planning on having a beautiful lotus blossom done kind of Indian style celebrating my metamorphasis of change. Almost like something you would see with a henna tattoo, lots of scroll work surrounding the central blossom.

It was so nice to go to Dress Barn and shop the other side. I need a long sweat her for a snug but sexy size 12 Ann Taylor skirt!!! Shopping out of the plus side and knowing I am free from it for life and never have to diet again is the best feeling
Just a week and a half I am loving my sleeve! I let me have frozen yogurt that I love and it was a 1/4 of what I normally ate. Plus it wasn't covered in Gummy bears Reese's pieces and coconut!! I learned to change.

According to board rules, I don't think they "delete" accounts. If you are getting emails and stuff from the site you can change your settings to stop that, but I think your account just "sits here". Once the emails are stopped, and you can remove the bookmark to this site, you never have to see any of it again.
http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/index.php?app=forums&module=extras&section=boardrules
In reading your posts, it was a little hard to understand why you are so upset, but as I thought more about it, I realized it didn't matter actually. Obese people have often gone through a lot of emotional pain in their lives. Maybe that is one of the reasons they got fat or maybe it is a result of the emotional beating they gave themselves over being fat. Maybe both, but often lots of hurt feelings inside there. Losing weight, although very joyous, also brings with it a bit of a head trip too. To give honest feedback, your original post did not say things in a way that I could really understand and as others pointed out, it came across as more of an attack, but I think it was really meant to be an expression of hurt feelings. Maybe it was a bit of a cry for attention, and that is okay every once in awhile. You got some pretty sharply worded responses, because people called it as "drama" or ":attention seeking" and maybe that is a fair criticism. I think that is okay, sometimes we all have a little meltdown or drama over this journey and it isn't really a reason to jump all over you. I do think you had an overreaction when you shared success you didn't get alot of "atta girls" and other similar posts seem to get dozens of replies. That is just how it works, I know you know that, but for some reason it felt hurtful or negative and you took it personally this particular time.
Side note: my spouse NEVER compliments me or otherwise indicates that he notices I have lost weight at all, so I kinda know the feeling of my accomplishments not being acknowledged by others.
Anyway, online forums should be supportive and not be a detriment to you. If this isn't supporting you - walk away, i totally agree. It is a bunch of us that don't know you or your life and the truth of the matter is that pretty much any of us could stop posting tomorrow and be hardly noticed on this forum, that is how they work.
Much success for your ongoing weight loss and don't worry too much about all this. I have no idea why some posts become "hot" topics and others are virtually ignored, it just goes that way and if you take it personally, then online forums are never going to feel supportive. Have you considered an in person support group?

Is there any freaking popcorn left??? Not the nameless, faceless brand...make it Orville Redenbacher!

Is there any freaking popcorn left??? Not the nameless, faceless brand...make it Orville Redenbacher!

I'm a total Walking Dead Head. Literally

I'm a total Walking Dead Head. Literally

That deserves a cartwheel !! Whoo Hoo!! Fantastic !! Welcome to "Onederland" !

fyre_storm....interestingly enough, most people show their weight loss in their face and neck first...so if you do embark on this journey...just imagine the compliments!! You have such a slim handsome face!!

Obviously how one feels after surgery is different for everybody. I was lucky, not too much pain just some discomfort, I was walking around the same afternoon. The gas pains are annoying but they go away fairly soon.
I had a specific plan to follow for the re-introduction of foods. One thing will remain the same, try to get in at least 64 oz of liquids every day and 60-80 grams of Protein.
Most people start with a couple of days of Clear Liquids, Isopure for Protein (you can buy it at Vitamin Shoppe or GNC) Decaf coffee and decaf tea, all sugar free non-carbonated drinks, chicken, beef or vegetable broth, SF Jello and SF popsicles.....after that full liquids including regular Protein shakes, creamy Soups, thinned out hot Cereal, thinned out yogurt, SF puddings, Jello.< /p>
After 2 weeks, move to pureed or mushy foods, hot cereals, softly scrambled eggs, soups, softly cooked meats and veggies (think crockpot meals) yogurt, cottage cheese with fruit, refried Beans with melted cheese, chili Beans, mashed potatoes with canned chicken and gravy, tuna and any soft fish, stuff like that. At this stage of the diet, I was still drinking 2 Protein Shakes to meet my daily goals and lots of decaf hot and iced tea.
At 4-6 weeks start introducing more solids, start slowly and see how you tolerate foods, move toward being able to get in at least 4 oz of a solid protein, then a non-starch veggie...try and stay away from carbs for the most part, if you do eat carbs have whole grains if possible.
At 6 months out I can eat most things but not very much of them. I do still drink a Protein shake each day, and sometimes a Protein Bar as a snack.< /p>
I was not hungry after surgery and it took a while to normalize and feel hunger come back, but not with a vengeance, and you get full so fast. I have 2 hiccups when I am full and that has happened since I had this surgery. A lot of people get these little burps/hiccups that signal fullness, or a runny nose, it's weird, but a good signal from the body.
I feel normal, just that I can only eat very small meals, but you have to eat right to keep losing weight and exercising. That has to continue ...so be prepared, the sleeve is a tool, but you still have to make the right choices.
I am so happy with my sleeve...down to a size 14 from a 3X-4X and I can walk for miles, and none of my old clothes fit, they are tent size on me....this is the best decision I ever made for myself.
Good luck !!!!

I don't know what your problem is. I was sincerely trying to help, not scold you. I asked some legitimate questions. I know you know yourself, but a lot of things change after surgery. One of those things is the feedback you get from your digestive system over things like hunger, acid reflux and satiety. Good luck.

Chunkychick....sometimes we think the less we can take in the better, but for health purposes its not true, the sooner you can get 64 oz of liquid and 75-80 grams of Protein in the better, you are perfectly managing your intake at about 600-700 calories. My body loses in steps, I stay the same for awhile and then boom, I'm down another 5 pounds. This isn't a race and when we read posts about crazy huge losses really fast there are so many factors including male or female, starting weight, how much exercise, heredity....I always had stalls before my sleeve, and I still do but I am close to 100 pounds thinner since starting the weight loss journey last summer 2011. I was on a mandatory 12 week pre-op program and lost 28 pounds on a low calorie diet before having surgery in April 2012. This has changed my life, I lose slow and easy, but I feel healthy and finally enjoying shopping in regular stores not the big girl stores. Good luck, I am happy to give you any support that I can.

Count yourselves lucky that you can get your fluids in easily...I was the same way and my surgeon said everyone is different and some have less swelling and inflammation. Stalls are a normal part of losing weight...your body is adjusting, just keep it up and you'll see that you lose the weight sometimes slow but surely. Don't worry...you'll feel the REAL restriction when you get to solids.

Count yourselves lucky that you can get your fluids in easily...I was the same way and my surgeon said everyone is different and some have less swelling and inflammation. Stalls are a normal part of losing weight...your body is adjusting, just keep it up and you'll see that you lose the weight sometimes slow but surely. Don't worry...you'll feel the REAL restriction when you get to solids.

Deb...in the beginning there is swelling in the stomach from surgery and the incision (stapled) edge of your new little tummy needs time to fuse and heal. I think that is one reason for the various steps in the re-introduction to foods, there isn't much room at all, and to prevent damage to the new incision line while it heals. I did not have much hunger in the beginning but knew I needed Protein (at least 65-80 grams) and hydration (yeah-yeah the recommended 64 oz) and it can be very hard to achieve those goals in the beginning because you feel you cannot physically achieve those lofty goals....
The Isopure has 40 grams of Protein in a 20 oz bottle and it is a clear Fluid, it doesn't taste wonderful, but it's not that bad either. I bought mine at the local Vitamin Shoppe. I would pour half a bottle and Water it down a little and add ice and let that melt as well. Because I was used to having coffee or tea in the morning, I kept that normality, that little ritual and had Decaf vanilla chai - a 16 oz cup slowly in the morning. By 10 am I would start the Isopure and finish about 16 oz in 2 hours, then make an 8 oz cup of broth mid-day, then 8 oz of Water before starting the afternoon Isopure (I rotated between the orange and grape flavors) and then broth (sometimes 2 cups slowly sipped )again for dinner, then just decaf iced tea in the evening and either a SF popsicle or SF Jello. It is doable, but you will feel like it takes effort to make it all happen, because you may feel like you are not hungry/not thirsty and how the heck am I supposed to meet the goals.
Take it easy at home, don't even run the vaccum the first week home, or carry laundry, you can sit on the bed or sofa and fold clothes, but don't be carrying anything heavy as your internal and external stitches need to heal properly. You may not feel good laying down the first couple nights, I had to sleep on the sofa propped up a bit the first night, my tummy felt very weird and the incisions were tender. Finding the right position in bed takes a little work - it may different from the usual, but soon, you heal and start to feel more like yourself.
Remember to take your Vitamins. I would usually do it with my first Isopure mid-morning, and when on full fluids with breakfast.
You are at the beginning of this journey....but time passes quickly and it is amazing to see the results you may have up until now only dreamed of.

Deb...I was extremely prepared because of the 12 week pre-op program, and then what I read on the site. Surprisingly what I learned was right on. I know with self pay sometimes the educational materials are lacking, so if my explanations help then I feel happy to be of support, I can't tell you how to handle a complication, but what to expect under normal recovery most of us have experienced and can help the newbies : )
Hopefully your experience is a positive one. If you do feel something isn't right, speak up loud and clear so that you can be attended to before you are released.
Did you get your chewable vitamins? You may also need a PPI like prilosec twice a day 30 min before a meal. It decreases acid production which can irritate your already injured tummy.
Buy your supplies for clear fluids and full liquids before you have surgery so you don't have to go shopping afterward when you don't feel up to it.
Almost the weekend, are you going to TJ for surgery? Have a safe trip and think positive!!