Spirit Fire

Many on this site say they are more successful getting thru stalls and losing in general when they eat low carb. But what is that exactly? 20 carbs? 45? Thanks for your insights!

Meant "without" other distractions.

Meant "without" other distractions.

I agree with the mani/pedi, facial, etc. But the "gift" I give myself is time. I give myself time to sit and read for an hour while sipping on a Decaf hot tea (or iced tea). Today I gave myself the time to go to a movie. I've also taken a walk around Sprouts and Mother's Market to see what "new foods" I might be able to eat. I used to mediate and have started doing that again. Another low-cost reward I give myself is cleaning out a drawer or closet, trying on clothes that are too big and then enjoy putting them in a bag to donate. My husband and I walked to the park last weekend and had a picnic -- we haven't done this in many years. I download books on tape and spend time listening to them with other distractions. I have given myself "time" to play a game on the Internet. Sometimes I can only get a "20" minute "gift" but I am finding these gifts to be releiving my stress and sense of being anxious. Over the years I have spent so many hours trying to meet the needs/demands of others that I am now makng special efforts to tell myself I am proud of what I have achieved and then fully embrace the reward.

Enjoy the rewards everyone!

I thought I was unique in having a PCP who was not supportive of WLS! I am so sorry to read that so many have struggled with this. It took a lot of courage for me to make the initial appointment with my doctor whom I have been seeing for over 15 years. Her first reaction was "Join Jenny Craig and exercise." Hmmm, why hadn't I thought of that? Oh yeah! I DID! I joined Jenny Criag, Nutri-System, Weight Watchers x 3, took herbs, had acupuncture, hypnosis and a variety of other measures to lose the weight that I have carried since my pre-teen years. I broke down in tears in the office. I was so distraught over her lack of support. Then, one week later I received a letter indicating that I had been referred to a nutritionist and bariatric surgeon. The ball started to roll at that point, but I was still blindsided with her lack of support. I am 81 lbs down from when she saw me and can't wait to walk into her office and flaunt my new found confidence and image.

Very happy I found this website and forums before and after I had surgery. Almost all of my questions and concerns were addressed via this website as well as a couple calls to my surgeon's office. But to answer the original question, during my first month, I was not expecting:

• to feel so fatigued during the first month.
  
• to have the 3-week stall which lasted almost two weeks.
  
• to have the nausea during the first week and am grateful I finally got some anti-nausea medicine.
  
• the Constipation.< br />
• to feel hungry.
  
• to panic over how I would eat out or even eat when I returned to work.
  

Now that I am 10-weeks into this process, I was not expecting:

• to have such amazing self confidence.
  
• to look at online shopping catalogs saying, "oh, that's too baggy (big, unfitted, etc.)"
  
• to enjoy participating in family gatherings and work events.
  
• to have such a good handle on what I can eat and what my sleeve can tolerate.
  
• to walk 3 plus miles a day comfortably, while talking and smiling.
  
• to allow the "slowness" of my post-surgery weightloss to be a good thing.
  
• to enjoy the levels of flavors that 3 oz of food can offer.
  

Again, I just want to reinforce that scanning through the forum topics truly helps to open your eyes to the multitude of experiences everyone has on this journey.

Yes, I would gladly complete a survey.

Thank you!

I am hoping that with my weight loss, my hubby and I will be able to ride two-up. I am too big -- was too big for his KLR 650 -- but some day we hope to ride together again.

I was told a minimum of 80 grams each day.

Soon after surgery I found that I was hyper-sensitive to the tremendous amount of food ads, tv shows, meals, and conversations that surround us each and every day. I had a choice to make: hide from life which my weight was already making me do OR particpate fully. Choosing to participate brings with it challenges. I don't ever want someone to eat differently or feel guilty because they are enjoying something that I choose not to have or that my sleeve can't tolerate. I have a friend who is glutten-intolerant and we now choose to meet at restaurants with glutten free menus, but we haven't changed our friendship or the way we talk with each other because of it. However, in the beginning, I had to learn what her boundaries were and now she is needing to learn what I am comfortable with. I have made a major change in my life and I can't expect everyone to conform to my needs, but I take responsibility for informing the people I care about what I need from them. Bigguy, Shangefan and a number of other posts had some wonderful insights. Your friend probably doesn't know how to approach the subject -- unless this has been his pattern with you over the years. He has to learn at the same time you are learning. I hope it doesn't cause an riff that can't be overcome.

I am so terribly sorry for your loss. Sending you and your family healing energy.

Pure Protein rtd shake -- chocolate or Cookies and Cream -- order from Amazon.com

Yes, I took the shots 2x a day for 14 days. My surgeon said that I was a risk for blood clots because of my excess weight, birth control pills, and having surgery. I stopped taking my BC pills one month prior to surgery and resumed them one month after surgery. I had no complications, but was glad for the preventative measures since I have lost two dear friends to a pulmonary embolisms. I did have bruising on my stomach for weeks from the shots and hard spots but I massaged these daily and now, 10 weeks later, everything is fine.

I am eating 700-900 calories a day post-op and losing 2-3 lbs a week. I was horribly fatigued when I was eating 80 grams of Protein each day so my doctor said to have 100 grams. It has helped and I have more energy, but I can't always get that much in. My daily goal is between 80-100 grams of Protein and less than 40 grams of carbs. I get my 64-80 oz. of daily fluids through Decaf tea (both hot and iced) and Protein shakes.

Prior to surgery, I was on a 1300 calorie/day high protein/low carb diet and lost 10 lbs a month (50 lbs down on my surgery date). I thought cutting my calorie count in half would double my weightloss, but this hasn't happened. I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that a person loses more at the beginning and now that I am past the 1/2 way mark -- the weightloss has slowed. I have also lived in the "stall" phases two times in the last 10 weeks, but, it is still going in the right direction and inches are falling off like crazy.

My husband and I attended a one day education class as part of the requirements for my surgery. I got to meet the entire team from the nurses to the anesthesiologist to the physical therapist. It helped to relax and inform me and, as someone previously mentioned about their team, my team had an amazing sense of humor. Things moved fast -- I went to sleep and I woke up easily but didn't dream or have any memories of being under anesthesia. I have had absolutely no regrets about the entire process except for the fleeting thought when I woke from surgery was, "What the hell did I just do?" Again, it was fleeting and I was fortunate not to have much pain throughout the recovery process. I did a lot of research on the hospital and surgical team prior to making my decision so felt comfortable with their competence.

Congratulations! What a wonderful gift for your entire family!

I'm in! This is my first challenge and am looking forward to it!

Start weight: 298

Surgery day weight: 248

Todays weight: 219

Challenge goal: 209

Additionally: will add Wii Fit to my current daily walking

@emily_0192010: I buy the Teriyaki & pineapple chicken Meatballs by Aidells at costco. They are very tasty and easy to prepare. I keep them in the freezer at work so I know I always have Protein readily available. Serving size is 3 meatballs,but I typically have 4. They come in a package of ~36 meaballs so I get quite a few meals out of them. Enjoy!!

Memorial Day Breakfast:

1 serving Cilantro Lime Shrimp

1 large scrambled egg

Fresh basil

1 Tbsp Sabra Hummus

15 g fat/5 g carbs/32 g protein/293 calories

Memorial Day lunch

1.3 servings Teriyaki & pineapple chicken Meatball

1 Tbsp Greek Yogurt Dip w/Cucumber

1/2 serving Parmesan Garlic Popchips

15 g fat/18 g carbs/14 g protein/269 calories

NSV -- I attended my niece's bridal shower!

I am 10 weeks post-op and I have rejoined life. A year ago I probably would have figured out how to NOT GO to the

bridal shower because of so many things--self-image, feeling judged, discomfort, etc. Yesterday, I was confident and

it made my niece and sister-in-law tear-up with happiness to have me there. During the sit-down luncheon, I was able to eat

a little of almost everything. It was a beautiful vegitarian luncheon but I had a Protein Shake before going into the

party so was comfortable I would get what I needed. I only had one person comment on how little I was eating. The

amazing thing that hit me was when we were preparing to sit at the table -- I chose a seat in the middle -- not

on the end. I have never done this before! I have always sat at the end so that I wouldn't overflow into someone else's

space. Yesterday, I was "normal". Thinking back on it, I was still probably one of the larger guests at the

party, but that wasn't even an issue for me as it would have been in the past. It was a very special day and

I am grateful that I didn't miss out on it.

I'm also grateful for this always-inspiring forum!

March 21 -- I would like to join. Thanks!

Thank you for sharing! It truly helps to motivate and encouage those of us who are only a few months out. Your post helps me to know that my 'goals' are attainable. THANK YOU!

This is a very individual and personal decision. I told everyone and have posted on Facebook to keep family and friends up to date on my progress.

You are beautiful! Thanks for being such a wonderful inspiration! And your puppy is adorable!!!

Once I'd made my decision to pursue bariatric surgery I was discouraged with the series of doctor appointments, lab tests, psych evals and support group meetings that I perceived as obstacles to my goal. I made an excel spread sheet of all my appointments which turned out to be three pages long by my surgery date. However, after a short period of time I realized the benefits all these "hoops" provided. I was 50 years old and had a tip-to-tail physical, all on the dime of my insurance company. I had time to learn about nutrition and to educate the people in my life what I was about to undertake. I talked extensively with friends who had undergone gastric bypass and lap bands over the last 7 years and found that I was given an opportunity to be more involved with my path to health then they ever were. Many tell me that they regret NOT having the "prep" time that was required of me. I took charge of my health and lost 50 lbs on my own prior to surgery which reinforced, for me, that the sleeve is a TOOL . . . it is not a miracle or magic wand to slimness, but simply a tool that will help me maintain my weightloss once I reach my goal. I still have to put in the "work" with or without the sleeve. I have absolutely no regrets having the sleeve surgery (2 months ago) and am truly grateful that I had to journey past all the challenges and obstacles along the way.