CCWriter

You are rockin' it Amanda!! Wow, 105 pounds. I'm so impressed. Keep on keeping on. Carol

Hi guys: My favorite dietician Steph at WeightWise gave me this low-carb Shepherd's Pie recipe and I amped up the flavors with more herbs and smashed garlic in the mashed cauliflower: Takin' A Load Off/ Shepherd's Pie It's a rainy, chilly day where I live in Oklahoma and I thought it might be nice to share to a bit wider audience. I'd retype from my original blog post, but took me too darn long in the first place with my carpal tunnel. Hope you enjoy!! Carol

Oh My Goodness ... it's a wonderful, but strange place we're in. I'm probably close to about the same amount to goal but I don't feel "skinny" and yet I'm betting feedback that I'm looking better. Nevermind all that stuff ... I'm feeling SO MUCH BETTER. It probably makes more of a difference because you're younger than me, but with any kind of luck, you'll get so much more comfortable with yourself in any shape in future years. I went to a Karoeke (sp?) night recently and I wasn't ashamed of my singing or weight, but I was paranoid about my age and fitting in. Go figure. It's always SOMETHING!!! Nevermind that there were plenty of people older and younger than me. I just wanted to be singing the female lead on "Paradise By The Dashboard Lights," and my much younger male friend suddenly started acting extremely paranoid, like someone would have thought he was into older women. Like I would have wanted to jump on his out-of-shape young self. Puh-leez. Not the same thing my dear youngun.

Gas lasts about a month or so is what I've heard and what I've experienced. Anytime you put a bunch of air in your abdomen for surgeries like C-sections, etc., you have that problem for awhile. It does get better. And my husband and also my yoga trainer found it quite humorous. Hope that helps ... Carol

I understand it's pretty normal for it to take a week or so. Remember, there is not a whole lot going on down there when you're healing on your liquid diet. Happy going!!! Carol

Ivy: Happily, I did get my sleeve Dec. 27, which technically was the second date. My third date choice was Jan. 10 and hubby also didn't want to do that because it was a couple of days before he would go overseas (he works in West Africa.) So we went back to the second date which was better because the third date would have cost us more in deductibles. I put it in my signature on my posts and lots of people put miscellaneous stuff in their signatures. I forget that if you haven't been around this forum for long, you might not look there. Makes it easier than repeatedly putting it in your posts. I like that they'll be practicing on other people before you get your sleeve!! Sixteenth time is a charm!!! I'll be looking forward to hearing how things go!! Carol

Congrats Gabby ... you are rockin' it. Sounds like you're doing the right things. Good luck Tlaff. You've found the right bunch of folks for some really great support. Carol

Congrats Miss Castro ... it's such a good feeling the first time you get back into a smaller size you haven't seen in years. I was a 22 and now I'm a 16/18. I have pictures on my frig of me the last time I wore a size 6. Woo hoo!! Go for it!! Carol

Hang in there Ivy. It's going to be worth it. I know it's hard to be marginalized by other people -- I had to put off my surgery because my elderly mother broke her leg and there was no one else to run interference on her. And then my husband wanted me to put it off because it was inconvenient for me to do it on my second date. And all the while, I was thinking -- when is it my turn to take care of myself with surgery instead of everybody else? I know its not exactly the same thing, but having other people rearrange your life for you sure throws you off balance. Good luck! I'm sure you'll do great! Best, Carol

After hearing all these comments, y'all have inspired me!! I think I need another book -- the Weight Loss Surgery Cookbook for Dummies. Oh well, as long as I'm still counting on my fingers, I guess I'm OK.

I was (and am) such a foodie, that I bought four books right after weight loss surgery. My favorite is Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery by Patt Levine and Michele Bontempo-Saray. Good advice and recipes and it tells you how to adjust them for wherever you are in your weight loss or whatever surgery you've had. I'm reading three others in bits and pieces: - Before & After: Living and Eating Well After Weight-Loss Surgery by Susan Maria Leach - Eat It Up! The Complete Mid/Body/Spirit Guide to a Full Life After Weight Loss Surgery by Connie Stapleton, PhD - The EVERYTHING Post Weight Loss Surgery Cookbook by Jennifer Whitlock Heisler, RN My other favorite is the Paleo Comfort Foods Cookbook by Julie and Charles Mayfield. I have made so many good things from that cookbook and it's always consistently good. It works well for me because I really love Protein and veggies and that's mostly what the recipes comprise. I love the Ham and Egg Cups which are beautiful enough for a holiday brunch. The Mashed Cauliflower recipe in there is my favorite and I plan to make their Bangers and Mash (with the aforementioned Mashed Cauliflower) for St. Patrick's Day. No green beer for me on that day though. The thought of beer just revolts me. Have a fantastic, skinnier day!! Carol

Thanks SheZug ... it keeps me going on posting, knowing that someone is actually out there reading this stuff. I've had a lot of trouble with getting back to eating vegetables, but the mashed cauliflower has been a mainstay for me. And I used to dislike cauliflower intensely. But it really gives me the mouth feel and taste of potatoes and that kind of satisfaction. Thanks for replying!! Carol

I totally forgot that I wouldn't be able to have caffeine after surgery and I'm sure my headaches afterward were because of that. If I'd thought about it, I would have tapered it off instead of going cold turkey. Ouch!! The good thing is, although I have an occasional cup of coffee or latte, I can take it or leave it now and I like that. Caffeine is a powerful drug and I'd prefer not to have it in my body most of the time. Onward, CC

Wow! I'm impressed that you have kept such great records. My weight loss has slowed to a crawl, but it looks like slow and steady wins the race!! Thanks for posting!

That's so great ... you're an inspiration PQ!! CC

I agree on the being careful with the treadmill impact. About two years ago, when my orthopedic surgeon told me I was definitely a candidate for knee replacement, he also recommended putting it off as long as I could with joint Fluid replacement therapy. The actualy product was Supartz. The first week they shot my knees with a cortizone substance, then every week thereafter for 5-6 weeks with Supartz, which is a thick goopy substance. Bottom line is that it worked. Insurance paid for it, and will let you do it every six months from the last injection. (Yes, it hurts, but I'm thinking not as much as knee replacement and no cutting.) Also, a general surgeon told me the technology on knee replacements is improving so fast that I should put it off as long as possible. I'm figuring my weight loss will help a lot, so we'll see about that soon. So .... I wouldn't overdo it on the treadmill. If your knees start rebelling, hit the ellipti-hell or the bike. Or swim. Just saw the new ElliptiGo on GMA and that looks interesting. A bike crossed with an ellipti-hell. Hope that helps. CC

My girlfriends and I call the elliptical the ellipti-hell. I've always hated the darn thing. I know I need to get on it sometimes, but I have better luck motivating myself to do other things. Personally, I have horrible, destined-for-replacement knees, so I hit the stationary bicycle like crazy and am trying to work up on the treadmill. The impact on the treadmill is a big issue for me, but I think it's important to get some at least. I usually do 30 minutes of intervals on the bike and 15 on the treadmill. I'm back to doing an hour of yoga twice a week with a trainer and am just going back to strength training, which I'm planning on doing three times a week. I'm so, so stalled ... have only lost one pound in two weeks and going a little batty from that. Eager to start seeing the scale start moving again. CC

Lots of good company here. I'm seven weeks out (Dec. 27) and I've been stalled for a couple of weeks (again) Have lost 29 pounds since surgery though and I'm darn glad about that, and the weight loss seems to go in fits and spurts. I'll be the same, the same, the same ad nauseum, then one morning I'll get up and be five pounds down. Go figure. I think stepping up my exercise could have something to do with it. Plus, I'm having some issues with adding veggies and fruit back -- you don't want to know. But Proteins all seem to be good. SleeveDreamer, cutting carbs (and fruit) might just shake things loose. Couldn't hurt. I bought a sexy little top this week to wear for hubby. I would have never bought it at my high weight of 273, surgery weight of 256. But at 227, I'm starting to feel a little sexy again. It's getting there. Go folks, go!! CC

Wow Debbie ... I think you should post the name of the bariatric physician and hospital. Sounds like you've come out on the other side, but so sorry that happened to you. CC

My doc, Dr. Gregory Walton, said I could take showers immediately after surgery because the Durabond (glue) on my incisions would be OK. He said hold off for six weeks (tomorrow) on immersion like taking a bath, so they'd heal well before I did that. It's a matter of increasing the size of your scars I think. Maybe you could walk in the surf but keep from having incisions underwater for an extended period of time. Sounds like a great time!!! CC

Hey there Khy ... Here's the link. It's an awesome organization. Hope it works for you. http://www.dressforsuccess.org CC

Puja ... You can do this. You made the commitment to yourself to have weight loss surgery. You're going to be all right. As someone who knows lots about depression, you are probably going through a myriad of emotions right now. Your boyfriend left and naturally you're going to feel lonely. Be really careful about transfer additions because you're particularly vulnerable right now. Also realize that when you have alcohol, it lowers your serantonin (sp?) the next day, which can be a problem because you want to feel better and you may drink the next day and then you get caught in the endless loop of drinking, less serantonin, drinking again. And all those calories are empty. You have lots of body adjustments still to make too. Hang in there Puja. xoxoxoxCC

I have been moving out of a rental house my family owns and into my recently renovated airplane bungalow, and moved the rest of my clothes today. So fun to have a "soft" move for the first time in my life. I kept most of my "skinny" clothes and it's amazing to look at them, realizing that some are at least 20 years old, and many of them are classic enough that I'll be able to get back into them one of these days. I guess being the perennial dieter, I always thought I could do it myself. But after dozens of efforts, I finally gave up and was happily sleeved Dec. 27. I put all my clothes that were size 16 and above (up to 2x) in my regular master bedroom closet, and everything size 14 and below that weren't totally out of style in a secondary closet in another room. I think I'll be happy to get rid of everything, even tailored business suits when I'm out of them. My plan is to give the good stuff to Dress for Success, which helps low-income women who are going on job interviews present themselves in a professional manner. I know they get tons of donations in smaller sizes, so I'm thinking they'll be particularly happy to get some donations in larger sizes. I'll be happy to think about giving a less fortunate woman a leg up, so to speak. CC

Sunny: I was sleeved Dec. 27 and had similar sleeping problems even though I sleep with a CPAP for my sleep apnea. I'd wake up sometime during the night and be awake often for hours. It does get better. I'm sleeping great now and hardly ever have to get up. One of the things I did was get my liquids in early. I drink a 32 oz. Powerade Zero before Breakfast every morning and then the other two 16+ oz. drinks in the afternoon. That way, I don't have to worry so much about needing to hit the bathroom overnight, which takes away another thing that can wake you up. I also wonder if sleeplessness has anything to do with the Vitamins you're taking after early on. I know that vitamins can keep you up if you take them very late. Hope that helps. CC

Wow ... such impressive losses. I'm down 25 pounds since my surgery Dec. 27, 42 pounds total (need to update ticker,) and I'm not sure about the sizes. Probably about two? Hooray!!!