mambomama

Hello everyone, Just checking in for an update. I was sleeved by Murayama in Philly on March 1. I have been doing well with one minor complication of a hematoma under my largest incision that caused a scare 10 days after the surgery. All is well now. Now that three weeks have past, I have lost 13 pounds, which could be discouraging if I look at everyone else's numbers. I have always been a very slow loser and the reason I had surgery in the first place was because I hit a plateau after losing 50 pounds (it took me 18 months to lose it from 282). I then gained 20 pounds back over the next year and was so desparate and stressed over it. So, I am thrilled to be down even 13 and while I am impatient, I am trying to look at the big picture and follow the plan. I am on puree and will advance to soft on Sunday. Yesterday I had my first vomiting after drinking a Protein Shake (go figure). I am not a fan of the shakes, but still include them so I can get in my Protein. I have a hard time getting in over 700 calories in a day--are there any others with this same experience. I only recently started calculating calories on the program I use to enter my food intake. I honestly don't know how I can get in more food in a day between drinking Water, taking Vitamins, getting protein and waiting the 30 minutes between drinking and eating! So excited though!!! I wish you all the best and am so thankful to have you all here. I was afraid that after having surgery, I would be useless in helping others on their journey since I "cheated" and had surgery, but I am finding this the opposite. My honesty in telling others that I had surgery, helps me and is having a positive impact on others who are suffering with obesity. So far 2 of my friends are heading towards surgery because of my story. I am glad I decided to tell people and not be afraid of the naysayers (all except my inlaws!--LOL)

Hello, I just wanted to send you some encouragement. For one thing, the goal of the preop diet is to get your liver as small as possible. There is a huge range of pre-op diets, including no diet at all. In my case, my surgeon does not recommend a Full-liquid diet, but a 1000 calorie diet for two weeks. I too found it challenging at times to stay on the diet (I gave an oscar party in my home during those 2 weeks and I cooked and offered lots of higher calorie foods). I did the best I could do and was thankful I could eat solids! In addition, I struggled with the medically-supervised 3 months before the diet because I had just come off of losing 50 pounds the previous year and it took me over a year to lose the 50 pounds on a medically-supervised diet--i am a very slow loser thanks to Hypothyroidism, PCOS, diabetes and Lipomatosis. I was at a plateau for almost a year and really struggling when I went to the surgeon for the surgery. That pre-op period was one of the most unhappy times in my life! I gained over the holidays (preop November, December and January) and really in the end maintained instead of lost. I think my previous success is what helped get me approved--after all I was going to the surgeon because I had hit the plateau and could not lose anymore. I even went to a weight loss spa last summer and did not lose! So, just take heart and do your best. You have lost weight which is the goal of the diet! I am now 2 and 1/2 week post op and I have lost 11 pounds. I am thrilled! While I won't win any weight loss races, I am going the slow and steady route. The surgery is a tool that forces you to learn to eat slower, eat less and be more mindful in your eating. I am thrilled with this tool I really need! I wish you the best!

You look wonderful! Congratulations and thanks for sharing! It is an inspiration to all of us!

Hello and thanks for the note! I hope you are well. I have done well post-op. Today is 2 weeks and although I have only lost 10 pounds (which is little compared to the average I am told), I am happy. I feel great, with little pain. I have one complication with a hematoma (old blood pooling) under my incision. I go to the surgeon tomorrow to hopefully get it fixed. It has been draining since Sunday which means antibiotics and dressings etc. I am on a pureed diet and tolerating it well but find it a challenge to get all my protein. So far I have managed the 60 grams just barely almost every day. The fluid for me is easier because I sip all day. Let me know how you are doing! I will be praying for a great experience and quick recovery! Sincerely, Nancy (mambomama)

My surgery was March 1st in Philadelphia and I am now home recovering well. I have been able to take walks outside and manage without much pain medication. It takes most of my time trying to manage my fluid and protein intake, but the food is staying down without nausea or too much discomfort. I am very thankful and when I woke up I had the most glorious feeling of being alive and having survived! Soon I will get my before pics and start working on the after pics. Can't wait!

So good to see another person having surgery tomorrow. I too am having surgery and my arrival time at the hospital is 9:30am. I will post more when I return, but I wanted to mention that some of the very same thoughts are going through my head. I will be praying for you too as I head into this new venture with peace, hope, a sense of adventure and yes some fears. Will I survive? Will I have a leak? Will I be able to go back to teach in 2 weeks? Will I fail after all this is done? My friend yesterday said to me that this is like the birth of my first child. One moment I am changed completely and I will need to re-learn a lot of things about life--in this case eating and living. So I will take it one step at a time--baby steps with the hope of a healthier future! I wish the same for you!

Hello all, My surgery date is March 1 and I have so many feelings about this! excitement, fear, sadness I did not do it without surgery and most of all hope! Hope all you Jersey girls and guys are well!

Loved the Psalm 91 quote. It too struggle with the my time with God. I jump out of bed and go, go and go. I struggle with Self-reliance and this is an area where I am completely not able to control myself. So, finally I am surrendering to this surgery. I am calling it His "Severe Mercy" toward me. I lost 50 pounds and am struggling a lot to keep it off. I hit a wall, and now see the pounds creeping back. I had never lost more than 20 pounds prior to this attempt. Unfortunately, my body needs a lot more weight off and I feel at peace with my decision to surrender my own desire to do it on my own (with God's help) and accept this tool to help me become healthier and improve my "temple". Glad you are all there wherever you are.

Hello all you March Sleevers, My surgery date will be March 1st and I am just getting acquainted with this forum. I am excited and nervous and a bit afraid of failure all in one. I have both positive support from friends as well as the naysayers. It seems so many people want to tell me the "Horror" stories of their "friends". Don't they realize what that negativity can do to someone with a date set and their mind made up? It is not like we decided this overnight! I am keeping this s secret from some (family and friends far away) and others on an as needed basis. I would like to keep it a secret to everyone, but that is not fair to those who are struggling with their weight. I can't with integrity look someone in the eye who is struggling and make them think I did this without surgery. So, I must swallow my pride and share my story as needed. Hope you all are well and enjoying the journey. I am busy organizing me house...how silly is that?

I hope you are on the mend soon. I said a prayer for you today...

As I am starting this blog, I feel like I am beginning in the middle of a long journey that it took to get here in the first place. Since Childhood, I have struggled with my weight, and rarely has a day gone by where my weight was not at the forefront of my thinking. While some may see bariatric surgery a prison where they can never eat like before, I see it as an opportunity to break free from the burden of my weight issues. I am very "HOPEFULL" as I prepare for surgery. Please excuse my ramblings below as I reflect on the early years of my journey... I was born and reared in a remote rain forest/ jungle of South America and one of my memories is that I was the only overweight child in the jungle. My parents and paternal grandparents were also overweight which was also extremely rare. We had little access to refined sugar, sodas and candy. Moreover, my mother did not allow much junk food anyway. Some of my earliest memories are of my mother counting out her peanuts as she was attempting to lose weight (only 12 peanuts allowed). We lived most of the time beside a large tributary of the Amazon that was accessible by sea plane or a long river trip (sometimes 2 weeks on the windy dangerous river). Now, I realize how amazing it was to have that experience and I treasure the memories. I also remember that my mother put me on my first diet there by age 10. I worked hard and started jogging, and eventually lost a little weight to near normal for my age (now it would not be seen that overweight compared to so many obese children). After almost 11 wonderful years in the jungle, I moved to the United States. For three months we visited friends and relatives in the midwest, south and eastern USA. In those three months, I was offered a lot of goodies which was impossible for me to refuse (feeling obligated, wanting to try new delicious foods, plus having a sweet tooth). By the time we settled in South Florida, I had gained nearly 30 pounds. The timing was bad as I was nearing puberty when the body normally gains 5-7 pounds. I quickly went from slightly overweight to nearly obese by age 11. It was not a happy time for me as I missed my home in the jungle, and I felt very out of place in South Florida where girls my age aspired to be tanned (I have very fair skin) and slim hips (which mine weren't)! In addition, my father was dying. He had brain cancer and needed close medical attention, but after all we did to move the USA, they could do nothing but watch him slowly die. More to come!