lizzyshade

Hi Chimera, yes they did notice! Almost everyone has said something good about it. I'm glad I was very up front about what I was doing, so at least I don't have to explain it all after the fact. I'm glad you have the time off to really learn this new way of life we have now. Your co-workers will notice and I hope it's great for you! Lizzy

Thanks everyone! I love the support here!

That's a good plan, I was told to branch out to soft foods last week and it has been an experience. The best results I've had so far are soft boiled eggs. Getting kind of old though, but at least they don't make me sick. I'm sure it will get better in time. Best to you!

I attend al-Anon and am also working through the steps. I struggle with an addiction personality also, food was my safe choice. However as my weight increased my health became an issue, so I am trying to overcome my head hunger while using my sleeve tool. It has not been easy so far, not so much the food choices because I am a lucky recipient of dumping syndrome, but because I am nauseated most of the time. However I am only 5 wks out so as my body finds equilibrium my choices will be a major factor in my success. Hopefully the steps will help us both!

I'm 1 month out today and have lost 16 lbs. I did not lose any during week 2 & 3, but then it started coming off again. I've had to quit checking the scale everyday because I get upset when the number goes up and down. The best thing so far is that my clothes are fitting better and I even wore a shirt I couldn't a month ago. We are all so different, so our time frame for losing weight may not match other's, but we will lose it and it's going to be great! Other food ideas: Eggs go down easy for me. Take 1 slice thin lunch meat, spread guacamole or fat free cream cheese then roll it up, perfect portion. Also 1.5 oz of salad baby shrimp, add cocktail sauce & a bit of cream cheese, blend together and it's good protein, soft to chew and get down. Other than that my list is the same as yours. I started walking last week and that has actually helped me feel better. We'll work on being positive together!

Congratulations, way to go!

I'm so excited for you! This is a big step, but worth it.

I did not use any of the items I brought with me in the hospital, except the clothes to wear home. Hospital provides, basic care supplies and you will most likely just want to sleep or rest. Some suggested a notebook & pen for notes or journal, gas x strips, and ear plugs. The one thing I did not have when I got home was an old fashion night gown with no waist. My husband went & got 2 for me and that saved me! Couldn't handle anything around my waist for a week. Everyone is different though, but at least make sure you have comfy pants and tops for the first few weeks. Also I wouldn't leave the hospital without a prescription for nausea that dissolves under you tongue. Be prepared for an emotional ride the first 2 to 3 weeks, they feel like a roller-coaster, but it does get better as you heal and become more mobile. Make sure you have little 1 and 2 oz containers and cocktail size utensils at home. Also Lipton cup cream of chicken soup and chicken stock (not broth) to make it with, it adds protein and goes down well. It's a nice change from protein shakes also. You should read frequently asked questions in the pre-op forum section too. I've learned since my sleeve a month ago, that the only thing that has changed is the size of my stomach. It doesn't change food craving, choice of food we eat, what food triggers we have, our habits, or how much we exercise. We get full fast and that helps, will lose some weight no matter what, but all the rest we still have to work towards changing ourselves. We can do it though! I wish you all the best in your journey.

No, I'm not, probably another 2 weeks for me. My surgery was 5/22 and I had some complications after that have kept me home. Things are getting better, but it's a slow progression for me. I was on a milk & protein powder diet for 21 days prior to surgery. It's hard but you can do it. Great luck to you!

It's not weird, this is a long journey and you have dreams attached to it that make this a very important decision. Heart attacks are scary, but you did not actually experience the trauma of it, so it probably seems unreal. I pray you are healthy enough to have the surgery on time and that it will be a great success!

I'm on short term disability and it has been great. I did it backwards though, used my PTO for two weeks, had some complications and then applied for it. Doing it before-hand would have been much better. I have six weeks off if I need them and if I go back part time, they will cover the other half while I work my way back to full-time. It is a great relief of my mind too, I am protected at work, still have an income, and just have to focus on getting well and strong. I'd recommend you plan for 3 weeks, so you will be on puree and feeling stronger. You can always go back early if 2 is enough for you. Good luck!

A great inspiration, thanks for sharing. Congratulations on your success so far!

It helps to read your replies and not feel so alone. Thank you so much for your support! I know in the long run this will all be worth it. I will make an effort to be more active too, maybe that is the key. I have always been on the go, so this slow trail is driving me crazy. Thanks again for your encouragement, it makes a difference.

You are a great inspiration, congratulations on your success. I'm 17 days post-op and there has not been a day that has been easy yet. I keep telling myself it will be worth it in the end, so I look for stories like yours to keep me focused on the end game! Thanks and way to go!

I'm a list person too, in making mine it helps me feel organized and that helps me feel more in control. Having this surgery is a very out of control feeling all the way through. I am 17 days post-op and still it is a roller-coaster ride. Keep your lists because it is a great outlet for us, but after written try to let the worry about them go. I'm excited for you and hope everything goes quickly and well!

Love your name mizzliz thanks

Thank you!

Great post, I'm so excited for you! Changing sizes is a very emotional thing. Looking forward and nervous about that day myself. I like your idea of altering sizes though, I will look into the costs involved. Thanks for the great example and congratulations!

It's actually 11 days out now and although I too am on liquids, my doctor did say I can have anything that will go through a straw (just not actually use the straw) so I have had some very thin cream of wheat and potato soup. I'm having some digestive issues so I stopped even that, but my doctor said that if I felt ok after then I could continue to progress from very thin to puree.

Hi Leaha, I also had the sleeve on the 22nd and understand what you are saying. I have haven't been over-eating or even snacking because I almost always get diarrhea after I do eat and sometimes even after the shakes. I hope this physical learning curve is over soon, it seems a bit different for us all.

One of the things I think you are describing is what I call Head Hungry, thinking about food, picturing it, tasting it, smelling it, the experience of it. Then the reality of food for us now, is nothing compared to our imagination. But that's why we are doing this, to learn new control, new habits. This sleeve tool will allow us to lose weight, while gaining time to make our new way of (eating)life so normal that we never gain the weight back. That's what I'm reminding myself today anyway, everyday seems hard so far, but there is no going back. Don't worry about the number of lbs lost yet or clothing size, just concentrate on nutrition intake, the rest will come. It just has too!

Congrats, it feels great to get that date!

I'm struggling with food intake too. I even already experienced dumping yesterday after a protein shake. Sucked, made me nervous to put anything in my mouth again. That was supposed to be the safe choice. Last night I was feeling weak and decided to try some thin cream of wheat made with milk, it went down well and today I skipped the protein drink an ate a half of an egg mushed with a tsp of cheese and it went down well. Seems each day is different with a new challenge to face or experience to learn. Hang in there CCLady, I hope you find what works for you. I'm sending up positive energy for you today.

I agree with all the encouragement here. I'm also glad you, I, and other's have this space to vent on days that we feel so very low, as well as our triumphant ones. I'm a new sleever, tomorrow is one week post-op and I too feel up and down everyday so far. I know one day I will believe this was a great choice and since reading here, I also know there will be days ahead that I will question it over and over. Keep sharing with us, even the really bad stuff, this is our safe place to say anything while going through this. I hope your family life, home situation, and current stall finds a solution you will be at peace about! Take care of yourself, and vent here anytime, knowing someone here is feeling it with you! Together we are stronger!

Reading this was great timing today, I'm 4 days out after sleeve and having a lot of doubts, too late, but there anyway. Thanks for the "checks", gives me hope!

Thank you all for your thoughts! I am doing better tonight, still in pain because I decided if the pain meds were making me sick, why take them, lol seems like a no-brain-er... but you know the pain I'm talking about. Anyway I am dealing with it with just children's Tylenol and I'm going to make it. No more diarrhea, thank God! I have been keeping clear fluids down and you are right, will worry about protein when the rest gets easier. I talked with the doctor and they said there wasn't much else they could do, I'm allergic to codeine too. I also had a hiatal hernia repaired and post splenectomy scar tissue removed during surgery, so they said that is adding to my discomfort. I hope you all recover fast and that we all get through these days of doubts. It's good to have your support, know you have mine!

Good news is I'm down 24 lbs since May 1st, will concentrate on that. Liz

I think try is a good word. Fluids most important with as much protein as possible. Even some is good at this point. Good luck