4ALongerLife

It is probably head hunger but might be stomach acid. I believe I had it too, I called it ghost pains (head hunger in reminiscence lol). Ask your dr. about PPIs (like pepcid) if you aren't already taking one. Cheri suggested it to me and it helped! And for what you are eating, you probably DO need 4 to 5 mini meals. Seems like early on, I couldn't eat much at once so I was eating more frequently. Just be careful because this is NOT a behavior you want to continue once you progress into solids.

I am LOVING the Wylers brand sugar free sleeves but my fav kind is "cherry limeade." Of all places, I found it at Family Dollar as I went on a wild goose chase for those crystal light mocktini's that I read on another thread. They didn't have them there, but thank God I tried this kind - and I LOVE IT. I'm up to 14 glasses of Water most days (and I hate water in all honesty). Hang in there girl - it gets easier in time. It's very frustrating in the beginning. And most Protein powders, to me, taste like a monkey's butt. Sorry... I know you have to have them in the beginning, but.... I did like the power pak pudidngs at GNC/Vitamin Shoppe, but in chocolate. Vit Shoppe has a refrig section where you can try before you buy and save your receipts and you can bring back w/in so many days (even opened containers).

I work out daily (except Sundays) and usually do an hour on the elliptical or the stair monster, as I affectionally call the basturd. lol. I have been eating 700-900 calories; however, last week, I have noticed an uptick in my calories. My job is changing and change in life for me is a stress and equates a trigger. Wish it wasn't because change is inevitable, but... it's where I'm at now. So at most I go to 1300 but usually 1000 to 1100. I feel like my body does better at 800 ish whenever I'm trying to lose weight. Probably 1300-1500 if and when I get to maintenance, but I totally give myself the option to change that as I am a woman (and that's what we seem to do, lol) and IDK because I've never stayed in maintenance long enough and concentrated on my caloric intake long term to know. I was a self pay, so I don't have a NUT. So please note, I am probably like the "blind leading the blind" writing a response, but here you go for my two cents. Please don't attempt to spend it elsewhere lol. Simply said.... DO focus on Protein, exercise and Water. Continually challenge yourself with your workouts, vary what you eat but focus on protein intake first and Clear liquids in between meals. The rest? It just seems to fall into place.

Yep, it's hard to tell the "intent" or the "voice" of the written word sometimes. I remember how hard it is to think straight on the preop diet. And I thankfully only did mine for a weekend before surgery. I can't fathom 5 whole days w/o food then smelling hamburgers. I don't miss them now, but I also can be satisfied on 700 to 900 calories a day. OMG I used to watch those makeover shows and every single person they'd put on there were restricted to 1200 calories. I remember thinking OMG I would die if I did that. Ain't life funny how quickly it can change? You'll have a few moments where you have to stop and think. Ordering in a restaurant after surgery is still one for me (5 months out, 6 next month) even! It's a learning experience this WL journey... some good, some bad, but we've all been there, done that! (or pretty much)

hey.. make SURE you see what i just posted for you. there are some threads on here where you just have to ignore words/expressed thoughts. ah, so is life. no worries ok?

Kimberlee, if your surgery is that close, part of what you are feeling is fear. Does any of this sound familiar to the voices going on in your head: Am I doing the right thing.. omg I'm scared... what if this happens... what if this doesn't happen.... what about my love for food, how is that going to change. C'mon EVERYONE.. give the girl a break. We can all say that was a bratty moment if that's the wording you wish to use, but stop raking her over the coals. I know my arse has had quite a few of such moments.... especially right before surgery and especially whenever I've lost so much weight too fast and my body hasn't realized it and is making wayyyy too much estrogen. So here's what I got for you! What you are feeling.. it's NORMAL. I believe these co-workers can probably understand some of that too if you are close like you said you are, so they surely blew it off. All I can do is this - encourage you. Please do NOT worry too much... your surgery and recovery will go fine. Just FOLLOW THE DR'S ORDERS. Do not rely on this board to give you all the right answers or directions. All of our dr's are different in some sort or fashion in the diets they use, views they express but they are the ones that know best (due to experience and years in medical school). What I can provide for you is this - if you ever need a friend, pls know you have one right here in Dallas, TX. (You can always reach out to me if needed.) Remember this mantra - you will need it for the next several weeks: THIS TOO SHALL PASS. Reach into your depths of emotion and find your inner strength ... this journey will make you find it, several times. It IS NOT easy. It IS NOT a magic wand. But one thing you have to remember - rejoice that you have the blessed opportunity to change your life because THIS WILL change your life. So no fears my dear ...... just hope. You got me? Prayers and blessings wished for you as I wrote every single long winded word (and continue to do so) .... hang in there! xx

My hospital has mugs that they give patients, I asked for extra ones before I left... but you can buy them I think as well at their gift shops. They are 28 oz.s so I do that 4 times a day.

I think because you are on the pre-op diet, you feel more emotional and frustrated than you would normally. After surgery, after you return to work, you are going to have many more times and experiences such as this one. It is a learning experience (plural, as several more experiences are sure to come) for sure! You'll be surprised several times too about ppl that you think are your friends and how they will change due to your weight loss. And your own changes are going to be so many. Every day my head still has much more work to do than any amount of weight loss. Hang in there! It has only just begun.....

I pray every day that I have the strength to be where you are. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and words as well as time - it is inspirational!

grr how do you attach on here? i've got old and new ones in my acct actually. i can tell the diff in my face fo sho! (89 lbs and counting down! woo hoo!)

I had a HUGE appetite prior to surgery. I am 5 months (almost 6) out now. I still get hungry, but cannot do that much as my tummy hurts if I push my limit. So I choose to stop prior to that, trying to listen to my body telling me, so that I am redoing my "cues"... eating "mindfully" as my health behaviorist says. I don't always do well, but I am trying. I still get hungry though, fyi.

from carbs to crack? wth? um, i'd HIGHLY suggest a new psych. this one sounds a tad cukoo to me.

Ok so I have a bachelors and masters in social work of all things. I wanted to be a counselor in the long run and it was interesting course work, as well as I was young and wanted to "make the world a better place" blah blah. That being said... there are MANY people who go into such professions or career paths to FIX themselves. They have issues. (hmm, is applicable to me as i am in the category); however, I digress.... the point is... what do YOU want? ok, what i think i know on bypass: you are supposed to lose more weight with it if you are significantly overweight (not that i'm saying you are! just clarifying... but i think this is questionable and to be determined as there hasn't been enough research yet on VSG/aka sleeve at this time); however, you have dumping issues, malabsorption issues and from the latest thing i read on something here, if you don't make the stomach smaller, will you in the long run eat less with bypass (that they also refer to as RNY)? sleeve doesn't have malabsorption issues (you have to take a Multivitamin and Calcium citrates after surgery, then i also take Biotin as you will lose some hair, you will... just know and accept it). sleeve's biggest complications that i know of are leaks (which i had and it sucks but... it's over). i can eat anything that i want, i just eat much much less..... i have seen some people have gallbladder issues after surgery, some that have sever heartburn. i don't know the percentages on it, but know these are drawbacks that have existed and been experienced by others. hmm what else.... ok so if any of this is inaccurate, politely tell me so. that's what i recall in my rushed reply. and i believe you should tune in to YOUR VOICE. what do you want? listen to that, know your wants are VALID and fight for what you want. i believe so many of us overweight persons have learned to no longer believe in ourselves, to invalidate our wants/needs which is such an easy message we get from every facet in this world... and that's one of the biggest things in this journey i'm learning to be confident in. listening to what i want and knowing that it's ok. and that i'm totally f'n worth it. just know that you probably have a food addiction. i know i do and it's one ugly beast to get rid of. but the sleeve, to me, is a great tool to help fight it. sorry for my rambling... wish you only the best! xx

I have to say, 5 months out, I still struggle with telling people sometimes. Yes, mostly now I don't care, but who's business is it what I've done? I would not encourage any false stories though like hiatial hernia repair or gall bladder surgery because IF you do eventually decide to be honest with everyone, it taints your integrity. People may wonder what other false things you have said. Not that it matters, but..... Just say you are changing your eating habits (and working out, if that is the case). It's not a lie because WLS won't get you entirely to your goal.... so I'd encourage you to say something more along the lines of that. Best of luck!

Girl, so sorry on your experience. Did your dr. not tell you to get something like Mirolax then? With such a high protein diet, and lack of fiber, you need something to "keep it moving." About every 3 days, if you don't go void on your own, take a capful of Mirolax (it looks like white sand, you mix it in a drink and it doesn't taste). By the next day, things usually move along. Just a suggestion! Glad something else wasn't wrong. But why in the world doesn't the ER know more about sleeve? That's the scary part to me.....

OMG you go girl! You look STUNNING!

I am currently "addicted" to Wyler's SF Cherry Limeade add ins (the little sleeves like crystal light) for Water. I buy them at Family Dollar. That flavor and the Wyler's SF strawberry Lemondae are awesome! My prevous fav was SF Cherry Pomegrante by Crystal Light. I've not done the cucumbers and stuff in water yet. I know years ago at weight watchers, a leader suggested freezing fruit in ice cube trays and add a few to your water each day. It's another refreshing treat. And anything to help me get in my water (I just hate it plain in honesty!). Best of luck!

I'm a big proponent of exercising, always was. I have been working out (on a consistent basis) for the past 10 or 12 years. Yes, even at my biggest. Go figure. I remember whenever I started the elliptical, I could not do 3 minutes without being winded. I thought I would never get through it. Now fast forward to today, I do 60 mins on the ellpitical 3 days a week (Mon, Wed, Fri) and then I do the stair master the other days (Tues, Thurs, Sat) with Sundays off. The point is... DO work your way up. Any one CAN do this. And please, do NOT be "scared" of the gym. Yeah it can be a bunch of meat heads, or there are some rather nice people there, depends on your decided perception. But I can tell you, for the most part, no one pays any attention to what I'm doing, what I look like or anything like that. And the point is, I don't care who does (not anymore). As Nike's slogan says, JUST DO IT! I went back to exercising as soon as possible after surgery (but mind you, at 254 in feb I was doing 4-5 miles a day on the elliptical or the treadmill). I believe that everyone should do SOMETHING every day. If you eat, you should exercise, even if only 10 minutes at a time - try doing it 3 times a day for 10 minutes. I started a support group that meets weekly and the psychiatrist/health behaviorist that leads the group told us that to lose weight, you have to do 60 to 90 minutes of cardio and if you wish to maintain, it's 30 to 45 minutes of cardio, I believe. So I've slacked on weights due to this and am focusing on that 60 to 90 as I'm working on cardio endurance now. Even with all of my years working out, this task was daunting, I totally admit it. But slowly, increasing my workouts by 7 minutes for a week, 10 minutes the next, 15 the next... I'm finally at 60 minutes. Mind you, I totally admit that my brain is SCREAMING at me on the stair monster days (happens about 20 or so minutes into a 45+ mintue routine on the thing)..... but... I AM doing it.... I just tell myself "do 2 more minutes" then I get there and say "ok 30 seconds more" and I make it a mind game or a challenge to myself. KNOW this - if I can do it, YOU can too. It's just a decision to make, it's believing in yourself, making small goals & being consistent. Oh and have a trusty mp3. Music is my motivator as well! Best luck to everyone! And thanks for your posts. I always learn something here. xx

Hey Dee and all! I am not 85 or so lbs. down. I am currently on a 5 lb slide up and down depending on time of the day that I weigh. Trying to figure out how to continue my weight loss. Sometimes, I get discouraged in that ppl that have lost as much weight are smaller sizes than me (same height, but grr they are smaller) but instead I try to focus on my progress and not theirs. I weigh approximately 170 (167 on a good time of the day, 171 at the end of the day sometimes) and hope to get to at least 150. I'm a size 12 now, the smallest I've ever been, but some 10s are fitting. I hope to get to an 8, but that just feels "crazy." I have cleaned out my closets (15.5 hefty bags of clothes) and have been scared to 'chunk' them over to goodwill, but hubby did it last night. I am working out an hour at a time, trying to increase my cardio to even more to get further burn and increase my weight loss. I am 5 months out (hoping to beat the last 20 lbs off before the 6 month mark as I have heard that's a stall time). And yes, I DO love my sleeve. Through all of the complications experienced, I have never been this small and it blows my mind. THIS time (I pray) IS different. Scared I will fall into old habits at times, but hopeful that I am making better habits now that will overcome them. Hope you guys are doing wonderfully!

I've never used frozen cauliflower. I would guess it'd work too (would it be "mushier" or more "wet" tho, IDK).

I'm so sorry to read this. I am glad to know it's not a leak, but hope that your physician can prescribe something that will work to provide relief if the OTC's don't do it for you.

oh it's baked ricotta.... here's the recipe: Shelly's Baked Ricotta 8 oz of Ricotta cheese 1/2 cup grated Parmesan 1 large Egg, beaten 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning salt & pepper to taste 1/2 cup Marinara Sauce 1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella Cheese Mix ricotta cheese, parmesan, beaten egg, seasonings together and place in a oven proof dish. Pour marinara on top and top with mozzarella cheese. Bake it in the oven @ 450 for about 20-25 minutes (best) or nuke it till hot and bubbly. I usually made it first in the oven and heated the leftovers in the microwave

I had a leak. I don't know that you have one or not, but I agree ENTIRELY with GO TO THE E.R. Better to take care than not to. GO GO GO ok?

I still incorporate SOME veggies and even fruit into my diet. Heck you gotta "keep things moving" you know what I mean! OH and Joy - I also did miso Soup (I love it from a certain restaurant) ... it was supposed to be high in Protein. I'd have to look it up to know for sure, but if you get bored, that's another one to try. Also go to the world according to eggface and look in her recipes. She has one for ... oh what is it.... no bake lasagna or something. It's tomato sauce and ricotta I believe. I know those soft phases and such can be boring, but it won't last that long. I swear!

Hey Lacie, Your post resonated with me. I currently am at 169.5 (woo hoo), the smallest EVER. But girl, shoot I wish I was a size 8. You rock! My highest was 254 lbs, I was sleeved 5 months ago on 8/5. I went to see a psychiatrist recently as he has a bariatric support group. He asked me this question "if I had a magic wand and could wave it over you... what would it do?" Like what's your heart's wish or wishes? Mine had nothing more to do with weight. The heart's desire can't be met from weight or losing it, it doesn't entirely equate happiness. The point? Yeah I want to get to 150 but if I live where I'm at, honestly? I'm ok with it. I am a size 12 now and that's the smallest I've ever been (ok personal goal still would be to get to my "dream" size of an 8, but do I think I'll live there? no... but.... IDK). The point of my rambling post is this - are you happy? If so, then revel in it and enjoy it. If you want to lose 10 more lbs., do so. But don't hang onto the scale like before. Yes, be mindful, keep good habits (i.e. Water, Protein, logging your food, weighing once a week, exercising, finding new recipes, challenging yourself physically, etc) but just enjoy LIVING life. You look fabulous! Best to you! ps and btw, I've lost 85 lbs. and am "only" at a size 12. To some, I'm sure that's "still" too big, but whatever. It's not about them.