K33

Saw my hair dresser today who suggested I massage my scalp to keep the blood flowing that it help fragile hair stay put.

Some days I cannot face another Protein based meal. I keep lots of choices in my refrigerator, but they all look bad to me on occasion. Today was one of those type of days. So after dinner I treated myself to an ice cream sandwich, minus the sandwich. I ate slowly and savored every bite of vanilla ice cream as if I have never tasted it before. My tummy felt much better and more settled after the ice cream. The trap for me is that sometimes I wake up in the morning with a sugar hangover. The headache is useful because it tells me which food I ate the day before I cannot tolerate. I had the sleeve 2 mos ago.

I have been on protonix acid reducers since surgery. My surgeon said hoarseness usually resolves by 6 weeks.

Anyone have a hoarse or weakened voice PO?

Diet Snapple Acai fruit drink

Perhaps a planned after work out Protein drink would hold off the hunger until dinner

Regarding snack foods, manufacturers spend tons of money to create foods with just the right combo of salt, fat,

and sugar to keep you coming back for more

And it works

I am 62, 5'3, weighed 214 at surgery on Aug 5th. I've released 16 # in 24 days Averaging 4# a week. Since I am still on purees, I won't expect more than 4# per week going forward w/o exercise

I'm still somewhat fatigued (like walking against a strong wind with 50# boots on.) Looking forward to 6th week when I've heard energy returns

I will probably say, " Don't worry. My physician is keeping a close eye on my weight and me." Then change the subject

Unjury chicken broth has 20 grams of Protein & is yummy. Check online.

In the SF Bay Area, we have Peet's Decaf espresso and French, and Blue Bottle, sometimes Water rinsed decaf, too. Check the net!

Gaia brand just released their new liquid Iron. I doubted the clerk who said it tastes good until I tasted it. Kinda like berry + raisin flavored liquid. I was pleasantly pleased.

Kaj, On my program staff's advice, my Wellbutrin was changed from extended release to regular. Same for Effexor XR. But Effexor tastes as bad as liquid codeine (tho it's a tablet).

I am evaluating which of my pieces is worth altering to avoid a huge wardrobe investment until I reach goal. It was said to me I could lose one size per month, but to save $ for undergarments, not clothes. So I pulled out my sewing machine and will start with the easiest alterations in my opinion : pants and slacks. I'll let you know how it goes.

I'm always thirsty probably cuz of my other Meds and could chug over 100 oz per day pre-op. Two tricks: SF Popsicles and Ice cubes.

Some folks freeze crystal light for oce

drink

Surgery and recovery going well. One week out, eating liquids. When I re-read my nervous post, I couldn't believe it was me! Everything turned out much better than I anticipated.

I am 62 and had my surgery a week ago. I needed a little coaxing the day of. My recovery is going well. I asked for enough anti nausea and pain Meds so that I was walking around the unit within 4 to 6 hrs (narcotics blurred my memory). I amped up my walking 2 weeks prior to my date and think it helped. Not one post op person I know said they had regrets and this gave me comfort to take the leap. And that boosts my feelings about myself.

Kaj , how is your recovery going? I was sleeved the same day as you.

You are correct. My MD said not to even think of weighing myself for one week!

Acupuncture.

Again, I appreciate your calm approach! I've told 2 more people and both were very happy for me. The unspoken thought, "Yes, you are fat and I worry about you."

I'm going to have someone clean my house this week so I will be ready for some R&R. A friend I love and trust will take me and another friend I love and trust is checking into her availability to pick me up. Breathing much better the more goals I scratch off my list.

Daydra, Ah, a voice of reason and sanity! I'm making myself insane! Huddling under the covers today. Feel trapped in a fat body yet feel trapped by fear as well. I keep praying for the "light bulb moment" when it all becomes clear. I do not think I can stay on the pre-op diet of 1200 for another 4 months successfully. I wonder if that means I won't be successful after surgery when the nerves in my stomach are cut and I won't be hungry? Or, is pre-op hunger different from post-op hunger? I've been working at this since March 2012 and still have doubts.

Today I had the idea of looking at my finances, making some phone calls to clients to see if I can book them next week, check my savings account and my expenses through September. Then set the intention for the clients to find me. I am a mess today LOL

Post Script: I spoke to my sister-in-law at length, answered her questions and concerns about the surgery, and was moved to hear would would try to arrange a trip up from LA to see me after surgery. The pieces are coming together and I am feeling more centered!!!

My date is August 5th and I am getting scared. I am self employed so I have no vacation pay to fall back on. Even without taking 7 to 10 days off in August, August was going to be an extremely tight month for me. My work includes sitting for about 10 hours per week tutoring so I am hoping I can go back after 1 week. I am 62. For a minute I thought about having the surgery in December instead when schools are out anyway. Maybe it is just an excuse to chicken out. When I was waiting for a green light in order to cross the street yesterday, the computerized signal kept repeating " wait wait wait." or maybe it was "weight weight weight "

If you do not tell your family, or many friends, who drives you to the hospital and waits for you while you are in surgery? And who drove you home?

I was ignorant about weight loss surgery too. I probably would have had the same reaction as my family who wants to talk me out of it. That is why I only gave them two weeks notice. Unfortunately, they live 500 miles away I did not insist they come up to help me. Now I am in a quandry who will take me to the hospital and wait for me to come out of surgery. Perhaps I will give the surgeon my brothers phone number so he can call when I come out. Do you think I should still put him down as durable power of attorney. I am inclined to think yes. I confess to feeling guilty that I did not include him from the beginning. I told my sister in law that I would answer her questions tomorrow. She thinks it is a life threatening operation and that the hospital will discharge me too soon. *sigh*

I lost 50# once and gained back 90#.

If we share that experience, then we are in the same playing field. Otherwise, their history of dieting is akin to playing T-Ball, while I am playing in the World Series.

To be fair, both methods of weight loss have sacrifices, WLS has its own type of sacrifice. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.