~Sea

I understand that everyone has different reasons for needing weight loss surgery. We also all have very different problems and triggers. In my case, I am a very A Type personality who lives in a world of black and white. This surgery (and some therapy) is helping me find the grey areas. I am not saying it is easy. I struggle with lack of "perfection" in the things I do every day. However, I think I am doing this in the most healthy way possible. Some of the people that I have seen and spoken to scare me. I asked my NUT yesterday how our bodies respond any different than that of an anorexic. I have asked her this question 3 times and she doesn't like it because she cannot answer it. Yes, we do not have the same mental issues to deal with, but our bodies have been anatomically altered, not physiologically. Due to this, I find that it concerns me when people who can only get in 700-800 calories a day workout so hard that they are running in the negative. Again, I ask my NUT how this can be healthy. Our bodies need both nutrients and calories to function properly. While I understand that our bodies will force us to function at a deficit, how do you sit there and tell people that it is okay to have a daily net that is negative? Calories are how we get energy. I don't mean empty chocolatey calories, I am talking about making healthy choices. I do not understand how people can look me in the face and tell me that it won't have any effects. If someone was eating exactly how we are forced to without the surgery, people would tell them about Hair loss, amenorrhea, lower cognitive functioning etc. Yet, people can look me straight in the face and tell me it is ok for me because I am anatomically different now. Can someone please explain this to me? No one else has been able to, and I just am trying to wrap my head around this. Don't get me wrong. I understand the definite need for exercise. Unfortunately, so many people take on this surgery and don't realize they are treating it as though it is yet another one of their DIET attempts to lose weight. I hear about perfection, perfection. I won't ever touch a candy bar, ice cream, cookie, white carb etc. etc again. I completely understand that everyone has a trigger that they may need to avoid permanently, for me it is soda (which I can never have again), but I am talking about every single thing that may not be perfect for your health, but you enjoy. Also, I have seen a lot of people that seem to start off telling themselves "I will work out for an hour a day 6 days a week for the rest of my life" and take no consideration for life happening around them. Not only does this sound like a recipe for disaster, but to me, it just sounds like another diet. I chose this surgery because it is not a diet. As previously mentioned, I struggle for moderation not an all or nothing attitude. I may not have lost 50 lbs in my first month, but I feel as though I am making permanent changes that will serve me (and eventually get me to weight) in the long run. If I did great all week and I want a cookie, I might eat half a cookie (truth be told, I used to be a cookie monster but I don't really like them anymore, but you get the point). If I decide to take my son out for frozen yogurt one Friday, I don't feel guilty as I have made a huge lifestyle change. The choice of frozen yogurt over Baskin Robins is a huge step and I don't feel jilted. I won't sit and eat 16 oz anymore. I might have 4 and I feel satisfied. I have made a lot of friends that have also had this surgery. It really worries me that they treat it like another diet, they never give themselves a break and begin to disturbingly obsess about every single calorie they ingest (again, not saying you don't need to pay attention, but if you accidentally go 10 calories over, so what??). I feel that little changes add up quickly. Walking your child to and from school instead of driving, using your bike to make a run to the corner store, playing outside with the kids, swimming a couple laps while you are out sunbathing on the beach. I feel like I am running a lifelong marathon, not running a sprint to goal weight. It can be frustrating sometimes, watching those around me that had the surgery about the same time lose weight faster. However, I have no extra skin to contend with and I am certain that I am losing a lot of body fat, not just body weight. My struggle is to keep telling myself this. My struggle is to find a lifelong change that isn't necessarily as quick as I may like, but teaches me the moderation that in 32 years I never learned.

I would really ask your NUT how she expects you to meet your calorie and Protein goals without Protein Shakes. My dietitian and surgeon encourage eating only 3 meals per day with no actual Snacks between meals. They expect me to get all my fluids in between meals and include Protein Drinks in those fluids to get in 70-100 grams of protein & 800-1000 calories once I'm 12 weeks out.

I know this isn't about salad... But I'm really craving peanut butter.. I am 5 wks post op tmw- when did anyone else have?

I have several Bariactric family members and soon to be one myself. I was in church yesterday when I thought of this.
While taking communion at church, I realized that bariactric patients are the only people that can take communion and get full. LOL. I could be the only person who thinks its funny, but I had a big smile on my face during that part of the service and everybody else was looking all serious.

keep your chin up! I am also looking to be a "slow loser". I am 3 weeks out and I've only lost 4. At that rate I'll be at about 8 or 9 by the time I'm at 7 weeks. I wish I had words of wisdom or something to say to make it better but I don't. I'm a bit disappointed with my lack of loss so I now how you feel. Just know that you aren't the only "slow loser". Maybe this will be better for us this way--maybe our skin will have time to shrink with us losing slower. Maybe we won't lose our hair as much. there has to be some hidden blessing!

Congrats! You'll do great!

You will be just fine! Take a deep breath....we are all here for you!

The one thing that keeps me going is knowing I will be healthier, slimmer and happier. But getting to that place is not easy. Tomorrow morning is my surgery, and I'm so hungry but I made it through 9 days of liquids and and I can make it through 2 weeks of clear, I hope. I know I'm a little grumpy and tired but I have to do this, to prove to myself that I can be a stronger person without eating everything in sight. I know I will eat again just smaller amounts and better choices. I just need to get through the next two weeks. Say a prayer for me cause I need them. I want to thank everyone that has responded to my post. All the good thoughts and support are greatly appreciated.

Mine is also 04/12/12, I think it will be all of ours new birthday.

Glad I am not the only one! Praying that we all have an easy surgery and recovery! Can't wait to see us shedding pounds !

I also work nights and my eating habit are all over the place. I have never been much o a drinker of flds so that will be a challenge. Since we have the same day surgery, i am praying for all to go well with you, also. Good luck and i would love to keep up with all your changes!

Welcome! I am having surgery on the 11th. I just started my second week of the pre-op diet. Once I got past the first few days, my cravings subsided. I did have to come off of the Optifast products my doctor had me on though - they just didn't agree with my system. So now I am following a different liquid diet and it isn't too bad. Stick with it and GOOD LUCK!!! I will be watching for your updates.

I just realize I said April 7th, but its actually the 12th! I can't wait to see us shed the pounds!

congrats on getting a date. I am getting sleeved on 4/10. So excited and nervous. The liquid diet is hard, first week I crashed and burned then realized I HAD to make it work. I feared I'd be that one person that gets on the table and the doctor says nope, can't do it because my liver is too big. I think the first 3 days are the hardest then your body kind of adjusts. I've found that even when i do palm sized meal in the evening I'm full. I do one Protein shake for Breakfast and lunch and in between Water. If I get the case of the munchies I eat sugar free Jello. I find sipping shakes (EAS AdvandEdge) and Water with a straw helps me savor it more and I take longer to finish it.
Can't wait to see our progress. See you on the losers bench

Hi! I'm also having my surgery April 12th! I am so excited and ready!I told my sister and my mom and they are both very supportive. My sister is even going to stay the night with me. I didn't tell my brothers I didn't think it was important for them to know...I do miss chewing but the liquid diet hasn't been too bad for me. I'm supposed to drink 5 shakes a day. I can only get down 3 but they said its ok. I have lost 5lbs since I started it!

I am having it 4-12 also. I am not so nervous, but i havent told many people. Waiting till after so i dont have to hear anyone doubt me. I m looking forward to size8 clothes! Or anything smaller than 18! I started pre-op diet monday and today was the worst! I miss chewing, also! I usually go for sweets, but it seems that all i am getting are sweets, or milky drinks! I could use some salt or crunch, but alas... All will be worth it!

I got my sleeve yesterday! Since this is technically an April group, I'm guessing I am the first to go so I wanted to give you all a play by play so you are prepared.
My friend dropped me off at the surgery center and she had to go to work when I went back with the nurses. The nurses made me take another pregnancy test, I changed, got an I.V. in and the nurses continued to ask questions. I was happy I got to keep on my undies! Then I started to cry and the nurse, Mary, held my hand and talked me through my feelings. I told her I felt alone, but then I realized all my friends were texting me with their support, since they were all at work, that was the best way for them to support me at the time.
Next, the anesthesiologist came in and asked me the same questions. I received a nausea patch behind me ear, which will stay for three days. Then my doctor came and signed some papers. At 7:06 they rolled me into the operating room. My I.V. was loaded up, I switched tables and don't remember anything until I woke up. The nurses woke me up as I was being wheeled out, they said it was done so I started crying, tears of joy, I just couldn't believe I got my sleeve! Brody, one of the nurses said I had to calm down because crying is going to hurt. So I magnificently recovered quickly.
I think I might have tried sleeping next, but all I could feel was the gas. This was the only thing that was hurting. I could literally feel a ball of gas start at my stomach and work its way up my esophagus. It was like labor, when you hurt for two or three minutes then your fine, then you hurt again. That was all I was feeling, the air bubble went all the way up to my shoulder and stopped. The nurse made me get up and walk, I was hoping the air bubble would travel up and out, but it doesn't work like that. She said any gas from my mouth or opposite end is my gas. The gas from the surgery travels north then settles in the right or even both shoulders to finally escape through my pores. Honestly, that's all the pain I was feeling. I did feel nauseas so the nurse gave me some more meds and a puke tray. I rested more and got another I.V. I walked a few times to help the gas, but I don't think it helped. Nurse said gas-x might help or a warm compress.
I was then released, no idea what time. I had my pillow strapped in the seatbelt with me so it would bother my incisions. At home I went for my pain meds. The prescription says 15 ml every 4-6 hours. I could barely get 10ml down, and my stomach did a "throw up" like movement. I'm not sure if it was because that was too much or because I was nauseas and the meds were so gross. I didn't take my other meds because I knew throwing up meant I was full, but I was so disappointed in myself that I had gotten to that point already. I just never, ever thought I wouldn't be able to take my prescribed dose all at once. Now I do 5ml in between drinking.
I rested until my best friend came over; she brought me a hot compress for my gas, at this point, that was the only thing hurting. I did keep walking around between naps. I made an ENS Protein Drink, the taste is fine to me, but I barely got in one ounce. I was also drinking Water, probably 3 ounces, and then the gurgles set it. Oh the gurgles.
Around 7 p.m. I could do nothing but gurgle; I was really thirsty but stopped taking sips because I didn't know what was happening with the gurgles. The gurgles felt like they were coming from my esophagus, I wasn't sure if that was heartburn from my Protein drink, the gas, or a symptom of being full. Even though I was so thirsty, I stopped drinking, and then felt the gurgles in my sleeve. After I peed leprechaun green pee, I finally went to bed, I think I am doing well for what my body has just been through.
Today I am a little sore, it is hard to get up from lying down, my incisions hurt a little, but I still have some gas I think, and the gurgles. Really I just feel like I have period cramps. I have slowly been taking 5ml of lortab for the pain, not sure if the meds are really working or if I'm just not in that much pain, either way I am grateful. I am also trying to take a total of 20ml of carafate to prevent ulcers, but so far today I have gotten 5 down.
I am just so thirsty, I am drinking but I can't guzzle to fulfill my thirst. I am slowly drinking a few sips of Protein, and then wait, and then Water mixed with Vitamins and Calcium, then repeat. I am on full liquids so after I stopped drinking for a half an hour I scooped out 1 tablespoon of Greek yogurt. I mixed my Protein Drink in to thin it out and got down about 3/4, about five minutes later I burped so I knew I was done. Now I'm continuing to relax, walk around, and drink. Everything is okay so far.

I add a orange Hawaian punch brand packet to my vanilla and it taste like a orange dream pop. Or you can add any Krystal light for flavoring or the Starbucks single packets. Also I add a sobe 0 cal or Vitamin Water to the Protein and makes a great shake!

Okay peeps, we talked about it on the Valentines Day thread so I thought I would officially start the Easter challenge. Its approximately 7 weeks away so keep that in mind when you set your goals. The further I have gotten the smaller my goals so I dont get discouraged. The first 2 were 20 pounds each, the Valentines one was 15 so this one I am going to set at 13. I haven't made a goal yet but I only fall a few pounds short. Anyways, here are my stats for this one...
SN: Forensikchic SW: 166.8 GW: 154 CW: 166.8 lbs to lose 12.8
Everybody join in and lets motivate each other! We can do this!!!!

I start my pre op liquids this monday April 3rd. Excited and scared. I know this is the best choice for me. Surgery date is - April 17 countdown begins

whoohooo!
thank you

QUESTION:
"I'm having surgery soon, what will I need for my hospital stay or for shortly after???"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Okay, ladies and gentlemen, this question comes up here so much - I felt it would be a great idea to start up an official thread. My plan is once I think the list is great enough, I'm going to create a checklist for all the folks out there that will be sleeved shortly and have the above question. Then if you are around long enough and as much as I am, and someone has that question you can just lead them to this thread. Fair enough?
Sometimes it's just nice to have everything all in the same place, kinda following the Walmart rule of thumb. They are very successful, aren't they?
Anyway, please start with your suggestions and I'll get my MSWord fired up. I'll also start with the first suggestion:
Comfy Pajamas, underclothes, and slippers or warm cozy socks...
Hospital Stay Checklist.doc

yup!!! thank you!!