lollyfidy1965

Fat is a storage center for hormones, so...as you rapidly burn fat, in the months following surgery, your body will be releasing all kinds of hormones back into your system...wreaking havoc with your emotions, moods, periods, etc! Be aware of how you're feeling, but keep in it the proper perspective. This is all a part of our fabulous journey...perhaps not the most fabulous part, but a part to be experienced, nonetheless! Big picture...this too shall pass, and you'll get back to "normal" (whatever THAT is! LOL)!
I wish you the best, and great success!
Laura

No one here can tell you "what to do"....we can only express what our own experiences have been. Personally, having the "sleeve" performed was a life-changing opportunity for me, and I would do it again, without hesitation. As for the last comments in your post, everyone who has any form of WLS will be required to take supplements (vitamins and minerals) for the rest of their lives. That is a given, and was never really an issue for me, when considering whether or not to have surgery. I chose the "sleeve" over "gastric bypass" primarily because there is no re-routing of the small intestines, and, therefore, a lower risk for malabsorption issues, following surgery. Yes, it isn't reversible...but why would I want my old stomach back?? It didn't do me any favors in life, now did it??
Do some research on WLS surgeons in your area, and make an appointment to go speak with the one you like best. Ask him your questions, and speak frankly with him regarding your concerns. And do as much research on the topic as you can. Only then, when you've gotten all your questions answered, and your concerns reassured, make the best, informed decision you can make....do what is best for YOU, and don't concern yourself with what anyone else thinks. As for liposuction....that may make you "look" thinner, but it isn't going to resolve the underlying issue...which is, ultimately, your relationship with food. (Yeah...that's just my opinion...take it for what its worth.)

No one here can tell you "what to do"....we can only express what our own experiences have been. Personally, having the "sleeve" performed was a life-changing opportunity for me, and I would do it again, without hesitation. As for the last comments in your post, everyone who has any form of WLS will be required to take supplements (vitamins and minerals) for the rest of their lives. That is a given, and was never really an issue for me, when considering whether or not to have surgery. I chose the "sleeve" over "gastric bypass" primarily because there is no re-routing of the small intestines, and, therefore, a lower risk for malabsorption issues, following surgery. Yes, it isn't reversible...but why would I want my old stomach back?? It didn't do me any favors in life, now did it??
Do some research on WLS surgeons in your area, and make an appointment to go speak with the one you like best. Ask him your questions, and speak frankly with him regarding your concerns. And do as much research on the topic as you can. Only then, when you've gotten all your questions answered, and your concerns reassured, make the best, informed decision you can make....do what is best for YOU, and don't concern yourself with what anyone else thinks. As for liposuction....that may make you "look" thinner, but it isn't going to resolve the underlying issue...which is, ultimately, your relationship with food. (Yeah...that's just my opinion...take it for what its worth.)

I buy them through the Vitamin Shoppe. There are MANY different Quest bar flavors, and every one I've tried has been pretty tasty. The chocolate brownie is my favorite!!

No one here can tell you "what to do"....we can only express what our own experiences have been. Personally, having the "sleeve" performed was a life-changing opportunity for me, and I would do it again, without hesitation. As for the last comments in your post, everyone who has any form of WLS will be required to take supplements (vitamins and minerals) for the rest of their lives. That is a given, and was never really an issue for me, when considering whether or not to have surgery. I chose the "sleeve" over "gastric bypass" primarily because there is no re-routing of the small intestines, and, therefore, a lower risk for malabsorption issues, following surgery. Yes, it isn't reversible...but why would I want my old stomach back?? It didn't do me any favors in life, now did it??
Do some research on WLS surgeons in your area, and make an appointment to go speak with the one you like best. Ask him your questions, and speak frankly with him regarding your concerns. And do as much research on the topic as you can. Only then, when you've gotten all your questions answered, and your concerns reassured, make the best, informed decision you can make....do what is best for YOU, and don't concern yourself with what anyone else thinks. As for liposuction....that may make you "look" thinner, but it isn't going to resolve the underlying issue...which is, ultimately, your relationship with food. (Yeah...that's just my opinion...take it for what its worth.)

What I've learned is that eating isn't about "wanting food" anymore. Its about needing to get my nutrients (mostly Protein, at this point). I eat because I HAVE to...not because I WANT to. Its like taking medicine....even when I don't want to do it...even when it tastes like crap (like the liquid Zantac I take twice a day!)...I "take" it....because its good for me. Taking that approach has enabled me to get my protein every day, and to drink Water, even when I didn't think I would be able to take another sip.

Im 5 months post-op, and am able to eat about 2 oz of "dense" Protein (think chicken, turkey, salmon, etc). I'm able to eat 1/4 cup of tuna salad, along with 1/4 cup of cottage cheese, or 1 string cheese. I have 8 oz of muscle milk light every morning before I hit the gym, and another 8 oz after the gym. (that's roughly 7am and 10am). I eat lunch between 12 and 1pm (the tuna salad/cottage cheese combo is typical), have a small "snack" around 3pm (usually a low-fat, 1oz cheese stick), have dinner between 5:30 and 6pm (usually 2 oz of chicken, cooked a variety of ways), and finish the day with a snack around 8pm (almost always a Quest chocolate brownie protein bar). I average between 650 and 700 calories/day, with roughly 90 grams of protein, and fewer than 30 grams of carbs.

What I've learned is that eating isn't about "wanting food" anymore. Its about needing to get my nutrients (mostly Protein, at this point). I eat because I HAVE to...not because I WANT to. Its like taking medicine....even when I don't want to do it...even when it tastes like crap (like the liquid Zantac I take twice a day!)...I "take" it....because its good for me. Taking that approach has enabled me to get my protein every day, and to drink Water, even when I didn't think I would be able to take another sip.

I have a Quest chocolate brownie Protein bar...every evening at 8pm. I love them, they're filling, very chocolatey, only 170 calories, AND pack 20 grams of protein! Best treat I can imagine...tasty, AND a good protein choice!!

Im 5 months post-op, and am able to eat about 2 oz of "dense" Protein (think chicken, turkey, salmon, etc). I'm able to eat 1/4 cup of tuna salad, along with 1/4 cup of cottage cheese, or 1 string cheese. I have 8 oz of muscle milk light every morning before I hit the gym, and another 8 oz after the gym. (that's roughly 7am and 10am). I eat lunch between 12 and 1pm (the tuna salad/cottage cheese combo is typical), have a small "snack" around 3pm (usually a low-fat, 1oz cheese stick), have dinner between 5:30 and 6pm (usually 2 oz of chicken, cooked a variety of ways), and finish the day with a snack around 8pm (almost always a Quest chocolate brownie protein bar). I average between 650 and 700 calories/day, with roughly 90 grams of protein, and fewer than 30 grams of carbs.

My opinion-- don't mess with the sleeve!

You're welcome, CO! I'd love to hear your thoughts, once you've read it!

My surgeon's direction is to NEVER take NSAIDs again...because of the dramatically increased risk for marginal ulcers in WLS patients. Having said that, like so much of the instructions we get, many people on here have been given different advice from their own surgeons regarding NSAID use. I understand my surgeon is conservative...but, its working for me, and I appreciate the more conservative approach. (Better safe than sorry.)

The thing that helped me most, in coming to terms with the head noise when I started making dramatic changes to my approach to food, was reading "The End of Overeating." I highly recommend it (and have mentioned it in many posts on this site). It clearly describes exactly why we have obsessive thoughts about foods....this truly is an addiction...no need to put it in quotation marks! The reality described in the book made me SO angry...and made it much easier to make, and stick with, the behavior changes I need to make, in order to be successful in my post-surgical weight loss journey!
I wish you the best
Laura

I wouldn't take anything that's an NSAID without consulting your WLS surgeon first. (I wouldn't take ANYTHING without first consulting with my surgeon, but that's just me.) When I was in the hospital, recovering from my sleeve surgery, I had a roommate who was in the hospital for surgery to repair her THIRD marginal ulcer (bleeding nasty painful thing for her)...all caused by her taking Advil (she swore she'd only taken two...and still ended up with a marginal ulcer). Having watched her experience, I will NEVER (never ever ever never) take an NSAID, or oral steroid...she had NO fun as a result of having taken them!

Would cortisone shots help at all? As far as I know, it's only oral NSAIDs/steroids that should be avoided. If that wouldn't help, you might seek out a pain specialist, and explain your situation. I know there are MANY pain management alternatives out there, and a pain doc would be the best place to get long-term help, I think.
I hope you find something that helps!!!
Laura

Would cortisone shots help at all? As far as I know, it's only oral NSAIDs/steroids that should be avoided. If that wouldn't help, you might seek out a pain specialist, and explain your situation. I know there are MANY pain management alternatives out there, and a pain doc would be the best place to get long-term help, I think.
I hope you find something that helps!!!
Laura

I'm down 132 pounds from my highest weight, and have lost 80 pounds since the week after my surgery (since Jube 26th). "Fast" or "slow", I'm thrilled with my weight loss so far!!

I'm down 132 pounds from my highest weight, and have lost 80 pounds since the week after my surgery (since Jube 26th). "Fast" or "slow", I'm thrilled with my weight loss so far!!

There's a difference between "shouldn't" eat something and "can't" eat something. And just because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD. You're paying your surgeon/nutritionist a lot of money just to start out the journey ignoring their directions. (I'm just sayin'.)

Also per my surgeon....anything "liquid" counts as "fluids"...tea, Protein Shake, Water, flavored water, Decaf coffee....anything.

"gummy" things swell when exposed to liquids, and can cause a blockage in the sleeve. None for me, thanks!

A large part of the pre-op process is about making lasting behavior changes....because our post-op success is dependent upon those new, healthier behaviors bing ingrained by the time we start reintroducing foods to our diet. Wrapping your head, and our heart, around not smoking is the same deal. What you think is helping you to relax is actually undermining our ability to build sustained new, healthy behaviors. If you cave on one thing (smoking), for what seems like a good reason, you will be more likely to find "good reasons" for blowing off other new behaviors...even when doing the bad behavior is potentially very risky, post-op.
Focus on the prize, and make good choices....starting now...so that you can be as healthy and successful as possible, after your surgery!
All the best,
Laura

A large part of the pre-op process is about making lasting behavior changes....because our post-op success is dependent upon those new, healthier behaviors bing ingrained by the time we start reintroducing foods to our diet. Wrapping your head, and our heart, around not smoking is the same deal. What you think is helping you to relax is actually undermining our ability to build sustained new, healthy behaviors. If you cave on one thing (smoking), for what seems like a good reason, you will be more likely to find "good reasons" for blowing off other new behaviors...even when doing the bad behavior is potentially very risky, post-op.
Focus on the prize, and make good choices....starting now...so that you can be as healthy and successful as possible, after your surgery!
All the best,
Laura

Thanks much, Chad!
Personally, I'd like a section designed for tracking our daily supplements. I have a "food note" that I copy and paste every day, but i still have to remember on my own to take everything.
I'd also like to lose the "you're not eating enough calories to sustain life" comments. LOL. Being able to easily set our own intake goals is really important for us....because they are so unique. Also, I've heard from a number of people that there is a lot of confusion related to the "net calories" information. I wonder if it would be less confusing if that was removed from the daily summary page, and just show calories consumed, and calories burned.