CBT

When I took the huge step of surgery I swore off "diets". I wanted to eat to live. So that's worked for me. I eat by the grand design of the research: protien, veg, fruit, complex carbs. I find that when I do this the numbers are already taken care of. Everything I eat is paired with protein. No more food obsessions. No counting. Just logging for protein. I'm so over food. I drink my fluids. I work out. I eat complex carbs before I work out and eat proteins within 20 minutes of finishing. I don't maintain complicated. That was proven pre WLS. For me, this is not complicated. I trust it. It works for me.

How do I post pics directly to this thread? Anyone have a link or something? I'm in the app right now....

NIMH grantee debunking eating disorder myths: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-news/2014/9-eating-disorders-myths-busted.shtml

I really did LOL! I remember the confessions of liking Doritos. Occasionally, I have a moment of "one more bite" and then "no you don't really want that" and the behavior overrides the "you don't want it". I put it in my mouth and confirm, nope. Don't want it. Spit it out. It's strange. Only happened a couple-three times but odd to observe. I know presleeve the behavior would have overridden the thought.

Post op day 13 Drains are gone! All three drains at once. It did not hurt. Strange sensation. Don't miss them. Feel psychologically freer without them. Cleared to start low aerobic activity walking. I can walk-dance, right? Cleared to begin increasing load up to 20 pounds Cleared to start stretching out muscles. Nothing vigorous for 2 more weeks. The idea is to minimally raise my heart rate. I've never been a minimalist. Lol. My abdominal muscles are firing every time I stand up or sit up so I have this constant reminder. The contraction is similar to labor contraction without the pain. It also wrapped around my hips and into my back. I spent most of the day up and this evening laying prone. We shall see how I feel tomorrow.

LynRN! Thanks so much for letting me know. I didn't think anyone was reading my updates. Heehee. I can't wait to see me tomorrow, too

Just dance

If your panties bunch, promptly remove them until they can behave.

Yes. For about 2-3 days. I don't fight it. I roll with it and that has worked for me. I was scared in the beginning but month after month the same thing. I have learned to listen to and trust my body.

I think your recovery is protracted b/c of surgery. My boss just got a tummy tuck over Xmas then got the flu two weeks later. She's not sleeved but said flu right after surgery was horrendous. If you stay hydrated, I suspect a week or so not hitting protein won't be too detrimental. Maybe add a shake or two to your day or unflavored powder to some soup. I like Unjury's chicken soup flavored protein powder. Yes, Erp you are right. I just came back from surgeon's office. Met with PA. She said what you said. Already immune compromised so it's a longer and harder recovery. Nausea seems to be gone today Funny head game I have about shakes. I am so far out and so used to eating dense, quality protein that I tend to discount the protein in shakes. I almost view them as sliders. That's just a head game. I've been drinking them but discounting the quality. I will stop that. I also did not take my antibiotic today because I knew the drains were coming out. I think my sleeve was torn up and the antibiotic along with the Advil just exacerbated it. Good news is I continue to surgery heal like I'm used to. I'm about a week ahead of the "typical" patient. She was amazed at my suture healing and range of motion, but mostly surprised that all three drains were ready to come out :0 She was giggling at how "great" my tummy looks. I really needed the encouragement today. It was timely. I hope to post new pictures without drains tomorrow. Truth is, I can't wait to get a good look myself! Eeeek.

Post op days 11 sat/12 sun Nothing much. Trying to combat the nausea from the flu. Taking a long while to recover. Wonder if it's harder with sleeve in general to recover from stomach flu or if it's down to my body already working so hard. First stomach bug I've had since being sleeved. A bit worried that I don't have an appetite to get my Protein needs met. Forced myself to eat on Sunday. Missing yoga. Ready for drain to come out.

My DH had shingles exactly as you describe it. He has stubborn man syndrome. Heard of it? Any way, it got so his shirt couldn't touch his skin. Then he went. His became so painful they Rx him a narcotic. They will give antivirals. Go sooner rather than later to reduce the intensity/duration of the virus. HTH. good luck.

I'm in the Pacific Northwest where it is chucking down rain in preparation for more spring rain

Authenticity. There is a book chapter! Striving for congruency between the public and private self. Yes. Heady stuff. We all have blind spots. Sometimes it helps to have some provocation into reflection. I hope in this case, it helped.

I hope I didn't stress you out! Sorry to delay responding. We've had stomach flu. Good times. In opposite world. Mind blowing is great for resetting

Are you taking a probiotic? You might look into that. You can take capsule. While you hurt has loads of probiotic, it lacks broad spectrum and if you antibiotic are anything like mine, I doubt yogurt is enough! Mucinex? Is it an allergy formula? I hope you find relief! Allergies are the pits. My deck is coated yellow from the tree pollens this week.

The front scar seems to be covered. I'm not really sure until the swelling goes down and I get out of the compression garment. I think the back scar will drop and then fall below the pantie line. Thanks for the well wishes. It was really bad timing and at least I was 8 days out! Ugh. Still have queasy tummy. I think the antibiotic is contributing to the problem.

I'm bummed to be on so much antibiotic. My GI is torn up from stomach flu. Working on acceptance. Only til Monday. Drain appointment Monday morning.

Good luck! I'm excited for you, also!!!

There must be a faster way to up load photos? I posted to the member gallery then I was able to attach them here? I can't tell if you all can read the dates? The orange sweatshirt pic was taken preop in January. The blue long John's shirt is preop (hopefully that's obvious. Lol). The rest are post op surgery pics at days 1, 7, & 9.

Haha! WTG on the compliment

Hi Vogue. Congratulations on your up coming surgery! I'm not sure about the panni binder question. Because there is no muscle involvement, I'm inclined to think just a binder will work. I really believe your surgeon needs to give you more direction and I'm concerned that it's not a good sign for post op care if S/he is not. Like you, pre-op I was size 4 and small. My compression garments, however are a large. They are the ones that snap in the crotch. There has certainly been times I thought I was going to swell right out of it! Now that the swelling is reducing, the top slides down but it's still giving good compression to my abdomen. Back to needing more direction from your surgeon. My garments were included in my surgery so they fit me into it. No doubt some panni people will have clearer information on compression garments. Good luck!

I hope you feel better soon. Thank you for the encouragement. It lifts my spirits to read your replies. Fever broke last night and I am almost human again :0 skiddles I did see that tree allergy season has started in the PNW. Do you treat your allergies? Sweetpea, I added Doc Martin to my Amazon watch list. I just watched House of Cards and Scandal. Holy smokes! I had questions and now I can't remember them. Oh here's one, did you stay on antibiotics while you had drains in? I have to stay on them as long as I have drains. My drains could come out today but I won't go to doctor until Monday so that means being on high does of antibiotics for four days I don't need them. (grumpy face) I've been on probiotic that I started a week before surgery.

Post op day 8 Low energy from over doing it day 7. Drains running more red. Stayed down. Watching stuff on the iPad. Had visit from a close friend. She brought groceries Post op day 9 Don't get the stomach flu early post op. If you do, keep your binder on cause that holds your surgery together while you wretch for 5 hours. Between the entire abdominal wall contracting and the intense flank and thigh pain from the flu, it was probably the worst pain I've ever had. Of course I couldn't take any pain meds and keep them down. My DH stayed up with me all night and kept me packed in ice. He stayed with me all day today. I've been asleep all day. Fever comes down with Advil but shoots right back up as it wears off. Back in pain meds so I am comfortable. I'm drinking ginger tea, Water, and white grape juice for some calories. My poor immune system. I was to get drains out tomorrow. Now I will wait until Monday because I am contagious with high fever. From talking to nurse on the phone, doesn't appear that I hurt my surgery. They will check me out on Monday. Yuck.