cat whisperer

HI - I had the exact same thing happen to me with the numbers going UP on the scale after sugery. After about a week, that started to change and I have lost a pound or two every day. I think your body is just hanging on to fluids - which ironically the more fluids you drink, the less it will retain. I have been very vigilant about drinking at least 8-10 cups of Fluid per day and it seems to be working. I am a week and a half post-op and the pain is pretty much gone, although worst first thing in the morning and last thing at night. I am ashamed to admit that I have not been very good about going for walks - definitely something I need to work on. I too have a liquid diet for the two weeks after surgery, then can start "mushy" foods - can't believe how much I'm looking forward to a scrambled egg!! take care - you'll be surprised how quickly you will feel better.

Glad to hear that things are improving - the work things sounds horrible... you poor thing!! I'm sure it didn't seem as bad to them as it did to you - I have given presentations where I am so nervous I am sure my voice and whole body are shaking - then after people say I did a great job and cannot believe I was nervous - so I'm sure although you were rattled they likely did not notice. I said in another thread that I think because we have these tiny little incision scars only, we forget that we did actually get a major surgery - so you are right, taking it easy is key!

Congratulations and may things only go upwards from here

You may want to check out the Body Media armband... it also tracks sleep. Just like you, I was waiting to get the FitBit Flex, but I ended up going with the Body Media as the Flex was on back order and I was anxious to start tracking my sleep and activities. I love it - I had a similar product years back called the Body Bugg.

As May rapidly draws to a close (the time went so fast!) I thought I would start a thread to see how my fellow May buddies are doing after being banded! (and hopefully those who are banded in the next week will also post their updates too) It has been a little over a week for me... generally things are going very well but struggling with a bit of fatigue. Still a little bit of pain/swelling but every day it improves. I was very fortunate in that I was able to take a long time off to recuperate - how are those of you who are back at work? I hope everyone is doing well - healing up nicely and getting back to feeling like your old self - with a new motivation and lifestyle, of course Let's hear how you're doing!

I have looked ahead to my future diet schedule and mine suggests a piece of toast in the 4th week - so I'm guessing it is dependent on whether you can tolerate it... from what I have heard a lot of people can't. I do plan on trying it to see, using wholewheat instead of white which is much more "doughy" - I hope that I can tolerate it!!

hey, I used your tip and it does help a lot!! very simple but effective. hope your healing is going well

LOL LOL that rabbit/carrot poster is my new favorite... I just love their expressions... too cute, but also true!!

hi - I already sort of answered in the other topic - but let me know how the organic hemp protein is!! The stuff I'm using is whey protein so it tends to have an almost milky flavour... but as I said thankfully not that thick yucky stuff - ugh. I had some of those pre-op shakes left, and haven't been able to touch them.

How did it go? I went to Superstore this morning - I got a chocolate flavour one that isn't too bad... I just had it in water. It is very thin and nothing like our gross pre-op shakes.

I can see a big difference! good for you

I love Map My Walk!! It's great to see exactly how far you have walked, and it's a great way to plan your route to increase distances incrementally.

I got mine in the organic section of Superstore, right near the vitamins... it is called proteins+ and there are several different flavours etc. It is a bit pricey but I figured I'm not going to use it forever. The one I got is called "Weight Loss Support". It is in a white container - it claims to be flavourless but I drink two scoops in some apple juice - it isn't GREAT tasting but I have been tolerating it because I figure I really need the protein. I know there are some other flavours which I may try next. Hope you can find something that works for you!!

I was starting to think something was wrong with me - like how could I possibly be so tired after a full night's sleep??, but thanks for your replies - makes me feel like this is just a part of the healing process.

You're right... funny for some reason I keep thinking this was NOT major surgery - I think the fact that it IS major gets downplayed a lot because on the outside we only see these little laparoscopic scars.

I was thinking about you - wondering if you had been back to work and how it went... sorry it didn't go that great... but yeah, if you are having the same kind of fatigue as me, I can't imagine trying to be at work for a day. I am looking forward to the next step of mushies too, believe me!! I was also wondering if it was lack of calories, although I have been getting a good amount of protein as I got some powder I drink in juice. take care and ttys

I am just a little over a week post-op, and during the first four days after only got about 12 hours total sleep due to a complication I had. I have been doing pretty well since Saturday - but the last couple of days, I find I am extremely fatigued around 10 or 11am - where my eyes are closing while I'm reading. I go lie down and sleep for hours despite having had a full night's sleep. Can anyone relate to this? Is my body still in catch-up from last week?

All the best to you both!!

No, I'm not hungry at all, really, yet. I do have moments where my head wishes I could have some pizza or bbq chicken - I do find seeing and smelling food hard, but it isn't coming from true hunger - more a desire to taste something good. I'm sure that true hunger will come, however, so I plan on getting a fill early as my dr. suggested if possible.

I am so very sorry for your loss. I'm sure she will still share your journey with you in some way. take good care of yourself.

I also coughed up quite a bit of phlegm. Do you have asthma by any chance?? I think it is an after effect of being put under for surgery for some people and it should clear up in a couple of days - mine lessened every day and at day 6 is pretty much gone. Same with the headache! hope this happens for you too.

I hope everything went ok today!! let us know how you are when you can!

Take it very, very slowly to start. I had lost weight a few years back, and worked up to a 5K. I signed up for it, so it gave me a huge motivation to keep going, but I allowed plenty of time - several months (about 6, if I remember correctly.) This was starting from scratch. I followed a couch to 5K program (there are many available if you google it) and I did have an experienced runner as a mentor. I still wasn't able to "run" the whole 5K - I had to stop and walk a couple of times, but many people do. Not comparing yourself to anyone else is also very important as everyone's pace is different and how quickly they improve. I highly recommend reading a book or two by John Bingham - "No Need for Speed" is a great one!! he started off obese and now runs marathons... very slowly I will give you the link to his website - well worth a look for any beginning runner!! http://www.johnbingham.com/index.php I'm going to start back myself in a couple of weeks when I heal from my surgery. Good luck!!

Definitely recipes - I second Leanne on that. I also second Kris150 on including psychological issues that arise. This has been a big part of the journey for me, and I wasn't necessarily that prepared for some of the strange and powerful emotions that came up. A journal section might be a good idea as well - possibly with motivational sayings or ideas to focus one's writing.

I may be getting a bit of a fill at my two week appointment because I had all the fluid taken out for my "emergency" - he said we will see how I'm doing.