filodough

Tomorrow is a new day, and I pray it will be better. We in the process of buying a new house. Because we already have a house it has been a NIGHTMARE getting a loan. And today we got yet more bureaucracy instead of getting our loan completed, and will have to put down so much more money (and will pretty much have no flexibility in spending for the rest of the year) I am so upset. That and TOM has me emotional and tired and a wreck. I cried so many times today- and guess what- there was no food to numb it. I have also been unbelievably hungry today. I had a whole can of soup (spread out), and two thingies of Jello pudding, so close to 700 calories. Am I meant to be having this many calories earlier on? One bit of good news today is that the scale went below 180 (179.8). I am hoping that is goodbye 180s!!!!

I am in my second week, and have not taken any. I have them in the house for just in case I start getting the crazy acid.

WOW! I second seeing what normal compares to a four year stomach. Whoever thought we would be so interested in seeing stomachs, and ooh-ing and aaah-ing in the process

COngratulations Nagaraj!!!! And I love that you say THRICE!!! I once said that and everyone looked at me like what the hell does that mean. Ah- British school.....

Love, luck and happiness coming your way. And I pray for your speedy recovery. Welcome to day one of the rest of your wonderful life

Welcome lurker. I have to admit - I LURKED for a while too I hope that your appointment goes well today, and that you can move from being a lurker to a loser.

I have not taked Zoloft , but I am taking Remeron. I just found out that Remeron makes you very sleepy and gives you SERIOUS SUGAR CRAVINGS!!! Ah joy.....!

My starting BMI was 33.3, and I was able to get approved by several doctors in Mexico. I did not try anyone locally because I also wanted someone who had done several surgeries. I believe my BMI is 'low' because I exercised furiously and watched what I ate even before the sleeve. But I do have several food issues (emotional eater), and I am predisposed to be a lot heavier. Both sides of my family hav morbid obesity. My father's sisters all died in their 30s and 40s from comorbidities. The last one passed away in December at 46- she had lived to be the oldest. She is who prompted me to take some steps before it is too late.

Since I had my surgery overseas, my plan is to get some after-care support locally. I really appreciated and took to heart LAN2k's advice on getting the correct psychiatric/psychologist care. so today I went to my first appointment with a therapist. She has worked with folks who have eating disorders, emotional eating and depression which is why I chose her. The intake session was more to give her information, so nothing huge to report. I know that it will be difficult to find a replacement for food, and food has always comforted me. So this is going to be an interesting journey trying to work through 'my issues'. I also went to an appointment with my nutritionist. I carried the supplements that i have purchased (but still not started taking- will start tomorrow). She gave me a list of what else I need and the quantities needed. She also gave me some really good ideas for 'foods' for my full liquids diet and mushies. Here are a few ideas I picked up today: 1. Mixing in half a pack of UNJURY chocolate powder with sugar free pudding for that extra chocolate load - tried it this evening, and it tasted like dessert. 2. Mixing in my supplements that are in liquid form (which are a few of mine) with my morning protein shake. Only one caveat here, don't mix iron and calcium together. You have to take those separately. I will write down the list of the supplements and portions later if anyone is interested. In other news, I did walk to my nutritionist's office. It was 1.3 miles. It took me 31 minutes. It will get better. And I walked Cooper to the park and back. Him and my neighbor's dog provide QUITE THE WORKOUT!!! So about 2 miles total for today. That is 2 miles more than three days ago.

Hey Coco, THanks for your friend request. I think you will really like Dr Alvarez and his team. During my stay there he came over to see me about three to four times each time, and this is in addition to all the nurses/attendants checking on me. I got a 32 bougie. My understanding is that it does not make a huge difference (apparently millimetres difference). I did not have to do the liquid diet since my BMI is on the lower end. I did take the UNJURY protein powder that I mixed into my drink on the way back from the airport. (But I have to admit I did not like the taste of it a day after discharge). Good luck to you and your mom Ann. I know it will go wonderful for you as well.

Thanks for the comment DeeDee. You were part of my inspiration for starting to write it down. I feel like your blog/pictures/journey have been really helpful in my own journey.

So I finally decided to post to my blog. I am not sure how often I will do this since I am not a 'natural journaler'. I had my surgery Jan 15th, and I have had a fairly good healing process. Here are a few things I have done/learned/figured out- but not in order: ( I am a list maker so heck!) 1. I packed too much for my trip to Mexico. I bought EVERYTHING on the master list that I picked up. The most important things for me were my robe, my comfy yoga pants, my bedroom slippers, and a 'comfy-non-tight' top. 2. I was glad that I picked Dr. Alvarez as my surgeon. I feel that the care I received was top notch, and I think the reason why my recovery has been a little easier than it would have been. 3. Hallelujah for antacids and pain meds. Those first two days... oh boy! 4. I had to fly back home. I would recommend asking for wheelchair access if you were as uncomfortable wheeling/walking/tired as I was. It looked strange for me being fairly able on a wheelchair, but it was worth it. Also- now is a good time for a flight upgrade 5. I hated the taste of the protein drinks, but I have discovered water + protein drink. So I have to drink more (which is OK), but the protein drinks that I have been having- Isopure and those bullets just did not taste as great without the dilution. 6. UNJURY unflavored - has a FLAVOR- and my taste buds don't like the flavor. But I suck it up and drink it anyway. And it has texture too.... arrgghhh- don't get me started! 7. Walking has been a toughie for me. Just no energy. I have been saving my 'sugared drinks' (read: apple juice) as my energy booster. I don't know why/how- but it has given me some energy. 8. I was excited for full liquids, but I have only had one today since I went out to dinner. I had tomato soup. It was yummy. 9. I did not need to get staples taken off. Something about them getting absorbed. I still don't get it. Maybe someone can explain it to me. 10. Most importantly. I am down 11.2 pounds in 9 days. I figured I will be a slow loser, but I am perfectly happy with this number. KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON.

It was Dr. Alvarez

Hey Katl, I have had a fairly uncomplicated recovery- it has been 8 days out. Every day is better. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about Dr. Alvarez and his staff. I was very impressed.

ps. dinner was some tomato basil soup (and I had only 1/4 of a cup in a half hour)

Thank you guys for the pointers. I really appreciate it. I actually went out to after-pedicure dinner with a friend of mine today, and told her. It is getting easier telling people.

I had my surgery with Dr. Alvarez on Jan 15th. I have had a fairly good recovery (it has been 8 days out). I have nothing but good things to say about Dr. Alvarez and his staff. My other option was Dr. Aceves. His patients love him. I just picked the person with the earliest appointment to accomodate my needs. I don't think you would go wrong with either doctor. Good luck on your journey.

I am another person who has not outed myself. The only folks who know are my fiancee and two very good friends. My family thought I was in the hospital for gall stones. I am just not ready to get the judgement unleashed, because it will.

Welcome to a healthier life. I got sleeved a few day before you (it has been 8 days now), and the only two things that bothered me were a little extra acid, and pain in that incision site. It was really painful the first few days, but gets better everyday. Now I cannot feel it unless I bend or touch it. The other four incisions I can hardly feel. It will get better each day.

Keep at it. Whichever way you choose (online, blind- dates, fix ups). Just remember dating is a numbers game. And have fun doing it. You might go out with a couple of duds, but you sometimes have to go through the numbers to find the one you are really meant to be with. And have fun doing it, playing dress-up, going to places you have never been (and making sure he picks the tab. Yes, I can afford it, but I like to be courted, and I am old school like that :ohmy:

I don't know if I am ready to tell people i took this step. One person I spoke with prior was not for it at all. Seeing that I am considered a light-weight, (but knew I was heading there, and knew that the co-morbidities would be following me) I feel like there is extra judgment for taking this route instead of exercising/eating well- and lord knows- I TRIED! Is there any way to survive dinner with people without telling them you have a teeny little stomach?

So the AWESOME non sleeve related news is that I got tickets to the Oprah show with three of my other girlfriends. I AM BEYOND EXCITED! So what is the problem huh....? I have not 'outed' myself as a WLS patient to anyone except three people (who are not part of the trip). We are likely going to go to Chicago for two nights, and make it a total girl trip. My 'typical' girl trip involves hitting up a RIDIC awesome restaurant and having some INSANELY DELICIOUS food. And since I am such a foodie- the expectations would be there. Also, it will be week five for me after the op. My doctor has instructed me to have clears until todays, full liquids next two weeks and purees the week after, and then the week that I am going to the show will be the first one of Solids. Am i over thinking this? Will it be OK? What can I eat without telling anyone anything? What 'temporary conditions' can I say I have that are making me not eat much?

Partnered, but cheering you on!!! p.s. I am a big advocate of online dating :blushing:

Marci- I don't have any solutions (since we had surgery on the same day), but I hope it goes away soon.

Yeay for you! I hope you have a speedy recovery. Everytime you have to take a sip of protein, pretend it is a really good margarita- only this one helps you heal quickly and still keeps you skinny.