Valentina

How does a person eat a cow???? ONE BITE AT A TIME! That's how I recommend you stay on track pre operatively. (no. not by eating a cow.... ) You break down the six months into DAYS. You succeed one day at a time. If you falter one day, you give yourself a virtual slap in the kisser, pull your big girl panties up and do better the next day. Pretty soon you will have built a solid foundation on which to pave your successful WLS journey. With all of the pre op app'tments, documentation and consultations, six months is not an overly long period of time to get everything done AND get your head focused on your life changing eating regime. Start today. Finish today. Start again tomorrow. Finish tomorrow. ----- One day at a time. One step at a time. "Make the most of what you have and the least of what you haven't." I look forward to observing your successful and joyful journey.

Maybe it's time to revisit your bariatric team??? Anytime a WLS person has pain that can be associated directly with eating I would recommend scheduling an app'tment with the good ol' doc. In today's busy times, any pain is distracting from our daily lives and completely unacceptable. One thought: Do you still have your gall bladder? Anyway, my NJ friend. Please go and see what the folks with the alphabet after their name have to say. By all means, come back and post how you made out. We are a very nosy bunch, yes, but we also really care.

You are never going to get away with telling us such few details. We are a nosy bunch of coconuts! However, we are also some of the most caring and compassionate folks you will ever meet. So: Any complaints? Any concerns? Any aches or pains? Any brags? Any bitches? Any new recipes to share? How are the wife and kids? Do you have a wife and any kids? What's the true meaning of life? See what I mean? Tell us-------------------------ALL! Welcome! You are most certainly and warmly welcomed.

Now it's time to take a deep breath, relax until Friday and then Let it happen. Meet you on "The Losers' Bench". Hey Everyone!! Scooch one place over to the left. Bobby's Girl is arriving on Friday!"

I know. I, too miss food and everything that food represents. I miss the social aspect of food as much as the food it self. So, we've both said it out loud. Now what??? We can't undo our sleeves. Speaking for myself, I always have to have a "plan". How to I cope with this unexpected development? This is my viewpoint: I can look upon my WLS as a "wrong" decision that I'm "stuck" with. Or I can turn it all upside down and "make a "wrong" decision "right". I have chosen to do the latter. I've taken a deep breath and have started working with my sleeve. I listen to it. Yes, it will growl and groan when unhappy. It will also giggle and gurgle when happy. I've had to learn the difference. I've learned and am still learning about Herbs--domestic and exotic. I've learned to take ordinary food and make it extraordinary with herbs and spices without adding calories. I now know the difference between OK Protein and high end quality protein. Big difference there. Cooking has become my new challenge/hobby. I go out of my way to speak with restaurant owners/chefs to encourage them to offer "small plates" to their menus--just delicious portions of protein and delicately prepared veggies. And I have yet to be denied a "small plate" of my own design at any restaurant. What am I getting at? I strongly believe that I can either bitch and moan about the surprise of missing/mourning my favorite foods--making myself and my family miserable. OR I can become proactive and accept my new life's menu as a healthy challenge.--not only for myself, but for my family as well. The gauntlet has been thrown. Will you pick it up????

I never gave up caffeine. It was programed into my plan for the very start with my team's knowledge. I have to drink an equal amount of Water for every cup of coffee/tea that I drink. Fair enough. The caffeine/diuretic debate is ongoing. In the end of things, you really must follow YOUR bariatric team's advice. In my case, the migraines were more harmful than the caffeine intake. Good luck. Feel better.

Not bad, friend. Not bad at all. You got this 10# thing. You've lost that much many many times before, right? You aren't losing it for your PCP nor for your surgeon. You are doing it for YOU!!!!! IF you don't have WLS and die long before your time to do so, will your PCP or your surgeon's life be altered forever? Nope. ---But YOU may notice a slight difference in your life's status if you die before your time... This is YOUR time. Do WLS for YOU. Be strong enough to stand by yourself, have WLS alone--for yourself. Love yourself enough to give yourself this gift. To you. From you. Love YOU. Snack ideas: Jerky Pork rinds SF ice pops Cottage cheese and tomatoes or tuna roasted veggies with nutritional yeast smoked meat/fish chicken/turkey breast hard boiled eggs Now, buckle down. Stop fretting about this. You can do it. Just set your head in the right direction and move---forward---always forward. Keep posting on your progress. I'll be watching you.

Why do you think you need/want one?

If you DIDN'T have the jitters the day before a major surgery then YOU, my friend would be a ----wait for it--------wait for it--------------again--wait for it--------------A WEIRDO!!!!! Seriously, my friend, let it go. You have done all of the prep work. You have chosen the best bariatric team you could. You have jumped through every hoop. Now, you need to let it go. Take a deep breath, leave everything about tomorrow in your surgical team's skillful hands, under God's Grace. All will be well. I promise. NOW GO TO BED!!!!! (post when you feel up to it and let us know how wonderfully well you are doing and how WLS was the best decision you've ever made. You may want to wait until a week post op for the feeling wonderfully well part . But, You WILL . )

--how many calories are you consuming a day? May I ask? I try to limit to about 1200. Wondering if that is too much. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App --how many calories are you consuming a day? May I ask? I try to limit to about 1200. Wondering if that is too much. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App I was working up to 1100cal/day. I restarted at 800-900cal/day and over the last few months my Nut has me working on getting to 1100cal/day. However, I am heading for skin surgery next Tues, so my Nut wants me at 1200-1300cal/day for better healing after surgery. Am I happy about the increase in cals? Nope, but I am relying of my Nut's knowledge and foresight, so I will increase my intake through my recovery. Good luck on your revamped journey. You've already done the hardest part. You've recognized your "stumble", taken responsibility for it and are taking action. The rest will all come back to you like a long lost friend coming to the garden gate after a lengthy absence. Take a deep breath and welcome her in.

Poor girl must have something wrong with her eyes. Probably a facial tic. Bless her heart... --and YOU, young lady (melbell2222)-- do NOT make faces!!! Do you want your face to get stuck like that????? (OMG! I'm my mother!!! :0 )

Hmm I didn't think of that. Hopefully they are detailed.. that's the only thing I can think of, is that I was a hard intubation.. but 1 week post op and still having pain?! How rough could it have been? I will def be looking into this more. Sent from my HTC Desire 626s using the BariatricPal App "Report of Operation" documentation is to be detailed--step by step. --Especially if there was a "difficulty" of any kind. Good luck and PLEASE post back and let us know what you found out. Nosy? yep Do I really care? Sure do!!!

I, too had WLS in 2011 and am just get back on track this year. I went back to the very beginning. Like I was just starting my first week of solids. It's worked to help get me focused again. Track EVERYTHING 70g//protein 64oz / Water Exercise small meals with tiny bites chewed well---no drinking with meals. You know the plan. Remember though, you will NOT lose weight like you did in the beginning. Get yourself motivated and get going! You did it once. You can do it again. YOU just have to wanna! Welcome back! You ae very welcomed here.

I would (my opinion) ask to see the "op report"--including the anesthesia/respiratory notes. I would be curious to want to know what happened in the OR that would cause you to have this mysterious pain that no one wants responsibilty for. You may have to pay for the pages that you want, but knowing what happened would be (to me) worth the expense. In the meantime, I hope your pain subsides. Who knew, right??? Feel better, friend.

I'm EXTREMELY allergic to all legumes...

Exactly!! What he ^^^^ said. You should call your surgeon and discuss this with them. There is a reason they put you on the 14 day diet and not a shorter version. They would be the best to answer such questions. I was given pure hell by mine for chewing gum, too. Bad thing was it was three weeks prior to my VSG surgery on the morning of my EGD.....doc caught me chewing gum, lol. I laid off it for a few months but have it now if I want. Let us know what your surgeon had to say about your "burrito slippage". I hope your surgery won't be rescheduled.

Mouth, tooth or jaw??? If your mouth was opened too far you may be having TMJ pain of the jaw joint. That can be extremely painful. Give your team a call and tell them what's going on. They will be able to guide you. Anytime you have unacceptable pain do not hesitate to call your surgical team. They want to know what's going on with you. Then come back and let us "all". Yes, we are nosy, but we also care---a great deal.

I'm finding I am craving SALT more than sugar. One would thing that after five years, I would have a handle on this ,but I find that "Craving" is different from hunger (which I do NOT have). The one thing that helps me from woofing down an entire bag of Lays is to eat some salty cheese, such as Feta. Any other suggestions???? Pickles!!! Tried pickled everything. Vinegar is not the same as SALT to me. Sometimes, I just lick salt from a spoon. Yeah, I know----yuck. Kills the crave...

I'm finding I am craving SALT more than sugar. One would thing that after five years, I would have a handle on this ,but I find that "Craving" is different from hunger (which I do NOT have). The one thing that helps me from woofing down an entire bag of Lays is to eat some salty cheese, such as Feta. Any other suggestions????

Put a gauze pad over it and give your team a call. They will tell you what to do. This is not uncommon, so please do not panic. ​ The gauze pad is just to prevent the stitch from rubbing against your clothing. Post back and let us know how you made out. Good luck, friend.

My personal experience: I am over 5yrs out. I still have a well healed restriction I still experience dumping syndrome I have absolutely NO hunger. I set my cell phone to remind me to eat. I am content.

I'm one of the 17% of sleevers who have dumping syndrome and am over five years out. I have come to consider dumping a good thing. It helps me stay true to my sleeve and on track. If you are among us 17%ers , Welcome! You can either dread dumping and be miserable, or you can look at it as a blessing--a bonus tool. The choice is yours.

Dub,Dub, Dub, ---my dear friend. Finally I can hopefully give YOU some sage advice. REPLACE THE SUCKERS!!!!! I did the Celebrex thing. I did the Aleve thing, the Naproxen thing, the Tramadol thing. I also had the Cortisone injections as well as the injections made out of cocks' combs--Synvisc. I went to PT for months and months and months. I even ate oxies four times a day for almost a year. Chiropractors? Nope---not my thing. I was told that I was too young to have a knee replacement---I would have to have another one after ten years or so. I will tell you, now, my friend---I would have ten knee replacements if I have to rather than live with that kind of unacceptable pain. Why should a person have to wait until they are in the seventies to have a knee replacement? --when our bodies do not heal as quickly or as well as when we are younger? I would (and did) rather have my knee replaced when I'm younger and enjoy my middle years pain free. AND I have been free of any knee pain---completely and totally. . Is knee replacement a tough surgery? You bet. Is it historically the most painful surgery to recover from? Yep Is it sooooo worth it? You bet your sweet bum it is!!! So, Grasshopper, that is my sage advice. I hope you will accept it knowing that it was given with compassion, empathy and endearing friendship. Now, Go forth and prosper!

You forgot "The Great Straw Debate". PS: I never gave up caffeine and I'm still alive and thriving... just say'n

Ha! I can relate to your sage recollections. I remember being in the end stage of labor with my 10# daughter. I went "natural" so had no pain meds (doctor convinced me it was best for the baby----arse hole! ). I remember my OB saying, "You'll just going to feel a little pressure now, Dear". Pressure????? It felt like he was pulling a rabid Rottweiler through a knot hole!!!!! I have never forgotten that line----" You're just going to feel a little pressure now, DEAR". I guess there's a reason why surgeons do their best work when their patients are asleep.