Heather~ Sweetdreams
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Everything posted by Heather~ Sweetdreams
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Saw my surgeon today for my 2 month post op... I am proud to say I'm officially 58.9 pounds down and gone forever!!!!!!! She was really impressed with me. I was brutally honest with her about the things that I have not been doing as correctly as I probably should, and got a slight scolding for them. Overall, she said I'm doing great! I LOVE MY SLEEVE!!!!!
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How long do we drink protein for?
Heather~ Sweetdreams replied to ava2011's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Everyone in my NUT class was told at least 60 grams a day. I varied up my protein shakes, used different brands in hopes I wouldn't burn out. I'm 8 weeks out and have only been drinking one a day, and basically eating protein the rest of the day. -
Advice for the upcoming sleevers!!
Heather~ Sweetdreams posted a topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Hi Kids!! I want to start this out by saying CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME!! With that out of the way, I would like to offer some advice that I found to be extremely helpful when I was going through all of this back in July! First, as hard as I know it is, try not to get too worked up the days before surgery. Your anxiety gets the best of you, and your hormones go all crazy because of it. This can cause some emotional distress, and make you grumpy, when you don't really have to be. Second, when packing for the hospital, don't go crazy. Chapstick is a MUST, a small firm pillow, clean undies, and a change of clothes. You will be in a hospital gown the entire time and it really is the way to go since they will be coming in and checking you regularly. Third, remember, you WILL feel like crap for up to 3 weeks after surgery. You may have pain, you may have gas, you may not be able to keep anything down. You will have a hard time getting your fluids in, and you FOR CERTAIN will not meet your protein requirement. IT'S OKAY! Just try to get your fluids, and walk as often as you can. Even when you REALLY don't want to, walk a bit. It really does help! I'm 7 weeks post op and down 56 pounds!!! While this seems to be an extraordinary amount of weight loss, I never thought I would be one of the ones that was so lucky. I was miserable the first 3 weeks and wondered if I had screwed up, but at the end of the 3rd week, I was in an innertube floating down the river rapids in South Texas!! I wish you all the best of luck and am happy to answer questions you may want to send to me in a personal convo, that you may not want to post on the board! Keep on smiling!!!! -
Advice for the upcoming sleevers!!
Heather~ Sweetdreams replied to Heather~ Sweetdreams's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
It WAS the Guadalupe! We stayed at a beautiful German bead and breakfast off the river, and had an awesome 5 hour float/ rapid ride! It was a wonderful weekend! -
Advice for the upcoming sleevers!!
Heather~ Sweetdreams replied to Heather~ Sweetdreams's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Everyone's pre op diet is different based on what the doctor requires. Mine was a 7 day liquid diet.. I became a Jello junkie. broth has a lot of sodium, and while I drank a ton of it the first 2 days I gained 5 pounds in Water weight! The shakes are a good source of supplementing a meal. It sucked bad! Had my boyfriend not been around to stop me, I don't know that I could have done it. -
What did everyone take to work with them that first week back at work? (food wise)
Heather~ Sweetdreams replied to Pinkbetty's topic in Post-op Diets and Questions
That's funny, I wondered if I was the only one who had become addicted to lunchables! They have had them on sale at WalMart for $1 each, so I grab 5-6 everytime I go in, and snack on it throughout the day at work. It's worked out great so far... or at least until I burn out on them. I have found that I burn out on foods quickly. I can't stand protein shakes anymore. I'm hoping that staying off of them for a little while will help me get back to being able to tolerate them a little later on. -
Five days out....WOW
Heather~ Sweetdreams replied to DreamLife36's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I promise it gets better! You will forget all this bad stuff down the road. I already feel like I didn't have it quite as bad as I thought I did and I'm only 7 weeks post op! Try and be patient ( as hard as it is) and just know that you JUST had surgery and it will take a while. Keep up the good work! -
Two months out with PICS
Heather~ Sweetdreams replied to KaitlynnHughes's topic in Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories
I'm right there with you girl! I was 7 weeks this past Thursday and can't believe how fast the weight is coming off! I still have quite a way to go before onederland, but I'm excited to watch myself get closer and closer to it!!! Way to go, and keep up the good work!! -
I still have a long way to go, but I'm hoping to hit my goal by spring! You're doing great! Keep up the awesome work!
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Feeling - What Have I Done?
Heather~ Sweetdreams replied to TigerLily's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I was utterly miserable the first 2 weeks after surgery. I went back to work on day 12 and thought I must have lost my mind to have thought I could go back to work so soon when I was so tired, and so sore. By the end of the 3rd week, the transformation began. Food tasted good again, I was finally able to quench my thirst, and almost all of my pain was completely gone. I still had some pain and pulling in my left side until my 4th week. I promise, you are not the first person to post that you are feeling miserable a week out. It really does get much MUCH better! Just rest all you can, pile up in your bed and tell everyone to fend for themselves if you must! Make sure you are getting up and walking as much as you can, but just walking. It was so hot here in Texas this summer, that I literally took walks up and down my hallway, 10 minute walk every hour. I had my surgery July 14th, and I feel SPECTACULAR now!! I'm amazed, because I was sooooo very miserable. It will get soooo much better, and you will be typing this same thing out for someone else in the future! -
I have the Grouchies
Heather~ Sweetdreams replied to Shalon's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
There is a GREAT website called MYFITNESSPAL.COM that can help you count calories, they even have it as an app for iphone and andriod. I used it for my 6 month, and pre op diets.. It's a GREAT GREAT tool for counting calories. While protiend are great, if you are doing your shakes, you should probably look into eating veggies, since you are getting Protein from the shakes. A salad at lunch is probably going to be more filling than a couple slices of jerky. You will do great!!!! -
So at 7 weeks on last Thursday I was down 56 pounds! I think I've finally hit my stall, since I haven't dropped an ounce since then. Hopefully it won't last long, but I really didn't want to be loosing nearly 2 pounds a day anyway. I'll be happy if I can do 4-5 pounds a week once I break my stall. Since Texas is FINALLY looking at temperatures below 100 degrees, maybe I can get out and actually get some decent outside workouts in!
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I think my first full week back at work drained me. I preferred the part time summer school hours! This getting up at 5AM and in bed by 10PM is for the chickens! Just feeling a bit drained.. I have to keep telling myself that I'm not even 2 months post op! I know it will get better, so I think I will just go take a nap and not worry about it!
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I am missing our chats! Things have been so crazy around here. School started back, so of course, I'm back to work full time. I've visited a few gyms, trying to find one that is right for me. I have all these 7 day passes, LOL. Guess I'll get a few weeks of free gym time to make my choice!
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Thank you! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Dr. Kennedy. She is so ready to be supportive and there for her patients. Her staff is amazing, and I am soooo thankful I chose her as my surgeon. You will do GREAT! I was very leery about having this surgery. So much of me wanted it whole heartedly and then the little nagging voice chimed it. My heart won! I'm so happy with my results. Best of luck!!!
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Post Op day 2...feeling pretty rough! Any advice is appreciated!
Heather~ Sweetdreams replied to laladotdot's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I put a package of splenda in my isopure and that helped some. Of course, I'm a bit of a splenda junkie, so it may have been that too. The first 3 weeks were REALLY hard for me. I had horrible pain in my left side, and it was days before I could even get up off of the bed on my own. I went back to my surgeon on day 4 to have my drain removed and barely made it from the parking garage to the elevator! My boyfriend thought he was going to have to carry me back out of the building! But, I'm 6 weeks post op now, and amazed!!!! I've lost 55 pounds (18 were pre op) and am down from a size 24/26 to an 18/20. I can't believe it happened so fast. I've not been sick at all, and my left side pain finally went away by the end of my 3rd week. Everyone has said it get's better, and it really does! Wishing you the best of luck! -
GOING INSANE, PLEASE HELP!!!!
Heather~ Sweetdreams replied to ChunkyAndFluffy75's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I think we all go through the "ANXIETY OF THE WAIT", some more than others. I was a crazy lady! I would be out shopping with friends and spot a "health food store" and make them go with me to see what sort of protein items they had! I was looking up recipes for "mushies" and making my boyfriend try them with me! It was insanity I tell you. Now that it's done, the 5 weeks since surgery seems to have flown by! At 3 weeks out I went on a tubing trip with my friends down the Guadalupe River! It's an amazing thing I tell you! You have EVERY right to be excited about it, and even somewhat consumed with it, because it WILL change your life! Best of luck!!! -
When did you feel good post op
Heather~ Sweetdreams replied to FishingNurse's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
The first two weeks are the most miserable. I could not get over the pain in my left side. I shuffled instead of walked, and it was frustrating trying to get fluids in. I'm 5 weeks post op now, and I FEEL AMAZING!! Pain is gone. I'm able to go shopping, work, play with my dog, go for walks, life is normal again! It all gets easier as you progress. I stressed about it the beginning of my 2nd week, thinking I should have already been feeling better. But, we all heal differently. Wishing you lots of luck!!! -
When did you feel good post op
Heather~ Sweetdreams replied to FishingNurse's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I believe Almanza pulls out the drain before sending you home. -
2 days after Sleeve
Heather~ Sweetdreams replied to Kimberlina's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
This site was a great tool for me too! I had no idea what to expect, and learned more from this site than ANY nut. that I was forced to see! Glad you are doing so well!!! -
Firecrackers....what are you eating these days?
Heather~ Sweetdreams replied to DrMommy's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I've always been a chicken junkie, but I am even more so now! I eat a lot of chicken, and since I have the best boyfriend in the world, if we go out to eat, he doesn't mind getting a chicken dish so that I can have a little of his. I eat a lot of eggs, and cheese, and am also still having to drink a Protein shake, or, I've found the Isopure fruit punch isn't completely unbearable. I've even devoloped a little sweet treat recipe with it! 1 tub light cool whip 1 small package sugar free cherry Jello 1/2 cup Isopure fruit punch 1 can sugar free cherry pie filling WHIP the cool whip, jello, and punch together until blended well. Mix in pie filling. This is a great little snack, and a good pick me up! It's perfect for summer! I've made 2, and you can use any flavors that you can find sugar free products in. I guess you could also use fruit in natural juices (like peaches) with the same flavor jello. I also LOVE turkey sausage. My sleeve adores it!! I am almost 5 weeks out, and can't believe that I'm already eating regular foods for the most part. I can't do salads yet, and still overcook any veggies I try to eat. Oh.. and as of yesterday I am down 50 pounds from my starting weight!!! -
From: My 11th Month Sleeversary Update
Heather~ Sweetdreams commented on LilMissDiva Irene's blog entry in LilMissDiva's Corner
You are such an inspiration. I'm one month out (my surgeversary is ALSO on the 15th of the month!) and I've already hit a major goal for myself. I can't wait to be where you are! Maybe I will get lucky and be as excited as you at 11 months out! Bless you and your story!!! -
Just wondering if you ever got your surgery. I know it was on the fence for a bit there. Any news?
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I'm late calling "PRESENT!" but I'm here too! Had my surgery July 14, and am 4 weeks out tomorrow. My weight loss is going AWESOME! I've been busy, and we went on vacation last weekend with 15 of our closest friends, so I haven't been around much! Vacation was great, everyone cooked out Friday night, burgers and dogs. Since beef is still a bit of a hard task for my sleeve to handle, I thought ahead and brought chicken, watermelon, and cottage cheese for me for the weekend. We spent an entire day on the river... it was so nice. I'm down 46-48 pounds depending on which scale I get one (ha!) and am absolutely ECSTATIC about that! I've still not had any nausea or vomiting, and my left side pain is FINALLY gone. My sleeve and I have an understanding. I will put lots of protein enriched foods in it, and then I get to have a Breyers 3 carb chocolate fudge bar in the evening. If you haven't tried them, they are AWESOME! I'm so busy during the day that I haven't realy developed a routine, and scheduled my meals. I will have to start soon with school going back into session in a couple of weeks though! Hope everyone is doing great, and good luck to all the upcoming surgeries in August! It's the best thing you will ever do!!
