Kat Crowder

I always say you should follow doctor's orders. They do have the medical background and they aren't just telling us to do these tough things because they want to be mean or on the safe side. You will find on many threads here that EVERYONE is different and just because your friend ate right up until the day of surgery doesn't mean that will work out for you. I'm only giving my opinion, of course, but if I were you I would forget about the last couple of days and concentrate on doing what the doctor ordered from now on. Don't beat yourself up about what already happened, just change the future. After all, that is what we are all here to do...change our future! I know it is TOUGH!! Good luck!

Hi everyone! My surgeon asked if I wanted to have my VSG with a single incision vs. the multiple small incisions. He said there was a slightly higher risk of a hernia with the single incision through my belly button, but that it was up to me. Is anyone else having this? Or, has anyone else had this with success? I'd love to know if you had complications, how you felt, etc.
I did a search and found a few people who had it done, but didn't see a ton of comments about it. Any help would be appreciated!

If things are set up for you at all like they were for me, you shouldn't have to worry about pain. I was on morphine for the first day and a quarter, and basically told me to push the button whenever I needed to. I don't remember much of the first day! I had to stay in the hospital longer than I'd hoped, because they wouldn't release me until I'd passed gas - have to make sure all the pipes are working! I was on narcotic pain meds for the rest of the first week, then only to sleep for most of the second week, tylenol for about another week, and no pain meds since. The sleeve is wonderful! I wish you the best of luck!

Today I am 15 days post op and I am down 22lbs (32 including pre op) and am thrilled with the weight loss but this "licking" the spoon a couple of times and being full is unnerving and frustrating lol I was thrilled today to be able to eat, really chew, something!! I went to Applebees with my husband (we are out of town) and I ordered baked tilapia. It was soooo good!!! I enjoyed all 4 bites I got to take LOL!!! Should've shared a plate with my husband but I had these big plans of being able to eat half of the filet. NOT! But for now, the fish was good and I was thrilled to be able to chew!

You could start by trying out Protein shakes to see what you might like. We use Premier Protein ready to drink shakes - you can get a case of 18 them at costco for around $24 (160 cals, 30 g protein, 3-5 carbs depending on flavor, and 3 g fat) My NUT's at the surgeons office throughout my almost year of pre-op dieting always have us choose protein first - and my pre-op was similar to Atkins induction (less than 20g of carbs a day), lots of chicken, steak, fish and non starchy veggies.
I quit coffee before because I have problems with addiction, and it is a vehicle for spoons of sugar - I also started to really cut back on processed carbs - i.e. anything made with white flour - breads, baked goods, rice, no popcorn - NUT even said that there are no essential carbs - but rather our bodies will convert fat into the best fuel ever. Also watch the fruit - yes it is full of nutrients but also quite a bt of natural sugar. Good stuff but it can slow weight loss.
So lots of protein via shakes - chicken, fish, beef - all lean meats, green salads and veggies and lots of Water - if you have your bariatric Vitamins start those - they make you feel great.

This procedure is sooo NOT the easy way out! There is no going back! Like Marie said, you need to be 100% committed to changing and maintaining this new life style. But it is your right and choice to decide if or what you want to tell others. I'm pretty open about it. I work with a large 50 member team and everyone knows I'm too lazy to do a hard workout or stick to a diet for more than a month. Now I barely eat anything and I was tired of coming up with explanations. So I just let them know and now they are my support group!
BUT - you should decide what you are comfortable with. It is nobody's business but yours.
All the best!

Hey there - just a few weeks post-op and today was inspired by Emily Bites Buffalo chicken Cupcakes (but not ready for wonton wrappers) and Eggface's famous bites (but, alas, no buffalo chicken recipe). I was craving buffalo chicken, and mexican food, so decided to make my own in two "flavors"; buffalo chicken and chicken enchilada to use up a can of chicken I'd bought at Trade Joe's. They were sooooo yummy! Posted recipe and pics on my blog if anyone's interested.

I did exact what you are doing. And I'm glad I did. As far as seeing food as the enemy, no, I see it as more of a burden for now. My body needs its nourishment, but I could easily go without eating otherwise. I see ppl eating things I loved a few weeks ago and think " you are killing yourself". I still get cravings but they are so much easier to overcome. All I do is look at th price and think, "no way I'm paying $8 for a dish that's 1/2 rice or potato" not to mention portion sizes seem so huge to me now, I'd be eating 1 restaurant meal for 1.5 days & that's if I ate nothing else. YUCK!!! Can you imagine eating the same thing over & over.

I was a Diet Pepsi addict before surgery. Have not had any since and don't want any! Your taste buds and cravings will definitely change.

I just have to say Amen to what both CaliKat and WebChickadee posted! I eat whatever I want, just smaller portions. Eating all those "never have again" foods before surgery is normal, and it's called a food funeral. What we don't realize pre-op is that NOTHING is off limits after surgery. We just can't eat as much as before. I had lunch today with work colleagues who had never met me before in person. Neither of them noticed that I ate a significantly smaller amount than they did..and I ordered exactly the same thing they did. No problem at all.

Don't know what the scale says but I'v gone from a size 18 to a size 14. Super excited after 10 weeks.

I have been looking back at some old pictures of myself at the heaviest weight that I was....and I cant help but want to cry for that woman I see in the pictures. I remember how sad she was. She hated herself everytime she looked in the mirror. She felt judged everytime she ate in public, or did anything in public. She felt like she didnt belong in her own family because they were all thin, and she was so fat. She felt so desperatly trapped, and didnt know what to do to get out. I dont miss her, I just feel sad for her, and want to cry for her because it took so long to get out of her prison.
Now the person that I am is a free woman. No longer am I scared to eat in public, or be seen with my family. I love shopping, and dont feel like all the skinny women in stores are asking why I even bother shopping. I have energy, and sass. I want to do everything now....no more hiding! I am sexy, and my husband cant keep his hands off of me !!!!
For anyone who is unsure if they should take this drastic measure to get everything back, and stop being in your own prison......DO IT! My only regret is that I didnt free that woman sooner.
Thank God for the sleeve!

Only real advice I have is ask questions, every question that enters your mind.
When you stumble, get back up and remind yourself of your motivation.
Make sure you find an accountability partner, then be completely honest with them
And visit this forum often. The success stories will keep you motivated, & the problems posted will keep your expectations reasonable.

I definitely don't think you should go to any of the above events, no way no how
Now, not to waste the tickets, where do i meet you to pick up MY free tickets
go the shows and enjoy them. since you are only pre-op, you can really eat legally
have fun at the bachelorette and bridal shower too ,if you want to curb what you eat, good for you
many of, us, including myself went on food funerals before surgery, eating more than necessary cuz you figure you will never eat real food again. that is not true, just smaller portions.
sounds like you are in control though, you probably eat less anyways. good for you
ps don't lock yourself in your room, i don't have the key
good luck on your pending WLS
kathy

Before and after and my present for it all im in 36 waist now goal is 32-33 started at 48 inch waist so 40-45 more pounds to goal i guess

If this is for your surgery, I would consider going to Mexico. From what I've heard, they do a superior job! And it's in your price range.

Since I started my pre op diet on MAY 16 I am officially down 25 pounds total. Ahhhhhhh. Excitement.
Pre op I lost 12 lbs on my strict clear liquid diet.
I had surgery on May 23 and was up 2 lbs from the gas and fluids etc.
I came home from the hospital on May 24 and since then I lost 15 lbs!!
Loving my sleeve.

It makes me laugh to myself when anyone, espec. obese people think they know what's up with weight loss and what's right. If they truly did, they would be in the same boat! We Sleevers have just taken it to a new level.
We all Im sure have dieted and lost weight, it's the keeping it off part that is important. I have explained this to many people that know about my WLS. I am upfront and totally open with the fact I had it. I didn't want rumors again like before when I lost over 60 pounds a few years back. OMG she's on drugs and all that
I applaud all of us on here for getting control over obesity, we are all winners( but great losers too) LOL
Sent from my iPhone using VST

When she brings it up again and she will, just look at her and say "How does me taking control of my life, health and weight and the way I choose to do that affect you in any way?" and then smile really big of course!! That should send her packing and let her know you aren't interested and her opinion isn't going to change your mind.

If ur drinking lots of water, it flushes the sodium, so it turns out ok

I am feeling kinda sexy. I refuse to weigh myself but I would guess I've lost about 27 pounds since surgery. Waiting on my husband to get home so I can show him the long process and major surgery is worth it!

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today we had a BBQ to celebrate my son's bday. we usually put on a big spread and this year was not exception. i ate little bit of this and that. my dad cooks a mean tri-tip, which has always been my favorite. i took a tiny bite and found that it was only ok, so i took another bite, chewed it up and had to spit it out. it made me fill sick!! i stayed away from the cake while we passed it out. when i cleaned the kitchen, i had a very small bite of the corner of the cake. now i am sick and can't get the sweet taste out of my mouth! it is such a change, my taste buds are not agreeing with the foods that i liked before. i know that i am not eating as much and that i am more than likely not eating enough calories, but i still have that mindset that if i eat more, i will not lose weight. since i have been on a plateau for just over two weeks (26# in just over 6 weeks), i guess that mindset is not correct. i have made the resolution in my mind to increase my caloric intake and to definately increase my protein. i also must continue with my exercise. this past week was rough and i didnt get in what i should have.
anyway... now that i am done rambling i would like to wish everyone a happy memorial weekend! BE SAFE!!!

Yes, it's only a temporary departure, I can honestly say that I enjoy food far more NOW than I did pre-sleeve. I am not concentrating on stuffing myself silly and now eat slower and enjoy the tastes and textures MORE.
I know eat whatever I WANT and not whatever I CRAVE, I just don't want a whole lot now!

Both my mom and I work at a hospital that specializes in bariatric surgery, so this was a little hard cause of what we see on the other side. But I was in the car with her and told her strait foward- mom, I'm thinking of getting the sleeve. My weight is --- and I need help. She agreed and said how can I help- lets do this

For the life of me, I can't seem to pass it, and they won't discharge me until they're sure that my bowels are working. Except for this, I've been ready to go since Tuesday (op was 8:30 a.m. on Monday). I know the drill - walk, walk, walk, sip, sip, sip. I've never wanted to fart so much before in my life!
Every doctor and nurse who comes to check on me has to marvel at my single site, though. I feel really lucky to have been able to get one of those. Incision through the belly button, one puncture higher up for the liver retractor, and the rest pretty smooth tummy skin. Ah, vanity.