JerseyGirl68

I've been sampling different products to prep for my upcoming surgery. I just had the powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chicken Soup for lunch today. I really enjoyed it. I was expecting it to taste chalky, but it was very flavorful and provided 20 gm Protein in an 8oz serving. I liked that I could order just a few packets of things to try before committing to a large jar.

Not one single moment. I just got tired of being tired. Tired of not having the energy to play with my neices and nephews. Tired of being in pain at the end of the day and when I woke the next morning. Tired of making excuses why I didn't join in some activities. Tired of always thinking ahead, concerned how my size was going to effect what I was doing. Would i fit comfortably in the seat, would the seatbelt fit... just everything.
Single best decision I have ever made. Yes, it was scary, but no scarier than wondering what phyical weight-related ailment was waiting for me around the corner.

I've been sampling different products to prep for my upcoming surgery. I just had the powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chicken Soup for lunch today. I really enjoyed it. I was expecting it to taste chalky, but it was very flavorful and provided 20 gm Protein in an 8oz serving. I liked that I could order just a few packets of things to try before committing to a large jar.

First, Congratulations on getting sleeved. The gurgling is normal, maybe some don't experience it, but a lot of us do. You will find many posts about it. The first week or so was the "worst" , not that it was bad, but it does get better. Your stomach is swollen and recovering, give it time. I also get the gurgling back when trying some new foods. After Day 5, drinking in general became much easier. During that first week, I found warm liquid wend down much easier. powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chicken Soup, herbal tea. All good. My NUT was much more concerned with staying hydrated the first week, so she stressed drinking above all else. Though I was not taking pain meds, I did take liquid Tylenol (acetaminophen)/some times I crushed tablets into a spoon of SF pudding, and that helped with discomfort and swelling.
Good luck!!

I felt the same way 7 or 8 years ago when I first contemplated weight loss surgery. I wasn't willing to do RNY, then something "better" came along.. Lap Band, and I wasn't willing to deal with the fills etc. When I read about the sleeve, I was hooked, and FINALLY stopped waiting for the next best thing. I chose to start living better NOW. Gemini is right.. as technology improves, so will the options.
You can only make the best decision for you, it is a personal choice. Trust your research, ask questions and move forward when you are sure.
Best of luck!!

You bring up very valid concerns.
The biggest difference is the quantity of food you can take in at one time. Everything else is up to the individual.
I don't think anyone regained weight by staying on plan - smaller portions, focusing on Protein first, then veg, then carbs. There is no magic pill to get us to stop eating the wrong things.
Speaking for myself, in my experience with long-term dieting, what always got in my way was ME. I got bored with what I was eating, I got tired of feeling deprived, tired of feeling hungry. I like feeling full when I have a meal. The sleeve provides me with that.

Anyone can eat around it, you can fill it with ice cream and chips and gain easily. You can decide that you dont' need to exercise and gain.
I really believe that those of us with life-long weight issues are wired differently, we have a different relationship with food than other folks. We can either get it under control on our own or go another route, for me that route was surgery.
I don't have a crystal ball, this may not work for me long term either, but I do know that this time around I feel differently. It has been easier for me to lose the weight. I don't feel deprived and I am never hungry. I stay on plan, I work my favorite foods into that plan and I can do this because Portion Control is built in. I have altered my recipes to be a bit more healthy overall. But my goal was not just to be a smaller size, it was to get healthier. I like how I feel now, more than I want a snickers bar.
Keep in mind that a lot of folks that are doing well don't post every day, they don't tell cautionary tales because they don't' have any. I respond to posts daily, but I never really start any because I'm not having any issues that I need to address. I am so thankful that those who have had complications post as much as they do. I knew the risks going in. It should be very telling to you that even though some had complications, they would still opt for the surgery.
My main food issue was portion size, the sleeve was a perfect fit for me in that regard. I can imagine that if a person's issue is they binge on chocolate and chips that they may have different success after getting sleeved. For any weight loss effort to be successful we have to come to terms with what our issues are and tackle them. Emotional eating is another issue for me. The sleeve does not take away those impulses. Reminding myself that I had 80% of my stomach removed to get healthier snaps me out of it most times. It was a drastic step. But drastic times call for drastic measures.
I never saw a nutritionist before I contemplated surgery. I wish I had, maybe things would have been different for me. My NUT is another tool crucial to my continued success. My doctors are all working together to give me the best shot at staying healthy. I get blood work done every 3 months so I don't let a deficiency catch me off guard. But I need to stay diligent. I need to keep taking my Vitamins. Today I'm committed to doing everything I need to do. I don't' pretend that one wave of a magic scalpel changed who I am and what my issues have been. I need to stay on top of things, I need stay focused. It is up to me and me alone to determine if I succeed.
I'm armed with a tool that gives me the edge I need.
Keep asking the questions you need to, and make the best decision for you.
Best of luck to you going forward!

Not one single moment. I just got tired of being tired. Tired of not having the energy to play with my neices and nephews. Tired of being in pain at the end of the day and when I woke the next morning. Tired of making excuses why I didn't join in some activities. Tired of always thinking ahead, concerned how my size was going to effect what I was doing. Would i fit comfortably in the seat, would the seatbelt fit... just everything.
Single best decision I have ever made. Yes, it was scary, but no scarier than wondering what phyical weight-related ailment was waiting for me around the corner.

Not one single moment. I just got tired of being tired. Tired of not having the energy to play with my neices and nephews. Tired of being in pain at the end of the day and when I woke the next morning. Tired of making excuses why I didn't join in some activities. Tired of always thinking ahead, concerned how my size was going to effect what I was doing. Would i fit comfortably in the seat, would the seatbelt fit... just everything.
Single best decision I have ever made. Yes, it was scary, but no scarier than wondering what phyical weight-related ailment was waiting for me around the corner.

North Jeresy here, Good luck everyone!!

I tend to agree that it is a personal preference. I've had weight issues my entire life and have dated all different shapes and sizes, I tend to gravitate to a bigger guy. Taller etc. not just weight (I'm also fairly tall ,so I think proportion as opposed to weight). In my dating experience I've met guys who only wanted larger women, that to me is more fetish than attraction. Real attraction come from the whole package, in my opinion.

Hey there,
I'm just a month ahead of you and can understand the frustration.
I copied this months ago from another poster, gmanbat, knowing one day I would need to refer back to it.
"You have beaten the greater part of your enemy. It's on the ropes. Kill it.
Go over your battle tactics one at a time, cover all the bases. Water, Protein first, exercise, Vitamins, Fiber, sleep, no browsing, and whatever you use in your fight.

Accept no excuses, show no mercy, don't lie to yourself.
You can take it to the goal and beyond, it is in you. Grab it. Get mad, get mean. Win. "
The best part is you know exactly what you need to do, you just need to re-focus your desire to meet your goal.
You have come this far. Go for it.
Thanks Gmanbat!
Good luck.

Hey there,
I'm just a month ahead of you and can understand the frustration.
I copied this months ago from another poster, gmanbat, knowing one day I would need to refer back to it.
"You have beaten the greater part of your enemy. It's on the ropes. Kill it.
Go over your battle tactics one at a time, cover all the bases. Water, Protein first, exercise, Vitamins, Fiber, sleep, no browsing, and whatever you use in your fight.

Accept no excuses, show no mercy, don't lie to yourself.
You can take it to the goal and beyond, it is in you. Grab it. Get mad, get mean. Win. "
The best part is you know exactly what you need to do, you just need to re-focus your desire to meet your goal.
You have come this far. Go for it.
Thanks Gmanbat!
Good luck.

Hey there,
I'm just a month ahead of you and can understand the frustration.
I copied this months ago from another poster, gmanbat, knowing one day I would need to refer back to it.
"You have beaten the greater part of your enemy. It's on the ropes. Kill it.
Go over your battle tactics one at a time, cover all the bases. Water, Protein first, exercise, Vitamins, Fiber, sleep, no browsing, and whatever you use in your fight.

Accept no excuses, show no mercy, don't lie to yourself.
You can take it to the goal and beyond, it is in you. Grab it. Get mad, get mean. Win. "
The best part is you know exactly what you need to do, you just need to re-focus your desire to meet your goal.
You have come this far. Go for it.
Thanks Gmanbat!
Good luck.

food was like the bad boyfriend...he drew you in, but really did not make life better. He lied and chested and made you feel like crap. Click on my profile to see my transformation ... excess food never made me feel this good.

Not one single moment. I just got tired of being tired. Tired of not having the energy to play with my neices and nephews. Tired of being in pain at the end of the day and when I woke the next morning. Tired of making excuses why I didn't join in some activities. Tired of always thinking ahead, concerned how my size was going to effect what I was doing. Would i fit comfortably in the seat, would the seatbelt fit... just everything.
Single best decision I have ever made. Yes, it was scary, but no scarier than wondering what phyical weight-related ailment was waiting for me around the corner.

It's a good question, I've asked it myself and my nutritionist assured me that even doing everything perfectly can result in "slow" loss. Everyone is different. I always was a slow loser and that hasn't really changed, it is just much easier post surgery for me. The bonus is after surgery, you will have a permanent restriction that should definitely help a Portion Control issue. You will feel full and satisfied on much less.
Emotional eating is something alot of us struggle with. And something you should try to get a handle on before surgery. Even though you'll be sleeved, you could still "binge" on foods that would ruin any diet plan. This is big step, it is permanent and uncompromising. It really boils down to choices, make good choices and you'll succeed.
The biggest motivation for me is knowing that if I stick to the plan, lose the weight I need to and make it to maintenance then it will be the last diet I'll ever have to be on. Surgery is only a tool to aid in the big picture. We all have to commit to the changes and follow through.
You can do this!! It is SOOOOOOO worth it, and you have a built in support system here. If you need motivation, you'll get it. Need an a**-kicking to get back on track... you'll get that too. All you have to do is ask.
Good luck Jessica!!

How much Protein & Water are you getting in? Your body is still in a bit of shock, but if you are doing what your NUT recommended, you should start losing steady. Are you getting enough walking in? Whenever I was stalled, I always asked myself it I'm doing everything I should be. Almost always, I could be more diligent.
Are you tracking all your food and Water with an app like MyFitnessPal? That helped me so much the first year, and still (though I will admit I have been bad with it lately)
Are you are still in the Puree stage?
As far as support, it is hard for anyone who has not lived through this to truly understand, especially the emotional factor so many of us have and still struggle with. Search the boards, almost every topic imaginable has been covered, you just have to look.
Best of luck to you!!

While I COULD have done it by myself, who would I have to b**** to when I was in pain? Who would pick up my panties which I dropped on the floor? And again, who would I b***** to when I was so bored?
In 2009, after my lapband surgery, I was single. My brother in law came to stay for a week. I liked having the company but I really didn't NEED him. 10 mths ago when I had my sleeve revision, I'm now married for 3 yrs. So, so glad I had someone around. Not only to pick stuff up that I dropped but also just for company. I guess I could've done it alone, but wouldn't want to.
And like I said : Who would I have to b***** to?
Oh, and I have a small dog that we kept at a friends house for a few days after coming home. I was afraid she'd jump on my stomach. And she did. After a few days I was much more tolerant of her jumping tho...

I am still pre-op, but from reading other posts similar to yours, the general consensus is this:
Keep up the good fight - this is a long road and it is worth it! Your Mushies - are the high carb? Mashed Potatoes, Refried Beans? They can give you head hunger if they are high carb. Drink, Drink, Drink Lots of Water (well really, Sip, Sip, Sip) You may be considered a "light weight", you can't judge your weight loss with a man who is 400 lbs and loses 47 lbs the first two weeks, losing 14lbs in one month is still pretty darn awesome! You really have lost 29lbs since Pre-Op, that is amazing! Give yourself a pat on the back! Chin Up Girl - it gets better! Hope this helps :-D

A pound a day average loss is very good. Put your scale out of reach and eat correctly. It will all come together.

How much Protein & Water are you getting in? Your body is still in a bit of shock, but if you are doing what your NUT recommended, you should start losing steady. Are you getting enough walking in? Whenever I was stalled, I always asked myself it I'm doing everything I should be. Almost always, I could be more diligent.
Are you tracking all your food and Water with an app like MyFitnessPal? That helped me so much the first year, and still (though I will admit I have been bad with it lately)
Are you are still in the Puree stage?
As far as support, it is hard for anyone who has not lived through this to truly understand, especially the emotional factor so many of us have and still struggle with. Search the boards, almost every topic imaginable has been covered, you just have to look.
Best of luck to you!!

Not one single moment. I just got tired of being tired. Tired of not having the energy to play with my neices and nephews. Tired of being in pain at the end of the day and when I woke the next morning. Tired of making excuses why I didn't join in some activities. Tired of always thinking ahead, concerned how my size was going to effect what I was doing. Would i fit comfortably in the seat, would the seatbelt fit... just everything.
Single best decision I have ever made. Yes, it was scary, but no scarier than wondering what phyical weight-related ailment was waiting for me around the corner.

I tend to agree that it is a personal preference. I've had weight issues my entire life and have dated all different shapes and sizes, I tend to gravitate to a bigger guy. Taller etc. not just weight (I'm also fairly tall ,so I think proportion as opposed to weight). In my dating experience I've met guys who only wanted larger women, that to me is more fetish than attraction. Real attraction come from the whole package, in my opinion.

Congratulations for catching the regain early. You can turn this around!

How about we encourage you to do what you know is going to be helpful?
Measure your portions
Eat lean Proteins that aren't fried, cooked in a lot of butter and fat
Eat veggies
Drink lots of Water and 0 calorie drinks
Exercise daily for 30 minutes
I'd rather do that, as I think we've all been kicked in the pants at one time or another.