suejersey

No matter how slow you're going... You're still lapping everyone on the couch!! Keep it up )

I was sleeved 10/11/12 and started walking the week after surgery. Slowly, leisurely around the block once. After about 2 weeks I picked up the pace and added a little more to the length. Now 4 weeks out I am starting 2 times around the block at a normal pace (not fast and sometimes stopping for the dog LOL)
Today it was raining and I wanted to make sure I got in some exercise so I decided I would walk the stairs. I read an article that at my weight 248 I would burn 10 calories per minute. I said I would do 10 minutes but could only do 5 minutes.
Afterwards my heart rate was super high (didn't time it) and was coughing quite a bit. When I had my pulmonology appointment before surgery the doctor said he thought I might have a bit of asthma (which I never had before) but after all the coughing I am wondering.
I have basically sat at my computer 10 - 12 hours a day, 6 days per week for the last 4 years and had put on a lot of weight and virtually NO EXERCISE. My heart muscle has suffered greatly but I know it will get better as I continue to do what I can. It is embarrassing to be 46 years old and struggle with climbing the stairs but that will change, just like it was embarrassing to only be able to make it around the block once and now I can do two times.
I just wanted to share that although my exercise is a pittance compared to what I could do even 5 years ago (used to do zumba 3 days a week and cardio/weight training the other two days), it is still EXERCISE and it is helping me get healthy.
I think the rain has cleared out so I think I will get that walk in today too. And now I am going to do my walk each day and add to that five minutes of climbing stairs.
10/11/12 278
11/7/12 248

Healthier chicken Nuggets..hope you like them

Wow! Way to go! Keep it up. You look so happy

-Looking younger - I look way older than I think right now
-Not sweating
-Keeping up with people when I walk
-Being able to keep my house in better shape
-Enjoying my family more - not just "watching" life
-Feeling confident again

Had my first post op apt yesterday and it was the first time I got on the scale since the weighed me before surgery and I'm down 23lbs since my 10/16 surgery! With my preop I'm down 36lbs!!! I'm now able to eat most foods and can start going to the gym in one more week. Best thing I've ever done!!!

Well it's my 1 week Post-Op update.... I was sleeved on Oct. 30th. I can't believe I'm on this side of the losers bench and can now report here!!!!
Highest Weight = 256.8
Surgery Weight = 247
1 week Post-Op = 239.6
That's 17 lbs lost in two weeks!!! YAY!!!! I'm so happy I did this! Trying to get my liquids and Protein in... kind of a struggle but not too bad. I can start my Full liquid diet today, which means, Protein drinks, yogurt, cream Soups, sf popsicles, sf pudding, etc.
I made dinner for my family last night and I actually did really well with it and didn't run away crying that I couldn't eat with them LOL!! I'm also back at work, it's just a desk job, I feel good, just a little tired and the incisions are a little achy but other that I'm doing really well!!!
Just wanted to say Hi to all my "losers bench" friends!!!

Not sure how far out you are but I wouldn't be using the banana. You really don't need the extra calories and the shake is filling enough. Try using only one cup of almond milk. Soy milk has alot more Protein so you may want to try it, in shake form you don't taste "soy".

So I got the Chike flavor samples and decided to try the chocolate today. I also decided to freeze a small banana and add it to my shake. I used unsweetened almond milk 1 1/4 cup. 1 sample packet of chike and banana and it was over 300 calories and 23 carbs. Guess I will not be having this combo for Breakfast again! I used almost half my calories for the day on breakfast. The good thing is that it seems like it is going to be very filling so I may not be able to finish the whole thing. Next time I will only use half a banana and make a smaller portion.
Learned a lesson that you still have to watch the numbers even with Protein shakes!

The only artifical sweetner I can't tolerate is aspartame - gives me bad headaches.
Bought Nectreese a few days ago. It's made from Monk Fruit so it's "natural." Same consistency as sugar. I like it well enough.
That said, I'm not going to completely avoid sugar, or artificial sweetners. I like the flavored Greek yogurts and will eat a cup of yogurt for Breakfast almost every morning. But I wouldn't do so if it were plain - nasty!
With all the changes I have made (no fast food, no fried food, only "quality/healthy Protein, more fresh veggies and some fresh fruit) there has to be room for real life - a healthy way I can live the rest of my life. Most people of normal weight don't completely avoid sugar or sweet foods - they just have the ability to eat them in moderation (something I couldn't do very well before). My sleeve gives me the ability to be moderate, which I love!!!

I had surgery almost four weeks ago. What I would tell myself before surgery is - YOU ARE IMPORTANT. Your body will begin to hold you back from LIVING and you and your FAMILY deserve better than that, so take the steps, pay the price and go for it.
I am only a few weeks out so I can't say I have regrets but when I think about that this is FOREVER it can be daunting. I am not in any way unhappy that I did it, I know it will extend my life and allow me to LIVE again, not just watch from the sidelines. I have my first holiday (Thanksgiving) coming up so we shall see how that is. I plan to eat my two favorite things - stuffing and spinach casserole and skip the rest. I know I will be satisfied, as far as full in my stomach, and hopefully my head will go along. I haven't had too much trouble with the head hunger or temptation so hopefully that continues.
Someday I will have a taste of cheesecake or a sip of milkshake or a small ice cream cone, just not right now and not in the sizes that I used to have in the past and those small treats will be enjoyed but not missed in between.
The surgery really is a wonderful TOOL.
Good luck in your decision!

What about ground beef, egg salad, different types of Soup with Unjury chicken broth for added Protein?

Mashed potatoes boiled in chicken broth and mashed with Greek yogurt and a little milk.
Ground sautéed turkey seasoned with broth and onion and garlic powder. After cooking, chop super fine.
Gravy: Low fat cream of chicken Soup mixed with Greek yogurt and chicken broth.
Layer and eat...Delish and went down well and stayed down!

Suejersey....I am right there with ya! I'm 16 days out, had lost 15, gained 5 back, scale showed lost 2 again this morning! Not sure about the gain, not eating much at all. Seems like I can either eat or get liquids in! Trying to be patient. I feel great, still a little tired every now and then. I had band surgery in 2008, band slipped so we removed band and converted to sleeve. Just want to get back on track again!!!!

You will do great it is better to eat a few bites of sugar free pudding then to break down and try to eat a ton of actual junk food. As time goes he surgeon said that you will be drinking more just try to pace yourself so that your stomach doesn't stretch. Knowing that you didn't finish an egg sounds like you are right where you should be. Keep up the good work and try not to 2nd guess yourself. You will do great :*)

We are going to Bahamas and Grand Turk. Carnival out of Bayonne New Jersey. This will be my daughter's first cruise (16 and 14 years old) so we wanted to be sure we didnt' something that would have fun stuff for them to do (as with my weight I am definitely not as active as I used to be) so we thought this was a great opportunity. My husband and I love cruising, you can't beat the price, that is for sure! Have fun!

Hey y'all! Finally made it to the loser's bench! 10/15 surgery was textbook & recovery has been very smooth. I sure hope that it continues this nicely. I am constantly amused by the gurgling going on in my abdomen, my navel incision is still a bit sore, and my middle back is not very happy with me right now, but other than those things I don't have many complaints

I was calling every day.....so glad that I didn't have to change my date. Congratulations on the weight loss with the pre-op, especially after the cruise! I got lucky that I only had to do one day before surgery of liquid diet. So no weight loss here but I am sooooo ready.
Looking forward to hearing from you after your sleeve!

God bless!!

Scheduled for the 11th of October just waiting to hear back with approval from the insurance company. Trying not to think about anything too much!

Good luck and God bless!

I think all your emotions are very normal! Good luck and God bless!!