ladyhummingbird

I love that I did this for " me". I'm 3 months and a week post op. about 2 lbs a week losing which is great. The only side effect is my hair. But it's not horrible. Thankfully I have lots of hair. It still looks fine . Otherwise i couldn't be happier
At my heaviest I was a 20. This week I went into a fancy boutique and tried on lots of things. That fit! I grabbed Xl ( before I'd pray they'd fit. Usually didn't). This time I got all large. Xl was too big. It's so strange. I'm a 14 now pretty consistently. It's crazy.
I rewarded myself witn a membership to a super fancy gym ( I was working out In our complex gym at work and it is great but small. Now I get steam room whirlpool etc. rewards for workouts). And I'm going to start yoga and Pilates
This is the best thing I've done truly for me ever. Znd my family is benefitting too happier mom

Haven't been here in a while! I still keep getting PMs through my email, so I figured I'd drop by. Been pretty busy with school/work lately (I'm a few months away from finishing medical school). I remember how few people still stick around the boards once they've maintained their weightloss for a few months, and how much the newbies love to see people who are a few years out.
For those who are not familiar with me, I joined these boards in June 2010 and had my VSG with Dr. Aceves on Aug 9, 2010 at 208 lbs. I reached my original goal weight of 150 lbs within 5 months; my lowest weight to date has been 135. I'm maintaining around 140 now (I'm 5'5" and have a large frame). I had a fairly simple and stress-free recovery and consistent weightloss with no major stalls. My weight has bounced up on a few occasions since my surgery, but I always catch myself after I notice a few extra pounds and change up my eating.
I went through a phase where I ate anything I wanted and maintained my weight, but back in the spring I became interested in the paleo/primal diet - which is actually fairly similar to our post-WLS diets in that it's relatively low-carb. However, you are not allowed ANY grains and NO processed foods at all. The diehards will also avoid soy, peanuts, and dairy. I personally still eat dairy, but I choose full-fat versions. I eat as much meat/fish/chicken/game as I want, all fruits and vegetables, nuts, full-fat dairy, and occasional low-sugar treats such as dark chocolate (80-85% usually), etc. I've completely lost all interest in grains and a lot of treats taste very sweet to me now. pizza, etc just tastes like I'm chewing flour; I found some artisan ice cream that's quite low in sugar, but even that's a little too sweet, so I think I'll be getting my own ice cream maker soon and make low-sugar ice cream. I eat about 2500 calories a day on average. I eat about 7-8 times a day. I can eat enough that no one notices I eat small portions.
Today, I ate:
Meal 1: 4 strips thick bacon
Meal 2: about 1/2 pint strawberries with double cream
Meal 3: lamb chop, 2 small cucumbers
Meal 4: kohlrabi and apple slaw with homemade dressing
Meal 5: 3 strips thick bacon, several squares dark chocolate
Meal 6: handful of almonds, cheese curds
Meal 7: roasted figs with goat cheese wrapped in prosciutto
I took 2 months off from the gym recently because of work, but I still biked about an hour 3-4 times a week and tried to run about 30 mins 2x a week. I'm coming back to the gym this coming week. I do Crossfit, so I have a very varied routine with lots of bodyweight exercises like pull-ups and burpees, explosive cardio such as sprints, and heavy weightlifting.
I'm attaching pix of me from the day before surgery and some pix from this summer (I haven't really changed much since).   

Ok. Rules are SOMETIMES meant to be broken. So, Here's the deal. I am 2 weeks post op today. I am one of those who had zero issues and had a smooth ride from recovery room to date!! This post is not intended to mean I am sure I will have a long term good go at this! It also doesn't address the future, but really ONLY the many threads that I have read regarding the preo op and post op liquid diets and the Pre and post few weeks Do's and Dont's!
I have read almost every post on here before and after surgery, lol. Here is the point that I will explain. Your/Our obsession over following diet rules is what got us here in the first place.. isn't it?? I mean, it's great to have black and white rules.. Do's and Don's. can and cant's.. That's why we were ALL great on Atkins (remember the carb counting obsession), and South Beach (remember how carefully we chose the meals), weight watchers, low cal, grapefruit, slimfast , yada yada yada......RIGHT?
Sure, it worked. THEN WE WENT OFF THE WAGON and got sick of the rules and restrictions and put weight back on (and then some).... That's because it was a DIET.. Why do so many of you do that on here? I'm not judging, but trying to help! Yes, it's easier for me, since I have had no issues. I come from a strong medical family (i had bio as a minor,4 docs and 2 nurses in immed family) and I always love to understand WHY the rules are in place. If something doesn't make sense, I want to know why and not just follow a rule because it was put out there.
My surgeon told me that "rules" are on here for the lower end of reaction spectrum. meaning, many need not follow them, but since 30%, for ex, will have issues with some things, they want to make a general rule......
As EVERYONE says on here, as well as EVERY doc, ALL OF US ARE DIFFERENT! We heal differently, We tolerate pain differently, foods differently, weight loss differently, etc..... EVERY SINGLE ONE So, the rules need not be applied to the T!
Now, as a caveat and from feedback so far on this post, this is not an excuse to eat junk NOR stay on bad habits. I don't mean to enable anyone. here is what BUTTERTHEBEAN wrote:
"The only reason I say "enabling" is because I think there are some people waiting in the wings to hear someone tell them it's okay to eat whatever they want. They haven't tackled their food addictions and they are hoping for "permission" to go back to their old ways. I know there are some that can learn to eat "all things in moderation." I have no problem with that. For me, I chose to embrace my inner health nut. It's not fear or weakness or lack of self control...it's the desire to live a long, healthy and active life. I'm not depriving myself, or sacrifing. The things I'm doing and the life I'm leading now feel way better than eating pizza and cupcakes ever did (even in moderation). By that I mean that food did not give me pleasure (never did, I just thought it did), so I no longer look to food to satisfy my needs, except nutritionally."
Ok... Back to the post. Specifically, here is what I have had debunked by my brother (Anesthesiologist for bariatric), My mom (nurse and nutritionist), my bro's good friend and bariatric surgeon, and my surgeon..........
* Yes, the liquid PRE OP diet is not to be messed with. It sucked, but we need the liver to be soft and looking like liver in a supermarket. That will happen in most cases with one week.. Many docs do one week only and many do 2 weeks..... So, if you have a 2 week doc, don't worry if you cheat a little and wants some low calorie food.. It's OK!! have the Soup... etc. I didn't cheat as mine was only a week and I did not want to have a lifetime of liver issues if it was frail and broke a bit/injured while being moved for my surgery....
* Most docs on here POST OP put you on liquids for 2 weeks.. Why?? NOTHING medical. Really? Many docs, including mine, put me on Clear Liquids only day 1 in the hospital and then put me instantly on pureed foods (tuna salad, chicken salad, egg salad, greek yogurts, ricotta cheese, etc).. Yes. DAY 2! He does this for EVERY patient.. He has had NO MORE COMPLICATIONS than anyone else ever.... It is NOT true that eating this will cause a leak.. It can't get caught in you stitches, lol, as they are on the outside and you can't see them even in your stomach.. The ONLY risk is a)that you eat way too much and thus can cause leaks, so don't do that. and that is WAY too much. Meaning you go out of your way to test the limits. As any surgeon will tell you, stretching the stomach to break the staples is no easy task.... easy enough to follow that rule .. and the risk is that you get nauseated.. Ok.. we are all different. Some take 90 minutes the first time they eat to get down 4 oz of chicken salad.. I didn't . I got it down in 15 min and could have done it in 5..... But the point is, listen to your body. start slowly and if you tolerate it, then screw the rules.....
What does this mean? It means so what if you doc put you on 2 week post liquid. That is soo hard.. so, do it mostly, but don't obsess about cheating. have a friggin plate of tuna salad.. It will taste yummy.. Add some great yogurt. If you can handle it, you are good to go! I did.. They also want you on this liquid to max your weight loss for motivation up front? do you really need that?? I don't care if it takes me 1 more week than you to hit the same goal? Frankly, I decided to keep my calories around 800ish anyway for my first 2 weeks. It was a little hard, but nothing like your liquid nightmare and i lost as much weight... I'm now on 1200 cal full diet plan (less hard carbs and hard veggies) as of last night.
I've heard people say they are craving one Dorito chip.. Then the advice replies were "lick the cheese off" or "take a bit and spit it out...." LOL. Really? This is your diet/lifestyle for the rest of your life. HAVE A CHIP.. See if you get a lot of gas.. Chew it well.. If not problem, then enjoy the one chip. You got here because you at a half bag . One or three chips won't kill you! You need to find a way to eat what you will do.. The docs want you to build your healthy habits now.
*The first year is where you get your max weight loss- Ok. For sure,, so, as noted, build your healthy habits now.. but make it last. So, if I want a Dorito chip. I have one or two.. On my pureed phase, my kids had pretzels at a game. I took 2 small ones....I had a qtr of his hotdog meat.. The point is, if we can seriously lower the number of calories we eat (which, for me, they figured i was eating between 3500-4000 per day and needed to be at 2400 or so.. Now, with 1200, which believe me, with the sleeve is a mini feast, I will be eating half the amount and will lose a lot of weight. So, yes, build good eating habits and i'm working on good food choices that I can live with! Can I eat white bread. Damn right?should I// nO?? it's a waste of calories and spikes your sugar and appetite. But, I sure will if i want a hamburger or great sandwich. A month ago i would have had 2 cheeseburgers and 2 hotdogs at a bbq. .So, guess what, i'll lose weight. Can't make it a daily thing.. But, again, stop obsessing..
*Eating and drinking slowly eating- well, you don't HAVE to eat slowly, but as we have been told our whole lives, eat slowly so that when you are really full, you know it! Also, you need to see what your bod can tolerate and if you eat too quickly, you may not have realized you were about to puke. If you can tolerate it, you can eat and drink quicker than others, but not a good idea for reasons mentioned. so work on it, but don't obsess.. At the hospital, they told me I had to drink in in little tiny medical cups a few cc evry 20 min. I laughed, as Water went down easily in recovery even. ALL NURSES TOLD ME NO. When I saw my doc, i asked why I can't just drink as I can tolerate it at home and get my 64 oz is. HE said dont' chug, but do whatever you can do without discomfort. So, 8 oz bottle of Water went down in 5 minutes... etc....
*Chewing your food- ALL true... We have that banana sized stomach.. So, the doughy breads, and stringy veggies and large pieces of non chewed enough food INDEED often get stuck! Not stuck like a lap band, but rather, they move toward the pyloric valve and are too big to pass through it, since there isn't as much acid, etc in your stomach and, well, the route to the valve is now MUCH shorter.. So, it sits in front of it and as soon as the next item goes there, it waits in line. your body puts out gas and then knows there is a problem, so will signal you to vomit it up. not fun... So, chew! All true! Also makes us take longer to eat and thus enjoy the tastes more than ever and have the full signal sent to our brain while we are still eating or pretty close to that!
*Caffein is bad... Ok. Google whether it's an appetite suppressant or stimulant.. It's hysterical.. You'll get equal replies from GREAT sources that say the opposite. I WANT my one cup a day. I'm not an addict. I asked. I am now sipping on my first REAL one. It is indeed a diuretic for some. So, drink a half cup more water than a day! If you feel it makes you hungry after you have it and you don't want to hold back, then stop the coffee.. It doesn't for me. It does for some... But what will you be doing in a year from now??/ There is NO medical reason why you can't have caffein after a few weeks
*ALCOHOL is a no no for 2 months. NONSENSE.. Again, just there so we don't put empty calories. BUT what if I WANT one drink or two on a date tonight?? I am told, go for it, but just know you will have ingested 400 wasted calories. Ok. I get it, but I WILL drink in my life, although never drank a ton and that was not the cause of most of my weight.. Watch the calories and don't do it twice most weeks.. Or if you will, then cut back a bit on your Snacks, etc. Anyway, looking forward to a martini with my date tomorrow at dinner.. Oh, most people on here for a while, will tell you since there is less food to bind with alcohol, it goes into your intestines/blood stream much quicker and you get a nice buzz faster with less! way cool!
* Most other rules and comments on here are just not universal and again, if you feel the NEED to cheat, then well, cheat! How can it be cheating if this will be your new life! WOrk hard at right food choices and don't make this soooo hard. The harder you make it, the more YOU WILL revolt and end up going off the wagon like the good old days... Since I have had no pain, etc and pretty much eat what I wanted (and cheated on my puree period even), I feel this is just toooo easy. I hear so many of you struggling (not because you have pain, but because you want to break a rul) and so many of you "supporting them" to stay strong, that I just wanted to add this post! Also, again, much of the medical advice that our well meaning friends on here provide, just isn't true. Sorry, but it isnt.
I hope this helps some of you enjoy your Pre and Post diets much more than you may be now!
Best, my friends!

DISCLAIMER: This FAQ is in no way intended to replace or undermine the advice of your physician. Every person is different, every surgeon has different guidelines, and no two situations are identical. Therefore if any of the answers below are unclear or contradict your physicians’ instructions, always follow your physicians’ instructions. The responses given are a compilation from multiple sources and references.
How do I embed the weight loss ticker? Click on the liquid stage? During your clear liquid stage you can have anything that you can sip through a straw that is translucent, meaning see through. For instance: Water, juice, broth, sugar free popsicles, sugar free Jello, Isopure Protein Drinks, Gatorade, Powerade, Decaf tea just to name a few. Once you move on to full liquids you may add liquids that are not translucent. For instance: creamed Soups, soups with the chunks strained out, milk, Protein shakes etc…
When do I start mushies/purees? Every surgeon has different guidelines for the progression of your post-op diet. The majority of post-op diets progress as follows:
Day 1-7 Clear Liquids
Day 8-14 Full liquids
Day 15-21 Purees
Day 22-50 Mushies
What’s the difference between mushies and purees? The major difference is that purees are anything that has been blenderized/pureed to a baby food consistency and has no chunks. These should not be watery, but instead a thicker pudding like consistency. Mushies are soft foods that have not been pureed.< /p>
Should I be counting calories or carbs or both? Both. Again, every surgeon is different, but the majority of sleevers will be on a 600-1000 calorie/day diet with carbs kept at 60-80g or less. The general guideline is this: When eating, protein is always first, veggies are second, and if you have room carbs/starch last. The majority will rarely have room for the carbs.
How much protein should I be getting per day? The recommended protein intake may vary from 55 to 100g per day, depending on your individual needs and the bariatric diet provided by your surgeon or dietitian. The generally accepted minimum protein requirement for women is about 50 to 60g per day and men need at least 60 to 70g of protein per day.
How much liquid do i need for the day? About 60-80oz
When can I eat salad? Once you reach the point where you’re on normal solids you can try salad. Start with a small amount and see how your sleeve tolerates it as it can be difficult to digest.
Best Protein Shakes? This one depends on your particular tastes, however most seem to enjoy powders? utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury.

What else counts as a liquid? Anything that can be sipped through a straw or that will reduce back to a liquid. For example: Jello, sugar free popsicles, frozen yogurt/ice cream (these are generally no no foods)
How long will my surgery last? Typically about 45mins assuming there are no complications or other procedures (ie: hernia repairs) being done at the time of your surgery. Every surgeon is different so for a more accurate answer you should consult your respective surgeon.
Why can't I tolerate plain water, is this normal? It’s called water nausea and it is completely normal. This is very common during the first few weeks following surgery and should eventually subside.
What is sliming/slimes? Sliming or slimes occur when you eat or drink something and then regurgitate a slimy, foamy, saliva like substance, usually when belching.
What is grazing? Grazing is when instead of consuming your standard 3 small meals and 2 small Snacks per day, you simply munch all day grabbing a handful here or a bite there. The rule is that your meals should take you 20-30 minutes to eat and should be about 3 hours apart with only fluids in between.
What do all these acronyms mean?
In no particular order:
WLS – Weight Loss Surgery
NSV – Non scale Victory (ie: smaller clothes, compliments, climbing a flight of stairs etc…)
NUT – Nutritionist
PCP – Primary Care Physician
VSG – Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
TOM – Time of the Month
SF – Sugar Free
WFL/WFD – What’s for Lunch/Dinner
How much did you lose at 1 month etc.? How much can I expect to lose in what time frame? Everyone’s body is different and so is everyone’s journey. There is no set amount you should expect lose in a set amount of time, and you should never compare your journey or your progress to someone elses. As long as you’re sticking with the program and following your surgeons guidelines, the weight will come off.
What is a stall? How long does it last and how do I break it? A stall is a point at which the scale stops moving for a period of time. The length of the stall varies from a few days to a few weeks and sometimes a few months. Non VSG’ers typically call it a plateau. Stalls are perfectly normal and to be expected. As we lose weight so dramatically, our bodies need time to catch up physically - this typically happens during a stall. While the scale may not be moving, you may notice an increase in compliments. This is because while the number on the scale isn’t getting any smaller, you are physically getting smaller. There are many tips and tricks for breaking a stall (increase your fluids and protein, increase your activity, up your calories…) but the reality is it will break on its own.
When can I have sex? When you’re ready. Keep it simple for the first few weeks post-op and don’t attempt any tricky positions. Be careful until you’ve been cleared by your surgeon for strenuous activity.
When can I start exercising? Typically right away, though the types of exercises you can do will be limited. Most surgeons restrict weight training/resistance training for about 3-4 weeks after surgery, but you should be walking/speed walking at least 30-45min daily starting from the day you get home.
What do I do with flabby skin? What's the best exercise etc.? The severity of the flab will vary based on many different factors. While there’s no way to tell how bad it will be or whether it will even be bad, there are a couple of proactive measures you can take. Make sure you’re using a moisturizing lotion with Vitamin E and Keratin several times daily. The vitamin E will help add elasticity back to your skin and the keratin will add moisture, both of which may help your skin bounce back as the weight falls off. The best exercises to target your problem areas are resistance and strength training in order to tone and build muscle to replace the fat. Lastly, be patient. Just as your weight stalls while your waist catches up to it, your skin will sag until it gets the signal to shrink. While it probably won’t ever be as tight as you’d like, it will shrink.
Will I lose hair? How much? What causes it? When does it return? Do Vitamins help? The truth is, yes, you probably will lose hair. Because of the drastic changes going on that are caused by the extreme reduction in protein and vitamins coming in as well as the hormonal fluctuations caused by the rapid weight loss, it takes our bodies a while to adjust. Don’t worry, as our hormones level out and our bodies get used to the new us, it will come back. There is no set time frame for it to do so however.
I’m constipated - what is it okay to take, especially in the beginning when newly sleeved? Will it get better? Worse? In the beginning a simple stool softener like Colace should do the trick. You don’t want to take a laxative or anything that may irritate your new sleeve. While you’re in the liquid/puree stage, Constipation shouldn’t be an issue, but as you reintroduce solids you may have to go back to your stool softeners. If you do find that stool softners are only offering temporary relief, try increasing your fluids and Fiber and decreasing your cheeses.
I’m having very loose bowel movements, is this normal? Totally. You do need to monitor stools of this consistency to ensure they contain no blood, but very loose stools, even watery stools, are completely normal for a few weeks post-op. When in doubt – ask your surgeon.
Will I feel fatigue? Will fatigue go away? Yes and yes. Your body has just undergone major surgery and it needs to heal. While it’s healing you will feel more fatigued than normal. Subsequent to having such a large portion of your stomach removed is the fact that you can no longer take in as much food (read: fuel) and therefore your body has to adjust and find a new fuel source. Your body will eventually begin to burn fat for fuel and some of the fatigue will subside. Your surgeon should also prescribe a B12 supplement which will also help with energy.
When can I go back to work? How much time should I take off? That will be entirely up to your surgeon. Most return to work within 2-3 weeks.
How many days in the hospital? Your hospital stay will depend on your recovery. When you are able to keep down liquids, are up and about and walking as directed, and your surgeon and nursing staff are confident there are no complications, you’ll be released. Your surgeon should be able to give you an expectation of the length of your stay.
Do the staples dissolve? No. The staples used to close the stomach are titanium and do not dissolve. The stomach tissue will eventually grow over the staple line. Your staples do not make metal detectors go off or make you ineligible for an MRI. They are completely benign.
Why am I always hungry? The most likely culprit is either head hunger or reflux/heartburn. Head hunger is a false sense of hunger triggered by boredom/emotions/the clock or any number of things which make you think you’re hungry when you’re really not. Heartburn is the most common culprit of constant hunger. Even though you may not feel as though you have heartburn, you may find that a simple antacid will eliminate that constant hungry feeling.
What is a stricture? A stricture is what happens when scar tissue builds up in your esophagus (sometimes caused by reflux) that causes your esophagus to narrow and makes swallowing difficult.
What is a leak and what are the symptoms? A leak is an opening along the suture line of your sleeve that allows bile and other digestive fluids to leak into your abdominal cavity. The symptoms of a leak vary but the most common symptoms are pain radiating across the abdomen, fever, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, and abdominal cramping. It is important to note that leaks are rare and only occur in about 1 out of every 100 cases.
Can you get a leak any time after surgery? Or is it just immediate? Most leaks happen very soon after surgery, but there is still a risk for about 4-6 weeks after. Again, it is important to note that leaks are rare and only occur in about 1 out of every 100 cases.
Some of my incisions are oozing - is this normal? If they’re oozing a green or yellowish Fluid, absolutely not. Green and yellow are the colors of infection and should be reported to your surgeon immediately. If your incisions are oozing a pinkish or clear watery fluid it’s your body’s way of keeping your incisions clean and isn’t usually a concern. When in doubt, ask your surgeon.

Hello All,
I want to thank most of you for helping me feel sure of my desicion. I haven't posted much but I have read nearly every post. I was sleeved on 10/8/12 and am laying in hospital reading thus forum. So far no issues, mild pain that is it. Thanks guys Heath

Hey look at it this way...if you've LOST 50 pounds while taking WEIGHT GAINER..then just imagine how much you'll loose now WITHOUT It!

I don't frequent the board enough there are so many wonderful stories, of success, so figured I'd share mine.. I had the operation on march 12th of this year, started at 347lbs pre op, now I'm 224lbs, and feel great.. My ideal weight is 190lbs but i want 215 or so.. to hit that in under a year is amazing.. It's been amazing, not much as a single issue, haven't even had any nausea since the first time I woke up from my surgery.. Eating has been a learning experience, since I was a big eater, and enjoyed food.. Now I cherish a ice cream sandwich every now and then.. I have bat loads more energy, and my job has benefited from my productivity.. I read a lot of treads on here bout eating, and stuff and they were a tremendous help.. And for that I thank you guys! Well anyway here's a before and a after... Thanks again...

Congrats & good luck

Finally found out that I go in Thursday for my first official meeting with nutritionist, exercise physiologist and internist!!! Sooo excited ...this means my journey is beginning!!! EGD is Wednesday (getting it done early...lol). It seems like it's taken forever to get this far....I'm pushing to have my surgery at end of OCT or beginning of NOV if possible....would work best for work and family.....WOO HOO!!

Finally found out that I go in Thursday for my first official meeting with nutritionist, exercise physiologist and internist!!! Sooo excited ...this means my journey is beginning!!! EGD is Wednesday (getting it done early...lol). It seems like it's taken forever to get this far....I'm pushing to have my surgery at end of OCT or beginning of NOV if possible....would work best for work and family.....WOO HOO!!

Finally found out that I go in Thursday for my first official meeting with nutritionist, exercise physiologist and internist!!! Sooo excited ...this means my journey is beginning!!! EGD is Wednesday (getting it done early...lol). It seems like it's taken forever to get this far....I'm pushing to have my surgery at end of OCT or beginning of NOV if possible....would work best for work and family.....WOO HOO!!

Thanks for the explanation! It makes perfect sense. It's already a little better today.

hi, finally a question i ccan answer....lol.... i am a nurse anesthetist and the sore spot is most likely from the the anesthetist or nurse (which ever you had) helping keep your airway open. quite often with obese pts i my hands will be as sore as their chin or jaw bones will be from having to help keep the airway open. also for an EGD you probably weren't intubated unless you had some specific problem....i've sedated pts for egds for 11 yrs and only had to intubate one patient. The soreness should go away in a day or two...you might even get a bruise....but know it was for a good reason---to keep your oxygen levels up.

my husband was against the surgery... period. He said that if I wanted to change, change - but he loved me the way I was
okay, that sounds sweet - but I found it rude and unsupportive. I had tried EVERYTHING. I had so many things starting to go wrong that my body was fighting against itself. My doctor said that she did not think it was possible for me to do it alone...
now I am 8 weeks out, 30 pounds down... I am walking and jogging 3-5 miles every day. I am LOVING life.. he is somewhat complimentary... but you know what? Who gives a damn.
I feel great... I am looking better... and as a mother of three, I finally did something ONLY FOR MYSELF.
there will be people who do not understand what you are doing or why, that is why you have this board... it is important that you are healthy... and it will benefit everyone around you.
ignore those who have opinions... stand up, do it for YOURSELF

I think I will have him go to the next support group meeting with me even if I have to drag him there! LOL
Yeah, he's 5'8" and 160 lbs. he walks ALOT. He gets upset that I don't go with him. I try to explain that at 260, it's too much of a struggle and my back hurts and I can't walk as fast as him. At only 5'0",I'm taking 5 steps for every one of his!
My dream is to get thin and healthy enough where he has a hard time keeping up with me!
Thanks so much for the encouragement. I do hope he comes around.

Your husband's opinion will change once he sees the results you get. Mine told me that I should "just" eat right and exercise before surgery. I'm 13 months post-op, have lost 120 pounds and a few days ago we saw a woman who was probably 450-500 pounds. His first words to me about her were "She needs the surgery". Eventually, your hubby will figure out that there comes a point where medical intervention is not only good, but necessary.
You do what you know is right for you and let him watch you transform yourself! Good luck!!

The first two weeks are the worst... it WILL get better. Remember why you did this in the first place. It's not the easy choice, but it's a good choice. Yep, recovery SUCKS. Getting used to eating less is not easy... but give it a month, give it two months... you will be AMAZED at how much better you feel. There will days that you forget you were sleeved.. until you have a meal and get full with just a small amount of food. But then you will be satisfied. You will have had just a few bites of that corned beef sandwich that you so desire... you will have enjoyed it... and you will be full and happy. Hang in there!!!!

I'm going to use tough love here. First, if you were that happy fat-why did you have the surgery? Secondly, your goal weight of 165 will NOT happen with that kind of attitude. Does your Dr not have an aftercare support group? Have you gone & seen him & told him what is going on? I found out I am allergic to whey Protein & it has made it difficult to get my protein in as the alternatives don't taste that great-but ya know what? I went into this knowing it was NOT a quick fix...that I would need to change my eating habits & my thoughts about food for the rest of my life. I was ready! It sounds like you are not mentally prepared for this. Are you sure your sips are sips & not gulps? Make sure the liquids aren't ice cold. Make sure you are taking small bites & taking 30 min to eat. No liquids 30 min before or until 30 min after. These instructions make a difference in how it feels to your stomach. It takes 4-6 weeks for your stomach to heal. In the meantime, it is inflamed, so adding things to it is going to hurt a little but it shouldn't hurt that much. Again, make sure your Dr is aware of the issues you are having & make sure he takes them seriously. You CAN do this if you really want it!!!! I wish you the best of luck.
I had no problems at all except the whey allergy. First day home from the hospital, I got my 64 oz of Water in & my 70-80 g of protein. No pain, no heartburn.

Sorry you are going through this, it will get easier, I know everyone says that, and at this time you wont believe it, but it does!
When I was first sleeved I was in the same boat as you when it came to fluids, I thought "Great I can barely get down liquid, is this how its going to be for the rest of my life??" Your stomach is still swollen, once it goes down things will get easier, I can now basicly drink liquids like I did pre-op.

Two days post-op and I'm feeling pretty good!
Of course, there is still some discomfort, and the soreness gets pretty bad but other than that, it could be a lot worse.
After surgery, I was counting the minutes till the pain went away, and little by little, it does go away.
I noticed that when I drink a bit too much, my body does a quick hiccup, which HURTS and its a sign to stop. So far, I've had broth, Water, crystal light, and sugar free popsicles. Haven't had any Jello yet, but I never really liked Jello. Might try that tomorrow.
My mouth is definitely missing all the foods (junk) I was eating before this surgery. I found myself biting at my nails today (which I NEVER do) and I realized what a habit my horrible diet was. Not only did I eat horrible foods, but I ate them constantly. So I feel like I need to replace my habit, but with something healthy. I'm still trying to figure that part out, instead of developing a nasty nail biting habit. I have no intention of cheating on my specific diet, but I did smell some Tostito chips today, and my mind wanted them so badly. My stomach, however, said no way. I know it will take some time to get all of my body on one sync and schedule, so I'll have to go through this withdrawal carefully.
I plan on weighing myself tomorrow! I cant wait to see the results! Even if it's not much, I've gotten this far, so it's only a matter of time!
Hope everyone is doing well

Congratulations!!! Can't wait til it's me!!!

Congratulations!!! Can't wait til it's me!!!

Im a 19yr OLd
&i Was Scared To Death!!
Even Worse Cause I Got SLeeved in Mexico!!
But Let Me TeLL You This, Not At One Point Have I Regreted My Surgery!
The Worst Part Was My 1st Day PostOp
By My 2nd &3rd Day I Was Just FeeLing Minor Discomforts..
After that I was feeling NormaL aGain!!
Now,
75 Lbs Down in 5Months!
WOMAN THAT'S AMAZING!!!
if I'd Knew Then What I Know Now ii WouLdnt Have Been Such A SCARRY Asz!!
FoLLow Your Gut! &Do What Best FeeLs For Your Situation!

Bought a new pair of dress slacks yesterday, down 2 sizes... Wore them today and my husband and are walking down the hall to an appt. When we got alone in a room, he says "Baby, your butt is looking good, I mean really" He's not normally one to throw too many compliments so that made my day!

I am 10/15. You push me I push you. Go look at swimsuits in size 8