TheGamer

I'm just starting to see the outline of my collarbones. For me, the first was my shoulders. They look so TINY now. It almost makes me feel like my head is too big >.>

While not a heavy caffeine drinker pre-op, I do have some occasionally, mostly in tea. I've had coffee a couple times, small cups of 8oz or so, with no adverse effects or loss of sleep.

The more you heal, the better you will feel. The first week was the worst for me, then things got much better very quickly.

It was an option, not a requirement. They mostly wanted to do it because you do not want to risk getting sick post-op. Even several months out, getting the stomach flu was hellish for me. I couldn't eat for 3 days and it took me well over two weeks to recover from it completely.

Man... if I get bitten I'm gonna be the only one going "Nah, I'll pass on the brains and flesh... don't wanna stretch my sleeve..." only it'll just sound like "RGHT LARNRR RARRG GRLRR, RERRRBRLRAHR..."

Well, first we need to establish what kinds of zombies we'll be facing. Are we talking fast zombies, slow zombies, herds, solos... Each potential zombie horde will impact how we should approach it. I suggest stockpiling protein heavy rations just in case. How long does jerky last, anyone know?

I was using the Halls Defense vitamin c sugar free drops.

If you're getting anything in like Soup or broth, just add it to that. Sriracha ftw!

Vitamin C in quantity and I second the chili peppers - the hotter the better

I was, but then I ended up getting really sick earlier this month. I literally didn't eat for 3 days, and getting in liquid was extremely difficult. When I finally could eat, my sleeve was so banged up that I couldn't really eat anything and my normal go-to items (shakes, bars, meat, etc.) was just not happening. I fretted and worried and freaked out and then I had to accept that I could either eat what I could eat or I could just... not eat, which wasn't an option. As long as I'm adhering to my plan and my needs most of the time, I'm not going to let my enjoyment of something once a week or once a month ruin me. I've done scandalous things like eat crackers (mmm, wheat thins) and I even had some ice cream (it was overrated... I put it down and had turkey pepperoni >.>). Even if I have a 1000 calorie day, that's way less than I need. I had this surgery to help me lose weight, but also to help me develop a more healthy relationship with food, something I can't do if I beat myself up every time I eat more than 800 calories a day.

I was told 30/30, though honestly I'm more of a 15/30 kind of girl.

I managed to drink one, once. For my pre-op clear liquid day. It left white stringy things in my throat and tasted rather... erm. I didn't pick up any more of it.

That was *way* more intense than mine. At the end of mine, I was told that I was well adjusted but that I should be tested for ADD

Yup, most of us are. It just happens. Even if you get all your vitamins, all your protein, all your minerals, take biotin, zinc and everything else. It doesn't last, it does come back... or so I hear. I'm leaving hair everywhere still.

It's whatever meets the guidelines you were given. For me that was 75g of protein a day, minimum. I was allowed from 3 to 5 shakes, whatever I wanted (I was using Bariatric Advantage) with a small bit of fruit added in.

Calcium inhibits iron absorption, so they should be taken at different times. I say this as an anemic person who has to take a ton of iron every day

My guidelines are to stay under 100g of carbs a day, so they're pretty liberal. I honestly just try to stick with my primary guidelines, but I admit to deliberately putting carbs in my diet on occasion, though I try to stick with healthy carbs like whole grains rather than sugars or processed carbs.

I have shoulders! >.> No, seriously. I have them. They're defined. They look awesome in an off the shoulder shirt. My BP has gone down drastically, though. I am 130/70 without medication, where I would normally be upwards of 200 without.

A healthy dose of worry is normal when facing a major life-altering surgery. However, you're going to be responsible for your health post-op. If you have unresolved medical issues, what are you going to do so that you can stick with it? You've acknowledged that you're not good at taking required supplements, so what are you doing to correct it? You say you're ready to make the life long change, so what are you doing to back that statement up? It's normal to worry and nobody here is going to say they went in to surgery without any second thoughts (at least none that I've found). So, you've got to ask yourself if you've prepared for it. There isn't a lot of long term data. We are the VSG guinea pigs now that VSG is being done as a stand alone procedure and not just step one of a RNY. For me, though, this was my last ditch effort. I had 36 years to be unhealthy and to subject myself to untold numbers of diets. I had to come to terms, though, with really being responsible for my own health. It's not easy. Some days I don't want to eat. Other days I don't want to eat what's right for me. My problems didn't magically disappear, and I don't know that they ever will. It gets easier, but it's not easy... yet.

Do you know how many of us would be really happy to be at 193 right now? Just sayin'. Look at the bright side even when you're frustrated. I know you've heard it a million times, but marathon, not race, yada yada. No idea if you went through the week 3 stall or not, but most of us did, which cuts a couple weeks out of the losing aspect post-surgery. I know that after surgery it took me a week to lose the water weight I gained in the hospital. Then I stalled for two weeks around week 2/3. Low BMI sleevers also lose more slowly than us high BMI sleevers. How are you losing compared to others with a similar build/BMI/time frame?

Insides of the pickles are the best, anyway

Are you putting any addons in the shake that might up the sugar content, like fruit? I know that BA shakes don't have much in terms of sugar or carb.

When your work shift starts at 11:30 am and you don't wake up until 10:30, yes, yes they do!

That's a good article.

I've seen them, to be sure. I've seen advertisements for a lot of things, some of which aren't referable in polite company. Putting the blame only on restaurants or only on commercials negates the fact that ultimately, they aren't tying you to a chair and forcing you to order and eat. I'm not saying that it's not difficult to live surrounded by the very things we're addicted to, but that goes for any addiction. Being surrounded by smokers when I was quitting made me a generally unpleasant person when I couldn't get away from the habit I was trying to kick. The reason I'm standing so firmly on this is because I've not noticed a single thing regarding personal responsibility for the choices made when it comes to our health. These things exist, yes, but it isn't McDonald's fault I'm fat. It's the fact that I liked to eat a 20 piece McNugget Breakfast.