TheCurvyJones

BAHAHA mouth got bigger. AMEN. My nose didn't get smaller, per se. It just wasn't stretched across my face anymore.

1) Can you chug Water like you once were able to?

Nope. I can drink a few swallows, like three, before my stomach starts to hurt. I don't know many people that can chug.

2) following weeks post op, and the energy level is extremely low...what helped you gain it back? especially during liquid diet phase?

Get LOTS of rest and keep your cals up. liquid diet doesn't mean you only get Water and air. Keep your calories at an acceptable level with Soups, Protein shakes, etc. Remember your Vitamins, especially your B Vitamins, they're great for energy. Stay hydrated-- post OP this is more important than anything until you're on solids. Also low energy post op is common... you are still recovering, plus losing weight RAPIDLY. It takes a lot out of you. Get lots of rest, go to bed, early, nap if you need to.

3) how long until you felt "normal" again?

I think it was about 12 weeks or so before I started to feel 'normal'... but normal is relative! I am almost 2 years out and I might LOOK normal but feeling normal... well I kind of never want to. I don't want my brain to get in the mode that I am normal because I am not. I am surgically modified for a purpose and it has to be top of mind. But regarding energy and what not... around week 12 I started walking and I was feeling pretty good.

4) any anxiety attacks??

Nope. I am not anxiety prone, however. I was TERRIFIED to go under for my surgery but I had the best Bestie that ever was holding my hand.

I can't justify that much sugar so I don't eat flavored yogurt. I'd rather get plain and flavor it with a sugar free Syrup or fold some fruit into it with a packet of splenda.

Yay! Let us know how things go!

I've never known anyone to purchase it. Not that it's a scam, but... are you really going to fly back to MX if you're having an emergency? If you're covered under insurance you should be able to be treated at the hospital. They didn't perform your sleeve, they're just fixing issues with an existing organ.

I'm not one of those people who say 'You can NEVER have X THING AGAIN!' And neither is my surgeon. He does try to keep us in good information about putting ourselves in a position to win.

Transfer Addiction is a huge deal for WLSers and alcoholism is a BIGGIE. I also know that if you want to be successful, alcohol should be kept to a minimum because your body will burn that sugar and those carbs before ANY FAT. Your first year is your golden ticket... you'll lose more in the first year to 18th months than you might lose in the 2 years following. Use that time wisely.

As well, we metabolize alcohol very quickly so you'll be drunk off of one glass when two used to just make you feel good. It is recommended to avoid it for as long as possible. I know quite a few people who started drinking wine and liquor around 7 months out... loss has slowed or stopped and they just seem to DRINK a whole lot. People do much better when they keep it to a minimum.

That said, you're an adult and you know the rules. Your Mileage while sticking to them or bending them may vary. I'd hold out as long as you can and if/when you pick it back up, count the calories, count the carbs, plan to not lose lbs that next week and don't make it a habit. There's nothing more embarrassing than a drunk WLS patient. It's REALLY not pretty.

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Sorry the app doesn't tell me it posted, just says it timed out.

You're still healing and it takes a while for energy to come back. Put yourself first and get PLENTY of rest. Losing weight rapidly is hard work and it's going to take a lot out of you. Plus, we aren't eating a lot to sustain a whole lot of activity. Stay up on your Protein and your Water, as well as B Vitamins, they're great for energy.

I didn't want anyone watching me and playing audience participation in trying to be a part of my journey. I know what to eat and when. You don't need to ask if I can/should have what I am about to have. Mind you, I got me taken care of.

I told very few people. SOme of my closest friends don't know. Because it's none of their BUSINESS and people can think that's BS all they want. Not all of us are open books and not all of us want to live this journey out loud.

I got ME and MY JOURNEY handled. You worry about yours.

Welcome! Almost to the Loser's Bench! This journey has been life changing. I started at 273, was 250 day of surgery and now sitting at goal at 169, size 6/8. It will be TOUGH.. but so worth it. And really fun once the lbs start coming off!

I started early, though by just a few days. I was ready to get the show on the road and I was SO TIRED OF EATING and deciding what to eat and when...........I actually enjoyed the liquid diet. Easy peasy.

Yay congrats! I know I really felt accomplished when I hit that #!

Too many as in how many? The whole bag? More than you want to at one sitting? I mean... what kind of feedback are you looking for?

Are almonds going to cause you to gain? Probably not. But the salt and fat probably don't help your caloric bottom line. if you're using them for a snack measure them out in baggies and only have the baggie with you. Don't eat out of the bag, it may as well be bottomless.

We can't come take it away from you so set yourself up for success and find a way to put them away.

I had SO MUCH ENERGY right after surgery. I was go go go until about 8PM and then I would crash. Next day GO GO GO... until around day 5 and then I didn't get out of bed. I think the adrenaline finally wore off any my body said............wait what? And then it was a few weeks until I was back to normal. Really even now I still get tired pretty easily and when I am DONE for the day I am DONE. I never slept better than I have since surgery!

I did not. My surgeon's guidelines were to concentrate on getting in liquids and work up to the Protein goal over the first few weeks. My first few days out of surgery I was not consuming 60 grams of Protein. I wasn't even drinking Protein shakes until week two.

Crackers and bread would be the last things I would be eating at your stage. Protein first is the rule. To me, that stuff fills you up way too fast so you can't get in enough Protein and then slides through so you're looking for food again too soon.

You also need to determine if you're HUNGRY or if you just want to eat. They are two different things and hungry feels different after surgery. I am rarely actually hungry. I know I need to eat when I have that EMPTY, almost painfully empty feeling, I get lightheaded or I get nauseous.

Chili is a good option, though it will take you a few meals to get through a serving, even a small is huge for us.

Just know that if it is made of meat or dairy you can pretty much eat it and try to work in a green veggie or some fruit if you can tolerate it, now and then.

I would definitely call your doc's office back and reschedule an earlier appointment, but is it your DOC that you need to see, or your Nutritionist or even a nurse?

You are doing great so far, stay on the yellow brick road because eventually the sleeve won't be doing the majority of the work and it'll just be you and if you're still depending on a lot of carbs, that willl slow you down.

I didn't hit my initial goal until I was 20 months out. Some people hit goal in a year. MANY people don't. What you DID DO is lose 75lbs and that is awesome! Put your eye back on that prize and rock out that next 50lbs!

Yes exactly, the more you have to lose, the more you lose week by week but also know that EVEN FOR a 300+ lb patient, it slows down until at around 6 months out, you're losing the same amount, week over week, as a person who started out at over 300lbs.

If you think about how long it took you to lose 10, 20 or 30 lbs before, and then you see what you've done in so little time, I hope people would be proud of how far they've already come.

I saw this posted today on Tumblr and I think it's quite true. No matter how much you think you've lost and what a paltry amount you think it is........you still lost it. And it is GONE. It's nothing but down hill from here!

Oh remember to get TONS of rest, you are still recovering and your body does that best while you sleep. If you need a nap, take one! Need to rest, get it in!

It took about... Hmmm... I dunno, 12 weeks or so??? Before I felt myself again. Your energy will return and you will feel spiffy very soon! Hang in there and congrats on your loss so far!

I'm so incredibly discouraged. I am 15 days post op. I lost great...for a week. Now I'm GAINING weight! I don't even understand how that's possible!

There is no way you're eating enough to gain. It's just your body adjusting. Hang in there and try to keep your weighing to a specific day of the week, so as not to drive yourself crazy!

I did a LOT of research before my surgery and I knew a lot of people that had had it... and I still had really high expectations for weight loss. I lost 30 lbs in THE FIRST THREE MONTHS.

So........22 lbs is doing damn good. Be VERY proud of yourself!