TwinsMama

Congrats!!!

This weekend was B U S Y for us. We had lots of events and although it was jammed packed, it was a blast. So if you've read any of my forum posts you no doubt know that I have a very close friend who had RnY (3 years ago). This weekend I got to see her. She still looks awesome. I even noticed that some of her saggy skin reduced. Now she does go to the gym 6 days a week and doesn't cheat. Plus she is not an emotional eater. All in all she did her homework and really follows the plans set by her Nut and surgeon. It was great to see her. While we were at her house, I made the big announcement to everyone (RnY friend already knew) that I was having WLS. I told them I had decided on the sleeve. Everyone was very supportive...even my one friend who doesn't "believe in WLS". The icing on the cake was that another friend in our group of 4 said she too is having surgery. She was considering the band but hadn't done any research so she was not sure which surgery she'd have. We (RnY friend) and I did tell her that if she uses our surgeon, he won't recommend the band. She asked a lot of questions and we were honest but didn't try to convince her of anything other than the results. I was very happy to hear she is considering WLS. She too has struggled with being overweight her whole life. It was funny because we both tend to yo-yo together. We ride the highs and lows of weight together. When I looked at some of our old pics, yup, we were big at the same time and thinner at the same time. I guess we really are born 4 days apart...although she is older. I'm really happy to have someone else to go through this journey with me. I need all the support I can get.

This is a rant, so I apologize in advance for being all over the place... So the last few days I've had ZERO motivation to work out. I'm just coming off my cycle so I know that's part of it. However, I just feel so blah. Part of me knows it is the cold weather too, the sunny days, late nights of summer...I hate the heat but love the summer... Okay back on task...I'm just in a funk regarding exercise. I walk daily but that is not enough. I have literally every exercise DVD, tape, etc. known to man. So there is variety I'm just not feeling it. I even have an exercise bike, bands, weights, you name it but still no motivation. I had the great idea to buy something (my other form of therapy I'm working on) a new workout outfit and a new piece of equipment. I thought I'd buy either a home gym thingy (like the one Chuck Norris uses) or a treadmill (my 3rd one - I've given the others away). Then I thought I'd buy one of those exercise chairs like on the Steve Harvey show, (see it here) until I saw it was $700 for something I can basically make myself. Don't judge me, it takes me a while to figure out the real deal with me sometimes. That's when I knew I was avoiding the real problem...no motivation. I've never been the type that gets a rush after exercising. Even when I was thinner I didn't feel all giddy after working out. It was/is a means to an end. Now don't get me wrong...I love belly dance, pilates, and bollywood dance. So I know there are things I enjoy. I think I'm just a combo of bored and lazy. Plus, when I do those, I don't get as good a workout as when I used to hit the gym or lift weights. So it feels like they are not worth my time. I do tolerate callanetics and t-tap which are good exercises but man they get boring really quick. Which brings me to my next point...I don't want to go to the gym. My days are literally full enough without going to a gym for a hour a day (I live in the country rual suburbs). Plus, to pay for what I already have at home seems like a huge waste. After all this, I guess there is no real point to my post other than I'm bored and lazy. I guess I'll get back to my pilates and callanetics and maybe buy myself something to use when doing pilates. Don't judge me, I'm still a work in progress.

@Taty thanks for replying, you have to let me know how the Spanx does for you. They have never helped me much, but I'd love to know how the newer ones are. I heard they did some redesigns a few years back so I'm interested in hearing how it goes. @Cowgirl wow 123#! That is great!!! Okay so you didn't wear any. That's I guess my confusion because I wear girdles now, they aren't that uncomfy for me (probably because I've worn them so long) but I do wonder if they help with pain/saggy skin.

Outback has choices at least and you can ask them to prepare foods to accommodate your sleeve. Good luck and tell us how it goes.

Glad you're feeling better, hope you feel better tonight.

Great first entry. I've heard lots of people talk about how people "change" after WLS. I've known a number of people and let me tell you how they've changed... More confidence - not bad at all, most people just can't take it that they now stand up for themselves now and won't be pushed around or are no longer shy, etc. Happier - not always but in many cases those I know are happier which means they don't allow drama into their lives any longer, so you know what that means to drama kings/queens...bye bye More active - they are no longer the sit in the house and eat with me types, they move, have fun, travel, do all the things they didn't do before Make more $$$ - not sure if this is a result of more earnings or less spent on medications, clothes, food Take more risks - by this I mean they try lots more things that they were affraid/ didn't have confidence enough to try before, from new careers, to new relationships, to more self-love The list really goes on and on. I guess what I'm trying to say is those that I know have really improved overall body, mind, and soul. So what actually I've seen happen is the OTHER people can't take seeing them so happy and confident. Best wishes you to on your journey!

Congrats!!

I've been thinking about what I'll wear under my clothes after the surgery. Right now I fluctuate between Body Magic (horrible when you have to go to the bathroom) and Squeem. I tend to run cold so I'm always layering and if I can find something to nip and tuck, I'm game. I've tried Spanx but they either don't stay in place or are so thin they are not worth it. So as I read the many posts here about compression garments, I've wondered if anyone knows of any scientific studies that show they help. I ask this because I didn't wear anything right after my c-section but once I finally started it was a whole new world...far less pain. I always wondered if it was all in my head or if it really helped me in some way. Now, in speaking with my surgeon, he didn't have a preference. I'd like to go ahead and buy now (if it is worth it) during the holidays since there are a few promotions going on. But I'd like to know if it was worth it for any Sleevers that may have tried them post-op. Specifically, Did you find it helpful? If so, why...if not, why not? What brand(s) did you buy? What model/item? How soon after surgery did you wear yours? Was it painful to get into? Do you still wear it? Anything else that I should know to help me decide? I'd really appreciate anything anyone has to offer regarding this. Thanks!

@Lez, after my c-section I went home with the staples and just about died every time anything hit my tummy, including nursing...cannot imagine injections after that ordeal. As for my hubby, he said he'd do it...but still that is a shot and he better not hurt me. @Lisa's oh I would just about cry if I hadn't known in time to prepare myself. I am horrible with pain. I think it is the thought of a shot...I have tatoos and somehow my mind can take the pain of those but not the pain of shots...I may have a repressed childhood memory. @Dooter nope, I have no history of blood clots but my surgeon is making everyone do it. Yes, the diets get down right confusing. One Dr, says this another that and the Nuts don't agree either. Lots of trial and error I forsee.

Congrats on the weight loss! Hope everything turns out normal for your upcoming tests.

Congrats on the weight loss! Have you tried taking garlic or ginger? I'm not much of a meds person but when I get sick I chop them up really fine (almost paste fine) and then put them in a bit of applesauce or something else to mask the taste. Normally if I do that once or twice a day I feel better in about a day or so. Hope that helps some.

Congrats and best wishes!

Last night I went for my Surgeon Seminar. There the surgeon discussed all things WLS. He also, made a few points that I think I knew deep down (I'll get to that in a bit). However, what had me really worried and upset was the wait times. He mentioned he is one of only 2 Kaiser surgeons in my area. Yes the DC Metro Area. So that means, a really long wait. In fact, one guy there last night mentioned he was not only approved, but also met with the surgeon 3 months ago and was still waiting on his date. What..A...Bummer! 6 months pre-qualification only to find out you have to wait 6 more months!?!? This guy (on tap for a Feb surgery) will have waited a full year from his initial meeting. That is horrible. I realize you don't want your surgeon to rush, but I mean 1 year. That is a long time especially given that 6 months of that was AFTER you qualified. So after getting over that. I was happy that my husband seemed a lot more at ease and learned a lot about the WLS. Much of the pre and post-op diet "stuff" I knew from stalking reading this site. But I was glad he had a chance to hear the risks and other information so he wouldn't be worried about me. Now, the interesting part...the surgeon totally disagreed with the diet the Nuts have been promoting for post-op. He mentioned that there was absolutely no way anyone would lose weight following their diet. He said in fact it would lead to gains. The reason he didn't agree is that he said the amount of carbs (via fruits and veggies) the Nuts want us to eat, would be too high. (I totally knew this but thought I must be wrong). He said, he wants us to stick to 30g of carbs a day (if possible for life). He mentioned that 1 small banana would overshoot the 30g alone. So he said, throw out the idea that we need these pretty meals that have...a protein, veggie, fruit, grain, etc. and especially the idea of 6 meals. Sure a snack perhaps but 6 small meals...no way. I'm so glad he mentioned that because I know for a fact, even though I love berries, I have to eat them sparingly if I am going to lose weight. He also mentioned what we all know already about walking and other exercise daily. But...and this is a big BUT... I had NO clue that I'd have to give myself shots twice a day for 2 weeks post-op. This is to prevent blood clots which is certainly important. BUT I am the biggest punk when it comes to needles and didn't even have to do this after my very painful c-section. I mean I'm a cry, roll around on the ground, really low threshold type of punk person. This surprised me. I thought I'd take something orally. His response, no, the shots or no surgery. I didn't expect to have to inject myself twice a day. So, all in all I guess it is a good thing that I have a few months longer before surgery. I'll use that to build up enough courage to do those darn shots.

Congrats on the scale moving!

This is so true. When I moved I missed my former workout buddies and eventually fell off.

I am so a dog person too. I grew up with labs and a retriever so I know how playful and loving labs are. I had a roommate that had (over the course of my living there) 3 cats. One was named Bandit. He sounds like your cat Hunter, he loved nothing more than to scratch people. Though he never got me...thank God! Bandit (not sure if Hunter is this way) didn't want to be held. He was more independent. The only time he ever tried to cuddle was the day I moved out. I guess he knew we wouldn't see each other again for a while.

Good idea to eat a meal at lunch and shake for dinner. There are about 34 carbs in the shake. That could be high. I normally do peaches (keep me full longer than strawberries my fave). I'll play around with not adding the fruit and see what happens. My Nut told me to eat at least 3 servings of fruit a day so I've been trying to add them to something so I don't get bored.

Good for you for going. Maybe the next time will be better. Congrats on over 40 lbs down! You're doing great!

I've noticed something and I can't quite figure it out. Every AM (usually around 7) for breakfast I have a protein shake (Syntrax Nectar) in which I add - Greek yogurt, 1 c. almond milk, 1 Del-Monte fruit cup. I blend and then sip (yes still this is a challenge). This keeps me full all AM (even through my commute where I walk and stand a lot). Usually by the time I feel hungry it is between 12:15 - 12:30 PM. However, I've tried having the same thing for lunch and it is a no go. If I have the shake for lunch (12:30 PM) I am literally starving by 3 PM. I'm not sure why this doesn't keep me full in the afternoon. I'd like to get to the point where I can do 2 shakes and a small dinner. I like the feeling after the shake (feel satisfied but not weighed down) but it is such a no go twice in one day. Anyone experience this? Any suggestions? I'm not trying to do this every day, but on my busy days I just don't always have time for a full sit down lunch.

Good idea. High protein foods are a good option. I haven't had jerky in forever. I'm going to check that out.

Great idea, didn't think about that!

I didn't bring my lunch to work today. I decided I'd go grab something quick to eat. There are tons of choices downtown so I started looking at a few menus online. What was supposed to be a quick and easy choice was a bit tough. The more I looked at menus the more I realized I could not eat half of what was available. Many of the foods I LOVE would result in over half my daily calorie intake. This is why I bring my lunch. I was a bit frustrated. How oh how can a small salad be over 500 calories??? Needless to say, I opted out of eating out. I really want to get some protein in but I just couldn't spend money on something that would not even be within my plan. Instead I grabbed a serving of Special K crackers, and a fruit cup. Do I feel fully satisfied? NOPE! But, I'm not hungry either. There is one more fruit cup here but I'm going to continue drinking my water and try to hold out until I get home. There at least I have healthy snack options. I won't be doing this again. I'm also going to bring some snacks to work so if I happen to forget, I'm not stuck.

Thanks for your comment DaybyDay. I'm probably going to be Feb too. I love the Egg Face blog. I never saw that quote, I like it.

Congrats!