deedeemuffin

I am sorry that you are feeling how I felt. I know exactly how hard that is. Keep your spirits up & keep your goal in mind at all times. Your life is going to change for the better. Hang in there & I wish you a great surgery & a speedy recovery.

It's hard to believe that I have had my wonderful, little sleeve for a full 3 months already! I now just affectionately refer to my sleeve as my "tiny tummy". My tiny tummy & I embarked on our adventure together on November 27th. So, we've already had our first Christmas together. 90 days ago I was scared, tired & miserable. I had managed to lose & regain the same 30 lbs. (& 30 lbs. only) over & over again. My clothes were all bought over the internet. I limited my social interaction, because I was embarrassed about how I looked. It didn't matter what I wore, or how I did my hair, or how perfect my make up was. I always felt like I was disgusting. That is no way to go through life. If anyone who is reading this is pre-op & feeling that way, just let it go. Self deprecation doesn't benefit anyone. I went in for surgery on November 27th absolutely terrified. When I woke up in recovery the pain was unbearable. I felt like a bus had run over me, backed up & was still sitting there. I only had to stay in the hospital 1 night. I had a leak test the next day & was cleared & ready to go home. The first 3 weeks were HARD. There is just no way to sugar coat that. Everyone is different. Some people have an easier time than I did recovering. Technically, I had a perfect surgery & recovery. It has been my thinking that is taking the most time to adjust. This site was absolutely invaluable to me during my 1st 30 days. I lost a lot of weight in the first 7 days. Then the scale didn't move even a tenth of a pound for 3 weeks! I was convinced that I would never get past that 30 lbs. So many people told me this was such a small part of the journey & things would get better & they were right! I am not the fastest loser, but that is okay. I remember one week being disappointed that I had only lost 3 lbs. that week. "Only 3 pounds". Before the sleeve I would have been ecstatic to lose 3 pounds in one week. 3 pounds a week times 52 weeks in a year is 156 pounds! I would be SO excited if next 11/27 I down 156 lbs.! I had to change the way I thought about numbers on the scale. I needed to learn to trust my Dr., nutritionist, my sleeve and myself. Now I have not been perfect. A few of you may remember my mistakes from at least one infamous thread. One day I ate 10 chicken nuggets & a mocha frappe from McDonalds. It took me 4 hours, but I got it all down. Recently I had bread for the 1st time & ate 4 pieces of garlic bread dipped in sauce. I caused myself much pain in both instances. Physically & emotionally. What have I learned from these experiences? Never again! That's what I learned. Maybe some people are perfect, but some people like me sometimes learn the hard way. This is not only a physical journey. It is mental & emotional too. We all got to our highest weights for different reasons. I think, though, that most of us can relate to using food as a comfort at some point. Also, if you are an ex-smoker (like me) it is a double whammy. First I had to quit smoking for quite awhile before I could have surgery. Then once I had my surgery I could only use food for - get this: NUTRITION! Ack! Once I was only feeding my body nutrients & not comfort I had severe nicotine cravings. I remember crying because I couldn't eat OR smoke. Jump to 2/27. 90 days post-op. I am down 64 pounds, 4 pants sizes, 3 shirt sizes & 1 shoe size. I am comfortable in my car now. I can fit into restaurant booths without worrying. I have more energy. Instead of my life revolving around food, my life revolves around life! Imagine that? I can go out to eat & have great conversations instead of obsessing about what appetizer, entree, dessert combination I'll be having. It's very liberating! I still have a long way to go, but I know now that I CAN do this. My tiny tummy & I are going places. Literally. My boyfriend & I planned our first flying (as opposed to driving) vacation together in 6 years. We live in upstate NY. The 1st week of May we will be going to Phoenix to visit my grandmother. We are also doing a 3 day drive & stay trip to Las Vegas & The Grand Canyon. I am looking forward to all of it. If I keep with what my average weight loss has been I will be close to 100 pounds down by the time we leave. This trip definitely gives me motivation to really get in some good exercise over the next 2 months. I want to be able to come back & say that I HIKED in the Grand Canyon. I also want to be out on the disc golf courses with my sweetie. He deserves a more active partner than I have been. 3 months ago I started a whole new life. I can't wait to keep on this amazing path & rise to all the goals that are waiting for me!

I absolutely love your story. You seem like a truly amazing person. You have a kind heart & a positive attitude even during your struggles. We should all aspire to this. God Bless you & your family!

Phew! I know your surgery is tomorrow and I was thinking, "Why hasn't this poor girl's surgeon's office told her about this stuff!". LOL. Now I know that you're all set. You're going to do great!

I am surprised that your surgeon's office hasn't covered fluids yet. Every one can tolerate something different after surgery. I hope you aren't already stocked up on Protein shakes, because your taste changes. I was on pure 48 oz of Water my 1st week. I could add in 3 shakes shakes a day weeks 2&3. When I came out of the hospital I hated my previously loved Protein shake. I couldn't stomach it. So, be prepared to try new Protein Shakes again. Again, I'm surprised that you haven't gotten a list from your doc. Yes, there are special, chewable vitamins specifically for people who have bariatric surgery. It provides extra nutrition needed. Other docs might have you also take Biotin, B-12 & Calcium with D3. At the very least get the multiple in. This is a lot of info. No one is perfect in every area. This is like learning how to eat all over. It is good, though, because it will help us live longer & healthier lives. All the best!

You have a lot going for you as far as safety & skin elasticity. Being 25 & in the 200's is a big advantage for you. As of Wednesday I will be 90 days post-surgery. I am already having skin issues, but I am 34 & started out at 418 lbs. Like you, I also did not have a pre-op diet. The only thing my surgeon required was water only for 24 hours before surgery. Everyone recovers differently. It is really important to follow orders after surgery. It is difficult in the beginning, but you will get through it. Definitely make sure to stay hydrated. Your first priorities after surgery will be to stay hydrated & move as much as possible. Pay attention to both these things, but also listen to your body. Don't push yourself too hard. I will be completely honest with you. During my first week I cried a lot & thought that I had made a huge mistake. Everyone told me that it would get better and it did! At just 3 months out I know that it is the best decision that I could have made for myself. I am down 64 lbs., 3 clothes sizes & a lot of other wonderful things that go along with being a little lighter. I still have a long way to go, but for the first time in my life I know that I can do it. The sleeve is an amazing tool. I know this is a long post, but I hope that it helps. This board was absolutely my saving grace during my first few weeks after surgery. So, whenever you have a question, no matter what it is, someone is willing to help. Best wishes for a great surgery tomorrow & a quick recovery!

Emotional eating is a big problem for a lot of sleevers even though few will admit it publicly on the board. So, first off, congratulations on recognizing this pattern & asking for help. Exercise is always a great help. It is also helpful if you have someone close that you can talk to. Therapy is always a viable option. I know that my bariatric group has a psychiatrist on staff that deals specifically with weight loss surgery patients before and after surgery. OA can be very helpful. There are community meetings or online meetings. Bariatric support groups through your surgeons office should be very helpful. A lot of people are antimedication, but it has it's uses. Sometimes an antidepressant or antianxiety medication can take the edge off while you work through your issues. Hopefully some other people can give you helpful tips too. You WILL gain control over this!

My edamame is roasted & crunchy. I buy it at the store. I get it at a local grocery store. They have it in pretty much any health food store. I am from the North East & Shoprite, Hannaford and Stop & Shop all carry them. My NUT said the lightly salted or wasabi coated ones are fine. I was sleeved November 27th so, 2 days from now is my 90 day surgiversary. During my puree/soft foods stage my NUT okayed Hummus & Tofu. Sabra even makes their Hummus in single serving containers in packs of 4. I track my food on My Fitness Pal & I seem to average around 700 calories a day. I am ashamed to say that I haven't exercised at all except for 1 yoga class. I am starting today, though, because my BF & I just booked our vacation starting April 29th. I would really like to be down 100 lbs. by then. The first few weeks post-op can be rough, but just stick to the program & you'll so just fine. Feel free to message me anytime if you have veg questions or are struggling or whatever. Best of luck to you!

I just had to laugh when I saw your reply, Laura. I don't remember what we were watching on TV, but I looked at my BF & said, "I'm in big trouble if I ever needed to run for my life". LOL. Soon maybe we can. My boyfriends sister lost close to 100 lbs on her own. She just started running & doing 5ks. Her husband is a Triathelete & just did The Ironman in Arizona in November. Once my weight goes down a little more I won't have much choice but to run. The two of them are already planning at what date they thing they might get me ready for my first 5k! Yikes!

The sentence about edamame should say you only need to eat 1/4 of a cup. Not 70! lol! 1/4 of a cup is small. It's nice because they are crunchy & salty but don't sit heavy in my sleeve. I did try to eat meat once since I was sleeved. I cut it really small, chewed really well, ate slowly & 3 hours later threw up. Meat is just too hard on my system. As you can see from my 1st post you can meet your NUT guidelines no problem with gentle & yummy food!

I have read on the boards of some people doing a mini restart for their sleeve...doing 1 day of Water, 2 days of Protein shakes & then on to other foods. I think lets your sleeve rest & reset a little bit. I also have a hard time getting in my protein, but that is because I am a vegetarian. I too have a greak yogurt every day. Instead of regular Peanut Butter I use PB2. It is a powdered peanut butter that has 85% less fat & calories than peanut butter but a full 5 grams of protein. I also use the PB2 in a shake that I make with almond milk, chocolate Protein powder, frozen banana & PB2. It is so delicious with lots of protein that doesn't taste like a Protein Shake. Another good tip I got from my NUT is eating lightly salted edamame (roasted soy beans). You only need 70 eat 1/4 of a cup for a full 14 grams of protein. Low fat string cheese too. So my average menu looks something like this for protein: Breakfast: 1 cup almond milk 2g 1 scoop protein powder 15g 2 tbsp. PB2 5g Lunch: Non-Fat Plain Greek Yogurt 16g 2tbsp. PB2 5g Snack: 1/4 cup edamame 14g Dinner: Veggies - no protein Snack: 2 Polly-O sting cheese 2% 16g That menu is a total of 73 grams of protein with absolutely no meat, very little carbs or sodium. My NUT is looking for 60-70 g of protein per day. Everything I have eaten, she has approved. Even when the day comes to 73 she said it's okay, but not to push it too much higher. I don't eat the exact same thing every day. Sometimes, for example, I substitute carrots & roasted red pepper hummus for the string cheese. That gives me 61 g per day. I know that this a long reply, but I am hoping that maybe even 1 of these things might help. I think that they are all fairly easy on the stomach & also for digestion. Meat is much harder to break down. You are doing awesome with your loss so far! Congratulations.

I just found this forum & saw your post. I can totally relate. I started out at 418 lbs. & was really maxing out a 30/32. The only store that I could shop in was The Avenue & I sometimes had a hard time with their clothes. I was reliant on the internet. Awhile back the company that I ordered from sent me size 28 jeans instead of a 32. Too much trouble to send them back. A few weeks back I was practically falling out of my jeans & I remembered the 28's buried in my closet. I crossed my fingers. They slipped on & zipped up just fine. I was so happy! Now they are starting to get baggy. I had to buy a new pair of dress pants & ended up needing a 26! I am beyond happy. It is so great to have this forum. We understand where we all have been & what other people take for granted are victories to us. My latest victory was being able to actually fit in a restaurant booth! So, Congratulations to you!

Good for you for being so persistent. I don't know if I would have had the patience. Cardiac was hard for me because I ended up needing extra testing. During my first stress test they couldn't tell if I had a clogged artery or just too much breast tissue to see the results. It was just breast tissue, but it was an anxious couple of weeks until it was cleared up. I hope that your cardiac tests go more smoothly! Keep us updated & ask as many questions as you want. Have a good night!

I always laugh when I have my log done every day. It always tells me that I haven't eaten enough. LOL. I just use it to keep track of my protein, carbs and sodium. I don't think I will ever meet their calorie requirement again.

You will be doing all these things before you know it! Make sure and keep track of all the small things. They will build up to be huge, amazing things. You are on the start to a wonderful journey. It is hard in the beginning, but in no times it is just a memory & you will be well on your way!

I also only had to do liquid for one day before surgery. Water only for 24 hours before. Previous to that I had lost about 10 pounds over the course of getting approved for surgery so, I guess that was enough for him. I had no problems whatsoever without doing a pre-op diet.

Thanks. I'm drooling reading your list of foods. lol. Trying to get things moving on a postive direction today with this thread. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/70339-super-positive-sunday-love-your-sleeve-love-yourself/

This can sometimes be a very frustrating experience. We all are doing our best and sometimes the results are not what we want. I would first recommend not weighing yourself every day. I was doing this too & getting so discouraged by crazy daily fluctuations. Now I only weigh once a week. Do you work with a nutritionist? I know mine has been very helpful in helping me adjust my diet to my needs. I also use My Fitness Pal to track what I eat. It lets you know your total intake of calories, protein, fat, carbs & sodium. It has been very helpful in tweaking my nutritional intake throughout the day. Sodium & carbs are sneaky in food products & the most common obstacles to weight loss. I wish you all the best & don't give up!

Anyone looking for a more positive place today check this out http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/70339-super-positive-sunday-love-your-sleeve-love-yourself/

Now I totally want to color! LOL. Our day here is gray & rainy, but I am happy to be cozy with a fire going in the wood stove. Watching a DVD with my boyfriend, curled up with my cat & puppy. Life is good!

I have a huge list of things that I love that help me make it through every day. Wednesday I will be weighing in for my 90 day weigh in and I am excited. I have not been perfect, but this journey is not about perfection. We are learning to love our life in a whole new way & this takes time. I know that last weigh in I was down 61 lbs. I love what losing that weight has done for me. I love that I am down 3 full pants sizes & the size I am in now is getting too big! I love all the compliments that I've been getting, especially from my super supportive boyfriend. I love that I have more energy. I love that I can now fit in a booth at a restaurant. I love that I could go to IHOP yesterday and eat & not feel deprived at all. I ordered an eggbeater omelette with spinach & mushrooms with fruit salad. I ate less than half of it & brought the rest home. I love that when I go out my boyfriend & I can share a meal & save money! LOL. I love that I fit comfortable in my car now. I even love that my feet have gotten smaller. One day I just stepped right out of one of my dress shoes. Mostly I love that I don't have to be perfect. I am doing this one day at a time. one meal at a time. The sleeve is a wonderful tool!

Sassy, here is a thread that I just started. I'm hoping that it will be encouraging & help people share & feel good. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/70339-super-positive-sunday-love-your-sleeve-love-yourself/

Happy Sunday VST members! I wanted to start a thread that is positive and encouraging. I would love to make this a regular Sunday thread. Let's share the things we love big or small. If someone is struggling let's give each other a positive boost! I just want to get this started. I will be back in a few to share. Let's get positive friends!

Thank you to whoever posted the link to this thread for me. I haven't gotten to read every post on the 8 pages, but I am loving what I've read. I too wish this could be turned into a forum. You all sound like my kind of people. It's like the VST version of Planet fitness...The Judgement Free Zone! I love it! I am not looking to be babied, but I am looking forward to sharing without worry of being bullied. Viva La awesome thread here!