GypsyQueen

To know that I am changing my family's destiny by establishing new eating habits for us all.

I blew my IV and had crazy swelling in my hand. Definitely gonna need to get it off. The dental floss method sounds like a winner.

Oh, and use a stool while you hostess, if possible. The walking is great, but resting I between is even better!

They called to schedule my surgery during Spring Break. They offered me the following Friday which meant that I would have to immediately start Protein shakes. I took a date two months out so I could enjoy my vacation and all of the kids end of school banquets/field trips were over. The timing was better all the way around.

Yep, thank you requires no further dialogue. Then a quick change of subject!

Everyone feels different. There are many who go back right away, and many who need another week or so. I had surgery on Friday, came home from hospital on Monday night, I felt good enough the following Monday to return to normal activities. Two jobs might be tough though. Maybe ease in one at a time.

Pressure in the chest. I have not felt like I am going to throw up, nor have I had the "slimies" (foaming or saliva).

My husband last week informed me he'd be happy to help me reach my Protein goals. He had actually looked up the gram count. LMAO Talk about getting on board... But thanks for the heads up! Lol!

I was 5/17. Trying to not do shakes more than once a day. Breakfast - broth to start out with something warm to clear the path, then 1% milk w/ Fiber 8 oz (3x a day, whenever I start feeling hungry (sadly) Usually an egg and a 1/4 banana lunch - string cheese w/ a thin slice of deli meat Or Wendy's chili 1/4 of a small Snack - dreaded Protein shake dinner - I've had a meatball w/cheese & sauce, mini beef burger (no bun), fish, shrimp, chicken, etc. with a couple bites of veggie de jour. Nothing has disagreed, so far.

The pre op diet is great if you take it to heart. It really can prepare you for many of the changes that lie ahead. I tried to eat like I'd already had surgery. I drank 3 cups of milk a day with fiber, drank lots of water, and gave up eating/drinking at the same time, etc. I also substituted my fast food habit with Wendy's chili. I ate that a lot!! I lost 45 lbs prior to surgery. I also felt mentally prepared when I came hope from the hospital. It's been smooth so far, 3 weeks post op. P.S. the doc shortened my liquid diet prior to surgery to 1 week since I'd done so well on the diet. That was a huge victory.

I dislike low fat stuff too. The Hellman's canola mayo is great.

I bought three cute summer dresses (dresses!) that are sleeveless, cool, and can be taken in as I shrink! Did I mention I'm in Florida! I've not worn sleeveless in my whole adult life and I guess I will before my arms get too saggy and I want to cover them up again!

I'm going into week 4 and the scale is stuck here too. Not complaining, just sharing that you're probably not doing it right if you don't have the dreaded week 3 stall. Lol!

Walgreens has a liquid multi-Vitamin if you have one of those nearby. It tastes like a liquid Flintstone and is not bad at all. Just to get through the next couple weeks.

For many years I looked in the bathroom mirror and saw the same (nonfat) image, but reflections in store windows, shadows cast on the ground and photographs told the truth. It was painful to look at myself and face the truth of my fatness. Now, I still see the same thing in the mirror, but I jump in front of the camera at every opportunity so I can view the real truth. As my body is changing, I can stand to look at my reflection and see the promise of what's to come. Is this a NSV? It sure feels like it. I'll have to dig deep to scrape up a before photo that hasn't been fat cropped, but looking forward to posting pix in a few months! Thank you to everyone on the forum for encouragement and great advice!

From the moment I got home from the hospital, it's been smooth sailing. I am almost 3 weeks out, no food has upset my tummy, and drinking has been easy. 63-78 oz protein and 80 oz fluid daily, no problem. Very happy with how things have gone so far.

You could get a swim shirt to wear for "sun protection". Kills 2 birds with one stone.

Gmanbat- that is amazing!

Add seasoning to make it tasty. I enjoyed every bite of purée. Small bites. Go slow. Today is my last day of puree! Good luck!

My Not said tenderloin for steak, but chuck for burgers 80/20, cheap stuff. Give it a go!

Most of my gal pals are curvy :-). A couple are watching and asking a lot of questions because they are interested in the procedure for themselves. A few others watch from afar with genuine concern. There's one who is supposed to be my BFF, but has virtually disappeared. There are two who have verbally expressed their frustration, more so with themselves, and apologized for their hostility. And finally, my sister-in-law who is so desperate to have the surgery (and begged me not to have it without her), is falling into a deep clinical depression. My skinny friend expressed her past fear of coming to visit because she always gained weight being around me. I think that one has been the most painful to hear, because I know it was true. I expect to move to another state in about two years when my son graduates high school (husband's job). It will be interesting to see what my new friends look like, as in, birds of a feather flock together. Will they all be smaller?Interesting sociology question.

I just went in for my 2 week post op and it was a chatty waiting room. Most people were newly operated on and very happy thus far. There were two "skinny" ladies that started talking and they were 7 and 9 years out. We were all prepared to be excited by their stories, but we were horrified. Now let me say this up front, they were Bypass patients, but those two had been through the ringer. Stomach perf, intestinal perf, bowel resection, pelvic floor reconstruction, multiple pancreatic surgeries, uncontrolled sugar drops, massive hernias... I mean the list was long and scary. They were young, like just 30. They didn't experience most of their problems until years after surgery. My doc did not do either of their surgeries, nor did they feel that their surgeons were at fault, just their bodies response to the surgery. They did not know each other, but both had a really good sense of humor about their situations. I think if I'd met them the day of my pre op, I would have run like the wind, but I'm hoping this is the exception to the norm, and especially so for the sleeve. It would benefit those behind us if we all try to keep posting our experiences good or bad, at least once a year, so there's a lot more on here from those further than 2 years out. Feeling great, 13 days out!

Milk was allowed as soon as I got home from hospital and am supposed to have 2-3 cups a day with fiber. I can barely choke down 1 protein shake a day, so thank goodness it agrees with me. Nut said gurgling tummy was okay, but diarrhea was not.