MizzouGirl

It's working, it's really working! I can't believe I am 3 months post op today. As I wake up today, I am dragging 48 total pounds less out of bed. I am walking around, exercising and living 48 pounds lighter. Hard to believe. 48 pounds that I will never, ever see again! I tried lifting a 40 item the other day in Ikea and could barely get it off the ground. How on earth did I walk around with 24/7??
13 pounds pre operative lost and 35 post operative. I am over the moon about this. I know lots of people lose faster and I am thrilled for them, (and secretly wish I was them) but I am so happy with my loss thus far. Only about 4 or so pounds came off this month but seems like my size diminished more this month than ever. I was busting out of an 18W pre surgery and yesterday slipped into the size 12 cute shorts with the embroidered pockets (yes, even mom shorts can be cute! I have no intention of dressing like a 20 year old) I bought them my first shopping trip after surgery and fell in love with them. Couldn't get them past my thighs much less covering my rear!
Luck has been on my side, I must say that I had a very easy surgery and recovery. I followed my surgeon and NUT instructions (outside of using a straw a week early) and it has served me well. I am aware that there are a good number of people who, while following instructions to a T are not having as easy a time as I have. I am very grateful that has not been the case for me. I can eat anything now. I just eat WAY less. The eating plan that I am on with my NUT does not call for extremely low carbs. It calls for as balanced as I can get it, keeping in mind the Protein first, veggies/fruits second and have not made it to the carbs part as there just isn't room. We go out for a burger a few times per month and I have a few fries (5-6) and no bun. That has been the only carb that I have had any room for. They are good, but not the end all. I have not yet tried any breads, Pasta or sugars mostly because I have not craved them. That could be a slippery slope for me and so I choose not to go there yet till my feet are firmly planted. I am still finding my way.
It seems something has clicked for me. I look at food differently. The surgery was on my stomach, not my head but so far, my brain is wrapping around the changes well. I hope that continues. I am well aware the hardest part has yet to come. For most of us life long dieters, sticking with the plan is easy. Till we don't. Sometime, I know I will eat a cracker, tortilla chip or cookie. How will I handle it? I hope and pray well. I believe I was ready to make the life long changes. I won't know for sure till there is no "off limits" foods. I do know that I can never go back to the way things were before. I couldn't do any longer, that is why I made this very difficult decision to have this surgery. It must be a life change for me.
I feel like my life is back (mostly) to my new normal. I don't think about food and how I am going to get my nutrition constantly any longer. I go to happy hour with my friends. I enjoy a glass of wine. Even in a Mexican restaurant. In Texas, Tex Mex is a food group. chips are on the table before you can settle into your seat. They don't seem to bother me any longer. Honestly, I do miss a good frozen Margarita. That is one thing I will not indulge in again. Just way too much sugar. I love wine so I still enjoy. No one notices what I eat or don't eat. We are all way to busy catching up. 99% of the time I can find something on the menu that is not only healthy, but that I enjoy. I love food. I always will. Again, I am lucky, not too picky of an eater. Poultry, beef and fish are all yummy to me. If can't find anything I will ask for a grilled chicken breast and grilled veggies even if it's not on the menu. Never be afraid to ask. I enjoy a couple glasses of wine on the weekends. (all totally OK with surgeon and NUT) I realize I could be a few more pounds down the road if I didn't but one thing my NUT does stress is to get to my new normal as soon as possible and not look at it as a diet. Look at it as the rest of my life. Eat like a thin person from the start. Getting to goal in 4 months is not the object of the game. Eating right and yes, enjoying life is. It should take 9-12 months. That is the plan I am on, which I know differs from others. It works for me and I am loving it.
Difficulties so far is I need to be better at getting to the gym. I have not mastered it. At all. I don't like it one bit. I know it is necessary but if I can find an excuse NOT to go? Well, I will say THAT I have mastered. :wacko: No bueno! I do go, not nearly as often as I should. Someone PLEASE send some tough love my way. My big girl panties fall down a bit in this area. In my defense, I am way more active around the house and garden. We also have pool so I do use that for exercise. No excuse.
All in all, I am thrilled with my new life. I am healthier then I have ever been in my adult life. My blood pressure is normal, as are ALL my vital levels, LDL, HDL tryglycerides and the list goes on. My husband is amazed at the change in me. He tells me the biggest change is inside me. He travels for work each week and when he comes home, he can also see the physical change. He has been my rock. I am a lucky girl to have been his wife for the last 33 years. :wub:
I know the most challenging part is yet to come. I feel strong, and healthy enough, physically and emotionally to handle what comes. I look forward to see what the next 3 months are like.
Sorry this is so long, lots of reflecting and thinking going on my little head today.

I took a 45 minute nap every afternoon for a month, which was nice. I walked a little more every day and I used a heating pad when I was sitting during the day. I used liquid Tylenol during the day and used the pain meds only at night for 9 or 1o days. Drink liquid.....find something you like, Water with lemon, crystal lite, whatever and drink. Take it easy, don't expect to lose massive amounts of weight - slow and steady is good. Take this time to develop good habits and make them your new life, your new normal. This is fun, enjoy it. I bought a disposable camera and my husband took a picture of me the day before surgery and then took a picture every month on my 'date' of surgery.....for the first year. After the one year anniversary, I took the camera and had the pictures developed. Wow, to lay them out, side by side and see the transformation. I am glad someone suggested it and glad I followed through. Like I said, have fun. Good luck!!

For me it has been as follows:
1. Protein, Water, popsicle
2. Walk, walk, walk
3. Water
4. This website and water
5. Nap
Repeat, repeat, repeat....
I'm in this continuous loop and try to stay positive. I'm quite certain this has been the toughest thing I've ever done but I'm hopeful it's going to get better. Good luck to you - you are stronger than you know!
On a side note, so excited that I get to move to full liquids tomorrow. I'm dreaming of plan Greek yogurt, blended Soups, thin oatmeal and applesauce. You will be there soon.

I think some stupid is fixable. It's just that some learn the hard way.
Pop and or carbonation has no good value whatsoever. It's addictive, full of additives and other nasty crap and robs the body and skin of valuable sources it needs. That alone made me a non pop drinker years and years ago.
My university professor was the inventor of one of the popular sugar substitutes and.. Having first hand conversations in his class THERE'S NO WAY I'VE EVER USED SUGAR SUSTITUTE. It's slow death in a packet

I have Cigna and they have been great thus far. I think it depends on the type of coverage selected by your employer. Mine was approved in about a week and other than $20 co-pays for office visits, I only had to pay a $250 deductible to the hospital.

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OK, NtvTxn, I erected a flame shield for you. You're safe. :ph34r:

Down 35 lbs
Was 285
Now 250

I added hot sauce and vinegar to my chicken broth to make hot& sour. You could add taco seasoning to beef to make Mexican flavor.

Don't tell anyone about the surgery and then when they begin to ask how you are slimming up act like it's a big diet secret. As time goes on and you lose more they will press you more. When you have hooked the ones you want to get, let slip the following "super-diet" of foods that must be eaten in abundance:
According to the American Gastroenterology Association, the most common gas producing foods include: cauliflower, brussels sprouts, dried Beans, broccoli, cabbage and bran.
Your co-workers will be trumpeting your success.
When you finally tell them about the operation, if they tell you you are an idiot for doing it remind them how they fell for the fart diet.

Good Morning Everyone,
I’m officially 1 month out today. I am down 19 lbs and averaging 4.5 lbs a month. Total loss since starting journey is 58. Losing 1-2 lbs in the last 2 weeks. When I went to my doctor appointment on my 2 week post-op the coordinator told me that I would slow down to 1-2 lbs a week until about 2-3 months out and would then start losing a lot faster. She was so right. She is a WLS patient herself and she knows so much about what we’re going through.
I’m feeling very well and energized most days. I take my Vitamins and drink my Water requirements most days. I always get at least 50 gms of Protein in now, was very hard at first. I’m walking 1.6 miles 6 days a week. Last night was hard because it was still 92 degrees out. Whew!
Have been getting a lot of wow! and OMG! lately from anyone at I haven’t seen in few weeks. Loving that. My clothes are much loser, loving that. I have had 3-4 people tell my face looks different. One of the neighbors came over when we had a BBQ and he didn’t recognize me at first glance. I laughed so loud. I could not have a better support system with friends, family and my online buddies here. Most of all I can’t the The Lord for his blessings and Grace.
I am very compliant with the protocol my doctor gave me. I now eat Hummus, chili, lots of fish, boiled eggs, SF pudding, Beans, mashed potatoes and more but can’t think of all right now. I’m on MFP and have an open diary if anyone is interested in being WLS journey pals. “bridges15804”.
My fasting blood sugars went from around 280 to this morning of 87. That is incredible. I’ve been diabetic since 1998 and was on tons of insulin that was no longer helping that much. Used to take 10 different prescriptions and now take 1 + med vitamins.
I know I’ve been a little long-winded, but I just want to share my experiences a little for the newbies. I am so grateful I was sleeved. I knew in my heart this was the right thing to do for me. I would please advise to make sure you are ready for change before making this step. It is not easy and takes a great deal of disciple and focus. I have to admit that with the sleeve it is easier to reach your goals, but you have to want it.

After a day like today here at VST, not sure what is worse - a virtual STD or being accused of being preachy and judgmental :lol:

I got my approval from Cigna in under a week. Good luck!

That's all I'm focusing on too. My regiment is walk, drink, rest.

I have Clear Liquids for 1 week then full liquids for the next, then purée for 1 week, then soft foods for 1 week. I am feeling good. I think I am just so grateful to be back - in my own country, my own home, my own bed, and my own recliner, with my husband and my sweet doggies by my side and my kids there by phone and text for support!
It is really weird, but you all know by now how this goes.... My post-op instructions are similar in some respects but different in others. The primary way they are different is in the intake of Protein and Vitamins. For the first week, I am not to worry about either of those. Just 2 things - hydration and walking. That's it. I start with Protein shake drinking on day 8.
The next REALLY different thing is about Vitamins. My doctor said the nutrition plan after 4 weeks is sufficient to meet my Vitamin needs so I do not have to worry about my Vitamin intake. He asked me to be honest and tell him did I take vitamins before and I said just with the Pre-op diet. So he said that there is a lot of research that shows that vitamins make you hungrier and this is one of the reasons we have seen an increase in children's obesity rates. He said - don't worry about the vitamins. Now I would never have posted this, because I feel that it is controversial, but I saw it posted in another section of the forum too! From a sleever with an American doctor. Weird huh?
So I am focusing on hydration and walking this first week - that's all. And I feel really good.
Many blessings to all of you on your journey!

My doc has me on liquids for 2 weeks post op. By next Friday I would have been on liquids for a total of 3 weeks. Ugggg!!! I slept well last night. Probably too long. I didn't get enough liquids in to keep up with my hydration. I skipped my morning Protein because I was sleeping because I am weak. I know that now I have to play catch up. I'm sipping on 4 ounces of protein. How is everybody?

When my mom came to see me in my room right after surgery, she told me that she talked to my aunt and told her what I was doing. She felt guilty, and I was mad at her!! I was doped up on morphine, but I was so mad about it!! I feel like she spilled my Beans, I really didn't want to share this with anyone. I don't mind being helpful on a web forum, but I just don't need everyone in my real life knowing about this...
That said, I have only told my parents (who told the rest of the fam, apparently), and 3 of my closest friends. I can't quite articulate why, but I just don't want people to know about it! It's no one's business!

I found the pre-op liquid only diet extremely challenging but sounds like many others (from what I've read) didn't have a tough time with it. I can do a strict diet but I can't stand artificial sweetener, I struggle with Protein Shakes and I just want real food - luckily, it's not that long that until I can start having real food again. As a former pro-wrestler, I'm guessing you will have better go at the liquid diet since you are maybe used to rigid diets/training. Best wishes to you on your surgery and on-going success!!

I am so looking forward to the day that I'm far enough along post op that I have the brainpower and playful attitude to join in the fun. Right now, I'm taking it a day at a time but I'll get there. Thanks for the fun read tonight (not meaning any disrespect to the initial poster)!

I'm so there with you right now --- my surgery date was 5/31. Can't wait to add something, anything new to the menu!!! I spent quite a bit of time reading posts today from folks who are 2, 3, 4 + weeks out to see how they are doing and am comforted that it will get better pretty soon. This is just the toughest part --- hardest thing I've ever done. Hang in there!

I sm not so far ahead of you. 12 weeks tomorrow.
Its ok to feel sad and you need to remember your hormones are all over the place.
Remember...this too shall pass :-)

I was there too- i had to do 2 weeks preop with only Protein Shakes and Jello and then it continued for 2.5 weeks after surgery- im now almost 3 weeks out and was cleared for soft food- there's definitely a light at the end of the tunnel! it'll be here before you know it. You just gotta give your new stomach some time to heal

Girl I'm ready to argue over these so called muffin tops!!
I'm so sick of all this crap being marketed to us silly Americans! Low fat this, sugar free that Vitamin infused crap! Have you seen the new Greek yogurt **** Greek yogurt ice cream Greek yogurt Cereal..
Processed **** sold as healthy for us!!
Ok breathe unicorn, breathe...

I wasn't given instruction on this but can tell you that they had a hard time getting my blood oxygen due to my gel nail polish. They put a thingy on your finger to measure it and the polish doesn't allow them to get a read or an accurate read. My level was always low so I had to wear oxygen tubes in my nose most of the time. Not the most comfortable thing but manageable. I would say take it off just to be safe. I think toes should be fine.

I hadn't had a BM 2 days prior to surgery then 3 days in hospital then 2 days home.... Finally ! Pretty horrid you are right but feel much better and hope I doesn't continue.