melissa130

NOTHING tastes as good as becoming thin and fit and strong and sexy. That is what I told myself to get through those pre-op weeks. It was hard for sure. Do you have access to support groups and a behavior therapist? Don't underestimate how much that can help you work through the toughest part of your journey. Your liver needs to shrink before surgery. Is your surgery laparoscopic? A shrunken liver can prevent surgery from becoming an open operation. It is easier for your surgeon if he can get around your liver easier. It can reduce the risks of complications. Improved blood sugars and blood pressures and decreased water retention are all important before major surgery. You are hungry. But...you are almost there. Stay strong - you really can do it. Look how well you did in week one. Pretty soon you will enjoy the benefits of your hard work.

You need to be careful with all your ingredients. Sodium is a big problem. The scale stops when you eat too many foods with sodium. I eat greek yogurt, eggs, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, pureed fruits. Pureed meat made me gag. So I will wait till i am on soft foods. I mix protein powder with everything so that I feel fuller longer. And i drink to protein bariatric shakes per day.

if u think getting your water in now is difficult ---- it is harder after surgery. And if you don't get the water in, and take it seriously, you will become dehydrated-and end up in the hospital. Just saying. Good luck to you.

You have to be weighed each month in an office for the MD to chart your weight for 3 consecutive months. Along with other information. If this is important to you - you should find the time to find the right place that will help ya. Don't be in a hurry either -this is your life. Good luck.

That is one of my first questions for the doc when I see him next week. I would love to have a glass but I am afraid.

You should ask your doctor for anti nausea medication. It will help u greatly. And stay positive dear. you are ok. And nothing tastes as good as being thin and fit and strong.

Wow - I am so tired of being invisible to people.SERIOUSLY. I weigh 230 pounds. Too big to be missed. Today a man held the door open for the thin lady walking just in front of me into a convenient store. (They were not together.) Then he lets the door go right as I am about to pass through. He looked me right in the eye. Are you kidding me? I became so irate. It was a definite -want to eat a pizza trigger!!!!!!! (I didn't.) This scenario has happened hundreds of times to me over the past 15 years. How rude. This is just one example of how ignorant people can be. At gatherings - I could be the biggest girl in the room - but nobody can see me. Ironic. It is like if they look at me - they may catch the fat disease. And then - there is the line -you have a beautiful face. Oh my god- how about a simple "You are beautiful". Sorry everybody - just needed to vent to people that would understand. I am so happy I had this surgery. I will train my little boys - that every woman deserves to have a door held open for them. And that men and women deserve to be seen - no matter where they are or how big they are.

Thanks for your comments. I was pretty fired up. I am more calm now. But I am glad to know somebody else out there gets what I meant.

You should Love yourself today. You do actually. You love yourself enough to go through this life-risking surgery. But please don't allow yourself to "cheat" after surgery. Stick to the guidelines and only allow yourself to adhere to a healthy diet/lifestyle. Why go for junk food after putting your life on a tight rope. Dont let it be all for nothing. And you will need pain medication. Who cares if you are loopy. You need pain control so you can get out of bed and walk at least 4 hours after surgery to avoid blood clots. Good luck to you.

That has been my problem lately too. I am four weeks post-op. The week I started puree the bms stopped. I went 5 days without a bm. And OMG--- I had a terrible time in the bathroom. So I am taking a stool softner 2 times a day now which still don't really soften like i had hoped. I am doing my best to get 64oz of fluids in. Just yesterday I bought Miralax. It worked so well. I have not asked my doc about it yet. But at my appointment next week - it will be first order of business. DRink as much water as you can. Good luck.

The pureed foods I choose are ok. I haven't pureed meat though. I just don't even like the sound of it. Yogurt, oatmeal, pudding, and tuna fish have been what I stick to the most. Pretty soon I can move up to soft foods.

I sure am feeling pretty good about things so far. I have lost 35 pounds since my surgery. I follow my surgeon's dietary guidelines to the letter and make sure I get 64 oz of H20. Way harder getting that water in than I thought it would be. Mental state of mind will be the key. We have all heard that a million times. So far- my biggest struggle is making meals for our 2 little kids and my husband. The smell of any food cooking simply makes me want to eat. Now I have started to ensure that before I do start meal prep- I eat yogurt or oatmeal. That way I am not starving. I have one more week on pureed foods. Week 5 I move up to soft foods. A huge benefit for the whole family now is nobody gets fast food. I have realized that at least 3 to 4 times per week - I was buying fast food for the family. Whether it was breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Not good. But the changes are in motion. And this "little" family will be so much healthier.

I didn't want anybody to know either. I had to tell a few because I would need their help with my little boys. But I don't plan on telling everybody about the surgery. The fact is-- you still have to do the work for this to succeed. You have to adhere to a strict dietary guideline and exercise. So to me- people don't need to know what tool we use to loose our weight. We have to work just as hard as others- who do not have surgery. Don't worry about keeping it to your self - it really is your own business!!1

I sure did! That is what I called it too. I felt like I wanted the whole house clutter free and organized for my new start in life.

I think so many people forget that when a person has 200 or more pounds to lose - the first 100 will fly off in about 6 months. And for people that have 100 to lose-- the first 50 will come off pretty fast. I started off at 284. Surgery day weight I was 264. That 20 pounds came off quick due to liquid pre-op diet.. Today is a few days shy of three weeks post-op and I weigh 240.5. And i am really aggressive about moving. 10 days after surgery I walked 1 mile. And was very proud of that. Today I went for 3 miles. Slowly - but I did it.

You need to completely trust in yourself. It does not matter what anybody else says or thinks when it comes to this decision you made for yourself.. do not allow other people's negativity to even have some space in your head. You need to start telling yourself - today and every day here after- that you are ready for this and you will succeed. I am only 1 week post-op and I constantly close my eyes and see myself 12 months from now. Also- even if you had a thousand close friends to talk to - nobody understands like other sleeve patients. Get to the support groups and even maybe a psychiatrist/psychologist to help you through. A great book I have on hand - "The Emotional First Aid Kit- A Practical Guide to life after Bariatric Surgery. Good luck. And start to get to know yourself.

Well finally I have arrived at a date that I had to fight for. After one and a half years - I had my vertical sleeve surgery and am now 1 week post-op. At first, I took several months gathering my information so I could make my best informed decision. And then had to appeal my insurance company's original decision to deny coverage for me. Went through all the pre-op process and testing - and now I am on my way!!!! I have 1 more week to go through for the liquid diet phase. I really do not mind it right now. I certainly am missing food. However, this surgery will give me the opportunity to break all my bad habits. In the process, I will be able to truly determine what all my triggers are and change all of my daily habits with food. Looking forward to lots of blogging as I run through this next year---to my best life ever.

I would be afraid to go to mexico. Are you able to check credentials? How are the hospitals?

That is reallly smart to tier changes in your diet like that. I had to give up my favorite flavored coffee creamer - so I did it in December. I had one week for the pre-op liquid diet and had surgery on January 14th. I was so happy to be past my cravings for my coffee treat- which I would drink a pot of per day. I went through my house and got as organized as I could to make that liquid diet week go faster. I couldn't quit talking about the surgery coming up... God bless my husband. He really was a trooper in the listening department. Now I am one week post op. The liquid diet doesn't bother me quite yet. Probably due to small problem with nausea. Good luck to u.

It is an absolute fact. Protein gives your body's metabolism the chance to burn fat--most healthy people have enough protein in their diets.

You need to really let that office know loud and clear how disappointed you are. I had lots of your exact problems. One day - at the office - I let them know. I couldn't take the delays and the poor communication anymore. I let the girls behind the desk know the following : " Listen to me - I am scared. This is a life changing event for me and I need people that are knowledgeable and compassionate. I need help from you people - not to be pushed aside. If you don't have time for me and can't take time to make sure all the things I need for this surgery are ready and correct- then I wish you would have told me that day one. I would not have wasted your time." My legs were shaking. I had never stood up for myself. At home I fired off an email to the office manager and my surgeon. What a difference it made for the rest of my journey. I just had surgery on 01-14-13. And originally, my insurance company denied my request. I appealed - and I won that appeal. If you believe you are on the right path - nothing will stop you. Good luck. Stand up for yourself.

My surgery was on 01-14-13. I am recovering and anxious to get past this painful part. I think exercising is the best thing you can do before surgery- because it helps to regulate all your systems. Good luck to you with your decision.

Had my surgery on 01-14-13. Today is Friday the 18th. I haven't been feeling too well! I follow the bariatric guidelines to the letter. I am very excited to get the next 3 weeks past me while I recover. I certainly would appreciate communicating with somebody through this journey.