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haha, like finding an animal shape in the sky on a cloudy day. Hope that you aren't sore!

I would ask your surgeon about how long you should wait to ride, but I would think at least until your staple line is healed--about the time that you would be approved for more strenuous organized exercise classes and/or strength training (probably somewhere between 8 and 12 weeks post-op...unless you are an overachiever like Laura ). YSMV (Your Surgeon May Vary).

Hang in there! You will feel a lot better once you start on purees. Can you take a little more time off or work half days for a little while?

My 3-week stall (which lots of people get) started at 2 weeks also!

I'm so sorry that you are going through this. Are you seeing a gyn and/or endocrinologist who can maybe help with some ideas to balance your hormones out? Maybe something for the vaginal dryness too.

I would try to get more protein from solid protein sources instead of the shakes. After the first 8 weeks, my surgeon likes us to avoid the shakes unless you are really under on protein on a certain day. I would replace the fruit snacks (higher sugar/higher carb) with a low-carb veggie snack with protein...like maybe some red pepper strips and a babybel lite cheese, or raw veggies with Greek yogurt with dill mixed in as a dip. Good luck!!!

awesome job!!!

Wishing you all the best. I think that one good thing is that you are honest with yourself. You know that you can lose more if you are able to work the sleeve to its fullest potential. However, the health setbacks have to be really frustrating as far as a consistent exercise plan. Do you have a desk job? I am wondering if sitting at a desk 16-20 hrs/day is taking its toll on your body. I do that sometimes and I know that it's not good. I try to make up for it the next day by getting up early and exercising if I've had a big deadline the day before. Hope you are feeling better soon.

I'm sorry, Amanda. If it makes you feel any better, suits aren't really made for larger-chested women either. Most don't have good support and they have padding in the chest area (soft cup bras), which most larger-chested women don't need. To get a nice supportive underwire, you have to buy super-expensive suits. Which is a pain when you know you won't be that size for long. Really, more swimsuit companies should offer swimsuits in cup sizes. Actually, I was at Lane Bryant not too long ago, and I did notice some of their suits (they may have been tankinis) come in cup sizes. I think the largest they went was D, but they seemed to have quite a few smaller sizes available. So maybe that would be an option.

It's temporary weight gain from swelling and all of the fluids they gave you. If it makes you feel any better, I gained 14 lbs in the hospital! My RD said that some patients gain even more. Try not to weigh for at least another week and drink as much as you can. You will be rewarded! Sorry that you are missing out on strawberry season, but think of all of the things that you missed out on bc of your weight that you won't be missing out on anymore. Stay strong! Hope you feel better soon.

Yes, I had some aching there a week or two after surgery and I think at about 4 weeks it popped. The PA had told me to expect that, so I wasn't worried. I took a pain med at night if it hurt a lot and OTCs during the day.

How much protein are you getting? If it's something like 60 to 80 grams, you are totally fine. I definitely wouldn't go below 60, or you will start losing muscle instead of fat. If you were eating 150 g of protein and not lifting weights, that could be an issue. Do you have a registered dietitian or nutritionist? Good Qs for him or her.

I probably wouldn't, just bc of the chemicals and such--for the first 2 weeks, I stuck with water and protein shakes (and a little veggie broth). Have you tried sugar-free popsicles?

I'm a fan of the Unjury unflavored.

I was allowed to have fruits with seeds starting at 6 weeks. YSMV (my new acronym--Your Surgeon May Vary). :-)

two things that I was really glad I packed--face wipes (like the ones you can get to take off make up)...they were refreshing when I felt crappy; and body wipes, like you can get in the medical supply section in a drug store. The body wipes were great when I cleaned up the 2nd day--much easier than trying to use a washcloth and sink (even though I did it at the sink, with the door closed of course) bc I was sore. Oh, and chapstick and Gas-X. there is a thread on what to take to the hospital. And iPhone charger....

I love love love their salad with grilled veggies on top. Sometimes I add cheese (I'm a vegetarian), but I think you can get it with grilled chicken. I have come to think of pasta as tasteless, a waste of space (I'm post-op), yucky/gummy, and low bang for the buck given its lack of nutritional value. I feel so good putting a healthful tasty salad in my body instead. And everyone at the table will probably look at your salad longingly, wishing they had ordered it. You will feel great after eating it, too! I would pass on the bread or maybe have half a piece with the dipping oil bc that's the best part (since you are pre-op--post-op, you won't want it). You can get a side of sautéed spinach with garlic (not sure if it's on the menu, but they will do it), which is sooo good and good for you. Most of all, I hope you enjoy your time with your loved ones!

For those who told absolutely no one, just wondering--did you not have anyone with you at the hospital? How did you get home from the hospital? (don't you have to have someone there for them to release you?).

A 10 on the pain scale sounds awful--could you go to your PCP or urgicare to make sure something isn't wrong? Could you ask your surgeon about taking a combo of an NSAID with a regular-strength Tylenol (with a gastric-protective agent)? my mom is a retired OR nurse and always had us do that for bad pain bc they used it in post-op for patients who didn't want narcotics. It gets to the inflammation as well as the pain. But I would only do it with your surgeon's blessing. Hope you feel better very soon.

congrats! Funny you should bring this up. I was just thinking today about the best thing to do with my old clothes. I could of course give them to charity, but wondering the best place to take them. Would like to get receipts as a tax write-off if possible (budget is tight right now). Thinking of Dress for Success. Could also go the consignment route, but that seems like a bit of a hassle? I think they donate anything that doesn't sell to charity if you don't come pick it up, which is what I would do. I have a lot of really nice business clothes and I just want to make sure that someone who can really use them gets them.

The hospital where I was did not allow family members to stay overnight unless it was an extraordinary circumstance. I thought this was good bc that way everyone can get their rest, and the nursing staff takes great care of you. I took a sponge bath the day after my surgery and a shower before I was discharged (I was there 2 nights). My husband came early for my discharge and helped me with my shower, which I liked better than asking an aide to help. (You are a bit sore and unsteady at first and taking a shower in a strange place, so it's nice to have someone close by, even if just for reassurance.)

Butter, I started eating Fiber one occasionally bc of your recommendation, and it works like a charm. Thanks.

For me, it was the day after surgery. I was absolutely miserable. The PA told us to expect that, bc my surgeon allows NO fluid by mouth until after the post-op barium leak test, about 24 hrs after your surgery. I was uncomfortable from my drain, having trouble getting enough oxygen in, in pain when I walked, having difficulty getting in and out of bed, hated having my legs plugged in (lol), etc. But the worst part was being so parched from not drinking. The popsicle I had after my successful leak test was the best thing I ever tasted! By the next day, I felt 80 percent better. Now at 4.5 months out, I feel like that one day was just a little blip on the radar screen. I don't mean to alarm you by telling this, but I was glad that the PA told us what to expect bc I felt like it was better to be mentally prepared. Oh and I felt awful on the painkillers they gave me and once they changed me to a different on, I felt a lot better. I was having trouble focusing my eyes and it made me woozy. So if you don't feel good on yours, ask to try a different one. And if you get nauseous with anesthesia, ask the anesthesiologist to give you something to prevent the post-op nausea. That is a lifesaver.

They changed your hotel also? Was it a less expensive hotel? I don't understand the part about your husband helping patient's in TJ?

I wonder if that is more true for GB patients than VSG? My diarrhea only lasted about 2 weeks and now it's pretty normal. Had some constipation until I was eating veggies regularly again.