Teachamy

I have had a Mirena for 7 yrs. (I'm on #2) Prior to surgery I didn't have a period, so I was shocked when I got one after surgery. It wasn't heavy by any stretch, but it required a pad or tampon for about 2-3 days. I went out and bought up the feminine products aisle. It hasn't happened since. Did they have you on a blood thinner during surgery? I am on Pradaxa daily, and I think that has something to do with it.

Not really, no--but I've seen this question asked before, so I know you are not alone! You could always check with your surgeon or OB/Gyn, but if it's not causing you problems, it's probably OK.

Agreed with Megpie. Get OFF the scale. As women, we tend to gain weight at certain times of the month, or after a salty snack. (It's all water retention.) Keep fighting the good fight and give it a few weeks before you step back on the scale. You will be pleasantly surprised!!!!

Years ago, I bought a Weight Watchers digital scale. It was NEVER consistent about my weight. I prefer to stop by my bariatric center because their scales are calibrated and the staff can always give me the feedback I need to keep going! Of course, at the center I don't weigh "in the buff", but it doesn't matter--I wear the same thing every time. I am very glad I threw that old scale out long before surgery!

I dont' weigh in every day. In fact, as I think about it, this is week 3 with no weigh-in. (I'll get to it tomorrow!) my point is, if you stick with MFP or some other tracking device, and you go by how you feel in your clothes and the NSV's you receive by way of compliments, etc., you don't need to rely on the scale so much. It makes me crazy to monitor every little fluctuation.

Keep up the great work! That is awesome!

Early on in my recovery, I would hit a wall around lunch time and would be exhausted the rest of the day. I still feel tired now, 4 months out, but I think it is mainly because of the drug I take to slow my heart rate. It knocks me out like a sleeping pill at night, and keeps me exhausted all day. Chronic fatigue is no fun. I hope this is just early in your recovery for you. If so, it will lessen.

I liked Dana's quote. One of my own is "A snack is a noun, not a verb." Maybe not what you meant by inspirational, but it's inspirational to me!

Yahoo Carlotta! That is fabulous!

I am 4 months out and I definitely feel hunger. It takes a lot less to fill me up, but I do get hungry by lunch time or snack time. I just try to remember to eat a snack before I feel any hunger pangs, or by the time a meal rolls around, I'll eat too fast.

I agree with Irene. Her answer is very thorough. For myself, I try to avoid grains when I can, as I have Celiac and I find most gluten-free products have refined (and fattening) flour. I eat a lot of vegetarian Protein, tofu, hummus, fish and dairy. And I am beginning to find fruits and vegetables that work for me, now that I am 4 months out. My nutritionist recommends under 50 grams of carb per day, which usually is doable.

Once you get this figured out, I recommend Fiber gummy supplements. I take 2 a day, unless I didn't have a BM the day before, then I take 3-4. They taste like a treat and they keep me regular.

I felt like I had made the decision for surgery and gave myself the worst flu the world has ever know. It does get better. Sorry you are going through this.

But 7.4 is a lot better for you, isn't it? I get my first post-op A1C next week. I am eager to see it. If you're doing a lot of snacking and not tracking, try MFP. It helps remind me to check my blood and check my carbs. Mainly, I use it for calories, and can't go without it. (I guess I use it the way others use the scale.) It keeps me honest and focused. It reminds me to reach for the sugar free popsicle instead of something calorie-laden.

Agree with everyone about the Protein bars. They are satisfying, but the carbs are far too high. I think 1 a day is a lot. I've been trying to limit them lately because they are total sliders for me. I'm sure you'll see a difference once you cut down to 1 (or none) a day! Here's what I ate today: -2 Weight Watchers cheese sticks -coffee with 2 TBL half and half -1 Feel Good Foods chicken spring roll -1 bartlett pear -1 Rudi's gluten-free wrap with 1/4 c. vegan "chicken" salad and veggies -2 sugar-free popsicles My calories are low today because I indulged a bit yesterday, but I always shoot for 750 calories a day.

I hate the use of the word, "cheating". You are making choices, period. If you set yourself up to fail, you will. If you are lingering in indecision about the choices you are making, then yes, postpone the surgery. Once you are healed 3-4 months out, you will start making bad choices again if you don't decide that you can do this successfully.

I am not sure what you're saying... Do you measure your food? The advice I've always heard is measure what you tolerate best and always stop before you feel full.

I am definitely losing inches, and I know I am losing, but I try not to weigh too often, or I lose my mind.

YES! Everyone loses differently and your body is in shock. You aren't even 2 weeks out. Your body is holding on to those ounces. Please, please, please stay off the scale for a week or 2. You're going to drive yourself nuts. 3 days of no weight loss 11 days out is not a stall. Keep your chin up and don't allow yourself to feel defeated. Patience.

Hey stranger! I am noticing the same thing. Drinking has always been a challenge, so I added straws. Much easier. Quest bars have become sliders for me, so I am eliminating them for a while, and nuts too. It's been challenging to stay within my calorie limits, especially with the need to drop my insulin levels. (Reactions all over the map!) Step away from the scale for a while. I've been away for 2 weeks, but will probably need to face the music this week. Keep your chin up--you're a month behind me and you've lost more! You're doing great!

There were no requirements for me either. (Just that I met the criteria for surgery--35 BMI with co-morbidities) I had paid my $700 out of pocket, so my surgery was covered 100%. I have Anthem BC/BS of Maine.

Couldn't have said it better myself! Our perspective is a lot alike!

Anyone that elects to undergo this type of procedure is brave. And about an hour or two after surgery, I had a little regret myself, because I felt like I had the worst flu of my life. But as the nausea passed, my regret faded away. I imagine some people have a harder time accepting this change, or fully understanding what food meant for them--a type of solace and comfort. Many of us got quite adept at denial, at talking the talk, but not walking the walk. I take it from your screen name that you have not always been obese, but many, many people on this page have no idea what it's like to be thin. I think their difficulties might be different than yours or mine.

Butt shelvers have all the luck.

Man, I leave this thread for a few days and I miss butt shelves (which I am envious of), apparent strenuous sexcapades, and booger consumption. (Can sumption be done about booger miners?) The next time someone asks for pureed food ideas, I may find it hard to hold all this new-found information back!