Jeffie Beck

great points, guys! I think having a clear line and knowing the difference between things you are giving up forever and the things you can have at maintenance is a smart idea. I feel bad that I think some people can't wait to "reward" themselves with foods that aren't good for them. The only foods I look forward to are foods that are good for me but can't seem to tolerate yet (like salmon, shrimp, spinach). My doc said to keep trying every couple weeks, as we are still healing for the next 6 months and our tolerances will continue to change/improve. I gave up caffeine, soda, Pasta, potatoes forever and I'm happy with that. My weight loss is its own reward.

hahahhaah oh my gosh i am crying laughing at this wonderful story!!! I am so happy for you and this (not so small) victory!!! Having bloomers fall down is not a small thing, since they tend to be the tightest thing we wear, so if even those aren't fitting, GO GIRL!!!!!! Congrats, and thanks for the laugh! I truly needed it!!

I get it from people on this site

Been there too! Was told on this site that I had an eating disorder for legitimate hunger. As if the therapist at my surgeon's office couldn't possibly know better than them (my surgeon would never sleeve a person with an untreated eating disorder). Too many people on this board assume we all get to this point for the same reasons , but obesity is a disease with a multitude of causes. Period. Don't let them bully you honey.

I understand your frustration, don't feel bad. Let me ask you, what is your Water intake? Protein intake? activity/exercise level? General food intake daily? I ask bc perhaps we can all help find things to tweak to improve/increase your weight loss. Also, how much weight do you need to lose to reach your goal?

Hey Emilysmom,

If you don't mind, I'd like to share my story with you. I was originally scheduled to be sleeved on May 6th. i was all psyched and ready, starving from the pre-op diet (pissed off bc i only lost 3lbs during the pre-op diet lol) and in a good place mentally about my life long decision. I was admitted, changed into my gown, had my hospital tags/wristbands on, even the hair bonnet thing they put on you just before you get to the OR. Well, while waiting on the gurney, my morning blood sugars came in (i am a type 1 diabetic), and my sugar was 59, apparently my endocrinologist didn't adjust my insulin enough to account for the fact that I'd have nothing in my system starting midnight day of surgery. Bc you can't have anything in your tummy, and the only way to safely bring ur sugar up is to drink glucose, they had to reschedule me. I WAS CRUSHED!! I was literally a few minutes from being wheeled into the OR when i was hit with this news. I cried rigth there, and my surgeon felt awful. He moved mountains to get me rescheduled for the following Tues, and like you, I had lost much of my mojo, thinking "is this a sign? is God trying to tell me this isnt' for me?" Well, I managed to put those fears aside (I truly feel that's fear I was hearing in my head) and on May 14, I was sleeved successfully.

I never got my mojo back in terms of how excited I was to have the surgery...but I did it anyway. And you know what, the very next week, when I noticed I had lost 11lbs, THEN it hit me. I made the best decision of my life! I never had a c-section so I can't compare the pain, but I can say that the gas pain in my shoulder was worse than the pain in my incisions. I took a pain killer for a day or two after just for that, bc gas-x didnt work (it's not gas pain in your intestines, its the air they put into your abdominal cavity so the laproscope is free to move around in there; they can't always get all the air out before closing you up and this air or gas pain causes discomfort, especially as it travels around). Walking helps dissipate it greatly, actually.

I hope my story helps you a bit! I really really want you to have the strength and patience to call back, get rescheduled, and try again!!! Please keep us posted, feel free to message me if you have other questions, and best of luck to you, my dear!!!

I love that!! It's funny bc normally I think there is a belief that healthier food is more expensive (and honestly, where I live in NYC, that is often true), BUT us sleevers have the advantage of buying significantly less due to the fact that we eat so little at a time. Since we're buying fresh, we can't buy too too much because it will spoil (whatever you cannot freeze, I suppose, if you do). I just came to the same conclusion a few days ago realizing I spent about $40 less on healthy food than junk, partly because I can buy much less (even though I am shopping to feed my husband and daughter, my portion is smaller and that is adding up). Thanks for posting, it is a great feeling!

Hey, Princesstia, thanks so much for sharing! I am placing my order now. Going to incorporate it into my daily routine as well as get back on Protein Shakes. My tastes changed so much since surgery I can barely stomach any of them. I bought a few more to try and i intend to add the collagen to them going forward! Thanks again and keep it up, you look amazing!

I def think its the working out. The scale isnt moving but muscles are definitely starting to form and flexbility has greatly increased! I'm working out every single day. My body feels awkward if i miss a day. I sweat like crazy, and I'm sore in some area or another every single day so I know I'm definitely building muscle. One thing I do is take a scoop of collagen with my Protein shake every single morning. I honestly believe it has helped greatly with my muscle recovery time, the elasticity of my skin, and the overall glow of my skin.

Hey, do you mind sharing more about this collagen? Is it a powder form? What brand and where do you get it? I'm curious bc I was just cleared for exercise yesterday (6wks post op) and am hoping it will help break the stall I'm in (been at 187 for 2 weeks). If collagen will help as I enter this new phase I def want to look into it! You look AMAZING so you're a living testiment that it's worth a shot :-)

So i went to the gym yesterday for the first time. I started by stretching for about 5 minutes, mostly my legs, arms, and back. I then went to the treadmill to limber up. I was able to do 22 minutes...I did the first 18 comfortably and then lightly jogged for about a 1/5 minutes (maybe less). The rest of the timie was a cool down walk. It was a challenge, but it got my adrenaline going. I also got on the elliptical and did 5 minutes on the lowest setting. I burned a little over 130 cals on the treadmill (see pic below), not sure what I burned on the elliptical but I am so happy I was able to even do that little bit. Today, I'm at work with no soreness whatsoever and feeling pumped to go back tomorrow. But I'll keep you all posted.

Thanks so much for the awesome feedback (definitely gotta get my hands on those hand weights @aries!!). Not sure when I'll start to include strength training like weights to tone my arms (I know that's when the soreness will really start) so any suggestions there are welcomed!!! Thanks guys!!

Didnt get to read everyone's comments but I really wanted to chime in!

1. I LOVE the taste of food. Always thought I wasnt an emotional eater. I don't eat when I'm sad, angry etc. Then the therapist who I see who works at my surgeon's office reminded me: happy is also an emotion! You enjoy the taste of food, it makes you literally happy when you can eat and enjoy it and sad (i.e. we cry and get emotional) when we cannot. It is a form of emotional eating that directly correlates to the disease of obesity. So no worries, it's normal for our abnormality.
   
2. I have type 1 diabetes, meaning that since I was a kid, my body stopped making insulin. Unlike type 2, it didnt happen bc I was overweight. I was healthy, extremely active (9 years of ballet/jazz-tap), and well adjusted. It just hits us (halle barry and mary tyler moore also type 1, and are thin as a rail and quite healthy). I take insulin, and have put weight on increasingly ever since I started at 13. And also since then, I found it harder and harder to be satisfied with food.
   
3. I'm 5 weeks post op today. And still struggle mentally with the size of my plates. But TRUST ME, if your sleeve will not let you comfortably eat more than you should. The gurgling and tightness you feel, like a big ol' ball of food is sitting in your chest trying to work its way down, is actually a blessing! My body is telling me "you've had enough, i need to spend some time working on this." I admit, I'm not thrilled yet about the smaller plates bc of what I want visually. BUT i am thrilled that i can eat so little and say, well, I'm done.
   
4. I wish you so much luck as you start your journey, my dear. Feel free to add me as a friend and stay in touch if you continue to feel apprehensions. We're all here for ya!!
   

Ok, so in the spirit of sharing, girl i hear you! I had terrible Constipation after surgery, still do and I'm in my 6th week post op. At 7 days, my doc recommended Miralax to get things moving without the harness of a pill laxative. I know it takes about a day or two before Miralax really gets you to "move" and i should have been keeping track. Day 2, I thought i was gonna fart (a rarity since surgery) and i said to hubby, "omg i have the worst fart coming!" (that's honestly how it felt! More like gas than anything solid). Well, lo and behold it was not gas. I said "oh crap. Honey i just shat on myself!" In the bed, mind you. Thankfully i had the presence of mind to clench my butt cheeks with relentless fervor before enough came out to get on the bed! Hubby literally had to carry me out the bed (one false move and it would have been smear city) and helped me to the bathroom. I felt awful, to which my hubby replied "this is our divorce insurance. you can never leave me now hahaha." We shared a tremendous laugh and I felt fine afterward. I texted my step-mom, with whom I have been chronicling my journey because her sister is considering a sleeve herself. I told her "Aunt Annette may think she has to fart after surgery. IT WILL NOT ALWAYS BE A FART!! HEAD FOR THE BATHROOM EVERY TIME!!!" She nearly wet herself laughing. Glad I could be stern warning if not a sterling example

I am literally tearing up with joy for you!!! I could feel your emotion in the way you wrote that post and am so happy for you!! That is a huge victory and just the first of MANY along your journey!! Congratulations honey xoxox

Hang in there girl. Keep in mind that this isn't a diet, it is a lifestyle change. None of us here got fat last Tuesday and none of us are going to be thin tomorrow. There are always going to be ups and downs and with anything in life. You are on track and doing well with your weightloss. So you tried some booze and it didn't sit well. Now, the next time someone asks that silly question on the board, you can give them some first hand experience. Don't be hard on yourself, just lock in for the long haul. The weight may come off slowly than any of us want at times, but as long as we are getting healthier and more active and are not shackled by the chains of our obesity we win. You can do this, you know it and I know it. Keep your chin up and don't stay under the covers. Get out and move around, get active, support your sleeve by rev'ing up your metabolism and burning more kcals.

This post is JUST what I needed to read today!! I'm in a similar situation. I was sleeved May 14, and so far, have only lost 14lbs since the morning of surgery (20lbs from my highest weight). I am incredibly frustrated to have lost so little. I decided to join a local boutique gym, which I'll be visiting today for the first time. Hopefully this will give my butt (aka metabolism) the kick it needs. It's hard not to get down when you see yourself sacrificing and not getting the pay off. But, by the same token, I remember the mammoth plates of food I would eat before and not see the immediate weight gain either. So I am re-learning patience. I wish you much luck on your journey Mystigal, and am confident you will be a great success!!

I was in the same boat you are in last summer. Joined a gym. I thought I'd do 15 min on the elliptical. Then the treadmill and a few weight lifting machines. I walked on the treadmill for about 20 minutes first. Then I got on that elliptical and it kicked my butt! I pushed myself to do 5 minutes on the first day and had to leave the gym when I was done. I could hardly walk without falling. My legs were like rubber! Learned my lesson fast. Couldn't go to the gym for 5 days after that because my legs and butt muscles hurt so badly. The next time went to the gym, I only did the elliptical for 2 minutes and that was more than plenty. You might be different, but just use some caution at first. Listen to your body! Good luck!

Thanks ppasjm for sharing your experience, that's exactly what I was looking for. I know there are plenty of people who have been working out (even if not consistently) before surgery and their experiences would be very different than mine. I'm definitely taking your and JohnLatte's lesson to heart. I'm going to plan in small 5 or 10 minute increments at a time. I'm going to push myself but not bc I want to reach a "time" limit, as I get in better shape I'll be able to push like that. The idea is I want to be sure I can return to the gym and go regularly so I'm going to avoid being too fervent my first few days out. Just gonna start to get the hang of things. After I go today I'll be sure to report back and let you guys know how I did! Thanks again.

If you are just starting out, I think what you have here might be a bit much. I'd first start with a pretty brisk walk on the treadmill, just to get warmed up. If you can do 10 minutes, then look at doing something else. I would limit myself to 30 minutes at a time. The reason that I say this is that many and most people, start out with a lot of big goals and realize that they can't do that much and get frustrated and then stop. If after that 30 minutes you feel like you can do more, then that's fine. Do 35 minutes the next day and then so on. Stretching or Yoga is always a good idea. Do some stretches before hand and some after. The bottom line is only do this in small bites and don't get discouraged. It takes a bit of time to get the body to accept that fact that you are going to get into better shape. It will rebel and you have to stay strong. Go slowly at first then it over time you can become a fierce gym warrior.

Hi JohnLatte, thank you so much for your kind response! I appreciate the encouragement. I definitely think you're right. Rather than plan my entire day at the gym, I'm going to plan it in 10 minute increments (5 minutes if 10 even proves too much). I'm going today (worked late yesterday and couldn't make it) so I'll be sure to report back how it went!

Sooo, I've been cleared to exercise (I'm entering my 6th week post op). I found and joined a local gym, very small, but with all the basic machines. Here's my problem, I haven't worked out (at a gym or otherwise) in over three years!! When I say I'm out of shape, I mean, dreadfully lol. A flight of stairs leaves me winded and a walk around the block makes me tired. BUT i am determined. I have only lost 20lbs since surgery and I'm sure my super slow metabolism is a factor.

Can anyone give me pointers on where is a good place to start today? Not sure what to do or for how long. I obviously want to challenge myself, but not to the point where I push so hard I injure myself of something. I was thinking to do 10 mins of full body stretching (using the Sworkit app for pointers), 20 mins on the elliptical, and 15 mins on the bike. What do you all think? Too much, not enough? Would love pointers from those who began their fitness journey after surgery as well!

Thanks in advance everyone

Are the cocoa almonds sweet? I've never heard of them and I'm curious.

I had the EXACT same symptoms! My heart burn was so bad, It burned to even drink Water. My doc gave me a prescription for the heartburn which immediately helped me get my water, meds, and Protein down. I'm in my fifth week post op, and my stomach makes all kinds of noises still (I joke with my husband that I have a lizard living in my chest, which will often reply to him before I get a chance to lol). Not sure this will ever go away, so I just eat super slowly to minimize the sounds as much as possible. Different things pass down the sleeve at different speeds for me. I'm on pureed and solids, which i chew to a pureed consistency. Mash goes down fine, but almost everything else takes its sweet time. It makes me feel full super fast (which is normal for us, so I'm happy with that) and i stay full longer. It is uncomfortable, but I guarantee you get used to it. In fact, I have come to like my gurgling and that full esophagus feeling, it's my body's way of telling me i've had enough for now. Try to embrace that feeling, your sleeve is keeping you from old eating habits. Changing my attitude in this way helped me greatly. Shoulder pain was the worst for me, too! But I think it was gone before week 2 was mid-swings, so don't worry!! You're well on your way, good luch!

I always laugh and think of my 10th grade Global teacher whenever a Texan calls a Mexican a foreigner lol. Talk about irony lol. Ok that's my irrelevant pseudo-erudite post of the day. Good night, and good luck.

Soda is a personal choice' date=' at the end of the day it doesn't even matter what your doctors say, there is not even a general consensus of it being bad or neutral. Therefor its your choice.

I do not drink soda. It is not good for me.

That is just me.

I am not a role model [/quote']

U may not be a role model but what u are is a riot!! Love your posts, they tend to ease the tension a bit...

I'm gonna go with 5 twinkles!!! The whole damn box! And some cupcakes' date=' maybe a cheeseburger, and then I'll top it off with a whole supreme pizza. #1 fatass always and forever <3[/quote']

You are my new best friend!! I'm over here cracking up at 4:30a smh

I have an easy one if your interested?

I'm def interested!! Please share!

Hey Jeffie! Can I get your turkey chili recipe for when I get to that stage, please?? Thanks!!!!!!

Awww my dear you do flatter me by asking, I would hardly call it a recipe lol. Its just some stuff I throw together and call chilli. I sautee the entire pack of ground turkey in a large sauce pan and drain it. Then I add that entire pack into the blender with one can of any kind of Beans (generally I use goya Kidney Beans or black beans), the juice in the can of beans helps to make the ground turkey nice and mushy but still tasty. I throw that back into the saute pan with chopped up portabello muchrooms, garlic, cilantro (I'm one of those ppl who loves cilantro on everything lol) and some italian seasoning. Everything but the italian seasoning is fresh. I've also added fresh spinach before, just for some Fiber and added texture. I sautee it all until its all kind of bubbling and the mushrooms are super soft. And I just eat that. I give it to my husband over rice. Oh, and the last time i finally added a serving spoon of Tomato sauce, for taste. I look forward to making a chili I don't have to blend first lol. My surgeon says next tuesday I can start adding solids to my diet one food item per every 3 days, so I'm excited for that! Hope this helps!

Girl!! The first thing you need to do is send her a friend request!!

And then you need to pm me her profile name so I can silently judge her

I'm all for not telling everyone and their brother my personal business BUT if someone were obese and asked me how I was doing it I would tell them EVERYTHING! Because this surgery IS part of how we are doing it..

hahahahah I freakin love whenever you post!! you are hilarious. And I will be posting an entire thread about my situation, only bc I'm not sure if I feel upset bc I'm simply jealous or if I'm legitimately hurt and deceived. Now that I've had the surgery, I have less to be jealous about, except that she's already at her goal and I'm just starting. But I'm still upset about it, particularly bc I see her continue to tell people (mutual friends of ours and strangers on Facebook) that she did it au natural!!! Am I crazy lol?! Why do i even care so much lol. I didn't mean to take over this young lady's thread, so I'll just go vent the situation and all its particulars elsewhere lol .

For me, I'd have to tell them I had wls. It is very deceiving to say that all the benefits came from the gym. I might talk to the people featuring the article first and he or she would probably publish it anyways because it would also attract individuals that have had wls. So it's targeting a new demographic that could increase their revenue. You have still worked hard to get where you are but you had an additional tool to add to your tool box...... JMO

Now that is thinking smart, and outside of the "tool" box lol. Great perspective!!!