unbesleevable1

My biggest complication (or I should say, inconvenience) is my bowels. I am either constipated or having diarrhea. When I have to go, I have to GO RIGHT NOW. It has calmed down a bit, but it is what I deal with. You might try the brat diet which can help with diarrhea. (banana, rice, applesauce, toast) That helps with binding. Good luck!

I quit a month before surgery. My surgeon didn't have any strict feelings about it one way or another. Others are much more strict, and will test you for nicotine and not operate. I quit using the tiny lozenges. I am 5 months post op and havent smoked or used any nicotine replacement. There are times I crave! But you can do it! Take it minute by minute. Good luck, it's really for your own safety (airway and healing). Wasn't a risk I wanted to take.

Don't do it if you don't have to. It's hell. By far it was the hardest part about this process for me. If your doc doesn't want you to do it, trust him. And trust me, you're not missing anything!!!! I did it for 3 weeks and many people nearly lost their lives, a lot of people got yelled at, and I punched a lot of pillows. HANGRY! So if you have dodged this bullet, dodge it happily!

I didn't do anything more than some casual walking until about 4 months post op when my weight loss started to lag. Now I workout about 3-4 x a week. I do cardio on the treadmill: incline walking and jogging/ running. I also do some body weight resistance training stuff like plank, burpees, squats, push ups, tricep dips etc. I never do the exact same workout. On the treadmill I either work on endurance (distance, low speed), speed (short intervals at faster speeds) or strength (max incline, walking and jogging in short bursts). I actually enjoy it. I'm so grateful for my sleeve and my motivation to get stronger and healthier.

Im grateful for my stab wounds. They remind me what I've committed to. I am about 5 months out and they're starting to fade. I don't put anything special on them, as my skin tends to heal pretty well.

I lost pretty effortlessly the first 4 months. I did no exercise, and didn't count calories or anything. I would lose and lose and lose. When I hit 4 months, the weight stopped coming off so easy. Now I have to work. I knew the day would come. I eat very well (mostly dense Protein and very little carbs). I also get about 30-60 min of cardio every day as well as some strength work. Anyway, sooner or later you have to eat well and exercise. The neat part is, it actually works. It's not like before the surgery when it all felt hopeless. I would try to restrict calories and exercise and nothing would happen. UGH. So the surgery is a huge push in the right direction. It's a tool you can either use, or abuse. Treat the head, it's where the real problem lies.

I wasn't so much tired, just very very angry. ( I also quit smoking shortly before pre op diet started). It was the hardest thing I ever had to do. It's harder than the surgery. Stick with it, the results will be worth it in the end.

yeah, maybe it won't work for you. Maybe it will. You will never know until you allow it some time. Holy hell, have some patience.

Ur doing great! Has it been 6 or 8 weeks?

You're right! It has been almost 8 weeks! OOPS!

it's normal. just the way the body loses weight. not in a straight sloping line, but a messy, stair-stepped pattern. it's normal. it's normal. focus on something else. get out of your head. make good choices and let your body do what it is going to do without criticizing it at every turn. I don't believe in 'stalls'.

Hi guys, I had surgery Nov 4, and am down to 221!! I have been hanging out at 225 and then 223 for a few weeks. Pre Op: 255, Surg Wt: 243. I just got home from a week at my parents for xmas and I ate so much crap. Back home and back on track. I cannot have things like carmel corn, xmas Cookies and candy around. I will try to eat it, even if it makes me sick. I really proved to myself that I don't get as much restriction if I don't do dense Protein first. It was a good lesson and I still lost 2 lbs. Go figure. My theory is that the body loses better if it gets varied calories. Like some days around 5-600, and some 1000-1200. I always notice losses after variations like this. This is very unscientific and just my experience, but--there it is.

Remember, there is no such thing as a 'slow loser' or a 'stall'. Stop buying into this negative garbage. Make good choices, stay off the scale everyday, and enjoy the journey.

I'm not sure if you're asking if it's ok to skip the puree phase. A lot of people on here will read you the riot act about following your surgeon's instructions. Yes this is important. Everyone's plan is a little different. There are some people that are started on purees almost immediately. Some people are on clears for a week and advance slower. What do you mean about emotional attachments to foods, and how does that relate to your post op plan? Not sure what you're looking for here, but be safe and careful!

My doctor said I didn't have to crush anything. From day 2 post op I have been swallowing all my pills whole. P.S. check with the dispensing pharmacy or your prescriber. Pretty much every medication has a liquid form.

at one month post op i felt pretty much normal.

yeah, I agree, you are most likely eating too fast. You have to wait a few min between bites and listen/ feel for that full sign. I get a little hiccup when I"m full. Even before I feel full.

I only took the pain medication for 4 days. Haven't taken it since then.

It's been almost 4 weeks since surgery. I'm doing great, all except that I itch all the time. I thought it was just dry skin but I've been using a lot of moisturizer and still itch, especially on my chest. I take a Benedrill every night so stop the itching long enough to sleep. Anybody else have this problem?

There are some gall bladder issues that cause itching. (Cholelithiasis?) Just make sure your doc knows about it.

Unbesleevable1, it shows that you just had the surgery, how are you feeling and how did it go ?

Do or do not, there is no try. Suck it up and get it done. What helped me was finding a shake that I really liked. Be sure the calories/ protein/ carbs meet with your doctors approval. It's hard, the hardest thing I've ever done. You can do it.

Sorry, I checked out of this website for a while. Lots going on, and all the repetition gets to me after a while. I'm doing great. Lost about a half pound a day for the first month. Am holding steady at 225 right now, but clothes are getting bigger. Its fun. I eat mostly meat and cheese type things. And lots of Protein drink (herbalife peach mango drink mix is my go-t0) I'm turning into more of a planner as far as meals go. I am feeling really hopeful and way better about myself. This is easily the best decision I've ever made and I have zero regrets. I also have had zero complications, so I've been really lucky.

I drove myself home from the hospital, 3 days post op. I went to work at 2 weeks post op. I had no complications or problems (a really easy recovery--which not everybody has). The danger of your long driving hours is that time you spend sitting behind the wheel increases your risk for blood clots. While you may feel very well, the risk of clots persists for months after surgery. So when you go back to work, be sure to take a walk and stretch break every hour that you are sitting.

nope, i'm not special enough for that. i'm very normal (in the 99.999% that survive).

Surgery was 11/4. Lost about 13lbs pre op diet and another 17 since surgery. So that equals about 30 total since the pre op. Please guys, try not to compare yourselves to others. Just bc your surgery was the same day, you're not a 'slow loser' if you have lost less, or whatever. Every BODY is going to lose differently, have different composition of Fluid, etc. Any loss is a good loss, and you will lose as long as you stick to the plan. Heck, you will probably lose if you DON"T stick to the plan.

http://myfriendteresablog.com/so-youre-feeling-too-fat-to-be-photographed/

Read this. I feel the same way a lot of the time, and this article lays it all out. Focus on the moments, not your imperfections, because you're the only one paying attention to how good or bad you look.

Look, here's the thing (and I know you know this). People are amazingly oblivious to the things we do with our hair. I have gotten real extensions, I have used clip ins and added a foot of length. People BARELY notice. Seriously, people will comment, 'wow your hair grew' or, 'your hair looks good, it's getting long'. Nobody really notices as much as we think they do.

yes, adding splenda or something to cream of wheat is totally fine!

Another option I haven't heard yet is ordering them online. I ordered my effexor from india for the year I was off work on disability. Not the cheapest option, but may be cheaper than local pharmacy. I know for me, going off my meds means disaster. weaning or not. I would shut off my cable and internet before i went without. I think the county or city clinics are a fabulous resource. Some ppl won't use them bc they're ashamed. Don't be one of those people. Your mental health is as important as your physical health. If you had cancer, you wouldnt wean off your cancer meds...you would find a way! I hope you find a way.