McButterpants

I had/have a couple... coffee - I admit, I'm a junkie. Early on I wasn't supposed to drink caffeine. I would drink a real coffee 1-2 times per week. Now I'm approved for one real cup per day...some days I have 2. I had conflicting programs since I traveled out of the area for surgery - my surgeon was aggressive in introducing real food. My local doc wasn't. I kind would kind of pick and chose which plan to follow. Currently, I'm supposed to be doing weight training - I was approved in late-December...I haven't done it yet. An interesting story...the local doc that headed up the seminar I attended when I first started to explore WLS was a sleeve patient himself. I noticed when he walked in he was carrying a Diet 7Up. When he was reviewing the sleeve restrictions he said, "You can never chew gum. You can never have a soda. Blah blah blah" When asked how he can be drinking a Diet 7-Up he replied, "It doesn't bother me." When I went to my one on one consult with him, he threw out a piece of gum when he came in the room. Classic "do as I say, not as I do"!

I went thru a stall for 10 days between Weeks 3 and 4 - it sucked. I was not mentally prepared for it, though I knew it was coming. I weighed every day in the beginning. I loved to see the number drop every single day, then, like a punch in the gut, it stopped. What the hell????? Why is this happening to me. My "old" brain said, "You have to restrict more" because that's what I did for years. Here's the thing - your body is trying to figure out what you just did to it. There's a lot going on inside your body right now. If you look at it logically, there's no way you're not losing weight - you aren't consuming enough calories to stay level or gain. You just had major surgery - that has an impact on what's going on as well. My suggestion for you - hide the scale for a week or two, then bring it out once per week. You will be surprised how freeing it is (my husband did this for me and I am so appreciative). Follow the plan provided by your NUT or doctor - they know best. Be kind to yourself. Best of luck!

I lost about 8 pounds on the pre-op diet (2 weeks). I can tell you I felt like I lost a lot more - I was surprised at the changes t my body. I lost inches.

You are fortunate you were diagnosed very early - at least you know why you are the way you are....I was diagnosed with PCOS at the ripe old age of 42. I have lived with excess hair (feeling like a freak), irregular and very heavy periods (even though I told every doctor I came across), problems getting pregnant, unexplained weight gain, etc. It wasn't suggested by my PCP, but once I told her what I was doing she was so happy. She said, "You have worked so hard to lose weight and I believe you will not be successful on your own. You need this and I think it's the best thing you can do." (My only wish was that we would have talked about this years ago - I've wasted a lot of time!) I'm 10 weeks post op now - I'm off Metformin now (I stopped taking it the week before surgery - doc approved). I feel so much better - I have more energy. I said before surgery that I hope that my only regret is that I didn't do this sooner - it is. Best of luck to you - you will know if and when this is the right decision for you. You will feel it.

When I went to the seminar at the hospital I was convinced I wanted the LapBand. After hearing the surgeon explained the sleeve, I was more interested. I came home and did a ton of research on the sleeve and LapBand, I did not consider bypass due to the malabsorption issues, it just wasn't for me. I didn't like the complications that came with the band and I became increasingly concerned about having the foreign device in my body. My surgeon has virtually stopped doing the band. For me, the sleeve just "felt right". Once I made the decision, I didn't think again about the other choices. I liked that fact that, if something were to go wrong (stomach cancer that runs in the family or some other unforeseen disaster) that there is a Plan B with the sleeve. Though it's not reversible, you could go the bypass route if something went south with the sleeve. I wasn't planning for failure, I just liked the fall back position if something happened.

You look great! Congrats.

OMG - I did NOT want to go to the gym today. I had to get up at 4:00 am to get the hubby off to the airport. I was so tired and my legs were still a little tired from my 6 mile day on Saturday. I reluctantly did 3 miles today - it was the best thing, so I don't fall behind in miles for the month and then have to kill myself the last few days. I was bargaining with myself the entire time - just do 5 more minutes, then you can leave...then I'd be at weird distance, so I talked myself into going to the next .5 miles, then the time was weird, so I talked myself into going to the next 5 minute mark. Goofiness.

While I didn't have exactly the same experience, my original choice in doctor's was the wrong one. He was rude and ended up being mad at me because I didn't go thru the appeals process, I chose to self pay with a much more experienced doctor. His NUT was condescending and snarky. I was so uncomfortable with the psych because she stared at me, then tried to get me to go to a paid seminar she was giving. It was bizarre! I ended up going to the other bariatric office in for a consult and was welcomed, quite literally, with open arms. It's a great office from the doc, to the nurses to the NUT. What a difference. I hope you finally get to have your surgery - maybe all this happened for a reason. I wish you the best of luck!

The fuzzy slippers will definitely put him over the edge!!!!!!!!!!

An amazing dress! Now, is that what you're wearing next time you're gettin' nekkid with Mr. Man???????

I am no longer a pre-op, but I can tell you the things I did to prepare that helped me... 1. quit caffeine - tried to do it cold turkey and failed; took 3 weeks to ween myself off, but was successful (I was a coffee addict and the surgeon required me to be caffeine free when he operated) 2. I started to incorporate shakes into my day - I tried different textures by adding low-glycemic fruit and flavors with puddings and sugar free syrups. Look for a shake that you like, but don't over purchase - your tastes may change post op and you don't want to get stuck with a lot of shakes or mix you won't use. 3. I used appetizer forks and spoons - this helps slow you down and makes you take smaller bites. 4. I downloaded an app called Eat Slower and set it to chime once per minute; when it chimes it's time to take a bite. 5. I practiced mindful eating techniques - no eating in front of the TV or reading while eating. Focus on the meal and be at peace while eating. 6. I practiced chewing - 20-25 times per bite. 7. I started exercising, specifically walking. Best of luck to you on your journey. It's an exciting time!

One thing you aren't...normal!!!! You are wonderful!!!! Congrats on your doctor's visit - that is awesome. You are a success story!

If it was gonna happen, it was gonna happen to you!!!!! What a bummer! I hope you have an eventful recovery. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Even though I haven't lost the number of pounds I wanted to lose at this point, I'm happy to say, my body has changed so much. I can fit into an XL top - that hasn't happened in many, many years. I'm losing inches - my body is losing inches where it hasn't lost them before. I'm more proportionate now. I feel strong - I can climb a flight of stairs with ease, rather than losing my breath by the time I get to the top. I can walk with confidence now - a confidence I didn't have 50 pounds ago. This journey is about so much more than what that scale says - my life has improved in so many ways that are NOT related to the scale.

Wow - congrats. You've had a tough year personally, but you're doing great. Keep up the good work!

15 more miles to my goal - it's going to be a tough week this week (hubby traveling for work). Gym time has to be a priority. I did 6.1 miles on Saturday (combination elliptical and treadmill)...it felt good while I did it, but man was I sore on Sunday!

Walk, walk, walk and walk some more. I took Gas-X, but don't think it did anything for me - the walking was the best thing for me

My doc wants me on Bariatric Advantage VitaBand (berry flavored chewable) along with an Essential Fatty Acid supplement.

Congrats to you - you look amazing.

Best of luck to you! What an exciting time! I agree with Christian above - walking is the best medicine post-op. It helps get rid of the gas and you will recovery easier. Let us know how you're doing!

Wow

Did you doc give you a prescription for a proton pump inhibitor? Some mornings I will wake up with a burning feeling in my tummy that I confused with hunger in the beginning. I found if I take an acid reducer, I felt better and that feeling went away. As for feeling full...You are still very early out, you may not be able to tell "full" yet, I couldn't and wasn't able to do for a few weeks. If you stop before the ache you're probably doing OK. My signals for full can vary - my nose might run, or a I do a hiccup/burp thing, or I feel a jab in my stomach. At 10 weeks out, I try not to eat to that point of being full. I try to eat to the point of getting rid of my hunger, rather than feeling full.

Plain Water - have no idea why, but it's like swallowing liquid sandpaper. Greek yogurt - I wasn't a huge fan prior to surgery, but I can't stand the texture. I can have a dollop, like on top of my Mexican bake instead of sour cream, but to eat a sweet Greek Yogurt out of the container, I can't do it. Other than that, I have been able to tolerate anything I've thrown at my sleeve.

I'm laughing at that ^^^^

I agree with Kindle above...My husband and son eat tortilla chips - it's a slider food for me. I told them I need them to put the bag of chips away and not leave the open bag on the counter. I also have a cabinet where my food is - it's all mine and I get to pick Snacks from that area. It has my Protein bars, puddings, hot chocolates, decaf coffees, Protein shakes, etc. This gives me one place to go to get my snacks.