planetheather

I too haven't told anyone about my WLS (no one at work and only a very few friends and family). I feel very strongly that my personal and medical history are mine. I'm a remote worker and am bracing for the reaction I'll get in January. I haven't seen most of my coworkers since my pre-op loss so, I'll be at about 100 pounds down. Luckily it's only for 2 weeks--no time for people to THAT in my face. Seriously, your person is getting close to violating HIPPA regulations. If your boss or an HR person were acting this way, they'd be subject to real consequences. I agree with everyone who recommended that you draw the line in the sand and tell her that the subject is now closed. I'm all in favor of helping fellow weight loss strugglers, but she's lost the privilege of whatever help you might have been able to give.

I'm 3 months out. At my 3 week mark, I was down 25 pounds (250 to 225) but I had slowed way down after about a week and a half. I'm now down 57 pounds but over the last 2 months, I've averaged 3 pounds a week. Several of those weeks, I went all week at the same weight and then dropped 2 pounds over night. No idea about that but it's fairly consistent that I "plateau", have a semi-significant drop, lose steadily and then plateau again. It's irritating but the job is still getting done. As for capacity, I came home from the hospital convinced I would never be able to take a mouthful of Water at one time again! By day 10, I was able to do real sips. It still takes me almost two hours to drink a 14 oz Protein shake (I mix mine a little weaker) and for days when I'm "on podium" (I'm a tech instructor), I mix a double batch of protein (50 grams) in a 20+ oz bottle and add another 16 oz of water as I drink it. It takes me from 11 to 3pm to drink that (and I drink water as I go). I've been able to do that since week 4 but now at week 13, that hasn't changed (I'm not stretching). So in terms of comparison, you and I are about on track with each other. I hope this helps and congratulations on doing so well! Heather

I like the Designer whey Protein 2 Go packets. I keep some in my purse or carry-on bag. They have 10 grams of protein/50 calories. They are designed to pour into a 16 oz Water bottle, but I find I can only tolerate 1/2 strength. I also carry almonds. I'm 3 months post op, so at work I often take a shake bottle with 2 servings of Protein powder. About 10:30, I add water and because I like it weaker, I'll add water every once in awhile. I'm usually done with it about 3pm. Like others have said, I get my protein and my fluids and it's just so convenient under work conditions.

So, here I am on the road again. After 6 weeks in India, NZ and China, I got to home for Thanksgiving week (and hit Onederland just after Turkey Day!) But now I'm back in Nairobi and the best thing I can say is Espetada baby. Love me some grilled meats with veggies. Don't tell my office, but making sure my hotel has a good gym is now a higher priority than whether they have good wifi. I'm still traveling with bags of Jay Robb Protein shakes and foils of tuna. I found recently that I'm getting hungry at night before bed--around 9pm. In the old dieting days, I would just try to ignore it and go to sleep hungry. Last week, I would grab 2 TBLs of crab dip (that I made for Thanksgiving). This road trip I brought 100 calorie cocoa almond packets for those occasions. I would be interested in hearing what other people do about after dinner/before bed cravings.

I travel extensively internationally and I'll admit that over the last several years I've enjoyed eating my way across Europe, Asia and Africa. But I'm 2 weeks post sleeve surgery now and I leave for a week in India, 3 weeks in NZ and a week in Beijing starting at 4 weeks post op. I've stocked up on bags of Jay Robbs egg white and whey protein powders and I'm assuming I'll be able to get a poached egg for breakfast. But I wanted to know if there were any other road warrior sleevers who could give me the benefit of their experiences.

Has anyone else had a problem with dry skin post op? I've consciously tried to make sure I get olive oil or avocado but I don't manage that every day. I do take an Omega gel at night. Is there an essential oil that would help?

I saw Greek yogurt/cream cheese at Walmart this week. I didn't try it because it had the same protein as my FF cream cheese but had 3-5 grams of fat too. Having said that, FF cream cheese and FF greek yogurt are staples for me when I'm not on the road.

I had my sleeve this September and while I wasn't worried about Thanksgiving, I was curious. It's pot luck with my family so I brought a FF cream cheese crab dip, sweet potato oven fries and a high protein mushroom stroganoff so that I'd have something besides turkey breast to eat. I too was shocked at how much everyone ate because I know I could have out paced everyone last year.

I'm also very bad about meal planning. One of my biggest problems pre op was to put it off until I was starving and would make terrible choices. 4 weeks post op I had a 6 week trip overseas so I planned carefully for that by making sure I had plenty of protein powders, Designer Whey 2Go and foils of tuna--especially for the 36 hour transit periods. Now that I am home, I have slipped a little in terms of planning because I don't worry about healthy options being hard to find. For example I was caught short the other day while running errands. I just stopped by the supermarket deli and got 2 shaved slices of Cajun turkey. I'm so excited that it is so easy to "scrounge" when I mess up occasionally!

I'm also glad you posted this question. I understand about those who tell everyone including people who don't ask. I feel like my WLS (Sept. 17, 2013) has been a life changing event. However, it's just not something I want to discuss with others. I haven't told anyone outside of my immediate (household) family. Thanksgiving is going to be a bit weird. Because I travel so much, I see most of my family only a few times a year and because I am a remote worker, I see most of my work colleagues only at a big January meeting. My loss has been rather dramatic. In total this year (as of this morning) I've lost 75 pounds and gone from a 26/28 to a 16. By January, I expect it to be more. I'm doing a combination of Atlanta Red and Joatsaint. I was on medical leave in September and that combined with the stringent recovery requirements has galvanized my weight loss. I'm following it up with more exercise and Nutrition 101 along with portion control. All of that is true and avoids the judgement I know some people will feel to pass. With family, who don't know I had any "health problems" in September, I'm planning on just sticking with Nutrition 101 and exercise.

Thanks to everyone for their feedback! I'm 10 days into my trip (done with India and now in NZ) and thought I'd update in case this helps others in the future. I did fine in India, but I used an abundance of caution. My biggest fear was getting sick from food or water so soon after surgery. So, I decided to play it safe and used only filtered water, my protein shakes, and the tuna I brought with me. I'm almost 6 weeks post op now and have 3 weeks in NZ. I have the luxury of being in the same hotel room for the next 10 days with a small refrigerator. I'm going to look for a market so I can add avocado and greek yogurt back to my diet. BTW-- NZ and Australia are VERY particular about what they let you bring in. They didn't have a problem with my foil pouches of tuna, but the Jay Robb egg white and whey protein powders got looked at pretty hard. If there's any doubt, make sure you declare it so customs can clear you. Looking forward to 3 weeks in the land of the Hobbits. Thanks everyone!

Congrats! I'm almost 6 weeks post op and have been overseas the last 10 days. I haven't hit Onederland yet, but sometime last week, I broke under 100 kilos. I'm so excited for both of us!

I'm 3 1/2 weeks out and have had my first date night with my husband! I checked the menus online and chose a local fish place where I could order a shrimp cocktail. It was great! I started on my "appetizer" and by the time he was done with his dinner and coffee, I had managed to eat 2 whole shrimp. Afterwards we went shopping for a new blouse and jeans (2 sizes smaller than pre-op size). Great night out!

I'm in McKinney and would like to know about area support groups. I travel a lot for work, but I would like to attend some when I can. Thanks!

Thank you so much for mentioning the Protidiet soups! I hadn't seen that brand before. Pre-surgery I travelled with my Jay Robb eggwhite and whey protein mixes and Designer Whey Protein 2Go pouches (especially for the airport and planes). I've just ordered the non-noodle soups and chili to add to that. Between those and poached eggs, I'm much more confident about this upcoming marathon trip. Thanks!

I'm two weeks post-op today and I've been walking since I woke up in my room. When I got home (2 days post op), I could do 1/2 mile/hour on my treadmill for 5 minutes. But I did that 8-10 times a day and added a minute every day to each "workout" and then started adding speed and finally incline. I'm now doing 45 minutes at 2.5 miles/hour on "hills" two or three times a day. I work from home when I'm not on the road, so I can maintain this schedule until my next trip at the end of the month. I'm very much looking forward to being cleared for weights again. I carry a set of resistance bands because most hotel gyms are pretty limited. Thanks for creating this thread, I'm always looking for ways to add some variety.

My surgery was 9/17 too. 3 days post op I was up 10 pounds, which I assumed was fluids and today I am 22 pounds less than me pre-op weight. I assume most of that is also fluids. Either way, I'm not worried because each time I see ANY number lower than before on the scale, I do a little happy dance because I promise that previous number is not one I will ever see again. I have found that just a few minutes every couple of hours on my treadmill had greatly helped with the soreness. Every day I challenge myself to add even one more minute.