outwithbenjiboi

I had a mini reeses pb cup tonight, 12 days out. I dont plan on making it a habit, but it really made me happy to join in tonight. Their was plenty of room on my daily plan, and i met all of my protein and liquid goals for the day, so i'm not gonna stress over it.

I was sleeved on the 15th, and find that when i overdue it ...just getting up/down, walking, turning over in bed, etc....my insides would hurt. I described it as feeling like i'd done a million situps. Wearing your binder sometimes helps. Actually, i have several tank-style compression shirts, and they support me really well, and allow me to "rest" from the weight of the gravity on my tender insides.

If so, is there anything i should be sure to document right out of the gate? Or is it just a matter of being 18 months post surgery and maintaining weight?

OK, I'm no longer a virgin; I just vomited after I too quickly swallowed three baby spoon bites of pumpkin/squash souffle, and then took one sip of Lifewater to "wash it down." There's no more "washing that bump of food down" happening, is there?

I just took two bites of lunch (ricotta bake, no mozzarella, pureed lean hamburger), and got what I think you guys call the "slimes." Is that what you call it when you feel like you have an elephant in your esophagus, your mouth fills with saliva, you feel like you're gonna hurl, and you have to spit about five times? J

I'm a 15ther. I weighed 253 the day of surgery, and weighed 241 this morning, so 12 lbs down. I'm walking three times a day for about 30 min at about 2 mph. That's it. Staying well below 800 cal with the exercise figured in, hitting my Protein mark, and only getting about 50 oz of liquids ... but no dehydration symptoms. I'm working on it. J

Good to know about the fat!!! My head is stuck in one of my old fat-free phases! I'll make adjustments accordingly. I really want to get the hang of MFP, and am on my second day of my nutrition/exercise diary! Thanks everybody!! J

YOU. PEOPLE. ROCK!!!!! I don't need to be talked down from any ledge tonight, but my night's out there ahead of me somewhere...and I'll know JUST who to turn to!!

8 days postop today and 2nd day on pureed foods. That's going ok, but I have to say that my energy is more up and down than I thought. Also, struggling with insomnia and Jerky legs. On another thread, I've mused that I may be getting too much synthroid now -- the symptoms are similar to what I've experienced in the past. Last night, to counter-act, I took ONE pain pill (Oxy), and slept like a log for 8 hours. But today, I feel like my stomach, bowels and energy were much more sluggish. I guess it's a trade off; which is better? sleep (for healing) or energy (for exercise/eating)? Also mentioned on another thread -- is everyone suddenly FREEZING COLD all of the time????? I sure am.

I could have sworn I introduced myself here, but I'm a newbie, and still figuring out the difference between a group, forum and discussion! My surgery info is below, but I wanted to talk about non-surgery stuff! Soooo..... I'm a 50-year-old butch living and working inside the DC Beltway. I married my wife in 2010 when it became legal in DC after we'd been together for four years. We both work for the federal government (when it's open ), and we're recent empty-nesters. We have a 22-year-old daughter here in DC, and one in college in NC. My wife, Laurie, is from Georgia, and a UGA alum. I see SOOOO many people from the Atlanta area on this site! I'm a Va Tech grad. We're both writers/editors; we own and are constantly working on our 76-year-old house; we have a dog and five cats (of course we do); and we love to travel and camp. Let's all get to know each other a little better! I can use all the support I can gather around me, and -- after all -- we're "FAMILY" right!? Jen

The best I can jigger is Net Calories Consumed* calories Carbohydrates 50g (25%) Protein 100g (50%) Fat 22g (25%) ... but we definitely shouldn't be getting 22 grams of fat a day, should we? And what about this stuff? Cholesterol mg Sodium mg Potassium mg Fiber g Sugars g

You can DO this Sleeve Siren!!! Have you tried a variety of Soups yet? Go to the store and get whatever sounds like a MEAL, and throw it in the blender until it's a liquid! Add milk, yogurt, whatever it takes! Also, SF popcicles are the BOMB.

Hi! My surgery info is below, but I'm trying to at least get us talking to one another about other topics. I know that all of the "good" stuff to read is in the main forums/discussions, but I like having our own community too. Soooo..... I'm a 50-year-old butch living and working inside the DC Beltway. I married my wife in 2010 when it became legal in DC after we'd been together for four years. We both work for the federal government (when it's open ), and we're recent empty-nesters. We have a 22-year-old daughter here in DC, and one in college in NC. My wife, Laurie, is from Georgia, and a UGA alum. I see SOOOO many people from the Atlanta area on this site! I'm a Va Tech grad. We're both writers/editors; we own and are constantly working on our 76-year-old house; we have a dog and five cats (of course we do); and we love to travel and camp. Let's all get to know each other a little better! I can use all the support I can gather around me, and -- after all -- we're "FAMILY" right!? Jen

I really like what Endless says about freeing ourselves from the burden of dieting. I've been dieting for darn near 40 years (since age 13), and, to be very frank, I'm sick of that sh@! I'm spending my recovery weeks educating myself about 1. healthy, high-Protein foods, 2. new products/foods that I may not be familiar with, but that others find very useful, and 3. EASY recipes that will work for both my wife (a vegetarian) and me -- a base to which I can add meat and she can add a meat alternative. I figure, if I choose, buy, stock, have on-hand, and prepare the right foods, the SLEEVE will take care of the rest.

Thanks for the replies everyone! My take away is that I shouldn't, but if I do, 1. do it infrequently 2. measure, 3. let it soak a bit first, 4. if it feels bad -- STOP. I'll keep my Special K Protein around to add as a topping to yogurt or as a dry snack. Thanks for the encouragement, and congrats to you all on your amazing stats!!!

@Sleeve Siren: How many more days until you CAN say this? You will get there!!! Go! Go! Go! BTW, you might consider leaving the mozzarella off of the ricotta cheese bake -- that got pretty congealed by the time it was cool enough to eat.

It was HEAVENLY!!!! Scrambled egg for Breakfast, refried Beans with cheese for lunch and Shelly's Ricotta Cheese Bake for dinner!! Well, two tablespoons of each, eaten over 20 minutes, with a baby spoon.... But I. AM. SO. HAPPY. AND. PROUD! AND I met my liquid intake, my Protein intake, and took all of my meds throughout the day at the right time!! Yay me!!! Jen

Taking enough pain medication to keep you comfortable allows you to drink more and walk more! Don't "grin and bear it!" Take the meds!! And congrats on your surgery! Jen

I've had the same problem! Able to fall asleep, but then waking up repeatedly during the night. I'm wondering if my synthroid prescription needs adjusting, since I've lost 44 lbs. I know from past experience that when my dose is too high, my legs get jumpy, my dreams get seriously vivid and bizarre, and I get all hyped up. Maybe ALL of our prescriptions (including CPAP prescriptions) need adjustment. Jen

Special K Protein, Wheaties, Shredded Wheat: I love them so much!!!! All under 5 grams of sugar per serving, and I won't add extra sugar. Will eat them with super protein skim milk. But -- are they even allowed at all? Do you have to crush them up? Who eats cold Cereal, when did you start, and how do you do it? Jen

I don't care one way or the other if anyone tells or not. After hearing about some of the people ya'll work with, I wouldn't want to talk to them either! I guess it just depends on one's personality and circumstances. Circumstances-wise: I have wonderful colleagues at work, and we all support each other with personal challenges. Several of my colleagues are overweight and walk together at lunch; we have a health/fitness directorate at work with a bariatric nutritionist on campus; we have an annual "Portion Off the Pounds" program and everyone in the CLASS shares their eating habits/goals; we have three gyms -- all free. Personality-wise: I was married to an abusive alcoholic for nearly 20 years. On top of that, I was GAY the whole time! With the help of therapy and Al-Anon, I came to see all of the secrets I'd been spinning/holding as TOXIC to me and my growth. So I started a personal policy of 100 percent honesty. Now, I'm very frank and open with everyone with whom I have ANY type of relationship; work, neighbor, family, volunteer, kids' friends, etc. My feeling now is: if they don't get it, I'm willing to invest the time in educating them about alcholism, domestic violence, equal rights, and -- yes -- bariatric surgery! If they're not interested in either learning something new about the world or about me, of if they just can't "stomach" it, fine. But if they are, then I've done some good in the world, expanded my circle of support, and opened someone's mind. All of those benefits are worth whatever risks I face. I am 100 percent me, honest, transparent and accountable 100 percent of the time. It's only made my life better and better and better. No "privacy?" NO PROBLEM! And no, I'm not stupid about cybersecurity/information security. In fact, it's part of my professional industry. BTW, I work for the Department of Defense with military officers from the Joint services and from all over the world, and I'm often the FIRST out gay person they've ever met. I get a lot of appreciation -- and a lot of disclosures from others! -- in response to my visibility. I'm sorry about my "shame" comment earlier. Obviously, that's not the case with everyone (although I'm sure it IS the case with some). But I never again want to live in fear of the risks of sharing ANYTHING about myself that's important to me. If I worked somewhere that imposed that risk, or had relationships with people who imposed that risk -- I wouldn't for long.

I'm a 15th-er too! So... 6 days out now. Incisions are good, glue fell off, strips still on drain incision. Had first BM on Sat., after three nights of Colace at bedtime. It's all working just fine now; no diarrhea and no constipation. Having a bit of pressure whenever I drink, but not really pain. I figure I'm just still inflamed. Been getting in about 48 oz of full liquids, helped greatly by SF popsicles. Made some protein skim milk for decaf coffee and tea. Cannot STAND my pre made shakes that I LOVED pre-surgery. Had a TERRIBLE experience with Gasx gels getting stuck mid chest the other night, even though I'm swallowing several other pills with no problem. I'm taking two large capsules a day of Ursodiol, to prevent gallstones. I will be on that for six months. Haven't seen much mention of that medication on VST! Gonna get a sippy cup tonight, and stock up on puree supplies; "eating" ratchets up to purees tomorrow!!!!

I don't get all of the secrecy AT ALL! I told everybody and their brother; neighbors, colleagues, especially my supervisors! I started talking about it from the very beginning of the process, and educated everyone over the months-long process. The result is that my entire community is informed, rooting for me, checking on me, and celebrating me!! I think a burning need to keep it a secret is a throwback to feelings of shame about who you are. I'm done with that nonsense!

I was sleeved Oct 15. Please add me to the FB page! Jrr8675309@hotmail.com

I had my surgery on Oct 15 at Hopkins Bayview in Baltimore, MD. Oh yeah, and I'm gay. And gay married. And gay HAPPY!! I'm about 40 lbs down, with 80 more to go. I'm still on my post-op full liquids, but I'm doing great! No complications, and I'm off the pain meds and walking the neighborhood. Jen