bormannk

I was! It was perfect. I had the sleeve and had zero complications or issues! You'll be perfectly fine!

I am 3 months and a week out from my Sleeve surgery. As I mentioned before, I am in counseling for help with an eating disorder and am luck enough to have a Nutricionist that is specialized in eating disorders AND bariatric nutricion. Both my Counselor and NUT preach and teach Intuitive eating which is the notion that babies are born knowing when to eat and what to eat, and follow the needs of their bodies. They eat when they are hungry and stop when they are full - they intuitively know what they need. They hold no relationship to food other than the need to sustain their bodies. Unfortunetely over time they are taught rules that many times conflict with what they actually need - social rules. They are given food as reward, or told to finish their meals or else, they are forced to eat when they are not hungry or sometimes not allowed to eat because it's not time.. Over the years, these children - us - stop listenting to what our bodies really need, to what it's telling us. This line of teaching/therapy is meant to help us learn to listen to our body again - mindfully pay attention to what our bodies need. That goes agains any type of restrictive diet - They do not believe in diets at all, which are doomed to fail, because by restricting foods we consider "bad" in any way we are setting us up for failure. It creates in many folks the "binge" behavior, the "well, now that I fell off the wagon let me eat the whole box!" attitude - We binge, we feel guilty, then we feel anxiety and sadness and we beat ourselves up because we failed at something that never had much of a chance for long term success. In my case, we were quite poor - not that we knew that, we were so happy - but we did not have access to a lot of food. We ate mostly pasta, potatoes and eggs, or any vegetables we would grow, but rarely ate meat. Because we were on a very tight budget, we were taught not to waste any food, so leaving food on our plate was absolutely unnaceptable. if we didn't finish our dinners we would not eat anything else until we finished our leftovers... Honestly it made total sense to me and I raised my daughters that way.. My older daughter also has an eating disorder. Despite the tough times my mom always tried to have something sweet, some chocolate stashed - super special treat - and surprised my sister and I whenever we finished our homework, or if we were sad or sick. it was so loving and sweet of her, but it taught us to use food as comfort and reward from very young age. Anyway, I have been listening to the tapes (I got the audio book) and trying to be truly mindful. I started to add more variety to my diet, still high in protein, and decided that I would fight back anytime I thought any food as "bad". I stopped restricting myself. Whenever I feel hungry I sit and close my eyes and relax for a moment - what do I want to eat. Sure I have my go-tos. I always have tuna or tilapia readily available, or chicken. And my body doesn't always communicate clearly what it wants (This is so new to me), so I default to my usual. But whenever I feel an urge, I do not deny myself. What I do is really be mindful and try to identify - is this my body asking for it, or is this my hormones, anxiety, etc? Do I get it right every time? No, I don't. But I get it right more often than not. And I stick to my 3-4 oz serving! I still am terrified to eat some foods, but I know in my mind that is not the path I need to follow - so I work it out during session! Yesterday out of nowhere I had a craving for pistachios. I dont necessarily love pistachios - but I had a handful of it and it satisfied a body need - I know it did. And I am so excited that I was able to listen to my body and do what it wanted. There is so much peace in that. So I am doing all this and thinking in the back of my mind - heck I will stop losing weight.. Well, that was not the case!! I have lost 6 lbs in the last two weeks and have not denied myself once. Today I was able to sit and cross my legs comfortably, like a lady. I missed that so much! I have been wearing a very cute skinny jeans that are a size 14 - loose... Today I also ran for half an hour with my Labs. Girl, I could not WALK them 3 1/2 months ago! I would encourage you to do some research on Intuitive Eating - http://www.intuitiveeating.com/ Because losing weight is just a small (although HUGE) part of the journey. We want to be healthy and happy and keep it off for the rest of our lives. We want to stop thinking about food 24/7 and break the emotional bonds we formed with food Be mindful and kind to yourself, Best of luck in your journey, Karen

Hi Beni! Thank you! How are you doing with the wait? I had to wait 7 months! It was torture but it really help me prepare emotionally. How are you feeling?

My only regreat is that I didn't do it sooner. I had surgery 3 months ago on Friday. I can't say I was nervous, I was just so excited and I had done so much research and waited so long that i was just ready to cross that threshold! Surgery went well although due to my VERY HIGH BMI a second surgeon was needed to assist. My surgery was performed using the Da Vinci machine, 5 little incisions. I woke up a few hours later with awful dry mouth - SO THIRSTY, that was the worst of all. Pain I was expecting, but they kept me pretty drugged up. My friends had a real good time watching me make no sense at all. Surgery was on Thursday morning and I went home Saturday mid day. My experience was fantastic. Sure I had pain, but you expect a certain level of discomfort. I think it took about 7 days before the bloatness (they pump you full of air) started to subside and the incisions healed up real nice, although the main incision (where they remove the stomach though) was the last to heal and certainly caused muscle pain in the area, which lasted a bit longer. But again, I was expecting pain, although was not only bearable, after two days at home I no longer needed any major pain meds, just aleve for the muscle pain. No nausea. I had no problem drinking my water quota - 64 oz a day, although it took concentrated effort and good timing! I can say I was back at work on day 6 and by day 10 I was feeling like a pro - I sit behind a desk - so no efforts there, and driving within a week. The hardest part was really the liquid diet. I was ready for some consistency and varied flavors.. My first week I was highly concerned with my protein intake and paranoid - I was online comparing myself to others - PLEASE DO NOT DO THAT - many doctors drill down no less than 60-80 grams of protein, but my surgeon/NUT were not that worried at all. I was only allowed one 4 oz serving of protein shake. By week two I was over that and stuck by what my NUT/DOC said. I can't say I was entirely sold on only 3x 4oz meals a day, but I have been sticking to it! I felt so good that there were times I wondered if the doctor really removed 2 thirds of my stomach.. But every meal I had reminded me that he had - 5 little bites and I was stuffed. I did not stick to the foods progression plan after 3 weeks. I skipped the phase 2 blended food stages altogether. By week 3 I was adding soft, mushy fish, scrambled eggs and other soft proteins. Just a tiny amount and some definitely didn't work and came right back up. I never lost the pleasure of eating, although I had little to no hunger. I got to enjoy foods I would not indulge on otherwise, now that I ate so little I could afford it - like expensive salmon and Shark, and I even had a filet mignon, but honestly I don't feel the same way about red meats. The last meat to introduce was chicken - that is sort of dry. But I enjoyed being able to eat my proteins. I did not eat much in a way of carbs at all. I actually decided to go Paleo, not because I couldn't but because first priority is protein and when you only eat 12 oz of food a day, you better make sure you are eating the right foods. I had my first glass of wine at 2 months out and I did NOT get tipsy or drunk, but I also took an hour with that one little glass of wine. I rarely drink, as I think my liver deserves a break - it needs to break down all my fat! LOL I have been seeing a counselor and attending a eating disorder support group, because I knew the honeymoon would not last forever and I needed to have the right support when I started to fall back into old mental habits. I have tried to be very proactive about this and see if from a 3 dimensional perspective. It's not just about the eating and the losing weight, it's about the emotional relationship with food and the fear of failure all of us, professional dieters feel. We failed so many times that we are just waiting for the other shoe to drop when things are going well - to which my counselor gently reminds me - BE MINDFUL. Eat mindfully. My counselor does rock! My first melt down was actually yesterday ( be happy I didn't write yesterday) From surgery day - 3 months ago to today, I have lost 44 lbs, gone from a size 20/22 to a comfortable size 14, and lost a combined 20 inches. Naturally, that is not enough for me - I want to lose it ALL by tomorrow.. So when I completely fell off the NO SUGAR wagon and had a very small piece of the most amazing chocolate cake ever made by man - I went in panic mode. I had no control over that hormonal induced craving... That was the first time since surgery that I felt I was not in control. It was awful. Pre menstrual and very tired, all i wanted to do was eat sweets and salty snacks. Which I have not done since memorial day. I can't tell you how awful I felt and how much I cried. But remember I can only really fit 4-5 oz of food at the time, so even on my worst day, the weakest and unhealthy, I still lost .4 lbs... Thank you Banana!!! - (as I call my sleeve) By this morning and after a good night sleep and a good cry, I woke up back to my new normal. Not starving, not craving the worst foods and not hating myself for being human. I got my power back (screw you hormones!) The road to post surgery success is not a straight line. It can be confusing, and zig zag on you. (You WILL lose a lot of hair) It will be filled with plateaus and desappointment due to unrealistic expectations, and it will rock your world, because it doesn't change who you are at all. No surgery does that, although many people think that losing weight is the answer to all ailments - But it will be filled with empowerment and non surgery successes of all kinds, it will give you hope and lift you up! I can wear bracelets and watches now - they fit loosely I can wipe my own butt without being a contortionist (sorry but I was that big) I can paint my toe nails and shave my legs again I can fit behind the wheel with plenty of room to spare I sleep much better I no longer hide from cameras! I am not hot all the time. My internal thermostat has adjusted itself My cholesteral is under 200 for the first time in 20 years (163 actually) I can see my colar bones I have a waist! (who knew?) I also have a knee, an ankle and you can actually see them. I enjoy shopping again - my teen loves that! And the list goes on and on.. So if you ask me what is my biggest regreat about having Gastric Sleeve surgery? it's that I didn't do it sooner. If you have been through surgery, would love to hear about your experience. And if you have not yet, I wish you the best of luck and much success on your journey! Mindfully, Karen

When you sit and realize you are more comfortable crossing your legs! (Finally!!)

I haven't exercised much at all, and have lost 60 lbs in 3 months, but I feel like exercise it's just so important - I'm now working with a NUT so that I am better nourished and start an exercise program. I have an eating disorder so I need to monitoring and support!

Everything in moderation!

BCBSAL is my insurance and it covers 80% of the surgery, surgeon, tests and hospital. Quilifiers are the usual, High BMI, serious health relates issues and 6 month medical supervised diet - which I am on my second month... I can't wait! I am a single mom and naturally I am trying to plan as well as possible the costs of my surgery. I know hwo much my surgeon will cost, but I can't seem to find out the cost of the hospital, at Mobile Infirmiry. Anyone here has any idea of how much does Mobile Infirmiry average cost is for about a 48 hour stay/surgery? Naturally, I know it could be between 15,000 and 30,000 and it depends on how you do, if there are complications... Just looking for an educated ballpark! Please tell me your story, if you too have had Gastric sleeve at Mobile Infirmary! I am getting ready for mine! Thanks!

Hi Rena!! I am so excited to hear you had your surgery and you are doing so well! We are now, both in the losers bench! I had mine in June and have been doing really great with it as well! No complications, no issues, sometimes if it wasn't for the excessive hair loss and the occasional time I over eat by a bite and my stomach make itself known, I'd never be able to tell I had surgery. It's been a really great journey. I am seeing a counselor and a Nutricionist specialized in eating disorders and Bariatric patients, because I know I want to lose fast and will end up messing up my health I am also learning about intuitive eating and hope to learn the tools I truly need to never go back again. Tell me more about your journey when you can! 50 lbs is amazing!! Congratulations! Ok tell me more!! Talk soon Karen

Mobile, AL, Forrest Ringold. Outstanding surgeon.

I love sushi! I will eat sashimi just because I like that better - super white tuna - yumm - but you should have what you like, just in moderation!

RJ, you couldn't be more right. I have a wonderful NUT and Counselor who are supporting me and working though the process of intuitive eating, and I feel ver strong in this path!Well said!

I am 3 months out in 2 days and have reached my first "official" stall - or so I think - it's been 7 days since i lost a lb! Tell me, when and for how long did you stall in your journey, and what did you do to get it going again?

Cacau - which means cocoa beans and - Chumbinho, which is a heavy metal, like lead..