AJ Barefield

Brava!

Mine's name is Sleevie J, yes after the ratchetry that is LHHA! When it is not happy, it feels like he's making the same rat face Stevie J makes! Hahahaha!

I am 5 weeks today and bowled this weekend. I used a 10 and was fine.

I know this is always a point of interest for people, so here is a little more data to add to your collection. This is my actual weekly weight loss with an average of 3.3 lbs per week since the day of surgery:
Highest weight (July 2013) = 283
1st day Pre-op Diet (Jan 22nd 2014) = 270 (-13)
Day of Surgery (Feb 4th 2014) = 254.5 (-15.5)
Post Op Data by Week:
Week 1 = 244.4 (-10.1)
Week 2 = 244.4 (-0.0)
Week 3 = 244.4 (-0.0)
Week 4 = 241.2 (-3.2) MO 1 = -13.3
Week 5 = 238.2 (-3.0)
Week 6 = 235.0 (-3.2)
Week 7 = 232.2 (-2.8)
Week 8 = 229.9 (-2.3) MO 2 = -11.3
Week 9 = 227.2 (-2.7)
Week 10 = 221.8 (-5.4)
Week 11 = 220.2 (-1.6)
Week 12 = 214.8 (-5.4) MO 3 = -15.1
So there you have it, it really does add up over time, even with some frustrating stall weeks. Keep on plugging, everybody!

Had my 5 week check-up this afternoon and I'm no longer morbidly obese! I'm just plain old obese! That was the best news ever! I have lost 40.4 pounds total and feel great! Best decision I have made in a long time.

It has been hard to eat slow enough to realize I'm at my limit. It only takes one extra bite to send me to vomit mode. I'm getting better at it. When they say eat slow they mean EAT SLOW!!!
Mind you when I say I have eaten too much I'm talking half of one scrambled egg!!!

sugar free Jello and sugar free popsicles help!

What did your NUT tell you? Mine did not give a caloric intake, just that:
1. I should eat no more that a salad plate of food for a meal.
2. It should be 70% Protein, 20% vegie, 10% starch
3. I should eat the Protein first
4. No more than 2 Snacks a day
5. 60 - 65 g of protein a day

I had a bit of twinging soreness in my my larger incision for up to about 5-6 weeks. There was one point at about 4-5 weeks where for some reason it started hurting more, but then the pain diminished until right around 6 weeks and after I no longer felt anymore pain at all. I also felt like I ripped one of the internal stitches at one point which freaked me out, but I read that it was normal. I'm not about 7.5 months out and I am completely back to normal feeling- I just don't eat or drink as much as I used to and the scars have almost entirely faded.

I had a band to sleeve revision and the incision where he took out the band was really sore for a couple of weeks. If you're concerned, call your doc. Trust me, there's no question he/she hasn't heard. They are there to not only do surgery, but also to support you in your journey. No question is "silly". It's your body and you have the right to ask questions.
By the way, CONGRATULATIONS!

My largest incision hurt occasionally for about six weeks and then backed off.

You look great mama! Keep it up! We didn't gain it overnight, and won't loose it that way either. Perspective is key in this. You are getting healthier and Mo Betta than before! Well done!

It's been about 2 months since my surgery and I've lost about 32 lbs. It's been slow... but I'm very thankful for my progress... I have about 70-80 more pounds to go and I will be at goal. This is definitely NOT an easy way out... my body has been rearranged...but I still have my daily struggles with making the "right" food choices. I thank God everyday for blessing me with my tool..because there is NO way in the world I could have lost 32 pounds this quickly... any other way. It has not been easy..and I have a loooonnnggg way to go...but I know I will get there!

Odesa, my doctor is the same way. Once I was put to soft foods, he said that he wanted me to get the majority of my Protein from foods. I am glad to hear you say that, because I thought I was the only one!
She's Sleeved, hang in there girl! Even if it is two bites, you are rebuilding your new body! We can do it! One restructured bite at a time! Good luck!

you are not whiney. We are all learning a new way of eating. It is a challenge for sure. good luck girl.

I do mostly eggs, but I was just wanting something different. Thanks for the advice. I have Stevia, so I will use it more. This is so weird for me because I am (almost) 3 weeks and I have entered the 'paranoid' stage where I don't want to mess up my progress or eat the wrong thing, but I am tired of eating the SAME things all the time!
I know this sounds whiney, so I apologize in advance.

I'm 5 months post opp and can eat anything I "want" but in vastly different portions than pre opp. For me, the want part also changed significantly. Things that don't go down well all of sudden don't look appealing at all. For example, I used to love french fries and would eat mounds of them. Even though I could eat them now without getting sick, they don't go down all that easily and would take up too much room, so I'm no longer interested at all. I used to love a good bagel loaded up with cream cheese, lox, etc. I could definitely have some of that now, but again it's become sort of unappealing. By the way, I'm not bummed out about this at all.

Hi again and congrats!
My nutritionist told me later that they wanted to 'wean' me off of the protien shakes if possible during the soft phase of my eating around week 4 and get my stomach used to thicker foods. So I think if possible you should try to eat a little bit each day to help the stomach adjust. I am only a few weeks ahead of you and I'm working on tuna, eggs, thicker Soups etc. I did get sort of a manual with all the phases in it and am working on that for now.
I do my six week check up on Monday the 21st then won't do another till June. Ask you doctor or dietician what they think at your next check up.
Congrats again and hang in there.
Weight loss is a marathon not a sprint. I think I'll try to add that as a signature

Use STEVIA (its not artificial... its a sugar derivative with no calories) Use a packet of Stevia with some Cinnamon and you will be loving your Cream of Wheat again. Try it. I promise. Oh and you can use that spray bottle of "you think its butter but its not" to give it some butter flavoring. Now, that I said that... Cream of Wheat is very little Protein and has carbs in it. Try some scrambled eggs with a little cheese or a hard boiled egg. This diet is all about the Protein girl. Get on it.

Great post !! I couldn't have said it any better. I am only 10 days post op and getting obsessed with the scale and people that know about the surgery asking how much I have lost. Well this morning, my practically brand new scale ......stopped working. I am taking this as a sign - to get off the scale and move forward. As you so well said, we took a brave choice for our health and that is what we need to stay focused on. Thanks for sharing

Hi all,
I finally made it to the bariatric center yesterday to get weighed, after 2.5 weeks away from the scale. I lost over 5 pounds in that time--and am very happy with my loss. I find that on this page I am constantly advocating for people to step off the scale, to stop allowing an arbitrary number to dictate your mood for an entire day. (Or longer) But those posts about, "HELP! I am in a stall! I gained 3 ounces!" persist. We will all see weight fluctuations for a myriad of non-weight-related issues--you weighed in the afternoon instead of the morning, you moved your scale, you are retaining Water, you are constipated, you stepped off, then on, then off, then on, etc.
I go to my bariatric center once a week, or less. I guess I am what the people here call "a slow loser", maybe because I had a low starting BMI, maybe because I am on calcium-channel blockers that slow my heart rate and metabolism. Either way, I get a real thrill to see losses when they occur, and weighing less often keeps me from obsessing over numbers. This isn't a race, the numbers are not a reflection of who I am as a person. I made a brave choice for my health, and I am talking the talk AND walking the walk. I am proud of myself and happy about my decision.
So to summarize...
1. Step off the scale
2. FInd some lo-cal treats that float your boat: I devour sugar-free popsicles, Viactive Vitamins, and Gummy fiber-supplements (yes, I consider supplements a treat! They are yummy!)
3. Remember that there's no such thing as "cheating". You are making a choice, healthy or not--it's all up to you.
Thanks for letting me share!
Amy

I think that what you are feeling is totally normal and healthy! This is a tough road we have chosen to take and a healthy fear is necessary, in my opinion! It reminds us that we have had dark days in which the weight has caused depression, insecurities, health problems, etc. Keep focused and you WILL succeed! I will have my sleeve done on April 14th and I recently watch a show that depicted a 530 lb. woman actually gain weight after surgery! It scared me to death! But what that taught me is that I have to be diligent and realistic about my diet and embrace this new healthy lifestyle for the rest of my life. I am worth it and you are too!

Hi Morgan, I just read your post and I am sorry to hear you are having such a rough time. I was sleeved on 3/31 and spent the first week truly miserable. I was unable to tolerate the liquid Lortab and had to crush Norco in a sandwich bag to get pain relief. Swallowing was pure hell, and I cried at least four times that week. On day 7 I decided enough was enough and that I had to do my part no matter what. Sipping became my job. All day I kept a Water bottle in my hand, walked, and used my incentive spirometer. I started each day with a cup of juice and a prayer for strength. Today I am 16 days post op and feel awesome. Yes I run into hiccups. But I am 22 pounds down, have energy, and see the new me emerging everyday. You will get past this. You will preserve, but most importantly you will emerge better than before. You have made a commitment to change your life, honor it and yourself. I know it's not what you expected. No matter what happens today, you can find comfort in the fact that this day will end and another will begin with as stronger you.

Hey guys it mytime45 here, I am 4 days post op and I am doing fine. I did't have a lot of pain when I came home. until my incision blocker wore off.
but the pain meds help so much no nausea vomiting thank God my stomach was so sore just trying to cough or laugh at my crazy family...anyway
feel so bad for all of you that have to deal with that.. I am very sore as I had hernia repair also I am taking everything slow my hubby went back to work today, and I felt like crying this is the first day alone since the surgery, everyone back to work today.. and am feel what have I done cause I swore I am hungry not just head hungry my stomach is growing so hard at every thing I drink am still on clear liquid I hating chicken broth and ispure.
but I thank God thing are as well as they are now, these food commercial on T V is driving me crazy. I even been dreaming about eat food so weird
anyway I have lost 26 pound since I started this journey.

Hey AJ, I'm 11 days post-op, and yea the ketosis state is awful, and I think that's why nothing tastes right either, but as to your other question. All surgeons are different with this, as you may be able to tell. My doctor told me 1 week, clear liquids. #2 pureed, so I was to see him yesterday for first visit, he told me I could have any fruit, as long as it's in it's own fruit juice, and pureed, next wek,starts soft diet, and then week 4 I can start bringing regualr food into the diet. Hope this helps.