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Hi Everyone, two things... 1. Week 5: May 27-31st Sleevers up and running, make the migration and be sure to favorite it. 2. All requests for the private Facebook group, Please PRIVATE MESSAGE Sh3iz or Lylabelle with your name and information. Publicly posting it on the thread is NOT GOOD because Your personal identifiable information is now made public for forever. I work in a cyber security firm and this is BAD and helps people target you. It's detracting from the conversation about our recovery. And most selfishly for me it's causing a million update emails that keeps me thinking people are posting stories and its not its your name and emails. THANK YOU everyone for walking with me in this journey and I'll see you in Week 5 thread!

Hello everyone and welcome to week 5 of our sleeve journey! Thanks to @@lylabelle for admin'ing the group so far. Let's have our weigh in on Monday as usual and I will be glad to keep the new threads going for those of us who choose bariatricpal to keep in touch throughout our journey each Friday. Seriously, we need to think of a group name. I nominate "Quarter Cup Club" and "Sleeveless in Seattle" and "Walk Forest Walk" anything other than may 27-31st sleevers And personally, i'm going to hit 10k steps for the first time since surgery today. There was a fire alarm at my office so I thought, I'm gonna take a walk and came back an hour later haha! Reminder: please direct requests for Facebook group access to @@lylabelle and @@Sh3iz in private message, not on the thread. Thanks!

I've been having a low energy week at work, my metrics are way behind for June. I'm trying coffee for the first time. Hopefully I'm not opening a can of worms. I was also told we could try red wine after 4 weeks, has anybody?

@@jajmj and @@WhoKnows, I'm 5'7" BUT I would caution all to not use me for comparison purposes. The hospital did NOT weigh me on my surgery day (so odd, still can't get over that) and I weighed myself when I got home the next evening which means my SW includes hospital fluids! Plus I'm trying not to compare myself to anyones "progress" as everyone is going to move along differently, and I'm also expecting to be delayed in losing too long term because I have nasty PCOS. I am just trying to be happy for everyones loses and my loses equally, knowing those pounds are gone forever banished for life! @@boccob81 I've been on a Protein Pump Inhibitor (prevents acid from being made) since week 2 and it's helped with comfort and hunger for sure. Besides heartburn, it could just be you're legitimately hungry if the purees your making are thinner. For me the thinner purees move right through my pouch like the liquids did so it does empty and make me hungry about every 3 hours. Also I would evaluate if there's situational triggers that are prompting you to eat, like "Oh I just got home from work, I guess it's dinner time and I should eat" or "Oh Its 8:30 and my favorite show is on, I'm mentally zoning out and now I'm hungry." That's just straight old habits creeping back in. I did a little working out that was a bit too much for me and left my legs sore and me with a headache the whole next day (yesterday) but at least all these Protein drinks should be helping to build/maintain muscle mass. I've also read that the only otc pain meds we should be using is Tylenol, not advil or aleve or anything ibuprofen. I asked my doctor but they said take whatever you want. Has anyone else been warned about ulcer risks with otc pain meds or is this an internet fiction? Thanks!

Hydrate yourself before surgery to help with healing. I slept in a recliner for the first week because i'm an awful back sleeper, so move that if you need to. I recommend buying at least two types of chewy Vitamins, I had thrown up on my first brand once or twice and from that point I couldn't stomach the taste in my mouth. And we had to buy more tupperware because of all the portioning and leftovers. Someone else recommended I get ice trays to freeze my left overs. I thought, how over the top is that? I should have listened.

@@webhopper, part of my weight journey was that for me, I've always put the needs of others before my own needs (it's called codependency) I'm not sure how much of that resonates with you, BUT i will say that for those reading this that it that does sound familiar…. You are worth having a happy, healthy life. Being obese prevents you from doing that in a lot of ways. Do what it takes to take care of yourself first, just like the stewardesses say on the airplane emergency instructions. Or else you'll have nothing left to give your loved ones when you're completely spent. The surgery takes away the food and the weight, but it doesn't take away a lot of the emotional causes and damages that got us to our HW. Find some support as you go through your journey to talk it out.

Hi @TearBear, I think you answered your own question… you're a sugar addict and an emotional eater which means you're going to need a tool in your journey as drastic and powerful as the forces working against your success. Before I committed, I decided that for me, I couldn't live the life I wanted if I stayed big. My weight was hurting me in big and small ways. It hurt that my PCOS means my husband and I struggle with having kids… all the way to it hurt when young children look at me weird and when I dread going clothes shopping and when I have to ask for the seat belt extender in the plane. Is being physically limited in portion hard sometimes? Truthfully yes, I went out to lunch with my boss and he's like wow that's all you're eating. I just told him i'm on a disciplined diet (TRUTH! lol) Would I love to go to an all you can eat pig bar and chow down sometimes? Sure. But am I willing to give up that for a healthy life with better health, better looks, better physical relationships, more confidence, more energy, more joy, more opportunities to do the things i want to do. It's a trade, but one that was worth it for me, I'd do it again in a heartbeat and I regret not doing it sooner. Good luck to you in making your decision for yourself.

Warming up a seat on the Loser's Bench for you! And don't forget chapstick tomorrow.

I just had surgery on May 30th, and had some problems with my blood pressure running a little low before, but now that I'm post-op about 3 weeks I have had a LOT of lightheadedness and dizziness from "postural hypotension" basically my blood pressure drops crazy fast when i stand up from a squat or sitting position after being still a while. Because your dizziness could be caused by a couple different things, I would recommend talking to your doctor about it to pinpoint the cause and hence the cure. Also, I've found that as I'm ramping up the density of the food i'm eating, my hunger is going away. But i've set a schedule for myself including timers on my phone (odd i know but it works!) and I eat/consume water and mush/food when it tells me too regardless of how I feel. Good luck to you!

Monday checkin: HW 309 SW 288 CW 257.4 @@Sh3iz congrats on your size down! I found the same thing by shopping in my closet lol I pulled out pants and didn't realize they were size 22 when I normally wear a 24, and I thought, why was it I wasn't wearing these regularly before? Then I realized when I saw there was no droopy butt syndrome lol. I'm going to have to go shopping for the next one because I have been at least size 22 since high school so I'm saving up and looking forward to that. @@DSMCasey Yes nighttime is my witching hour for sure. On Saturday I was caught in a 4 hour cycle of get hungry, snack, get too full but want to go to sleep, stay up an hour to let tummy settle, once settled feels hungry, eat a snack and get too full… this happened FOUR TIMES until I said forget it, it's 1 am I'll have to go to sleep hungry. My dr's support group said to drink your Protein shakes during this time instead of giving into cravings. @@WhoKnows My average macros over the last week: Calories: 786 Carbs: 51g (with a sharp decrease downward, high 70, low this weekend 30) Protein: 75g Fat: 29g

@@grro Dry brushing is taking a brush similar to a back scrubber and scrubbing your skin in a motion pointing towards your heart for better circulation and exfoliation of your skin. Moisturizing multiple times a day is supposed to improve the elasticity and bounce back of your skin. The concern is that when you've spent a long time very large aka me I've been obese 20 years, your skin in your fattest parts doesn't shrink as fast as the fat disappears, creating loose skin that looks a little like a deflated balloon. You can search pics on bariatric pal to see it first hand. It's like the only thing dreadful about wls cause there's no surefire way to prevent it and the fix is plastic surgery. But it's better than being diabetic or not having the fat chick section not have your size cause you went up another size (again that's all me)

@@hrhlaurie I joke with my husband about that too but I figure I'm still better off being able to run! I'm intrigued by what that will be like. I'm having trouble with the timing of my meals/shakes and my days are very front loaded. Gotta set more timers. I hit 9700 steps yesterday so close to goal of 10k. But today I'm sore and trying to remember to cut myself a little slack.

@@WhoKnows thanks for that recommendation I haven't looked into that before but it makes sense that I should be able to find it. @@mrsfitzpatrick I am afraid i'm going to wear out my blender by the time this is all done I use it so much! I am on purees for a total of two weeks, which means next friday i can move to soft unblended foods. Honestly, the purees are working out for me nicely, all except the chicken breast i did up was just a little dense and made me feel overfull after only 2 1/2 oz and that feeling lasted for 2 hours. Other than that, i've made hummus, green beans, plums, pears, nectarines, bananas, thick soups and chili and haven't had any issues with anything except my bariatric vitamins go figure. I have had about three or four full liquid servings as i've gone along just to give variety and my tiny tummy a break for a meal (and use up all that i bought before it goes bad.) Today I did something I haven't done in years… I packed a gym bag and brought it to work with me. I checked out the free fitness center in the basement and the locker rooms (not bad for freebie throw-in) and since the weather is 95F here, walking outside is brutal and it's time to start using gym equipment. Im going down in about an hour over lunch break, wish me luck on cardio! Last night I was able to weed the gardens, which is a big deal because my husband is fanatic about having carpet-quality grass and then the flower beds looked like something out of the Jungle Book. I also discovered i have a very pesky and bad case of "postural hypotension" so standing and squatting causes extreme lightheadedness/dizziness. It made weeding an Xgames type of sport, but I pushed on with my daughter and got it all done.

CeraVe w salicylic acid is what I've been using once a day and then Avon Skin so Soft Firming (no elastin, but tons of oils and topical caffeine) about twice a day. And yes my omega's are something I haven't supplemented so I KNOW i'm not doing well there. I haven't seen them in a chewable so i might wait another week before getting the pills. They are so nauseating to me normally because of the fishiness.

I have seen lots of people experiencing the same thing. I am beginning to hit it as well I believe. Common advice includes upping your calories. My food of choice to do the trick is hummus, Peanut Butter, and blended chili, lots of Protein and higher calories. Good luck to you!

Forgot to mention, I got prescribed prontix for heartburn and it nipped it the first day. Thank goodness. I had never really battled heartburn before but it felt awful and I don't know how people can live with it as a daily thing. I am so glad I mentioned something to my doctor about it. Bob, my skin is really dry on my stomach around my incisions, to the point of flaking. I've been moisturizing with firming lotion, firming body wash and straight baby oil morning and night and that seems to help without overly irritating the actual scars themselves. And that also ties into the fact i'm not staying hydrated enough too. Sip sip sipping away now!

I use Bariactiv Vitamins, they are chewable/dissolvable. My stall is starting. I keep remembering though that I could and did drop lbs quickly before, it's the Long Term I'm excited for. Marathon not a sprint! Yesterday I actually got in 1200 cals, by having too much hummus so rich. I also hit my highest step count since surgery at 7k (crazy low for normal ppl) My Water intake is dipping a little so that is priority again for the next few days. Is anyone else dry brushing and moisturizing like a crazy person for loose skin obsession?

For puréed recipes, I've done homemade: hummus, mashed Cali mix w cheese Soup, fruit baby food which goes bad in 24 hrs but is so good and sweet, blended chili both beef and chicken, blended thick Soups like veggie and minestrone I have a sweet potatoe I am meaning to bake. You can purée anything w a little Water or broth or such. I was warned to avoid Pasta rice bread (obvi) corn peas and fruit skins Google purée recipes apparently it's common.

Est weight at surgery 280 Today 259 I am really feeling the restriction now that I'm on purée/mashed foods. On liquids I could eat a normal bowl of Soup and it went right through but now just a few tbsps and I'm stuffed. My challenges are I'm doing a horrible job tracking my intakes exactly; I've got a general idea but I'm feeling convicted that this surgery means I'm going to have to log my intake probably forever to be successful. I always hate logging so time to suck it up.

Today I was a bit disheartened when I reread my diet plan and realized my doc has me blenderizing everything for another 2 weeks, here I was thinking I was moving to soft foods aka chewing yes! I was so convinced, I had an egg for breakfast and 2 grapes (skinless) and a 1/4 slice of deli ham for lunch before I realized my error. Good news is I didn't have any negative reaction. And I get to keep putting my blender to good use.

Yay so glad it went smoothly for you! Getting home will make a big difference for you. Keep us posted!

I am 2 weeks out so I'll answer what I can... I'm still in a recliner and am planning on being there for another 2 weeks probably. I am able to get in my 64 oz and 70 g Protein now. I was able to probably as of day 9 or 10. The gas pains left as of day 6/first bm (sorry tmi) BUT i am still having active gas creation at both ends (very embarrassing since i've been at work all week in a quiet cubicle setting) Get up in the night to do what? Bathroom or just walk? I haven't gotten up at all but I also was using pain meds immediately before bed up til a day or two ago which knocks me out. I've been having trouble getting up in the morning. Good luck to you in your recovery!

I was sleeved 2 weeks ago and I love the comments on this thread so far. Thanks for sharing everyone. My 2 cents… Last year my husband had the vsg performed. While he was jumping through the insurance hoops and prep diet, I tried to tackle my own weight "one last time" the "normal" way. I became a vegan, and was for 8 months. I lost 60 lbs. I stopped when my life hit a couple speed bumps (always happens) and started to eat "healthy normal" bringing in back small portions of cheese and meat. 6 months later, I had gained it all back, all 60lbs and kept on going to add another 10. All that sacrifice, for nothing. That was it for me, I knew no matter what diet I tried, I would ALWAYS hit a speed bump that would knock me off track. Now, no emotion is going to change the fact that I have a tiny tummy inside that will not change size based on my emotional roller coaster. Good luck to you as you evaluate the best, most permanent way to become healthy!

NoVa here too!

I will say I went back after one week and greatly regretted it. I ended up just calling out of two days during my second week. I'm now at the end of that second week and I am still sore (one of my incisions opened up while I was doing housework I shouldn't have been so that's a contributing factor too) Also, if you're job involves standing most of the time or moderate walking, I would suggest no less than two weeks. I am winded after about 20 minutes of moderate walking. You can always come back early if you feel better than expected, but it was a hard conversation with my boss to have about not coming in after I said I would be gtg. Good luck to you!