JCP

I used to be hot all the time! Now I am cold. Part of it is I am very anemic so keep those lab appts! I think the other is just a lack of calories. My body is really changing in every way.

I am 3 months out. I now allow myself a cup of regular coffee on the weekends with my husband as that has always been our ritual. I drink no other caffeinated or decaf coffee or tea other than that.

Gatorade helps me also. I am 3 months out and still struggle with fluids.

Yes, I was very afraid. I talked non-stop in pre-op to anyone within earshot. (I was alone.) But I just kept telling myself if I did not do it I would end up disabled from obesity like my wonderful, dear mother. She had such a hard time late in life. I saw how hard it was for her. We have to avoid that if we are able. May God bless you. You are doing a brave thing.

Mine was due to a pulled internal stitch that the surgeon used to close the abdominal wall. It was pretty bad. But then one day it was much subsided out of the blue. Not all surgeons use these stitches. Please let your surgeon know this is going on. I had to get my pain meds refilled because of it.

All of the above... Maintain my normal anatomy, removal of the area of the stomach that produces Ghrelin, less chance of malabsorption issues. My sleeve has given me the results I wanted. I'm happy with my choice.

Sugar was my biggest vice, second was red meat. I am just short of three months out. Eating either one of them now, even a little, makes me so ill they will likely be off my list forever. If I ever eat either of them again it will be in very tiny quantities. For now, keep them out of my sight. Ugh.

I used to love to cook. Now I don't even want to think about it. Not good because the healthiest foods require at least some planning and preparation. I need to work on it.

Cooked all day for my husband who insisted he still had to have all his favorites. I ate about 2 tablespoons of turkey and mashed potatoes. Wasn't tough at all! Love this surgery.

Isn't modern medicine a miracle? How blessed are we? Wonderful news!

I was scared, too. We all were. I think you'd have to be a little nuts not to be concerned. But we all decided the benefits outweigh the risks. This is a hard surgery. But it is worth it... Period. Don't let fear make your decision for you.

Premier vanilla (30 grams)... My tastes changed after surgery so I had to force them down but it's easier now. I'm experimenting with skim milk/yogurt/fruit/protein smoothies now and getting more protein in with foods. It is hard but worth it!

You WILL succeed! Don't worry and don't compare yourself to others! My loss has been up and down. Weeks 3 and 4 I lost 4 pounds and I burst into tears in the doctor's office. I lose a little, then a lot, etc. And here's what else: I am down from a 2xl to an xl (50 lbs) and people are saying nothing. But then I found out they are all behind my back saying "look how much weight she's lost!" What I've realized is they aren't sure if saying something will offend me! Lol! Doesn't matter... I feel so much better and am now in the gym with a trainer. Don't worry! You are going to have great results! Stay off the scale except once or twice a month and concentrate on how you feel and how your clothes get baggy! God bless!

I had scrambled eggs with cheese at first. It was Heaven. I hit a stall at 3 weeks but it didn't last long. Solids are tricky. Just try mild, greaseless foods until you are able to experiment more. I am 11 weeks and pretty much stick to ground turkey, canned chicken, eggs, cheese, almonds, oatmeal with protein, yogurt smoothies, and protein shakes.

There is an incredible amount of ignorance out there about this surgery and the entire process. I just try to ignore it. It's my business, I know what's best for me.

Yes beans and peas. And they are high in protein. I also snack on unsalted trail mix. The tiny nuts do a good job. Lots of water will also address this. And exercise is the best at getting your colon moving.

And don't eat too much! We had our pot luck this week. Although I ate only a tiny bit of turkey, a teeny spoonful of potatoes, and a small bit of dressing with gravy, I thought I was going to die most of the evening. Not from being too full... The food was just too rich for me.

Sprocket, me, too! There were all kinds of crazy feelings and sounds in my tummy at first! It was similar to hunger but it wasn't. I think it was just my stomach dealing with the surgery. It went away before too long.

Are you sipping water throughout the day? Or perhaps crystal light or popsicles? This may help your hunger. You will be on soft foods soon and that's a game changer. Hang in there. This is temporary.

I cannot tolerate bread (10 weeks) but I can have a few crackers if I eat them slowly. I like them with tuna or chicken salad.

I take chewable iron, calcium, and multivitamins, before and after surgery. They are Celebrate and my nut swears by them. I had to crush only my anti- depressant tablets and only for two weeks. I put them in a medicine cup with a little water and forced them down. Ugh.

Happens to me now and then too. Unless it's often or very painful, I would not worry.

I waited a month but I was chicken.

What do your current labs say? Are you anemic? Anemia and dehydration can make you feel awful.

Totally normal! Don't worry one minute about it. You feel like crap. You will for a while. Then it gets better. Then more better. And the weight is coming off. You sleep better. Your clothes are too big. You have a spring in your step. Yep, your relationship with food will change a lot. But you will not miss it. It's like somebody hit a reset button for you. Trust us. It's tough but oh so worth it.