5BeautifulDays

The hospital where I had my surgery recommends this, too. My doctor suggest waiting one year or to be at goal, since the alcohol is empty calories (this seems sensible to me, but I'm a light drinker in a frequently tee-totalling social circle, so it's not a big part of my life). One of the big concerns is cross-addiction (lots of WLS people at AA!), as well as the ease of becoming impaired very quickly and then driving.

I'm only seven days out, but the hernia repair has been the worst part of recovery, by far. It is very painful to drink, especially at the beginning of the day. Warm tea seems to help settle it. A heating pad on my tummy helps some, too.

I've been going "around the block" a time or two a day until today (6 days out) when I did a longer, maybe 1/2 mile walk on some nice trails with ups and downs in my neighborhood. I almost got home before my body just all of a sudden started hurting and I ran out of steam. I slowed down and got home fine, but it surprised me that so little walking, that really wasn't a problem before surgery, was a lot for me right now. And costco is just exhausting no matter what--I'm not brave enough to go there yet! Too many people and the lines!

I'm six days out and think the dent is fairly normal--I'm definitely lopsided and I suspect it's because they took out a pretty big hunk of stomach and things haven't settled yet. I did find a post here from a while back about recognizing leaks, though. I hope it's helpful to you: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/200506-what-are-the-signs-we-may-have-a-leak/

So on Tuesday I started my C-PAP (that C stands for claustrophobia), my liquid diet, and my period, all at once. I am one seriously lucky gal! LOL The diet is Bariatric Advantage, and I have six "meals" a day--4 shakes, a Soup, and a bar. The soup was so bad--I'm telling you, I'd rather starve than drink that. So I subbed in some unjury chicken soup and that was ok. I'll definitely be ordering more of that one. I don't like sweet stuff, but I'm getting through.It really does fill me up and I'm not hungry. A couple of times I've missed my last "meal" of the day because I'm not hungry and don't remember it. The hardest part is cooking meals for my family. Everything smells so good. I keep saying "Not for me. It's not for me," and I'm doing my best to not even lick my fingers lest I get sucked into taking a bite. Just 10 more days to go!

I started my pre-op diet yesterday. I'm not really hungry, but I have a bear of a head-ache! I have 4 shakes, 1 soup, and one bar per day, plus either a small banana (which I'm choosing, because duh...chewing! LOL) or a cup of skim milk. The shakes are awful, but I've found a combo of latte and chocolate doesn't make me want to gag. I can't say the same for the "soup"! I'll probably sub a bar or another shake (or just skip it) because that stuff is not passing my lips again. I am not looking forward to the next couple of weeks, for sure. On the other hand, I am down 5 pounds from my high weight, even though I allowed myself to eat pretty much what I liked (until satisfied, but not stuffed) for the past month. I think it's all the additional Water I've been making myself drink. It really cuts down on hunger in general.

My understanding of my surgeon's rule is that they want clear nails (but acrylics are ok...maybe just clear ones?) on your hands for the pulse oxymeter. Toes can be painted.

I don't know specific to WLS, but I've had 5 kids...and I think a lot of the hunger at the early stages is a combo of thirst and extra acid in the tummy from all the saliva etc, and hormones. Anyway, in pregnancy protein is so important! It will control hunger, help with nausea, and help you build that baby. And remember that while you are eating for two--one of those people is smaller than a mouse right now! Even at the end, when baby is 7 pounds or so, you only need 200-300 extra calories per day. You'll need about 500 extra per day if you breastfeed (and lots of water).

I just got back from the beach and this is my week to do all my finish-things-up doctor's appointments and classes. Next week starts the pre-op diet. ETA: And drop the caffeine. So stand back. Mama's gonna be cranky! It has been so helpful and encouraging to read about the people a few weeks ahead of me...so thanks!

So I had my sleep study done about 2 weeks ago, and I just got my report. It says I have severe obstructive sleep apnea--but I had only 2 obstructive events (the rest were hypopneas). They tried to do a CPAP trial, but I was too claustrophobic (and honestly, too exhausted to fight the fear.) I was so stressed by this study. It was literally the worst night's (non) sleep of my life. Every dream was about being suffocated by the thing up my nose. I couldn't sleep in my normal position because of all the dooddads hanging off of me, and the pillows were like sinking in quicksand. Now, I'm afraid my surgeon is going to require a cpap before surgery. I get scared just thinking about it! I cried myself to sleep last night worrying about it. On the other hand, I don't want to fall unconscious after surgery because of low ox levels. Help me think of what sort of questions I should be asking my surgeon about this. I really doubt that I'll be able to tolerate wearing a mask (I feel sick thinking about it) without doing some serious aversion therapy. On the other hand, I don't want to wait for my surgery--I've got a good window of time where it won't interfere with other obligations and would hate to have to give that up. PS I know the mask won't actually kill me. But I seriously feel like it is going to. It's a primal fear and very difficult to overcome. I freak at the dentist for the same reason. And when I had my egd/colonoscopy a few days ago, the only truly terrible part was when they put this mouth-guard thing in right before they knocked me out.

I went to the one on Monday. It was very good (and very well attended, although that can make conversation difficult!). I plan to go back in August.

Welcome! My date is 8/26 and Dr. Moazzez is my surgeon, too.

Yeah...I have about $800 of custom-made mouthguards for bruxism sitting in my bathroom. They have a tendency to travel across the room while I'm sleeping. They must jump out of my mouth or something! Hey, at least you HAVE them! I know from personal experience that dogs LUUUUUV mouthguards--- only the expensive ones! LOL! I wouldn't even know if my cat chewed on mine! (EWWWW)

Yeah...I have about $800 of custom-made mouthguards for bruxism sitting in my bathroom. They have a tendency to travel across the room while I'm sleeping. They must jump out of my mouth or something!

I'm glad to hear you're doing well! I had my EGD/colonoscopy today. The prep was nasty, but the procedure itself was a breeze, since I was knocked out cold!

I just made a batch of tomato Soup. It's tomatoes, stock, garlic, onion, seasonings, and heavy cream (I use a stick blender to blend). Only a few family members like it, so I thought I would freeze it in small portions for after my surgery in August. I'm trying to organize things as I put them into my freezer for easy reference, and my question is, is this mild enough for the puree stage? It still has some smallish bits of onion/tomato seeds in it. Or should I label it for "mushies"? Also, I realize it doesn't have much Protein, but I'm thinking I can add some unflavored protein to it after it's reheated and cooled a little.

That's interesting. I'll ask my nut. That sounds a little surprising, because a 1/2 cup of tomatoes plain only has 5 g. carbs and there is no where near a half cup of tomatoes in a half cup of soup (and I think a half cup may be too much at that stage anyway!)

The flyer says it's for anyone. Pre-op, post-op, and family/friends regardless of where surgery was performed. It's in the conference room at the hospital. Just show up.

He's scared he's going to lose the woman he knows. And in some ways, he is. You *won't* look the same. You *won't* be able to do the same things together in the same way as before. And he can't know yet what the positives are going to be. Even my husband of 22 years who is completely supportive of my decision has said things that tell me he's frightened. Not just for the surgery itself (he's definitely worried about complications), but also that I won't look like me. I've weighed over 200 lbs for most of our time together. He's used to me! And we have weekly dates where our typical routine is to go out to dinner and talk for a couple of hours. What will our dates look like now? We're neither one of us completely sure. But I have reassured him that it is his company I want, and I would be fine sitting there with my little steak or salmon and no Water (lol...this is a good procedure for us meat-eaters!) while he eats his regular meal. Similarly, my best girlfriend and I go out to lunch and pedicures once a month or so--we were just talking about how that is going to need to change, at least for a few months after surgery. We discussed other options (the mall is at the top of our list...we both like shopping for clothes!), but I think she felt better for having the conversation and being reassured that I'm not going to stop wanting to see her. Anyway, even though this is a time of intense mental and physical preparation for you, you're probably going to need to expend some energy on reassuring him that while the things you do might change, you're still wanting to invest in time with him.

I'm pretty sure it's the hospital support group. Bluepoint is right there in the building next door, though, so they feel "attached" to me.

I'm in NOVA and will be getting sleeved 8/26 at Fair Oaks as well. ETA: I'm planning to go to the BluePoint support group on the 21st. The topic is "body acceptance."

I love this image. I don't know if you did "natural" childbirth (I mean really...what's more natural than childbirth, no matter how you do it! LOL), but one of the things they teach you about is the stages of labor...and the one right before you push, when you are going from about 7 to 10 cm dilated is called transition. In transition, the pains are coming one on top of another and you don't get a real break. You start to doubt your ability to "do this." Labor, delivery, being a mom, surviving the experience...but you are about to get to the big show and there is no turning back. And here we are, a month or so away from our "big show" and we are totally in transition. The doctor's appointments are coming fast and furious, we're adjusting bad habits and forming better ones, we're growing mentally. But we also have to face the pain. It's going to be a long time if ever before we can do certain things, and we're not sure yet about the good things at the end. And just like in real transition, the way you get through it is with support. A friend, a partner, prayer...I love that your friend reminded you why you're doing this. So thank you for that helpful, lovely image.

I plan to be at the support group on the 21st. It will be my first one. I agree with you about appreciating the slower approach to food. Hopefully it will pay off in a less angry tummy in the long run!

Aug. 26 is my date. I'm nervous, and a little scared (I'm a big baby about pain) and not looking forward to being in the hospital...but I'm totally ready to start my new life!

I am very curious about what others might say to you. I'm in a similar situation. I've started by drinking 64 oz of water/crystal light every day--a totally new habit for me. I've also cut my 3 cup of coffee habit back to one, with a goal for being caffeine-free by mid-August (my surgery is 8/26). I've started to think more about chewing, and you're right--it is really difficult. I find that my jaw gets tired and (tmi) I get more food stuck in my teeth. I guess the upside is that I'm flossing after every meal! I haven't started avoiding fluids with food yet, but that is another goal. The boredom while eating is something very familiar to me, too! I don't know why--food is such a pleasure, and yet I wolf it down while reading or on the computer all the time! I don't understand the habit, and yet I know it's a large part of my weight problems in the first place. Why do I do it? Best wishes to you moving forward!