butternut

I took it a few years ago and had a seizure while driving my car. Scary stuff.

Who's ready to start this pre-op diet on Thursday?

I had my surgery on July 9th at/around 800-900. I was terrified! I had read a lot of horror stories on the pain and discomfort and almost had myself psyched out the night before. Thankfully, after meeting the anesthesiologist (day of surgery), he gave me a Xanax and something for acid reflux. I remember being carted off into the operating room. The sterile smell was unlike no other, and the coldness even worse. Once inside, they moved me onto the operating table. I had 2 nurses helping with my transition as well as my anesthesiologist. I remember the anesthesiologist placing the mask on my face. The feeling of huffing the gas in was nostalgic. I felt light and airy and without a care in the world. I could hear the nurses making the sweetest comments to me for encouragement and well wishes, but obviously could not reply, thank, God! That was the last thing I remember until waking up. Then and only then do I remember being nauseated, which is to be expected. My anesthesiologist brought me an alcohol prep pad and had me inhale deeply. Wouldn't you know it worked!!
I do not remember much about being in recovery, but I vaguely remember my family and I being on an elevator going up to my room. Fast forward to around 1pm and I had gotten out of bed, on my own, to use the bathroom... DO NOT DO THIS. Not everyone recovers from anesthesia the same way. This is according to the nurse who busted me and almost scolded me for my own safety; however, after she realized that I was fine, she gave the clearance for me to begin walking. As most others have informed you, WALKING is key! Walk, walk, walk. Every time you walk, walk a little further or for a little while longer. This will help not only with gas, but help to minimize your soreness. One thing that I held onto like a life saver was a pillow! When you begin to walk, use that pillow to press into your stomach. It makes a world of difference. Also, use a pillow to prop you up on your side. I was lucky and had very minimal, if any, gas this time; however, I learned with my gallbladder surgery two years ago that this trick will help move it around as well. sleep in a reclined position, but not straight back. Its unGodly to have to get up from a prone position! With all of this being said, all I was given post op in the hospital was Tylenol and even then I didn't want it. The pain isn't a PAIN, its more of discomfort. I didn't use the hydrocodone I was given once home.
Now, that's enough about my surgery day and what I experienced. Here's a list of things to take with you to the hospital:
- Wear loose clothing. I wore a pair of comfy sweatpants and a t shirt. Upon discharge I wore the same home and even wore a bra with under wire and had no discomfort; I also wore flip flops with good tread to prevent slipping. You won't want something to have to bend over and put on.
- Chapstick
- Tooth brush and tooth paste
- Travel size Shampoo, conditioner, and soap. The hospital does give you their own, but it wasn't the best. Thankfully, I was allowed to shower the next day. This too helps greatly throughout your recovery. A warm shower ALWAYS works wonders
- Pillow. Take that thing with you every where you go. Its an aid to get up, down, and to get you walking and make you comfortable on the ride home (place it over your stomach prior to buckling! Hold onto it going over bumps and rough terrain)
- Cell phone charger
At home recovery:
- Pillow - I upgraded to my body pillow. The first few days I used two(stole the hubs') and put one on both sides of myself and slept in a recliner.
- Keep Water nearby. Sip. SLOWLY. Do not try to sip too much as you will end up with esophageal spasms and those are the devil.. Seriously!
- Do not let anyone force you to eat too quickly. And by eat I'm obviously meaning drink Protein or Soups. Your body is healing and right now you should only be worried with Water consumption. I also recommend a low sodium, low sugar sport drink for electrolytes!
- You know your body so listen to it. If you feel as though you need to have a bowel movement, get some Miralax. This was recommended by my physician and I've used it. Don't wait till it gets too bad.
- Your pee will stink... BADLY.. Mine is finally beginning to return to normal, but I have concentrated a lot on water consumption. You should too as this will prevent dehydration.
- Us women get thrown curve balls time to time... Be prepared for a yeast infection. Its quite common. Stock up on yogurt!
- Walk. Walk a lot!
- Don't over do it. You've just had surgery so don't push yourself beyond your means. Be prepared to nap a lot in the week. After week two, I began feeling almost normal. Here I am 20 days post op, back at work, feeling almost like myself. I get tired, but it's nothing unbearable.
If I think of more, I will surely post it here. Good luck and best wishes!!!

I enjoyed the heck out of my liquid Vicodin for the first 5 days after I was home. It was like a very nice reward for enduring the lower right pain, only be able to drink 1-2 ounces at a time, and walking when I didn't really feel like it...lol.
Becoming addicted was the last thing on my mind as I got sick of it, but it was very nice tool to be able to be out of pain and to go to sleep for a very short time period. Unless you have an issue, use the product as the tool it was intended to be used for: to make a difficult period of pain less unpleasant.

Hi guys, so I m Muslim and I got my gastric sleeve done on 12 math March, I m 3 months post op and 30 pounds down.
In a few days the holy month of Ramadan will begin, where we (Muslims) start fasting for like 14-16hours a day.....
I have always taken my fasting very seriously so I make it a point to never miss any days.... I m excited and enthusiast about this... I hope the weight doesn't stall at any point, hoping this fasting works as a benefit and helps me lose more weight.... Since I will be on starvation mode not sure how that will work. Something I can report to you guys in a months time ????
I do workout like 2 miles walking 5days a week, haven't started with weights or any other gym training otherwise... You guys think I should up my activity level? Or should add gym training to my ritual?
Anybody else facing the same conundrum?!?!?!
Help in such scenario from anyone is really welcomed and looking forward to some answers...

I'm two and a half years post op, lost more than 140 pounds in 14 months, and have kept it off since. I watch what eat every day, all day. I can eat a lot more than I could in the beginning, and more than I wish I could. I don't think I did anything to stretch my sleeve, but I do think it's bigger than lots of people's.
I know that I could easily gain every pound back, and it would not be hard to do. I can eat a lot of calories without realizing it by grazing and making high caloric choices. I could easily drink 3-4 thousand calories a day. It would be easy. When I first had the surgery, I thought I was cured. I was elated at how little I could eat, how little I felt like eating, and at the lack of hunger. Now I know that was temporary. Hunger gradually returned, and so did the desire to eat. It's nothing like pre-op even now, but it's enough that if I don't watch it, I gain. I always say I'm one cookie away from 300 pounds - in other words - I can never let my guard down.

You suddenly go on a grazing safari your body is calling out for anything or everything especially the things that are no good for you. You instantly lose control and start snacking and you feel like you can't stop. This happens to me sometimes especially at night so what I have learned to overcome this is make a pot of tea drink it all and fill my stomach up. One my stomach is full I won. What do you do in this situation ?

Listerine strips. They are strong and nasty, but nothing tastes good for hours after.

I turn into a one-woman locust swarm and decimate the pantry. Which is what brought me here!

Decaf coffee with cream, hot or iced. Cup after cup.

We have a Twin Cities B-Pal Sleevers group that meets once a month. We shuffle between St Louis Park, Fridley and now Roseville. We are a pretty small group and very supportive of each other's successes!
This Saturday, February 21st - we are meeting at Good Earth restaurant in Roseville at 10am. Everyone is welcome to join us.
Lori (Go4itLori)
Text/call: 952-270-5239

I'm a stay at home mom of 3 kids. My 7 yo will be starting 2nd grade, my 5 yo will be starting Kindergarten (half days though) and I have a soon to be 3 yo. My weight gain really increased after having babies but it went really bad being at home all the time. My second baby was very difficult and that's when I started going nowhere and just staying at home eating my way through her colic and acid reflux. Apparently some habits are hard to break
Anyways, I was sleeved in April. I thought it would be harder than what it is being at home but I don't find it too terribly bad. The only times I really seem to struggle is around PMS days when sugar suddenly looks good. I'm always trying to come up with creative ways to cook food that we can all eat. The kids are really enjoying some of the meals off emilybites.com and our new meat in the house, turkey, seems to be an even bigger hit... who knew?! The husband is actually the super picky one. He ended up loving the lasagna bites and the ricotta bake.
The house is staying cleaner, laundry getting done more frequently, playing more outside and getting out more. This has been quite a positive change so far!
How's everyone else handling the staying at home with the kiddos?

I have this problem also. I am currently in my first month of 3 month supervised. I gained 2 lbs and I'm so nervous what the doctor will say. I'm at home all day long and will eat bc the kids waste, or out of boredom, but I also never get the full feeling. So tomorrow I am sending all Snacks and junk food to my mom. I got healthy snacks for the kids and I really am trying to only eat 6 small meals a day and get all my Water in. Wish me luck!!!

I'm 45 got diagnosed at 22 yrs old.Back then pcos was very new.Doctors had no clue how to treat.Been married 25 yes no kids.I've tryed clomid for 6 months in my 20s ,no success.I also very upset cause all my friends was having them with no trouble. I learned to accept the fact of being childless.Even on clomid I never ovaluted. Now I'm 45 going thru process of vsg.Haven't thought about getting pregnant in yes and I don't want kids this late in life(which probably wouldn't happen) but just in case I'll get something to prevent it.If they had wls surgery back in those days I would have probably had no trouble getting pregnant. But it was gods will so I accepted it.What I'm trying to say kids is wonderful but if u don't have any its not the end of the world lol.I'm very happily married with no kids.Wish you all the best luck.

Hey guys!! I am so encouraged to have found this app!!! I am about to go in for surgery in about an hour. Love your words of encouragement!

Good news, we are home! She's still a little nauseated but able to eat a little bit. She's not eating or drinking much so they have set up home health to continue IV nutrition for a bit. We are super glad to be home!

Wow! I was just coming on here to ask the same question! I had VSG on 4/20. My starting weight was about 418. Yesterday I weighed in at 385! I thought the scale was broke so I tried another one at the walk in clinic. It was accurate. So I am with you, about 2.5 pounds a day is what I loose.
All of my foods thus far have been step 2 slider foods. I think thats what they are called (I'm a newb). I have eaten nothing but Protein supplements, Soup, Greek yogurt and sip Water all day.
For the first time in over 5 years I was able to walk 1 complete mile without any back pain (which was the reason I got the surgery, facet joint disorder in my lower back). I feel energized all the time where as before surgery, I would want to take naps during the day. Could barely stay awake for an 8 hour shift at work.
I had a couple friends tell me that even after 6 weeks of being on disability they could barely muster the energy to go back to work. IM on my second week off and I am dying to go back to work (Ok, I am not dying to go to work but you get the idea ).
Glad I am not alone in thinking that I am loosing too fast!

I decided to do a before and after because even though I knew I had lost weight, I just couldn't see it. These pics were taken exactly a year apart. The pic on the right is me at about 351. The left is me now 4 months post op and down 78 pounds. I'm glad that I kept that dress! Everyone should take lots of pictures! After looking at this I finally see it!

All Proteins shakes are not equal, I found some shakes upset my stomach and I am not even post surgery yet!
From a nutritional website:
whey Protein isolate is the highest percentage Protein you can buy. whey protein isolates are typically about 90% protein before manufacturers add in flavors or sweeteners. That means there's little room for anything else. As a result, most whey isolates are fat-free, are very low in carbs, and are lactose free. This makes whey isolates ideal for those dieters trying to dramatically reduce carb consumption or bodybuilders trying to cut-up right before a contest.
For kids or adults who are sensitive to the small amount of lactose found in whey protein concentrate, then these lactose-free whey isolates are an ideal choice. From a taste standpoint, compared to whey concentates, whey isolates have a more watery consistency and tend to taste slightly better.
A typical serving of whey isolate contains about 25 grams of protein, 2-3 grams of carbs and 0 grams of fat. Try the clean, refreshing, light taste of whey protein isolate.
Maybe take a look at the types of shakes you have tried, although you have tried different brands it may be the same kind of protein and additives. Good luck!!

so i had the ct scan , had to drink half a bottle of barium and they stuck me four times trying to get an iv then gave up. the problem is they didnt find a leak instead they found enlarged lymph nodes in my abdomen and dont know why. So tomorrow they are going to schedule me for an endoscopy. SIgh. The most obvious cause would be the horrible C word. which i wont even type. So keep your fingers crossed, say a prayer, throw up a gang sign, whatever you have, Ill take it.

Scurry that's us in a nutshell! We are carbaholics and there us NO rationing when they are around. And we act irrationally in the presence of spaghetti. I smother onions and mash cauliflower season and eat the whole damn thing in one sitting cuz it's my potato substitute

Hey there friends, It has been a long time since I have been on this site. I feel bad for walking away but I just got really comfortable in my new lifestyle and I didn't need as much support but I forgot that others needed mine. I had my surgery September 11, 2012. I was almost 240 pounds when I had the surgery and lost down to 121 pounds but everyone especially my husband said I was too skinny (what a great problem to have) so I purposefully gained back a few pounds and now fluctuate between 128-132. Over the holidays and a 6 month long trip I gained a couple of pounds but have never gone over 136. I do weigh myself every day because I have to make sure I keep on top of every ounce. It IS possible to gain all the weight back. The sleeve is not a magic fix but it certainly is a wonderful tool! I have to be super careful with carbs, I will just admit that I am still addicted. I had stayed away so long because of my after surgery diet and thought I had kicked the habit but I still struggle with it (Just bought a few bags of single serving chips this morning) Old habits die hard or maybe they never truly die! I'm an addict. I can eat my weight in chips, crackers, Cookies etc so I have to be super careful. If you are just now beginning to eat carbs on your diet then please think extra extra careful about what you put into your mouth and introduce into your diet. You think that because you have had this surgery and because you haven't had any carbs for so long that you can handle it, but it is difficult! Still 2 1/2 years after surgery it is a constant battle to stay within my comfort zone of weight.
You also HAVE to exercise! Just do SOMETHING! Don't rely on the surgery to do it all for you. You have to tone up the areas that still jiggle....yes, over a 110 pounds later and 2 1/2 years later I still have several areas that jiggle and I don't like. I challenge you to take 30 minutes a day and just do something whether it is hard core sweaty gym exercise, or if it is just 30 minutes of walking, just DO SOMETHING!!!!!!!
Also know that the scale isn't going to move every day! And some days it will go up and you will be so discouraged. Go into the surgery (if you haven't had it yet) knowing this fact. I personally weighed myself every day and kept a journal, for some people this isn't a good idea, for me it was, I could see the progress and realize that I was just at a plateau and that eventually if I kept up doing what I was suppose to do (no cheating) that my body would do what it was supposed to do and the scale would reflect it.
I also took pics before my surgery and measurements and every month for the whole first year I took after pics and new measurements. this is a great way to encourage yourself and see your progress along the way!
I am a success story for sure. Although it is a constant concern and I am still working on it every day! I can share clothes with my daughter and I am now an inspiration to others. You can do it!
So to answer your question....weigh gained since surgery, yes but on purpose because I had lost too much, a good problem to have. I do know it is possible to gain my weight back but I am going to fight for what I want and I want to keep this weight off forever!!!

Okie dokie........Who is in charge here? Your kids? Your mate? Your Taste buds? Or You? Hopefully it's you. I am guessing you already are very aware that even though you are closing in on two years out from surgery, you still need to focus on Protein and control the carbs. So, then, your problem would be a matter of logistics and execution.
Let's imagine that you are a project manager for an organization, and you have been tasked with finding and implementing a way to provide a sensible and affordable way for a bariatric post-op patient to obtain a healthy and balanced high Protein diet on a budget, in a way that satisfies other members of the family.
First you have to determine what you will need to pull this off. So, you brainstorm with your household members about what Proteins you will eat, what Proteins they will eat, and what you have never tried but might give it a go - just this once. This can include sub-topics: hamburger for example. Will they eat burgers, meatloaf, meatballs, tacos, sloppy joes, etc.
You have to go through this same process with vegetables. What will you eat, what will they eat, what will anyone try? You do not need to mention creative ideas you have for disguising vegetables in foods they will eat. This way, the family can feel like they have some input rather than you just imposing a restricted diet on them.
Let them know that there are certain things you should be spare with, that maybe they can help you resist. I am talking about bread and Buns, white potatoes, rice, noodles, and pastries. For example you will make pizza for the family, but they should not make fun of you for not eating the crust. When you make spaghetti and meatballs, they can have some spaghetti noodles, but you will be eating green Beans instead. Dessert will be apples, not apple pie. They won't starve.
Secondly, you have to determine what the obstacles are, and eliminate them one by one.
Tight Budget: Think of all the money you might be spending in drive-throughs and on pre-packaged products. Resolution?: Start cooking from scratch. Stay away from the inside aisles of the store. Except for some spices now and then, nearly everything you need for a healthy and balanced diet is on the perimeter aisles of the store. This one rule will save you money all by itself: do not buy anything made in a factory. Your income can be their money or yours. Which way will it be?
Protein is more expensive than junk edibles ( I don't call then foods). Truth be told, dear, your kids and mate do not need that junk any more than you do. You are trying to keep human beings alive, so you need natural foods intended for human consumption. A chicken can be roast chicken for one meal (you aren't still frying, are you?) and then you can take the carcass and bits and make a delicious both broth chicken Soup with carrots, celery, onions, even some Beans (all cheap) and have an awesome delicious and nutritious Soup.
eggs need to be your best friend. There are so many ways you can prepare them. I keep deviled eggs on hand all the time. They are my go-to when I am desperate. Last week, I took a dozen eggs and scrambled them up in a bowl with some ham bits left over from a baked ham, shredded cheese, diced green pepper (red and yellow cost a lot more). If I have an avocado in season, I will dice that up and throw it in, too. I took all of that and put it in a muffin pan, and baked omelet muffins. Then I froze them. One is just the right amount for my Breakfast, with a little salsa.
tuna salad, cheeses, Peanut Butter, salmon patties, turkey (you don't have to wait for Thanksgiving - and you know how leftover turkey seems to multiply in the fridge). You might need to Google clever ways to cook cheaper cuts of meat. It can be done. My mother did it all the time, and grandma did it with twelve kids during the Great Depression.
Grow your own food, if you can. If you have room for a garden, plant something. A pack of seeds cost so little, and you get delicious fresh veggies in return for your trouble. Besides, kids need to know where real food comes from.
I don't have the time, energy or motivation to exercise: This is a tough one. I don't want to exercise either, but I make myself do it, just like I hope you are making your kids brush their teeth. I discovered that my biggest available and under-used block of time was when I was parked in front of the TV, snacking on crap. When I got my sleeve, I ordered several (oops - 34 over time) exercise DVD's for variety. However, if money is tight, there are jillions (that's a real number here in Chicago) of YouTube options. I was a slave to the TV. I finally had to decide what was more important - living longer for my mate, my kids, and my grandkids, or what was on TV.
Can't afford weights? A can of green beans weighs one pound. A gallon of milk weighs eight pounds. Lift a five pound bag of apples over your head a few times or move it from side to side in rotation. Last year I made a fitness trail in my back yard. At every stop I would do a different exercise: push-ups against the oak tree, leg lifts at the picnic table, carry a big rock from the garden to one spot and back, lunges from one stop to the next, using two milk jugs filled with Water to do bicep curls, chest flys, deadlifts - that sort of thing, squats by the gas grill.........see what I mean? I spent NO MONEY on my fitness trail. On alternate days, I put my CD player on the picnic table and just walk laps around the yard for half an hour.
Today needs to be your point of no return - no more gain back. Turn this derailed train back on the track and proceed toward your goal. Show your kids that you only fail if you give up. You know that if you did this once, you can do it twice. This time next year, you just might be the healthier, happier you that you were hoping for. P.S. Dance like nobody's watching. Put on some crazy loud music that makes you happy and do your housework to that. It will help. Love and hugs from Chicago. You can DO this!

When I was overweight, I never viewed myself as overweight when I looked at myself in a mirror. Generally I never saw myself in a photograph because normally I was the one taking the photograph. So looking at myself in the mirror to see my weight loss would not work.
I intentionally took a unflatering photograph of myself before surgery and then an almost identical photograph around 6 months after surgery. When I put them side by side, this is what I saw.
http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Operation.jpg

Two things have come to mind since I posted this today. First, I think I have been sooooo used to being heavy, and it has been such a quick ride to where I am now, I just can't seem to get adjusted to the new me. It may take some serious time. I have been heavy for a long time now, about 35 years. So I shouldn't be surprised that it may take me some time to get used to being thinner. Yes, I should give myself a break.
Second, after reading all of your thoughtful and considerate responses, I do, indeed, have a very good chance at dealing with all of this WITH you, instead of on the sidelines. And I thank each and every one of you for you responses. It is not an easy thing we deal with, first the physical battle, then the mental battle. AND WHO SAID THIS WAS THE EASY WAY OUT?!
Finally, I was told by a "friend" years ago, that my "style" was so predictable. She could pick out something I would buy (before I would even look at it) when we went shopping as a "Jen" top (or pant or whatever...). Not a flattering thing to realize about yourself. So after I finished posting this, this morning, I went and looked in my closet. SURE ENOUGH! The "new" things I had purchased are EXACT replicas (different patterns, perhaps) of the things I wore when I was heavier. So maybe I need to change up my style a bit, get OUT of the old habits and into the new, the new Jen. Maybe then I can see a different picture, and the bloody mirror can go "crack-up"!!!
A sincere "Thank You" to all who responded, and who may yet respond, I am eternally grateful. All my best to all of you...