Inner Surfer Girl

The best thing to do is work on getting in all of your protein and fluids.

You have to read the labels on baby food very carefully. Some of it has a lot of carbs. I didn't have a puree phase (just soft food), but it is fairly easy to eat regular, adult soft or puréed food without resorting to baby food. Think: Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, refried Beans, ricotta bake, etc.

It sounds like you need to have your GYN and/or your PCP fill out the form.

...or, you could be thirsty.

I love cheese and splurge on it all the time. I went to a Green Living Fair this weekend and came home with among other things: ramps, a bag of black Beans, smoked salmon, and three kinds of cheese. One of the cheeses is cheddar cured in blueberry wine.

I agree that upping your calories is probably a good idea. Especially if you aren't hitting your protein numbers.

My surgeon gave me a detailed list and a recommended schedule.

Here is the article. I would consider it a "must read". http://www.dirgemag.com/ted-bundy-feminism/

This reminds me of an article I just read about Ted Bundy. I'll see if I can find it. (By the way, thanks for the invitation to the ladies.)

It gets better. You just had major surgery, your hormones are in flux, you are probably dehydrated, and you are alone. It is perfectly understandable that you aren't feeling 100%. Be gentle with yourself. Can you walk much? How is the weather? If you are able, take a walk outside. Focus on getting in all of your Protein and fluids. The sooner you can get there, the better you will feel. Do you have a friend or family member you can reach out to? Many of us want to help but don't really know what you need until asked. It is ok to ask for help, even if it is just someone to talk to or a shoulder to cry on. We are here to help.

For me, one of the biggest benefits to WLS is the chance to regain my life and do things and go places I haven't had a chance to do for a very long time. In addition, I will eventually get to buy regular-sized clothes. From buying myself flowers, shopping at the local farmer's market, browsing vintage stores, to traveling, this article has some good ideas about how to save money while "living large": http://time.com/money/4275035/live-large-on-a-small-budget/?xid=frommoney_soc_socialflow_facebook_money What are some of the ways you have "lived large" after WLS?

It really is for life. I recommend keeping one "before" item so you have something tangible to show as a reminder of where you came from and get rid of the rest.

Best of luck with your surgery. If it turns out that your family doesn't come through for you, know that we are rooting for you. Be sure and let the hospital's patient advocate or social worker know if you need help getting home. They may have a solution. Best of luck and keep us posted on how you are doing.

My surgery was delayed due to financing issues. My insurance didn't cover the surgery but I discovered a program through our state's vocational rehab office. It was a great option, but it meant I had to go through their application process. Ultimately, it delayed my surgery and I even had to repeat some of my pre-op testing. The good news, by the time my surgery date came around I was extremely prepared: mentally, physically, and emotionally. Everything went well and I couldn't have asked for a better experience, recovery, and results so far. Everything happens for a reason.

You may be hungry. Why not plan for a small, high-protein evening snack?

Best of luck with your surgery and keep us posted on how you are doing. You've got this!

Everyone is different. Just follow your surgeon's instructions. Don't try to make it harder on yourself. That said, one thing that helped me was to gradually wean myself off of carbonation and caffeine pre-op. It will be difficult getting in all of your fluids immediately post-op and it won't help if you are also going through caffeine withdrawal, too. Best of luck with your surgery.

Talk to your surgeon or PCP about your specific needs. Pre-op, I was advised to take a Multivitamin, D3, and extra Iron because I was anemic.

I also wanted to add --- for me, the biggest success factors are: Following my program. Tracking, weighing, and measuring my food. Getting in all of my Protein every day. For me that is at least 100 grams. Getting AT LEAST 64 oz of Fluid every day. Avoiding starches, added sugars (especially high fructose corn syrup), fried foods, carbonation, and caffeine. Taking my Vitamins and supplements as directed. Exercising regularly. Weighing infrequently. And, learning to embrace the inevitable stalls. http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall You won't be able to do everything easily when you first get out of surgery so your primary focus will be getting in all of your protein and fluids. That is why you will need to sip, sip, sip. In addition, getting up and walking right away will help you with the gas and with your recovery.

Welcome and best of luck with your surgery. Some things that helped me: Weaning myself off of carbonation pre-op. Weaning myself off of caffeine pre-op. Following my surgeon's and NUTs instructions. If you are not sure about something or don't understand, ask questions until you do understand. Being rigorously honest with myself and my medical team. Doing everything I was asked to do even if I thought I couldn't. This was my first surgery and had no idea what to expect. I couldn't' be happier with my experience, my recovery, and my results so far. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Congratulations on the new baby! Have you made an appointment with your NUT to talk about your goals and challenges? That would be a good place to start. In the meantime, why not go back to basics. Are you tracking, weighing, and measuring your food? Eat Protein first. Don't drink with meals. Make sure you get in all of your protein every day. What is your protein target? Make sure you get in at least 64 oz of Fluid every day. Avoid starches added sugars (especially high fructose corn syrup), fried foods, and carbonation. Take your Vitamins and supplements as directed. And exercise. It may not be easy, but you can lose weight. You have done it before. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

I am so sorry your family is unsupportive and unhelpful. It may be their misguided way of dealing with their own fears and uncertainties. As long as you are confident in your surgeon and your decision you can have faith that the chances are pretty good that everything will be alright. Best of luck with your surgery and keep us posted on how you are doing.

I can't imagine that you would want to be anything but truthful, open, and forthcoming. In order to get the best care and results you need to be rigorously honest with yourself and your surgeon and medical team.

It sounds like you just might be paying attention. I had a hiatal hernia diagnosed, too. I had no idea, but once I knew and learned more some of my symptoms made more sense. For me, the whole pre-op process was a voyage of discovery about my body. I also learned I had a heart murmur that I never knew about.

For me it is very dangerous territory to set a timeline on the number of pounds lost. That can lead to some really destructive and counterproductive behavior. Are you tracking your food? Are you getting in all of your protein and fluids? What is your protein target? Are you avoiding starches, added sugars, and fried foods? Are you taking your Vitamins and supplements as directed? Are you exercising? It sounds to me like you are doing fine, especially if you have noticed that you are losing inches. Please resist the urge to restrict your protein, it won't help you lose the weight your surgeon expects and will slow things down even more. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall