Inner Surfer Girl

I think this is fairly common. Plain water was the hardest thing for me to drink after surgery. Try different temperatures (room temperature, ice cold, etc.). I also had better luck with adding water enhancers (like crystal light or Mio drops). You might also want to try decaf tea or herb infusions either hot or iced. It does get better.

Here is some great advice about keeping motivated: http://www.livehappy.com/blogs/science-well-being/making-motivation-work

Welcome! I am glad you are home and on the mend. Frankly, I don't think bougie size is that important for me as a patient to worry about. I chose a highly skilled, successful surgeon and entrusted my care to him. Any decision he makes in the OR is for my benefit. He certainly didn't need me to micromanage his choices. Just keep walking and sipping, focus on getting in all of your fluids and Protein and you will be on the mend. As far as changing the side panel, I think you can go to account or profile settings. I use the phone app 99% of the time so don't remember all the screen names. Maybe someone who uses the computer more often can give you directions for updating your profile and creating tickers.

I don't know whether or not they are soy based (probably not), but check out:

I am half way to goal and I have some lovely bad/bat wings. (Edited because autocorrect called them "bad wings" and it actually made sense). As one of those interchangeable TV style people said: if your bat wings bother you so much, wear sleeves.

Except for the making my bed part, and the fact that high fructose corn syrup IS evil, and I don't have any money: can I join your cult? Or, at least be invited to the parties?

@@Djmohr, congratulations on reaching your goal! This is awesome!

Some of the things I did pre-op that helped: On the direction of my program started taking D3, a Multivitamin, and Iron (I had slacked off on my vitamins). Worked up to 60 minutes of exercise a day. I was pretty immobile so I got an exercise peddler and peddled with my hands while watching tv. Tracked my food and exercise. (Pre-op, I used the Weight Watcher app because I was already using it and wanted to keep continuity until surgery. Post-op I switched to MyFitnessPal). Increased my Water consumption to at least 64 oz a day. Weaned myself off of carbonation. Weaned myself off of caffeine. Ate more vegetables and whole fruit. Updated my will and made a living will. Acquired pre- and post-op supplies (kitchen scale, storage containers, etc.) Tried samples of different Protein supplements. Read and learned as much as I could. It is an exciting time. Keeping busy will help the time go by in a flash. Best of luck with your surgery.

It is exciting gearing up for surgery. Post-op, the most exciting thing for me has been seeing such a physical improvement. I have gone from barely being able to walk, needing help getting into my bed and car, to swimming laps (over a mile) regularly, with improvements every day.

Remember all those calisthenics we learned in school: arm circles, touching your shoulders, etc.? Do those. Also, get some light Dumbbells and do curls, etc.

chicken and broccoli or beef and broccoli is one of my go-to's. I also have had shrimp egg foo yung. I like shrimp, scallops, chicken, and/or beef with veggies at Japanese hibachi restaurants. I avoid rice and noodles.

I swim. It is a great full body exercise. In addition to swimming laps, I take Water aerobics and use water weights/Dumbbells. All of these really impact my arms.

The psychologist sounds at the very least mistaken, but I would say she is nuts. She does not have a crystal ball does she? From everything I have learned, read, etc., expected weight loss is based on averages derived from one or two specific studies. They aren't rules, but guidelines. Many, many people lose much more than the average projected loss, just as some people don't do as well as projected. Almost all of this is based on things you control, like following your post-op program and using every tool available to you. It sounds like you need to find a different psychologist going forward, though. Based on this I don't think she would be very helpful in the long term. Your NUT sounds much more sensible.

What is your protein target? Mine is 100 grams. Since we can't metabolize more than 25-30 grams of protein at a time, there is no way I could meet half of my protein requirement at any one meal. I have to eat 4+ times a day. If you are making protein oatmeal with more than 30 grams of protein you still need to make up that difference. It doesn't make sense to have mega doses of protein at one meal.

Its so hard to not have carbs when they are in everything I eat. Even oatmeal so I don't worry so much about them. I just try and make sure that they are as low as possible . My nut told me no fruit because there is too much sugar but I have a Halo or Cutie or 2 almost every day. I don't actually eat them just suck the juice out. Sounds weird but it satisfys me. Everyone is different, In my opinion, you would be better off eating the halo or cutie rather than just sucking out the juice. The juice is where all the sugar is and the flesh and pulp is where you get the Fiber. You might as well just be eating straight sugar if you think just sucking out the juice is somehow a good alternative. SMH.

Yes. Getting enough water is critical.

You could just cook regular oats and add Protein powder. As for high protein prepared, I have eaten the Quaker weight control oatmeal and Bariwise oatmeal.

I am so sorry she is having such a rough time. It sounds like she is truly going through the ringer. It sounds like getting to the root of her problem will take some professional help. When you give detail about her food consumption as well as attitude and skills around eating healthy, it sounds like she needs to work closely with a NUT (our term for a dietitian/nutritionist). I know I was given a detailed post-op food plan. Her issues might be related to her surgery, allergies, or something completely different. As to eating healthy, it is critical for my success to take a very proactive interest in learning new skills: like cooking! Does she have a counselor or therapist and/or attend support group meetings? The psychologist who did her clearance might be able to see her and/or refer her to someone. Participating in here is also very helpful. Does your mom have access to a smart phone? If so, using an app (like MyFitnessPal) is also very helpful. If not, she really does need to track her food. That is the only way I can KNOW I am getting in all of my Protein and fluids every day. She has to get in enough protein and fluids to heal and to lose weight. What is her protein target? Here is what I know works for new: I HAVE to: Follow my program. Weigh, measure, and track my food. Eat slowly, and mindfully. Get in at least 64 oz of Water every day. Get at least 100 grams of protein every day. Avoid added sugars, starches, and fried foods. Try to eat clean, whole foods when possible. Take all of my Vitamins and supplements as directed. Exercise. (I joined our local wellness center and swim at least 3-4+ times a week.) Weigh infrequently (no more often than once a week). I hope this helps.

My pre-op diet was basically Atkin's phase 1 so I didn't have restrictions on protein volume but I wasn't allowed to have fruit, sugar, or starches. What are your guidelines? I found it helpful to focus on what I could have instead of what I couldn't have. Drink lots of Water, decaf tea, Herb tea, etc. sugar free Popsicles are great to snack on. Can you have a lot of non-starchy vegetables? That is where you can fill up without a big calorie/sugar/carb hit if it's allowed. As my NUT said, keep reminding yourself that this is only for a short time. We can do anything for two weeks! It will get easier.

Here is a link to the story I heard on NPR that someone mentioned above: http://www.cpr.org/news/npr-story/when-loved-one-dies-overdose-what-happens-family

Definitely praying. It has got to be sobering and scary seeing complications and death first-hand so close to your surgery date. According to my surgeon, the biggest risks are pneumonia and blood clots. Just make sure you do everything you are asked to do (walking, breathing with an incentive spirometer, etc.). I wish you all the best. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Welcome, Mico. Thank you so much for sharing your story. Am I allowed to at least send a virtual hug? I hope you are able to recover well from your pneumonia. Going into surgery as healthy as possible is the best way to avoid any major complications. I was sleeved April 20, 2015 (am coming up on my 1 year Surgiversary). I can honestly say this was the best decision for me and that it has saved my life. I was one fall and one "diet" away from being bedbound. I have a long way to go still but I am already getting my life back. I wish you all the best with your surgery. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

I swim with Misfit Shine. It is branded by Speedo so I can set up the app to track my laps which is very cool.

How much Water are you drinking? (Your post is unclear.) You don't mention Protein. How much protein are you getting in every day? The 2 shakes would give you 60 grams. Working out 6 times a week for two hours a day seems pretty intense. Are you eating and drinking enough to support that level of activity? What does your NUT advise? Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Congratulations!