Inner Surfer Girl

I understand your fear. This was my first surgery ever and I had no idea what to expect. I just knew that without surgery I was going to die much sooner and my quality of life couldn't get much worse. I was sleeved April 20 of 2015 and I couldn't be happier with my surgery, my recovery, and my progress so far. I still have a long way to go but have already improved my quality of life tremendously. I experienced very little pain and no nausea. I wouldn't say the first few weeks after surgery were easy but they were much better than I anticipated. You have to do what is right for you, but for me the worst part of the whole experience is where you are now: that time of uncertainty right before surgery. Like many people, the only regret I have is that I couldn't do it sooner, but all in all the timing has worked out great for me.

My swim cap is my friend! Plus, both pools I swim in are salt water do the chlorine isn't as strong.

Without knowing what you are doing (or not doing) it is hard to give specific advice. Are you following your program? Do you eat slowly and chew thoroughly? Do you track your food? Do you eat Protein first? Do you meet or exceed your protein target every day? Do you get at least 64 oz of Fluid every day? Do you avoid starches and added sugars? Do you take your Vitamins and supplements as directed every day? Do you exercise? Have you talked to your NUT lately about your goals? With more information we can be more helpful. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I have really thick hair (fine in texture but a lot of it). I was sleeved in April and haven't noticed any significant hair loss so far. I used to wear my hair long but soon after surgery I cut it short and get frequent trims. I also have been able to get at least 100 grams of Protein a day almost every day since the second day after surgery and take my Vitamins.

Just to add, simply adding something like sliced fresh tomato or avocado makes a good side for me. It doesn't have to be fancy.

Congratulations! Just beautiful!

You have received some great advice. A few things I focused on pre-op were to: Wean myself off of carbonation and caffeine gradually. Increase my Water consumption. Eat more healthy, whole foods and fewer processed foods. Exercise more. Pre-op I was pretty immobile. In the summer I was able to swim some in our pool at home but was not able to do so in the winter. I got an exercise peddler and peddled with my hands in front of the tv. I worked up to peddling at least 60 minutes a day. I also got some resistance bands and Dumbbells. Post-op, once I was cleared to get back in the pool, my exercise of choice is swimming. Now I swim as often as I can and was able to join our local wellness center that has an indoor pool. I swim laps, do ab work and water weights, and take an occasional water aerobics class. Walking is a great way for many people to get started exercising, but if you have access to a pool, I highly recommend you consider water exercise. It's great on the joints.

It doesn't hurt to revisit your goals and to go back to basics. Do you journal? Try writing out a list of what you can accomplish now that you couldn't do before surgery and what you still want to do. How is your life different? What do you want your life to look like? Another thing that helps me is to reward myself. I have chosen to schedule massages when I get to some significant milestones. It gives me something to look forward to. You may also want to consider making an appointment with your NUT to revisit your goals and/or attend some support group meetings. In the meantime. Follow your program. Focus on getting in all of your Protein and Water. Take your Vitamins and supplements as instructed. And, exercise. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

None of us lose at a constant or steady rate. I was sleeved in April and my weight loss has slowed with periodic stalls, but the physical changes I have been undergoing have been tremendous. I am becoming more mobile and more active and am still shrinking. Just continue to follow your program. Focus on getting in all of your Protein and fluids. Take your Vitamins and supplements as directed. And, exercise. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I am having about 600-800 calories per day. I just started exercising again last week. Hope I see some results again. What is your Protein target? Mine is 100 grams a day, which means I have to eat frequent small meals and Snacks. Skipping meals is a huge red flag. That is a very bad habit to get into for anyone but especially if you are trying to lose weight. It wrecks your metabolism. Have you talked to your NUT lately? If not, I would suggest you make an appointment. In the meantime: Follow your program. Track your food. Focus on getting in all of your protein and AT LEAST 64 oz. of Fluid every day. Take your Vitamins and supplements as directed. And, exercise.

I won't count as one of your ten because I am a Sleever, but wanted to welcome you. I think your surgeon's idea of asking you to talk to people who have had the surgery is great. Best of luck with your surgery.

Congratulations! It is so exciting to see you go from couch potato to hiker in such a short time. That is so encouraging and motivating.

I am a huge fan of any kind of swimming and Aqua exercise. Currently I swim laps (can only really propel myself with backstroke), do Water weights/ab work, and take occasional water aerobics classes. If you are new to swimming and water fitness you might want to consider taking some water aerobics classes or even sign up for a private lesson or two to get some tips. I am also sure the pool staff can give you some tips or ideas. You can do all sorts of exercises with weights, noodles, kick boards, etc. I've learned a lot of exercises and techniques throughout the years just taking a variety of water aerobics classes.

I didn't do more than walk some until I was cleared to get in the pool (about 4 weeks post-op if I remember correctly).

Thank you so much for sharing your struggles with us. I know how hard it is to let go of perfection. There is a reason I am currently reading Brene Brown's The Gift of Imperfection. You sound so tired and overwhelmed in your post. I hereby give you permission to do things imperfectly and most of all to have fun! Keep sharing!

Congratulations and Happy Birthday! This is awesome!

Congratulations! This is awesome!

These are some of the critical success factors for me: Eating slowly and chewing thoroughly. Eating protein first. Focusing on reaching or exceeding my protein and water targets every day. Taking my Vitamins and supplements. And, exercising.

One of my go to's is green beans. Starting with my soft phase I often add green beans to my meal. I like the single serve green beans but my absolute favorite are green beans from Lee's Chicken. I often keep a large in my fridge and add one or two tablespoons to my meal. Easy.

Get in the pool. You will love it. I know I do. If it weren't for the pool I wouldn't get much exercise at all. I can do things in the Water that I could never do on land. It is so worth it.

I just wanted to post today because I hit a significant milestone. I am in the 300's! My scale this morning read 398.8 and I am thrilled. I can't remember the last time I was under 400. It has to have been over a decade ago and maybe two. I was really good about sticking my head in the sand for a very long time. Just saying the numbers out loud is a huge change for me. I also started treatment on my lymphedema a couple of weeks ago. I met with the PT pre-surgery and we decided to wait until after surgery to start aggressive treatment. It already seems to be helping. I am also starting a creative writing class this evening in a neighboring city. I couldn't have done that a year ago, especially in the winter time because I was having such a hard time getting around. Now, I need to schedule my next reward massage!

Congratulations on your success and thank you so much for posting. I am following so I can learn.

I'm not sure who told you that, but it makes zero sense (at least to me). Why would a hearty low fat soup be empty calories? Why wouldn't a 150 calorie Protein shake also be "drinking your calories"? I did speak to my surgeon about soup/liquids versus solid food and she told me that it made no difference other than how full you feel (very much with solid foods, not so much with soup). A few weeks ago we had lunch at PF Changs and before I ordered, I went to their web site and looked at calories. I end up having a cup of Hot and Sour Soup (80 calories) and Pan Fried Shrimp Potstickers (190) -- quite a treat, low carb, and only 270 calories. That said, you must be well informed when you order Chinese. There are a lot of high calorie dishes that look healthy! Check out this vegan magnet -- "Hand Made Butternut Squash Dumplings" - 1110 Calories! https://www.pfchangs.com/menu/nutrition/main/ It's not about the calories, it's about not filling you up. A chunky soup can be pretty filling if you focus on eating the chunky bits, as I do. But otherwise soup is basically eating and drinking at the same time, which we aren't supposed to do because it flushes the solids through more quickly and doesn't keep your stomach full as long. This is one instance where I think you get different advice between RNY and sleeve. I think Sleevers can handle liquids and Soups better than bypass folks because we still have a pyloric valve. I love soup. I don't eat it often but I don't avoid it.

I have a lot more than 200 pounds to lose and both I and my surgeon were confident in choosing the sleeve.

Best of luck and congratulations. It sounds like you are off to a great start.