Inner Surfer Girl

Fluid fluctuations are completely normal right after post-op. Between IV fluids, swelling, water retention, dehydration, the scale is measuring everything. The best thing to do is to stay off the scale and only weigh at your doctors appointments.

I think you have seen from the responses here that it's not weird at all, but perfectly normal. Most people's loss if graphed looks more like a stair step pattern than a strait line.

Congratulations! This is so awesome. I know how great it feels to go from being basically immobile to being able to MOVE! It only gets better!

Welcome, Social Introvert. You are in the right place! My insurance didn't cover WLS. My psych and NUT were covered by a required program fee that no insurance covered and everyone had to pay upfront (they allowed us to pay in two installments). My insurance did pay for some of my pre-op tests. Just having insurance helped because those tests were billed at the insured rate rather than at the higher non-insured rate even if I had to pay for them (if that makes sense). I don't know your physical situation since you have a lower BMI, but I am disabled and was able to go through my State's Voc Rehab program. They paid for my surgery so I only paid for my program fee and pre-op testing which really helped financially.

Congratulations! It is so great to hear you happy and confident! Self-confidence is the biggest bonus. This is so great to hear.

I was farther out when I had my birthday and actually contemplated getting a cupcake. I thought if I do, one of three things would happen: I would love it, I would hate it, or it would make me sick. I figured that none of those options were good so I skipped it entirely. It's great that a couple of bites got you through.

To add, I was able to get three sweaters plus a necklace and earrings for what I would have spent on one sweater with shipping before!

Congratulations! You are in for quite an adventure. The best advice I can give you is to learn as much as you can by reading and asking lots of questions. Also, be persistent, positive, proactive and patient.

I understand your frustration completely. When it comes to weight people seem to think that boundaries and courtesy don't matter. I am fairly thick skinned. I have also noticed that even though I have been losing weight rapidly since my lower legs are still disproportionately large, I get questions and comments quite frequently. Some random person asked me about them the other day and then she asked "Have you been teased about them your whole life?" I frankly told her that they haven't been this large my whole life. That really set her back. I could tell it hadn't occurred to her that I wasn't born this way. Most people in my opinion just don't really think.

This sounds yummy.

I didn't have a puréed stage. I went from full liquids to a few stages of soft foods, so someone who had puréed may have some better ideas, but this is what I would suggest: soup, refried beans, chili, possibly fish, etc. If you go to a real restaurant, they may be able to put more dense food in a blender for you.

Happy Birthday! For me, it helps to focus on what I CAN have instead of what I can't. I hope you can find a way to treat yourself that is healthy.

I'm not a guy, but my surgeon's target for all men is at least 100 grams in case that helps.

I have had to order or have most of my clothes made for several years now. The last time I placed an online order for a sweater it turned out to be too big (even though I had measured a few weeks before). Today, I stopped at the local JC Penney and bought three sweaters a size smaller and they fit. This should tide me over through Christmas and New Years and I hope I can make it a couple of months before having to buy more since I don't mind sweaters that are a bit big. The next time I go in there I should be out of the Women's section, at least for my tops!

Its not weird. None of us lose at a constant, steady, or predictable rate. Our bodies are complex systems and not simple machines. There is a lot that goes into making our bodies smaller besides just what shows up on the scale, especially if we want the weight loss to be permanent. If the numbers on the scale are going to drive you crazy then I recommend that you weigh infrequently.

Try the Syntrax nectar fuzzy navel. I also like GNC lean shake 25 in orange cream. Both of those are great substitutes for orange juice for me.

I have seen posts and threads from several people who have had their surgery in the Middle East but I don't remember Bahrain specifically. You may want to do a search on the site.

To the OP, I would recommend looking for a NUT who works with bariatric surgery patients.

I've noticed that for particular keywords (like protein and vitamins) this site converts them to hot links so inserts extra html code which can throw off the formatting.

I don't drink orange juice. I eat tomatoes and drink V8 all the time. How far out are you?

Make sure you are following your program. Get in all of your Protein and fluids. Take your Vitamins and supplements as instructed. Exercise. And, Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I already bought my Christmas present for myself. Two massage certificates. The massage therapist at the wellness center is having a holiday sale so I took advantage of it. I do have a friend who is planning to have surgery this year. I am already mentally planning a comfort basket for her.

I would definitely ask your NUT about something like this, especially because of the carbonation.

Use you CPAP. (And, if you have oxygen you can run it through your CPAP instead of choosing one or the other). Also, I made an appointment with my sleep doctor soon after surgery because my pressure setting quickly became too high. He switched out my machine to one that has an automatically adjustable pressure.

Congratulations!