Inner Surfer Girl

I don't know where people are getting the 2 week timeframe. According to my surgeon, things like steroid use can cause leaks much later than 2 weeks after surgery. Leaks are very rare. If you have concerns, please talk to your surgeon.

It is never too late. You still have your sleeve. Why not make an appointment with your NUT to talk about your goals? A good therapist may also be able to help you get back on track. In the meantime, go back to basics. Follow your program. Track your food. Get at least 64 oz Fluid every day. Meet your Protein target every day. What is your protein target? Avoid starches, added sugars (especially high fructose corn syrup), and fried foods. Take your Vitamins and supplements as directed. Exercise. And, Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I had some physical limitations at my highest weight (climbing onto a pedicure chair, getting up on a massage table), but I am not aware of any weight-related limitations for getting a manicure.

You need more than 30 grams of protein a day (closer to 80-100), and you need AT LEAST 64 oz of Fluid a day. None of us lose at a constant or steady rate. We all experience stalls and slow downs. If you are planning to lose a significant amount of weight, you will experience different rates of loss and periodic stalls. Just follow your program. Focus on getting in all of your protein and fluids, take your Vitamins and supplements as directed, exercise, and stay off the scale. Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

There is absolutely nothing wrong with cooking meals. Just be prepared for lots of leftovers. We are allowed to eat!

The best motivation I have is fun. What do you like to do? Swim? Dance? Walk?

I try to swim at least every other day (and sometimes two days in a row). I generally do 1 hour of laps and then some an work and stretching. Some days I add in Water weights. Sometimes I take a water aerobics class.

I can't remember. Maybe by my 4th week or so?

Some things to keep in mind: Limiting how much you use/stress your abdominal muscles. You don't want incisional hernias or to stress your incisions. Not immersing in Water. I wasn't cleared to swim until My incisions had healed. General healing. Most of the energy in the first couple of weeks needs to go toward healing. Until you are able to consume enough calories for your basic needs, you may not have a lot of energy for strenuous exercise. It is ok to take it relatively easy and rest while you heal.

Are you tracking your food? Are you getting in all of your Protein and fluids? Are you avoiding starches, added sugars (especially high fructose corn syrup), and fried foods? Are you taking your Vitamins? Are you exercising? Have you talked to your NUT about your concerns?

I am not sure. How much sugar is in it? You could try adding chocolate Protein powder to regular cream of wheat. If cocoa wheat doesn't have a lot of sugar you could add Protein Powder to it.

This! And because high fructose corn syrup is in EVERYTHING. Including children's Tylenol.

I can't wait til my wedding ring fits again! No manicures for me though. I do too much artwork with charcoal and pastels. My hands are always a mess and I'd quickly ruin a manicure. Then definitely get a pedicure (unless you paint with your toes)!

I am not a fan of tattoos but I really like your choices!

Why not try adding an extra protein-based snack?

I LOVE cheese. I am a year out and some of the richer/denser cheeses are still a bit hard for me. I certainly eat smaller amounts now.

"Too huggy?" There is no such thing! You can always decline hugs, but why would you want to? Hugs are some of the best things in life!

Examples of Using Mindfulness in Times of Crisis http://mrsmindfulness.com/how-to-use-mindfulness-in-times-of-crisis-challenge/

You may also want to consider attending some OA meetings (OA.org). It is a great program for helping recover from food obsession and other eating issues.

Congratulations on your weight loss. What does your post-op food plan look like? I think your goal of increasing your energy requires examining where you stand with your Water, nutrition, Vitamins, exercise, and sleep, and making adjustments. Have you talked to your NUT lately? What does he or she recommend? Are you: following your program? Tracking your food? Getting at least 64 oz of Fluid a day? Reaching your Protein target every day? (What is your protein target?) Avoiding starches, added sugars (especially high fructose corn syrup), and fried foods? Taking your vitamins and supplements as directed? Getting enough restful sleep? Exercising regularly? Getting enough nutrition (especially protein and water) is critical for your hair, skin, nails, muscles, etc.

I was sleeved April 20, 2015 and have been very happy with my recovery and my choice so far. The sleeve is a very effective and safe choice. I recommend that you learn as much as you can about your options and then talk with your surgeon about which procedure is right for you. Ultimately. The procedure that is best is the one that is right for you.

Oops. I see where you are looking for a therapist. I think you would really benefit from talking with someone. Also, I recommend the book "Eat it Up" by Connie Stapleton.

@@KristenLe I did. And I gained 5 in about 3-4 days. (I weighed daily to see) That was 2 weeks ago. So since then I went back down in calories and I'm just holding. I'm trying to replace a few meals with shakes to see if it helps. I probably just need to give the scale a break. You may need to stay off the scale for a while. Increasing your calories by a couple of hundred calories is not going to result in 5 pounds of fat regain overnight. It was probably your body retaining Water or something. There is no direct relationship between what you eat one day and the numbers on the scale the next day. Our bodies are complex systems and not simple machines. Frankly, it sounds to me like you are trying to "control" your body rather than work with your body. Do you have a counselor or therapist you can talk to?

800 calories is really unsustainable over the long term in my opinion. For me, I need to eat more than that to keep my metabolism burning. Why not try adding some calories? Extra protein, complex carbs, and/or some healthy fats. Trying to go lower and lower in calories will only slow down your metabolism. What does your NUT suggest?