Inner Surfer Girl

I think we all go into this with doubts and fear of failure. It is what many of us have experienced with traditional dieting our whole lives. A little bit of that fear is probably healthy. What has worked for me so far is to: Decide to do everything my bariatric team asked me to do, even if I thought I couldn't and/or if I was afraid. Follow my surgeon's instructions (pre- and post-op). Track my food. I use MyFitnessPal. Get at least 64 oz of Fluid every day. Get at least 100 grams of Protein every day. Avoid (for the most part) added sugars, starches, and fried foods. Take my Vitamins and supplements as directed. Exercise regularly. Practice eating mindfully, taking small bites, and chewing thoroughly. Participate in BariatricPal. Attend support groups when I am able. Weigh infrequently, especially in the first few months after surgery. Avoid carbonation and caffeine. Practice creativity. Manage stress the best way I can. Celebrate my successes: my favorite rewards are things like massages and mani/pedis. And, most importantly, embrace the inevitable stalls. Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I know you only want comments from people who agree with you, but am going to share my thoughts anyway. I had a serious diet pop habit pre-op and really did not know if I would be able to kick the habit or could stick with it. I can seriously say that other than the sleeve, weight loss, increase in mobility, etc., breaking the diet pop habit is probably one of the biggest healthy changes I have made in my life. I slowly weaned myself off of carbonation and then caffeine pre-op. I can honestly say that I do not miss either at a year post-op. I think one of the most important critical success factors for me was my decision to do everything my bariatric team asked me to do, even if I thought I couldn't or didn't want to. At some point you need to decide how important your health and your life is to you. The Coca-Cola company was the only one benefitting from my addiction to their products, I certainly wasn't.

Congratulations, you are right on schedule. None of us lose at a constant or steady rate. We all experience stalls and slow downs. Almost everyone experiences a stall about three weeks after surgery. Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the process of losing a significant amount of weight. Just follow your program. Focus on getting in all of your fluids and Protein, and stay off the scale. Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Are you sure it is no more than 1 oz every 15 minutes and not AT LEAST 1 oz every 15 minutes? I would double-check that if I were you. It is so counter to everything I know about my recovery.

Not really, but the moister the better. There are much better cooks around here who can give you some ideas.

I highly recommend you stay off the scale. Early out I only weighed at my doctors appointments. I don't remember how much I lost by my first follow-up, but I do remember being very happy.

I know not drinking enough, consuming a lot of sodium, and hormone fluctuations can cause Water retention for me. This sounds like a great question for your NUT.

I hope you find someone and that you are able to keep an open mind, too. I just think going into this expecting to go against your surgeon's orders and wanting someone who will enable you in that doesn't sound like a very wise strategy in my opinion. Best of luck in your journey. Keep posting your questions, concerns, and issues. There is a wealth of experience, knowledge, and encouragement to be found on this site. I would highly recommend you see if you can find a counselor or therapist to work with who is familiar with bariatric patients if at all possible.

You really cannot compare yourself to other people. None of us lose at a constant or steady rate. None of us lose at the same rate as someone else. We all experience periodic stalls and slow downs. Almost everyone experiences a stall about three weeks post op. There is nothing wrong with sharing your feelings. I think what everyone is saying to you is that you are doing great. Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Have you talked to your NUT? You just may need to go back to basics. Are you: following your program? Tracking your food? Getting at least 64 oz of Fluid a day? Meeting your Protein target every day? Taking your Vitamins and supplements as directed? Avoiding starches, added sugars, and fried foods? Exercising? Getting enough restful sleep? Eating mindfully, taking small it's and chewing thoroughly? Without more information it is hard to offer suggestions. Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I don't know your organizational culture, but any organization where HR folks are afraid to take sufficient time off to recover from any surgery or any personal issue, is a huge red flag for me. You may not know it, but whatever you do is setting an example for other people in your organization. I had a former boss recently pass away at a very young age (from something that was very treatable), but he was one of these people who felt it was some sort of moral failing (or at least professional failing) to take time for sick days or even vacation days. Accumulated sick and vacation time does not help you if you are dead. I don't know your organizational culture, but any organization where HR folks are afraid to take sufficient time off to recover from any surgery or any personal issue, is a huge red flag for me. You may not know it, but whatever you do is setting an example for other people in your organization. I had a former boss recently pass away at a very young age (from something that was very treatable), but he was one of these people who felt it was some sort of moral failing (or at least professional failing) to take time for sick days or even vacation days. Accumulated sick and vacation time does not help you if you are dead. I don't know your organizational culture, but any organization where HR folks are afraid to take sufficient time off to recover from any surgery or any personal issue, is a huge red flag for me. You may not know it, but whatever you do is setting an example for other people in your organization. I had a former boss recently pass away at a very young age (from something that was very treatable), but he was one of these people who felt it was some sort of moral failing (or at least professional failing) to take time for sick days or even vacation days. Accumulated sick and vacation time does not help you if you are dead. I don't know your organizational culture, but any organization where HR folks are afraid to take sufficient time off to recover from any surgery or any personal issue, is a huge red flag for me. You may not know it, but whatever you do is setting an example for other people in your organization. I had a former boss recently pass away at a very young age (from something that was very treatable), but he was one of these people who felt it was some sort of moral failing (or at least professional failing) to take time for sick days or even vacation days. Accumulated sick and vacation time does not help you if you are dead.

I was fortunate that I wasn't working so didn't have to worry about rushing back to work. I had a great recovery, no complications, and no real issues, but I would suggest you take at least 2 weeks. The first couple of weeks getting in all of the Protein and fluids can be a full time job. The only real issue that I had was a bit of mental fogginess that lasted for a good while (probably due to the low carbs). I don't see any upside to rushing back to work if you have the option to take some time.

In reading through the responses I see nothing but positive feedback. I am confused.

It sounds like you are going in the right direction. Have you talked to your surgeon and your NUT about your concerns? Are you on track based on their expectations? We all lose at different rates: some of it based on starting weight, activity level, age, other medical issues, metabolism, etc. What exactly are you doing? Are you tracking your food? Are you getting AT LEAST 64 oz of Fluid every day? Are you getting in all of your Protein every day? What is your protein target? (Mine is 100 grams a day.) Are you taking your Vitamins and supplements as directed? Are you avoiding starches, added sugars, and fried foods? Are you exercising? (Are you eating enough to support your exercise intensity?) Are you getting enough restful sleep every night? Have you measured yourself lately --- are you losing inches? Without more detail it is hard to give feedback/suggestions that might be helpful for you. Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

The parameter is "under 5 minutes" so maybe that applies in your case?

If you approach this process seriously, which it sounds like you are doing, you will learn and grow in so many areas that can't help but benefit you in whatever you choose to do in life. The WLS process is like a boot camp on self development. Make the most of it!

My surgeon didn't have any restrictions on the color of Clear liquids. If your surgeon or NUT give you an instruction you don't understand, it is perfectly ok to ask why or for clarification until you understand.

Adding: I found this website that has a list of laughing yoga ideas http://www.laughteronlineuniversity.com/150-laughter-exercises/

Guac isn't bad.....lots of good fats and flavor that will keep you satisfied for hours. Fritos........kick those bishes to the curb. Fried anything........again, kick that crap. Admittedly, I haven't gone back and read other replies...you most likely have already read better advice and applied it. I hope you kick some arse. Guacamole isn't bad if you aren't on your pre-op diet like the OP did not mention in the initial post. Context is everything!

Actually, this sounds like a great idea. It sounds like he just wants to make sure you are doing this for you and not because of outside pressure. A pro and con list will not only help you clarify your decision, it is something you can refer to when times are tough. I also recommend you write about what you want your life to be like. A bucket list of things you want to: see, do, accomplish, experience, etc. will also be helpful.

I attended our bariatric support group today and we had a guest speaker talk about ways to relieve stress in under 5 minutes, including: Relaxed Breathing. (See Exercise #2 here: http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART00521/three-breathing-exercises.html) Creating. Laughing. Being still/meditating. Unplugging. Saying "No". What are some easy ways that you relieve stress on a daily basis?

Congratulations! This is great to hear.

Well, if your mushy phase is about three weeks post-op then it is right on schedule. The first stall isn't related to the food phase/texture but on your bodies need to replenish the glycogen in your liver, among other things.

When food is Love by Geneen Roth (actually, anything by Geneen Roth) Eat it Up! by Connie Stapleton Overeater's Anonymous literature (OA.org) Alcoholic's Anonymous Big Book (replace alcohol and alcoholic with food and compulsive eater and it applies) Not food related, but very helpful: The One Life Solution by Dr. Henry Cloud Anything by Brene Brown The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie

I couldn't resist.