simplicity27

That is AWESOME! I'm so happy you've been able to drop some of your medications. I was sleeved on Oct 6. I'm with you on the cravings. Every so often I have a carb binge. You hit the nail on the head - most of the time it doesn't taste as good. When I refocus, I see the scale start dropping again. My biggest hurdle is dragging myself to the gym. I heard a great speaker just this morning. He talked about having a healthy mindset. I'm being laid off May 8 and I have a friend who competes in body sculpting. After her May 2 competition, she's going to serve as a personal trainer for me. May 11th, it's on! I'm recommitting to go to the gym however much she tells me to so I can tighten up this flab! I won't be able to complain that I'm tired from being at work all day (my current excuse). Hopefully I'll have a good routine established by the time God sends me the job he has for me.
Hang in there and keep up the great progress!!
Pam

True or False: You can let thirst be your guide for getting in fluids.


True or False: You can let thirst be your guide for getting in fluids.
False. If you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Sometimes we think we are hungry when it’s really thirst that is getting your attention. Water is the most essential nutrient humans need, meaning you can’t go very long without enough water. Water helps regulate body temperature, keeps blood volume up to transport nutrients into cells, allows waste products to be excreted, keeps blood pressure in healthier ranges, aids with digestion, helps prevent fatigue and keeps your mental function in good order.
Unless you take a diuretic (water pill), you can use your urine color to evaluate hydration. If your urine color is clear or pale yellow, you are hydrated. After surgery, it’s a real struggle to get in enough water. Looking for all sources of water is important after surgery. Keeping a water bottle with you at all times is an important strategy to keep hydrated.
You can count fluids that don’t have caffeine, calories or carbonation towards your water intake. The no-calorie flavor powders and drops can be used if plain water gets boring. All those Protein Drinks you have contain mostly water. Count 80 percent of your Protein drinks as water. Clear Liquids count as well. Clear liquids include broth, sugar free Gelatin and sugar free popsicles you focus on during the clear liquid diet phases before and after surgery.
You have a limited stomach pouch after surgery. This means your foods and fluids after surgery have to become nutrient dense, which means you need to pack in a lot of nutrition in a small volume. Hydration is a habit of very high importance. Remember, if you think you are hungry, it might be hydration that needs to be handled.

HW 285 SW 266 CW 221
I'm having a great time with my sleeve! Every time I feel a little less than successful, or start to worry about whether I will really lose all the weight I want to, I look at what I'm eating and how much activity I'm getting. Refocusing on the basics works every time, and each time the tweaking needed to bring me back to full compliance is less and less. I'm really learning new habits and breaking old ones!
I still have cravings, but not as often. When I give in to them, I don't enjoy the food as much. I am using less than half the insulin I used to pre-surgery (I'm a Type 1 diabetic). I'm off of 2 of 3 blood pressure medications, and my follow-up blood work showed my cholesterol to be outstanding, so I'm going to be talking with my doctor about stopping that med as well.
Before surgery, I would be exhausted, out of breath and in pain walking from my car to my office. Now I walk unlimited and I feel twenty years younger (I'm 57)!
Each of us has our own journey. Don't compare yourself with anyone else to determine your success! It took me over a year to decide to go through with the surgery, and I don't regret a day spent in researching and mulling over ethat decision. Give yourself whatever you need, because you deserve it.
I wish you all a quick approval, a safe surgery, a speedy recovery, and a long and healthy life.

Bleachie: I had surgery with Dr. Schroder three weeks ago. If you would like to chat, I can fill you in on my experience. Good luck with your journey!!!

Hello! I am from Blacksburg, VA (GO HOKIES!) and am traveling to Richmond, VA to have revision surgery (band to VSG) with Dr. Schroder at Henrico Doctors Hospital. My surgery date is January 29th...and I am nervous! My original lap band was done at VCU by Dr. Maher, who has since retired. Does anyone have any experience with Dr. Schroder ?
Jennifer

@@DivaDarling813 I don't get bloated until I start drinking. I haven't mastered the art of sipping. I've started making myself drink from a spoon. I was well over Protein Shakes too but I started drinking chocolate and adding PB2, ice, a couple of equal and blending it in my vitamixer to make more of a shake. MUCH better. For the strawberry, I just added ice, and sugar free raspberry Syrup and blended it. It's enough of a change that I think I'll make it to next Monday when I can start the mushies. I can't wait for a scrambled egg! You've got me rolling with your meatballs and apple sauce. I have to admit that apple sauce does sound good though - OK now, you're reeling me in! Congrats on the 19 - that's awesome!

I know exactly what you mean! I thought the same thing, then I decided I really don't care what others think - it's the best investment I've ever made! Fortunately my family is very supportive. My problem has been gulping. This morning I ended up with a huge bubble between my throat and my stomach. I didn't know what to do - it wouldn't go up, it wouldn't go down. I probably looked ridiculous standing there arms outstretched, eyes about to pop out! I finally popped a gas ex and it relaxed. My incident for the day...
Anywhoo - I really appreciate you all and learn a lot from the boards. BTW, I'm in Richmond, VA! Give a shout!
Pam

I know exactly what you mean! I thought the same thing, then I decided I really don't care what others think - it's the best investment I've ever made! Fortunately my family is very supportive. My problem has been gulping. This morning I ended up with a huge bubble between my throat and my stomach. I didn't know what to do - it wouldn't go up, it wouldn't go down. I probably looked ridiculous standing there arms outstretched, eyes about to pop out! I finally popped a gas ex and it relaxed. My incident for the day...
Anywhoo - I really appreciate you all and learn a lot from the boards. BTW, I'm in Richmond, VA! Give a shout!
Pam

@ ="justcallitsugar"
I'm in VA!
Yes support makes a difference.
And no they don't understand. People think this is the easy route but this feel like the hardest thing ever. My mind has not caught up with my lil ole sleeve yet. Just a few minutes ago I forgot about it and reached for my diet snapple tea (the best) and gulped it down like I was normal. After that I said holy crap what the heck did I just do lol. But I'm happy I had a moment that I forgot because I've had a ruff day lord knows. And it felt good for a second to feel normal even though my sleeve brought me back to reality fast.

Lauren - thank your for posting this! There are many days I fell like I'm the only one lacking energy. I am so thankful for the procedure and for a pretty painless recovery. I guess that gave me a false assumption that Icould still go at the speed pre surgery. Reality set in around da 6-7 when my body said, sorry I think you need a break, and my mind was saying get out there get moving. Hopefully moving to the pureed stage on Monday will give me more energy and I can get back to walking my dogs.

To focus on fluids over Protein for the first week or two, use an app to remind yourself to sip and to help slow down once eating solids.. that the scale should not rule your universe, measurements are better....the scale will not drop on a daily basis so don't be disappointed when it doesn't..... Stalls happen and can last sometimes for months but they always end if you stay on task...... Be kind to yourself, guilt does you no favors...... Wait to try eggs, too many of us have a negative first experience too early out.... Introduce foods one at a time whenever possible so you know what doesn't sit well and what does.... Don't hesitate to call your doctor if you have issues or concerns post op...Listen to your sleeve and learn to recognize what it's trying to tell you...... Pay attention to the difference between head hunger, actual hunger and thirst...
Most importantly, Celebrate the little things, the big things and all those things in between, (just not with food anymore) and know that you are worth it!!!!

Wow! It sounds like you have a lot going in your personal/family life that is going to be costly. It also sounds like this may not have been the time to look into plastic surgery, AND you totally didn't deserve that kind of treatment regardless of cost. What I didn't hear (trying to read between the lines) is any self-care going on. Time you you relax and unwind like a massage, pedicure, a mini spa day with a girlfriend. Sounds like you've had it up to here and need some serious decompression and "me time.". Nothing short of a miracle occurred in in your life and body....Try and regroup and see someone else that comes recommended by people you can trust.

RJ,
You have to remember what those guys are looking at about 80-90 % of the time. "Hi, I am a middle age suburban Mom that has breasts that aren't quite as high as they were the day I turned 18" or " Hi, I'd like to paralyze my face so no one knows I am 32." Unfortunately, they typically aim for cosmetic surgery as opposed to plastics to actually repair damage. In addition, they are human and while you are not gross or grotesque as a person, we can all be objective in looking at the changes and damage we have caused to our bodies with obesity. As much as you may have felt judged by him, perhaps you are missing the mark since it was likely the first time you met him.; some people look pissed when they are in deep thought, some look happy when they are about to kill a bunny...perhaps you misread his expression. If you didn't and he is a giant douche, there are plenty of other doctors out there that would love to help you. Unfortunately, its just like the weight loss, A LOT OF WORK to find the right one. I am sorry about your other situations and for saying this if you aren't religious and it bothers you, but when things really hit the fan, I think about Christ, about the walk he took with the cross he was crucified on, the shame - hurt - and betrayal / hopelessness he must have felt being on display and abandoned by his father, then I think about my issues and they don't seem as large. Beyond that, your spirit is beautiful, no matter what it is packaged in. I have read your posts on here and they are helpful, lovely, and honest - may your body soon reflect what you need it to, but you have the hardest part of life worked out already. Being a fantastic person, that no plastic surgery can morph someone in to.
Best wishes

Were you let to believe that your insurance company would cover the cost of the plastic surgery? I read your post and felt your despair. But really felt so bad that you kept referring to your body as gross. I get that the surgeon may of had a lot to do with it, but do you really feel that your body is gross? You need a lot of support and encouragement now. Not just from the boards here, but from from physical contact. I hope this turns around in the near future. Best.

Hampton here.

Richmond.

I live in Fredericksburg, surgery in Richmond.
(St. Mary's)

Richmond here

GreenEyes604 your diet sounds over the top. It almost sounds like the 2 week pre-op diet I had to do. I will certainly pray for strength for you to get to the end of your 6 months and secure a January date. My insurance had a year long program so I opted to find alternate financing. Hang in there! It will be worth it!!

@@simplicity27 I had my surgery on Oct 6 as well. It's comforting to know that I'm not alone. I'm tired, bloated, gassy, nauseated, and WELL OVER Protein Shakes. I was starting to feel tired just doing simple tasks so I figured this was the result of a lack of Protein. I've been trying my best to go hard on the protein shakes for the past two days. But as of this afternoon I literally felt as though I was going to throw it up. So I gave up and I've just been drinking Water and Gatorade. Do you feel painfully gassy and nauseous first thing in the morning? I've been experiencing this when I wake up in the morning. I've been so tempted to move myself to the puréed stage. I'm craving tuna with light mayo, Lol! I'm also craving apple sauce, cheese, and a turkey meatball! Lol...Jesus help me!! This is hard. However, surprisingly enough the weight is really falling off. I'm already down 19 pounds from the day of surgery which was only a week and two days ago. When I look in the mirror I see a completely different person. My face is changing and I'm developing a collarbone... wow! This ought to be interesting.

Hello Ladies. I was sleeved on 10/6. The last couple of days have been a bit challenging, but I'm making it through. I feel bloated, tired, restless and I'm OVER Protein Shakes LOL! I'm so happy to see the folks are using gasX. I'm about to add my name to that list. Otherwise, things have been good. I think I drink a bit too fast - I need to learn to sip. I'm amazed every day when I get on the scale and it is steadily going down. I haven't been able to wear my wedding band in a couple of years. I even outgrew the band I bought to wear after that. I was happy to find that I was able to wear that one on Saturday. I'll be especially happy to be back in my wedding ring & band!
Gigi - it sounds like we'll be criss-crossing on the road. I'm in Richmond and I'll be heading to Greensboro Oct 25 for NCA&T's Homecoming while you're heading to Norfolk. My folks are a stone's throw from Norfolk...small world.
Wishing the best to all of you on your journey! I look forward to chatting with you!!