lildawtee

I agree with Daisy, Its important to try and not make this another "diet". Its for the long run, and small smart changes can steer us into a direction we can live with for the long run.

Started at 299 now 159 ..5'8

Congratulations on your healthy BMI!
I had to chuckle a little when I read that. I still find myself thinking "I should try that" every time I see a weight loss commercial or see a show about how to lose weight, or read some new fabulous weight loss method in a magazine. I get excited for a minute to see there is new research on obesity drugs. Then, after a second, I realize that I don't need to do that anymore. I am still thrilled with that realization, every time it happens, but it kind of surprises me at how it's ingrained! I just shift to knowing that I've found a way to be thin, and I have to keep doing that, and it's working for me. I think over time my mind will adjust as this lifestyle becomes more ingrained than the old.

Hi try to drink more fluids at least 64 oz a day, that might help you. Make sure you measure it!

Everybody is going to give you an opinion on what to do and say but you have to follow your gut feeling! You DO NOT have to tell anybody at work what kind of surgery you are going to have, if asked just say I'm sorry it's personal and I don't wish to talk about it! Don't lie or you will be labeled as one! If they see you loosing weight fast tell them that you changed your eating habits (not that you are on diet!) and no more explanations! After surgery you will be eating tons of Protein as well as Protein Shakes then if you have room some vegetables and maybe some fruit! Start eating that! Google the Baritric surgery menus and follow them. Follow the Dr. instructions I know people are saying 4wks it's to long but there is always a reason for it, talk to your Dr. and between you both decide the Best option for you! The after surgery discomfort is not much but getting used to your new way of eating and drinking fluids it's the hard part. Many people end up in the hospital dehydrated and stressed because they went back to work to early. Drinking you fluids is VERY important or you WILL feel very tired! You have to drink at least 64oz a day to feel strong. (Measure your fluids every day)
I hope this helps but always talk to your Dr. Good luck on your healthy new journey, you CAN do this!

Everybody is going to give you an opinion on what to do and say but you have to follow your gut feeling! You DO NOT have to tell anybody at work what kind of surgery you are going to have, if asked just say I'm sorry it's personal and I don't wish to talk about it! Don't lie or you will be labeled as one! If they see you loosing weight fast tell them that you changed your eating habits (not that you are on diet!) and no more explanations! After surgery you will be eating tons of Protein as well as Protein Shakes then if you have room some vegetables and maybe some fruit! Start eating that! Google the Baritric surgery menus and follow them. Follow the Dr. instructions I know people are saying 4wks it's to long but there is always a reason for it, talk to your Dr. and between you both decide the Best option for you! The after surgery discomfort is not much but getting used to your new way of eating and drinking fluids it's the hard part. Many people end up in the hospital dehydrated and stressed because they went back to work to early. Drinking you fluids is VERY important or you WILL feel very tired! You have to drink at least 64oz a day to feel strong. (Measure your fluids every day)
I hope this helps but always talk to your Dr. Good luck on your healthy new journey, you CAN do this!

Kate M Thank you I finally found it, good video!

Hey. I just posted a free cookbook created by Bariatric Buddies. The recipies are by puree stage. www.chicoweightloss.com/cookbook

It never ceases to amaze me that total strangers go out of their way to take the time to offer their support, advice, and kind words to people they've never met before. Thank you all so much!

Oh I will try that ... Thanks

I'm not a very good liar so I just told everyone I was having "surgery." It was none if their business what kind. If anyone had the nerve to ask for details, I just said that I preferred not to discuss it.

Hi @@plussizecrossfitter, I hope so as well, actually I think you will because there is no one close to you but them that is going to understand what you are going thru. That is why we get to be so close.
I can see you are preparing well....Good for you, you will see that time will go really really fast!
I'm not sure about how am I going to manage the 2 oz. stomach and drink 64 oz of Water everyday but I been told you build up very slowly, very slowly.
I am worried as well about hairloss and I been taking some Vitamins for that, now it will happen regardless of what we do but it will come back and as long as we eat our 60-70 gr. of Protein we should bounce back sooner. Now as soon as you can take your vitamins after surgery take them (ask your Dr.). At least that's my plan. As it is my hair is very fine ???? . My teacher was Ally and I took the classes in San Marcos. I live in Riverside. But all my doctors are in San Diego where I used to live. I hope you get better soon! As you said you have done it before you can do it again! That is such a great attitude! That will help you with this journey. Now I'm going to be away for a few days as soon as I can, I'll come back to say Hi again and tell you how things are. Thank you for writting back! Take care.....????

Hi everyone I haven't been here much because I was taking my classes! You are going to Love them! Some of you at the beginning might not be to happy about the subjects because it covers many things we already know, like what brought us to the class but go with it, I promise it will get better! I hope you all have a group as close as the one I have (we are about 16 and of those 13 of us are very close and have a secret Facebook group) the support the we give each other is amazing we are so close we feel like we are brothers and sisters! I guess that is also a reason why I'm not here that often. Anyway in two days I'm having the surgery with Dr.Zorn and I'm so excited and nervous! Tomorrow I start my all day clear liquid diet and I'll go to my pre-op appointment at the hospital where I'm going to get checked in and talk a dietician, talk to the anesthesiologist and fill out paperwork! Then Tuesday I have to be there at 7:30 a.m. and my surgery is scheduled for 9:30 a.m!
The six months went fast! You will get a binder with all the information you need. You will have visits from barbaric patients that all ready had the surgery (ask all the questions you have then) but that is almost towards the end of the six months.
It is very important that you go to support groups (after you are all done and had the surgery) so you don't gain the weight back, accountability is the key! Plus Pacific Bariatric requires you to go one time before surgery and two after surgery but make it a priority to go as much as possible, you can start now if you want. Go to their page and look for support groups in your area!
A good book to start reading besides the classes is "Success Habits of Weightloss Surgery Patients" by Collin M. Cook (no need to buy the workbook!).
Start tasting Protein Shakes, Premier Protein 30 gr Protein sold at costco is one that most people like but there is Muscle Milk Pro 40 sold at the VitaminShoppe also tastes good and it gives you 40 gr of protein and its not bad but we have heard that our taste/likes on food will change so have a couple of option to choose from. Start drinking 64 oz. of Water everday or build up to it!
Gosh I'm sorry to be all over the place with information!
I wish you all a great journey! ????????????????????????????

@@Photo925 thank you again for your response! You are so spot on about needing to lose as much as possible pre-op, and I am definitely working on it. I only lost 1 pound between orientation last month and my appointment with Dr. Ray but as long as it isn't a gain, I'll take it! You're right too about keeping on top of those labs/test requests being key to getting a heads-up on a surgery date.
@Plussizecrosstrainer so good to hear from you! Your comment about how much your purse weighs really made me laugh, and I hope your foot gets better soon. It's hard enough trying to lose weight without being sidelined by an injury. Have you heard back yet on when you will be starting the Options classes? BTW I'm with you 100 percent on those food funerals! And for me it was Coke Zero (and sometimes regular). I've been off of them for about a month now. It was easier than I thought it would be.
I am so thankful to have found this forum. It helps tremendously to have first hand knowledge from people who are going through the exact same experience. I did a lot of research beforehand so I felt prepared for the orientation, and now I am feeling even more prepared for what comes next with the Kaiser experience, thanks to the two of you.
Like you @Plussizecrosstrainer I never really considered the surgery before, even though I've known about it for years. I know two people at work who have had it done (the bypass). The first one to undergo the procedure regained all her weight. I was able to witness firsthand that the reason she gained it back was because she eventually returned to unhealthy eating and also stopped exercising. It's the classic example of having your cake and then wanting to eat it too.
But the second one has kept it off and I've really been inspired by her. Her success paired against the other's failure really bought it home to me exactly what I have to do in order to be successful myself. This has to entail a lifelong commitment to changing your lifestyle or it will all be for nothing.
So it's only been in the last two years or so that I've started to believe that this might be an option for me, and when I found out that my insurance covered it there was no looking back. I truly hope I'll be one of those people that in retrospect says: "I only wish I had done it sooner."
I had my mind already made up that I wanted the sleeve like the both of you. My only worry is that I've heard and read that heartburn is significantly increased with the sleeve so I have concerns that the surgeon might say it's not a good option for me, as I already suffer from it. But I won't know for sure until I reach that stage. If given the choice though, I'm definitely going for the sleeve.
I can't wait for the day when my mind and body are finally working in concert towards a healthy and more fulfilling life. I'm more than ready for the sacrifices and work I know I'm going to have to accomplish to make that happen too. Right now it seems like I'm in a constant war with myself and I've somehow become my own worst enemy. Those days of yo-yo dieting are now numbered and I couldn't be happier.
Thanks again to the both of you! I'm sure I'll be back with many more questions @@Photo925, and @Plussizecrosstrainer, it seems as though we're at almost the exact same place in our journey so it will be wonderful to chart our successes!
Have a great day!

Okay, trying this for the 3rd time! Every time I start a reply it disappears before I can post it...
Hi @@Photo925 and @@The Candidate! How are you two doing??? Debbie, when do you start your classes (or have you already)? I start my classes this Wednesday! Very excited and a bit nervous!
What kinds of things do we cover in class? How to eat post surgery I hope! I'm most intrigued by how small my stomach will be... And how little I will be eating at a time. Do we have "homework?"
Classes better signal the end of my food funeral... Though it's been more out of boredom than anything. Of course it's going to be hard because this coming week because it includes my birthday... And even though I deliberately didn't plan a get together with friends I still have plans with family and of course I get a cake at work = I did survive Halloween and didn't eat a single piece of candy. Pretty proud of that!
Also, I have successfully given up diet Pepsi! It's been a week and a half and I've only had one moment of craving one, but it passed shortly thereafter. Am avoiding artificial sweeteners and have also cut down on caffeine.
Hope all is well with you both!
Jen

Hi @@plussizecrossfitter, so very good to hear from you again! My classes start this Thusday and I am so ready to actively be doing something to get this party started. In some ways the time has been going by pretty fast, but on others days I get a little down about the long waiting period. I saw Dr. Ray on the 6th, so I've been waiting to start these classes for over a month now!
I've been pretty on top on the exercising portion. I'm a demon on the treadmill, and I only wish I had one of my own. (I'm hoping to buy one sometime in March). On the other hand I've attended more than a few of my own food funerals along the way. Still I'm excited for the first class weigh in next week. I don't own a scale (also an intended purchase) but I few as though I've list some weight, so we'll see.
Congratulations on getting through the Halloween candy barrage, as well as your upcoming birthday! I think you're entitked to a little indulgence considering you still have six months of classes to wade through, so try to enjoy your day as much as possible. My trial of fire comes the very day of my first class. My office always throws this big Thanksgiving luncheon each year and it just happens to fall on that day!
How's the foot coming along? And @@Photo925 we sure would like to hear a post op update from you when you have a chance!
Take care,
Debbie

Hey everyone. I am doing really great today. I was released from the hospital the same day as my surgery. I was able to drink, pee and walk around fairly quickly. Some how I got lucky and my gas pain only lasted a day. Until this morning I was having a lot of trouble drinking. I could easily get it down but it felt weird and uncomfortable when it hit my stomach. This morning I'm drinking hot herbal tea and it feels great. I'm really going to try and focus on getting all my fluids in today. sleeping was a little tough for me the first couple nights because I don't sleep on my back. Last night I was able to sleep on my right side for half the night and that really helped. How is everyone else doing?

Don't be stronger than your pain pump, use it as much as you can to be comfortable.
Good luck

When I say I can eat whatever I want, I mostly mean I can tolerate just about any and all foods. Things didn't taste right for a long time, but now things tastes like I expect them to. However, almost nothing tastes as good I used to think it did, and I remember that to keep from overeating.
As far as for the amount, that's a relative statement, because I got used to eating very small amounts. I always think I can eat a lot because I can eat more than 4 ounces, like maybe 8-12 ounces, depending on what it is. It is certainly way less than before surgery, but I do wish I didn't have that much capacity. I loved it when I could only hold 4 ounces. I do not think I stretched my sleeve - I've been very careful and followed the rules, but on occasion, I have eaten that much. For the most part, I restrict myself. When I "go off the rails", my sleeve will restrict me, but I can do some caloric damage before it does. If I allowed myself to overeat, I'd gain weight.

I'm just a little baby here...6 days post op.
Yesterday though, my mom & I went out together and did some shopping. I didn't expect her to go the entire time without eating just because my diet is so restricted right now, so we decided on Denny's. I ordered a cup serving of their chicken noodle, a Decaf coffee, and small cup of Water. I won't lie, it was hard sit there with my little Soup, while my mom ate her eggs, bacon, and pancakes. She had told me while we were looking at the menus that she felt bad eating in front of me! So needless to say, I do try not to make comments in front of her, because she shouldn't feel bad for eating in front of me. I told her, "mom, I made the choice to have this done! You shouldn't feel bad!!"

I eat out with colleagues quite a lot, and try not to make a big deal of it, but it's so hard. I always try to order a starter or some sort of small salad but usually have to explain to the waiter that there was nothing wrong with it when I can't finish!
It's interesting that most of you say that your NUTs tell you to stay off carbs. My dietician ( I'm in the UK) tells me to eat more carbs. He says I should have a third Protein, third carbs and third veggies. I do struggle with bread, but toast seems ok.

I didn't throw up any until 6 weeks and it seems to be just things that don't settle with me. It feels like my tummy is very sensitive. chicken ( baked, grilled) makes me ill. Many Soups do, too. Seems like cheese, nuts, eggs, and yogurt work best. Deli sliced turkey is ok too in very small portions. I have to take my aunt to lunch tomorrow and I may just drink Water and say I'm not hungry...

My Dr in Texas told me that I am done with all breads, pastas, etc. He told me that they would make me feel bad (vomit) and slow down my fat burning metabolism. I do not want to feel bad or slow down...so, I will not eat those items.
For restaurants, I am always with my two older children. I take my Atkins shakes with me. And, since my two older children purchase regular adult meals, I have never had an eyebrow lifted by a waiter or waitress. My children are proud of me and I hope I am teaching them to take better care of themselves and to exercise regularly (so they do not repeat my mistakes).

Hi I'm 4"11 and been sleeved going on my 11 month. My journey started out at 265 day of surgery 260. Lost about 25 pounds first week. First month over 50 pounds, then kept losing. Currently I'm between 135-140, stop going to the gym for 2 months and been in this stall. Getting back to the gym I'll lose the 15-20 more pounds I'm wanting to. I thought I was the only shorty out here!! BTW I did everything like tall people would do my Dr said it did not matter how tall. Check out my pics!
Five months out/ 8 months out

10 months out/ current

DL picture had to renew I look like a different person

Just for kicks with my peeps

I had "silent" reflux inappropriately treated as asthma for 10 years pre-op. When they did my EGD they found the evidence and a contributing hiatial hernia. We had the same discussion, but my doc felt that with the hernial repair and a PPI, I was still a good sleeve candidate. Post op, things were worse for the first month. Even with 40 Omeparzole 2x day, I had to put lifts under the head of my bed to get any rest at night. Good news for me was, after that, once the swelling went down and I lost the weight, still taking the Omeparzole 2x day, I'm symptom free. One day I hope to cut back to just the nighttime dose. I may try it soon.