Beni

Before WLS I lost 100s of pounds but they were always the same 5 to 10 pounds but it was always a yo-yo diet. My hunger was so strong I could not control it. Now I don't feel hungry very often and when I do because it's 3 pm and I forgot to have lunch it's gentle and well behaved. There is no way I could have lost 56 pound on my own and keep them off. Even if I worked out 3 hours per day. I tried but I would end up being even hungrier. My RNY has saved me.

From the time I went home all I had was 2 Tylenol. I was a little sore, the first night and had a headache two days later. I did make a recovery room for me at home but it wasn't really necessary. The nice thing was I could watch TV at any hour because my sleep schedule was a little messed up. This way I could be comfortable and I wouldn't wake up my husband all the time. I liked my room and I did have a recliner in there because during the day it provided a change and I would nap on it occasionally. The hardest part was getting up from bed. It is important to be careful or your incisions will open. One of mine did a little. I tried to do too much too soon. 4 weeks of lifting no more then 10 lbs or pushing is a must. Pretend you have no core muscles. If you are using them - stop

I was cleared for coffee at 6 weeks. I was told not to drink it while my stomach was healing because coffee has a high acidity content. It takes 4 weeks for the wound to heal. I guess the 2 extra weeks was to be completely sure as some people heal faster then others. I was also told I couldn't have it until I could get the 48 to 64 oz of fluids per day because coffee is a diuretic and dehydrates you. It will be an issue for constipation. By the time I had my first coffee cup a little went a long way. Because you absorb it a lot quicker then prior to surgery you have to go slow. I had a bit of the shakes after a small coffee cup. It felt like I had 4 cups of coffee at once. Now I use a much smaller cup (perhaps a 1/3 of the size of my old favorite mug) I use low fat milk instead of creamer and stevia. It still tastes delicious. I have a saltine with my multi-Vitamin and the Protonix (omoprozole) first thing in the morning and then make coffee. It will be like 1/2 hour until I drink my cup of coffee. I figure at this point the acid reducer is beginning to work. I don't want to get an ulcer.

I want to go and buy new clothes but feel wasteful because they will be potato sacks soon after. Geez. I did not think this through. At first I was excited by clothes were getting loose but then they were too loose. Next, I purchased a few things. Now those are loose. You should see my closet now. It's like a desert in there. A lot of empty space and a few cacti here and there. I only left the wearable stuff in. It was a huge job, I tell you. The Salvation Army is going to have a windfall this week What are you all doing about clothing?

@@dc0520 I'm in Northern VA west of Washington DC near Leesburg.

I was told average is 3 to 5 pounds per week in the first 3 months. You have lost 5 lbs per week which means you are losing at the highest rate considered safe. Congrats you are a "fast loser." I have had 3 stalls. The last one lasted almost 3 weeks. Well, I lost like a pound per week. Very disappointing but I was told stalls are to be expected and that you do get past them. Even a small gain here and there is normal. Water weight and time of month play a role.

So, today I went through my closet because I am so annoyed at picking something to wear and putting it on and it's too big and down right ridiculous. All my clothes are too big even what I purchased recently doesn't fit anymore. Blast! I only have 2 pairs of pants right now that fit and a bunch of capris but hello it's 30 degrees in Virginia right now. By the time Spring rolls they will be too big too. Some of the jeans, size 20, when I hold them up look like those before and after pictures when someone holds up the pants they used to wear and you go, OMG I can't believe she was that big. Crazy! Even my workout gear is huge. The sneakers also are huge. I am sure I am one shoe size smaller. I tried a pair of boots on Saturday and I was able to close the zipper all the way up. My calves have shrunk a lot. I didn't buy the boots because I didn't think I would wear them yet. My knees were bulging a little on the inside. I think another 10 lbs will do it but I may just wait for next winter. In two months it will be Spring. What are you all experiencing with clothing? Is finding something to wear in your closet driving you mad?

@@dc0520 Yes, figuring out how much is too much in a meal is down right impossible. I have the hardest time. But I have come to understand that full feeling is not there for me. Now I edge on the side of caution. I rather eat less then go through the horrid nausea. But it's not always easy to measure and different foods sometimes have different amounts. I need to think it through very carefully. No more grab whatever and hope for the best. Restaurants are the worst for now. I think I will avoid them for a while. Or at least only do what I know is okay. Trial and error is how we learn, unfortunately. But the good news is most days are good. But right about the time I think "I've got this" bam, I am oh so far away from that goal.

@@misstvb I feel really good too. It was a good day. I cleaned house and had more energy then I knew what to do with. It was great to feel great again. I had a little set back with nausea but I have been doing so much better too. Hurray! Let's hope I don't do anything stupid like eat too much. Meaning a bite too much. Wow, it sends me into a nauseous, horrible downward spiral for the rest of the day. lunch was 2 small chicken/spinach meatballs (homemade) and 1/2 of a mixed fruit cup (no sugar added). It was awesome. The drained fruit still had enough moisture to help with the meatball.

@@rosalinda0323 I know exactly how you feel regarding your baby. I should have had my surgery years ago but I was too afraid because of my kids. What I failed to realize was that I wasn't living either. At 270 lbs trust me, I wasn't living. I would have been a much better mom had I done this earlier. But I guess fear is a debilitating thing and I had to do it my way but I am so glad I had the courage to face the truth and reality that my ability to live a good life was not looking good for me.

@@Riz2006 For me the pre-op diet was hardest and I only had to do 3 days of clear liquid. The second day was hard. I had to get our of the house. Never did so much window shopping in my life. Did a movie theater and a pedicure too. Anything to distract me. After surgery at least you are not hungry but before the lyon is roaring. It's a mind over matter kind of thing.

@@wildGoose You sure have been through a lot. So happy that you made it through cancer and WLS. A gladiator to the core. Your battle is our battle because we are all going through this journey together. Some of us had extra challenges but we all try like no other. Gladiator style!

I think the Peanut Butter may be a little too much. I would reduce that for sure. I can't eat much more then 1/4 cup per meal and was told not to go above 1/2 cup. If you are on maintenance perhaps consider Snacks rather then large meals. I believe it's because you need to preserve the size of your pouch to avoid weight gain later on. food can slide right through your new tummy and you could end up gaining the weight back. I think that's why your medical team wants you to stay with a smaller portion. Also, to digest your food properly it has to stay in the pouch for an hour. If it slides through, the readily absorbed nutrients are the only ones going into your body and it also leads to gas and all sorts of intestinal issues. Good Luck

@@dc0520 Gorgeous pictures. Isn't it amazing the difference. Spectacular success my friend. So very proud of you. It hasn't been easy for any of us but step by step we are building the woman we need to be. Healthy and fantastic all the way.

@@Bronxmerci What a hot mama! You look absolutely gorgeous. I am so proud of you. You went through the fire and returned a better woman. It is not our success that defines us but our failures. It is only when we recognize something has to chance and be done that we move forward and build success from what ever ashes we stand upon. Everyone has made mistakes but we are still kicking. Never give up! A person that inspires me is the late Maya Angelou who was raped at the age of 7 had a baby boy at 16 and look at what she became. Amy made a great point. If things are not going well don't hesitate to get help. She did and so did I. We were smart enough to know we couldn't lose the weight we needed to lose on our own. Isn't it the same with everything on our lives. I think women are so hard on themselves, myself included. If you feel like you are getting depressed there is help, remember that. Nobody is perfect. However, I must say you sure are looking the part! This year of 2015 let's love ourselves a bit more. We are worthy of ALL OUR LOVE!

Interesting, you may want to read this. http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.php

Oh one more thing, I can cross my legs now. Imagine that! I can not tell you how good that feels. Went shopping yesterday and the leggings I tried were an XL. No more women's sizes for me. Went on a 3 day trip and walked around all day. Just 2 and 1/2 months ago I would have lasted an hour or two on my feet and Aleve would have gone on my trip. I would have needed my husband to drop me by the door which he always did without even being asked. He knew I would start hurting and I would have let the rest of the family go on while I took a break and found a place to sit somewhere. I did eat something that didn't agree with me. The onions take 3. It took me 3 separate meals to realize I can't do onions. Slow learner, lol. The 3 most difficult things I have gone through were (i'm 10 weeks post RNY) : 1. Drinking enough fluids in the first 2 weeks 2. Constipation. I didn't start taking a stool softener right away. Now it's fine because I eat more Fiber but in the first few weeks you don't. 3. Eating too much. I am supposed to eat 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup per meal. Sometimes I forget and I eat too fast and since it takes a bit of time for your tummy to tell your brain you are full I end up taking an extra bite and that makes me nauseous and I have had to throw up a few times. But if I pay attention to what I'm doing I am totally fine. I don't know if you are like I was before surgery. I had a tendency to eat too fast and at times wouldn't even realize how much I had eaten standing around the kitchen. It's that sort of behavior. But if I place the food on my plate and sit down with a mindful attitude, all is well. I have to chew well and keep my portion size to the guidelines. It's not like I am hungry and need to eat more, it's just mindless eating. Food still does taste good. The pleasure of eating is still there. You kind of have to learn to eat the right way. To be honest it's the way we were supposed to eat in the first place but we got off the wagon. Well, RNY is the wagon and it screams at you if you try to get off. It doesn't let you. it keeps you accountable. Hurray! I have a friend that cares and tells me - "NO, you can't eat more and I mean it."

I forgot to mention nearly all my co-mobs are gone my blood pressure is normal and my pre-diabetes too. The CPAP is a 1/3 of the pressure and in another 20 lbs I will do a sleep study and my doctor says I have a 80% chance i won't need it anymore. I used to take Aleve at least 5 times per week. Even to go shopping. I have had no aches or pains in weeks. Now the food: 1. It's not hard to eat so little because I am not hungry. Imagine you took a pill to go on a diet and hunger was gone. Would it be amazing? Well that's how it is. 2. I don't get the full feeling I had before and I do miss it a little but it's a feeling I don't need to be happy 3. I have thrown up a few times but it was always because I hate too fast and too much. Trying to push the envelope just a little I guess. 4. I can eat anything in small amounts even sweets and chocolate. Just a bite will satisfy completely. I kid you not. However, I must disclose, I don't think I can eat onions.

I had my surgery 10 weeks ago and I have lost 54 lbs. I felt just like you too. Scared out of my mind but then a peace came over me. I realized I was choosing life over a sick existence. After losing 30 pounds I felt like a new woman. I didn't realize how horrible having all that extra weight was until it was gone. It's hard to explain how good physically it feels. I did have a little set back this holiday season. Not the best time to do this surgery because there are too many distractions and you have to focus on what you eat and how much you drink. You have to follow a plan but it's not that hard. Women love to imagine the worst. I know I do. My husband calls me the master of the hypothetical horrors. But the reality is the chances are really good that all will be well. My surgery went really well. Today was a great day and I cannot tell you how much energy I have compared to pre-surgery.

Oh Bronxi. I think you need help baby. Getting depressed after such an ordeal is normal. I did after one of my babies because the c-section and complications knocked me to my knees. You have to eat even if you don't feel like it. Remember the plan: 3 meals if you want to or not. Lots of Protein and eat slowly. About a 1/4 cup or so should be enough. Yogurt is easy to eat and hummus. And if you don't drink you will really be in trouble. Maybe talking to somebody will help. Does your hospital have a support group? I know you can give a call to the group leader or the nutritionist. Don't forget the doctor's office. Also, your insurance has people you cal talk to. Just call customer service and they will guide you. I know getting up is hard and you don't feel like showering but think of how wonderful that warm Water will feel. It's time to love yourself a little. Do just one thing that's good for you and then build from that. Sending you all my love!

I am 10 weeks post and a pound per day is above average. 2 to 5 per week is the normal range. Meaning you have done so amazing so far but a slowing down is to be expected. I have had 3 stalls and they are devastating. Follow your plan and things will happen. Exercise is very important. I think the holidays have been hard on everyone because of all the distractions. So glad to be looking at 2015 with a new focus

Looks like we are all moving along in this journey with pretty similar stories. 3 weeks stalls, horrible nausea and throwing up here and there. I feel so at home in our gladiator club. Thank you everyone, I feel like I belong! Lol!

@@LisaCO On the B1, just wondering how much B1 did you take before your 3 month blood test ?I am sure your multi Vitamin had some? How did you take your vitamin. Once or twice per day? I know some people take 2 together, etc. I am taking an informal tab on how we all do as a group. Mini research!!!!!

@@Carol1965 Fortunately, I don't have an issue with liquids. I get 48oz per day. My tummy does not like cold Water. It makes me burp but warm herbal tea is great. The sad part is my nausea happens one day and then not again. The vomiting comes out of nowhere but then the next day I'm fine. Did you ever vomited?

I called my insurance. The 1 800 number on the back of the card and they told me the entire requirements and e-mailed me the portion of the benefit explanation guide. For me I was about 40 BMI but if I was below 35 BMI it was not covered. The Nutrition appointments ARE NOT for weight loss. The requirement is to educate you on what you are about to go through. In some ways it is also a way to put some time in your decision making process. Insurance companies do not want patients to rush into such surgery. Please do not attempt to lose weight or they are not going to cover the surgery and you will have to start the process all over.