glitter eyes

When I was about four weeks post op I ran into a "friend" who looked me up and down and said,"I thought you had the weight loss surgery so you could lose weight, I thought you would be skinny by now." At this point I had probably lost at least 25 pounds. How fast do people think this works anyway? Overnight? Oh well, jokes on her now. She is still heavy; I am at my goal weight and living life to its fullest!!

I think my pet peeve is when people say, "oh your husband must be so happy now." News flash people... My husband has been happy and loved me fat, thin, young and older. Why do people think your spouse is miserable if you are fat. That is my pet peeve.

Congratulations on your weight loss success. Awesome job. It's hard work to make any lifestyle change that involves healthy eating and consistent exercise. My question is why do you feel that you are healthier now and have learned more valuable lessons than if you had gotten the sleeve or had a bypass? I had the gastric sleeve over a year ago and I am the healthiest I have ever been in my life, including times in the past where I have been thin. I am now physically fit, strong, energetic, adventurous, and have a zest for life.

I eat some grains/carbs now that I am in maintenance. While I was losing the majority of my weight I rarely had carbs, except what was in my Greek yogurt, protein shakes,veggies, and the occasional fruit. Everyone is different on what they can eat and still lose weight. I tracked everything I ate and used that to determine which weeks I lost the best and what my intake was for calories and carbs. Then I stuck to that combination. You got this. Just find what works best for you. Lots of luck ????

Glad you enjoyed your vacation!! I think we are all different, but I don't think that you should feel guilty at all. As long as you get back on your plan of healthy eating you will be fine. I am 13 months post op and doing maintenance and I never feel guilty when I eat poor choices. I was on vacation for the last nine days and ate very poorly. I too had smores, candy, biscuits and gravy, some roasted potatoes, and even had some pasta one night. These are things I never eat at home. I did gain a few pounds, but now that I am home I quickly began eating according to my plan this morning. I was up early at the gym and back on track. It's all about balance. I feel that this way of living is my new normal and life happens; which means there are times I am going to indulge in high calorie high carb foods. I just track everything and get back on the wagon!!! You can do it!!

Is there any way that you can ask for an earlier surgery time. 8 pm seems a little late in the day and you have to wonder how tired the surgeon, OR team and the recovery team will be by that time of night. Congrats on your upcoming surgery!!

I put my bra on as soon as I got to my room after recovery. Even though I was still a little groggy I forced myself to put on my own gown, bra. I applied makeup, painted my nails then went for a walk. I work at the hospital where I had my surgery and was going to have lots of visitors and I didn't want my boobs flipping and flopping around LOL Good luck to you ????

Eating and drinking will eventually feel normal again to most of us. I am 13 months post op and can eat whatever I want without any problems. I went on vacation this last week and allowed myself to eat pretty much whatever I wanted as a treat. It was a goodie filled week of smores over a fire on the beach, a biscuit with gravy, some chips and dip, etc.... I did gain a few pounds, but it's back to eating according to my plan tomorrow and I should have those few pesky pounds off by this time next week. Sometimes in the beginning when you are healing it's hard to imagine ever being "normal", but it can happen. The sleeve is an amazing tool. Good luck!

That is amazing!! It's the experiences like that which make the surgery and hard work so worth it!! Great job love the picture.

Congrats proudgrammy. What a wonderful thing to do for yourself. We can't wait to see pictures after you are all healed. I am sure you look fantastic.

LMAO

I was told to wait 30 before and 30 after. I usually try to wait closer to 45 after I eat. I find the longer I wait to drink the longer I stay full.

I am a nurse and I took four weeks off and was so glad to have the time to heal, rest, and learn to eat and drink with my new sleeve.

If I remember correctly I began have lots of energy around week 5-6. Definitely by the two month mark I was feeling fantastic. I think everyone is just so different. I had one friend who was bouncing with energy by week three.

That is awesome!! Congrats.

It can be overwhelming in the beginning. However, it soon becomes second nature. I personally took four weeks off of work and used that time to relearn all my new behaviors needed to be successful. I just focused on me and healing You can do it!!!

@BariartricBarb I am 13 months post op and water still bothers me. It's weird; my sleeve can tolerate almost any kind of food but it's so picky about fluids. I can do vitamin water and propel (black cherry and peach only). Fluids are always a struggle for me

I am a nurse, but I am in administration. I do lead the code team,rapid response team, and walk a lot. I took of four weeks, I could have gone back at week three. I have had three other friends who are floor nurses and their leave averaged around three weeks. As a busy nurse it is a little challenging in the beginning to drink and eat enough during the long shifts. However, it gets to be second nature after a short while. You can do it. Good luck

I had surgery last June and I have just thawed out. LOL. Literally we just took the electric blanket off of our bed in May. It is a side effect for most of us. The good thing is with the weight loss you can rock some cute hoodies.

@@gowalking so glad you had a fantastic active trip to London. It is extremely hard to vacation during maintenance and not gain a little. I am on vacation now and I am sure when I get home I will have gained some weight. My plan is to just get right back on track. It does help to be accountable. Vacationing after losing this weight is amazing. It's nice to be active and enjoy everything without the weight holding us back. You are amazing and I am sure you will be back at your maintenance weight before you know it.

Congrats- that is an awesome NSV. It feels amazing when you can take pics and be proud of them. It's a huge step.

I am 13 months post op and just had my first alcoholic drink a few weeks ago and did fine. I am on vacation right now and have had two glasses of wine this week. I tolerated it well. I just am not a big drinker- I would rather eat my calories. LOL

It will get better each day. I had a really hard time getting my fluid in post op too. I had to play around with lots of different water, flavored waters, and different temperatures of the fluid until I found what worked for me. I could not tolerate plain water at all. I finally discovered propel water cold worked for me. I also poured my fluids in a medicine cup and made three tiny sips from one medicine cup. That's seemed to help me take smaller sips. The little sips added up and as time passed I could start taking real sips. Hang in there you can do it one sip of water at a time.

For me in the beginning while I healed and lost the majority of my weight I avoided unhealthy foods and really stuck with my plan. However, post surgery, food does not seem to have a hold like it does before surgery. I focused on following my plans rules. I am over a year post op and still do not eat and drink. That becomes second nature after awhile. Now that I am just maintaining I do eat treats. I had ice cream yesterday and chocolate covered raisins today (I am on vacation and I am splurging) I feel like I eat like a regular person now. So my point is, after that crazy long post- is you will be able to live a normal life and indulge occasionally. Life just gets better. Good luck to you, this is a wonderful life changing process!!!

I have to chime in.. I had the gastric sleeve and I have been very diligent about meeting and exceeding my protein goals every day. I take all my recommend vitamins, all my lab work post surgery has been perfect. I have taken high dose biotin since pre op, make my water requirements, track all my nutrients and adjust my diet to meet my goals. My hair has still fallen out. So not everyone will keep their hair just because they are eating enough protein. I think it may be the luck of the draw. I just happen to be one of those with thinner hair who has followed all the rules. That being said the weight loss has been worth the hair loss. Good luck to everyone.