BLERDgirl

I haven't skied in over 10 years! It's one of the things I'm looking forward to getting back to.

There's my life in a nutshell! Thanks for including me in the member spotlight. I hope I can be encouraging to other members!

Some people are just slow but steady losers. Are you keeping a food diary? Are you watching your carbs? I realize that breads and potatoes are allowed but I personally think those of use with higher BMI's need to avoid them. How many calories are you eating a day? Has the constipation issue been resolved? What's your sodium level like? Too much processed food = high sodium = Water retention. Step away from the scale. Take your measurements instead. Neck/boobs/waist/hips. Check that once a month instead of weight.

I've used vanilla and almond extracts. You just need a tiny bit.

Are you doing a carbs? Are you eating before you work out? How many calories are you eating a day? Are you logging or just winging it?

You're right and I know better. This is the thing sending to my knees. My ears hurt so bad I want to cry!

What are you eating? What's a typical food day for you? Are you reach your Protein goals? Are you reaching your Fluid goals? Are you exercising?

Yogurt. I did lots and lots of yogurt and also kefir drinks. I bought liquid protein and added it to soups, broths and teas. I didn't do potatoes, it's a simple carb and I try to avoid those even though they are on my allowed list. I added almond butter and occasionally fruit to my protein shakes to naturally change up the flavor. Mostly I just sucked it up and dealt with it. It was only for 2 weeks.

I have to be the only person to have a completely uncomplicated and pain free surgical course and then get sick. Seriously my sleeve surgery was a dream. I had a pleasant and attentive surgical staff. I had a private room in the hospital. I literally had no pain, no nausea, no constipation, no dizziness, NOTHING. I've tolerated pretty much every food or drink I've tried and have been losing weight steadily. I was up to 4 -5 days exercise at the gym and this week? I get the fricking flu! My ear are killing me! That awful pulling sensation you get because your ears are back up? My throat is scratchy and I have no energy. I am sleeping more now that I did post op! I'm trying to suck it up because I'm not sure how my system would handle antibiotics. Oh the irony!

Buy plain greek yogurt and add it to your Protein shake. It will give you 12 -18 more grams of protein and a few more calories. Also eat protein before and after your work outs. It pushes your body to burn fat not muscle. It doesn't have to be anything big. I actually make a 24 ounce Protein Shake and drink half before and after. Sometimes I eat an ounce of almonds or cashews post work out instead. Step away from the scale and start taking your measurements instead. As you lose it may not show on the scale, but the changes may show in other ways. I do neck, boobs, waist and hips. I only weigh once a month. I eat anywhere from 600 - 850 each day depending on my activity level.

I knew I had no family history, my US were clear and I was active enough to make it a non issue. I liked having it as a precaution for surgery but didn't feel I needed it inside of me permanently. Especially since my circulation would only improve as I loss weight.

I had the temporary one. I had it place the day before surgery. My surgeon did it as a precaution. I don't have a history of clots, my veins were clear on US, but I have a high BMI. It was done as a short procedure and I couldn't even feel the difference. I just had it removed Monday. The surgeon went in through the PICC line and retrieved it. I had some soreness on my neck, but a few days with a heating pad has taken care of that. Since I had an uneventful surgical course and I had not history of clots it was removed at 4 months.

You can also try a wide mouth food jar.

It really depends on the person. If you can stand daily or weekly weighing without freaking out, then go for it. If you can't then stay off the scale and look at other NSV. Taking your measurements (neck, boobs, waist & hips) is a good alternative. I didn't get my first weight check until my 2 week checkup and was pleasantly surprised. However I know from previous weight loss attempts that the scale makes me crazy. Instead of focusing on eating properly and getting exercise I am worried about what the scale says. I therefore limit it to once a month, preferably at the doctor's office.

@@Eli Alexander As long as I get my protein and fluid I'm good. Let may sound weird but when I exercise regularly I have more energy.

*knocks on wood* So far no constipation and no diarrhea. I was discharged on Saturday, had my first poop on Monday and have at least 1 BM a day ever since.

I was the same way when I began, but honestly I actually do like it now. I've been home sick this week and unable to workout and I honestly can't wait to get back. I miss it and I miss how I feel after a good workout.

I agree Jawboneup24 is very accurate with how it monitors your sleep. I won one at the Lane Bryant promotion of their new fitness line and I've been testing it out all week. That said, the Polar Loop was just as accurate in how it monitored you sleep patterns. I just wish the Loop had better battery life. I may try one of the Fitbits just to complete my test run of the most popular trackers. Currently the Vivosmart is still valuable because it counts my steps/activity under Water.

I don't think anyone will get pissed off, you feel like you feel. Maybe I'm a special snowflake, I dunno. I was sore but I wouldn't call it pain. I've had worse menstrual cramps to be honest. I could sit up and lay down by myself and walk to the bathroom and back. As for gas maybe my doc was just good at squeezing it out. I was walking in recovery because I woke up needing to pee from the IV fluids and I was not interested in using a bed pan. I'm certain I wasn't ready to do jumping jacks or anything but my experience was relatively pain free.

It's literally a tube they insert inside you with a bulb on the end to drain off the excess fluids created during surgery and while you are healing. Not every doctor uses them, but they aren't uncommon. I actually wanted a drain because I had experienced trouble with a previous surgery and developed a really deep abscess as a result.

I prefer to keep it simple and I'm not anti-grain. These were not items that triggered my allergies. I am just particular about which grains I eat and what quantity of grain I eat. Farro and quinoa are staples for me.

Agreed. I bought enough protein drinks to last 2 weeks post-op. I then ordered more when I came home from the hospital. There are literally hundreds of protein drinks, powders, liquids and shot. You may have to try several before you find something you can use.

Let me clarify. You will eventually eat everything you used to but that will be a ways off. Those first few months you will indeed need to take very tiny bits and eat super slow. You are removing 85% of your stomach. There is no longer any room for guzzling and stuffing junk down there. I have been fortunate because I am careful to take my time, but many posters experience discomfort from not eating slowly. My advice is to down load the Eat Slower app and practice eating slowly now. Another change is you can no longer eat and drink together. My doctor advises a 30 minute window before and after eating.. Some doctor's recommend an hour. The reason are many. 1) Because you have a much smaller space, you do not want it filled with liquids and then not have room for food and nourishment. 2.) Drinking can push the food through too quickly and again your body will not have had time to digest and absorb nourishment. 3.) The food and drink can form a paste and feel stuck in your esophagus. Initially it will take you an hour or more to eat ¼ - ½ cup of food. Certain foods you may not be able to tolerate anymore. Soda and carbonated drinks are out for life. They produce too much gas in the belly and you no longer have any room for that gas. Keep in mind Champagne is a carbonated drink. Foods high in sugar may also make you sick. I think you can enjoy the Bacholerette festivities just find, you just can't get s**t faced. Get a glass of Water, toss some cherries in it and fake it. I didn't have a catheter, but some doctors do use them. They typically put it once you are under. The easiest trick I have for getting needles is to force your self to relax. Practice slow, steady breathing. Have the nurse count to 3 and instead of tensing up slowly exhale as she inserts it. It helps to relax the muscles and makes it easier to go through. A lot of this experience will depend on your attitude. If you stay positive you've won half the battle. You are creating a new normal. You are committing yourself to a new lifestyle of eating and drinking for a healthier you. If you aren't ready to commit to change, you may want to rethink things. I would also recommend starting an exercise program now. I have a really high BMI. However I was active and taking water aerobics 3 times a week. I had no pain in the hospital. I walked in recovery and didn't need to use a morphine pump for pain or take any narcotics for pain. I experienced no gas, nausea, dizziness or constipation. The worse thing about my surgical experience was a rash I developed from the tape used to hold the IV on my PICC line in because I am allergic to latex.

Your doctor should give you a list of recommended products. You can also try using the search feature on the forums. There are several active threads with loads of recommendations by the forum members.

I've had these they really do have a coffee taste. Not exactly like it, but not bad either. Myself I have to completely switch over. I go for herbal teas. I like strong ones like Peppermint or hibicsus.