SAD HATTER

Thursday will be 6 weeks since my bypass. I am doing ok. I am losing steadily. My stall was only 3 days... HOWEVER.... My face is dry, red, peeling, and driving me nuts. Nothing is helping. Everything I put on it burns. Did anyone else have this issue, and how did you solve it?

Plain tuna from the can makes me dump. It's weird, but my pouch hates it. Makes me super sick

Aquatard. Keeps the thighs tight, covers everything, and I wear a shirt over it so it looks like bike shorts and a big shirt. Swimsuitsforall online store has them in plus and regular sizes. They really do help with the confidence in Water since the giggles are covered more.

I would love an indoor treadmill. However, our house is small and my daughters instruments and musical equipment have taken over the living room already, lol. I can't wait till it cools off.

Tuna makes me dump. And me the idiot, thought maybe I just ate too much the first time, so a few days later I did just a little... and BAM... yup, TUNA... God was I sick. That was awful.

So I knew my left side would be more sore than any other place. That's where my largest incision is. My muscles don't feel bad anymore, but my left side is still so fricken sore. I really want to start lifting weights again, I have been cleared, but damn, it hurts to do too much. If I walk in the mornings, I can't make it through work. I can't walk in the evenings because Texas is hell and it's hot outside. I am ready to feel somewhat normal again, and not feel like I have to baby myself so much. ' Eating is still not enjoyable. Though I love tasting my food, I dispise trying to figure out if I am eating enough or too much. 1 Tbsp is what I was told to stay around. Kinda hard to enjoy 1 Tbsp of anything. Kinda wish I could skip ahead to November or something. lol Oh, and also... even though my blood pressure is back to normal, sometimes I feel like my heart is pounding during the day. When it does this, I take my BP and it's always normal, and normal pulse. Maybe I am just more self aware right now?

I am not allowed oatmeal, crackers, and especially the mac n cheese stuff, nor am I allowed popcorn... like... ever. I can't imagine eating something as rough on the digestive tract as popcorn, especially so early on when the pouch is not healed. I am only allowed soft Proteins for another month (I am 3 weeks out). like eggs, Beans, fish, cheeses. Some of the stuff you are eating I was told to stay completely away from. And I am only supposed to be eating 1 Tbsp at a meal for this phase. I would be really scared to eat some of that.

Lactose breaks down the capsaisin (spelling?) in peppers. So, if you eat something with hot peppers or something, make sure you have cheese or sour cream on it. It helps a lot. Or, gargle with milk and spit. That's what I did.

I guess I haven't hit full yet, cause I am chicken. lol But I am eating enough that I am not starving after, so maybe that's my new full.

Ok, so. My surgeon's instructions are to eat small bites, and wait a while between bites. I am doing that. But how much did you guys eat in those first weeks after surgery. I have seen some do 1/4 cup, and I was afraid to go beyond like 1 TBSP or 2 TBSP, so I am not really sure if I am eating enough? If that makes sense. I have tried yogurt, refried Beans, and egg salad. I eat very little of it and notice no difference physically. Now, the Protein shakes... How long does it take you to finish an 8 oz one? I have yet to finish one. Wondering if theres something else I can do to get one down. I am afraid to drink too much too fast. I guess I have anxiety over messing up and doing it wrong. My followup is Tuesday with the surgeon.

I used insurance, but the total billed was around 20K, in San Antonio, Texas.

So, I am 5 days post op. Doing great. Back at work. Walking. Showering. Getting in all my fluids. BM started on day 3. Surgeon wants me on mostly Water because my BM were more than 3 times a day and she said that is usually from the artificial sweeteners in the sports drinks and popcicles. So I am doing mostly water, and 8 oz of broth a day. Water. Tastes. Funny. Today was the first day. But I have had 50 oz as of 1pm, and It all tastes like, well, I don't know... weird. In fact. My mouth in general has a horrid taste. I am guessing this is the ketosis, and there is nothing I can do about it but suck it up.

My surgeon said surgery will not remove hunger. It will allow you to physically eat less, in one sitting, if you follow the rules. Before surgery, I am always hungry. I am hungry all day. However, I only eat 3 times a day. It takes a lot for me to feel that full feeling. Surgery is supposed to help you reach that full feeling. If you give in to the hunger all the time, you won't be successful. bypass won't take that struggle away. The first 6-7 months, your body is in control. You lose the weight. After that, you have to maintain it. You have to eat to the point of near full, slowly, to give your body time to feel that you are done. Then you have to stop. You have to tell yourself, this small portion will fill my tiny teeny stomach, and I will be fine. I have lived my whole life being hungry. I know I will still have hunger. But in 2 days, I will be given a tool to help me control how much I put into my body. And after that, it's up to me. Surgery is not a for sure fix. Or a quick fix. Or a miracle. It still takes work. But it will help you if you follow the plan. Protein first. No liquids with meals. STAY AWAY FROM EMPTY CARBS. No alcohol, and don't drink your calories. hydrate hydrate hydrate. My NUT has preached this to me over and over and over. If I fail. It is going to be because I just flat out didn't follow rules. And I am not about to let that happen.

I am having surgery Thursday... almost your twin. I have had 2 c-sections, throat surgery, 2 D&C , an ablation, and knee surgery. Surgery and recovery do not scare me. I am scared to fail. So far that is where my anxiety comes from.

I live about an hour west of Austin. Surgery is in 2 days. I am so sick of Protein shakes, and the smell of foods that I used to love, are now making me ill. I am ready to get it over with and move on from liquids.

I have gotten the "aawww, be careful, that's dangerous" speech... as opposed to being 350 with high bp? People need to get over it. It's OUR bodies, not theirs. And yes, I have no filter as well, lol

Just sent one, It will be from Robin

After both c-sections, I had to use a pillow when I coughed. Or laughed. Or sneezed. I would gently press it against my abdomen during the cough and it cut the pain down about 60%.

August 13th. Got my date. So. Close.

I submitted on a Tuesday and got the approval call from insurance that Friday morning. So, 3 days. I have United Healthcare.

So I submitted Tuesday to insurance. This is Friday.... They called from UHC and said I am approved, and the surgeon's office called and scheduled me for August 13th. It's finally real. I made it. What a freaking relief.

You could always mail her family members packages containing dead animals you find on the road... Not that It is a good idea... It is just an idea... lol

A. It is NOT easy. Only ignorant people think that... B... who gives a s*** if it WAS easy? Why should it matter? Is the coworker jealous? I have discovered that I have 2 kinds of friends... the kind that support me.. and the kind that are jealous and think I am taking the easy way out. So I finally told them... Yea, This is the easy way. It will be easier to run, easier to walk, easier to live. That usually shuts their pie-hole.

The last 6 months went by SO SLOWLY... And the next few weeks will probably feel even slower. But it will be worth it... for all of us.

I had my final appointment and submitted to insurance today! We are soooo close!