Stephanie Stroup McIntosh

During the first week, it took me most of the day to drink 1 shake. I was lucky if I could get in 2. By day 10, I could do 2 on a regular basis. I never got to more than that. Week 3 I started with purees and would get 2 shakes and maybe half a yogurt over the course of the day.

I was on full liquids. I basically just had Protein shakes. I did sneak yogurt a day or 2 before I was supposed to, but I recommend doing whatever your doctor told you to do.

I itched a lot. .I brought a back scratcher to the hospital and continue to use it now. The first few days, I was very itchy.

As far as the gas, walking will help and they will give you any meds that you may need.

I used chapstick, personal products, cell phone and charger. I even brought an extension cord for my cell phone, which helped a lot. I also brought a back scratcher. It was sooooooo helpful.

I was told to look at the type of carbs not necessarily the amount, other than to make sure it was less than my Protein. If I am going to have carbs they are supposed to be fruit, vegetables, or good grains. I look more at my sugar than my carbs.

I apologize. I couldn't find the challenge yesterday.

CW 237

I am doing the Memorial Day Challenge, but I can't find it. I have searched but it seems to have disappeared. Does anyone know where to find it?

The process is frustrating. This is what your surgeon's office does everyday. Trust in them. Use the time now to start your new life. You can do it.

The more weight you lose pre-op the better success with the actual surgery. Also they need your liver to shrink.

There are always setbacks in life. Most of us have turned to food in these times. Now is your chance to show that you are really changing for good. Take the extra few weeks and be the best patient ever.

You can do it. Take some deep breaths and try to relax. You are working yourself up. Your hunger, is probably all in your head. Drink some Water or change your activity. How much Protein is in your shake? I used Premier Protein. 160 calories, 30g Protein, and only 5 carbs. I could have 4 shakes per day which is still less than your 800 calories.

You could lose your job with or without the surgery. You already have excess skin. Its just holding fat now. If your boyfriend or other men can't deal with your saggy skin, they probably weren't good for you anyway. You probably have a better chance of being eaten by a bear in NY than in Mexico.

If you don't have the surgery, you will probably not lose the weight on your own. That's why you are going through this process. Yes, its scary and there are a lot of unknowns, but that is true with most things in life.

Ask yourself, why you decided to have the surgery in the first place. Chances are, that reason still exists. You are worth it.

It shouldn't stop you from getting surgery. My surgeon did an upper endoscopy to figure out if I had any acid problems. He also prescribed Protonix before the surgery and then doubled to one in the morning and one at night when I had the surgery.

There is a possibility that it is caused by a hiatal hernia. If that's the case, they can fix the hernia at the same time as the surgery.

Good luck to the both of you. I had surgery in March, but am here if you need to reach out to anyone.

I ate a bunch of prunes to help me "go". Drinking a few Protein shakes in place of meals may also help. I like Premier Protein. Avoid sugar. Go for a walk.

Its really not a huge deal that you gained over your wedding. That's normal. I gained a few pounds over the holidays and the doctor wasn't upset at all. He said that I still gained less than most "normal" people do over the holidays.

Make it a point to do better everyday and it will come back off.

Physically, I felt good on the stairs as soon as I was off the pain meds. When I was taking them, i wanted someone around for the stairs and when I showered. Other than that, I didn't really need help from anyone else. I only even made sure my husband was around for my stairs and shower the first day I was home.

You won't have much to lug upstairs, because you won't be eating much. I would just make sure you have the basics before you go in for surgery. Have Protein shakes, SF popsicles and Jello, broth and tylenol on hand.

You will need someone to drive you home from the hospital when you get discharged and probably to get your prescriptions that day as well.

My doctor said I could use skim milk in my coffee. A lot of people also stir in a little Protein shake after its cooled a bit.

I use opurity. I take 1 multi Vitamin and 4 Calcium. The Multivitamin does not taste very good though.

I also take Vitamin D (more because of the lack of sun), Iron, and Vitamin C (to help absorb the iron).

It gets better. The first 3 days were the worst. Day 4 around noon, I suddenly just felt better. During the morning, I was sluggish and weak. I had a Protein shake for lunch and almost instantly felt better and felt good for the rest of my 12 day diet. The only hunger i had after that was in my head.

Make sure you have high quality shakes. I used Premier Protein. 160 calories, 30g Protein, 5 carbs and they taste good. I even mixed some Decaf instant coffee with it to make it fancy. Good luck. You can do it.

So I am having a rough few days.

I was sleeved 3/23 and lost 20 pounds in just over 2 weeks. I had lost 30 pounds prior to surgery. Since then, I have only lost another 5 pounds. I find this very discouraging. I know what I need to do and am doing it. I weigh my portions and log everything. I will be starting the soft foods stage on Monday and a looking forward to having some more options. I have logged every little bite that I have eaten on myfitnesspal. I work out at least 5 times per week. I even did a spin class last week. (I rocked it, by the way.) The weight is just not coming off. I know that stalls are normal, but it is just frustrating and I needed to vent.

In the past, whenever I was upset about my weight, I would eat more. I know that is totally detrimental and part of the reason I needed to have weight loss surgery, but its the truth. I obviously can't do that now, and have been pretty good with my diet. I average 600-700 calories, 75-90g Protein, and less than 30 carbs per day. I don't want to eat, because I know that would make me even more frustrated.

My husband is also overweight. I am going to guess he is right around the 500 pound mark. He sometimes wants to have the surgery. In fact, he is the reason I decided to have it. He signed up for an informational session and I planned to go with him for support. He ended up losing his job (and insurance) so he cancelled, but i still went and ended up getting surgery. Sometimes, he is supportive of me and my weight loss, but other times I think he is jealous. He also fears that I will get skinny and leave him. He does seem to "enjoy" the difference in my body already.

I am on a paid leave from work, so I am still bringing home my regular pay check. He is working 6 days a week, and his check isn't even half of mine. I think he expects me to do all of the housework since I am not working, but I still want/need him to pitch in and help. It makes me so frustrated. It also bothers me that I am the breadwinner (who doesn't get to eat bread) and still have to do most of the work at home. I get sinks full of dishes, but I am not using many dishes, because I am not really eating.

All of the frustration, makes me want to eat things that I know I shouldn't. It also makes me reflect on the past and how on bad days I would buy bad foods and eat them.

I know this is all very confusing and unorganized, but I think I just needed to get it out, so I could feel better. Also...when I am typing, I am not eating or wanting to eat.

For the most part, I have had a very positive outlook on everything, but yesterday and today have just been in the crapper. I am going to blame it on the hormones. Oh well, thanks for letting me get all that off my chest. Cheers to a better tomorrow.

I am also about a month out. I am usually under 20g fat per day. My doc said the goal for long term is 30-35.

My surgeon said I can go to 130 carbs per day. I usually get between 20-30.

So I don't necessarily get meals at the "normal" schedule. I try, but it doesn't always happen.

What do you do at night, if you feel hungry and you didn't even get close to your max calories?

I had a Protein shake and had some chicken today. I tried to eat a few times, but my body just wasn't ready. Fast forward to 10pm and I am hungry.

I drank some Water. I had a hot cup of tea. I changed my activity. I still feel like I could eat a cow. I am also not normally a late night eater.

Should I eat something or not? I will probably be up for another hour or 2, but will be relatively sedentary.

I felt pretty good at 2 weeks. By that time your body is more adjusted to the lack of calories. Assuming you have been with your company for more than a year, file for FLMA. That will prevent them from replacing you while you are off.

My doctors diet...

12 days liquid diet preop. 4 shakes per day. No solid foods.

2 weeks clear and full liquids. broth, shakes, Strained Soups

3 weeks pureed foods. Yogurt, eggs, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, pureed moist meats

3 weeks soft foods. Boiled vegetables, moist soft meat, milk soaked Cereal

@8 weeks, I am able to include all foods as my body tolerates them.

Once you rid yourself of the need for caffeine, its not too hard to go without. Try to ween yourself down on the caffeine and creamer now, so it will be easier when you can't have them. If you need something in your coffee, use skim milk.

Tylenol is all you should take for pain. The others can cause ulcers. Your cramps and headaches may very well change with the weight loss. I haven't had any headaches since my surgery and I was still on pain meds with my period, so cramps weren't an issue.

People have had success under both surgeries. My doctor no longer performs the band though because of the amount of people who have had failed bands.

I also have PCOS and was given the option of the sleeve or the bypass. I chose the sleeve. I probably would lose more weight with the bypass, but the sleeve is what I am comfortable with. I am 4 weeks out and have lost about 25 pounds.

Good luck

This is all normal. Your body is just adjusting. Stay with it though. If you have to take breaks, that's fine.