Stephanie Stroup McIntosh

Only take 20 minutes to eat and put your spoon down between bites. Its sounds to me that you are eating too much. Are you getting enough Protein? How are your calories?
I am only 2 weeks out and just starting on yogurt. I know I could eat a whole container, but I start to feel different about half way through, so I stop eating.
Eat slowly and listen to your body.

Well, the weight hasn't come off all that fast. Frankly, I think that's a WLS myth -- at least for middle-aged and older women.
Pre-op I went on a self-imposed diet 2 months prior to my surgeon's prescribed pre-op diet; on both those diets (over 2-1/2 months) I lost 20 pounds. Post-op in the last nearly 8 months I've lost another 61 pounds for a total of 81 pounds lost. That's an average of 8 pounds a month. I'm now 4 pounds from my goal.
I've yo-yo dieted a gazillion times before. I think everyone just thinks I've had another successful round of dieting.
This time I've told everyone I'm: (1) serious as a heart attack about finally conquering my weight problem, (2) seeing a shrink to help me change my behaviors and resolve any ambivalence about finally conquering this beast, (3) eating fewer calories while eating very nutritious food, (4) eating a lot more Protein, and (5) exercising a lot more.
All that's true.

@@Stephanie Stroup McIntosh
Thank you Stephanie, I use appreciate your offer

Most docs want you to lose 5-10%. It shows that you are committed and will really make the process easier. You have to be ready to make a life change. This isn't a quick fix and they want to make sure people will really do what is necessary. For my insurance I had to be on a 6 month documented diet. Every doctor and insurance company is different, but your doctor should be able to tell you exactly what they expect.

I am so sorry that you don't have a great support system. I am fortunate to be surrounded by a lot of people that really do support me. Surprisingly some of my coworkers have been the most supportive. I would really suggest finding someone who you can talk to about everything. I know its really the most important thing going on in my life right now and it is what I want to talk about. Feel free to Facebook me or e-mail me. Smileystephanie1@aol.com

Thanks everyone for your input. I just found this quote, "Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength" - Leo Buscaglia. I have to remember that!

I had a brain tumor. I couldn't fix that on my own.
The brakes on my car were bad. I couldn't fix that on my own.
I got pregnant. I coudn't deliver my babies without a whole staff load of people in the room looking up my hoo-haw. TWICE.
You are having surgery. To fix a problem that could KILL you via heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. You are still going to have to eat right, exercise, plan your day, drink your Water, follow up with your doctor.

You will be doing it "on your own", because I can tell you this for sure. Unless you have a whole 'lotta money, there is not going to be anyone following you around, slapping the bad food out of your hands for the rest of your life. There is not going to be anyone walking for you and giving you caloric credit. There is no one going to be putting in an IV while you sleep so you stay hydrated.

No guilt allowed. You have a lot of work ahead of you. Save the energy you would use on guilt and focus on planning out how you are going to enjoy the life you are giving back to yourself after you take care of this health problem of yours.

Okay, take a deep breath and calm down
Bariatric surgery will REDUCE your risk of death by 89%. And that includes the tiny risk of death associated with any surgery.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1356432/
What if i die on the operation table?
We all have to die somehow, and my take on that possibility was (1) it's a tiny risk, less than a half of one percent; and (2) since we have to die, dying on an operation table is probably the best way to go. It's painless, you don't know it's happening, and there are people there to take care of your body and inform your family. Better that than having a massive stroke (huge risk for obese people btw) at home alone, being unable to summon help, dying slowly and painfully and then having your body be eaten by your pets.
Wont the staples in my stomach cause cancer on a later stage?
I'm not aware of any science showing that staples cause cancer. You know what probably does cause cancer though? Obesity!
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/causes-prevention/risk/weight-activity/obesity-fact-sheet
http://www.asco.org/practice-research/obesity-and-cancer
Will the staples not cause discomfort?
No, you can't feel the staples. You will probably have some discomfort immediately after surgery, caused by the incisions and the gas they use to inflate your abdomen for surgical access, but you will get good pain meds to take care of it and it will go away quickly.
Will the fact that i had the procedure not cut my life expectancy short?
No, bariatric surgery is associated with a lower death rate than is found in morbidly obese people who choose not to have surgery:
http://bariatric.stopobesityforlife.com/does-bariatric-surgery-increase-life-expectancy-in-obese-patients/
You know what will significantly decrease your life expectancy? Yes, you guessed it, remaining morbidly obese will!
http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/12/01/weight.shortens.lifespan.health/
"According to recent NIH statistics obese individuals have a 50 to 100% increased risk of death from all causes compared to normal weight individuals."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1473136/
All that emotional energy you are spending being afraid of surgery? Spend it on being afraid of obesity instead. That's what should scare you and make you willing to step outside your comfort zone to fight it with the most effective weapon possible, which for the vast majority of people is bariatric surgery.

At this point...why not try make a broth by cooking crawfish and veggies or whatever you like. Let your husband eat the crawfish, but you can have the broth.

Your weight varies based on your hydration. Maybe you were just more hydrated today. I wouldn't be worried at this point unless you have been eating things that you aren't supposed to eat.

I am 12 days out and have felt a similar pain. Mine goes away pretty quickly. I have noticed it happens most frequently if its been a long time since I have had something. I don't know if its normal or not, but I know that mine is not happening as often as it was. I am doing better at smaller sips.

It will get better. You have support on this site and even if you don't currently have a support system, now is as good a time as any to start building one.
Consider attending a support group, finding a therapist, and reaching out to trusted friends/family.
Keep sharing on this site let us know how you are doing.

I am a movie popcorn addict. Thats the main reason I go to the movies. You are just to early in the process to eat popcorn. It is something that is hard to digest and you just aren't ready for that yet. If you are looking for salty foods try some low-fat Soups or mix unflavored Protein powder into foods that are on your approved list.
You just don't want to hurt yourself or delay the process. It will get better and you will be able to have popcorn again. but not for a few months.
Stay strong

At 4 1/2 months I have passed the 50% mark towards my goal. One thing, though, is that weight loss can and DOES slow down. I am hoping to reach goal weight by my son's wedding in August, 2016!
I would encourage everyone not to be discouraged when the stalls occur and to keep working towards good health!

First and foremost, I have never had a single second of regret. Despite the stricture, the constant nauseated feeling I had for the first few weeks (meds fixed that), my inability to drink plain Water (still! almost 2 years out!), and the constant diarrhea (still! almost 2 years out!).

That's all the bad stuff, all completely tolerable as it replaced the constant guilt for cheating on whatever diet I was on at the moment. The gassy, bloated feeling I had from whatever "bad" foods I had gorged on that day. The dread I felt about stepping on the scale.
My size 8 wardrobe has replaced my size 20. Brightly colored clothes have replaced most of the black in my closet. Heels are comfortable now. I may have poop Soup, but I no longer have to wait for the handicapped stall because a regular stall is too small. I was able to do any exercise I wanted before, but now I can exercise without sweating profusely the moment I start, I can breath comfortably, I don't have to stop to "get a rock out of my shoe". I no longer wear capri pants when it's cold outside because they are the only pants I could find that fit. I don't care if my hair and makeup is perfect and I can go out in workout clothes because I no longer feel as if I look like the fat lady who just didn't give a ****.
I can eat in public without being self conscious. I don't feel the constant stares (all in my imagination, I'm sure) when I walk through a mall full of teens. I am no longer the fat mom. Hell, I am no longer the fattest person in the room, hoping someone fatter will show up. (Ha! It's been so long, I've forgotten about that until this very second.) I thought I would miss food. I don't. I don't miss the fat lady stores, I don't miss buying wide shoes, I don't miss the looks when I get on an airplane, bus, train or theater -- you know, that look that says, " PLEASE don't sit next to me!!".

No, no regrets. The little blips on the radar are were all worth it. I am most surprised about how much I was fooling myself when I thought I looked and felt great. Let me tell you, it's was nothing like I look and feel now.

Hello everyone just wanted to stop in and share some exciting news I was sleeved 2 years and 8days ago
Starting weight 315lbs
Surgery day 286lbs
Current weight 159lbs
I set my goal at 159lbs the day of my
surgery my doctors goal for me was 175-180lbs but I couldn't stop at that I needed my bmi to be normal for my height and as of today I've reached my personal goal I will continue to focus and maintain my progress thanks for taking the time to read my success here are some pictures of my journey
Paints size 26 3xl shirt
Now pants size 7/8 small shirt
      

Eventually you will be able to get in your Protein and liquid goals. No, sleeves don't stretch, but the swelling will go down so you can consume more.
You say you've never eaten when you're not hungry? Serious question for you (not judgey, genuinely curious). How did you get to 300+ pounds eating only when you're hungry? I'm fascinated by this "listen to your body" theory. I listened to my body and ended up needing WLS...
My body isn't too bright.

It
it's actually quite easy to get in 60+gm of Protein and 64 ounces of Water. most of us to that and more. You do have to work up to it. I think it took me about 1 - 2 weeks.
How? By combining the 2. I made me Protein drinks with water instead of milk and I used loads of ice. I also made sure to get in the bulk of my Protein by lunch. This meant I had the time between lunch and dinner to drink water. Additionally it's fluids, not water. So if I had a Protein Drink for Breakfast I made it with protein powder/greek yogurt & water. That comes in at between 30-38 gms of protein and it's about 15 ounces of fluids. Lunch could be yogurt with a bit of Protein powder, again another 30gm protein. I wait and then start on water. I have several hours to just sip water. I always carry a water bottle around so that's not a big deal. By dinner I've already met the minimum protein requirement. My water bottle is 20 ounces. Typically I can drink 2 full bottle before dinner and still have time to spare . Add the 15 from the morning shake to the 40 in the water bottle and that gives you 55. Drink another half a bottle after dinner and you've more than hit your Fluid goal.
But here's the other reason why it's important to hit that protein goal. Your body needs it. It needs it to help you stomach heal and it's part of the process to help you lose weight. Without it your body holds onto every calorie it can. Additionally it may start to leech protein from other areas like your nails & hair. Then you have to worry about Hair loss.< /p>
Like I said you don't reach those goals right away, but you should try to work up to it. I guarantee you it won't stretch your stomach.

It may be the 3 week stall, however this may not be a good idea.
Your nutritionist should have given you some information on eating/drinking. You should be striving to reach the minimum Protein goals or 60 gm a day and 64 ounces of fluids. Initially you can't always trust your sleeve to tell you when you are hungry. Acid production sometimes feels very similar to hunger. Are you on a PPI such as prilosec or omeprazole? Failing to meet your Protein goals can hinder your weight loss.