MissLiss

Thank you Blerdgirl...I have done exactly that. I'm accepting.

Missheidi47 even though I still tire out I do have much more energy than when I started and I trust that I will gain even more.

Now for momfromjersey22 you sound like you need a superhero cape! You go girl!

I'm going to accept my 43 year old self and rest when I need to and it is reassuring- as on many of my questions- to hear that this is normal for some.

My period was late by a month and a half before surgery. I got it about 9 days after surgery. It typically lasts 3 days maybe 4 and it lasted light to medium for 6 days and now intermittent spotting.

I did it for a mix of reasons. Absolutely to look and feel better. I hate getting an extender on an airplane and wondering if I could get removed from a flight. I hated being limited in what I could do because I didn't like to stand for long and walking exhausted me and the summer heat was unbearable. I also began working in a Senior apartment building and became infinitely more aware of health as one gets older and the impact excess weight has on health. My ObGYN told me in no uncertain terms that he felt I was a cancer risk due to being over weight. For years I tried to do this on my own and @@AvaFern has said it very well- a permanent solution to yo-yo dieting that I was not able to give myself without help.

So, one day right before Christmas, when I was dreading the clothes family members would buy, inevitably too small, and ask me to try on, sliding into the airplane seat and praying and sliding into the booth at Denny's -where I really didn't fit, after family picked me up at airport and any other number of things I made the decision to meet with a surgeon and made the appointment before I left for the holidays. I met with the surgeon on December 29th and Got my sleeve on April 21st - almost 4 months later and I haven't hesitated or regretted yet. It is early on and I do look forward to getting off the purees and having some veggies and fish and steak (fingers crossed) but I am also looking forward to losing the weight, to starting at a gym, to arranging activities that don't center around food or alcohol.

I'll admit- most of my current friends I met at a local restaurant bar and we had 3 nights a week that we met- but some of that has changed and I find myself a little at a loss of how to fill my time just now but I'll get there. But I am largely happy and on my way to healthy and so glad I made the decision to do it.

Okay- so what I've read on other threads is to :

1) increase Water intake. Water is intrinsic in fat burning.

2) eat every 2 hours to keep the metabolism going- I have to say duh to myself on this one. When I did Medifast which yielded a 2+ pound weight loss per week on average had me eating 6 small meals a day. So I am going to break up my Protein shake into 2 parts. That gives me 4 mini meals and then I will have my last meal of the day broken into 2 or have a meal and a 'dessert' I'm thinking of making homemade applesauce.

3) very the exercise so heavier some days lighter others

4) consider breaking up caloric intake- lighter some days heavier the others

I guess the previous two are really about the body regulating and by keeping it guessing so to speak it keeps it pinging away.

Any other input is helpful- and I realize that it also may be that regardless of what I do I will still stay in a stall as long as my body decides its going to- and I'm okay with that- but if I'm able to jumpstart things I'm going to do it!

I have known people who have difficulty with certain artificial sweeteners with results like these. In one case it was Malitol that caused a problem. Maybe there is an unsweetened Protein Drink or mix?

I agree that you should talk with your doctor too and with diarrhea that Water consumption has to be up there. I hope you have an answer soon.

Haha- momfromjersey22 - I'm glad you're doing so well! I start out feeling like this but peter out. Can I ask how far out you are from surgery?

I am 18 days post op and maybe I've been pushing myself too hard? I went back to work the following week only part time- I went in late, took it easy and left when I was tired. This past week was full time but I still left a little early three days. I get home a little after four and tend to nap for a little but now.

Today, Saturday, after a full night's sleep I woke up raring to go- chose a place to take a nice walk today- and as I woke more I decided maybe today will be chore day and I will explore tomorrow. I then got up, sorted some clothes to see what fits and doesn't, bagged up some laundry, put the dishes away, ate some Breakfast and now I find myself tired. I have settled into a comfy spot and feel ready to go back to sleep.< /p>

I'm not complaining- it's a process- but I'm kind of surprised by it.

Anyone run into something similar?

I lost 12.5 in the first 10 days, then went up 2 pounds and down 3 but it was also that time of the month as well.

I am definitely feeling reassured and I have to say - really good! I don't remember the last time I felt so good.

@@Graciesmom04 Thank you- Just needed to hear that from someone. It's science- if I'm taking in under x number of calories even if I wasn't exercising it has to come off.

I know everyone is different- I have lost 13.5 pounds (from day of operation)and have run into a stall. Granted I fell behind on my Water intake, wound up with acute Constipation which was largely remedied yesterday and I dialed back my exercise because I wasn't feeling well- so all of this could be a factor but it blows my mind that at probably around 500 calories intake with no more than 7 grams of fat and carbs under 30 that this could happen- lol.

I'm drinking 2 Protein shakes one in the morning and one at lunch and then purees for dinner. The highest puree I've had was grits with lite laughing cow cheese between 1/4 cup and 1/2 a cup and I've decided to ditch the grits and now reach for cottage cheese, ricotta bake, acorn squash puree...maybe it's starvation?

I fell much better this morning so I went for a hearty 40 minute powe rwalk that raised a sweat and I will get in my 65 ounces of Water plus a bonus water.

Just looking for a little hand holding and hearing that this is all part of the process. I expected something just not this soon.

Lol- I know that the big block of fish is what they cut from...I was really talking about the shape i've had sashimi cut in...I like the cut I get for sushi better- although I have only had sashimi once so perhaps other places cut it different ways.

In any event...I am looking forward to it

Thank you- I noticed that about Miralax and I wasn't sure what to get so I didn't get anything. Well except the suppositories. I will definitely be adding Fiber because I am not a fan of body functions that make me feel like I need to see a therapist about

All I can say is I survived.

Hey- that sounds good! Thank you! You also gave me the idea of blending my Protein shake with other SF pudding mixes...Me thinks I have a vanilla pistachio shake in my near future.

@windfairie- yeah, my NUT told me about having it wrapped without rice. She actually has banned me from rice and Pasta for 6 months. She says they can still expand while in the stomach and she doesn't want anything stretching the pouch. Fine with me, I'm content with spaghetti squash and zucchini noodles.

I like sashimi except I prefer the thinner slices used in sushi opposed to the blocks of fish with sashimi. I wonder if they would cut it thinner if I asked?

I am in the same boat and I plan to get suppositories on my way home. I wish I could go now. I have to go #2 so badly that #1 takes a back seat so neither is getting done. Smooth Move tea is supposed to be good and Chamomile I heard.

I will also be picking up miralax or benefiber- I drink plenty of Water but I guess that is not always enough.

I hope you find comfort soon.

I am patiently sticking to my pureed foods...but I miss my sushi! And to think just one or two pieces will fill me up!

My NUT suggested sushi wrapped in mango without rice but I have not seen this available anywhere? I also have heard of sushi with cucumber and not rice. Anyone ever have those? Is there a special name for them?

I read a great quote the other day; "I've come too far to take orders from a chocolate chip cookie!"

I LOVE THIS!! Hahahaha

So- today is my first niggling craving- I saw a snack food at work- has been there- but for some reason today I really want the crunch of it. I am doubling down on my Water just now- and will simply have to put it off for 2 reasons.

1) I am on the puree stage

2) I am forging a new behavior- not to snack- I could end up right where I was. So I am thinking of all the things i don't like about that snack- that it is crumby for example, and I have swallowed crumbs that made me choke and I hate that.

Gotta say- I'm surprised by this craving and how strong it is. I'm stronger though.

I had an acorn squash that I did not get to make before surgery so today I roasted it, scooped out a little and threw it in my nutribullet with a little sugar free almond milk, 2 tsp of fake butter, 1 tsp of Truvia's brown sugar blend (stevia and molasses 10 calories per tsp.)

mixed it up and its delish! I may sautee some onions and try making a Soup with chicken broth and nutmeg, cinnamon type of deal.

@lex8701 I was just sleeved on 4/21 by Dr. Nusbaum. He and his staff are terrific. If you've met with him you know the reasons. Dr. Ward is an associate of his and when I was last in his office he referred someone out to Dr. Ward because he did not accept their insurance by Dr. Ward did. I have heard many things about Dr. Nusbaum and his meticulous behavior and I would think if he refers patients to Dr. Ward he must be excellent as well.

BTW I'm 5'3" and weighed at 268 day of surgery. I am now 255 and falling.

Yes, I fill up quickly and need to be mindful of what is going on inside while I eat- brings me back to one of my original problems- lol.

I think also, after liquids, soft foods are a different experience and need to be learned. I am re-learning everything now and you know what? I'm loving it!

I'm not allowed crab for 2 weeks yet but you have definitely planted a seed. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

• VERY loose sweatpants. I had packed loose bicycle shorts but my friend insisted that I needed something much looser and she was so right. I wear a 3x and she brought me 4x sweatpants when I was discharged. She was so right and I was so grateful for those pants.
• Pillow for the car ride home. I've seen people write that they were glad to have a pillow to place against their belly on the ride home and for getting in and out of the car. I didn't have one and didn't miss it but it may be worth throwing one in the car.
• A good attitude and willingness to communicate. Everyone reacts differently to this surgery. Just remember any discomfort is temporary. That thought made everything better. One nurse showed me how to breath to offset any nausea I felt after a round of nausea and it helped immensely. Their job is to help you so help them by telling them what is going on.
• Insurance and Prescription Card and ID. I brought my insurance card and ID with me but did not even consider my prescription card. I don't know if every hospital does this but my hospital would have filled my prescriptions before I left- except I did not have the prescription card with me.

I used my cell phone and needed my charger.

The rest of the time I dozed or watched television or walked. I enjoyed checking out mentally for a bit.

I like hand cream, didn't need chapstick but probably would have used it if I had it.

Also drink lots of Water up until you fast. I drank plenty but still felt a bit dehydrated in the hospital but every bit will help.

Also, every time I got up to use the loo I made sure to walk the hallway. I was told the more i move the faster I will feel better and it does help with the gas.

Good Luck!

@@FlabbyNat glad to hear it was a success and very glad no ill effects. Like I said- I saw what seemed to be allusions toward bad effects but nothing substantiated. Oh - and Happy Anniversary!

Hahaha- I love the names everyone has shared

@@elladvyne it took me at least 5 days until I sorted out all the goings on and recognized the feeling of hunger and sated it with Jello. For me, hunger could certainly be in there but as its own entity I didn't find it quite so fierce. This may be a little TMI but my rumblings and gas finally found an exit out the back...once that happened it took another day or two to some normalcy as I know it. I also discovered that 'dumping' can happen in the clear liquid stage. I was guilty of sipping this super yummy broth I made too quickly and I think that was a part of it too. I'm on pureed food now and I understand a little better about how long to take to eat something and feeling full. This is an interesting journey to be sure.