Half of Bri

Before:



Progress (during)



After (now)

This may be bariatric heresy, but when I got to that point where I just wanted to eat my thumbs, I started gearing my meals for more Fiber at the cost of some of the Protein. At close to two years, I am still at only 1000 calories and am supposed to be getting 80-100 grams of Protein. I have backed it off to 60 grams in order to get the Fiber in.
My hamburger patty became 1/2 hamburger patty with Beans and stuff made up as chili. My 3 ounces of chicken became two ounces of chicken and a couple extra bites of veggie. By veggie I don't mean potatoes or corn every night. I mean broccoli, cauliflower, squash, and green Beans and veggies like that.
I love cheese and Peanut Butter, but they don't fill me up. But if I have a 1/2 sliced apple with a tbs. of Peanut Butter, that helps satisfy for a snack. You can substitute the real deal for foods processed in a factory. This would be an apple with the peel, not applesauce, fresh pear with the skin, not canned pears in Syrup, banana - not banana pudding, or Tomato wedges instead of tomato juice.
I have good days and bad days too. If my sciatica is acting up, I want comfort food, not celery sticks. This is a balancing act for life and challenging to get perfect every day. Just do your best and try to stay away from edibles made in a factory. Call it food? ??? I can't. I just can't.

I absolutely love the color purple and all shades of it. I have shied away from wearing it because I would look at myself in the mirror and see Barney. Well, not any more! I bought a purple winter coat and I look good in it! Not like Barney at all! I am looking forward to wearing my purple coat!

We are finally getting the cold fall weather here in Missouri. I've waited years to wear boots that would zip around my larger calves and now that I can I've been sporting them proudly. I've been shopping for all fall clothes and it's just amazing how different the experience has been from last fall. Last fall I was wearing a size 18 (snug) and this year I'm shopping for size 8 which opens up a lot of new options I never had before. My goal is to do as may fun fall inspired activities outside with the kids that I can. Thing I never did with them like apple picking, hay rides, corn mazes, visiting the pumpkin patch, fall festivals ect... I feel alive now. I'm excited to get out and live this fall as apposed to sitting in the house being unhealthy and sluggish. I love fall! Unlike summer I can dress to cover up the parts of my body I'm not thrilled with yet and not look like a crazy loon wearing long sleeves in the middle of summer This is going to be the best fall in all of EVER! Ha! So what are you looking forward to?

4 weeks of liquids would be miserable!

I'm hoping and praying for a late November date. They told me there are 3 dates left in Nov and I am getting my checklist done much faster than those that they expected to fill those dates...I'm already scheduled for my last two checklist items (Blood work & NUT). I started my pre-op diet 3 days ago, so fingers crossed! Good luck to you all!

You guys need to invest in some "smooth move" tea! I'm telling you that stuff works! I haven't had any Constipation issues and I only drink it maybe once a week.

I have three fears:
1) dying from complications. I have a history of blood clots so I'm terrified of something happening.
2) suddenly hating or no longer being able to tolerate certain foods that I NEED (Water, Protein shakes, etc.)
3) regretting my decision long term.

I'm nervous about this, too. I've been obese since my junior year of high school and used to have such a cute style..:and now I'm 30, a work-at-home mom, and pretty much exist in oversize tee shirts, hoodies, and you pants. there's so many things I see that I would LOVE to wear, but I don't feel confident enough to try. I'm hoping that changed as the weight comes off.

I have three fears:
1) dying from complications. I have a history of blood clots so I'm terrified of something happening.
2) suddenly hating or no longer being able to tolerate certain foods that I NEED (Water, Protein shakes, etc.)
3) regretting my decision long term.

Lara, I live just outside of Charlotte as well!! I'm in Concord. ☺️

If it were me, here's what I would do. I would make another appointment with my pcp. I would tell him the statistics on victoza, that I am 50 years old, and I've had difficulty with my weight for my whole life/however many years. I'm not asking for his approval of the type of surgery I'm having. I'm asking for a medical clearance for surgery. I would tell him that I have always highly respected his opinion in the past. I've done my homework on this, and at this stage of my life (particularly post-menopausal), surgery is my best option of long-term success, and I respectfully disagree with his personal opinion.
Then I would say, "Please give me the medical clearance for surgery, or explain to me why it is medically a bad idea based on my medical condition, not the experiences of other people, and what I would have to change to get medical approval for this surgery."
If he says no, then I would tell him that I'm sorry he has allowed his personal bias to interfere with my healthcare, and I'll have to find a new doctor.

I take Celebrex for arthritis, my wife had severe bouts of FM when we met, we got it under control for a long time, now that she has gained weight and not lost very much I notice more frequent flare ups but with rest and meds it's still manageable, I think there is a definite correlation between weight, activity and FM, she recently got a part time job and has lost some weight and the flare ups are subsiding, but still takes meds.....

Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement! on the decoder ring! LOL Bri, thanks for the info on Laser Spine. If the WLS doesn't resolve it I will look into it. Congrat's to your husband! He must feel like a new man! Prayers to you all for continued success and good health!

AND, if that isn't scary enough, MAJOR Constipation is linked to this as well. Well, S&=t! Pun intended.

my new psychiatrist used to do evals for bariatric paitents when she had her other practice and she said it was a wait and see with meds like that im not a fybro paitent but i take lots of psych meds for other issues my best guess would be to talk to the psych doctor with your bariatric clinic and see what they say

Thank you, that's good to know. I'm looking forward to it!

With the weight loss and being able to get more structured exercise on a daily basis, I have seen improvement in my symptoms. I also have lupus. I don't have as many down days as I did prior to surgery. I am feeling very hopeful that the flare-ups will stay away.

My surgeon allows carbonated beverages at 6 months. I am just past that point. I have not yet tried it. I have had a small sip of my husband's beer. Like a taste, hold it in the mouth and then swallow. Diet Dr. Pepper was such an addiction for me I don't want to start up again.
My surgeon does not believe that carbonation will stretch the sleeve. I know somebody that had RNY and she drinks Coke everyday with no problem. I think carbonation tolerance can vary greatly from person to person. You will find that with other foods too. Somebody on one of my Facebook groups is 6 months out and still can't eat lettuce. I have been eating lettuce since maybe 6 or 7 weeks.
As long as your surgeon is okay with seltzer Water go ahead and try a little. See how your sleeve likes it. If not at first then try again in a few weeks/months. I have read that some people can drink carbonated but only if they let it get a little flat or if they pour it over ice to release some of the fizz.
You may also find that your tastes have changed after surgery and you won't miss it. I don't miss Dr. Pepper at all. I used to have a minimum of two 20 oz bottles per day.

Thanks everyone, I guess only time will tell! Seltzer Water is all natural and calorie free. It's water with bubbles

I don't have my surgery date yet but I'm already getting impatient...I wish I could have it tomorrow! I'd definitely take the earlier date if it was me...think of how far along you'll be by your trip!

First picture before sleeve 221 lbs
Next picture 3 1/2 months later 152 lbs  

thanks so much! I can't tell you how encouraging that is!