Seerae3

I just returned from a big trip where I was required to take 6 different flights. I had not traveled by plane in probably 4 years. Last time I traveled, I was completely embarrassed because I had to ask for a seat belt extender. This time around I had plenty of extra seat belt to spare!! I actually took a picture I was so happy!! Traveling was much more comfy this time around!!

Going to Disney in July!!! So excited to be walking around and not feel worn out after a couple hours. I was so nervous about the Harry potter ride cause I have heard its a squeeze but yesterday I fit into a 14 in the dressing room. I was like what?!?!?! Watch out Harry potter I am probably going to ride u 100 times and scream hell yes every time the harness clicks! Some of my nsv have been furniture shopping at ikea and not being worried I was going to break the chairs, not feeling out of place when I go shopping with my skinny friends, and purchasing a pair of shorts for the first time in forever. I can't wait to run into an x or two in my small town!

Went to a theme park yesterday, and got on my first roller coaster in more than 10 years (12 years to be exact!) fear of being told I didn't fit kept me off every ride for that long.
After the whole day my hubby was like just get on one already. I went alone! In fear of humiliation! And this ride was CRAZY!!! lol and my hubby recorded it! LOL I couldn't believe I fit! I couldn't believe I loved it! Me and hubby are planning a date night back so we can get on more.... Together:)
Surgery date 7/25/12

Finally was able to fit into a dress my husband bout me when we were dating 6 1/2 years ago that never ever fit me!!! It's a regular petite size 14.... Not plus size !!!!! And for the first time in 10 years I can see my girl parts just standing in the mirror.... I forgot that was even there, LOL !!!

Fit in airplane seat and no extension. Excess seat belt left over. LOOK!

Here is a link to an article that I wrote about my surgery. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery.pdf

Thank you so much for your advice and enlightenment I will be looking into those protein options asap. I just don't know how they will work out being lactose intolerant I can't even have yogurt but in will ping to keep trying

According to the folks at my program and stuff I have read, this is normal. As the fat goes away it releases hormones which leads to the crying. Keeping your Fluid intake up, will help flush those out.
Also you are changing your relationship with food which can cause you to go through a mourning period. Does your program have a therapist? It might be useful at this stage. If they don't you might want to look for one with experience with bariatric patients. I have not had my surgery yet, but everything I have read and heard from others who have, is that this will pass.
Hang in there and take care of yourself.

After gastric bypass surgery, it can be difficult. It takes time. It wasn't until around the 6 month that all the problems seemed to melt away and I reached a happy state.
The three most important elements after RNY gastric bypass surgery are to meet your daily protein, Fluid and vitamin requirements. food is secondary because your body is converting your stored fat into the energy that drives your body. Thus you lose weight. So focus on the three main items.
Since you said you thought you might be dehydrated. Then focus on solving your problems with fluids.
It is common for your taste buds to change after surgery. Be willing to experiment. After surgery, my taste buds changed dramatically. Even Water changed. In the hospital it tasted excessively chlorinated and I could not drink it. So I experimented. sugar free popsicles became my best friend. Some individuals find hot or cold can help with fluids. For me, I found that I could tolerate flavored water. So I began using Crystal Light. I also found a new drink Bai which I liked cold. In the winter, I found that I tolerate Hot Drinks such as piping hot cocoa. But you have to use the "No Sugar Added" variety. Also fine English teas were very good.
The fluid requirement is met by a combination. It is not only the water that you drink each day. But also the water you drink when you take your Vitamins and medicine. It is the milk you drink. It is the fluids content of the Protein Shakes. It is the water component of the Soups you take. It is met by flavored water such as Crystal Light. It is met by sugar free popsicles. It is met by tea and Decaf coffee. It is a combination of all the fluids that you consume during the day.
Since you indicated you are having a problem with protein shakes.
Many experience problems drinking Protein shakes. I hated them. But in the beginning I drank them, three 16-ounce protein shakes a day, in order to meet my protein requirements. There are many varieties of protein shakes available today. Experiment until you can find one you can tolerate. You don't have to like it, just tolerate it. I used Muscle Milk Light (Vanilla Creme) powder blended with water and a half a banana. That worked for me. But on the opposite end of the spectrum, you might try premixed Isopure.
If you tried all the various varieties and still are unsuccessfully, then there is the fallback of fortified milk. 32 ounces of 1% milk fortified by adding 1 cup of dried milk provides 56 grams of protein. It also takes a dent out of meeting the fluid requirements. Mix up a pitcher and drink a little throughout the day.
Without sufficient protein, your body will scavenge protein from other areas of your body, such as your muscles. Protein is extremely important after surgery as its job in the body is to build and maintain tissues including your body's major organs and skeletal muscles. Protein deficiency, when continued over a long period of time can cause a disease known as protein caloric malnutrition. Common symptoms are poor healing, fatigue, Hair loss and muscle wasting. Immediate post op, protein promotes healing of the staple line and incisions.

A friend of mine gave me some great lip balm in a little gift before surgery. With the dry mouth and lips- it was a real life saver. Also had some great smelling coconut lotion my hubby put on my legs and feet to help me feel human. Other than a change of clothes for home, I didn't use a single other thing I brought (never even showered there) except for my phone charger. I only stayed overnight.

After my RNY gastric bypass surgery, I was on full liquids for the first 4 weeks, pureed foods for the next four weeks and then only after week 9 was I transitioned to solid food. Your stomach needs time to heal. The transition to solids can be rough. There is no need to rush it.

Hang in there. I was exactly the same way...especially when I woke up in the mornings my mouth tasted TERRIBLE! It all seemed to go away at about the 3 month mark so there is definitely hope. I also was at the point about week 3 that I could not tolerate another milk based Protein Shake like slimfast. I had a brief fling with Isopure which was good for me for a few weeks and then I found Syntrex Protein Powder and it has been my lifesaver. Two scoops of that is 200 calories and 46g of Protein. It literally made everything tolerable for me. Hang in there!

It is common for your taste buds to change after surgery. Be willing to experiment. After surgery, my taste buds changed dramatically. Even Water changed. In the hospital it tasted excessively chlorinated and I could not drink it. So I experimented. sugar free popsicles became my best friend. Some individuals find hot or cold can help with fluids. For me, I found that I could tolerate flavored water. So I began using Crystal Light. I also found a new drink "Bai" which I liked cold. In the winter, I found that I tolerate Hot Drinks such as piping hot cocoa. But you have to use the "No Sugar Added" variety. Also fine English teas were very good.
The Fluid requirement is met by a combination. It is not only the water that you drink each day. But also the water you drink when you take your Vitamins and medicine. It is the milk you drink. It is the fluids content of the Protein Shakes. It is the water component of the Soups you take. It is met by flavored water such as Crystal Light. It is met by sugar free popsicles. It is met by tea and Decaf coffee. It is a combination of all the fluids that you consume during the day.
The bad taste in your mouth may be because your body is in ketosis. Ketosis is a normal metabolic process. When the body does not have enough glucose for energy, it burns stored fats instead; this results in a build-up of acids called ketones within the body.

Women's crisis centers often need clothing for interviews and professional attire for women who will be looking for work. I've donated with them locally and they're always very grateful for the donations!

Women's crisis centers often need clothing for interviews and professional attire for women who will be looking for work. I've donated with them locally and they're always very grateful for the donations!

Women's crisis centers often need clothing for interviews and professional attire for women who will be looking for work. I've donated with them locally and they're always very grateful for the donations!

You will never be able to eat "normally" again if you want to keep the weight off.
Let me use ice cream as an example. Can you have a cup of ice cream once in a while? Absolutely, as long as it's not a trigger for cravings and it's ONLY a once in a while thing. I personally don't eat it because it's a trigger food for me. At 3.5 years out, I won't stop at a cup. I'll eat a half gallon. Sure, it may take me all day, but I'll do it. My solution? Halo Top, a low calorie high Protein ice cream like treat.
We aren't normal. We are people prone to morbid obesity. The surgery helps for a while during the honeymoon period by decreasing our appetite and food volume. As time goes by, the benefits are less effective. Sure, we still can't eat the volume like we could before, but it's easy to eat "around" our stomachs. Use the honeymoon period to cement good eating and exercise habits so when the inevitable does happen, you're that much more ahead.
If I don't eat nutritious, non processed food 90% of the time and move more, I gain weight. Our bodies fight to get back to where we were before, so it's our job to reset our metabolic clock to keep it from happening. The surgery also helps with that.
I've been as high as 15 pounds over my goal weight when I slacked off on my diet and exercise. It also took me months to lose it again, because for some reason our bodies want to hold on to it once we are in maintenance!
That being said, the short answer? Yes, you will need to be vigilant with your diet and exercise for the rest of your life if you want to keep the weight you lose off. Can you splurge once in a while? Absolutely! Just follow a 90/10 or 80/20 plan to where you're doing what you need to do 80 or 90% of the time. It's when it turns into 50/50 consistently is when we get into trouble

Unfortunately, this is a common side effect of intubation. Especially for us who are over weight. Its harder for the person with the laryngoscopy to be able to see our vocal cords due to us having short and very cubby neck lines. While we are very careful while manipulating the soft tissue of the throat its still not an easy process at times and soft tissue unfortunately can become damaged.
Time is the only cure. It hurts so bad because its on the top layer of skin where most of the nerves are!
As you can see in the image attached the blade has to go clear down into the vallecula. Which is right above where your vocal cords are! Lots of soft tissue that has never/rarely been touched by any metal!

I'm taking 10 days (11 if you include surgery date itself) I also have a desk job and I will have plenty of time to be able to drink and everything! My surgery isn't until Sept. 7th!

I'm planning on taking at least 6 weeks. That's what my surgeon recommends, so I'm going to listen to him.

Just take your time with the food transitions. There is no need to rush. The three most important elements after weight loss surgery are to meet your daily Protein, Fluid and Vitamin requirements. Food is secondary because your body is converting your stored fat into the energy that drives your body. Thus you lose weight.

Crock Pot!!!

Thanks for your responses, I was thinking 2 weeks would be sufficient.

Lol. Just blame it on the cat! They always give dirty looks anyway![emoji23][emoji23]

Thank you all for your advice! I am doing this for a good reason and I guess I just need to make an effort to remind myself of that more moving forward. I only have a few more months before surgery. I need to make a more consistent effort to eat healthfully as well.