Cervidae

Yeah, my surgeon said the same thing. Way too much sugar. She said if I ever do have juice, it should be 4 ounces or less and diluted with water. But she advised against it altogether, as it's the fastest way to dump!

I'm 5ft5 but I am shaped like most people on my mother's side. We call ourselves eggs, because we're top heavy and have extremely short legs. Even shopping petite is sometimes too long for my legs. It's so hard to find clothes that fit! Jeans that fit my hips are like parachute pants on my legs, and things that fit my legs are incredibly tight or won't even zip up around my hips. I hate it. :/ I also feel like the bmi scale is unfair to my shape. I carry almost all my weight in my stomach. At this point, even though I'm still 221 pounds, my legs look normal, my arms look normal, and my belly is still big but also has a ton of loose skin. Ugh. D:

OH man, I'm incredibly hormonal today and this made me tear up a little! I remember that moment, and how beautifully cathartic is was. Stay amazing! And by the way, I freaking love your bathing suit. You're beautiful.

I second what @@Djmohr said - follow up with Protein soon after and that should help a lot. Hope you feel better. I had a lot of these episodes in the beginning but I have way fewer now that I'm nearly a year out.

I think cottage cheese, sugar free pudding and Jello, ricotta cheese, and yogurt are probably going to be your go-to foods in the puree phase. I ate fat-free refried Beans a lot during that phase. I get the texture grossness about pureeing but you have to wait to eat solids for a reason. Hope you find what you're looking for! Definitely ask your nutritionist for suggestions, as he/she would know the most about it.

You sound just like I did at 6 months! I do have an anxiety disorder, and it was almost unbearable for many months. I felt like I shouldn't go outside, or see people, or do anything. I felt paralyzed by worry/fear/self-consciousness. I think a big part of this was the fact that the reality of who I was and who I was becoming was drastically different than the self-image and identity I've had for most of my life. We spent our lives trying to understand and accept ourselves while the rest of the world is often outright cruel, and trying to deal with who we were as morbidly obese people in a society that not only rejects us but often completely hates us and hurts us. My advice is to focus on facts. Focus on the objective truths about who you are now, and who you may be soon, and who you were before but aren't anymore. Pictures helped me a lot. You can't be expected to create an entire new identity and self-image in six months, so don't beat yourself up for being confused and lost. This too will pass, I promise you. You and I and many other people here are going through a kind of breaking down and rebuilding that very few people can even fathom, let alone deal with. Just remember why you did this in the first place, and keep in mind all of the good things that have happened to you since you started changing. Allow yourself to be excited (or at least cautiously optimistic) about the wonderful things that are headed your way. Focus on your health and self-care. You deserve that! Please don't hesitate to friend me or message me anytime. My highest recorded weight was 442 but I KNOW I was nearing or maybe at 500 at one point. It's different for those of us who were that big. Fat people are never really accepted by society but at that size, many people think it's okay to treat us like we're subhuman and undeserving of love or even life. It's hard to transition into being an "average" person. I totally get that. I struggle with it every day.

I'm nearly a year out from my bypass, and refried Beans (fat free in the beginning) and creamed soups (especially diluted with a little milk) were a staple for me by about three weeks out. I was cleared for pureed food at 20 days post op (a little earlier than their average, but they take things on an "as tolerated" basis often) by my surgeon who is one of four surgeons at a center of excellence with an extremely low death/complication rate. I had no complications, and I've lost 221 pounds. So as for refried beans and creamed soups being bad... not really. Especially in the beginning when you WANT extra calories and it's hard to get them in. My bloodwork has been perfect throughout this entire experience. You may just be trying to eat them too soon. As for your pain/fullness, it's entirely possible that it is just gas, as others have said, but as with any pain or difficulty eating after surgery, you should feel free to contact your doctor and ask questions. That's what they are there for, and what they are paid for. And they want you to be safe, healthy and successful! So if you are concerned in any way, give them a call. The worst that can happen is for them to say "that's abnormal, come in for a check" and then you can get whatever the problem is taken care of. Most likely, your system is just not quite ready for the foods you are eating. That happens, as everyone is different and some people can handle things sooner than others. As for the pooping thing, I admit I was a little alarmed in the beginning too. I generally only go twice a week or so now, but it makes sense to be so infrequent. You have barely any food in your system, and your intestines were probably pretty clear before surgery because of the pre-op diet. Again, if you're concerned, ask. They want to help you any way they can. Here's my plan, in case you're interested. This worked very well for me and the hundreds of other people I've interacted with at the support group I attend at my center of excellence. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/MediaLibraries/URMCMedia/hh/services-centers/bariatrics/documents/Bariatric_Meal_Plan_Pureed.pdf Hope this helps! And I hope you feel better soon. Hang in there and listen intently to your body. Soon you'll feel much, much better and be on your way to a new life.

I was weighed at my very first consultation and then at every single appointment after that. It's just their standard practice. Call me in, take my weight, show me to a room.

I slept in a recliner for the first week or so. I think how heavy you are makes a huge difference. I was 387 the day of surgery and there is absolutely no way I would have been able to get in and out of bed without a ton of pain.

Hello! August 17th will be one year since my bypass. I was certainly nervous before surgery! Not just nervous, by impatient, excited, and generally just in a state of overexcitement for weeks leading up to it. You'd be crazy if you were utterly calm! I dealt with it by being as prepared as I could possibly be. I watched probably hundreds of hours of videos on youtube by people from every stage before and after surgery. I read basically this entire site. I participated in discussions, asked questions. I made sure I had all my shakes/vitamins/etc prepared. That not only kept me busy but really soothed the intense emotions I was dealing with leading up to surgery. You've got this! Hang in there, soon you'll be on the other side, and soon after that you'll be a year out and living a normal, healthy life. Feel free to stop by my page and message me if there is anything I can help you with.

She's a part of your family, pure and simple. To know that your time together is coming to an end is of course a huge burden emotionally, especially since she has been a loyal and loving companion through some difficult and painful times. It sounds like you have given her a loving, safe home and cherished her greatly, and I'm betting she is aware of that. In her mind, she's had a long, full, and happy life, and she gets to be comforted by her closest companion as she passes on. That's the best gift we can give them: to love them completely and deeply and never let them suffer. It seems like such an inadequate repayment for their unconditional loyalty and adoration, but I know for sure that's all they really ever want. My Sammi has been with me through over a decade of self harm, a suicide attempt, abandonment by my father and his entire side of the family, my mother becoming very sick, and a long, terrifying list of things that come from sickness, poverty, and injury. It doesn't matter that she isn't human. She very clearly loves me and takes care of me, and she's never been anything but faithful and comforting. She, too, is part of my family. She's just family that I adopted instead of was born with. So sorry to hear about your little furbaby. Love her intensely and stay by her side through this, and she'll know you're doing it and be eternally grateful. I don't know if you believe in heaven, or an afterlife, or a next life, but I truly believe that we will see them again someday.

I would say the biggest thing I had no concept of before surgery and have had to learn how to deal with after surgery is how strange being in public and interacting with strangers has become. Before, my experience was similar to many obese people's experiences - people often stared with thinly veiled (sometimes not so thinly veiled) disgust, looked down their noses at me, acted irritated and grossed out by my very existence. Even the not-cruel ones sometimes openly oggled me like I was some kind of sideshow. I've even had strangers confront me, telling me to go to the gym or put down my food and "just stop eating". Being utterly ignored was really my best hope of making it through social situations with strangers. Now, I never get disgusted stares. Most people act as though I'm just another random person, which is a huge relief and something I'm still trying to get used to. Some people even return my smile. Today at the pool, a lifeguard hit on me. Generally, these new experiences have been great. However, there is this little wounded part of me who wonders "would that nice woman have been nice when you were 200 pounds heavier?" or "would that guy have smiled/nodded back when I greeted him politely, or would he have sneered in disgust at me when I was large?" I honestly HATE that I am plagued with these thoughts and worries. I feel like I can't even believe people when they are nice, because it feels like all of these nice people would have been completely horrible to me two years ago. Why am I suddenly human to them, when I most certainly was not before? Why am I suddenly worth basic human decency? It feels like no one is actually kind deep down, because I've seen the deepest, darkest, meanest parts of people (who are normally smiley and nice) emerge when I walked by at 400 pounds. "Nice" people became cold assholes. So now I'm trying to give people the benefit of the doubt, and I struggle with this whole thing, because I am, at my core, a positive person who truly loves humanity despite the cruelty I have suffered at its hands. I LOVE people and I want to smile and brighten their days, and be a little bit of positivity in a really selfish and negative world. This distrust/suspicion has been very difficult, though I recognize that this is my hangup and when all is said and done, judgment is something I never, ever want to be a part of. I'm working on it.

Does your hospital offer any support groups or meetings or anything? Is there anything in the area, perhaps at another nearby hospital? You're not doing this alone! Please feel free to message or friend me anytime if I can help you. Support is so, so important, but it doesn't necessarily need to come from immediate friends and family. You can do this!

I was 23 when I had my bypass last August. My highest weight two years ago was 442 (well, highest recorded weight. I have a strong feeling I was heavier than that). I was 387 the day of surgery, and today I weigh 221. I've lost exactly half my weight... according to the records, anyway.

I'm about 11 months out and I'm dealing with this same issue! I found that adding some things like pickles, spicy banana peppers, and onions into my food has helped a LOT. It gives me that veggies crunch I've been craving and totally tricks me into thinking I'm eating brand new, interesting stuff. The intense flavors also help a lot. Today I had a whole wheat wrap with grilled chicken, honey mustard, onions, and banana peppers. It was actually sort of satisfying, and that's a feeling I don't often get anymore. Hope this helps!

I had an incision just below my left breast, and ooooooh man, I can't even imagine putting a bra on, let alone a constricting sports bra, while feeling that fresh incision and all the gas pain that travels up to your neck and shoulders. If the docs are okay with it, it's still going to be an "as tolerated" thing, and I'm betting you won't want to tolerate that pain and discomfort. But hey, you never know, maybe you'll be one of those rare people who woke up after surgery, started walking laps with ease, and felt great. Here's hoping! Good luck to you!

First off, I have to say: eating foods that your stomach is not ready for is a huge no no. Especially things like rice, that can get stuck in your new incisions and cause a life-threatening infection. Honestly, puking and dumping is the least of your worries when it comes to eating things your recently-cut up stomach is not ready for. Mashed potatoes I have seen on many people's pureed diet plans, though I was told not to eat them for a few months as avoiding starches was one of the goals of my post-op diet. I'll be 11 months post op in ten days, and the answer is YES, it does get easier! The absolute best thing you can do for yourself right now is to follow your meal plan and teach yourself not to give in to cravings, so later down the line when you're at goal or near it, you can slowly reintroduce certain foods that were a no-go in the beginning, like rice and potatoes (which should still be kept to a minimum), and then eventually be able to eat a varied, healthy diet that nourishes you and satisfies you. Now is the time to establish these good habits, as well as the time you must focus on healing. I can honestly say that a good chunk of people I've met who had complications had them because they gave in to their cravings and ate things they shouldn't have, or took nsaids, or ingested caffeine while their stomach was still healing, etc. These rules and guidelines are in place so that you can be the safest and healthiest possible. Follow them! How are you feeling otherwise? My first few weeks were completely terrible, but it really does get exponentially better. As someone who is far past your stage, I can truly say that dealing with being bored with what you eat is 100% worth it in the long run. In a few months, you'll be eating like a normal healthy person (albeit less and smaller portions) and you'll be feeling great. Hang in there.

4 pounds is such a small amount that I would say most or all of those pounds are water (now that you're taking in salt again) and just food that's being processed through your digestive system after it being so empty for weeks. These and many more will go away soon! I know it's discouraging when you just want to lose as much as possible as fast as possible, but your doctor almost certainly knows what she is doing. Try not to obsess about it and instead make sure you're doing everything you need to do - water/liquids, protein, vitamins, and getting good rest. This will pass. Hang in there!

I totally understand new confidence and an absolute love of the new attention. Here are my thoughts about this situation: - if you're this close to straying, maybe your current girlfriend is not the best match for you. - would this new girl you like have been interested in you however many pounds ago? Would she have given you a second look before? Is that something that would bother you? - the attention you're getting now is utterly superficial. the attention your girlfriend gave(gives) you is not. the bottom line is that if you are able to seriously lust after someone who is not your so and are even contemplating leaving her for greener pastures, you're really not doing you or her any favors by continuing this way. You're just limiting yourself and you're making her watch as you slowly slip away from her, who loved you before you dropped weight, to other people who are only interested in you now that you're more conventionally attractive. Good luck to you. These are the issues no doctor ever mentions, and no one can really help us with after major weight loss. We have to recreate entire new self-images and identities. Just make sure you're keeping a little perspective while that's happening.

Hey there, @@marisaxily I have two things for you to keep in mind at this point: 1 - your stomach's nerves were severed in the surgical process, and it's going to take some time for them to repair. Please be careful while drinking/eating as you may not feel it if you are actually stressing your sutures, but it certainly may be happening. Once your nerves heal up, you will definitely feel it when you're full. Some people have other odd sensations to accompany the full feeling, like hiccups, pressure in the sternum, burping, and some people even sneeze when they are full. Weird, right?! It must be a nerve thing. 2 - it may be tough right now, but it's important to use this time post op to teach yourself that being full and feeling full are two entirely separate things. We can't eat until we feel like our stomachs are stuffed anymore. Not only is it not healthy but it's not safe, especially in the beginning when everything is healing. That's why it's so important to take it slow, measure your food/drink, and try to be as aware of your internal feelings as possible. Your body has a whole new language, and so do you. Eventually it becomes much easier to communicate with it. In the meantime, take it easy! Focus on getting in your liquids and Protein, and sleep as much as possible. Good luck to you! If I can ever help you at all, feel free to friend or message me anytime.

I've only been off of it twice in the past year, and both times I retained Water like crazy. Was it giving you palpitations?

I had my bypass in August of last year. Let me know if I can help you at all. I'm all the way in NY but I have experience to offer, at least. You'll be where I am in a year.

how tall are you? We have similar stats.