RetroGirl

Ok, so this morning CW: 233 GW: 213 I'm in!

I get this can be frustrating and irritating, but try not to perceive it as lack of support. Having a weight loss surgery is a huge step which changes your entire life, but your family didn't have the surgery - you did. It's great to have friends and family members who understand how hard this process is and who are willing to change their lifestyle with you, but I don't think that's the usual case. Maybe you should just ask your family to be slightly more sensitive and understanding - explain them how you feel. Tell them you need your own kitchen cupboard and fridge shelf so you're not tempted by unhealthy meals they bring into the house. Tell them if they want to buy fast food or sweets, you would like them to pick it up themselves. When I used to diet (I was still living with my parents back then), I knew one way to make them eat healthier food was to cook it myself for all of us. That way I limited the number of temptations around me. And most importantly, come up with some ideas for family activities that don't involve food, so you can all enjoy it and you don't feel left out. Unfortunately food is a huge part of social and family life, but it's not the only one - if you can't make them give up eating during your family time, meet them half way and get them do something where food is just one of the many things to enjoy. That way you can focus on other aspects and stiil have a great time.

I would call your doctor just to be sure he doesn't mind. Operating table is not the best place for a surprise. Doctors are different, some are stricter than others. I know some of them don't even require the pre-op diet, just not etaing 24 hours prior to the surgery.

Another thing I didn't really expect: I think I'm growing a baby lion/bear in my stomach. The roaring and growling...

There are also: - the hippie shirt/ dress - are plus size women stuck in the '60 with their fashion choices? - the elephant cape - in case you are feeling good about yourself, this should remind you the society expects you to hide from the normal eye. I'm not thin (yet), and I mostly buy my clothes in second-hand clothes or on the Internet. Partly because I hate trying things on knowing they won't fit, partly because of the environmental issues I get bored easily with my clothing options, so I hate spending too much money on something I would only wear 3 months. But I get your point... Maybe we should just file a formal complaint in every store we go in.

Oh no. I thought you need a secret password to get on the Internet. I really hate this 21st century. Need to get into my time machine and go back in time. Would you mind not spamming every thread? It's just like commercials on TV... Every 5 minutes, there it is.

Where I live ready made Protein drinks are not really available (especially low carb ones) - I guess Poland is not a market for them yet. I just got a couple of protein powders. To be honest, I tried to put a brave face on, but after experimenting with different proportions and tastes I stopped denying it - I really hate them all. Still, I know I need to put protein in, so I don't really care that much about the taste anymore. My approach is to see the Protein shake as a medicine, not as food - I just need to get it down. I mix it with a little bit of Water and milk, plug my nose and sip. Of course it's better if you can find something that you like. This is a little extreme I guess.. My point is focus on the benefits of having protein packed drink rather than on the taste.

My doctor says no caffeine for 6 months after the surgery, but I think the 'caffeine policies' vary as much as the diet recommendations. Apparently caffeine can decrease absorption of some Vitamins. It can also irritate the sleeve in the healing period.

I've got my first! After a mirror situation assessment, I'm starting to realize my eyes aren't as small as I thought - they are just sinking in fat. Starting to emerge...

Oh I forgot one! I guess it may be TMI for some, but after reading all the threds about irregular/ disappearing/never ending periods, I was so surprised to get one on time. Immidiately there was a new surprise: it sucks not being able to take ibuprofen.

I was quite surprised by: - the intensity of the gas pain - my entusiastic reaction to pureed chicken after drinking nothing but liquids - my new obsession (weighing myself in the morning, without clothes, with clothes, before pee, after pee, at my friend's house, after a nap, in the middle of the night, with my hair up, with my hair down, on the bathroom floor, in my bedroom, 3 times in a row, 4 times in case the previous 3 were wrong etc.) - the feeling of not being hungry (yes I know it's normal, and I did not it would happen, but the feeling is still new)

I was wondering what's your follow-up plan after the sleeve? My doctor told me he would like me to stick to this plan: SURGEON: 1 month appointment, then every 3 months during the 1st year, then every 6 months during the 2nd year, then annual visits NUT & PSYCHOLOGIST: month 2, 4, 6 after the surgery, then every 6 months, then annual visits at year 3 and on. I'm wondering if this is enough? Of course I can always book an appointment if there's something going on. What I don't get though is, given that maintenance is much more difficult than losing weight, why do they limit the support so much in year 2-3 when you are likely to hit your goal and get into trouble...?

I guess the nurse believes there's nothing better than dying young with a wrinkle-free baby face? People will say malicious or simply insensitive things to you, take that for granted. Just cross it out of your 'what do I care about' list and do what's best for you.

Congratulations! Also, glad to see someone is using the metric system - I'm still having difficulties picturing weight in lbs.

Cool, my first challenge! Sing me up. My goal is 215 lbs. Thanks!

I had a numb feeling in my thigh for the first 4-5 days. It's far gone now.

Congratulations! you look great. God I hope my boobs will be looking like that after losing almost 100 lbs. I love hiking, unfortunately I live in the middle of a Flatland.

I'm 2 weeks post op and since yesterday I've got a strage feeling in my chest, especially in the mornings. It's hard to describe, but it happens when I inhale air into my lungs, like... they don't have enough room to expand? I didn't expierience anything like that earlier on. Also, it kind of gets better throughout the day. I wouldn't call it a pain but it's definitely a discomfort. Anyone knows if this is normal?

I was sleeved on 19th of August so I'm 3 weeks out. I'm actually doing surprisingly well, I don't really feel any kind of pain or rarely feel discomfort when I eat (I'm in puree phase but I'm also allowed to have certain soft foods). Before the op I lost 22 lbs. Since my surgery I lost 19 lbs. I'm seeing my doctor in 2 weeks and I hope he will clear me for some basic physical activity. I really want to get back on my bike.

Mine was not really painful, it was just something I never felt before. I guess it felt like pulling an alien object out of my body, which corresponded with reality. It was weird... I remember the nurse asked to me take a deep breath, I inhaled air into my lungs and then gasped when she took it out. It was a huge relief.

I also had a couple of similar dreams, but there seemed to be more fear to them than fantasy. Our minds are a little twisted and it sometimes takes a huge step such as surgery to realize how disturbed our relationship with food really is.

I think Noah Webster was ruder. I wonder if he had a sense of humour.

It would be so much easier if weight loss (and maintenance) was as simple as calories in - calories out... Seems like everyone has to find out what works for them. Too bad I need to experiment on MYSELF.

Hi, first of all, congratulations on your decision to change your life and take control. I'm still new to this as I had my surgery just 3 weeks ago, so maybe you will benefit more from someone who is more experienced. Still, I can say that the pre-op diet wasn't so bad for me. The first 2 days were tough, and then it all became easier, I didn't feel that much hunger (I did crave something to chew on). Everyone is different so it's hard to know how you'll react to the pain, but it does go away eventually - in my case, I haven't taken a single painkiller since I was released home 2 days after the surgery. I am 26 and I can relate to the saggy skin issue... Especially since I don't have children yet and I read the tummy tuck is usually recommended to women who don't plan to have more children. But anyhow, I think if someone is big enough to qualify for the surgery, they would still have saggy skin if they lost all the weight with diet and exercise. I've read a comment here on this forum that said something like 'After the surgery I look great in clothes, not so great without them. Before the surgery I looked bad in both cases'. I hope as I lose weight my confidence level will go up and I won't really care about the loose skin. And it's not the end of the world, there is so much more to enjoy after this surgery than just the physical appearance. Pre-op freakout is normal I guess, I had one to. My usual way to get 'in control' in these moment is by gathering information. That actually proves quite useful after the surgery. Good luck!

@joseph737, it seems you were right. My doctor recommended exercises with a bottle and a straw (similar to what you described). Anyway, the feeling is gone so I guess I freaked out a little bit, but it was still worth going to the doctor's office, as he said I obviously lost some weight.