pink22

I feel like maybe I'm eating too many calories, but the sizes seem reasonable - approximately 2/3 of a cup per "meal". I'm getting my 60 grams of Protein in and my 20 minutes of exercise. almost 4 weeks post-op, but have only lost 23 pounds (including the shakes before the surgery). I'm going to keep at it, slow but steady. I feel that this is an eating pattern I can quite happily live with...but worry still. I can't wait for the 5 week class and nurses visit.

Whenever I feel like my weight loss is slowing, I'm more diligent about using the My Fitness Pal app. I like how you can see your overall carbs, Protein, fat, and calories for the day.

How do you set up MyFitnessPal so that it isn't constantly telling you that you are undereating?

@@delibeanjelly I hope things start to change. I am eating everything they say to eat and in the proper proportions etc. I'll try eating a little more tomorrow and see if anything changes...

So I have said repeatedly that this journey is not about the actual number on the scale. This morning though I am going to have a little mini rant. I am now 3 weeks and 1 day post op and my weight is only 2 lbs less than on my surgery date! It doesn't seem right...when I consider how little I am consuming I can't understand why I haven't lost more. Again the numbers aren't my focus, but it is a little bit frustrating.

No I had a gastric bypass done laproscopically. I did a 6 KM hike in the Gatineau Hills on Boxing Day (10 days post op). I was very active going into surgery and I'm keeping an eye on myself. So far so good. I get tired more easily so I make sure to get lots of sleep. I can't wait until my 4 week checkup to get approval to lift and swim. I want to be swimming and skiing and snow shoeing!

I can't tell you how exciting it is to start the new year without having to worry about what I will do to lose weight this year. As the dozens of fad diets scroll across my Facebook and twitter feeds I can confidently ignore them. They hold no interest for me anymore. It is remarkable how much of my time before having surgery was focussed on chasing down the next miracle cure or the best exercise to lose fat and gain muscle. My path is now clear: follow the foods for life program and exercise every damned day. I'm only 2.5 weeks post op and know that I am in the honeymoon period and I am not saying that every day will be easy just that a lot of the choices are already made. I'm heading down to the treadmill now to do my mandatory 20 minutes and then any other activity today will be a bonus. Such a relief to not be caught up in the frenzy!

I am telling everyone that it is not about the numbers for me. Truly it isn't. I want to be fit and active and healthy. I want to buy the clothes I want to buy and not worry about them not coming in my size. I want to fly without worrying about who I will sit next to and whether the seatbelt will fit. I want to fit in. I feel that by telling people my numbers I am giving them power over me. Power that they don't deserve to have. "You're melting away" is a fairly common statement, to which I answer, "I'm pretty happy with how things are going, thanks."

I had lost over 50 pounds about 15 years ago and had told a colleague and was disappointed that she shared that information with others. That memory is probably influencing my decision. It is just nobody's business but mine. The thing is, I am not ashamed of my number, but people who have the information may use that knowledge to undermine my confidence. "She has lost almost 100 pounds - can you believe it?" (I'm projecting - so far I think I have lost around 20 lbs)

Never again will I give away my power. Instead I will divert the questions by responding about how much fun it is to be able to go hiking/swimming/paddling and be outdoors. I am truly not worrying about the numbers....

...sometimes I wonder if they really did anything when they were in there lol

haha - I feel exactly the same way. Just finished my first scrambled egg and so far so good. Yesterday I had two tablespoons of hummus and it was fine. I'm happy to be on the mend and pleased that your situation was sorted out!

Klolojadie keep us posted on what happens!

I'm three days post op and my BMs are straight liquid. Is this a concern at this point? All my paperwork says to wait until I have had liquid stools for three days before doing anything. I guess I can put up with another day of this and then call them on Monday.

I'm new to these boards and only 3 days out of surgery but I have noticed that a lot of people's goal weights are much, much, much lower than what the surgeon told me to expect. I am 5'2" and he'll be happy if I get to 180. However, the nurse said there is no reason I shouldn't get to 115 if I am totally compliant. When I heard such wildly diverse numbers I decided that I am going to try to not pay attention to the numbers so much as to how I feel. I want to have an active lifestyle. Before surgery I exercised almost every day, paddle boarded, swam, curled, hiked but as I got heavier it became a little bit more more work and sometimes aches and pains would set in. I have had the surgery so that I can maintain my lifestyle and be outdoors as much as possible. I am going (for the first time in my life) to not worry about the numbers and focus instead on how I feel and the healthy and wonderful foods I can eat - avoiding junk and eating whole, nutritious foods. I will be 50 next year and see this whole thing as a "reset" a second chance to do the things I need to do. I may be too idealistic (and am still on pain meds) but at this moment that is how I am feeling about it all.

I had surgery on 11th December and I'm still in hospital on the mend now though. So should be home soon

Poor you, that is a long time in hospital. You must be exhausted. Hospitals are not quiet places. Let us know when you get home.

Hello fellow December surgery peeps! I had my surgery on the 16th and my bottom end woke up at 2:00 a.m. on Friday. Now Friday evening and have pretty severe gas but am doing well overall. I'm not in nearly as much pain as I had expected. I've had two 27 gram Protein Shakes today and chicken broth with 6 grams of Protein for lunch - will do the same at 8:00 p.m. So I will have gotten the 60 in. I can't wait for this gassy part to be finished though, at times it takes my breath away! I try to focus on the breathing exercises they gave us at the hospital and that helps a lot. Overall, on the mend and doing well, no regrets!

When you can drink alcohol after surgery varies. Ask your doctor for a more specific timeline, but you still can at some point. Just remember that it will hit you fast and then leave you even faster. Ha ha! I went home back on Halloween and had a shot of vodka with a friend. I felt it fast but also recovered fairly quickly after that initial buzz; up and down in about 20 minutes or so...it was fast!

However, Even with all the restrictions (alcohol, caffeine, soda pop) I must say I am thrilled that I now have a card to show restaurants that says I should be allowed to order of the children's menu!

So you received a card? What does it say? I had read about these in a couple of books, but this is the first time I've seen somebody mention having one in these threads (granted I don't read everything here).

I'll try to remember to pull it out and post it exactly, but basically it says for medical reasons I should be permitted to eat off the children's menu.

Congratulations Brandy - new year, new you! 2016 is going to be awesome!

Words of encouragement coming right at you - my best advice get up and walk around your house it will help with the pain and to get things moving! You can do it - this first bit is the hardest!

My clinic has had a few people "blow over" and so their protocol is now no alcohol for life. That's fine with me I'm not much of a drinker - maybe 5 or 6 occasions a year pre-op so I won't miss it. The only problem is that I always feel like I have to justify my lack of drinking - as if people will think I'm a recovering alcoholic - as if that is a bad thing. Now at least I can say my body doesn't digest alcohol properly. I'm not sure why that is important to me but it is. However, Even with all the restrictions (alcohol, caffeine, soda pop) I must say I am thrilled that I now have a card to show restaurants that says I should be allowed to order of the children's menu!

I go in tomorrow, be there by 10am. Operation is at 11:30.

Good luck jengabee - it will go great! Keep up your positive attitude and remember that your only job post op is to get walking and peeing! Can't wait to see your email from the other side!

Back home post op and feeling great. I had a great team and some wonderful nurses. So stoked to start this new chapter in my life.

Oh and best thing on my list? The noise cancelling headphones!

Tomorrow is my big day - arrival at hospital 9:00 a.m. and surgery at 11:30. (Assuming it happens - this rash has not gone away and I hope with all my heart that it does not effect my surgery. I can't imagine having to go through this waiting period again.) I will post once I am out of surgery or once I know if surgery will be cancelled. Hopefully the former.

Packing my hospital bag now:

ipad/iphone/chargers

noise cancelling headphones

sleeping mask

Books/magazines

toothbrush and paste

notebook and pen

Water bottle

chapstick

patient guide

health card and insurance

gum

hairbrush

reading glasses

Mine is on Wednesday but I woke up yesterday morning with a rash under my belly and it has just gotten worse in the last 30+ hours. It is red and angry looking and I am terrified they are going to cancel my surgery. The clinic wasn't open today for me to ask. I'm in so much pain before the surgery even begins. I don't think I'm going to be able to handle it if my surgery gets cancelled or postponed. Panicking here!

I was told they booked 2.5 hours for mine.

I am friending everyone who is having surgery the same week as me so that I can follow progress... We will definitely have to stay in touch through the coming weeks. It is going to be interesting.

Thanks Ashlegal, it is good to know these sorts of thought are universal.