GibbsGirl

Good for you!!! I must say, in my long running health issues, the nurses are who have over and over again saved my mental and physical health.

Congratulations!!!

You go!!! Great choice!!!

I will tell you I kinda blew it even if I wanted to keep it secret at church. I had surgery on 12/21, my little sister picked me up for Christmas Eve service and stopped dead in her tracks. I had I guess just planned on wearing jeans (we are a super casual tiny church) but everything was to tight on my stomach. I was also on my pain killers but had settled on bright orange Halloween pants with cats all over them and a grey and green shirt. I am such a light weight on pain pills but she ask me once are you sure you don't have something else and I said something snarky. So yep there I was in my Halloween best, she at least talked me out of serving communion. So needless to say the church knows. lol

This has been a hard decision for me, I am very private and live in a smaller town. I don't see where it is anyone's business but I also have witnessed a few people who kind of lied about getting help. It's a no win situation here and so close family and friends know, if someone asks or asks one of them, it's ok to explain the program and I had surgery. I am not ashamed that this is what is working for me. Anyone that says this is easy has lost their minds. I know everything I eat or do will be commented on or even gossiped about I'm sure. But I figure it is what it is, I choose to live here.

Went to the grocery store with my 17 year old son. The visit started out with me fitting in my favorite jeans that had long been at the bottom of the pile. He was so excited when I showed him. He's getting his usual fair and I picked up more eggs and had some ham shaved for next weeks big move to soft foods. We walked and talked about some of the recipes I wanted to try after my move to regular food and he vowed to try everything. I really thought I was doing great not really oogling food until we hit the checkouts. If the rest of the store doesn't get to you, the chips and candy sure looks even better. I kept looking towards the little nicknacks but there was this small bag of funyuns taunting me, of course it was eye level. Now rarely did I ever eat them because of the sodium but yes occasionally I would splurge. I was finally able to escape and on the way to the car, feeling rather defeated for some dumb reason, my son stops and tells me how proud he is of me. I thanked him and got in the car realizing I was tired but felt better about shunning the funyuns. He went on and on for the 10 minute drive that I needed to be more proud of myself and how I was strong enough to make these changes and keep it up. Of course in my mind I am still waiting for the can you loan me money for this or that game. lol. Anyway I was exhausted but felt like I made a few strides this afternoon, I knew he supported me but I also knew he was pretty terrified the day of surgery so to hear it again was nice. Also I pulled those favorite jeans off without unbuttoning or zipping them. Pretty nice feeling.

I just had mine 12/21 but I was on a strict low carb high Protein regiment prior to surgery and will be again. You might try to reset and do what worked in the beginning. Low carbs seems to be the key for me, I'm not sure about others. Hope you kick those 33 pounds to the curb.

I was told it's ok if you cant handle all the protein supplement just drink water instead as long as you stay hydrated that is most important is what the staff told me for first 7 days. also since i came home yesterday I have also had bad gas build up and find that walking helps to get it out of you Try moist or dry heat on your chest or where the gas builds up. It does make a difference. I found my self doing the trucker move, where kids pump their arms up and down to get them to honk, while I drank to help keep every thing moving when I wasn't walking around. My sister came by and thought I had lost my mind. lol of course she walked in when I decided to add sound effects. I'm a Dec 21st sleeve and I promise it gets better. Now if I could get the lower half on board and moving properly, but I know that it will.

I have found a few thrift stores that are really nice. My goal is to keep just basics in stock as I lose, especially things that can be a bit baggy and still look good. Sounds like you have a plan.

My nutritionist said Fluid before Protein. I have been getting in two shakes and as close to 64 oz as I can. But every time I stand up I get dizzy, sounds like I need to push fluid hard. My blood sugar has also been pretty low. uggg, I feel like I'm floating.

That may be normal. Liquid in .. Liquid out. I had similar issue.

I'm suppose to be drinking 3 shakes but found it was actually causing issues on the back end. I think everybody's body is different so sounds like one more shake a day would benefit you.

I never considered it till now, I never want to mislead anyone but I also have a heart condition that I'm not sure when to mention either. I have basically a year till my son graduates. So my excuse of not dating till then is coming to an end. I love the idea of doing something other than eating on a date but when is it too soon or too late to discuss let's say having a pacemaker?

Stay strong, wait till next week and you can look back and say, I made it though!!! I hit a hard place and my Mom sent my Dad over in an ice storm with coloring books and pencils. I have been keeping my hands busy and mind busy with that and listening to TV and it has been easier. I also go back and watch videos of the success stories from my program and pull up some of the same on netflix. Just to remind myself of where I am going. I also just started on riding my indoor bike since it's to cold to walk. You are almost through the hardest part, stay strong.

Holy cow, holy cow!! I am a very private person but have been upfront about my choice. I don't want attention but also don't want people to think I am trying to hide my decision. It's a balancing act that I thought was hard until I heard your story. I totally admire you and your responses to these two, I can understand wanting peace but just WOW!! Sounds to me like if it wasn't this, it would be another subject with those two. I love the "let the little dogs bark" attitude but unfortunately I would be the menopausal and STD type, but good sarcasm is lost on people like that. lol Sounds like you have a great support system around you they brought out with their nastiness. We call our friends our family by heart. Blood is not a qualifier here. Good luck and keep up the good work.

I am a Dec 21st girl and YES YES and YES. I have waited years for my heart to be strong enough, did all the research etc but woke up thinking I had made a huge mistake. I am usually the focused goal type and no looking back girl but this was different. I came home and every night I cried (not a crier) starting about 7 till 8. Looking back I did the same thing after my son was born, but this felt as crazy of a time. Of course right after Christmas my son went to his Dad's and then a big ice storm hit, so everyone was stuck at home. I'm normally a person who enjoys alone time, but it all piled up and kinda Whammied me. Everyday has gotten better and the closer I am to moving on with my plan seems to help me mentally. I know in my heart this is the best thing I will ever do for myself, but I am human and am riding out the ups and downs.

I count the Protein shakes toward my Fluid. But even so the bathroom issues are getting a bit scary. Did you get any instructions on how to avoid problems other than water?

I could not drink out of the tiny cups, I got too much air so I switched to a regular bottle.

Health wise hot chocolate. There is also soup and other things with increased Protein.

I have one that has Protein in it the nutritionist recommended and I have regular sugar free as well. The heat is a nice change from the shakes.

I had my surgery on 12/21, I came home 12/23. To say I am stubborn would be an understatement, therefore I never pushed the pump but once. I was up walking as soon as they would let me out of bed, pushing myself as far as I could go. Setting my alarm to make sure I was working my liquids etc. My shoulder pain ended up moving to my chest and making it very difficult to breath about 3AM. The nurse turned off my alarm and handed me pain pills and said trust us we know what we are doing. She was the best thing that could have happened to me. Heat made a huge difference with the gas pains and even though the doctor kept me an extra night it was worth it. I went home feeling great, I only have had to use the pain meds at night. Now let's talk the liquid diet, I can get a Protein shake and a protein hot chocolate down. I cannot stand chicken broth in any form, never had that problem. I can eat Jello but everything is just so sweet. I finally tried tomato Soup and liked it. Tomorrow I'm going to try yogurt and sugar free pudding. I am really looking forward to soft foods starting next Monday after my check. I gained 7 pounds in the hospital that was fluids and that has been off after about 3 days. I am so thankful for my Dr and nurses who helped me understand that I could be driven and not be in pain.

Where they able to give you an idea how to alleviate the pain.