Christinamo7

congrats! I know you are so excited and beyond ready to begin.

I did not feel much like cooking the first two weeks. I had cooked and froze some meals ahead of time to cover that immediate post op period. once I got on soft foods it has not bothered me to cook for my husband or my family - so I think it's probably pretty safe to say you will be back to that sooner rather than later. I don't have much interest in baking yet at 4 months, I love to bake, and I reckon my interest will come back further down the road, but he's been ok with holding off on that. Actually what go me to 220 is compulsive eating from stress and then being uhappy with myself....such a vicious cycle I have made for myself. I like thinking of other ways to have more fun together I am a stress cleaner, so I can highly recommend that as an alternative.

well. I am a hormonal roller coaster in the past early months, so not sure how much *fun* that was for the man, but he's used to me anyway. maybe it was fun sometimes. our relationship has not really changed but some things are easier, and more fun being together as I get increasingly healthier. (the sex is a lot more fun as the weight comes off) he may just have a designated driver - but if you two endeavor to work together you can adapt and change so that your marriage is better than it was before. I find 9/10ths of a happy marriage is being flexible, extending grace and forgiving each other.

well/ to be honest, I stay indoors in July and August unless I go north and hit the beach! not a hot weather fan here. I'm counting down to football season

take a deep breath and ask yourself if the surgery and weight loss is really what you want. if it's yes and yes, than start today, start now and follow your plan. you can do it!

I have not had that study - but I am looking forward to seeing your progress!

I found out last year after a car accident that I have the most trouble with carbs when I am in physical pain. I was glad - because it allows my team to help me 1. with pain management that is appropriate and 2. healthy choices for food when I am wanting to eat and 3. what my maximum carb intake should be. Please reach out to your team to get help. if your still having pain that drives your eating you may be able to get more appropriate ideas for pain relief.

one of my favorite quotes is "no one can make you feel inferior without your consent" Eleanor Roosevelt. everyone you meet, every where every day is making a judgement about you. you are about others. it is just a part of being human. what matters is what you think of yourself.

one of the things I love about BP is that it is not "overmoderated" I have left other groups due to the fact that you couldn't have a decent debate on a topic (and there *are* some sticky wickets with this WLS process worthy of a hearty debate) without being asked to only say nice things. I just don't think I am capable! although I do for the most part know how to behave in public - I don't want to be all "nice" all the time. Be thankful for the ignore ability. it takes a lot for me to put someone on ignore. but It would be a shame for anyone to leave this forum because there was a group of people they didn't like. just ignore them officially if you can't just pass them by and go sit by the people you like! I promise you will learn a lot more than if everyone in a group was just like you or their plan was just like yours. and, I will always give anyone the grace to correct or clarify themselves because there are times when any of us does not come across well online. or in person. yeesh. and some people will only make it worse when they try to clarify! but the truly awful ones, who you think might be trolls? they don't usually even come back to the drama they started. we who are newer have a lot to learn from the veterans. they've tried all the recommendations and they are living it out one messy day after another. with varying degrees of success. but recommendations and plans change over time. the practice I used? what they recommend now has had some changes from when I went through early this year. so the vets have a lot to learn from the newer folk too about what the practices are thinking now. I hope we can all continue to hang together. end of the day - to make a friend, be a friend.

Oooo! I would so love to meet them. I learn a lot from these shows. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I think we are all afraid of that. which is why most of us freak out at the early stalls. because everything else has failed us in the past. all we can do is use the period after surgery to loose weight and learn a new relationship with food/exercise. my gut feeling is that if we do not eat around our sleeve, we may regain some of what you loose - especially if we loose fast (that ole metabolism) but due to the smaller stomach we wouldn't be likely to regain all. if one finds ways to eat around their sleeve (on purpose or not) they will probably regain it all and maybe more. but even if that takes a few years, they at least have those years at a lower rate, and less disease, so it would be hard to categorize even that as anything but positive.

I was only on Clear liquids in the hospital so when I got home on day 2, Protein shakes were fine. but these orders are going to vary depending on your own personal situation post surgery, so please stick with what your doctor says unless you speak to him and get cleared sooner. some doctors are also a lot more cautious during the post op period and that also is a factor sometimes. clear liquids for a week seems to be a pretty common order.

well, the nice thing about a goal weight is you can change it as you get closer if you no longer feel it is right for your body! it depends so much on your frame, bone weight, how muscular do you want to be - how hard do you want to work to get there- age, just a plethora of factors. as long as you keep your *heart* set on being healthy and not a number on the scale you will do fine. my goal is 160, which is high, 5 pounds into technically obese. but I can't honestly imagine being smaller than that. so once I get there I may very well decide to keep loosing and get smaller. I may just as easily decide it is perfect for me. likewise if you get to 150 and decide woah, 25 pounds more and I don't know how I feel about that, you can simply change your goal! you may just as likely enjoy 150 but decide to keep going down. neither would be a wrong choice. I am looking forward to seeing your progress.

one thing that jumps out at me, while all of this is true and good - and that's the last one about planning ahead - because I think it comes down to good self care. making time to take care of your needs a priority. I think one reason a lot of women anyway (men pipe up if this is also true for you!) put on weight is because they are so busy taking care of everyone else that they do not take the time for good self care. Any yet, it's a trap, and we know it even while we are doing it. You can not take good care of others by neglecting yourself. There are a lot of things I could be doing on a Sunday afternoon besides preparing my food for the week, but it is really important to have good, appropriate, measured food ready to go so that I can stick with my program. one of the things to learn from this WLS process, in order to be healthier coming out the other side is what does good self care look like, and how do I do this? many times therapy is needed, sometimes just a friend to talk through the process as you go along. Good article, Alex.

YIKES! blood clots can happen any time and more often after surgery but it is scary no matter when. I am thankful that you were able to get the treatment you needed. Did they have any clues at all about what might have gone on to cause you to develop them?

ok, I have had AMAZING success in reducing my belly. I used to look 8 months pregnant. now I do not. not even 4 months later! still overweight, and still my belly is greatly reduced. thankfully no one asked about the "baby" because I am too old for babies, lol. 1. it is going to come down to your food more than fitness - what you put on your plate. 2. walk walk walk and mind your posture when you walk. tail should be tucked under and abs holding core in. think of a string holding up your body - and if possible walk uphill. on a treadmill the .5 incline is perfect as to how your foot lands on the belt. works your abs and also is more gentle on the knees/hips than a flat treadmill. if you walk outdoors make sure you have some uphill parts on your route. 3. yoga or pilates will pull in your core and tighten up the muscles there. you need poses that work the up and down muscles and the side ones to see a difference. this is pretty gentle and it is going to take 90 days or so to see a real difference but if you are regular about it this will happen. I like the Peggy Cappy videos but there are tons of choices out there. Again, this will only be beneficial if you make sure your posture is correct. When I was first learning my favorite poses I did them with the Wii, because there would be a line that showed me when my posture was correct and I can not describe to you what a difference it makes! once you're good at these things then I would look into more challenging poses or into planking or some such. but this is a real good place to begin, once your doctor clears you for more than just walking. I hope this is helpful to you!

having worked in retail before I can tell you the *why* but it wouldn't make you feel better! It is rude though!

CONGRATS! it feels amazing, doesn't it?

I am not sure how much I *could* eat. I could eat a lot more than I should have before surgery and I could probably eat a lot more than I should now. I am pretty sure I have a man's stomach in a woman's body. anyway. Loosing the weight is about weighing or measuring the food, and sticking to food choices that are good, and moving your body. So, I portion out my food - freeze some, fridge others, eat my serving. I am just looking to eat and not be hungry until the next time. But I don't eat to feel "full" anymore. wishing you all kinds of crazy success on your journey. if you do confront the surgeon, please let us know how that goes, and let us know how you're doing anyway!

yup, I think it looks just fine! enjoy!

I would give the reset and following the bariatric food plan a try before consulting about a possible revision. either way though, YOU CAN DO THIS! and we will be right here to encourage you along the way. stick around!

yes on the different temps! but I just kept drinking and dealt with the cramping pain because in the hospital they reassured me I wasn't injuring myself to do so. it lessens pretty quickly - you should be coming to the end of it soon.

I got the Ozeri Pronto Digital multifunction kitchen and food scale. Also Highly Recommended were the OXO good grips food scale with pull out display and the Polder Easy Read Digital Kitchen scale. mine was the cheapest of the three and therefore, the best buy.

I added Protein powder or cheese to anything it was appropriate to do so and I eat 3 meals and 2 Snacks. are there any Protein Bars you like for one of the snacks?

I can't imagine why - it was given to me the night of surgery in the hospital. are you allowed sugar free popsicles?