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scampbell33

Pre Op
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Posts posted by scampbell33

  5. Posted

    Wow! What a difference a year makes! I have been thinking about this day all week. One year... What a ride!

    Here are some stats: I am 1.1 pound away from being "normal" BMI; I am down 147.8 pounds total (121 pounds of that since surgery); I have lost 83.5 inches (18 inches off my hips ALONE / 12 inches off EACH thigh!); pants size down from loose 28 to 12 or 14; dress size down from 24 or 26 to a size 12.

    Some of the best NSV's: Buckling airplane seatbelt and not having bruises on my thighs from the plane seat arms; ability to get up and down off the floor so easily; my clothes have stopped falling off hangers; ability to fit in a "normal" robe when I go to a spa or even the doctor; crossing my legs; not sweating all the time; diabetes in remission and no diabetes meds; off cholesterol meds; ability to mow my own lawn without being so exhausted I had to lay down for hours afterwards. I know there are more....

    How did I do it? Perseverance. Seriously one bite at a time. I ate poorly or too much, I got right back up and did better next meal - not tomorrow, not next Monday.

    My keys to success: Therapy and logging my food daily and having occasional checkups with my NUT. (It is good to have someone look over my food logs and say "careful on that, or try more of this"). I really think therapy though is my number one tool. I had some breakthroughs just this week in how I saw food and will continue to see this therapist for AT least another year if not longer. Oh and I cannot forget the support I received from friends and family. Were it not for those cheering me on and yet still staying out of my business (i.e. not constantly saying "should you be eating that"), I do not think I would have been so successful. And of course this incredible website. Without the advice and the ability to rant and read others experiences here, I would never have been able to do this!

    What do I eat: deli turkey, cheese, blackberries, blueberries, apples, tuna, pork tenderloin, lean ground beef (less than once per week), turkey sausage, turkey pepperoni, LOTS AND LOTS of chicken (grilled, boiled, fajita style, rotisserie, baked, roasted, etc etc), cucumbers, avocado, green olives, mushrooms, onions, occasional slice of bread (a few times a week), triscuit crackers (limiting myself to 2 or 3 at a time), did I say cheese :D LOTS and LOTS of cheese. I still have 1 Protein shake per day (30g protein) to make sure I get to my Protein goals. I eat around 100 - 120g protein per day / 60-80g carbs / 45-55g fat - total calories 1100-1300. (I have been averaging closer to 1000 this last 2 weeks and I need to be sure t get those calories UP because I am ready to stop losing weight.) I cook for myself, so it is much easier to manage I am sure than others who cook for families.

    What didn't change: I am not one of those people that have SO much energy they cannot stand it. Nope. I am still a fairly lazy person. I hate that I am but it is true. I watch too much tv still and I still don't enjoy exercising really (and don't do it as often as I should). (I mostly walk and it is nice to know that I can go on a 2 mile walk without a lot of effort but I don't get that HIGH from exercising some talk about.) I want to be healthier and I will keep working on that part but I will never be a marathon runner or CrossFitter, etc. I still struggle with making food choices. The struggle is much easier than it used to be (most things don't even cross my mind to eat anymore) but I still crave salty Snacks. I give in sometimes but I am working on the addiction part of that. Not because you cannot have salty Snacks but because it is an ADDICTION for me.

    And yes - I have loose skin. LOTS of it. My butt and boobs took the worst hit. You cannot see it when I am dressed and it isn't as bad as I thought it might be, but I am going to have it fixed. I am planning my first of plastics for this fall. I took money out of my 401K to pay for it. I do not need to be perfect, but I want to be able to wear sleeveless shirts and some shorts without being uncomfortable and I need my butt and thighs to be reshaped so I can fit in pants (which are tough to buy right now).

    I had some struggles in the beginning - I had a stricture which we didn't figure out until 3 months post-op so I was constantly vomiting. I stayed nauseas until 6 months post-op. The Constipation is probably the very worst part and it has only really resolved in the last couple of months as I have started to incorporate more Fiber in my diet. (It is tough to get Fiber in the beginning.) I thought I was a SLOW loser (average 10-12 pounds per month). I know now that isn't slow. It is just right.

    My best advice to people starting this journey - DO IT! Seriously - just do it. Just work the program. Use the tools - all of them - therapy, logging, NUT, restriction, Vitamins, exercise. STOP comparing yourself to others!! It will derail you! (PLUS I just don't buy into the "I lost 40 pounds my first month") This is your journey. No one else's. Everyone's journey is different and comparing yourself to others is defeating mentally. GO SEE A THERAPIST! Please... accept that you have a food "issue". I will buy that some of you don't but let's be honest, the overwhelming majority of us have food "issues" and until you face that fact, you cannot learn how to start to move past it. HANG IN THERE - just keep moving forward. You are going to be stunned when you look back a year from now...

    My journey is not over. The hardest part is just beginning - Maintenance. I have lost weight before but never kept it off, so this is the real test. Can I do this for the rest of my life? I truly hope so. I have a great head start by having developed some great new habits and faced some of my food addiction issues that I allowed to derail me in the past. I have some big changes in my life coming up job-wise and it is going to take discipline to make it work. I will keep seeing my therapist and keep my eye on the prize!

    ???????? Soooooo inspiring!!! (I'm literally in tears) this is THE best, & most encouraging post I've ever read on here thus far. I'm only 5 weeks post op, and almost started to mentally go into the, "am I doing this right? Did I mess up today? They lost more weight than me? I must be doing something wrong? Comparing state" until I read this and totally put everything back into perspective! I go see my NUT, & therapist tomorrow and I'm so glad I read this! I am extremely proud of you! and I too will work harder everyday and strive for greatness in this new lifestyle! Thank you

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

  8. Posted

    Well I usually don't jump in these things unless it's something that I want to know or understand, however, I do understand your completely honest and valid post. .. this whole site is a very sensitive subject to ALL of us, and should handled w a little more compassion and understanding.... frfr this thread should have been over after you admitted your mistake and said you'd never try that again?... (I saw it, so everyone else should have too)... so, be encouraged you'll do great, follow the Dr's orders and kick butt! & you can really ignore alot of negativity on here... I mean I get it, if you can come and share your thoughts, feelings and experiences w out feeling worse than u did when u share, then geez! Keep on going...

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

  9. Posted

    Question on surgery recovery... I am now over a week out from surgery but the last two days I have required a nap. But earlier in the week I could not wait to get back to work. Is anyone else more tired the further out.

    Yes, I totally experienced that! & I'll tell you like someone told me... it's totally normal and it's ok to rest.????

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

  12. Posted

    Ok, I'm almost 4 weeks out, and I put some chicken in the crock pot w a little alfredo, and mushroom & cheese... it smells wonderful. .. I haven't eaten any yet, but I feel guilty while it cooks... why? I feel like I shouldn't be cooking like that yet? Did anyone else cook meals 4 weeks out? (I still will probably only eat a few bites) but my mind kinda wants more? If that makes sense?

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

    There is absolutely nothing wrong with cooking meals. Just be prepared for lots of leftovers.

    We are allowed to eat!

    Lol! Yes, I'm adjusting to the new me, old mindset...lol... I should get those meal prep containers!

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

  13. Posted

    Ok, I'm almost 4 weeks out, and I put some chicken in the crock pot w a little alfredo, and mushroom & cheese... it smells wonderful. .. I haven't eaten any yet, but I feel guilty while it cooks... why? I feel like I shouldn't be cooking like that yet? Did anyone else cook meals 4 weeks out? (I still will probably only eat a few bites) but my mind kinda wants more? If that makes sense?

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

  16. Posted

    You guys I am hungry. Am I suppose to feel hungry? It's only been 3 days post surgery

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

    My tummy would gurgle like I was hungry, so then I would eat/drink like 2oz of whatever didn't make me sick, then I was stuffed! Lol... but then my stomach would gurgle again like 10 min later, and I knew I wasn't hungry! Lol... so that's when I learned the difference between being hungry, and the "gurgle" lol...

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

  19. Posted

    I'm home now and the abdominal pain is pretty extreme.....I have a hard time standing up straight. I also have a lot of gas pain in my chest.....I'm having an awful time getting in my Water and protein.....We got home yesterday about 3:00 and while I was home I was only able to drink about 10 oz of Water and only 4 oz of a Protein drink.....the heartburn is what kept be from being able to drink more. I hope today will be better.......they gave me Omeprazole to take but the instructions say to open the capsule and sprinkle it over pudding or yogurt........I'm on Clear Liquids until tomorrow! But I did take a small spoon ful of yogurt and sprinkled the pill over it and took it like that......also having a hard time sleeping, hense me posting on here before 3 am EST/

    Chewable gas x may help... It helped me. It gets better in a matter of days! Hang in there...

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

  20. Posted

    I'm 6 weeks post op and have lost 19.5 pounds (was on the lower end at the start-221.8). I can usually manage to reach my Protein goal daily and get in exercise and whatnot, but I don't feel all this energy people talk about. I am looking forward to that feeling!! Why do you think that is? Is anyone else going thru this?

    I'm 3 weeks out and I'm always sleepy even after following everything too tea. So l'm looking forward to what others have to say about this.

    Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

    I am too... I thought it was strange too, but apparently we all go through this! Lol

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

  21. Posted

    One of the requirements I had to meet in order to be released from the hospital was to be able to drink a whole shake in an hour. I was expected to, and able to, do that the day after surgery.

    Ele I think when you say "I can't" you might actually mean "I'm afraid to". I think everyone worries initially about stretching their pouch, including me, but know this: It is highly unlikely that you will stretch your sleeve or pouch. HIGHLY unlikely. Our bari team addressed this issue in support group and they all said that it would take an incredible amount of consistent abuse to achieve such a feat (even harder for sleevers I think). If you want to stretch things out, you MIGHT be able to IF you work hard at it, but that will involve effort, pain, a lot of time, and significant over eating. :) My point is, you aren't going to stretch your pouch. My advice, for what it's worth, is to let go of the fear (seriously, drop it. It's counterproductive), relax, and just follow the plan outlined for you. You'll do great :)

    I think I'm still stuck on... you got a whole shake down in an hour before you left the hospital!!? You rock! Lol

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

    I had to finish most of my tray in the hospital before they would release me. Which included finishing a Protein shake.

    They don't want you to go home unable to eat and end up in the hospital for malnutrition.

    Wow, all I ate was ice and a few sips of broth! I mean now I get my fluids, and protien in like a champ ???? (finally) but when I was in the hospital... no way! I would've been in there for about 5 days before I got down a "plate"... lol...

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

  23. Posted

    Unflavored Protein added to Soups without noodles or rice.

    Hummus

    Egg salad

    Imitation crab salad

    Guacamole

    Refried Beans with cheese and green chili sauce

    Unflavored Protein powder added to cheesy mashed potatoes

    Greek yogurt

    Ricotta bake

    Salmon/cream cheese balls

    Mashed cauliflower with butter and cheese

    String cheese

    Yess! Thanks a bunch for these suggestions everyone! That salmon cream cheese dish! I need!! Lol sounds great! However I'm not sure if my tummy would think so? But I wana definitely try...

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

  24. Posted

    I'm still in the soft diet phase, and ALL I eat is scrambled eggs and tuna lol...aside from my protien shakes and Water of course ???? however, does anyone have some favorite recipes they would like to share, or some of their favorites, like is it ok to make me a tiny meal? Like pulled bbq chicken w mashed potatoes and green Beans? Lol! I need options...

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

  25. Posted

    I use flavor god seasonings. Most of my Condiments are either trader joes or Walden Farms.< /p>

    I make my own tartar sauce with mayo (real or walden farms) dill relish (has to be dill so there is no sugar), and a dash of seasoning and a dab of mustard.

    I make my own honey mustard with mayo, yellow mustard and a few drops of liquid stevia.

    If you look at the ingredients of most commercial seasons in the store like marinades and all the packaged spices they are full of crap. Which is why I like Flavor God, almost all of them are paleo compliant.

    I get a lot of my dried herbs and spices at the Amish store.
    I'm in the soft diet phase and ALL I eat is tuna, and scrambled eggs. ..lol... aside from my protien shakes and Water of course. . But what we're some of your favorites? (If u don't mind sharing ) I mean would it be ok to make me a tiny meal in this phase?

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

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