Armygalbonnie

My husband is a wonderful and supportive man; HOWEVER, I can't look for him for affirmation. I've lost 53 lbs since September with only 39 more to go. I've gone from a size 18 to a size 12, YET he says he can't really tell a difference! How can this be?!?! He says it's because he lives with me and sees me every day. I know this is an issue only within myself, as I can't expect others to fill my self-esteem gaps but I truly was hoping for positive reinforcement from him. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

7 weeks but I lost 27lbs the 6 weeks before. I started at a lower BMI so my weight loss has been a little slower. It's moving in the right direction so I'm happy. About 35 more lbs to go. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Roger that, LittleBill. lol I'm retired Army now but I still know how to bark commands. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So you are 12 days post-op and you've ONLY lost 12 lbs? That's a pound a day!!! I hope you don't set yourself up for failure with unrealistic expectations. Also, you lost 12 lbs on the pre-op diet. You've lost 24 lbs in less than a month. What are you expecting? This is great weight loss!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have found that I am always obsessed with my weight. I'm either obsessed because I'm out-of-control eating what I want and watching the pounds add on, or I am obsessed with dieting and losing weight. I had lost 110 lbs one time, years back. I wore a size 6/8 and I still walked to the plus size section to try on clothes. It took a long time for me to realize how thin I was. I would still ask for validation, constantly asking my daughter if I was fatter than someone else. I don't know if this time will be different but I'm trying to work on my self-thoughts and self-talk. Body dysmorphia is a real thing and much harder to work through than losing the weight. I too, allowed my life to be placed on hold, while I tried to lose weight. I am ready to live!! I think we are both on the right track. I wish you the best in everything.

I needed to lose 10 lbs but I lost 15. Then when I did the 2 week pre-op diet, I lost 12 more. 27 lbs down before surgery. I had to be very strict with myself. I'm very much a goal oriented person so I followed my required diet to the "t". Good luck with your appt today. I hope everything moves forward and you get your insurance approval. Keep us posted.

I almost feel like this post is a joke! Who would put themselves through this traumatizing surgery and then risk their life by not following Dr's orders??? Serious medical issues can result in eating food too quickly: leak, tears, hemorrhage, etc. Is risking your life really worth a few bites of food? Why on earth did you get this surgery? You need to contact your surgeon ASAP and inform him/her on what you are doing to yourself.

I think it's important for you to realize THIS is not the easy way out. It's a tool to help you but it won't cure your obesity on its own. YES, you WILL lose weight but you will still have to have willpower and motivation to lose the weight and maintain your loss. I'm 7 weeks out and I have to rely on my willpower often. This is a lifestyle change and I'm glad I made the decision to go through with it. I wish I had done it sooner.

The pain is still here but other than that, I feel GREAT!!!! Just remember, your body was put through a LOT of trauma with surgery. Imagine how a paper cut feels on your finger. You've had 80% of your stomach removed!! There's going to be pain but everyday you will start to feel better. Push to get in your liquids and Protein and that will help tremendously. Once you have more energy and you can get up and move and get back to a normal routine, you will feel great too. I took off 2 weeks from work and during that time, I felt drained, hungry and in pain. Once I went back to work and got back to my daily routine, I quickly improved.

When you feel this type of hunger so soon out of surgery, I highly suspect it is acid. That's how it was for me the first week after surgery. My stomach would growl and I would feel intense hunger. I would have to drink something (even during the middle of the night), to get it to calm down. I was taking my daily PPI, which is extremely important; However, it wasn't helping. I finally called my surgeon and she called me in a prescription for Liquid Carafate, which coated my stomach. I took it 4X a day for 2 weeks and it helped tremendously. I am now 7 weeks post-op. I still get hunger and I eat something about every 3 hours but it's very tolerable. My body needs nutrition and it's letting me I need to eat. Just stick with your program and you will get through these trials and tribulations. Once you are able to add some food, you will start to feel better. The cravings may still be there because losing 80% of your stomach doesn't change how good a chocolate chip cookie smells and tastes, but your motivation will be high and you will make it. Over time, you will break the habit.

@justabitunique Thank you. I'm really thinking I've either hurt myself or I have adhesions. I know by reading so many posts on this site, this is not typical pain. I'm sure you will feel better every day, as you move through this journey. Don't feel like you can't take your pain meds or another pain reliever authorized by your surgeon. It's better to stay ahead of the pain. I wish you the best of luck!

I'm 7 weeks out tomorrow and I STILL have pretty hard right side pain. My surgeon said it can take up to 10 weeks to heal. I try to walk every day but I have to watch my speed. If I want to get to a cardio level I have to bind my stomach with the wrap I got from the hospital. I say keep moving but don't overdo it. My surgeon said yes to ice but no to heat. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This came from the dietician and my surgeon. Someone in my prep class asked how they determined the protein level needs and they said it was based on gender, age and something else: It wasn't starting weight. There were a few of us at the 65g level. At this time, I'll just do as instructed, as we have seen everybody's post-op diet seems to be different. I'll see if I can get more info on how they determine my protein needs.

My Dr allows 3 fruits a day and whole grain carbs 2-3X a week MAX. I will be 7 weeks out tomorrow. I haven't really ventured into carb-land yet (I'm scared) but I'm going to try to add more fruit this week. My Protein count is 65 a day so if I don't add some fruit, my calorie count is going to be very low and I'll stay hungry. I asked my surgeon last week what my protein RANGE was, as I thought 65g was my lowest. She told me NOT to go over 70g!!! With a Protein shake taking 27-30g of that every day (which my surgeon requires), I don't feel like that leaves me much for food. I have to mix it up a little. Again, just nervous to add those carbs.

Tuna pouches are an easy solution. How about a boiled egg? Rotisserie chicken is good cold. I assume you are carrying a mini cooler since you take cheese and yogurt. I would still do a Premier shake during the workday so you know you are getting adequate Vitamins, nutrients and Protein. My Dr. actually requires a shake from here-on-out.

YOU are making the best decision for YOURSELF!! I am 53. I had surgery Nov 1st. I started the post surgery diet a few months before my surgery, and restricted it even further 2 weeks before surgery. Since mid-September, I have now lost 51 lbs. HW: 242, SW: 215, CW: 191. I'm wearing size 12 pants today!!!! My joints don't hurt, I don't have labored breathing and sleep apnea is no longer an issue. Life is beautiful!!!

More than likely it's acid. Take your PPI and ask your surgeon for something stronger if it doesn't subside. I had to take liquid Carafate for about 2 weeks after surgery, and it really helped. Now I just take my daily PPI. I'm 6 weeks out.

My pain was very tolerable. I was a lucky one in that I didn't have too much gas pain either. The nausea got to me more than anything but it's managed with the medication they give you. Just stay on top of your pain and nausea meds and you will be fine. It really wasn't a bad experience. You got this girl!!! Prayers coming your way.

My surgeon called me. My paperwork was submitted on a Friday and the surgeon's office called me the following Monday. It was completely painless.

Fortunately, I didn't have to pay anything for my surgery. Yes, I will have to buy new clothes but that's a very good thing! I love wearing a smaller size even now and having to pick up a few things here-and-there. I save at least $15 a week by not drinking Diet Coke anymore, and I also don't eat any fast food so that's probably $10-15 a week in savings. I do have to buy Protein drinks that take up the Diet Coke savings. All the health benefits are going to be amazing and will make any penny I have to spend, worth it. This journey is so much more than the money I spend or don't spend; It's quality of life.

Definitely sounds like acid. That's how I felt even with a PPI. Took liquid Carafate for 10 days and now all better. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Not for at least 6 months. No beer though because of the carbonation. AND I really enjoy beer!

I almost wish I had a problem with food, it might make me a little more empathetic towards said people. How can you not have a problem food, yet require WLS? That doesn't make sense, AT ALL!

Your food addictions are fighting your body and mind right now. You CAN get through this and come out stronger on the other side. I felt this way giving up Diet Coke and sweets. I haven't had any since August 1st and I'm doing much better now. I was slightly hangry but I kept thinking of the future. Those few weeks are just that, a FEW WEEKS. My difficulty during that time didn't define my success since having surgery. It will get easier. Best of luck!