CLN.BK

@@jenrae1

I had the surgery on August 5. My 1st day back at work was Friday (2 days ago). I feel great! I've struggled to meet my Water requirements the past two days at work. I was surprised, because I had no trouble getting in enough Water while at home. I will have to be more diligent. Surprisingly, none of my employees commented on my weightloss (I've lost 24lbs since I last saw them). Granted, I'm their new-ish boss, so I don't think they'd be comfortable commenting on it yet anyway. As they get to know me and I lose more, I'm sure they'll start asking.

I've lost 13 pounds in 4 weeks, 16 days of which I was stalled and didn't lose anything :-(

Once I made my decision, I was ready, so I can't help you with the wishy-washy stuff.

No one at work knows why I was out of work other than HR. Before I left on FMLA, my boss made the comment that he hopes I'm okay but doesn't want to be nosey. He was hinting around to try and find out why I was out, but I was vague and just said I was fine and everything would be okay. I only see him once a month, so when I see him next, I'll probably be down about 45lbs. I don't *think* he'll comment on my weightloss, but if he does, I'll say "thank you" and move the conversation in a different direction.

If my employees ask why I was out, I'll say hiatal hernia repair. If they comment about my weightloss, I'll tell them the partial truth: exercise and a proper diet.

I returned to work today. I put on pants for the 1st time since surgery (I've been wearing dresses and sweat pants for the past 4 weeks). They were wayyyyy too big! I tried on another pair. TOO BIG! I decided to try on a pair that I couldn't get past my hips 2 months ago. TOO BIG! Finally, I tried on a pair that I couldn't get past my thighs 2 months ago. THEY FIT! Better yet, the waist already has room to spare.

Looks like I'll be wearing dresses until it gets too cold, and then it'll be time to shop!

I will be there for sure. Am I supposed to bring the clothes on hangers or just fold them nicely?

I have a job where I'm on my feet hustling for 8 hours a day, but I'm indoors. Like you, I get a 30 minute lunch break. I have taken 4 weeks off and will be returning to work in 2 days. I can tell you there is no way I would have been able to return to work sooner. Due to the calorie deficit, I had very little energy and would not have lasted an 8 hour shift on my feet. I've had to take a 2-3 hour nap most days since my surgery. Your shifts are 2 hours longer than mine, and you're outdoors in the heat. I would think you'd need a minimum of 4 weeks off, if not more.

@@trekker954

I'm not a fan of cottage cheese, but I'm forcing myself to eat it due to the nutritional value. Some people put salt and/or pepper on it. It didn't work for me, but give it a try.

I put Texas Pete's Hot Sauce in my pureed chili (I'm 3 weeks post-op). I didn't have any issues with it, but I know others have been unable to tolerate it so soon.

@@gustavio

I take Flintstones Complete multi-Vitamin (it's chewable). I also take 1000mg of B12 (CVS's liquid version).

I haven't personally tried the patch, but I've read where it has burned & peeled skin that resulted in infections. Conversely, there are people such as trekker who use it with no issues.

Thanks hon, i havent tried tomatoes other than Tomato Soup. I am only finally getting brave with foods and 3 days of hummus is a little much.

Sent from my LG-H343 using the BariatricPal App

I haven't tried hummus yet, but I definitely need to incorporate more variety into my pureed meals. I kind of wish I could stay on the liquid diet a bit longer, because I looooooove the chocolate Premier Protein shakes.

@@dede_mont

I'm on purees and made chili the other night. It had tomatoes in it. My stomach didn't like the tomatoes (or the chili?) on the 1st day, but now I can eat it.

Edit: I pureed the chili prior to consuming it, of course.

Congratulations! Your accomplishment is very inspiring!

I'm newly sleeved, so my answer is a short-term one. I knew I'd be tired after surgery, but I'm surprised by how much I am tired. I have spurts of energy throughout the day, but I have to take a 2-3 hour nap every afternoon. I'm nervous about returning to work because of it.

@@kelliev2015

I was given conflicting information from 3 different people within my medical team, so I don't even know what kind of restrictions I have. Unfortunately, I'm going off information from the web, these forums, and my step-dad (he's a doctor). Yes, I know this is far from ideal, and I hate it.

I've been using the weight machines for my arms and legs only. I'm not using any machines that target my core, abs, back, etc. I'm waiting until the 6 week mark (Sept. 15th) to actually work with the trainer b/c that seems to be a general consensus of when restrictions are lifted, and I have a follow-up appointment with my PCP on the 14th.

..

It was rough the first few weeks, head hunger is the worst and I didn't realize how much of a psychological journey this is.

This is so, so true. I had very intense head hunger cravings the 1st two weeks. I'm now 3 weeks post-op and the head hunger has dissipated to some degree. It's not completely gone by any means, but it feels more manageable now.

@

In this context, "normal" means someone who isn't a compulsive, binge-eating food addict constantly chasing a sugar high.

I have a somewhat physically demanding job, so I am taking off 4 weeks. I'm supposed to RTW this Friday. I've read that people with desk jobs are able to go back much sooner though.

Wow, you look great. You look at least 10 years younger. Congrats!

I'm 14months pre op. Just looking for fellow NYers.

Brooklyn here :-)

I'm only 3 weeks post-op, but I had an "Aha!" moment today.

I was reading health and wellness articles online, and one article regarding junk food had a picture of several different donuts. In the past, that picture would have triggered an intense I-have-to-eat-5-donuts-right-now type of craving. I would have walked to Dunkin Donuts or the bakery, bought a dozen, and eaten them all by the end of the day. When I saw the donut picture today, nothing happened. I simply read the article and then moved on to the next one. Like a normal person.

It is an individual choice. I weigh everyday. It keeps me accountable. Even if I am on a stall and the scale hasn't moved, it makes me more determined. I know it will move again. If I only weighed once a week and was in a stall and didn't know it, it would be quite shocking to discover the scale hadn't moved in a week.

Exactly this.

Scrambled egg. Not egggs.

Whoop the heck out of the egg, adding a splash of milk, salt, pepper and a sliver of butter. Pour into medium hot egg pan and stir, stir, stir. When egg starts to cook, stir a lot more and add another pat of butter.

Keep stirring with spatula, add a large pinch of shredded cheeese ( I like Gouda) and stir, stir, stir.

Serve really wet. They should be shiny, borderline runny, just barely set.

Delish. At three years out, I can't finish two egggs but I can add another yolk or some diced sautéed mushroom and onion.

Don't judge me for these questions....

1. Regarding a sliver and a pat of butter: How much is that exactly? Would you say a sliver is approximately a teaspoon? How much is a pat?

2. Regarding a splash of milk: Would you say that's equivalent to a tablespoon?

I'm probably one of the most incompetent people you can possibly imagine when it comes to cooking. I've spent the last 10 years eating my way to obesity on take-out. I am learning to cook, but I'm still at the stage where I need measurements. I can do a pinch and a dash, but beyond that, I have to utilize measuring spoons, measuring cups, and/or a scale.

@@SamPSUfan

The incisions were painful for the 1st week and a half, maybe 2 weeks at most.

I live in NYC, so I don't drive. About 5 or 6 days post-op, I walked to BJs to buy Protein shakes. It's a 2 mile walk from my apartment. I made it the 1st mile but had to take the bus the rest of the way due to nausea. While I was walking, I didn't really feel pain, but there was discomfort. The best way I can describe the feeling is that it kind of felt like my insides were moving around every time I took a step.

Weight loss so far:

-Pre-op (not including the 2 week pre-op liquid diet): 9lbs

-During the pre-op liquid diet: 11lbs

-10 days post-op: 10lbs

I'm stalled now, so I haven't lost any weight in the past week and a half.

@@tohealth

I'm 3 weeks post-op yet I still can't figure out how to drink my Water. Some days I can only sip it. Other days I gulp. Sometimes I can even chug it. Yesterday I was able to chug an 8oz. glass of Water, yet today I can only sip. It has been kind of bizarre.

Like you, I had some mild discomfort the 1st couple days. Since then, I've had no trouble getting in my water.