GACaldwell

Aww thanks! Other than the elliptical, I did all that before surgery too. I'm impressed by you!

I used to belong to a gym that had a pool and I loved swimming as a workout. It's not doable now due to the cost but I do miss it! Jogging sadly is not for me..my body occasionally thinks it wan'ts to but then my knees remind me for DAYS what a bad idea it is.

That's awesome!! But you don't have to be "fit" to do yoga!! I also teach body inclusive classes that are designed for people who are in bigger bodies, older, recovering or new. Most people only know the super thin instagram type yoga people but there are tons of people who do yoga at every size and shape! I don't know about pilates but I do know that yoga can be accessible to everyone so i encourage you to try it! My Dr let me go back to it after just 2 weeks and I was so very glad he did because it really helped me mentally and emotionally get through recovery.

<Insert "carry on my wayward son...they'll be peace when you are done"..Points to the SPN fandom> Today marks 3 months and 1 week since I had VGS in Mexico. I'm still learning to use this site so I never knew there was a blog option till now. I've been fairly quite on my other social media feeds about my surgery for a multitude of personal reasons. But here feels safer, and well, none of my family/friends/acquaintances are here so... I've spent the majority of my life being a yo-yo dieter. While I have always loved my body just as it was, yes, even when I was morbidly obese (it's strange to say "was"), I was never that healthy chubby chick. I've been on BP meds since I was 30yrs old, battle my cholesterol & have a history of heart disease on both sides of the family. My dad had his first heart attack at 40 and I was 38 when I had the surgery. I still question myself every day if I did the right thing. I'm 30+ lbs down in 3 months, my blood pressure is in normal ranges for the first time in years and my dr is thrilled with my progress. But the negative committee that meets in my head tells me "this isn't going to work...just like everything else" and "you'll just gain it all back because that's what you do" and the worst "Why did you spend so much money on yourself you selfish pig." Yeah...they're a real piece of work, that committee. We'll be paying off my surgery for years. Was it worth it? i hope so. My partner tells me it was to him...and he likes to remind me that it's cheaper than the cost of a funeral. Morbid, yes, but it makes sense. My brain still cant accept it..I'm down 30lbs, 4 pants sizes, Lots of inches and still I don't "see" it. I can see it some days in what I wear...in my rings being looser...in the way I can do little things like cross my legs where I couldn't before. But it's like there is a disconnect with my brain in accepting all of this as truth or as real and definitely as sustainable. Every time the scale goes up, even when it's a fraction of a lb, I think "this is it..this is where this stops and I gain it all back". Every time I "fail" and give in to temptation and eat something that isn't 100% on diet, I think "this is where I give up and revert to bad habits" (though admittedly, I eat pretty well most of the time, even before surgery). Every time I'm too tired to get on the elliptical I think "You wasted all that money for this?" Maybe it will change. I keep trying. I keep going.

I'm curious what everyone's exercise habits are after surgery (of if you have them)? I'm fairly active in life, but getting to exercise is sometimes something my time & energy doesn't allow. Are you a hard core gym rat after surgery? Do you hate exercise and avoid it? Do you begrudingly do it (that's me!) most/some of the time? So here's mine to start: Teach yoga (passive stretching) twice weekly Try (big emphasis on try) to get on the elliptical 2-3 times a week for 30 mins Belly dance class once a week for 2-3 hours Added yoga/walking when I can

My drs are in Mexico and I've asked via email but well. ..I don't think they understood what I was asking. Sent from my SCH-I435 using the BariatricPal App

My partner quit smoking and was able to use cinnamon sticks (Like the kind in the grocery spice section) to help with his oral fixation. He'd just walk around with it in his mouth when he felt the urge to smoke and mentally it tricked his brain. eventually he was able to put them down too. Good luck!! You're doing so great and kicking them all at once is amazing!

It wasn't something I experienced but it makes sense with all the changes you are going through. Your body is adjusting to it's new state, your hormones are likely out of whack and you're brain is adjusting to your new habits. Give yourself some slack and don't stress it! People go through dry spells all the time and there is (usually) nothing wrong with that. If you truly feel that there is something wrong and it continues, don't hesitate to talk to your dr, therapist or seek someone out who does sexual/intimacy counseling.

Hi All! I'm a little over 3 months post op. Has anyone taken apple cider vinegar after sleeve surgery? I used to take it before for it's health benefits but I'm a little scared to try it again since wls!

My dislike for it after post op annoyed me but it went away in month 3! Keep at it and hopefully yours will go away too Sent from my SCH-I435 using the BariatricPal App

Love this! One thing I do is when I cant seem to pull myself out of the spiral of depression, I look up how many days I've been alive and write that number on my wrist. I used to put a semi colon behind it, but now I have it tattooed there (meaning my story could have ended, but i chose not to let it) I use this site to count the days https://www.timeanddate.com/date/duration.html And I have a reminder in my journal that says "Even your worst day only lasts 24 hours"

I was the same way! I'm a little over 3 months out now and having added solid foods has made a difference but I still don't have a lot of issues. It's ok! Liquids pass through your stomach easier. Everyone's experience is different and if you can talk to your surgery team or nutritionist that should help.

Good point @@sleeved_fit_diva! He's always been one to need reassurance...It's just part of his nature (Cancer! and it doesn't bother me to give it. I'm definitely not going anywhere! 6.5 years in, he's stuck with me through thick and thin! LOL

Thanks @@KristenLe! I have talked to him but the jealousy seems to be an ongoing problem. We're working on it. For now I just say things like "The scale went down this week" and don't focus on it with him. I have other support systems as I have another partner who is supportive. @@dianemar Unfortunately, that's not really an option for me. I had surgery in Mexico (I'm in AL) so my support team is only accessible my email or phone.

@@henna2010 that's great! I'm so glad your feeling better most days. Depression is hard and it's a struggle every day some times. Keep going..depression likes to lie to you but you can survive it. Get help if you Ned to and talk here.

Auburn, AL @@pixystix0116 hi neighbor!

I had a similar type feeling right after surgery and the only thing I can attribute it to was that my stomach was healing and thats what I was feeling. Its odd for sure, but it does go away.

Awesome!!! Good for you!

My partner..he has Bypass surgery years ago but has since regained...so he knows all the "things not to do" and gives me insight on things I didn't get anywhere else but he doesn't pester me if its just a bad day or i make a bad choice eating wise. The biggest thing? He celebrates my victories with me, no matter how small they are and in genuinely happy for me.

I was restricted from lifting anything over 10lbs for 4 weeks. Ask your dr though, they may be different for you. I didn't do so well on the soft/pureed foods so my dr moved me up to more solid things earlier...but here's the thing with that...you're going to be traveling so getting sick while traveling is way worse. Stick as close to your plan/diet as you can. bring Protein powder with you to mix with milk or Water (easy to find) or see if you can find a store near where you are staying that stocks them. Soups are your friend! Just dont push it too much while your traveling or try anything crazy food wise and you should be fine. Yeah I get the real taco thing...I was in Mexico and didn't get a street taco at all! But thats ok...I can always go back later!

I know it SUCKS to have the weight loss slow down..but thats normal and healthy! As others have said keep working your plan. You can start working on toning if you're cleared for exercise though and that may make a bigger difference in what you see/feel than the numbers on the scale.

I too enjoy the premier Protein drinks. chocolate, Vanilla, Caramel and sometimes bananna. I did not like the strawberries and cream one.

I buy Dietz and Watson (Its in Winn Dixie here) Low sodium Lite Turkey. It's got less calories and sodium than the pre-packaged meats and is not as dry as Boars head.

I had an 11+ hour trip home from my surgery just 4 days after having it and it was fine. I did take a pillow to hold over my stomach for take off and landing so that helped. The biggest issue I had was making sure I could find things I could eat/drink so try to plan that if you can so you're not stuck. Oh and I did the pre-boarding thing so i had time to get to my seat and the stewardess helped me put my bags away...if you tell them at the gate you have a medical reason to early board and need help they are more than happy to help you. the pilot does all the work anyway!

When your partner has been gone for a while (8 weeks..he's a truck driver) and the first thing he says when he gets out of the truck is "Holy CRAP you look great!"