rolosmom7

The flowers are fine with me, but I didn't know that some in the photos in BP are cartoonie things.
What makes me wonder are the photos of pre-surgery women who put effort into showing cleavage that's 8" deep. What are they trying to say?

Yes...I started January 2015 and I agree, take advantage of the time and focus on the changes you will need to make. It will help you be more successful.
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Hey nolady I started out in September 2015 move over I'm standing with you.can't blame my program or facility so were other slowdowns on insurance or my.part.
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It took me 18 months from first meeting to surgery date.

Pinterest is my best friend now, I've found a TON of recipes that I am looking forward to making. Just search bariatric recipes. Bet you could find some really creative recipes to get you the favors you like while sticking to the requirements for your sleeve.

I didn't mind the liquid diet, I complied completely. That being said, I think it should be liquid with approved Protein (chicken, fish properly prepared) as I was exhausted. It did help prepare me for what came after surgery though.

Now for some fat free ranch! Haha. ☺☺

You guys are all so supportive!
So I had my own version of a "food funeral" a couple days ago. I had purchased a new rifle and was headed out to the mountains to sight it in. On the way out there I stopped to get fuel and decided to get a bottle of Water. While in the gas station I noticed the Coke-a-cola cooler and thought about how much of that I used to drink. Sometimes I'd have up to three cans of it at a meal. So I thought why not have a little symbolism of not letting those things have any grip on me anymore. So I bought a 20oz coke. Then I pulled into McDonalds and bought a bigmac. Once I made it up to the mountains I sighted in the new rifle and set out the soda and the bigmac. I also set up my GoPro. Stood back and took a shot at the soda, it literally exploded. Same thing when I shot the Big Mac. It actually looked like it was raining Big Mac for a few seconds. Felt pretty good to get some kind of closure, to actually say, "no, I am not going to give into this drug called "junk food" anymore!" It is so much like a drug, I think these foods are engineered to make you want them more and more. Then I went up to my GoPro and hadn't pressed record. Bummer, I was looking forward to sharing my "food funeral" video with you all.
This morning I weighed in at 50lbs down. That's a nice mile stone to hit! Many more to go! This was also my first day back at work. Not like a real work day as I headed out of town for a business trip. Now I'm several hours from home staying in a hotel. Brought a cooler full of foods that are okay for my stage of the post op diet. Still one of my coworkers wanted to go out to dinner, heck employer is footing the bill so why not. Went to a nice seafood restaurant, I got a cup of clam chowder and only had about a 1/4 cup of the broth before I felt full. Not the best food selection as chowder is a bit high in fat content, but it was a decision I can live with. No ill effects. I'm on the purée stage so it was something that was on my list from the nutritionist that I could have as long as I steered clear of the chunks which I did.
Tomorrow I'm going to try and hunt down some scrambled eggs for Breakfast and will probably work on a Protein shake for lunch. Then I'll have to decide if I stay in for dinner or go out again.

@@#BirdDog I almost peed my pants reading about the coke & big mac funeral!!! That's awesome! I so wish you had it recorded! Sounds like you are well prepared while on a business trip and are doing great!! That can't be easy! You've got this!!!

My preop was liquids for 2 weeks. I didn't cheat 1 bit and only lost 10 pounds. I think slipping in some chicken or fish would've actually been better and lead to more fat loss, but hey.
The preop was much much easier than my post op. I expected to be hungry. I'm not. I am full, sick feeling, and struggling to eat enough.
As much as I thought I was prepared, I wasn't.

Thanks Kellie - I think all the discomfort may actually be pain, so I'm trying my painkillers back on a 4 hour schedule. Thought I was fine without them, but perhaps not yet. Thanks again to everyone for the help. It's so nice ❤????

Thanks. I'm asking for some applesauce (SF) to be permitted to help swallow meds. I have an extremely strict surgeon, but I don't see how the applesauce could hurt 5 days out?
Hopefully can get a 2nd shake in tonight.

Yes, 1 shake a day at least, it's about 33g protein and 200 calories. There's no way I could get in 4 of those to meet my 80-100 protein goal. I don't think it is. It'd be like 50+ popsicles lol.

My preop was liquids for 2 weeks. I didn't cheat 1 bit and only lost 10 pounds. I think slipping in some chicken or fish would've actually been better and lead to more fat loss, but hey.
The preop was much much easier than my post op. I expected to be hungry. I'm not. I am full, sick feeling, and struggling to eat enough.
As much as I thought I was prepared, I wasn't.

Thank you! It is by far the best decision I have ever made. Following the plan got easier over time. I'm at a point now that the way I eat is the new "normal". I still have to make a conscious effort to get in my Protein and Water each day, but my options on how I do that are much more open these days. There are not too many foods I cannot eat and I try to maintain a balanced diet, not just Protein, even though that is #1. I eat lots of fruits and veggies, salads, and maybe a slice of bread every week or two. I find that I feel better, reduce digestive (bathroom) issues, when I vary my foods. I also still use shakes or I'd never reach my protein goals.

You look great, keep up the good work. I'll be 1yr out next week and I'm excited to say I've had no complications nor complaints besides 5-6 episodes of acid reflux other than that I'm glad I had vsg

Yes, thank you that's a good idea. I'll try my psychiatrist.

Thank you both. Yes, I take a PPI - pantaprazole which is thankfully a very small pill, I make sure to get that one in 1st thing. I also have the zofran dissolving tabs. Warm Fluid is MUCH better - I take caramel or chocolate Protein powder and put it into steamed milk, tastes like a latte without the espresso shot. Couldn't get any cold milk Protein shake down, have ditched that for now. Thank you all again. ❤

Hi all,
I've read/participated in a lot of threads. This is an awesome community and I'm so thankful I found it. I've found some answers through talking around and searching old threads, but I'm still confused about so much.
1. I'm in pain (more like severe discomfort) constantly. The overstuffed full nauseous feeling never backs away. My tummy gurgles and I swear I can feel swallows get stuck. I've tried the gasx strips. Didn't seem to help or hurt. I am walking, it is all around my house as I live in the south and am concerned about dehydration.
2. I take 14 pills. Most of them are mental health meds so I can't just skip them. I think that's why the full feeling won't die down. I cannot get ahold of my surgeon or nut - I'm in Clear liquids only phase so I'd love to try mixing these in SF applesauce but not sure if it'd mess me up.
3. I cannot drink enough. I get some Water and Powerade in daily, but not 64oz. I get 1 Protein shake and some Protein liquid in, about 60-70g. I'm only getting 300 or so calories.
I am so frustrated I cried for the first time during all of this. I made it through the liquid preop diet, surgery itself all fine with no cheating or crying. Sounds dumb, but I was proud of myself.
Other info - I'm 5 days out (surgery was 9/15). I do have BMs but they are very loose. I am up and walking, I walk my steps a lot and in circles all around my house.
Any advice would be much much appreciated. Thank you!

That's great! Congrats on getting off the bp meds.

Yes, pantaprazole. I walk and walk, and hot liquid is definitely better. It's just the constant horrible overstuffed feeling. Hoping it gets better, I'm sure it will. Thank you

I definitely take my pain meds. My mom has cancer, and she's been taught to always ""stay ahead" of the pain. So every 4 hours I take a pain pill. Obviously I can't do that overnight, but if I wake up in discomfort bordering to pain, I start up again. Of course you can't do this forever, but it is bad for your body to be in pain as you can see through the bp numbers. I plan to lower mine after my 1 week postop

Hi - I take Lamictal, and when I found out that my nurse wouldn't give it to me the night I was in the hospital I freaked out. My mom and husband tried to talk to her - it wasn't her, but my surgeon. I take Xanax as well as 2 antidepressants and 1 sleep med. Nurse asked for Ativan since it can be given IV. He came back and offered benadryl...... it was a bad situation - I don't say this to scare you, but to share so you can cross that bridge up front. The preoperative nurse said they'd have all my meds for me, so I thought I was fine. Please ask your team - it was a rough night, as I'm sure you can imagine.
The good news!!!! I'm 4 days post op, can swallow meds (some have to be cut, and very very spaced out) and I think they fill my little stomach up as I'm struggling with protein/calories. But my mental health is fine, just the same as it was before surgery so don't worry. I also worked hard to be mentally stable, the meds are part of my weight gain, but I am good post op so wanted to share and reassure you.
Please just ask about your overnight hospital stay ❤????
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I started looking into this 15 months ago. I'm lucky to live by Lake Norman, NC where Dr. Heider is. I went to his seminar and was convinced. I was 25 then (just turned 27 a month ago) and worried about being too young. But his staff is great and put me at ease.
From there was getting started with the Lake Norman SWL center, and then 6 months documented diet with my pcp. February '16 all the paperwork was sent in, of course insurance denied it. The center was great, and fought it for me. In July, I was finally approved after 13 months. Surgery was scheduled for 9/15.
All the pre-op went well, I managed to not cheat my diet at all, and my center is liquid only Optifast for 2 weeks. Day/night of surgery was a lot more painful than I expected. Day 2, came home late afternoon - really struggled to drink enough and get my pills in. Paced all around my house for a good while.
Yesterday was a bit better. I've learned hot liquids go down easier than cold or even room temp. Today, day 4 is going ok. Made some hot chocolate with Protein mix which went down okay. Until day 11, I'm on broth, Jello, Protein shakes, and sugar free popsicles only. It's hard to eat/drink enough calories that way.
I'm starting to feel a bit hungry - not surprising, since I have eaten maybe 200 calories in the past 3 days. Seems all the room in my pouch goes to pills I have to take. I also haven't had a bowel movement, but there's not really anything going in. Hopefully that's normal and not an issue.
Looking forward to what's to come! Any and all advice is appreciated

I remember feeling very unsure about my decision to have the sleeve the day following my surgery......the gas pain was much more than I had anticipated and I couldn't get anything down. I, like many others, had a hiatal hernia repaired and didn't even want to drink Water.
I was puffy and swollen and gained some weight during surgery. And everything hurt......it all seemed a little bleak.
I am now 4 1/2 weeks post surgery and feel amazing. My energy level is almost back to normal, nothing hurts, I've lost about 23 pounds and I feel like this forum has been a lifesaver and offers realistic support.
As bad as you feel now just remember all the reasons you decided to have the surgery. Stay connected with all the amazing people on this site. In a couple of weeks life will be brighter, your energy level will improve, the surgery sites will be healing and you'll feel like a new person.
Feeling good and making your health a priority will give you the strength you need to handle all the other things going on in your life. You'll have more energy and time spent with your son will be good quality ......plus taking care of your health will mean you'll be around for your son and your Mom in all the best ways.
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