The New Kel

I have a desk job. I took one week but should have taken at least two. I was pretty useless at work for over a week. Had to leave early to come home and nap, etc.

Good luck and blessings to all you 11/14 sleevers! May you all recover fast and well! Congratulations on the beginning of a new life. Keep us posted on your progress!

I have this new Breakfast I eat that I think is weird.. but I love it. I mix low fat sour cream with no sugar added ketchup, and drop a spoonful over a sunny side up egg. My husband is horrified by the look of it. I also now like bacon (if high quality like butters block), in small amounts. Never liked it before. I can now tolerate spicier foods, whereas before I hated anything spicy. And I'm from El Paso, lol. What are some of your post-op new food loves?

WLS is a great tool isn't it? In the past that Wendys would have been satisfying just like the Golden Arches were to me. I am so happy that the sleeve doesn't allow it and makes it Unappealing!

@@ShelterDog64, How does your stomach handle tofu? I find tofu to be very tasty and satisfying and versatile. Use it in stir fry, Soups, and so many things. Picks up a great flavor when marinated!

I am 6 weeks post op VSG. This past Saturday was a long, tiring day. I had a ton of work, plus stress, was on the go, and pretty exhausted by about 6:30pm. I was driving home and passed by those Golden Arches. Before surgery and pre-op diet I would have, without any hesitation, stopped and ordered an offensive amount of food. Would have "justified" it to myself do to the fatigue and stress of the day. This time, I felt a sense of nostalgia about how easy it was and how much I enjoyed it going down....however, my new defender, the sleeve, stepped right up, just like a really big best friend on the playground protecting me from a bully. The sleeve basically took over and before I could even get a craving, it was stepping in front of me saying NOPE to the obese old me who would have previously persuaded me (without much effort) to indulge. I felt as thought the sleeve was in control and I was thankful. I am admitting to great personal weakness and without the sleeve, I would have caved. Feeling grateful.

My surgeon's team required that I disclose any heavy snoring or sleep apnea history. I never had sleep apnea so I didn't warrant further tests. But for those who have, my team required they have sleep study, I assume so that the surgeon and team is prepared with the right equipment during surgery. I think if I were you I would tell the team, jut to be safe. Good luck!

I wanted to have mine done in May, so as to adjust all summer. However, due to requirements prolonging approval, I finally had it done October 3rd. The good news is that my surgery coincided with the beginning of the "eat...candy..holiday...Christmas cookie...eat" season. So, even if I was tempted, my new sleeve will not allow me to partake in any of the end of year indulgences that normally would add 10 lbs. I'll be LOSING those 10 lbs or more this season instead!

Dude, you look fantastic! Congratulations!

Gallbladder was a quick recovery. No over night stay in the hospital. I was up and going after about 3 days rest. Pain was tolerable. Expect more like 2-3 weeks of recovery for sleeve.

Such yummy ideas here! Today I made this Protein plate for football game Sunday: -Shrimp -Avocado -Cucumber -Hard boiled egg -Ranch dip made from Greek yogurt -cocktail sauce made with no sugar ketchup and lemon. I ate about a third of this. My hubby enjoyed the rest! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I love grilling! It just ups the taste of everything. Luckily I live where its pretty warm all year round so grilling can happen any day!

I love portabellas!! marinated and grilled sounds awesome. Hmmm...perhaps for football Sunday tomorrow.

Makes sense that because beef is fattier than chicken and fish it goes down easier. It will be a treat for me every couple weeks. It was soooo good I'm all for higher quality steak since I only eat a couple ounces anyway. Haven't tried ground beef yet. Has not sounded appealing!

I can understand your sadness. It's very normal, due to hormonal changes post op. And, probably more significantly, you are coming to term with the fact that your relationship with eating is forever altered. First, I can pretty much assure you that the hunger will go away. I was fearful that I would be hungry and have cravings forever after surgery. But by week three, I lost those cravings and am now hungry only when my body needs fuel (good foods). I did not know that being hungry after surgery for a few weeks was actually normal. I found out. But as many pros here will tell you, most of that "hunger" is head hunger. It takes some time for that to relinquish. As for the holidays, and every other occasion that comes our way revolving around food (seems that in this country every singe event is celebrated with food, right?), I know it seems tough now, but you will stop paying as much attention to the bad foods as you do now. It's a natural process that happens once you start fueling your body with healthy foods. I was thinking yesterday about the upcoming holidays. I already have parties and get togethers on my calendar. I know that everyone else will be indulging in those high calorie bad party and gathering foods. The best thing I can do, and advise, is to think to yourself, look how well you are treating and being to your body. While all these (friends, coworkers, family) are eating foods that will put weight on, you are losing weight and making your body feel good. Put your body's well being ahead of the metal urge that is telling you that you are missing bad foods and overeating. Another thing I've been doing is whenever I see an ad for something scrumptious but fattening, I challenge myself to make it with healthy ingredients! The holidays will certainly be a challenge, but I bet that the crap that is being passed around will NOT look appealing to you . Good luck and congrats!

I was nervous about the actual surgery. However, it went so fast! Literally a blink of the eye, like an hour nap. The anxiety regarding life after sleeve is real as well. But within a few weeks or a couple months you realize that life is still normal, you just eat differently. Your relationship with food is altered for the better. It takes mental work too, but you adjust. As you are prepping those last couple days before your surgery, keep visualizing and remembering all of the things you will be able to do after weight loss. How you will look and feel. It will keep you motivated!

I also have a desk job. I went back to work after one week, but in retrospect should have taken two weeks off. I was tired and not real productive after just one week.

So, I've reached week 6 post op. Husband and I decided last night to grill a steak. I chose a very lean NY strip and trimmed all the fat. I have NOT had red meat since just before pre-op diet started back in September. Cooked it rare (overdone meats don't go down well for me). O.M.G. I thought I had died and went straight to heaven. I took very small bites. And could eat only 2.5 oz. It was so delicious!! I felt like my body must have been craving it, because while eating and after I had zero discomfort and actually felt really good physically. I am not an advocate for eating lots of red meat. I prefer fish and chicken and even tofu. But sweet Jesus. The steak was just about better than, well you know... Told my husband we should fire up that grill even couple weeks!!! Edited to add; Please don't try steak until you are cleared by your team! I was cleared to give it a try.

I'm in! 6 weeks post op. Lost 36 lbs since pre-op diet began Sept 19. Looking forward to a challenge to focus on this holiday season!

I don't know what your doc or NUT would say about this but I have a neat little "PBJ" fix that I just LOVE on occasion for a snack. Use a small bowl or condiment cup, Put a tablespoon of All Natural No Sugar Added Peanut Butter in the bowl. Put a teaspoon of No Sugar preserves such as peach or Apricot (my fav). right next to the Peanut Butter. Eat this snack little bites at a time getting both PB and Preserves together on the spoon. Tastes just like a PBJ sandwich!

Congrats on the surgery date! I remember how exciting it was to finally have the date! It will be a great Christmas, Birthday and New Years gift that will keep on giving...forever!

@Candygyrl Oh my goodness!! How scary. I'm so sorry to hear about the infection and ICU! To think that came from just gallbladder surgery. I had my gallbladder taken out just three months ago. Wow, how scary! I'm glad she is going better now. Your poor hubby I have to say, I felt awful hearing how your hubby's dad talks to her. I know everyone has their own breaking points but I wouldn't have been able to have anyone talk to me that way. It's sad though because I think when your self esteem is beaten down, you accept and tolerate horrible behavior, even abusive behavior. Because you think that no one else will be with you. God how sad for her. I hope she recovers and considers WLS again. If she got healthy she would be way more apt to not take that abusive mental sh*t anymore. I'm glad you have a such a supportive husband. So do I, and I think we are very lucky gals Looking forward to making mine proud, too! Continued thoughts and prayers for your MIL.

I'v had them for 6 weeks. Meds help tremendously. I couldn't eat otherwise!

I am aslo 6 weeks out. Here's a sample of what I eat daily: Upon waking up: half cup of hot tea Brkfst: Premier Protein shake Snack: 1/2 cupYogurt (greek no sugar added, fat free) Lunch: 2 oz Tuna with lite mayo and 1 sweet pickle Snack: Slice of cheese Dinner: 2 oz soft cooked chicken (I prefer crock pot), with lemon wine sauce Other random things I eat regularly in place of those above: Sashimi Turkey Chili Cottage cheese Peanut Butter (occasional/sparingly) Artichokes soft cooked coffee Salmon if not too dry 1/2 of a Quest bar And lots and lots of fluids!! I drink at least 3 Vitamin Water Zeros daily.

OOOH! Bath time! I have a super deep tub I have only used once. I think I'm going to use it tonight..it's getting chilly outside!