The New Kel

@@TanishaP, Yes, surgery will go on. It's pretty common. It happened to me! I just told the nurse when she was giving me the gown. She gave me disposable undies and a pad. No problems!! thay arw used to it. Good luck on your surgery!

I had a smooth recovery, physically, no complaints. Emotionally was and is harder. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@tanya0974, It's good that you are mentally strong enough to make yourself better and brush off the soon to be ex's comments as his own terrible insecurity. In my experience those who throw stones are just trying to keep you in the same sphere of misery that they are in. No one needs that. I have a couple to share, Painful but in the past. I lived with a boyfriend many years ago. I was fully aware that all his ex-gfs had been rail thin. But I was somewhat confidant that he loved me for who I was. One night, in bed, during intimacy he said "I have never been with anyone as thick as you." That really hurt me. I was only a size 14-16 at the time. When I was 12, my dad called me fat. I've never forgotten that moment. At age 47, I am blessed to be married to the most considerate, loving man on the planet. He supports my surgery journey but loves me in any shape. Best of luck to you in your journey!

Hi @@facebro29, I'm also 12 days post op and I definatley have great days and bad ones so far. Two days ago was awful. Weak, nauseous and just yucky all over. I was literally in bed at 5pm when my husband came home. Then yesterday I hit an upswing and felt great, and gots lots of things done! Are you having a hard time getting the protien shakes down without feeling sick? I know I am. And when I don't drink them I suffer from the same weakness you are describing. Hang in there. I think we will be moving towards more great days than bad ones soon.

I was hungry 4 days out. I was worried that my surgery didn't remove the hunger hormone that I was told it would. I am now 12 days post op. I still do get hungry but less now, and I am managing it with protien shakes, Soups and yogurt. It is hard to say whether the 4 and 5 day post op hunger is true hunger or head hunger. I was really getting mentally down about missing my past go-to comfot foods. I am slowly learning to manage that part.

Vitamin Water Zero is my Go-To! "Fresh Squeezed Lemonade" and Rise Orange" flavors I love. Each botle has 20 oz and I easily drink 3 a day...sipping.

it wasn't easy! After about 4 days I was really grumpy. I had to apologize to my husband and let him know I wasn't myself and he understood. he also began making all the meals for himself and the kids. I pretty much went into the other rooms when he was cooking and eating with the kids. broth, especially in the evenings was a saving grace and perfect relief from the too-sweet tasting shakes. Also- taking walks! I was amazed that I had the energy, and it felt really good. It was a great way to distract from the constant cravings for food. My dog benefited from the walks too . And then, just kept reminding myself that there was an end. That is helpful!

Thanks for sharing your story @@BobScott! You look amazing! What a transformation! It's nice to hear the stories of those ahead of us, it gives us a lot of inspriation. I appreciate your recipes and tips, too. I am only 12 days post -op, and I love hearing and seeing success such as yours. Rock on!!

@@Heather I, I have always been a fan of Starbucks. Funny, before surgery I was a fanatic. I loved everything about coffee, especially theirs! Since surgery I have not had the desire (I've been drinking tea), but I have the feeling the minute I step into the Starbucks, especially on a cold fall afternoon the desire will vome right back! I will have my eye for the protien boxes. I had a one prior to surgery as well, and they pack a good punch! Thanks for the reminder!

@@PorkChopExpress, thanks for the advice. I'm glad you brought up the restaurant/eating out thing. My daughter will definately want to go to a couple eateries. (which will be interesting becasue she is a vegetarian and I will be seeing lean meat protien!) I probably won't go out to eat until then, so it will be new to me. I will take your advice on ordering just lean meats, skip the breads. And of course I would want to take at least half out in a box but that will depnd on if I get the cooler. It will be an adventure for sure, but at least I will be on week 7 and not 2! Thanks again and good luck on your trip as well. We got this!

Absolutely! Don't know why I hadn't thought of that. My daughter does have a cooler. I would only need to go the store and get the goods which she would be happy to toake me. I think I will ask her. Thank you!

I hadn't thought of that. But they should have them, right? I think they are somewhat portable like on wheels? It would be worth it if even for a few extra $.

I've seen that protien pack, the one with an egg, cheese and fruit. That might work in a pinch. I might even be tempted to have my first post-op cup of coffee!

The one great thing about the trip will be Thanksgiving day. The hosts are having a smorgesborg, bring a dish kind of thing. So lots of selection and small plates! I will be good to go that day!

Great ideas! Thanks for this list. I will definately go with the tuna and lite mayo packs, that will be small enough to pack. Did not know about hard boiled eggs staying good! Your peanut/other nut butters in packs is a great idea, too. Love the small chest idea, I think I am going with that. I appreciate these ideas! I'm clueless at this stage

Thanks! I had not considered the foiled tuna packs- perfect idea! this and cheese will pack in my suitcase fine. And protien bars in my carry on, seems like a good plan.

I will be flying out of town to see my daugther for Thanksgiving week, 5 days. The day I arrive will have been sleeved exactly 7 weeks. I'll staying at a hotel, and won't have a car. (wanting to save $), so I will be dependent on my daughter, her boyfriend, and his family for rides. I've already booked the hotel and it looks like it doesn't have a mini-fridge. I shluld have looked into that before booking. I am nervous about having small, high protien "meals" accessible. I can have their continental Breakfast, and I can ask my daughter to take me to grocery stores but then where do I store stuff? There is a Starbuck accross the street of the hotel but I can't exactly eat there! I am afraid of feeling a bit out of control over the circumstances. Since this lifestyle is new to me, I don't know what I will be eating mostly at week 7. And how do I make sure I have healthy Snacks available? Can anyone help with experience in traveling early on? I am rethinkiing the car situation. I might really need to rent one.

The night before I started my pre-op we went to a cool restaurant in El Paso that served gourmet burgers. I had the "California burger"... marbled grassfed beef, terriaki, avocado, pineappe, lettuce and onion. It was awesome. I suppose I will have it again someday, just a quarter at a time!

Wow. Really?? She is either clueless or snarky. Maybe she is a smidgon envious of how you eventually look and feel. Let's hope ffor clueless. Anyway, just think of how great you feel when you start going into work looking and feeling even better than her.

Congrats on the first 12 gone! I have no doubt it start again soon.

Congrartulations!!! you are a true inspiration!!

No, not really. I don't go often though at all. I have heard that it can take up to 10 days sometimes before you go. I thnk its normal since all we are allowed at this stage is liquid. Have you asked your surgeons office? How are you doing otherwise?

@@Nerdgrl, I hear you about the non-glam food! I felt weak yesterday and couldnt somach another icky protien shake so took teaspoon of avacado and smashed it up with non-fat mayo and a squeexe of lime. Looked awful but that tiny bite did the trick. LOL! And I also Pinterest like crazy!!

@@PorkChopExpress has made some really great points. I am only 11 days post-op but have realized already that I have been given a TOOL to loose the weight, a great tool, but that I have to conquer my behavioral, emotional, addictive and habitual issues that led me to being overweight. Post surgery so far I have been able to manage my physical hunger and body. But the mind plays some wicked games, and I have often thought about how food used to literally consume so much of my life. For example, Sundays during football season. I think I enjoyed the abundance of fatty Snacks and alcohol more than the games. It is mental. I realize now how much mental energy and thought I have always given food, eating and preparing to eat. I think it ran my life and my optimism and happiness came from food and the thoiughts of having it. I am now having to shift that energy elsewhere to be happy. I am very new to this, but I am using the way I feel (healthier already) and the thoughts of what I will soon be able to do when I weigh less as motivation for my happiness, something to replace food as my sole driver. You might think about a support group if you have similar issues. My surgeons office has one monthly and I plan on going. It is good that you are looking ahead and planning for what is to come. Good luck to you!!!

I'm not at that stage yet, but I have heard that rotisserie chicken is a good choice especially if you chew it up until the consistancy of apple sauce, then swallow.