Brandeis

Every time someone talks about how their doctor has specific weight loss goals, and how their doctor shames them for not meeting them, I just thank my lucky stars I'm at my particular program. It's so messed up. If you're following the rules -- eating well, exercising, not eating and drinking at the same time -- and you're still losing weight, then tell them to F off with their particular numbers. We're not a one-size-fits-all world. Everyone is different. They shouldn't be shaming you, especially since you're doing fine!!

I took so much stuff to the hospital with me. In the end, I spent 75% of the time sleeping or dozing, and the rest just reading a book. Keep it simple in the hospital....

I mean, you had surgery to help you, to provide you with tools to change your life. The question now is, are you going to change your life? You need to slow down, whether it's "very difficult" or not...

It shouldn't be taking you less time to eat than them, though; you eat less, but you should be eating very slowly, so it should work out all the same. Honestly, most people I know might even take LONGER to eat than me... Put down the fork between bites. It helps, when you're out. Chew, swallow, talk a bit. Then take another bite. Don't just eat eat eat. my favorite eating out, though, is when I can split something with someone, or taste things other people are eating. Just a bite or two and I'm good.

You need to eat that slowly, or you'll be sick. And after you eat, you'll be too full to drink, honestly. These things sound crazy now, but they're second nature post op. They're rules, but they're also your BODY'S RULES. For me, after eating my ~4oz meal, I am so stuffed that even the idea of drinking something makes me feel terrible. Even just a sip. I need that time to digest before I start putting fluids in my body...

The gas was killer; I had a couple cries and hit the button for them to give me better painkillers quite a few times. But after that first 25 hours, once I started getting the gas out, it wasn't that bad. Just achy. Made sleeping hard; I strongly suggest some kind of prop-up-pillow for sleeping the first week or two post op!

I might advice against watermelon. It has a lot of sugar and, especially early in, that could trigger some tummy sensitivity.

Nothing is going to help with the hair loss -- but once your metabolism has stabilized, it'll grow back!

shakes helped me a LOT in losing weight pre-op. I usually replaced one meal a day with a shake...

Hey gang!! HOW WE DOING? I'm apparently 25 pounds from my initial goal...CRAZY!

Oh yeah, exercise is a GREAT help. I always have a great BM right after working out with my personal trainer!!!!! XD

I don't think that's a good idea, honestly. Everyone loses weight at a different pace; if you're trying to keep up with the Joneses, you're going to have a lot of anxiety and stress. It's a much better idea to just follow your rules, and weigh in at MOST once a week, no more. Don't try to meet specific numbers, because if you do, you're just going to freak out if you're not exactly on target. You can't control everything, and trying to do so is a recipe for disaster.

Jello was my "chew" go-to. It helped staunch that urge without putting anything terrible into my body...

Swelling! water weight! PLUS you had your period?! It happens. Don't stress out. If you're doing everything right, it should settle~

I'm between 5'9" and 5'10", so at 317 I was still only around a size 24. By the time I hit the 220s, I was definitely a 14/16. Now, at 191-ish, I'm between a 10 and a 12 (so close to being outside of plus!!) but when it comes to pants I'm still probably a 12/14, due to excess belly skin (bleHHHH) The numbers depend wildly on height!

It sounds like you're exercising a LOT. I think my suggestion to you is to stop stepping on the scale. Instead, buy a measuring tape and start taking your measurements. I say this because I bet that you're putting on muscle, and as a result your shape is changing -- your body is getting smaller -- but your weight is staying the same. Muscle weighs more than fat! Focus on different numbers for a bit. I bet you'll see your body getting smaller~

Scrambled eggs were literally the only thing I could get down during my pureed food stage. I ate them 2-3 times a day. And then I got sick of scrambled eggs and had a cry about it. You'll get over it, though. Remember this is just for now. As you finish healing, some hunger/desire for food will come back. But not too much... (;

The cold at first is probably from the saline drip. I was constantly freezing in the hospital, because...they were constantly pumping me full of room temperature liquid, UGH. After, it might mean an iron deficiency -- which makes perfect sense since, uh, you're not eating. It should even out once your vitamin intake is better!

I have a bidet, which I fuckin love. I don't know why every american in the world doesn't have one. It definitely helps you get that last little bit that just doesn't seem to be coming out (lol sorry for the gross mental image). IDK if this'd help you but my bidet honestly only cost about ~$30. It just goes under the toilet seat and plugs into the water line on the side. I got it on amazon.

Yes. You'll be able to have a bite. Hell, maybe even TWO bites. I think it's crazy to say "if you're sad about not being able to eat delicious foods anymore then you're addicted and need to change your head." Food is a huge part of EVERY CULTURE IN THE WORLD. Eating tasty things is something human beings enjoy, and that's perfectly natural. The trick is moderation. If you want to try a bite or two of desert, I think that's absolutely going to be fine, and that should be something you do. However, if you find yourself doing more than a bite or two -- if you're suddenly binging, or if you're not eating enough healthy things before you start indulging in the sweets -- that's when it becomes a problem. Eat your protein first. Then your vegetables. Then, if you have room, have a bite or two of desert.