roadtofit

Monica from Kentucky here! I have had this app on my phone for months now and just now really experiencing what it has to offer! Everyone here is so freaking nice Well, just a little about me...
34
5'7"
HW:329
SW:309
CW:201
VSG:8/24/16
I was suffering. I'm sure everyone here knows what I mean. I could not really do to much of anything. I was in pain all the time and I was afraid to sleep because of my sleep apnea. After 8-9 years of research and many sad attempts at dieting, I said that's enough. I wanted a life I could actually live. For my daughter and myself I went for it and there is not a day that goes by that I am not grateful. Is it easy? Heck no. But I have made some amazing life changes that saved my life! Oh how I wish I had done it sooner. My story really isn't very different from anybody else's here but that's what makes it extra cool I'm part of the losing team and I love it

So I'm 4 weeks out as of tomorrow and 24 pounds down! this morning I woke up and went to the gym as per usual and on my way home I realized how much I was smiling and how good I felt. I have been struggling a lot with depression and anxiety for the past 2 and a half years and it felt so incredible realizing that I feels like I'm finally reaching the end of that dark tunnel! I was told to stop my medication for the first two months post op which was terrifying to me a few weeks back, but now realizing how insanely well I've been doing emotionally the past couple of weeks feels like one of my biggest accomplishments so far without a doubt!
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

When you are no longer afraid (neurotically, painfully afraid) of running into someone from high school or college who knew you BEFORE you got fat.
A couple of weeks ago I was in my hometown having lunch at a restaurant with my brother, and mid-way through I realized I had not scoped out every diner in the place to see if there was someone I needed to hide from, nor had I entered the place with the slightest bit of apprehension. It was a wonderful realization.

When your collar bones come out of hiding

When your 21 year old daughter answers her apartment door and greets you with "God mom you look like a starved orphan!"

When a regular sized bath towel wraps around you WITHOUT any gaps! That has to be the best feeling. I realized this last night when I got out of the shower.
I even wrapped it past the gap about 7 or 8 inches. HOW FREAKING AMAZING!!!
Kelly :) :)

When you can easily give yourself a full pedicure.

Today I am 2 weeks post op and I walked ONE mile. I thought about quitting at 1/2 mile but realized my legs didn't hurt. I wasn't sweating like a pig. I wasn't dying to breathe. I am now sitting in my car tearing up bc I walked ONE mile. This surgery is saving my life and I am so grateful.

I just got back from Hawaii! 5 Glorious Days. Four planes, no seatbelt extenders, and full use of the tray tables. I went parasailing, which was amazing and life affirming. So blessed to be on this trip in the first place, but so grateful for this life changing journey.

It's been so good so far!! I think the hardest part was the two week liquid diet for sure, but now I'm almost two months out and honestly the cravings are basically gone, and i practically live in the gym and love it. Keep it up!!

I'm in Essex county! Was sleeved on 1/5 and loving it!!

It took me about 8 weeks to feel fairly "normal", it took 12 weeks to find my New Normal. Some people go MUCH more quickly.
But remember, you just had something MASSIVE done to your body. Having 80% of your stomach removed is no minor or small thing. It is MAJOR and you need to treat yourself like a trauma victim, be kind, be loving, be patient.
Swallowing was bizarre and didn't feel "normal" for 6 weeks at least. Eating didn't feel "normal" for 12 weeks.
Are you on a Proto-Pump Inhibitor (anti-acid)? That can also add to the odd sensations.
But for reals, it took about 3 months until I didn't feel like my esophagus, stomach and tastebuds were being run by aliens.
Also, your other symptoms sound like you might be coming down with a cold. You might want to call your surgeon's office and let them know. I don't' think those are signs of infections but any time you feel something not right or great amounts of discomfort, you should call them.

So I'm 4 weeks out as of tomorrow and 24 pounds down! this morning I woke up and went to the gym as per usual and on my way home I realized how much I was smiling and how good I felt. I have been struggling a lot with depression and anxiety for the past 2 and a half years and it felt so incredible realizing that I feels like I'm finally reaching the end of that dark tunnel! I was told to stop my medication for the first two months post op which was terrifying to me a few weeks back, but now realizing how insanely well I've been doing emotionally the past couple of weeks feels like one of my biggest accomplishments so far without a doubt!
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So I'm 4 weeks out as of tomorrow and 24 pounds down! this morning I woke up and went to the gym as per usual and on my way home I realized how much I was smiling and how good I felt. I have been struggling a lot with depression and anxiety for the past 2 and a half years and it felt so incredible realizing that I feels like I'm finally reaching the end of that dark tunnel! I was told to stop my medication for the first two months post op which was terrifying to me a few weeks back, but now realizing how insanely well I've been doing emotionally the past couple of weeks feels like one of my biggest accomplishments so far without a doubt!
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So I'm 4 weeks out as of tomorrow and 24 pounds down! this morning I woke up and went to the gym as per usual and on my way home I realized how much I was smiling and how good I felt. I have been struggling a lot with depression and anxiety for the past 2 and a half years and it felt so incredible realizing that I feels like I'm finally reaching the end of that dark tunnel! I was told to stop my medication for the first two months post op which was terrifying to me a few weeks back, but now realizing how insanely well I've been doing emotionally the past couple of weeks feels like one of my biggest accomplishments so far without a doubt!
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That kind of criticism is often misdirected anger toward things the criticizer doesn't like in themselves. She sees her overweight self in you and likely never learned to love or like herself regardless of her size. Since she's no longer heavy that anger gets directed at you and others who are heavy, which is absolutely not fair.
In your mind imagine handing that criticism back to her saying, "Here, I think you meant to give this to yourself..."
The fact that you recognize what she's doing isn't kind and that you don't want to be like that tells me you're an empathetic person. I don't think you have anything to worry about!
Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I'm in the same boat at 4 weeks out. I don't feel full but if I eat even slightly too much it feels like a lump in my chest that won't go all the way down to my stomach. Not only that, but I even randomly throw up after eating or drinking Protein shakes from, I'm guessing, having too much. Too much is anything over 2oz. I use Protein Water to sip on and I don't mind the shakes. Dannon makes a Triple 0 Oikos Greek Yogurt which has 15g protein and I can eat that without being sick. Cottage cheese and soft cooked eggs are also easy enough to get down.
I'm also not getting my fluids down because they are uncomfortable and give me that sitting above my stomach feeling too:( I drink bone broth and I add collagen powder which has 6.6g protein to amp it up. For some reason I find hot beverages easier to get down than cold ones. I actually called my doctor yesterday because he wants me on stage 3 diet but I just can't seem to tolerate it. We'll see what he comes back with.

That is wonderful and also good to know. I hope I get to experience the same feeling.

Good for you! Keep up your good work and positive attitude!

I am grateful for my very first stall (post 3 weeks), as it made me educate myself more on the WLS journey and process.
I am grateful for @@Inner Surfer Girl support and showing me new boards on this huge site.
I am grateful for the long term members sharing their experiences and support.
I am grateful that I am laughing again
I am grateful that I am not alone in this!

I'm 4 weeks out as of tomorrow and started back at the gym first with walking and then when I hit around 2 and a half weeks I added some running in, but only to the point of comfort. Any time there was any discomfort at all in my midsection I knew that meant stop.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm struggling with this same exact stuff! I started to tear up a bit reading this lol thanks so much for your help!
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm struggling with this same exact stuff! I started to tear up a bit reading this lol thanks so much for your help!
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'd say about 95% of WLS patients experience the "Dreaded Week 3 Stall" right around 3 weeks post-op. For some people it's a little sooner, for others it's a little later, but we ALL go through it!

Cheat days once you've gotten past 3 months is fine but before then you need to remember that your stomach has just be violently abused. lol! You are only 3 weeks out, chicken would be a nightmare for you, tortillas would be a nightmare for you. A cheesy cream Soup would probably be the closest to OK.
sugar free pudding, that's a cheat item right now for you. Some mashed potatoes with butter is a cheat right now that's ok. And don't think of it as cheating, be very conscious of it. You are doing this to lose more weight so you want it to be smart about it. Also increase your Water and just walk more.
Finally, you are only 3 weeks out. You don't need to speed up your weight loss. What's happened is your body has gone through a trauma and needs time to heal. You are retaining Water and Fluid in your abdomen in your bodies natural healing process, your metabolism is in shock, your stomach is in shock.
It takes a few more weeks before you will find an equilibrium in your body. Don't rush it. If you follow all the guidelines and allow your body the time it needs to heal (And Protein. Protein protein protein) than the lbs will melt away at a speed that feels slow sometimes but is miraculously fast in retrospect.