Berry78

My husband, kids, and inlaws know. MIL has told her whole family, and anyone else that will listen I haven't told anyone on my side of the family. Still debating...

The body needs carbs to regain weight (insulin is a building hormone). White sugar actually gets adrenaline going, which is counter productive since adrenaline is a weight loss hormone. (Ever see a skinny sugar junkie? I have!) So, concentrate on complex carbs, healthy fats, proteins, and vitamins so the body has everything it needs to start building again. Exercise should be moderate cardio (30 minutes, 3 times a week) OR walking 3-5 miles per day. AND weight lifting 2-3 times a week. I have no way of knowing how many carbs y'all should aim for, as it just depends on your own metabolisms. A good general starting point is 150g/day. If that seems high.. well it has to be to get you gaining. If it seems low, then add 50g a day to what you are currently consuming. Increase the carbs by 50g/day each week until you stop losing weight.

If you have to have something, make it small amounts of fat free cottage cheese, chicken breast, low sodium v8, or the like. And keep it to when you are absolutely dying And do not cheat even a tiny bit for 72 hours before surgery.

I'm at 3.5 weeks now. I'm also still on purees. Bread and solud meat might actually be dangerous. If you have insurance, call your insurance company today and ask about covered mental health services and in network providers. They can help you find a counselor. At this point, any counselor will be better than none... as long as they work with eating disorders. If you don't have insurance that will cover it, then just Google counselors and your town. Call several to get a feel for what is available. Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

Most people that get the surgery have to go through the preop diet. It is the pits! I also felt sick at times on it, but found low sodium V8 veg. juice helped me. If you are truly ready for the surgery, you will find a way to lose the weight. The Dr. knows this, so it is a test of sorts. Get mad! You can do this!

I forgot to add.. as far as post op care... 1. my primary care doc is taking care of prescriptions, bloodwork, and the like. 2. If there is a bariatric emergency, I have several bariatric hospitals within a 3 hour drive. 3. For a non-emergency bariatric issue, my understanding is Dr. Illan is willing to help... I would just need to fly back there. 4. I also became a patient at a local GI doctor's office for any treatment they can provide. I recommend everyone that considers going out of the country for surgery to make plans regarding their care once they get back home.

If you have the funds, Dr. Illan did an excellent job with me almost 4 weeks ago. No worries or problems. (Around $4600 + plane tickets, passport, tips, souveniers, etc.). I recommend putting off the surgery until the end of summer to give yourself time to grieve, and get your stepMom on the road to recovery. Dr. Illan schedules about 6 weeks out.. just enough time to get your plane tickets, passport, preop diet, etc. all in order. (Passports can take at least 6 weeks to arrive, so plan ahead on that one). [Hugs], I'm sorry for your loss.

If any ladies are remotely interested in nerds, the local game store is a wonderful place to meet single men. I'm talking Dungeons and Dragons, Magic the Gathering, etc. Most of those stores have tables set up for players to play in store. There will be weekly groups that can be joined for little or no money. Gamers are generally honest, real people. Many are socially awkward, but it means there is no "game playing". Met my hubby at a D&D game 18 years ago, and owned a game store for 4 years. Best job I've ever had (although there isn't much money in it).

I don't know.. I guess I don't understand why going out is so taboo.. you have to eat too! My family went out to celebrate an anniversary during my full liquid week. I ordered hot tea and milk. Had a nice chat, and other than telling the waitress I was on a special diet, there was nothing weird. Perhaps the difference is I live with 6 other people. I'm constantly surrounded by food that I can't eat. A restaurant is no different. I would LIKE those around me to change and get healthy.. but it is their choice. I changed for me. They have their own journey to make. If I become a b****, I do believe it will be counter productive.

Good for you! It's great that you are taking the process seriously, AND you realize you are having a reaction to it. Super! I cried all the time on the preop diet. Stuff messes with your head, man!

I think I would try again with protein, but either puree it, or only consume an ounce at a time at first. Baby steps. Not sure what kind of protein is doing it.. cottage cheese seems to go pretty easy for me... maybe an easier protein for a while?

It wasn't hunger. There are a bunch of things it could have been, but I recommend seeing your doc so they can give you some tests to help figure it out. A counselor might help with the drinking... Take care of yourself. [Hugs]

Miralax sends me urgently to the toilet, and it takes a bunch of my fluids out along with it. Not cool. Metamucil sounds pretty good..

Have they mentioned why not to take a fiber supplement?

A complete gastrectomy is where they take the whole stomach out, connecting intestines directly to the esophagus.

Plan on at least 6-8 weeks.

My favorite is called Fiber Smart by renew life. I get it from my chiropractor. I was just able to add it to my diet two days ago. 24 hours after taking the first scoop, I had my first unassisted BM! It comes in powder and capsules. I use the powder, mixed with my sweet chocolate vitamins and coffee and/or milk... and it tastes like chocolate oatmeal. Yum! Takes at least an hour to get the 12oz down. My vitamins are GNC women's ultra mega.

You probably won't eat them for a couple months, but once you are on a normal diet.. I love that stuff too!

My plan allows oatmeal, cream of wheat, and grits the 4th week after surgery. I haven't tried any since I don't have the room.... but it is permitted, as are fruits, veggies, peanut butter, etc. (Pureed) I guess some practices like patients to resume a normal diet as early as possible.

Oh Lordy! Increase those calories! Minimum of 1000/day. 1200+ probably would be better with that much exercise!

You poor thing! Other than keeping in contact with your team, I don't know what you can do. *sending quick healing vibes~~

Now that I'm 3 weeks post op, my surgeon has me eating 6 times a day. Still trying to work the kinks out.

Start drinking some calories guys. Not just protein shakes either. White sugar isn't helpful, but fruit can be, and maybe things like pinto beans and potatoes.

Wait at least 8 or 9 weeks. 12 would be better.

The oils I buy are olive, coconut, peanut, and real butter. Milk, yogurt, cottage cheese are all full fat. I plan on settling into a low carb lifestyle... not really full keto, but will aim for 65g/day. I've tried before, but feel my sleeve will make it possible.