mamamc32

We get take out or go out to eat about once a week. I just make sure to eat a reasonably small amount and make smart choices. I had part of a Runza sandwich the other day - I enjoyed it, and I definitely didn't eat all of it. I'll probably eat some leftovers for lunch tomorrow. For me, that works. Fast food/take out was never a huge issue for me, though.

I have 5 scars from my sleeve surgery. I'm one of those lucky people who form keloids on their scars, so mine will never go away. I've had three heart surgeries, two pacemaker implants, my gall bladder removed, my appendix removed, and a c section - so these are the least of my scars!

Hello! My 11/29 weight didn't get updated on the spreadsheet. Here it is again, so you don't have to go looking for it. Thanks! 11/29/17 - 248.6 GW - 235

I'm so sorry to hear about your sister. That's heart breaking. I am not too far out, but the first step I think you should take is to call your surgeon/NUT and get them involved in your plans. I know some people swear by doing a pouch reset, but I think a good first step would be to start tracking your food and reviewing your macros to make sure you are prioritizing protein. Cut out all the caloric drinks and make sure 95% of what you are eating has nutritional value. You can definitely get back on track - even if you have stretched your sleeve some, the stomach will adapt to smaller meals by contracting. You can do this!! Good luck!

My grocery bill for my family of 5 is down about $50/week. I think that's a combination of the way I meal plan and the surgery. When we go out to eat, I typically order something small or a regular meal will feed me 3 - 4 times. There's definitely some savings there!

Watch the incision itself for redness, swelling, or pus drainage. A small amount of redness is normal, but it shouldn't spread out from the site. Also, check to see if you have a fever.

11/29/17 - 248.6 GW - 235 Can you please tell me where to find the spreadsheet? Thanks!

I was SO, SO nervous before my surgery. I was afraid I'd have complications, I would never be able to eat normal food again, I wouldn't be able to tolerate my favorite foods, etc. I have had ABSOLUTELY ZERO issues. I had minor/manageable pain after the surgery. I followed my doctor's diet progression, and I have been able to eat everything I have tried (and I have tried a lot!) with no issues. Food tastes exactly the same as it did to me before surgery, but I have this wonderful restriction that reminds me to keep my portions in check. I threw up a couple of times right after surgery (Zofran took care of that), and I have thrown up twice from eating a little too much (which was my own fault - it's a learning curve). I had surgery 9/21, and as of this morning I am down 72 lbs from my HW and 41 lbs from SW. I look better, and I feel great. I sleep much better than I used to, and my energy levels are way up. Everyone has a different journey, and some people do have more issues than I have had. It's a surgery, and there's always the slight possibility of complications. That being said . . . think about the possibility of developing health issues if you don't have surgery. You have to look at the up side and really think about whether the pros outweigh the cons. If you go to a reputable surgeon, your chances of complications are very, very small.

I don't think they care if you reschedule - they just want them done before they will approve you.

I feel like that sometimes. What helps me is making sure I get the BEST three or four bites first. For example, if I am eating taco meat with cheese, I eat the cheesiest bites first. Even then, though, I don't get the same satisfaction with eating that I used to. I'm ok with that, though . . . I think if I did, it would be hard to maintain this lifestyle. Does that make sense?

This is a hard one to answer because whether you can eat those things really depends on your doctor's plan and also what you personally can tolerate. I can eat anything with no problems, but I know that's not true for everybody. If you have tried them before you go, I don't see an issue with eating a small amount. If this will be the first time you have had an egg roll or noodles, then you might want to skip them just in case they make you ill. I know that I had to pick and choose what I ate at Thanksgiving - there's just not room for everything! If that's the case with your holiday meal, too, maybe skip the things you haven't tried yet and eat the things you know you can tolerate.

You're not doing anything wrong. At this stage, you still aren't really eating the foods that will trigger your restriction. When you get into more solid protein, you'll definitely feel it. For now, just follow your doctor's plan even if you feel like you want to eat more. Head hunger is a very, very real thing and I have found that you just have to push through it.

11/22 - 252.4 Goal Weight - 235

It's never too late to make changes to your diet. The easy answer is "You know what you are doing wrong, so quit doing it." That being said, if you are really struggling to make those changes, you should call your surgeon or consider seeing a therapist to figure out why you are sabotaging yourself. You can't out exercise a bad diet (and those darn flavored coffees have so many calories!!) but I think exercise helps me stay in the mindset that I need to take care of myself. Try writing down your goals for one week and making sure you meet them. Pick small things that are achievable like "Walk 3x for 30 min, take vitamins x times per day, coffee no more than 3x this week." If you meet them, give yourself a non-food reward next week. Writing down my goals always makes me more focused!

I have had IBS (usually D, sometimes C) for several years, and I just had VSG on 9/21. My issues are actually A LOT better since having surgery. I will say that you're going to want to make sure you are getting in the recommended amounts of protein and fluid, and your doctor will probably put you on a stool softener in addition to your other medications. You may have to adjust when you start taking your bariatric vitamins after surgery, too. Watch the amount of dairy you are having and adjust if needed. If the protein shakes don't work for you, try protein water. It's very good! I wouldn't worry too much. I think most people see an improvement in their symptoms after surgery!

I think you're going to be fine! I am 5'9" and currently sitting around 252. I have been to a couple of concerts with seats about the size of an airplane, and I fit fine! You might need an extender (depending on where you carry your weight), but I think one seat will definitely work for you. Congrats on your weight loss!!

Start with 2 oz. portion sizes and see how you do. Make sure you still supplement with protein shakes/drinks to meet your protein goals and get your fluids in. Over time, as your stomach heals, you'll be able to eat more. I was sleeved 9/21, and I can eat 3 - 4 oz. 5 times a day. It's still not enough to sustain myself long-term, but it has increased since I first started on solids.

At two weeks out, your body is going through CRAZY adjustments. You just delivered a huge shock to your digestive system, so the poop issues are fairly normal. That gets better as you start eating more "real" food. Eat the amounts and foods your doctor tells you to eat - even if you don't feel hungry. If you physically can't do it (it hurts, you get sick, etc.), call your doc. You are definitely in starvation mode - we all are after surgery. You can't eat enough to sustain yourself. That's why it's really, really important that you eat what your doctor tells you and get your protein/fluids in. Short-term, if it's medically managed, starvation mode is not a huge concern. Your doctor will monitor you to make sure you are getting what you need. When it's time to start taking your bariatric vitamins, make sure you take them. I suspect you'll be feeling a lot better when you transition over to real food. That made a HUGE difference for me. I'm still wiped out at night, but I feel so much more happy and energetic during the day. Oh, and the stall . . . because you're so close to surgery, I wouldn't really call it a stall yet. I bet your body is just a little "freaked out" still. Just really focus on getting your protein and fluid, and you'll continue to make progress.

I was sleeved 9/21, so a few weeks ahead of you. I was hungry when I was on liquids and even soft foods, but it improved a lot when I started eating denser proteins. You'll definitely feel your restriction at that point! Now I eat 5 times a day (three meals, two snacks). My meals are about 3 - 4 oz. (2-3 oz. protein, 1 oz. veggie, sometimes 1 oz. carb). I sometimes feel a little hungry, but it's not too bad. Eating often helps a lot. I would worry that my sleeve wasn't working, too, but I can assure you . . . it works great! Yours will, too!

My doctor told me that I am one of the lucky 10% who can eat anything they want without issues. I was very concerned that I would regret this surgery because I would never, for example, enjoy a piece of birthday cake, a cookie, etc. I know that's not the case, and I do, very occasionally, have something sweet. That works for me. It may not work for everyone. We all have to know our own triggers and adjust as needed. I, for example, know that I can't have soda. Even if my stomach would tolerate it, it's a slippery slope for me. Don't be frustrated or jealous - consider yourself lucky. Know yourself and what figure out what works for you, and you'll be fine!

Ask your doctor and see what they think. I never had a pureed/blended phase in my diet - I just went right to soft protein and I chewed, chewed, chewed.

I'd say ditch the Cheez-Its, too. The problem with them is they don't have much nutritional value, and they are a slider food (won't trigger the restriction your pouch is supposed to give you). I snack on cheese sticks, mini babybel cheeses, dill pickles (yum), blueberries, raspberries, and deli meat. My nutritionist told me even half a banana is ok occasionally (she told me to eat more fruit!). Those little tuna pouches can also make a good "on the go" snack. You have to try new things to see what you enjoy, but I definitely think you can get creative and find something better than the Cheez-Its!

11/15 CW: 256.4 GW: 235

Premier is the only one I like!!

I've lost 60 lbs so far, and my feet are definitely smaller (width and length, actually).