Litecaramel

Hi Everyone, I've been reading these boards for a while but first time posting. I decided to post today since I officially scheduled sleeve surgery! My journey has been interesting thus far but not nearly as long/hard as some posts I've read. I originally started thinking about wls over 2 years ago. I had always been thin growing up and it wasn't until I had my first child that I began to gain weight. Actually after I had my first child I lost all the baby weight and fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans 2 weeks later (size 5). But it did not last long as I found my appetite had increased and the weight would not come off like it used to. That was over 16 years ago. Since then I've tried numerous diet & exercise programs. Bootcamp, weight watchers, slim fast, intensive bootcamp, jenny craig, well you get the idea. Each time the same thing would happen, I would lose a bunch of weight and then slowly regain the weight lost and some. I grew tired of the see-saw but never really thought about wls as my immediate friends & family view it as taking the easy way out. Also at 5'4 and 220lbs (my heaviest to date), I was looked at as not having the large amount of weight which would deem wls appropriate. In other words, you don't have that much to lose so you should just work out and eat right. That stuck with me for a long time. I think during the exercise and diets the lowest I came down to was about 180lbs. Anyway about 2 years ago I began intensely researching wls. But before making the decision, I decided to give myself one year to do it on my own without surgery. Well a year later and although I initially lost 20lbs, I gained it all back and am at my heaviest weight to date. That was it for me. So I began the process of getting approved for surgery. Since I have BCBS, the only requirements were BMI over 40 or BMI over 35 with co-morbidities. Every doctor I checked out online was in-network so I made a couple of consultation appointments to feel them out. Next I just had to have 2 dr. visits (the consultation satisfied 1 visit) and one psych consultation. At both consultations I received a script for blood work. The one I ended up going with was more thorough with their bloodwork requirements, while the other one set me up with a surgery date on my first visit. I didn’t go with the second one because I felt like they were treating me in a rushed manner because of my “easy” approval requirements and it felt kind of like they were a salesperson. The first place, (nj bariatric center) I felt they were more professional and I felt more comfortable with the doctors but the office staff leaves much to be desired. I almost went to look for another place because of my dissatisfaction. I decided to go to a different psychiatrist rather than the one associated with my doctor’s office just due to logistics of when they would be in the office (I missed my first appt. and so had to reschedule for one a month later). I found one that had Saturday hours and met with her and she was able to write my report and send it off that same day. My bloodwork came back with some issues requiring follow-up: had low iron so was put on iron pills, EKG came back with something troubling on my heart so had to see a cardiologist to get cleared (the cardiologist required 3 visits before clearing me). So I finally got all of my “extra” clearances and met with the doctor for the second time to go over the results of my tests. I was then told that now that I was cleared I would be called to schedule my surgery. The next day I was called and was offered surgery dates as early as June 5 but I decided instead on July 12 because my daughter will be out of school by then and able to help me around the house. So here I am. I still have to get some pre-surgery bloodwork done at least 2 weeks before surgery. I also have to meet with the doctor again to sign some consent forms and I have to view a video on the surgery. So from my first appt on 2/10 to my scheduled surgery date of 7/12 it will have taking me approximately 5 months and some of the delay has been self-inflicted. I am excited and nervous.

So yeah still sick. It's manageable but annoying. I have this persistent cough that won't go away. Dr. Says it's a touch of bronchitis and has me on inhaler to clear my lungs. On the food front I've notice I have to have wet meat. Meaning anything in gravy or some sort of liquid. It can't be dry no matter the meat. I had salmon the other day which was too dry so I ended up feeling sick from a small bite and not being able to eat it. But as long as I keep to that principle I can pretty much eat any meat now. I had mussels and chorizo in broth that was delicious. Mediterranean chicken. I did have these spicy lamb meatballs that didn't agree with me though. I did have a little pasta yesterday, the small elbows, with some ground turkey and tomato sauce. Went down no problem. My clothes are fitting better. I had a suit that was tough to zip up now going up easily so yay for that. My friends and family keep commenting on how little I eat now. I'm just like whatever. The other day family went out for ice cream asked if I wanted to go. I declined.

Aaaand I'm still sick. Why is why I haven't written that much. This is ridiculous. I have a cough and sore throat that won't go away. I finally made a dr's appt for later today so hopefully I'll get some relief soon. As for food, it's been hit or miss lately. For example, I had a piece of fried chicken the other day was fine. Had a protein shake from retro fitness and was on the toilet almost immediately after. Had sausage, egg, & cheese croissant (minus the croissant) one morning was fine. Had baked turkey for dinner and almost threw up. I mean it really doesn't make any sense. Bread is a no go for me, like even a piece, it feels like it gets stuck in my throat and then later it just sits. So I mean I've tried twice and both times same thing has happened so I'll just chalk that up to a loss. It's not a big deal. I would like to have vegetables but my protein is filling me up. I tried having some green beans the other day first before eating my protein just so I could get some veggies in. I just don't feel like it's a good thing not to have ANY veggies. So that's where I'm at now. I'm starting a new job soon so I need to switch offices for my follow-up visits with dr & nutritionist.

Oh I also took zicam and theraflu

So after a weekend of craziness (coworker wedding, friends birthday brunch) I decided on Monday to get back on track only to become violently ill. I had one protein shake and 2 cups of tea all day. I was miserable. Today I feel much better and I'm sipping on some chicken soup as well as tea.

So i weighed myself today and I was 202lbs.

So the advantAge protein shake was fine. No issues drinking it. So I'll probably stick to that brand for now along with the protein powder. Found these little protein snacks in cheese section of grocery store. Wasn't bad. Also got some Greek yogurt. So gonna do some of that tomorrow. Still need to get more water in. Got about 20oz in today. Was running around all day. That's the worse. Ugh.

So it's official no more premier protein for me. I literally feel like I have to vomit. Nope not doing this anymore. This is literally the worse I've felt so far. Strange too because before and even immediately after surgery premier protein was my drink! I could drink all the flavors. Ugh Now I'll stick to the powder protein and almond milk. I also have this advantedge protein shake in the fridge so I'll try that out and see if it gives me the same reaction. Last night I had a glass of wine for the first time. Probably the easiest thing I've drank so far including water! Also didn't get any type of buzz. Was expecting that since so many on here say they've experienced less tolerance after surgery. But nope. Just regular. Felt nice to be able to sip on something and not have any issues for once. Sigh

Thanks everyone for the notes about Dad. Today so far I've had one protein shake and about 10oz of water. Not so good on the water so far. Also for lunch I got chicken salad, took like 3 forkfuls and was done. It messed up my stomach and I feel nauseous which is surprising because tuna salad I'm able to eat no problem and I've had ground chicken as well without any problem.

Yeah my clothes definitely feel looser so there's that.

Ok so far so good today. Protein shake and 30 oz water so far. Finally feel on track. About to have some tuna fish for lunch.

So I ended the day with about 30 oz of water. Dinner I had some ground turkey in spaghetti sauce, a meatball, and a small piece of sausage. It was good. Got full fast so wrapped the rest up. I also had the tiniest piece of garlic bread and instantly regretted it. That did not go down well at all. So yeah won't be trying that again.

So found out today dad has the most aggressive form of brain cancer. I'm kind of numb right now. So far today. Protein shake for breakfast and small tuna fish can for lunch. Also about 20oz of water down so far.

Yeah I've lost weight and people tell me I look slimmer. My scale is malfunctioning maybe if I go get a new one and see the difference myself then it would be more motivation. I still look the same to me.

I'm in regret phase. Especially with it being summertime. Went to the beach yesterday and everyone is on the boardwalk enjoying all types of food and treats and I can barely eat the inside of a fish taco or take a normal size drink of water. Right now I'm wondering if it was worth it.

I am firmly in regret phase. I ask myself a few times each day why did I do this to myself. I think it has to do with moving from liquid to soft foods. Yeah some new things opened up to me but my limitations with food are even more revealed it seems. For example I had the inside of a fish taco which was a nice soft white fish. Tasted delicious. Couple bites in and I knew there was no way I was making it to the other taco. Later on I attempted the other taco which was shrimp taco. Big mistake. 2 shrimp in and I felt sick. Like I had to cover my mouth and bend over concentrating on my breathing sick. Meanwhile everyone around me is eating sausage peppers and onions sandwiches, chicken fingers and French fries, crepes, and ice cream. Everything looked and smelled so good. Why did I do this! I'm so tired of not being able to drink water at a normal pace!

Ok so I'm struggling with the water now. I can't get the 64 oz in anymore. Ugh. The weekends are especially tough because I'm so busy doing running around I forget to drink water then I feel it later. Take today, I had a couple of spoonful of eggs for breakfast, a protein shake for lunch, and a piece of cheese for snack. I was also running a bunch of errands and before I knew it it was 5pm and I hadn't taken a sip of water all day. Now because of how long it takes me to drink water there's no way I can get in 64oz before bedtime. I'll be lucky to get in half that. My throat feels so dry. Ugh. I'm of course drinking water now.

So I'm thinking I'm going to switch away from premier protein. This is the second day where it's mad my stomach feel sick. Like nauseous. Ugh.

Oh thanks. I'm not in pain meds though. I stopped them the day after I left the hospital. I'm not big on medication like that.

Yup. The only things I can have during this phase are fish, cheese, eggs, and shakes. So I'm getting my cheese on.

So today I had a protein shake for breakfast. I say breakfast but I started drinking it at 8 and finished around noon. Then around 1pm I had lunch which consisted of 2 babybell cheese, 1 slice mozzarella cheese, 1 slice of provolone cheese. It was good. But actually the shake this morning was making me feel nauseous. Not sure what that's about since it's the premier protein I always drink and I drank it slow.

Yeah I can count on one hand the amount of times in my life that I have vomited so I didn't think that would be my particular vice on this journey. I get nauseous and may get diarrhea but yeah vomit is rare. Anywho I had the salmon for dinner. It was delicious. I ate too much of it though and felt it so I stopped. Did feel a lil nauseous after though. Had no room for the vegetables. Had a lick of mashed potatoes. I did notice that now that I'm on foods I have to be very diligent about my water intake. I think I had maybe 20oz of water yesterday. So my goal today is to get that water back up. My mouth feels really dry today too.

So today didn't go as planned. It was a coworkers in office bridal shower today with a catered lunch. So for lunch I had 1.5 meatballs (very soft they melt in your mouth) and 1 piece of mozzarella cheese. 1 slice of provolone cheese. 1 slice of peppered ham and 1 slice of pepperoni. Ugh such a failure for the soft food. Felt a little sick after but it passed. I made sure to chew very slowly. Tasted so good though. Oh also 2 sips of champagne. When I say sip I really mean tongue dips. It did not agree with me at all and I poured the rest out.

So today's the day. I'm starting the day off with a protein shake. Then for lunch I bought babybell cheese. I've been dreaming of cheese. So I'm gonna try that out and see how I do. If all goes well for dinner tonight I'll have salmon.

So it's finally almost here. Tomorrow I transition to soft foods. Only problem is I drank a protein shake tonight that made me feel sick. Now I'm nervous about eating real food. Ugh.