Taylor5

This is clearly against the forum rules you agreed to upon signup. I do not want to see something like that posted again.

I am not a vet. I'm pre-surgery--so you all may say that I've no business posting on this thread.
But this isn't an issue of judgement. It's an issue of asking for advice. The OP asked for advice/validation (but she said, "only the people who are gonna validate my action need reply/respond"). So I do see many of the people who've actually been through the surgery reply with the knowledge they have of the process--even though their information doesn't affirm her choice(s). Empirically, we have to be very careful about protecting our new anatomy--regardless of food issues--or maybe even despite our food issues.
There is no "good" or "bad" judgement. It's empirical medical advice. If we don't follow our surgeon's orders, we can potentially fu*k up our new anatomy while it's healing...and either land back in the hospital with a popped staple/suture, or worse, end up in surgery again or even die. So to me it's a pretty black and white subject. If we challenge our new tummys too greatly, we can split our guts open and die in less than 5 minutes. The human body can bleed out in under 4 minutes. That is all the time it takes. Four minutes. That's a pretty sobering thought. Before an EMT could get to you--you could die. Because of what? A craving for a cookie, or piece of pizza, or cauliflower Soup? After 3-6 months or more of careful preparation...why would anyone want to gamble that way?
Absolutely no judgement here. I'm a big huge ass sinner. I sit in no ivory tower. Some days I have to sit on my hands to keep from backsliding and eating off plan. I struggle with hunger and hanger every day. It doesn't make me holier-than-thou or preachy judgemental. It makes me human. I'm just sayin, eating too soon, drinking too soon (cuz it thins the blood and lowers inhibitions--which can make you bleed out even faster than 4 minutes, or can make you not care about consequences and overeat to the point you split open and bleed out even faster than 4 minutes) can have devastating consequences.
Why indulge in risky behavior? Would you go out an have a few drinks and knowingly sleep with someone HIV positive without protection? Would you load a revolver with a single bullet, spin the cylinder and pull the trigger on a dare? It's all Russian roulette. And it's all fun and games until someone splits open their suture lines and bleeds out in 4 minutes or less--my question is...would that mean you get your pizza for free?

Yes definitely contact the DR's office. It's probably nothing, but could also be something serious. Hopefully the cold isn't too bad, I didn't personally have that happen, but know folks who have. They had no long term issues... But you don't want it to get really bad and have coughing fits etc.
Hope you feel better soon

Agree with everyone about the lip balm - something super moisturizing that you like the smell of!
I also took biotene dry throat spray which was a lifesaver for me. My mouth and throat were so dry after the surgery and you can't have Water (I had been put in an oxygen mask so that made it much worse). I also vomited in the car on the way home (my body doesn't react well to anesthesia) and was glad I had brought those puke bags with the round plastic rims. I'd also bring ear plugs and possibly an eye mask - even if you have a private room, hospitals are noisy. Also, bring sanitary pads in case your period randomly starts from the surgery stress (if this is applicable to you).
You do need slippers or shoes that you can put on without bending down so that you can slip them on easily. We had to do at least 10 laps of our hospital ward in order to be discharged. Other than that, take comfy pyjamas - I packed an oversized T-shirt but I didn't have any problem putting on PJ pants and tops. I had no problems with movement after surgery, but loose clothes that are easy to put on are a good idea. A big comfy sweater or thick robe will also hide that you are not wearing a bra as you walk around the hospital. I didn't even put on a bra to leave hospital as there was a little incision under my bust that I didn't want to irritate.
I'd also think about the people you are bringing to the hospital. I told my family, I didn't want to see any crying or behaviour that would stress me out! I told them firmly how I needed them to be supportive. I'm quite the demanding diva!

Our hospital TV had Netflix on it. I had Grey's Anatomy on all night. The nurses were amused about me "being in the hospital and watching a hospital show at the same time"!

I've had some light bleeding/spotting which seems to be the beginning of my cycle, which is only a few days past normal, but so far hasn't turned into anything else. I was 12/27.

I took my tablet with a heap of Netflix downloaded and it was a lifesaver. I arrived at the hospital at 10 and my surgery wasn’t until 5:30 because of some delay so it kept my mind off of everything. It was also good for the day after but remember a charger. Lip balm as well! I wore a loose fitting dress home so there wasn’t anything on my waist. Best of luck!

I’m sorry to hear you feel so sick... maybe a call to your team would put your mind at rest. Hope you feel better soon x
Kate

Hell, I’m excited about being able to eat cottage cheese starting Friday.

Funny you should mention banana. I start week five in a couple days and my nutritionist has a banana listed as a snack on a sample menu of what we should be eating. Half a small banana with some Peanut Butter is listed as a healthy snack. I think i'm gonna love week five:)

I ate a chocolate chip cookie the day after Christmas. In four little pieces. Over the course of two hours. But yep, I ate the whole damned cookie.
Walk of shame. Chocolate chip Cookies are most decidedly NOT on my diet.
People are human and stubborn and stupid. We try to be better, but sometimes we're kinda....nuts....and do self sabotaging things that don't make any sense.
The important thing to remember, is to get firmly back on track and move forward in a better direction.
Also, finding other ways to treat ourselves is important. Gotta break those emotional bridges to food and reroute them to something else that feels good.
I've had some luck "treating myself" to a hot deep bath with bath salts and candles....when what I really want is a brownie and vanilla bean ice cream. LOL.
Also...as weird as this is....sometimes sex helps. Feel the need to eat something stupid....sometimes I go attack my husband. Sex is good exercise and a good distraction. Gotta put away the chocolate syrup....but it's still fun. LOL
Another way I treat myself...is to phone my bestie, or play with my pets, or listen to music I love. If it's fast music, I might even have my own embarrassing private dance party. Hell, I might dance with the dog. She enjoys such shenanigans and is not judgemental. LOL:)
I get what you're saying and I don't judge you. But I do worry a little about these indulgences a month out. Concerned you could hurt yourself...and that worries me. Please be careful.
Also...I really think...for me anyway....that dealing with emotional attachment/addiction to food and finding alternatives to food rewards/gratification...is gonna be an important part of my recovery.
Will an occasional screw up ruin everything? Probably not. But you're kinda flirting with a tiger in a cage who can undo all the work you've done if you're not really, really careful.
Love the cycle class idea:) You can do better tomorrow. You will do better tomorrow.
Best wishes and thanks for the honest post. I wish people were more honest about their struggles.

I used to HATE Greek yogurt with a passion. I've actually come to like it now more than the standard Yoplait yogurts that I used to get. There are some really good ones out there now. The lower calorie ones that Dannon and Yoplait make are great and they actually have fruit in them. The Oikos ones are good as well but they aren't as good as the others IMO. Yogurts are clutch for me because it's an easy way to get a good shot of Protein and Calcium in.
If you can't stomach the taste of eating yogurt by itself the other thing you can do is try using it as a substitute for mayo. I've fine tuned my chicken salad recipe over the past few months. I’ve moved away from using only mayo to about 80% plain Greek yogurt and 20% mayo. It does make it a wee bit blander, but with the right seasonings it tastes just as good. So now I’ve managed to get more protein into it and cut way back on the calories/fat. It’s also an easy way to boost your Protein Shakes. Throw a spoonful in and you’ll never know it’s there.
In time you might find yourself liking it more. Right after surgery there were things I came to hate that I used to love. Certain drink mix flavors of Crystal Light were my favorites and came to despise them. The first month I was all screwed up with my taste buds. It’s normal to go through that and after a few weeks things got back to normal. I know for some they can’t do Greek yogurt no matter what. It can be an acquired taste for sure.

The first 4 months I was under 500 cal. Very typical for the program I'm in. I was up to 800 until recently. Now a year out I'm about 1000 but my rate of loss is too slow so I'm going to bump back to 800. Are you on a PPI/antacid? That can really help as the acid can make you feel hungry. I get hungry too. That's my biggest disappointment in the process.

I know it's hard to resist counting calories, but honestly in the early days don't stress about it. I did my journals to track Protein as usual. First couple of weeks I was probably around 600 a day. That's all I could manage. Mainly stuck to yogurts, Protein Shakes, and the early soft foods allowed on my plan. If you're info is accurate it looks like you're only about a week out from sugery? Seriously that's way to early to be stressing about the weight coming off. Getting healed up is priority #1. The weight will come off. Your body has been through a helluva a lot so be patient with it.
You're also at a bit lower weight than a lot of others. It's just the nature of the beast. It always seems that weight comes off quicker in the beginning for those that weigh more. Focus on the basics right now. Don't think of your walks as exercise to lose weight. It's to get you up and moving and help the healing process. You got all the time in the world coming up to fine tune your diet and exercise program. I had complications after surgery which made for a very long 2 weeks after surgery. Don't push yourself too hard because it isn't worth risking any setbacks.
In time you'll get your calories up, and you're right that you will need to. If they're too low your body will resist wanting to shed weight. I hit a stall for about a week or two in the early months and found that actually increasing my calories helped get the weight coming off again. That being said we're all different. Keep doing a food journal because that will give you something to go back and look at and help figure out what is and isn't working for you.

In a few weeks you'll have a lot more options and you'll be feeling way better. The time right after surgery is tough physically as well as mentally. The mental part is what a lot of us weren't fully prepared for. Give it some time and it will all be good!

Hi, for the first few months I was having about 450 calorie a day. It wasn’t enough once I started exercising/weights my NUT advised I increase my calories to 600 -800. I feel much better since increasing my calories, more energy and enjoying life more. I’ve had a few stalls, that’s just part of it. I’ve lost 48 kgs/105 pounds total inc 2 week pre-op liquid diet. My surgery was 21 Aug 2017.

Good luck on your weight loss journey.

Thank you! I had looked into Mexico for my dental implant surgery - which we are just finishing up payments for now. My case ended up being too complex to have done there according to the staff where I planned to go, but I had seriously considered it. I admit to feeling a little more hesitant due to the nature of this type of procedure, but I wouldn't rule it out altogether. Hearing about others with positive outcomes definitely helps. At this point all qualified surgeons are on the table (no pun intended, lol).

After a lot of research I chose Obesity Control Center with Dr. Ariel Ortiz. The hospital is within 15minutes of San Diego, and it is JACCHO accredited - this is a major accreditation which is done mainly for U.S. hospitals. To have a facility in Mexico with this accreditation is huge. Also, the doctors there also hold U.S. license, so they are not just “Mexico doctors”.
The physicians and nurses were outstanding, as a medical manager I Could not say enough praises for the care that they gave to the patients.
The facility was immaculate and clean.
I think if you checked out this facility and Dr. Ortiz, you would be impressed with what they offer. Plus the follow up,care is great. They are available to reach even after your surgery. I Had surgery in April and went back to Tijuana with a friend for her surgery in November. At that time most of the women and men that I saw were there for surgery were there with friends and relatives that had previously had surgery with Dr. Ortiz. So, nothing says more about trust in a physician, than seeing people return with their families and friends for him to provide their surgery.

Ive been making a variety of Soups like potato cheddar and carrot then straining them it helps a lot to mix it up. Also ive been eating the oikos greek yogurt in different flavours and that helps keep things from getting boring. Ive also made homemade sugar free popcicles with mio and stuff and they are fantastic.

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Great to have some buddies I’m scared as hell. Of what? I guess everything. I’m not so sick right now that a lifetime of vomiting will be worth it, so I’m taking a risk. I’m a mom to twin 3 year olds. I’m on the pre-op diet now and already my energy is too low to play with them. I’m really scared I’ll be drained of energy for months, maybe years. But I’m devoted and doing well on the diet. I want this. I need this for my health. It’s ok to be scared AND excited!

Hello fellow sleevers.
I just came home after yesterday’s surgery. Feeling good and looking forward to the changes that will be coming.

I am a 43 year old Norwegian that’s been living in Texas for the last 5 years.

Hey Espen!
Funny, I'm 43 years old, a Texan living in Texas!
Glad you're feeling good!

I had my surgery on December 18, yesterday made 2 weeks, I’m already down 16lbs, and have never been happier. It a great feeling

Dec. 20th here. 6 days out. Feel so good it's almost scary, I have to remind myself that I can't eat. Am tiring of the liquids, but a little sacrifice now for a big payoff later.

Thought I would jump in here too! Sleeved on 12/21, any surgery twins out there?! Family and friends are always a great support system but having someone who actually knows what the sleeve is like is great to have!

Just arrived in San Diego last night. Staying at the Sheraton on the Marina. So pretty looking off the balcony at the boats on the marina and the bay. The flight from Philly was awful, even in first class - which apparently is just bigger seats these days, much more expensive tickets, and better Snacks (which did me no good on my clear liquid diet, lol).
Hurting pretty badly from all my back pain & fibro issues. Van from OCC will be here at 10 to pick us up and take me for pre-op testing. If all goes well surgery is tomorrow. Feeling so weak and tired though. Kind of wishing I could stay in this big comfy bed looking out at the boats. Maybe I could be anorexic? I'm kind of getting used to this not eating thing...Just kidding, not trying to make light of anorexia - I know it's a serious illness and hope I didn't offend anyone, I'm just so tired. I'm hoping the excitement will kick in more once we get to OCC and get settled in.
Best wishes to all Dec sleevers who got sleeved over the past several days - hope you are feeling good! And to everyone going in this week as well. Good luck everyone!!