MrsGamgee

When I was first home from the hospital I was only able to manage a few 10 minute walks each day. I slowly worked up to 20 minutes at a time. About a week and a half post op, I pushed myself too hard and did a 3km walk, and felt awful for a few days. But I'm now managing 5km and other than some muscle aches I'm doing pretty well. Good luck with your surgery!

Bravo! Sent from my SM-G960W using BariatricPal mobile app

I use them in overnight oats too or chia puddings. I also add them to my homemade vinaigrettes. Sent from my SM-G960W using BariatricPal mobile app

Did my 5km walk this morning, used my walking poles. I was slower than a herd of turtles, but I did it. Also did my arm workout. My before pic of my glorious bat wing... and a pic of my wee boy enjoying the sun and samples at the farmer's market on Saturday. It's thundering here today (Happy Canada Day by the way!), but they say it's supposed to clear up for fireworks tonight. Sent from my SM-G960W using BariatricPal mobile app

Wow... well at least they know you're taking it. Even the Mayo Clinic says to stop taking it a minimum of two weeks before blood work.

Of course, everyone's tastes are different, but that first taste of pureed cottage cheese or refried beans was absolute heaven! And I lost about 14lb in the first two weeks, but keep in mind that there are many factors that determine how much an individual will lose, and at what rate. Comparison is the thief of joy, as they say.

Wow... that's really interesting! Something else to watch/listen for I guess. I'm currently surprised about the appearance of my ankles (cankles no more!). I've lost an inch on my neck in the last month, I wonder if my voice will change. *shrugs*

My blender for my protein shakes and to puree things like soups (in the early days), and my kitchen scale are things that I use daily. Slow cooker gets used often for soups, stews, and cooking meats to a tender consistency (think pulled pork, chicken, etc). Before my surgery, I read many people talk about stocking up on their 4oz food storage containers, but I didn't get it until after. I use them daily to portion out my prepped food. I have a dozen of them and they're always being used. And I'm planning on saving up for an air fryer. I can see that being super useful in the future.

Mine too... nothing red.

Chocolate is something I'm surprised I don't really enjoy any longer. My regular breakfast is (and was for over a year before surgery) chocolate berry overnight refrigerator oats. I bump up the protein with protein powder and chia seeds (all 100% ok'd by my RD, and helps with my regularity), but I don't enjoy the taste as much any more. And I thought I was craving some chocolate the other day so I made some sugar free/fat free chocolate pudding for the wee-lings and had a few bites... it tasted like paste. I see something chocolatey and it looks great, but I'm beginning to understand that my body doesn't like it any more. I've also been craving cabbage... raw cabbage, shredded and dressed with olive oil, lime juice, chili powder and cumin (what I've always put on tacos rather than lettuce). I'm hesitant to try it, so I've had some sautéed cabbage that's gone down okay. Good tip about the chicken thighs over chicken breasts...

I've considered writing it many times. I told myself I would wait until after they had both passed. Grandma passed a number of years ago and Grandpa passed away last fall. I guess the time has come.

Me too. I'm diligent about measuring out my food, and I'm sticking at 1/4 cup at meals. What's driving me a little crazy today is that I need 2 protein shakes a day to get in my protein numbers, but they are so calorie dense. I know I'm not supposed to be concerned about calories, and really... who is this woman who's stressed about 170 calories???? But still, it irks me. Sent from my SM-G960W using BariatricPal mobile app

Oooo... that looks so yummy! Sent from my SM-G960W using BariatricPal mobile app

I have 2 wee-lings (8yo, 7yo) and I've been up front with them, in an age appropriate manner, from the beginning. They have known from a very young age that I had to take a lot of medicines (diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol) because I am overweight. They knew about my medical conditions because I felt it important that they know how to call for help if something ever happened to me when it was just us. They've grown up knowing that it's super important to eat healthy and be active. They know that because of my medical history, they are at risk too, and they have to take care of themselves. When I made the decision to pursue WLS, after I had talked it over with my hubs, I sat them down and talked to them about it. I told them that I was tired of all the medication I had to take, I was tired of not having the energy to play with them, and I wanted to be able to go on the rides at the fair with them. It meant that I would have a lot of appointments (my program is 2 years from orientation to surgery) and that ultimately I'd have an operation. Then I enlisted their help. I told them that I would need help with remembering to eat better and to exercise, and let me tell you, no one nags like a 5 or 6yo. They stayed with their grandparents while I had surgery, so that my hubs didn't have to worry about them and me... and our 7yo had a rough night of being concerned about me. Now that I'm on the far side of surgery, they are great at helping me with little things as I recover (my youngest carried our shopping bag at the farmer's market this morning and didn't let go of my hand, in case I got tired). Kids are smart. They know when something's going on. It's important to educate them honestly so that they don't get stressed out about things they don't understand. Just my two cents.

I was told to expect pain like that off and on as I heal... as things that were a bit more tightly stitched heal and relax. Sent from my SM-G960W using BariatricPal mobile app

For all my Doctor Who fandom buddies@ Sent from my SM-G960W using BariatricPal mobile app

LOL... thanks Fluffy! Hang in there... this is just the beginning of the road. You got this!

So sorry that things still aren't moving along for you. I'm sorry I don't have any practical advice... think of waterfalls? Babbling brooks? A dripping tap? (Dang, now I have to pee) Hoping like crazy that things get sorted right quick! Sent from my SM-G960W using BariatricPal mobile app

Here's today's NSV... I have had clothes in sizes 16 - 24 in my closet for years and years. Today I was sick of having to dig through hanger after hanger to find something that fits. This is mostly pants, skirts, and jeans. I pulled anything that was bigger than a size 18. My closet is much emptier now and I'm thrilled! Sent from my SM-G960W using BariatricPal mobile app

Just my two cents on a couple of your questions... Condiments like steak sauce or ketchup can be loaded with sugar, so be careful. I would suggest maybe trying mustard instead? Pasta alternatives... my go to is zucchini noodles. Love love love them. Good in hot and cold recipes. Sent from my SM-G960W using BariatricPal mobile app

For me, when I was 8 days out it was suddenly much easier to get my water in. I can't explain it, except that it felt like there was more room for water. I can do more than sip now, although I do get a little discomfort behind my sternum if I try to drink too much at one time. Hang in there! Sent from my SM-G960W using BariatricPal mobile app

Honestly, if left to my own devices I can avoid all the foods I'm not supposed to eat. The last 3+ weeks have been challenging though... with cooking for my family (mostly healthy meals) during my pre-op diet was rough, and even though I prepped a number of meals for them for my first couple of weeks post op, it's hard watching them eat while I'm getting by on mush. It will get better, I know. My hubs has benefited from my healthier meal options, to the point that he was frustrating one of my goals. I wanted to weigh less than him (never did, ever), but he kept losing. Only now, after surgery, I weigh less than him. [emoji4] Sent from my SM-G960W using BariatricPal mobile app

Bravo!! Sent from my SM-G960W using BariatricPal mobile app

Journaling isn't my thing either... I've done it a few times when working out something specific, but long term? Not for me. B-side: I'm a novel girl all the way, with the occasional biography thrown in for good measure. Btw, I totally don't get the Marie Condo thing. I read it a few years ago and actually threw the book across the room when she started talking about socks feeling sad because they were rolled instead of folded. She had a few valid points, but a little over the top for me. Sent from my SM-G960W using BariatricPal mobile app

I have been open about WLS from the moment I made my decision. I explained why it was important for my health and what my motivations were (to kick type 2 diabetes to the curb and to be able to survive to see my wee-lings graduate and marry someday). Almost all people in my life have been immensely supportive and have been cheering me on through the prep and surgery process. A few have expressed concern or doubt, but I've taken those opportunities to educate them. And ultimately I reminded them that this is my body, my choice. People don't question a cancer patient undergoing chemo or radiation, and that's putting poison in their body (on a most basic level). This surgery is just as life saving. Ultimately it's your choice to tell or not. I'll leave you with one final thought. Everything will likely go very well for you, but heaven forbid you are in the very small percentage of people who have complications... would you want to walk through that alone? Who would you want at your side? Sent from my SM-G960W using BariatricPal mobile app