MrsGamgee

A similar graphic is what sold me on it too. I know it's generalized info, but it got me to take the leap and ask for a referral.

Day 23 - learn something new Hmmm... okay, had to look up the word 'farthingale' today. I'm reading a historical novel about Katherine of Aragon, and I knew it was some sort of underclothes, but needed an image. In other news, the steri-strips are starting to come off... yay!

Congrats on your progress! That's awesome! Both of your concerns seem to be common. As we lose weight and our center of gravity shifts, our body has to adjust. Some people have mentioned that chiropractic treatments or physiotherapy has been helpful. And as to the sore behind... I've heard that focusing on building up your glutes can help with that, so squats are your friends.

I'm still very early days post op, but I think it's important to consider why you're thinking about surgery in the first place. I'm known for being a foodie, an adventurous eater, and honestly a damn good cook. All that said, I had to decide if that part of myself was more important than my long term health. Diabetes was my motivation and my family was the match that lit the spark. What wouldn't I give up for a better chance to see my wee-lings grow up and to grow old with my husband? Now that I'm on the far side of surgery, I'm finding myself excited by the prospect of experimenting and coming up with tasty combinations of foods that will fuel my body and still feed my desire for creativity in the kitchen. I don't think it had to be an either/or situation.

A little over a week ago I was right where you're at. A few days before surgery I was doing a whole lot of second guessing and indulging my worst fears. It ebbed and flowed through those last couple of days, and even when I arrived at the hospital I was a bundle of nerves. It wasn't until I walked into that OR and hopped up on the table that I started to relax. Hang in there! You are super close. Indulge in things that help you relax (that aren't food of course), and remind yourself to breathe. You got this!

Day 22 - get dressed up? Lol! Yoga pants and tshirt again today. Lucky I'm wearing a bra. The best in surgical recovery chic!

I'm 6 days out now and I have found the pain manageable. Even in hospital, I was initially doing ok with minimal pain meds until I got the hiccups. Then I needed some help and did a few doses of morphine. They sent me home with an RX for tramacet, but I used less than half. The only nausea I experienced was mild, the first couple of trips to the bathroom on the first evening post op. No vomiting at all so far (knock on wood).

I find the idea of it surprising as well. I had a relatively easy go of it (no nausea, minimal pain), but I still needed the full two nights of care. If you do go that route, I would look into home nursing care for a night or two.

I'm not hungry per se, but I'm so conditioned to eat when my family eats that I do it out of habit (albeit teeny amounts in comparison). If I were home alone all day I could see myself easily forgetting lunch... which is hilarious to me.

That cooking class date would be a dream date for me! So fun! Sadly not for my hubs...

Bahahahaha [emoji23]?[emoji23]?[emoji23]? Don't make me laugh like that... hurts ma belly!

Looking forward to getting back in the kitchen and sharing my bari-creations. I'll join you over there in a few weeks.

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.

Bra sizing itself is a serious hot mess, no matter where I go it seems. Nothing is ever consistent. I couldn't tell you what size I am now, only that my bras are all too big and I'm dreading going out to replace them.

Bravo you! Great progress!

My pre-op program was considerably longer than most (2 years), and I saw my RD every 3 months or so. I see her again at my 1 month follow up. Not sure how often I'll see her after that, but I know she's available for appointments should I have the need.

I've needed a bit of help to walk up the stairs to our front door the day I came home and to retrieve things fallen on the floor, but really everything else I could manage on my own from the outset. That said, I had prepped pretty well for my family and it's kind of nice being pampered a bit.

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?

I make something similar in the oven. If you butterfly the chicken breasts and then pound them out to an even thickness, it helps. But yes, the thin cutlets from the store would be easier.

Bravo! That is all fantastic news!

Day 19 - baths aren't my thing... never really have been. And showering right now is a workout. Someday down the road I'll enjoy them again. Day 20 - to do list: drink water, rest, walk a bit, cuddle my babies when they get home this afternoon from their grandparents (haven't seen them since Wednesday). Totally doable.

Yeah, my RD said that for the first 2 weeks, my only real goal is fluids, anything else is a bonus. Figuring out when to take my meds is part of today's challenge. Can't take my multi + iron with other meds but I'm supposed to take it with food, yada yada. And getting in a 10 minute walk every 2 hours that I'm awake. Seems small on paper, but they dominate my brain right now.

5 years from now? I see me running after my wee-lings, being a fun and active mom. I see me working in a job where I don't come home in agony at the end of every shift from hauling my huge self around. I see me and my hubs more connected than ever and enjoying ourselves together without questioning my ability to keep up with him. I see me still enjoying cooking for my family, but not being obsessed by it.

So glad to hear that you're doing well! Things here are good too, considering it's only been 4 days. Not hitting my fluid or protein targets yet, but getting a bit closer every day. Pain is minimal. Thinking I'll switch to regular tylenol today if I need it. Congrats on the 20lbs already! That's so incredible! We got this!

Four days post OP and I have to say this is the first day I woke up feeling normal-ish. There's still a bit of awkwardness around my incisions and I'm not gonna lie, I get tired pretty easily, but I'm feeling pretty good. Drinking is going well. I'm getting closer to my fluid goals every day. Protein is still pretty weak, but I'm working on it. I'm planning on making some sugar free pudding with protein powder added today. I've been trying new foods each day. Greek yoghurt the first day (before I had started passing gas) was a mistake, but it seems to be okay now. Cottage cheese went down okay yesterday. Never ever thought I could feel full from 1/4 cup of something. And the fat is melting away. I was a lucky girl and peed out all the IV fluids at the hospital. Seriously, the nurses were getting sick of me ringing them to help me to get to the bathroom the first night. I'm down 8lbs from the morning of surgery. Crazy!