Kay07

This comment made me smile. And laugh. Lots of laughter...

During the first couple weeks right after surgery, some people can find it difficult to meet their daily Fluid requirement. That is because their body is in a major heal mode. I think that is where "sipping an ounce every 10 minutes" thing came from. It is important to drink enough fluids after surgery so that you do not become dehydrated otherwise a slew of problems can develop.
It is common for your taste buds to change after surgery. Be willing to experiment. After surgery, my taste buds changed dramatically. Even Water changed. In the hospital it tasted excessively chlorinated and I could not drink it. So I experimented. sugar free popsicles became my best friend. Some individuals find hot or cold can help with fluids. For me, I found that I could tolerate flavored water. So I began using Crystal Light. I also found a new drink Bai which I liked cold. In the winter, I found that I tolerate hot drinks such as piping hot cocoa. But you have to use the "No Sugar Added" variety. Also fine English teas were very good.
The fluid requirement is met by a combination. It is not only the water that you drink each day. But also the water you drink when you take your Vitamins and medicine. It is the milk you drink. It is the fluids content of the Protein Shakes. It is the water component of the Soups you take. It is met by flavored water such as Crystal Light. It is met by sugar free popsicles. It is met by tea and Decaf coffee. It is a combination of all the fluids that you consume during the day.
My other question is, when I'm in the gym working out now, if I'm hot or need a drink, I can easily chug some Water. Post-surgery, how will I do that? It is not a good idea to chug water after surgery. After surgery your stomach will be significantly smaller. Chugging water or any drink will trap air in your smaller stomach and can cause you discomfort (gas pain). Just take a few extra minutes and drink slowly.
Since you are at the beginning of this process, I would recommend three things.
1. Take a good before photograph of yourself, so that you have something to compare to after surgery. Many times we are blind to our obesity. We do not see ourselves. Therefore when the weight begins to drop off rather dramatically, we question if this is really happening. Photographs are a good visualization of our success. Many people carry a before and after photo with them, just to remind themselves of their success.
2. Walk 30 minutes each day, every day until surgery (or equivalent exercise). Walking helps the recovery process go smoothly and minimized the pain levels from surgery.
3. Wean yourself from caffeine and carbonated beverages now. After I gave up my 6 diet coke a day habit, I suffered from a week of severe withdrawal syndrome consisting of severe headaches and body aches. I was miserable. You don't want to combine the effects of caffeine withdrawal with the effects of surgery.

Thanks @Creekimp13! I did not learn about what BMI was until I first researched this surgery perhaps 2 or so years ago, so I have no idea what it really means. Numbers are finite.
Thank you all for your input, I've been stressing over this number of 135 all day and I am glad that it isn't as big a deal as my nutritionist made it out to be!

I wish you all the best in getting there!!!

Thanks everyone for your feedback!
@336Mike I was about 140 in High School, but not sure if its really feasible to get back to that after having 2 kids. To think I thought I was fat THEN...
@Mattymatt That's kind of what I was thinking, that even my first assumed goal of 160 felt so very far away. Then to make it 135 felt almost impossible. I'd rather set an achievable goal, as I am very much a goal oriented person. Did you feel at all overwhelmed by the goal of 190?
@newmebithebypass See I think I might just do the same, and work towards a goal that makes sense. I just know that if I go with the goal of 135, and I don't meet it, I will feel like I failed.
@Jenn1 I think I look at the numbers because its easier to track. I want to be healthy. I want to not have to dread going to the doctors and get the "so about your weight..." conversations. If I say I want to get to 160, I know what that looks like because I was it once. If I say I want to get to a bmi of 22, I've no idea what that is. I feel like the only reason I know what a bmi is, is because mine is bad! Perhaps I just need to adjust my way of thinking to make this seem less overwhelming.

Thanks everyone for your feedback!
@336Mike I was about 140 in High School, but not sure if its really feasible to get back to that after having 2 kids. To think I thought I was fat THEN...
@Mattymatt That's kind of what I was thinking, that even my first assumed goal of 160 felt so very far away. Then to make it 135 felt almost impossible. I'd rather set an achievable goal, as I am very much a goal oriented person. Did you feel at all overwhelmed by the goal of 190?
@newmebithebypass See I think I might just do the same, and work towards a goal that makes sense. I just know that if I go with the goal of 135, and I don't meet it, I will feel like I failed.
@Jenn1 I think I look at the numbers because its easier to track. I want to be healthy. I want to not have to dread going to the doctors and get the "so about your weight..." conversations. If I say I want to get to 160, I know what that looks like because I was it once. If I say I want to get to a bmi of 22, I've no idea what that is. I feel like the only reason I know what a bmi is, is because mine is bad! Perhaps I just need to adjust my way of thinking to make this seem less overwhelming.

Thanks everyone for your feedback!
@336Mike I was about 140 in High School, but not sure if its really feasible to get back to that after having 2 kids. To think I thought I was fat THEN...
@Mattymatt That's kind of what I was thinking, that even my first assumed goal of 160 felt so very far away. Then to make it 135 felt almost impossible. I'd rather set an achievable goal, as I am very much a goal oriented person. Did you feel at all overwhelmed by the goal of 190?
@newmebithebypass See I think I might just do the same, and work towards a goal that makes sense. I just know that if I go with the goal of 135, and I don't meet it, I will feel like I failed.
@Jenn1 I think I look at the numbers because its easier to track. I want to be healthy. I want to not have to dread going to the doctors and get the "so about your weight..." conversations. If I say I want to get to 160, I know what that looks like because I was it once. If I say I want to get to a bmi of 22, I've no idea what that is. I feel like the only reason I know what a bmi is, is because mine is bad! Perhaps I just need to adjust my way of thinking to make this seem less overwhelming.

Omg@mattymatt i love the song betty davis eyes and im turning 27 in july man now must go listen to said song

Sent from my LGLS676 using BariatricPal mobile app

I heard that was common. They did an entire discussion on it in my support group. I am already always cold... I may not survive having 100+ less pounds of insulation! LOL. If I wasn't such a diehard Bostonian, I would consider moving to the warmer part of the country.

The mashed cauliflower is great! It IS a bit of a jarring difference to be honest. What I did is slowly replaced the potatoes with the cauliflower since I tend to go into texture shock. It helped me, and honestly I love love love 1/2 potato 1/2 cauliflower mashed with a bit of garlic. Yumm.

Can. Not. Wait!
In all seriousness, I can't wait to not have knee pain going up the stairs, or to not avoid taking vacations that involve planes because I hate having to stretch the seat belt out all the way in order to fit. And can't wait to shop in regular stores instead of taking a gamble at online plus size retailers.

Good afternoon!
I just joined up yesterday, but am in the beginning process of pre-op. I have my my first meeting with the psych and nutritionist down, but won't meet with the surgeon until April 12. Not going to lie, patience has never been a virtue of mine! However I've already implemented the nutritionist's recommendation (I tend to NOT eat because of my job where I am always rushing around) and then end up eating only dinner and nighttime Snacks. I've spent the past 2 weeks actively eating 5 healthy meals a day (3meals 2 snacks) and boy is that difficult.
However I am super excited about the next steps, and can't wait to get my life back on track! Anyone else in MA by chance?

Wow, you look fantastic!!! That outfit with the green sweater is on point! I kind of want it, as soon as I loose 1/3 of myself that is :). I have to say being in the “wonderland” is almost a pipe dream! I just can’t imagine it. It’s been almost 9 years since there was a pretty little 1 at the beginning of my scale.
You are an absolute inspiration! Can’t wait to see all your future progress!

Hello! So I am technically 30, can I still respond? Haha I am hoping to have my surgery sometime in June or July, but I am secretly hoping that since I don't have a time prerequisite on belonging to a program or what not, that maybe they can squeeze me in sooner. Who knows!

Hi! I am going to Mount Auburn Weight Management Center, my surgeon will be Dr. Julie Kim!

You look absolutely fantastic! These stories make my decision feel so much less terrifying because I want THAT. Feeling good, being proud, and wearing clothes that make me happy instead of make me look less big. Congrats on your success
If you don't mind, what kind of exercise do you typically do?