Sleeved36

No way around it, liquid diet sucks. I am 8 days out and bored as hell with my food choices. It is because I enjoy eating good food, how I got here to begin with. 😔 I am trying to look at it like detox for any other addict (drugs/alcohol). Food is gone. Maybe I need to take this time to adjust my relationship with and the way I think about food. I am detoxing from Food, it needs to have less of a hold on me. That is just my Zen moments, the rest of the time I am grumpy and want something good to eat. Trying for more Zen moments. . . . . FluffyChix said something in another post that I also try to keep in mind: Embrace the suck, you will never lose weight this quickly again.

Way to go! Impressive numbers!

Mine was already out when I had the sleeve, but those nurses were WRONG. (I am a nurse too). The purpose of your gallbladder is to help your body break down fat. Which is all your body does after weight loss surgery. You ingest protien and you body uses your fat stores for energy. That is why the gut, love handles, thighs, double chin all start disappearing. All this fat metabolism is taxing on your gallbladder and often causes problems. This is why many weight loss patients take ursodiol. It's gone now, so you shouldn't have any more problems. Gallbladder attacks suck. Warning: a small number of patients have difficulty processing high fat meals after gallbladder removal. Translation: a really high fat meal might give you diarrhea. 😲

There is minimal/mixed research on collagen, but I say "who cares, it's worth a shot!". Either way it adds to your protein for the day. Mine says it mixes with anything -liars. You have to mix it with hot liquid. I do 2 things: 1- mix collagen in hot coffee, then add a little cold almond milk to cool it down, then 1 scoop chocolate protien powder. Perfect breakfast. 2- mix collagen in hot caffeine free tea and add ice. Cheaper than protein waters. GNC also has a chewable hair, skin, and nails vitamin that has collagen. I HATE chewable vitamins, but this one's not bad or expensive. Other thing that is supposed to help skin is sugar scrubs, exfoliation increases blood flow to skin's surface.

My insurance had no real requirements. The surgeon's office required all the same appointments as everyone else, but spread out the nutritionist appointments 1 every 3 months to give people time to adjust to low-carb eating and make sure the postop plan was well understood. Took 4 months total. It is good to take a little time to do the research so you are well prepared. The surgery is SO worth not having diabetes and all of the eventual complications associated with it: heart attack, stroke, amputation, kidney failure, neuropathy, loss of vision . . . . Even if your blood sugars are well controlled, you can still have some of the wonderful things on that list. It isn't just the weight loss. The sleeve and bypass both change your body metabolicly to improve diabetes. Keep coming here for support. There will always be someone to cheer you on and answer questions 😁

Are you kidding me! NO WAY that is the same person! The first guy looks a little angry, but the second guy is cute. Quit trolling for chicks! Just kidding, you look amazing! That is a huge change in a short period. Do you do a double take when you look in the mirror? Great job!

Great advice Taoz! I use the collagen too. Most of the collagen brands say they mix in anything, not true must be hot liquid. Mix it in hot caffeine free tea, then add ice and you have your own protien water! All of the premade protien waters are too sweet for me and expensive. Also helps you get in all of your fluids. Whitchypoo72: Go easy on yourself. Stay hydrated, get your protien in. That is all you NEED to do right now. Eventually figure out vitamins and a diet plan, but hydration and protien are the only MUST right now. Take a deep breath and keep on drinking!

Way to go! That is nice even weight loss!

I am so sorry you are struggling right now. If you have a busy life, it will just mean that you eat boring food at first. To start with it is just liquids for 2 weeks, no need to prepare food. Buy protein powder, soups, and yogurt. Meal planning for the later stages can be reasonably simple too. Keep in mind, no matter which surgery you have, you won't be able to eat much. There is a whole section of this forum that includes meal ideas. You can do it! You got through the pre-op process. In the end you will have so much more energy to deal with your life if you weigh less. Keep going!

Oooo! I'm interested! Please follow up and post if the pasta was any good.

Way to go! I am just starting (1week postop). Can only hope to be so successful 😁

Don't worry, the restriction is there. I had surgery 1 week ago and thought the same thing when just drinking fluids/protein shakes. When I started with a little yogurt and cream soup, I could feel the difference. 1 scrambled egg took me an hour to eat and left me full the rest of the night. Fluids can be deceiving, the restriction is there. Head hunger is just starting, but not too bad.

Good for you! That silly little machine should not rule our lives or happiness. My 4yr old doesn't know what the scale does. Every time he sees it he asks "Mommy, can I measure my feet" My reply "Sure baby, get on there and measure your feet" 😉

I use meat replacements for variety in my diet. And bc some types of meat gross me out, like sausage. I only eat sausage from 1 amazing butcher by me. I really love Morningstar farms maple flavored breakfast patties crumbled up in my breakfast scramble: eggs, veggies, chia, and nutritional yeast; you have a perfect breakfast. Can make ahead for work days too. My other favorite is Trader Joe's quinoa cowboy veggie burgers.

So encouraging to see what you have been able to do in 6 months! I started at the same high weight and had surgery 1 week ago. Your pics inspire me to quit whining about my liquid diet. (It would help if my husband wasn't home to "help" me and making tons of delicious food for himself) 😕

I am 5'4" and was happy at an athletic 160. Maintained that weight for most of my 20's. It is still "overweight" on the bmi chart, but I don't care. Highest I want to be is 175. Surgery 6 days ago and down 12 lbs, just happy to be on my way!

Great job getting back on track. I am just starting, but I appreciate the cautionary tale. Everyone tells you that the surgery is not magic, but it is hard to believe at first as the pounds melt away.

Good for you! Don't let anyone deter you from your goals or try to tell you that you are being "extreme" when you are 100% compliant. And. . . . Can I come over for breakfast? 😃

I hear you. "Disappearing" has a negative connotation. You are not fading into the backround or becoming half-human half-ghost. The new slimmer you is probably not more of a wallflower. This process is empowering. You are gaining control of your weight. "Disappearing" sound's like you are fading inro the background. I'm sure they meant well.

I am a little confused. Are you discourged, because you look happy in the picture and you look great! I am going to assume you need a little cheer up. 🤗 Body dysmorphia is part of this process for a lot of people. You don't always see yourself as you are when you look in the mirror. You look great! It is never just about the mirror or the scale. Read all the amazing threads about non-scale victories. I don't have time to make the whole list here, but they are worth a read. Evaluate your non-scale goals or make some cool ones after reading everyone elses. I bet you are winning in a lot of ways!

The hormone shift after surgery is different for everyone. The really extreme hormone changes are supposed to be better after 2 months and the increase in estrogen can last 1 year. Sorry, I know you probably wanted a clear answer. Best I can do.😊 I feel some of your pain. I was migraine free for 5 years before I had surgery. The hormone changes brought them back! I know which migraine meds work for me, but didn't have any because it had been 5 years. My surgeon called in a prescription for me on saturday afternoon. I am hoping migraines are temporary too! Don't be too overwhelmed. You must be strong if you went through all of the pre-op process and diet. You got through the surgery. You can do this! Try to focus on the good stuff. Have you lost weight? Can you fit into new sizes/favorite old clothes? Do you feel better? Both scale and non-scale victories are what you need to cling to to get through this. And maybe a pretty new dress 💖😁

Ooo! Looks good! Thanks for the idea. I am on liquids still, but am a little concerned how my new belly will handle meat. I am allowed scrambled eggs and tried a little today, kinda hurt. This might be a good option for me. I have always eaten some meat substitutes, but nice to have some other options! Thanks

The road to self improvement can be rough! And weight loss journeys can be the worst! But you've got this! You made it through the pre-op process and diet. You made it through the surgery. This is an unfortunate set back, but you can handle it. It is the last hurdle to your physical healing. YOU ARE ALMOST THERE! Even if the drain. Does not come out Monday, it will be ok. Keep us posted! We are rooting for You! 🤗👏💖

I have not seen much true "bullying", but there are plenty of exchanges that get petty, heated, and unnecessarily rude. It is disappointing when this happens. Blunt is just stating basic truth without suger coating it. Blunt is different than nasty. To be clear, I am not talking about you Jess9395. I remember you said you were blunt, just saying in general. Attacking someone elses intelligence is never ok. Just because we are posting in the rant section should not mean that all civility is lost.

WOW! Just stumbled on this thread and read the whole thing. FluffyChix: Totally get what you were saying about the article, it sounded a little more like "throwing in the towel" than "moderation". There is a difference. To tell yourself that you do not exercise for weight loss is just dumb, it has to be PART of the reason. I do agree that the scale does not determine my self worth, I will be ok with a reasonable range of weights. REASONABLE, not bc I gave up. The way you talk about weight loss is like a warrior going into battle, and that is exactly what it is. It is the exact words many people use to describe thier weight loss journey. We have all heard people say things like: "I have been battling with my weight." We have to be geared up for a fight with our own bodies/fat cells. I hear You, take no prisoners this is war against my fat body. Surgery is just one weapon we have in this war, the rest is our choices and determination. KEEP FIGHTING! We all have different goals and that's ok. I just had surgery 4 days ago and do not intend to waste this opportunity either. This is my best shot at a healthy new me. But at the same time I have not set a specific weight goal for myself and at 5'4" I expect to still be considered overweight. That's ok, I am focused on NSV. Don't let anyone discourage you. Keep working towards your goal. Fight like hell.