seaforest

Yes, I'm with you both GradyCat and GreenTealael. I haven't updated my weight yet but 21 lbs at 8 weeks is true for me as well. And slow and steady works for me too because that's better than no change at all. I'm hoping it helps with the skin thing down the road as well - we'll see. Otherwise, I think I might become a flying squirrel or something. But this is about the rest of my life and getting off the extra person that I've been carrying around is my goal. Also, my hope is with the slow and steady is that the good habits will be even more firmly entrenched for the future.

Today, I realized that I could reach to snap and unsnap my bra. I've been pulling them over my head already done up! That was a surprise. So is the ease with which I can tie my shoelaces now. I think the NSV's are the best!

I agree, it was an activity, a reason to spend time with people I care about. So, I still do it. The food part is a bit of a chore but the company is great. I find that I eat what I can and take home the rest and eat it over the next few days. Then I don't have to cook! But, I am mindful of what I eat and stick with the Protein first. I wish restaurants would cook their vegetables...the crunchy ones are too much trouble...never cared for the blanched/al dente version.

I love my tea. I grew up on tea. I have a British mother and also lived over there for a few years. Before surgery, I made myself my first and probably last batch of scones - I was remembering Sunday afternoon teas from my youth. I am still drinking tea but switched to herbals and Earl Grey Decaf with stevia for post op. My problem is that sugar was always a big part of my tea....and used to be I was drinking Scottish Breakfast or Irish Breakfast, no milk. So...I'm adjusting. I have a new black tea to try but haven't pulled the trigger yet.

Speaking as a mental health counselor and a fellow sleever, you are all on the right track. Use distraction, get moving, music, journal, art...whatever helps your mood. The thing is we can't go to our comfort foods anymore. That's going to make this journey challenging as we figure out new (hopefully healthier) habits for when we are feeling emotionally challenged (depression, anxiety, stress, anger, etc.) Of course, I'm biased, but having someone to talk to like a therapist will be really helpful.

OMG, it crosses my mind about once a day or so. I tried sugar free and it was awful. What I have been doing sometimes is eating sugar-free chocolate pudding. But chocolate to me is like someone else's cigarette. When I feel stress or anxious or tired, I want some. Other's might reach for tobacco or something. Anyway, the pudding has been my only solution so far.

I'm not a fan of the slow thing but I have to trust that my body is doing what is needed. I'm following directions and I get to the gym 6-7 times a week. I ask myself, am I building muscle? Is that why the scale's not doing anything or much of anything? But, I can see and feel the changes. My gym buddy who's been away told me she could see the difference. I get that we plateau but it is frustrating when you can see the numbers. There's definitely more calories being burned than being consumed. Sigh. I'm not giving up. I feel good and I can reach things more easily...even silly things like tying my shoelaces or my toes! I feel like I'm being liberated!

My meal plan includes the options for two Snacks a day. I am told not to go more than 5 hours without eating. I often do the morning snack because I find I get hungry after the gym and mid-morning is when I'm supposed to take my Vitamins. But today's was 1/2 cup of applesauce - it's one of my ways to get in fruits/veggies. Sometimes, it's a string cheese or tablespoon of Peanut Butter for the Protein. I don't believe there is one way as we are all unique. At any rate, I'm sticking with what my team tells me to do.

I don't have a goal weight at this time. I want to be fit and healthy and I want my lap back. I want to see how far I can go and where I can maintain comfortably. Not having to take any meds would be nice.

Well, I had a couple of days just after surgery when nothing much seemed to be moving so I took Colace? Anyway, it helped. Now I try to get some greens/fruits in every day. Not much mind you but I do it in the hopes of keeping regular. My current favorite thing is to do a 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce as a snack somewhere during the day. I seem to be fine with getting my Protein in at meal times but having room for anything else at that time is difficult. Not helpful at the moment I know but maybe something to consider for the future?

I got pea Protein at Whole Foods to add to Soups and things to up the protein.

I was told to avoid alcohol for a year. Also, if you haven't already been warned everyone should've been. We are at higher risk of becoming alcoholics after surgery than before and I have seen it where I work. It's one reason I didn't immediately choose to have the surgery. I've seen several persons with this problem at my place of employment. So, be careful and follow your medical team's advice.

On 1/20/2019 at 5:18 PM, drop the beat said:

Sooooo...my period keeps stopping and starting, spotting and not spotting. Any one else experience this? How long will this last? Heavy then light then none at all, then bam back on. This sucks.

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Yea, so mine showed up the night before surgery...basically I was spotting. It's been happening ever since at last once a week. This week has been heavier. I feel like it hasn't really stopped since 12/11. But maybe now that it was more of a regular flow for me? I'm 57 and I thought I was finally at menopause so go figure. However, I do know that Estrogen gets stored in our fat cells and as we lose....well, my guess is the weight loss/hormone/period thing is all related. I'm hoping things settle down again but if they don't, I'll seek medical advice.

Some friends know and one family member. I didn't want to tell folks because I didn't want anyone to be negative. Now, after the surgery, I still feel the same way. At the same time, we are the ones who do the work post op and I feel like it's not just the surgery, it's what we do to make it work after. Just my two cents.

I think getting all my fluids in is my biggest battle and I agree weekends are harder because there's no routine! Oy. I think I made it to about 48 oz yesterday. I aim for at least 60 most days.

I think the straw thing had to do with taking in too much Fluid at once (another way to gulp) rather than sip and so was not recommended. Maybe also to do with sucking in air which is the last thing we need in our new tiny stomachs. I don't know - maybe I made that all up in my head. Either way, I haven't had any caffeine or bubbles yet and I'm at 5 weeks out tomorrow. I do have a follow up nutrition meeting tomorrow and I'll see what new things I'm allowed or expected to do then.

I will say that I promised myself that I would follow directions because having the surgery was a big deal and I want to make sure I do everything correctly for my health and well-being and best outcomes. So far, progress is being made in the right direction so I'm glad.

Hi,

Only you can decide if it's right for you. Have you gone for a consult? or met with a team? I found this website extremely helpful leading up to my surgery: https://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/

Hi,

You need to do you as others have said. Talk with your providers and share your concerns. For your husband, well I would recommend he focus on his recovery - going to meetings, getting a sponsor if he doesn't already have one, and work the steps. He needs to keep his side of the street clean. I will say that he is probably scared like you may have been scared when he was actively using. Both individuals in a relationship need room to grow and become their best selves however that works for each person. Relationships can be challenging with the changes so you may want to consider couples' counseling for support with each other's recovery process. Best wishes.

I use the fitbit log to track my food so everything is in one place for me.

Hi. So I was told that when I feel like food is stuck, to take a walk. It helps. And really don't drink anything for 30 minutes after eating because that will make it feel worse not better. Hope that helps.

Yeah, I'm in a stall myself at the moment. I admit to torturing myself by visiting the scale every morning. But, I log all my food, I'm exercising every day, and following all the directions I've been given. I'm sure one of these days, I'll get a nice surprise when I get on the scale. But 12 lbs in three weeks was good. Four weeks on Wednesday and no regrets!

I was told six weeks out before trying raw veggies including salad. Even then, apparently, our systems aren't always ready. I'm almost at 4 weeks and still not getting a lot of veggies or fruit in because the Protein takes up all the room. I would love to just eat the veggies and not have to have protein. Oh well, life is different for me today.

We're all different. I'm 2 weeks postop and am just beginning the transition to solids.

I started with 2 but didn't finish. I just ate some chicken. Chewing slowly and taking all the time you need seems to work.

I got the go ahead for soft foods today! Hooray! So, I had some scrambled egg. I'm guessing that we shouldn't be time pressured when we are eating so we can take the time to pay attention. I was time pressured so it was a bit uncomfortable but it passed. Looking forward to getting to know this new stomach of mine and what it can and can't tolerate.