JoanneLaRusch

I agree that change scares people. When they see you, they have to face their own flaws, fears and insecurities. It’s human nature, however, good friends will support you and toxic people will sabotage you. Use this time to cultivate new hobbies, interests, self worth and crummy tv. It’s tough with COVID, does your Dr have a support group?
You have support here, don’t forget that.
Keep your chin up, your goals in a tight grip and recognize toxic people, you don’t need them. Brene Brown always makes me feel more confident when I’m down. Her TED Talk on YouTube is amazing and so are her books and Netflix special.
”If we share our shame story with the wrong person, they can easily become one more piece of flying debris in an already dangerous storm.”
― Brene Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection

Some people may feel threatened or jealous. This is something that scares me, that I will lose people. I think in the end the people that are meant to be on your journey stay. As far as the others you just bid them farewell and good wishes. I have to admit before finally checking into getting surgery done. I had two friends that went to Mexico and had the sleeve done last year. I am admitting that I was green with envy when I saw them dropping weight. Here I was struggling with Hypothyroidism and emotional stuff and they were posting pictures looking phenomenal. I felt it wasn't fair. I sat and cried my eyes out because I have been working hard on my own to do it and nothing was happening. Having the initial appointment today was overwhelming. You have to change everything, so it is hard work and the stacks of orders of tests from the doctor. This surgery is a tool, not a cure all. No one lives inside your body, they have no idea what you go through. I have one friend that I connected with who has gone through this process (not to Mexico) and she is supportive. I am holding on tight to that friendship, because she may be the only one that understands. You are not alone. There is support out there, you just have to dig for it. I'm scared of the naysayers myself, but I know I have this forum, and that helps out tremendously. Sorry my answer is so long. LOL. -Best Wishes

I'm so sorry this has happened to you!
I think it's time to find some new friends! I know it's hard to socialize during Covid, but do you have any hobbies or interests that would lend to joining a club? Gardening, hiking, skiing, cycling, golf, etc? If you could find some friends with non-food involved hobbies, then you would eliminate some of the problems. Likewise with dating, instead of going out to eat or to a bar, how about going hiking, skiing or playing mini golf. Just trying to think of a few ideas!

You should expect to feel some pain from the op, I was taking a lot of pain meds for the first 5 days, but if in doubt definitely contact your doctor.

My nutritionist said that if you "chew, chew, chew, chew, chew" you are pureeing the food in your mouth. I have a REALLY hard time chewing my food thoroughly, i have always wolfed down my food. I haven't had an issue, thank goodness!
But I agree with the above poster, try Beans, eggs, yogurt, Soup, pudding. If you do like pudding, add some GENEPRO or any powdered Protein, or make it with a Protein Shake to up it's protein.
Good luck!

It's my understanding that hypoglycemia is pretty common in people with diabetes. Is it possible you are going too long between meals or Snacks? Or overall not eating enough (especially since some of what you eat is lost to malabsorption)? Are you exercising a lot more? Were you taking meds for your diabetes and the dose needs to be reduced or eliminated? In any case, I'd report it to your doctors and have them help you sort it out. Severely low blood sugar is nothing to play with. Wishing you the best! 🙏

^^^ what he said. Yes - there are unfortunately a lot of folks who don't make it to goal - and/or regain a bunch of weight after hitting goal. They let old habits sneak back in - or they're often trying to push the envelope. So I wouldn't assume that if someone is eating this or that, that they've been - or will be - successful at this.

Good to know I'm not the only one! I rarely eat a real meal either. I eat mini-meals throughout the day. It generally looks something like this:
1. 6 AM: Morning latte (made with Kitu Super coffee, no sugar)
2. 8 AM: 1 scrambled egg
3. 10 AM: Yogurt
4. 12 PM: 1 chicken thigh
5. 3 PM: sugar-free pudding
6. 7 PM: handful of almonds
8. Nighttime snack: cheese stick
It usually amounts to about 800-900 calories and 60-75g of Protein. In order to hit my protein goal, everything I eat practically has protein in it. I don't restrict calories, but I do try to keep carbs low.

I like to drain a can of tortilla Soup with a strainer and dab some sour cream on top. In softs i order the Protein power bowl and customize it with whatever Proteins my pouch is tolerating that hour. How great it is that there is protein in cheese. I didnt start eating these things until 6weeks post op because my programs dietician suggested laying off spices a bit til its healed some.

how about the insides of a taco? or maybe the toppings off some nachos? (would be some greens, ground meat, cheese and sauce)..or maybe a smooth gazpacho?
at 3 weeks, you *likely* will not be able to eat much, it may be easier to just bring a Protein Shake with you and enjoy the company.
good luck! ❤️

Are you allowed to eat purées yet? It is much easier to get Protein when you can eat purées. Puréed foods can hide the flavor of Protein Powder much better than Protein Drinks. Here are some great options:
Greek yogurt mixed with protein powder (I like vanilla yogurt with chocolate flavored protein powder and powdered peanut butter). sugar-free pudding mixed with protein powder pureed retried Beans mixed with unflavored protein powder (I like to top the beans with enchilada sauce, Laughing Cow cheese, and Flavor God nacho cheese powder) Applesauce mixed with unflavored protein powder and a tiny splash of sugar-free caramel Syrup Protein oatmeal mixed with cinnamon roll protein powder Pureed black bean Soup mixed with unflavored protein powder You might also want to browse the BariatricPal Store because they have a lot of protein-fortified foods like Soups, oatmeal, pudding, etc. that you can try, one of my personal favorites is protein hot cocoa. It tastes like normal hot cocoa (no yucky protein taste) and if you mix it with Fairlife milk instead of Water, it’s a lot of protein. You can also try Syntrax Nectar protein powder. It’s a little different from Protein Shakes and there are a lot of flavors, so you might find something you like.

It definitely does get easier as your progress through the diet phases and have more options available for Protein. That said, it ultimately depends on your doctor's diet program and what those protein goals are. For my program, it simply is not possible for me to achieve my protein goals without Protein Shakes. Technically I could hit it with Protein Bars, but that would be heavier on carbs and calories.
Have you looked into Fairlife High Quality Protein? It IS a shake, but almost across the board people say it tastes nothing like the protein shakes everyone is used to. It really tastes more like chocolate milk (unsure of the vanilla version).
Beyond that, Fairlife also makes an Ultra Filtered Milk that has a higher protein content than normal milks do. It might not get you quite to your goal, but it could help. You'd want to stick to the 2% or lower in terms of fat in order to keep the fat and caloric intake reasonable, but it's an option and I have never been able to tell the difference between Fairlife and regular milk.
At 2.5 weeks, you're no doubt on the cusp of moving into purees, which will most definitely give you access to other ways to get more protein in.
You're doing great already and you will continue to do so!

Congrats! I had my surgery on October 26th and have lost 5.7KG so far! Good luck!!

I had my surgery on the 29th October. Im feeling so great and feel light.
Best advice is to walk and walk in hospital, to get rid of gas, my only discomfort at start.
I weighted 101kg and am now on day 3 and weight 96kg. Its good to weight once a week, so thats my goal mark.
Drinking my fluids sip by sip, and Vitamins, Fiber in my fluids.
Looking foward to seeing the progress, so exciting
Sent from my SM-A205YN using BariatricPal mobile app

This is the most colorful Font post on this site! Love to see a great attitude during the adventure and positve plan! Keep it up you will get there ---GREAT POST

Hey there! I had gastric sleeve surgery on 1/31/2020 and here's my story.
I attended the free 12 week orientation classes June 2019 thru Sept 2019 at Kaiser. My insurance paid for everything and I had no issues getting approved. My only out of pocket expense was a $100 co-pay for the hospital stay. Wonderful insurance, I know. Luckily, I had no medical issues making me very low risk for the surgery. My surgeon recommended that I get the Bypass and I changed my mind on procedure the day of surgery and switched to the Sleeve. My reasoning is simple...I didn't want to reroute my intestines and I didn't want to chance Vitamin deficiencies or dumping syndrome. I fasted on Clear Liquids the day prior to surgery and it was hell. I had an interview on fasting day and wanted so badly to stuff my face, being an emotional eater (i did get the job!). I went to bed super early the night before surgery because I had a massive headache and mood swings from fasting.
My surgery was at 1pm and because of the fasting... I wish I scheduled a morning surgery. The nurse that prepped me for surgery was an idiot. Why on earth would I be able to pee for a pregnancy test after having no fluids since the day before?! I could barely pee and what I did pee didn't make it in the cup lol I got 2 tiny drops of pee in the cup and guess what? It was enough for the pregnancy test. The nurse stuck me 7 times looking for a vein. 7 times. Not just a poke either, like she was really digging. She tried my forearm, the top of my arm, and both hands before calling for help. I woke up in recovery in extreme pain, nausea and was thirsty. I said "I'm thirsty and my stomach hurts really bad" and the nurse said yeah you just had stomach surgery. I wanted to sock her in the face. They made me wait 6 hours for pain medication and Water. The night nurses sucked and the day nurses were great. I used the call button every 1-2 hours for more pain meds which they could only give me every two hours. I called after 45 mins and said "did you give me a full or half dose?" lmao but I was serious. The built up gas hurt and my throat was sore. I tried really hard to push the gas out and ended up sharting in my bed. I walked often because I badly wanted to go home.
Coming home was nice and I wasn't hungry but still thought about food a lot. I followed the rules and sipped my water and Protein Shakes and Jello. I only took a week off from work because I wanted my routine back. The doctor told me it was too soon because of brain function is usually low this early on. He said "do you want to go back because you're bored or because it's a money thing" and I said "I'm bored as hell" and he said "then no, you can't go back yet." I didn't listen and have no regrets. I started taking the pill form of Multivitamin early on because the the ones you eat made me gag. I slowly introduce foods as instructed and my staples are yogurt, Protein shakes, salmon, cottage cheese, and veggies. I keep my meals simple. I had my 3 month check up today and I'm on track. I've lost 50 lbs total since surgery. I'm aware that weight loss with the sleeve is slower but I'm okay with it. Each week I can physically feel and see my body changing for the better. I exercise daily by walking 1-2 miles, I feel great, and I have more energy. This is the one and only time that I've had surgery. It was rough at times but overall a good experience. I am happy that I did it and have a long road ahead

I can totally understand the frustration of not having the surgery done years ago. I too was too scared and not mentally prepared to go threw with it and now after many years I am also finally going to go threw with it! I also have 3 kids and it is so hard when everyone is eating like a teenager or casually while it seems like I am the only one gaining weight. I was afraid and now years later I am still overweight and still trying! let us know how your surgery goes! Mine wont be till December.

Hi! I'm a 48 yr old mom of 3. I've been wanting to have GB surgery for almost 25 years!!! I chickened out the first time.....I'm kicking myself because at that time I had insurance with no prereqs and paid for it 100%...but I was scared and not ready. Fast forward to 2013...dying gall bladder, botched gall bladder removal, bile duct repair surgery. I lost 35 lbs in a month because of that...it was inspiring. Decided to 'clean eat' and joined Beachbody and jumped in with both feet. I was doing FANTASTICALLY, losing a total of 78 lbs, not quite to my goal weight but I felt so fantastic!! But then.....the hubs got hurt at work and was off for 3 months. I had to go back to work. My little bubble of getting to be a stay at home mom, with oodles of time to meal prep and exercise burst in a huge way. The only job I could get was at pizza Hut....I was angry that he got hurt, I was angry that I had to go back to work. So I punished myself, I ate a shitton of pizza. I very quickly gained weight back and fast forward to today, I'm almost back up to where I started. Recently I've done some selfwork and am in a really good mental space right now. And have set the wheels in motion to get the surgery....FOR REAL THIS TIME. I could have had it a couple years ago, but allowed my husband to talk me out of it. I told him, this time, he doesn't get to say. I've tried to do it on my own and I failed. I need this tool to keep me focused and honest. I truly believe that 25 years ago, I wasn't ready to get this done and would have failed. I'm ready to do this now! I'm not the most patient person, but let the 6 months (or hopefully less) begin!!!! I've gone through seminar, I meet with the surgeon in July. My PCP is on board. The hubs is actually on board. I've quit smoking (sooo hard!) and next is quitting Diet Coke. Thanks for letting me share!!!

I was just sitting here with my coffee and had all these thought running through my head so I started putting them down on paper as sometimes do. Hope you enjoy it----
Twas the night before bypass and all through my head
Was a mixture of feelings, thoughts, and cheers.
I have worked hard to get here and this day has come,
Its time to cheer and shout, Tell the world “Here I come”
No more will I hide behind this wall of shame
That kept me from being the person I am,
The true me is coming, I’m ready to shine
So onward pride, happiness, love, peace, and joy
You will show the sadness, guilt, and loneliness where to go,
There is a new me inside all ready to show.
So know that the fear, anxiousness, and worry is there now,
But remember just what the purpose is and it will bring a big smile.

After 1 failed surgery and 1 cancelled surgery, I believe that the 3rd attempt is going to happen. I am excitedly nervous after the first attempted surgery my blood pressure dropped to 40/20 and my O2 went into the 60's after the anesthesia was given to me and they had to stop the surgery. That was exactly one year ago on 9/5/2019. Then I was scheduled again 3/26/2020 but we all know what happened in March (Covid), when our lives were all halted, so no surgery then. Over the last year, I have been diagnosed with a rare form of asthma and the treatment for that has been successful, my blood tests and pressures are all very stable, and I feel that my body and mind are finally ready for this to happen.
I am scheduled to have my RnY on 9/16. After all this time (I have been waiting for this for 3 years) I can't believe it is actually going to happen. If you think that going on the pre-op diet once is bad, try 3 times....LOL BTW-does anyone ever cheat on the pre-op diet??? This diet sure reinforces my decision to have the surgery, so I can have a smaller stomach and less hunger to help me stay in control of my food. It is so hard to control my food, on this pre-op diet, for just two weeks.
I am a Christian and have always felt that God was leading me to do this. I know that Dr Hunter is Very good and has brought me this far. He would not be doing this if he wasn't sure of the procedure. I have to be in the operating room for 6-8 hours because he has to take down my Nissin surgery before he can do my RNY. I know that God will be with the team and watching over me......