Rdy4Change

On 7/19/2023 at 8:39 PM, Erin18 said:

I'll be 5 months on the 21st! It's flown by.i should probably avoid bread, but no one said I had to. I sometimes can eat a sandwich (just regular sandwich bread) and sometimes I find myself just picking of some of the bread.

What would a week of eating look like for you? I need some ideas. I feel like I don't always have restriction anymore. I feel like I can fit in more food now before I start feeling that tight feeling or the hiccups.

My weight is still moving down as well and its crazy that I'm so close to my first major weightloss goal!. I'm down about 65 pounds since surgery day. My favorite thing is that I can cross my legs and keep it there for awhile. My back, legs and ankles don't swell up much after standing for a long period of time anymore.

I havent started working out yet. I had a gym membership since 2015, but no longer have a car. I feel like it's too much of a hassle to have someone bring me, so until I get another car, I'll need to find something fun to do at home.

I'm losing a lot of hair too, I hope it starts to slow down soon. Some people who barely have that are so lucky!

💜💜

I start the morning with 16 oz of Water. Then, I have my Protein Shake. I have lunch, dinner, and at least a couple days of Snacks.

I purchased a really great recipe book with high Protein options. A couple of my favorites are bell pepper nachos and tofu tacos. The biggest help is that I marinate enough for two or three family dinners and freeze the extra. This lets me take a break from planning during the week.

My go to snack in a hurry is a Chobani 60 calories yogurt that has 11 grams of protein. I add some Granola and fruit, and this is a very filling and healthy option for me.

I still have restriction, and that helps to keep me in check. This week, I am 6 months out and will need to push up my calories and protein intake.

Tomorrow, it'll be five months since my surgery. I can share that the first two months were the hardest. I now find myself eating intuitively. The only food that I avoid is bread.

My weight loss has slowed down, but continues to steadily decrease. On my surgery date, I was at 229 pounds. I currently weigh 173. The biggest change is that my knees and back are no longer in pain. I am able to work out without any issues.

The only down side is that I have begun to lose my hair in clumps. While this has been frustrating, I am so thankful for this surgery. I feel so much more comfortable in my own skin!

I hope all my February surgery pals are having a positive journey as well!

On 4/13/2023 at 6:25 PM, Erin18 said:

I'm really worried about failing and really worried about stretching my stomach out at this point.

Does anyone have a ink or something that I can follow for meal prep ideas. And every meal is supposed to be 4 ounces total. Like 2 ounce meat, 1.5 ounce veggies, and .5 ounce starch? Or 3 ounce Protein, 1 ounce veggies?

I'm like freaking out over here and I'm kind feeling down about it. I don't want to fail!

I have the same concern. My surgery was on 2/8 and I am in my 9th week. My doctor has me at 400-600 calories, and at least 5 hours a week of exercise. I'm only losing 2 lbs a week. I'm fine with losing at a slower rate. My concern is whether I will continue to lose when my calories move up to 600-800 when I am at 6 months.

But I just keep telling myself to trust in the process. I am better now than I was two months ago. I trust my doctor and nutritionist to give me the information to successfully lose this weight. My job is to keep to the plan they have given me.

Reached a scale and non-scale achievement. For the scale, I made it into onderland a couple days ago. This was big because it means, at where I live, I can go horseback riding with my son. Planning to take him during spring break this week! These kind of achievements are why I had the surgery, to be healthy and active with my kids!

Sleeved on 2/8 and just had my 6 week check up. Cleared for all foods as long as I stick to 400-600 calories. Found that I can eat a small amount of the mushroom chicken and pepper steak from Panda Express. It has been a life saver a couple times I was out and desperately needed a some calories/about an ounce.

Also, full clearance to workout. Starting slow with resistance and weight training.

This biggest challenge in the post-op process hit me this week. Work was so busy with presentations, I didn't have time to follow my nutrition schedule. Barely ended each day with my Protein Shakes, only one meal instead of two, and no where near my Water goal.

A couple of times felt so overwhelmed, knowing that I was not taking care of my needs.

One month since surgery, and first day of soft foods. For lunch, had an egg without issue. dinner was hard - I tried some chicken and felt stuck in my throat. Sorry if tmi! Anyone able to share what's worked for them in transitioning to soft foods?

On 3/4/2023 at 7:56 AM, Loreley NYC said:

Hi how everyone is doing? Mine was done 9th February, just starting my week 4. I had my first follow up, some of my meds were changed but so far they found I am recovering ok. How about you?

I had my sleeve on the 8th and have been doing well this last week. The only medication I have an issue with is the multivitamin/horse pill 🤣

1 hour ago, Erin18 said:

I want to make a chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Shake and I want to use Peanut Butter instead of the powdered peanut butter. Is it okay to use it? I love jiff brand

I don't think we're supposed to have peanut butter because of the sugar. The powder has only 1 g per serving.

52 minutes ago, KimJJ said:

I switched to the BariMelts and have been doing a lot better with them. Why are they not recommended by your doctor?
the Protein Shakes and powders that I was able to tolerate before surgery now make me sick even thinking about. The powders all smell and taste horrible to me. And the shakes are so thick that they just don’t sit well with me. I will have to try the yogurt!!!!

Before the surgery, I enjoyed the chocolate Peanut Butter Premier Protein shake. Now, it tastes horrible, like cigarette smoke, to me. Really random change in taste buds. I also have no interest in chocolate anything, after being a lifelong addict 🙃

1 hour ago, Bandedbut said:

5 Days post op and feeling pretty good! I'm weak and a bit lightheaded in the morning until I can get enough Protein in. Had my first BM yesterday (sorry if TMI, but I figure after we've been through that shouldn't offend anyone LOL) Gas is slowing coming out. Woke up this morning surprised to find myself sleeping on my stomach. No nausea at all. I've barely been able to meet my Protein and liquid goals, but it requires sipping all day long. The only thing is a persistant sharp stitch like cramp on my left side. Hiccups hurt like the devil LOL. How is everyone else progressing?

It gets easier by the day to meet the protein/liquid goals. Hang in there!

Tomorrow, I'll be at 3 weeks post-op and returning to work on Thursday. Went to the gym twice now and was slow, but steady, on the treadmill. It's been night and day from the first week to the third. Feeling so much better.

I made chicken breast with black bean in my crockpot. Blended it all up and froze in ice cube trays. This way, I can pop one in with Soup broth or a veggie blend and not have to plan so much.

10 minutes ago, Erin18 said:

I'm getting sick of the Protein Shakes, they're definitely too sweet 😭 I could get unflavored Protein Powder to put in broths, but im not sure yet. Ahh I'm craving cheese

The dietitian shared that I could mix my Protein Drink as a Creamer for Decaf coffee in the morning and mix to thin out my Greek yogurt. This helped me. I was okay with the shakes occasionally before having the surgery. Now I am tired of them. They do offer the unflavored Protein Powder to mix in Soups.

It'll be better once you move into the pureed stage. You're half way there!

8 hours ago, consuelo1957 said:

Hi i had mine on feb 9 2023 im so happy im finally feeling good ive lost 43 lbs so far .God is truly blessing me wow feels good to walk around i havnt needed to use my inhaler getting used to the Protein Drinks and as of friday i introduce my stomach to soft foods.no SUGAR AT ALL sugar free ONLY DOCTOR SAID I CAN USE STEVIA ONLY BUT IM DOING FINE WITHOUT IT .GOD BLESS YOU ALL THAT ARE IN RECOVERY OR GETTING NEAR TO

Sent from my SM-A516U using BariatricPal mobile app

Congratulations! I had my sleeve on 2/8 and lost 18 lbs since then. Today was my first day at the gym. My doctor said only the treadmill - I was going super slow. I feel the weight difference on my knee that was giving me a lot of trouble. Definitely feeling the positive effects of the surgery!

15 hours ago, KimJJ said:

Had my surgery on 2/13 and honestly have had a really rough time. I’m struggling to get in Water much less anything else. I had to go back in for fluids once already yesterday and still today only got a little over 20oz Water all day plus some Soup broth. I keep hearing it’ll get better. But wheeeeeeennn?

It was like a switch for me. I was struggling to drink an ounce every 15 minutes. Toward the end of week 2, I was suddenly able to drink 2-3 ounces over a couple of minutes.

For me, it's easier to drink earlier in the day. I start drinking earlier and more often.

8 hours ago, Hawtry said:

Had my surgery yesterday and feeling pretty rough today. The gas is definitely the worst part. I’m on fentanyl Patches and a drip. I’ve been walking to and from the bathroom in the hospital to try and get the gas moving but nothing yet.

Agree with DebbieDoo on this. Previously, I had colon cancer and ended up developing ileus (bowel not working). I wasn't walking as much as I should have been. The treatment when I was hospitalized was very painful. After the sleeve, this was a big fear for me and I was walking laps every time I got the chance. When I go to refill my Water I walk three or four times around the house. Also, make sure to take the docusate (stool softener).

Cleared for pureed stage! Enjoyed my cottage cheese this morning and ordered a bariatric recipe book.

Fainted. I went to the store to purchase food for the upcoming pureed stage. It was all going well until my body decided it was to soon for me to out and about. Luckily, my husband was with me and responded quickly when I told him I felt light headed. I fainted in the middle of the aisle. It was scary and makes me worry about what would happen if he wasn't there.

I've been drinking my fluids and meeting my nutrition goals. Anyone else experience this?

15 minutes ago, pennyfromabove said:

Sleeved on 2/13/23 and spent 4 days at Hosp with horrible vomiting and nausea. I’m home now and starting to feel better. I’m tired and it is hard to focus on the academic week/stuff I missed. Glad I found this app.

I'm so sorry to hear how bad you felt. I had nausea and vomiting after the surgery and the following day. I cannot imagine being sick like that for four days.

The most important part is your hydration - that's what my med team told me. Did they give you Zofran (nausea medicine)? I was taking that every four hours. Once the nausea passed, I felt so much better and was able to concentrate on Fluid, Protein, and medication.

I hope you feel better soon!

2 hours ago, Erin18 said:

I can't believe that tomorrow is already my surgery day. I'm getting really scared. There's this one thought that's really scaring me and I'm positive everyone gets this thought too. But ahhh! I'm so scared!

I found an article about a woman with similar weight and issues I have in Health magazine. I read that multiple times, and thought about it during pre-op at the hospital. It really helped to change my thinking from this is an elective surgery to this is a necessary surgery.

Sending positive thoughts for your surgery!

On 2/16/2023 at 2:20 PM, Semalnar said:

So today has been. A struggle for me. Part of it could be my incisions pain because the way the ab muscles were stitched it pulls when I'm moving or upright. Some of it could be cooking for my family while I get to enjoy Jello, broth and yogurt. But today I have been on a roller coster emotionally.

It's hard not to push ourselves too much. I've had a few moments that really put me in check, where I was overexerting myself. Have to remind yourself that this was a major surgery. Take time to heal!

1 hour ago, RoxyChick said:

Surgery Feb 10 (sleeve). First 48 hours just plain sucked! Lots of gas pain and I was walking immediately when I got back to the recovery room after surgery. I remember the gas pain from both my C-sections so I wanted that pain gone. 8 days post op and last night was the best sleep so far. I am so over Jell-O and yogurt and Protein shakes! Yesterday it felt like something was stuck in my throat and all I have been on is liquids but when I talk to the doctor, they said it was just my esophagus stretching out. I have a follow my doctor on Tuesday. I am so hungry like every day. I just feel like I’m starving and hungry. I get all my Water in and Protein but I am literally starving all making dinner for the rest of my family. I literally wanted to cry last night because of hunger. I can’t wait for the puréed stage.

I'm so sorry to hear how hard it's been for you. I just keep in mind that a month of liquid/pureed food is a short time in the big picture. You'll have better health and be able to eat real food soon!

My follow up is on Tuesday also, and I'm hoping to move on to pureed. Didn't enjoy Jello before, and can't stand it now! Baby food here we come 🥳

Today, I've been able to drink my liquids in higher volume. Probably about 2 ounces at once. Anyone else finding it easier?

Has my sleeve on 2/8 and doing okay so far. The first couple of days were the most challenging. My energy level really dips toward the end of the day. Very light walking only. Has anyone started exercising yet? I'm pretty apprehensive about getting started.

2 hours ago, Semalnar said:

So today has been. A struggle for me. Part of it could be my incisions pain because the way the ab muscles were stitched it pulls when I'm moving or upright. Some of it could be cooking for my family while I get to enjoy Jello, broth and yogurt. But today I have been on a roller coster emotionally.

Today, I took my son to get a grilled cheese and fries. There was an urge to have a fry! But I still have not felt hungry and just following the post-op nutrition chart. I will say, I am completely over Jello.

Doctor visit next Tuesday, hoping to get cleared for pureed foods.