BabySpoons

Well that's certainly nothing to smile about except for the fact it will eventually get better. And you will be closer to your goal weight.

I too could eat something one day and be sick with it the next. But at 9 weeks out I am finding it to happen less and less. Thankfully. I have revisited a few foods that made me quite ill before and seem to tolerate it well now. Like steak..eggs. Go figure. As for hunger mine left with the surgery, so I can't relate to being hungry and not able to eat. I really hope it doesn't return either. But that's wishful thinking. Protein is supposed to take the edge off your hunger so hoping you find something you can eat and tolerate to help you with that. Good luck!

Never say never. It's possible. I quit both and I was a very heavy vaper for over 5 years. From the time I woke till the time I went to bed. I think it's demonized way more than necessary but just my opinion. I attribute my HBP and Apnea more to my weight/family history and had both way before I ever picked up a vape. I had to see a pulmonologist pre-op to test my lungs, breathing etc. I told the tech if vaping causes as much harm as everyone claims then I guess we'll find out. After testing, she told me my lungs were perfect with no damage. Not possible. Your body will regulate at a new healthier setpoint, and weight will level out. Our bodies aren't that stupid to let us waste away. Don't do anything till you know that you know exactly what you plan to do. Going in unsure is a recipe for disaster.

Very cool job!!! Must feel amazing for you getting back to nature. The way you describe it...I can almost smell the pine trees.

Reminds me of a documentary I watched recently on HBO called The Way Down. It's about a diet guru pastor, Gwen Shamblin who wrote a book that swept the nation/world back in the 80s/90s. The Weigh Down Workshop. It basically teaches that all you need to lose weight is self-denial and faith in God. But if you are overweight, you are shamed into believing you're a selfish glutton that lacks self-control and a prayer life. That same mindset is still quite prevalent today by a lot of churchgoers. So, it's amazing how many sheeples (your so-called friends) buy into this messed up type of teaching. Sure, gluttony is listed as one of the 7 deadly sins but this line of thinking doesn't take into consideration at all that obesity is a medical condition and not just a moral failure.

That's really encouraging to hear @summerseeker. I hope my scale continues that downward direction when I reach 1 1/2 years out too. Smiles well earned

I've read that some people's bodies can't differentiate between sugar and artificial but that has never been the case for me. I use Stevia or Torani SF syrups in cold coffees but in hot, just creamer. I couldn't have caffeine until 5 weeks out. I also use Stevia or Crystal light to flavor and sweeten my protein drinks in the blender. CL uses aspartame. I wish more SF products used Stevia instead. But it is what it is... SF products are OK according to my nutritionist's plan since day 2. If you don't have one to ask, I think you should be fine. Most everything we eat or drink in the beginning is trial and error anyway in how our bodies will react.

Nature camp. That sounds fun. What all does that entail @learn2cook?

Music makes me smile...going to concerts makes me even happier. This modern day Led Zeppelin was amazing to see live. Since my weight gain, I quit going to shows because it was too hard to get from the car to my seat. But someone bought me a ticket so I went. 7/22 No regrets. I plan to attend many more in the near future as I become more mobile "We need some healing...♫"

I don't know how high your nicotine % use was but I started vaping at 12mg and over time reduced down to 3mg. I quit vaping nicotine, 2 months prior to surgery by mixing my juice at 0mg. I never gained any weight in those 2 months, and I was tested a week before surgery for levels. Main reason being tobacco hinders healing and can cause ulcers. I was honest with the doctors from the start and none seemed to have a problem with my plan since I ended up cutting out all nicotine use in the end. Good luck with the weight loss and quitting the nicotine!

It's best to get clearance from your doctor. That said.. my program suggests starting weight training 6 weeks out. 2xs a week and advance from there. No maxing out or pushing to muscle failure. Lift enough to feel a burn but stop if you feel any sharp pain, experience chest pressure, nausea or extreme shortness of breath. I haven't started weights yet myself but have been cleared to. I had hernia repair same time as RNY. So I'm pacing myself. I am easing into exercise with walking on my treadmill or outside, weather permitting. Also just started using my exercise bike today. 6 miles. I do cardio 5x a week but eventually I will shift that to concentrate more on strength training since I think we will benefit more from that in the long run. I used to drink an ACV drink daily before surgery to help control reflux and blood sugar levels. Apple cider vinegar is actually not acid once consumed. Instead, it has an alkaline effect on the body when taken internally. Post-surgery I will still pour it over a salad but no longer really feel I need it. As for loose skin, I still believe autophagy/fasting can repair cells and improve collagen production but that is no longer an option for me diet wise. I chose RNY and so will rely on my new tool and follow those guidelines. For now anyway. Good luck and stay strong.

I would think so too. I'd hate to think my doctor or anyone else not find me funny anymore after I drop my weight. LOL It's referring to the video. I've heard it a million times people saying that people are no longer funny thin. Usually, actors or comedians. I myself think it's BS. xD

I have chia in my freezer. How do you think taking it dry will affect my stomach at 8 weeks post since it expands to 10xs its weight in liquid? I used to take 2T daily. Dry. I'm thinking I should soak it first.

I wouldn't know. I thought Lindsay was referring to raw sold there. I can imagine how long it sits there before being bought or thrown out. To be safe I'd use Wasabi in case there's any bacteria floating about.

I started binge watching Mike and Molly TV show when I was recovering from surgery. For a few different reasons: One, never watched it before and found it made me laugh. It deals a lot with food and struggling to lose weight as well. Two, my doctor calls me funny lady. Says I make her laugh and remind her of Melissa McCarthy. I'll take that. Loved her on SNL and the movie Bridesmaids too. Three, Billy Gardell. Have you seen this guy's transformation after Gastric Bypass??? Amazing. He's quite open about how he lost the weight publicly. Said he wants to live to see his son get married. His weight loss makes me smile. People talking negatively about his choices, not so much. People are saying he's no longer funny after the weight loss. I blame it on his new sitcom though. Do you think people are less funny after losing weight? Check this out...

Haha, nothing wrong with that. Always good to hear the compliments. Until I get closer to a normal weight, tighter clothes still make me feel big. I know it's a head thing because I know smaller sizes can be more slimming. But it is nice to hear that initial WOAH response when people see me. Makes me smile

Is that a thing? Even worse. ? But I will admit, reading the responses here, sounds kinda good. I may try it at some point. Just not from a gas station.

I realized I continue to wear clothing that is getting too big for me. I think it's because it makes me feel good knowing I've dropped weight. Kinda like people who enjoy their loose skin.... ?

Any ideas for a good Bariatric trail mix? I used to mix peanuts, raisins and M&Ms to snack on at the lake. Would dry fruit be too much like candy and cause dumping???

I made the mistake one day of watching a tv show, The Doctors, and the subject was about a woman who ate Sushi everyday and complaining of horrible stomach/intestinal pain. Turns out she was full of parasites. Uhhhh!! I have never been able to try any type of raw fish since. And the only Sushi I ever did eat was in Vegas but it was cooked. Am I missing out? IDK but maybe that helped a bit with your cravings for it @LindsayT. LOL

I agree. Even if your insurance partially covers it. You have to continue it for life so in the long run.... more expensive. Find out what your out-of-pocket spending limit is for the year. Mine is $4200 meaning when I have paid that amount towards deductables and co-pays, all the rest of the bills are covered 100% for the rest of the year. Don't figure your share of the bill as 20% of the total cost of surgery. Unless your insurance doesn't have a yearly limit. I think most do. All my bills collectively with pre-op testing came to over 80K. At 20% I would have had to pay 16K without a yearly spending limit. I also have a high deductible HSA account so your out of pocket could be even lower than my 4200. Unless $5800 is your limit? Another option if your part of the bill is too much at once is a CareCredit card. If your doctor participates, it will finance medical bills at 0% interest for 1-2 years. I have used this in the past for elective surgeries like Lasik eye surgery. Also many healthcare facilities will let you set up payment plans with no interest as well. It's worth checking out. Good luck!!

Agree... I will be getting tested at my 3-month follow-up for vitamin levels. Fingers crossed.

He said he loves you. That is something to work on. Find out what those reasons are. Love is more than just physical attraction because at some point we all will lose it. What then? Just another view.... but if you find you need more, nothing wrong with that either. Best you can do is not give up on yourself. Not for anyone. {{hugs}}

I was worried I would have to sip liquids the rest of my life but finding out at 8 weeks I can guzzle water with the best of them . xD

That was me. Fixing that alone was worth getting the bypass. I didn't need to exasperate it further by getting a sleeve. But another major reason I opted for bypass was hearing that some sleeve patients were only seeing a 30–40-pound weight loss. I struggled to lose that much anyway with diet and exercise and wasn't willing to go through major surgery to find out I was in that category. My GP confirmed this to me when I went to her for a release signature. She asked which procedure I wanted. I told her bypass. She said good because she has a close friend who had the sleeve and helped her through all of the process. Said she did everything right (that she knows of) and could only lose 30 pounds. Now after all that she's taking Ozempic injections. I told her I don't have the time or money to try one first to see if it works. So yeah...I went for the "gold standard." Probably so but mine is pretty young. 30's maybe. And oh so handsome. LOL I went to him specifically because his office was the only one approved by my insurance as in network in the state. He's smart and funny too. When I asked him if I had stiches or staples, he said titanium. You will have them forever and no you won't set off metal detectors at the airport. xD Here's the video that helped me to decide between the gastric bypass and the sleeve. It's lengthy but informative and hopefully helps anyone trying to decide which procedure to get. Make sure to consult with your primary care physician as well. I chose what I felt was best for me. YMMV