Tamika James

I'M DOWN TO 253!!!!! I started at 294. I'm so freaking geeked. I'm telling you right now I hit 205 and clothing will be optional. I hit my goal weight and I'm changing my name to Nekkid lol

I had my first doctor's appointment. I AM IN THE 260'S!!!! I haven't been this small in over 6 years. I'm down 13 lbs since surgery 2.5 weeks ago and 28 lbs since January. She said she fully expects me to reach my goal of 180 within the year

I'm so freaking happy

1 hour ago, JennyBeez said:

Tired of the pre-op shakes and soooo looking forward to being on the other side of this. How about you?

I hate liquids lol I want solid food

I wanna fight EVERYBODY!!!!! LOL I'm kidding but I'm sick of liquids. I did a week before surgery and now 4 days after surgery that's 11 days. I want solid food. *has adult size tantrum

Okay I feel better now lol

15 hours ago, Arabesque said:

I second @NickelChip’s suggestion of trying warm/hot drinks. They are very soothing & the peppermint or ginger tea should help with the indigestion gas. Plus being hot, they force you to ensure you’re sipping. Get a thermal cup to keep them hot or pop your cup in a microwave to reheat as needed.

Are you on a PPI yet? They reduce your stomach acid which is likely the cause of this gas. You’re still producing the amount of acid you needed to digest food when you had a large tummy & ate much more than you are able to now (especially after surgery).

My doctor hasn't put me on a PPI but I did get a bunch of herbal teas today

11 hours ago, TRAVELRN said:

Which surgery did you have?? Are you passing gas as well? Sorry as a nurse I have to ask! 😊

Since you’re “fresh post-op” I’d recommend running it by your surgeon. There are a lot of possibilities and being only a few days after surgery it’s best to get with your surgeon to be safe.

I had the sleeve. I'm passing gas, just burping more than passing gas, the passing gas feels much much better than the burping

3 hours ago, TRAVELRN said:

Are you drinking too fast, or too much ?

No not at all

So I had surgery Thursday and I'm trying to get my liquids in but every time I take a sip of anything I get attacked by the gas bubbles and it hurts like hell. I've been walking and taking my gas-x and stuff and the gas bubbles are laughing at me. Please help

I made it to the other side. I had surgery yesterday. It was not easy. My pressure sky rocketed in the recovery room but I'm much better now. But this burping is killing me.

On 3/8/2024 at 4:09 PM, Mamo said:

My operating room is booked for 3/13 at 6:30 am for my sleeve gastrectomy. After a lot of thought and consideration over the course of a year, my first consultation to operation day was slightly less than two months. Such a whirlwind of activity!

Yours is the day before mine. I will check back to see how you are doing

On 3/6/2024 at 6:26 AM, Dietcokehead said:

Had my speeve done yesterday 3/5. Procedure was quick and uneventful. Woke up in recovery with no belly pain but an awful burning sensation in my chest. Nurse said this was likely trapped gas causing the pain. It has not subsided. I have been able to sleep, take liquid meds and walk a bit. I feel good about the surgery and curious how the next few days will go. I would say discomfort level is about 6/10. Not so much painful, just difficult to get comfortable. Will keep y’all posted.

Checking in to see how you feeling now?

On 2/22/2024 at 1:38 AM, Dietcokehead said:

VSG 3/5 for me! Nervous but so excited 🤍

Checking in on you. How you feeling?

On 1/24/2024 at 2:59 PM, JennyBeez said:

I'm getting RNY March 19th. I'm mildly nervous just because of anesthetics, but I feel pretty prepped for the actual surgery-related hurdles.

You're the day before me. Our time is coming up. How are you feeling?

On 1/21/2024 at 7:46 PM, Pines said:

After seeing the Feb 2024 thread and realizing my surgery is only 6 days later, thought I’d start a thread and see if there’s anyone else scheduled in March? I’m having VSG on March 6. I’ve been planning it since last June and am very excited! Any March 2024 Buddies out there? 😀

How did your surgery go?

Hey all, my surgery is this upcoming Thursday 3/14

Oh this gives me hope because this lower back pain is killing me. Between the surgery and my new matters mattress I'm hopeful again lol

Does anybody else not own a scale lol. If you don't own one how did you keep track of weight loss? By clothes?

Did you guys have improved back pain after you had surgery. That's one of the main reasons that I wanted to lose the weight cause my back pain is excruciating

7 hours ago, KathyLev said:

You did it,Tamika !!!!!! Congratulations !!!!! I'm sure you'll do great

thank you so much

On 2/21/2024 at 3:13 PM, Shanna NYC said:

Wepa!

Have you already had your surgery? I would first recommend you speak to your team/dietician on specifics. Every program differs in some ways. Also what people can tolerate also differs.

I personally had the bypass not the sleeve, but I don't think there is too much difference in the stages. While many programs don't typically give exact calories and carb totals, a lot recommend 50g or under for daily carbs. I would think it may not be the best to try to have plantains in the pureed stage. Your main goal is Protein and fluids and plantains are a pretty heavy carb. I would try to hold off to a little later stage when your capacity is a little better. I think I tried maduros around 4 months out, but really just a taste. Gandules might not be a bad option as Beans provide a good amount of Fiber as well as Protein.

There definitely will be room to enjoy all the favorite traditional foods down the line, just in far lesser quantities. I can tolerate rice - however I've only had like 2 spoonful's of arroz con gandules at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I just got my date today for surgery. 3/14

My insurance approved me in 1 day. I have pre-op 3/7 and surgery 3/14. First follow up is 4/1.

I am afro latina (PR wepaaaaaa) so you know my spice cabinet is stocked with adobo, sazon, my fridge has sofrito, you all know the drill. So I'm wondering about a few things. During the pureed stage is mashed maduros okay? I know I can't have my favorite arroz con gandules but can I have the gandules by themselves just mashed up? I'm not one for spicy foods (only PR person I know who don't like spicy food lol) so I don't have to worry about that but I just wanna see what's good and what's not. I'm gonna miss relleno de papa, alcapurria, templeque lol.

Thanks everyone I appreciate all the info

So I've finished everything except for my last two dietitian appointments but my bloodwork shows I'm anemic. Does anyone know if that will disqualify me from surgery?