socalfosh

This may be in the wrong place so if so please move it!

I just wanted to do this post as food for thought (oh yes picked that for a giggle lol)

I think a lot of us try to “run before we can walk” with this surgery.
I know I read for days about others both before and after my op what to expect at what stages how I should do things how I should eat etc etc
I did freak out on a few things puking pain etc
So what I want to really say is this STOP lol
Its great to see what others do and how their journey is going but it seems the second we are home it’s a worrying stress fuelled time.
Not drinking enough, not eating enough, pain, lbs not going fast enough, Protein, meds the list goes on and on.
And in the first few weeks worrying about what you will be able to eat in 4 months or 6 or a year.
For me when I stopped comparing myself to others and going by my own body I felt better.
I read a lot of posts about people weighing there self more than once a day every day.
This is not good for you it becomes a obsession- no joke people were stepping on the scales before and after Breakfast then later in the evening constantly watching the scale to see movement.
Me honestly I do not weigh myself at home only at the hospital or doctors I personally do not want to become obsessed with the scale it can be very disheartening when you don’t see movement.
If I have ever stalled I have never known about it because whenever I go I am always down from the last time so I never have experienced the feelings of that myself which suites me fine.
Pushing the Fluid intake even if it hurt or taking protein when not told too.
Follow your own medical teams advice on these things I wasn’t told to introduce Protein shakes for 1 month after my op I asked about the liquid ones he said I can if I want as its not milk but I am healing and not to worry just yet.
Being told the general food/drink capacity is another we are all told this much at this stage this at this but end of the day your sleeve may not be the same size as mine.
Mine is small more wasn’t taken away the same 80% as every other person having the op I just happen to start out with a smaller stomach to begin with so its smaller.
After the op we can have sleeved stomachs ranging from a 4oz-10oz holding little thing that’s a VERY big size difference and it all depends on the size of your stomach before the op.
The bigger sleeves are not even meant to test or push to see if its bigger and go by the recommended portion size regardless of it being bigger to actually lose weight.
I know I try to be careful with advice yes I still give it but I don’t say do this or that this is what you should do as I did, I say what I did say I have a smaller sleeve and do what your told or your body feels is right for you- just be a little responsible with the advice and not do as I do replies.
To sum up before I go off on a major what the hell she saying tangent don’t try to run before you can walk- don’t try to heal before your able to, drink more than your body allows be it food or Water, willing weight off wont help it will come.
This is a day to day process for at least 2 years it gets easier of course you listen to your body and know what you can and can’t do/tolerate.
To get to the end result you HAVE TO walk first and listen to your body and work out whats best and right to fit you.

Anyway thanks for reading if it helps anyone I am glad I stood on my soapbox!

I just broiled 8oz of cauliflower seasoned with olive oil, s&p, and a sprinkle of parm. Then blended it with a dash of milk and veg stock. It's quite delicious.

Good that after so many months your sleeve is guiding u to make good decisions. Congrats on your weight loss thus far. I love your recent after pic.. U r so cute I also like the idea of snuggling with a warm hubby.

I'm fighting old demons tonight. I want to eat! My supper tastes good!! But my tummy is super right tonight and no more needs to go in. I am so thankful for my sleeve right now so that I can't just keep eating because knowing me from my previous life, I would have if I could. It's been a rough day and food can no longer be my comfort. I think ill just go snuggle with my hot hubby!

I like it woth avocado and tapito. I also blend it with eggs when I make scrambled eggs. No one in my family knew my secret to my great tasting scrambled eggs. Another scrambled egg secret, blend a dollop of greek yogurt with ur egg mixture. They taste great. I did that once when I had ran out of cottage cheese.

I just broiled 8oz of cauliflower seasoned with olive oil, s&p, and a sprinkle of parm. Then blended it with a dash of milk and veg stock. It's quite delicious.

I started out in October at a size 22/24. I was finally forced to buy a couple of new bras last night, one pair of Jeans, and two new shirts. The shirts are size 14/16 and the jeans are size 18. I probably could've bought a 16 but they would have definitely been too tight in the sitting position LOL. The scale is still moving but this is exciting because I can finally see the difference myself!

"I'm really not hungry."
"I had a big Breakfast."
"We are having an early dinner."
"This is all I really need, thank you."
"Mind your business, hag."

I cannot even describe how amazing I feel now. I am 6 days post op and it feels like I just did a bunch of stomach work outs. The gas pains are really subsiding and the bloating is down a ton. I have lost 14lbs in 6 freaking days!!! Protein Shakes, Vitamins, and Water. That's my method! Lol. People are even starting to comment on my face and belly shrinkage! I LOVE IT! You guys are in for a great time!

I hope they help. I remember the anxiety when I started this process and just wanting it all over, almost quit a few times, but I knew that would not solve anything. It's been 6 months for me know and surgery is Tuesday. I'm already stressing about the post op process so I'm practicing my own advice. :-)
That too shall pass. Time passes, whether we're having fun or not, so do your best to have fun.

I hope they help. I remember the anxiety when I started this process and just wanting it all over, almost quit a few times, but I knew that would not solve anything. It's been 6 months for me know and surgery is Tuesday. I'm already stressing about the post op process so I'm practicing my own advice. :-)
That too shall pass. Time passes, whether we're having fun or not, so do your best to have fun.

Yes, Tuesday at 7:30. I have some anxiety about it and find myself second guessing it. But I think that's normal. I've struggled with obesity for 15 years so I know this is the right thing for me. I'm focusing on the bigger picture, the healthy lifestyle. I'm focusing on positive vibes and energy. I have a great surgeon and I've educated myself on this so I feel prepared, confident and ready! Thanks for the well wishes. :-)

Glad you are feeling so well. IMHO, anyone who throws out pain meds is a nutcase. :D

My surgery is Tuesday as well and I feel the same way. I just keep my eyes on the bigger prize. This liquid diet sucks, but so has 20+ years of being morbidly obese. :-)

Oh what the heck, put a video cam on to capture her facial expressions and comments..
Pinky to the lip-also Evil..

I don't have any inlaws I can't wait to see. In fact, I can't wait till the holidays are over so I don't have to see them for another year.

None of my in laws know of my surgery and they never will.

Mouse, I'm with you and I feel your pain. You have 6 days, you will drop the pounds, I'm sure of it. I'm on day 8 of a 30 day liquid pre op liquid diet. I'm allowed pudding, yogurt and cottage cheese but that sure is disgusting after a while. Instead of chicken Soup broth, I've ordered pho a couple of times and just eat that broth. It's yummy. Like you, my doc takes weight loss as an indicator that the liver is shrinking. If you're compliant, you will succeed. Also like you, my doc will cancel if I don't lose the weight, I am required to lose 23 pounds and my pre op start weight is 232. My first week I only lost 3.5 pounds so I've dedicated myself to the gym from now until 11/25 which is the day before my surgery. (Minus Sunday's :-)) mentally this is really difficult, but I just think about how fast time flies and I try to focus on Xmas coming up. By then, we will be on mushy/solids and will have lost 20 plus pounds, right? (Ish) time flies doesn't it, can you believe it NOVEMBER already? Holy cow. Well just blink, and it's December. Blessings to you all. Xoxo

Mouse, I really feel your pain. Hang in there girl!

Take a deep breath.
Panic is not the solution. Knowledge is.
First off, when you go on these diets pretty much everybody who complies loses the "quick 10" as this is your body burning through the glycogen stored in the liver. You are not burning fat (at least as much as you may believe you are) After this initial loss, you body must now turn to muscle and fat repositories converting them to glycogen for energy. This is a much slower process. So, you compliance is key and the reason why most people give up on diets after the first week as they stop seeing the "amazing" results. This is quite normal and should actually encourage you as you have moved from burning the stored glycogen to actually tapping fat and muscle. Stay with the Protein, though, so as not to lose too much muscle.
How much weight do they want you to lose?

I asked if they do a test for if my liver is small enough and was told they just go by how much weight I lose preop. So yes, it is about weight loss at this point.
I am fully ready for stalls post op. I don't care if I'm a fast or slow loser because I know it'll happen with time and effort and thats why I'm doing it young, cause I have lots of time to reach my goals.
But when I have paid a great deal of money to travel and have a surgery done and only have two weeks to get done to their projected weight and their diet is not working and if I go there and they don't operate that's waste cash on flights, then yes, I have more than a right to be distraught about the scale not showing my efforts.

Just checked into the hospital. I am surprised how calm I am, for now anyway. Good luck to all of my fellow sleevers today! See you on the loser's side.

You are so funny. Yesterday I had a rant on my husband for no reason and I was so mad I couldn't graze on the halloween candy I locked myself in my room for the evening. "RAGING B---H does not even begin to describe it!!!. HOPE ALL GOES WELL MONDAY FOR YOU!! I am Thursday next week.

I am closing in on surgery Monday morning. I've been on the pre op diet for, oh I donno, like 18 days? It has all run together. Dragged on, and also gone by fast. I've lost my mind, raged, stormed off, had homicidal dreams, and had fights with people on the internet. I cheated exactly 3 times with 1. a double cheese burger 2. 2 donuts and 3. an oatmeal cookie. I have fantasized about tomatoes, learned that pickles have no calories, and could right a dissertation on how Jello is NOT food. I have come to terms with my weaknesses, and realized I am stronger than I think. I have lost 13 lbs and my pants are falling off. This is the hardest thing I have done in a long time, maybe ever. Oh, and I also quit smoking on top of all that. Well, it is going to be worth it. #SkinnyArmy!!!