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My surgery was 3/8 and for some reason today I'm feeling old pains again. I was good for the past 2 days. I did do a bit more walking and small things around the house so I had some soreness but today it's painful where I am taking the prescribed meds to handle it. On a scale from 1-10 I'm at about a 5. Also I have NO appetite at all.. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So, My sleeve was done on 12-19-11..I was suppose to come home the very next day..but due to the fact that i was soooo nauseous, and couldnt hold anything down, i had to stay another night. The gas pains were awful, and throwing up blood mixed with bile certainly was a highlighted moment either. BUT, Im home. I hardly had any sleep in the hospital, and am looking forward to climbing in my big ole bed this evening. I feel much better than I did, though, im still nauseated at times. The smell of things are getting to me as well..almost like when i was preggers, and had the nose of a blood hound. lol! Im still so scared that this isnt going to work for me, its so sureal. But im excited to prove myself wrong!

I’m exactly one week post-op and pretty tired of being on a liquid diet, starting to hate the taste of yogurt lol. I feel pretty good and have had very little pain, nausea and I'm feeling like I can move on the pureed foods already. I been eating mashed potatoes but been craving pureed meats, but I’m afraid that I may need to stay on this liquid diet the doctor wants me on post-op for another week. I feel that I have recouped very well and possibly faster than others from surgery so far and feel my ability to start on the purred diet is possible even a week after surgery. I guess I want to get back to eating solids ASAP. So my question is can I or should I start experimenting with purred foods only one week after surgery or is this a no no?

That's what I started doing. this week I told him I will be there on these days whether you are there or not

I can't wait to start Insanity.... This week is my lst week of Prep with Hip Hop Abs and I so love this DVD! but I'm so about Insanity starting the 15th :tt1: I ordered Results and Recovery and hope I have that in time to use with Insanity and Shakeology! I'm also very excited about my Taste Party Saturday and I'll try to have one every week. I hope my friends and family show up! They'll be amazed at the benefits of Shakeology.... okay well I gotta take a nap cos I feel slightyl drained... xo desi

Wow, I get a fill every two weeks, that would be insane if I followed that schedule.

My surgery was on Feb. 13, 2012. Luckily for me, I came home without any drains or need for pain meds. I see my surgeon again on March 28 for my six week check up and he's hoping to see me lose another 20 lbs by then. Glad to say that I had appts with my family doct. and my endocrinologist today and both have decided I can continue being off all my meds for diabetes and high blood pressure!! Yeah for another good day

Don't stress over it, plan for it . That's my new mantra LOL We had a wonderful lunch today, and I was thinking what would I have done differently if they had the luncheon next week as originally planned, during my pre=op diet?.....I would have had a shake before I left the office, and ordered a clear soup, just drink the broth and as a backup, bring a bouillon cube and ask for a cup of tea....and use it for my bouillon instead.....if that's what I had to do..... I really didn't have much notice of the surgery, and don't have time to plan for a food funeral. LOL To be honest, I think that would set me up for failure...I have 3 days left before I go all liquids...so I am making the best choices I can whatever circumstances I find myself in this weekend....may even go all liquids tomorrow. Shocking, I know LOL. I thought I wanted Chinese one day this week, but it didn't happen, and honestly, I don't see it happening---and I'm good with that It is H-O-T! for dinner, I just wanted something cold...still experimenting with protein powders....mixed a scoop of syntax nectar wild cherry protein powder with 4 oz of water with a stick blender.....then poured it over shaved ice......it was nothing like a sno cone, and I could only use 1/2 the drink, but it was cold, crunchy, wild cherry, and pretty yummie.....(someone gave me an ice shaver years ago, and I never knew what to do with it....now I know LOL) Right now a small batch of stew is simmering so it can be frozen for hubby.....he won't tell me what he wants while I'm on clear liquids post op (I told him I'm not cooking that week)....so I'm making what I want him to eat, and if he doesn't like it, well hopefully he'll have learned a lesson LOL Good night everyone....be good....

Since surgery, I was wondering what I will look like. I mean, you see women with all kinds of shapes and forms, bottom heavy, top heavy, boyish figure, broad shoulders, broad hips, dainty, athletic -- I haven't been a normal weight adult, my figure went to shits around 16 or so, so I kept wondering what I will look like. Same with my face - will my nose look too big if my face is shrunk to normal size? I have a weak chin with doesn't bode well for the overweight, but once I lose that fat, will it still look real weak or will it at least have a little bit of visible chin bone? So, yesterday I was in the bathroom looking at myself with my "before jeans" - you know, the jeans I was wearing for the "before" picture that had that horrendous camel toe and that I couldn't sit down in and started to turn blue after a few minutes. I turned around in front of the mirror to see my body "profile" and turned a little more and there it was. My a$$. And I realized, I never really saw my ass before in many many many years - at least not without the three door folding mirror things. Now I could just turn around and see it. Not sure what shrunken body part allowed me to get this new view, but it was fun. I still don't know what I will look like at goal weight, but I am pretty sure I'll have a bangin' ass in a few months, LOL!

SO much has changed in these past few weeks. I have experienced many different emotions. I stopped losing weight for a few weeks and went into that mindset of ill never lose weight no matter what I do, I'm destined to be fat. But things picked but up and this past week I've lost over 10 lbs. I started out in a 24 and 341 lbs. Today I weigh 286 and am wearing a pair of 18s. they are tight but nonetheless, they are 18s! I have been wearing 20s because they are more comfortable. Yesterday I went shopping for some new shirts and bought this really cute button up shirt. I of course got a larger size, because that's what I'm used to doing, ( its a 20/22) Being that I had the baby and she was cranky I didn't even try it on. Excited to say when i got home, it was WAY too big! So today I'm going back in hopes of getting a smaller size. I never in my life thought id say "oh that's too big" I have a new found confidence. I WANT to wear makeup and I WANT to dress up. I haven't been like that in over 4 years.I fit into the desk at school now too. I used to sit down and have to scoot in the desk and then hear the legs of the desk spread out. While the desk is still stressed when I sit in it, I dont have to scoot, i can just sit and not have my belly sit on top of it. That in itself is reassuring to me! I know that i have a very long ways to go, but i am getting there, one pound at a time! Just wanted to share my little happiness!

So I've been waiting since March 2013 for confirmation off funding for the Gastric Sleeve, Still nothing. My hospital hasn't called me either. I have called them roughly 4 times, and they keep saying that it's sorted that end, we just need funding confirmation. So I tried and tried and tried until I gave up.. Most people are just like "You haven't given up, it just takes time" but I did give up. I've had to see people who have less heath issues, weigh less, tried less and still don't like the outcome get the operation. Jelousy really isn't the word, more like anger but so so bitter, such a hypocrite, if someone wants something so bad and they work for it, they deserve it, right? I have tried for this operation for years, and I've only just realised that the last 3 (ish?) months, I haven't tried. I'm really angry with myself! All that time I could of been chasing them up, doing everything in my power for an answer, even if it means bugging them, I shouldn't care. So yeah it's now 2014 and I haven't got a new year resolution, I have goals. Chase them up on the operation - I won't give up! I can't. They promised me this operation, so now I have to work to get it. 2. Don't be so down - I have been really down on myself lately, and I joke my way through it but I now know that I need to be positive and know that I CAN do this! 3. Socialize - I literally can spend days just at home offering to babysit or just on the laptop/writing. Just so I don't have to go out, I hate it when people look at me, my mind automatically turns to paranoia "they're talking about me" "she's judging me" funny thing is, I was the one judging them for thinking they're judging me. 4. Diet! - Yess I gave up on that too, I need to loose some more before I go bug the surgeon. So yeah, that's all I have so far, but it's a start, right? Hopefully this time next year I'm well on my way and hopefully without jinxing it, waiting/had the sleeve done. I'm only really making this blog so I can motivate myself and look back in a few years and (hopefully) be proud of myself. I'll be posting every week, so for now.. That's it

First up, it is impossible to spot tone your body. I wish that were not true because I would love my stomach area to look better and less pudgy than it does. The key to success with exercise is finding something that you love and doing it. It also pays to have some variety to prevent boredom and to mix up the intensity. A typical week of exercise looks like this for me: Sunday, 40 - 45km casual bike ride, comfortable pace with large group Monday - 45 minute morning walk, 60 minutes of dancing/dance class Tuesday - weather permitting - 90 minute cycle to work (30km), harder pace, otherwise 45 minute morning walk. 60 minutes lap swimming Wednesday - weather permitting - 90 minute cycle to work (30km), harder pace, otherwise 45 minute morning walk Thursday - 45 minute morning walk Friday - weather permitting - 90 minute cycle to work (30km), harder pace, otherwise 45 minute morning walk. 90+ of energetic dancing (rock n roll) at live venue (NB no drinks/nibbles, just water!) Saturday - 60 minutes housework (No, I don't enjoy it, it's an unfortunate necessity of life!), otherwise this is my rest day.

I wish there was a pill we could take called "Stall-B-Gone"...I'm one month out from surgery and dropped 22 pounds the first three weeks. Now at the end of the fourth, I've lost none. NONE! I haven't cheated, I'm eating about 600 calories a day, and I know I'm burning something because my ketostix are still turning purple when I pee on them. I know this happens, but physiologically it seems impossible. I know I just have to wait it out, but it's soooooo frustrating! If you watch "My 600 Pound Life" you see these poor people who claims they haven't cheated, and Dr Nowzaradan rips them a new one and says "call the Nobel Committee you are creating mass from nothing". I used to watch and say "Yeah, right" but now I know that it CAN happen!

Hi, fellow Sask. handers! I've been off the forums for a long time...summer kind of got in my way....I got "cocky" and have been struggling to get back on track. I exercised a LOT this summer but ate too much, so I've been at a plateau since June 28. Recently, I've been having ab pain and discomfort, so the nurses suggested a de-fill. I've been doing liquids and soft foods for about a week which has helped keep the weight off! I am due to go back for a fill this week and see if I can get going again. How are you two doing?

When pre-op on liquid diet I was a total bitch. I hated that. Then the week after surgery, or sometimes 2 weeks I was in my own little pity world. You are entitled.

I am so frustrated that I seem to have stalled out after a month of solid loss. I am excited to be 20 lbs down, but I really had hoped I would see a continual loss. Today has almost been a week since I have seen the scale go down. I know it is time for my TOM, but it is still bothersome. The great thing is, that years ago I would have said screw this I am going to eat whatever I want, but now I can't. While I could choose what I eat, I can't eat much of it. I know the band is already helping even though I am not at my sweet spot. I am staying on track longer than I ever have. I have managed to do the Total Gym and the Elliptical this week and it does help how I feel, but it's still not easy. So many others on this site have said we didn't get fat over night so we won't loose it over night. Here is to really hoping the scales start droping soon.

Hey weary traveler! Assume you made it home safe and sound? As for the scale, try once a week and see if that works for you. I have been weighing every day and I probably shouldn't.

There are some foods that I use to enjoy that I don't enjoy now. Primarily anything with high sugar content e.g. juices, ice cream (kills me) which are things that I shouldn't eat anyway, so in a way it's good that my sleeve doesn't like them. I usually feel bad after consuming them, so I've been able to stay away from anything with high sugar content. I still don't like the stuff that has the artificial sweetner in it like crystal light or other diet type of drinks. I hated most protein drinks, which was really hard because I had difficult getting the amount of protein I was suppose to get in early on. I feel like it's trial and error with my sleeve. It's like learning how to eat again. Some things my sleeve likes and some things it doesn't. I also find myself enjoying a certain food one day, but when I eat again the next day I don't like it. Very finicky. I also noticed that I enjoy my food better when it is home-cooked than I do with already prepared meals from the store or a restaurant. Haven't figured that one out yet, but I have begun to cook at home more than I have been. It's hard because I live alone and don't eat a lot, so a lot of food at the end of the week is thrown away. I even have to learn how to grocery shop a little different than I use. Did I already say trial and error - eventually I will find some sort of balance.

Wow! Time flies! I have surgery on Wednesday. I work in the school system so last week was spring break... and I was sick with bronchitis. I haven't lost as much weight on the Pre-Op Diet, but I'm pretty sure that's because I felt like death for a bit and hardly moved! I am about 11 pounds down though and feeling pretty good! I can tell my anxiety about the procedure is creeping up. Had a crazy dream last night that the nurse called me and said my surgeon couldn't perform the procedure because he broke his finger. I was running from office to office looking for a new surgeon when it hit me that the surgeon she named isn't my surgeon... but my least favorite professor from grad school- oy vey!

It's been a while since I have blogged. I've been out of town and living in a hotel for the past week trying to finish up all of my clinical hours. Staying to pureed foods has been difficult, but the hotel I stayed in had a fridge and a microwave in the room, so that made things a bit easier. First couple days of being on my feet and seeing patients all day was super tiring, and I crashed as soon as I got back to the hotel. We have also had drug reps bringing us lunch every day and that has been a huge challenge. I've stayed under 1200 calories every day, averaging around 800-900, but those drug rep lunches just about killed me. I had brought my own food and everything, but I was just so darn sick of tomato soup, yogurt and jello. One day the rep brought boston market and I ended up eating a little less than a cup of stuffing (it was really soft and mushie). Some people in the clinic have noticed how small my servings are, but they accept my excuse of having been sick and trying to not eat too much to lose weight. I am going to go to the gym for the first time since before surgery today. I'll probably just try walking on the treadmill or something else easy. I can't wait to get back to spin class and to be able to ride my bike again! Still waiting to see the scale move down after my initial 15 lb loss....trying to be patient

Thursday, July 31, 2013 Hello readers from all across the globe! It's great to see that we have fat fans growing in numbers by the week! Folks from China, Russia, Latvia, Netherlands, Canada, the UK, France and a few other far away countries have stopped by the blog to catch up on my fight against flab. When it comes to the battle of the bulge, it seems the world shares in our morbid obsession with thinness. We all speak the same language ... Fat-lish. On to the news of the week. I went for second post-op doctor visit on Monday. As usual, I checked in right on time knowing full well that I would be lingering in the lobby of the Center for Fatassiness well past my scheduled appointment time. So I settled in to one of the fat ass chairs in the waiting room. I immediately noticed that I occupied far less space in this overly ample seat. Yes, my ass has shrunk. I'm guessing by about a half a foot. I kinda feel like a little kid sitting in grandpa's chair. If you recall, Mondays are Dr. X's office days. He sees both pre-op and post-op patients during this time. That is why I just can't help myself but to look around the waiting area and see what the doctor has scheduled for today. Over to the far left, I spy an elephantine teen boy nervously sitting next to who I presume to be his mom. Obvious pre-op material. I'm thinking "Don't fret dude. It will be worth it. I wish they had this when I was your age." Looking far right I see a fleshy female with her nose buried in a book. Hmmmm. I'm guessing follow up. Then the extra wide doors fly open and a smiling 30 something man in clothes at least two sizes to big saunters out. Definitely a post-opper! I was called in a few minutes after a Rascal bound lady. When I went in and sat at the first nurses’ station, I saw no sight of scooter. She must be in the pre-op room waiting for the sales pitch from Dr. X. On cue, he walks towards the closed door with his plastic stomach model. The same one he used for my initiation. "Close that deal Doc!" I quipped. He didn't say anything. He didn't need to. He gave me a wry smile, a thumb up and went in to the room with a nervously awaiting prospect and a Rascal. Easy sale. It was now time for me to get my vitals. No temperature. BP 117/77 (That went down about 6 or 7 points on both ends. The nurse asked me if I was 18!) Now to the scale. Off with the loafers, step on to the massive industrial scale ..... AND..... 97.2 Kilos! It kinda kills the drama when the kilo measure comes up. Especially because I can't do the math that fast in my head. "How much have I lost since my first visit?" I asked. "Oh, I don’t have that file here." she answers. "How many files do I have?" I inquired. "I'm not sure. Ask the doctor." she tells me. Must be some kind of union thing. Maybe she's only allowed to carry one file to avoid a workplace injury. After my vitals check, I was deposited in another room. I know the drill now. First a visit from the bubbly Ms. K, my nutritionist, then the syringe wielding Dr. X will make his appearance. This room has both a fat ass chair and a fat ass recliner in addition to the exam table. Wonder why? Maybe it's for the portly patient and his pleasingly plump pal. Whatever ... just seems strange to me. The door bursts open and an extra bubbly Ms. K enters and has a seat at the desk next me. "Wow. You look like you're doing great!" she spouts. "I think I'm doing Ok." I reply sheepishly. "Let's look at your progress." she says. "Awesome! You have lost 8 pounds since last visit and 41 pounds total! You get a gold star!" That made my day. I thought I was doing OK. But what do I know? I think I'm 22 and gorgeous. Just because I think it doesn't make it so. So her validation was excitedly welcomed. We proceeded to go over my average daily food intake. I told her I was doing the 1200 calorie a day deal. I showed her my FitBit Flex and the MyFitnessPal app and how they sync up. She was impressed and green lighted me to continue what I'm doing because it's working. That's cool with me. We exchanged the usual farewell pleasantries and I was back to waiting for the main attraction. Without further ado, Dr. X gregariously enters. "I hear you’re a rock star." He opens up with. "I'm just trying to stay focused." I say. "Well, you're doing great. 8 pounds since last month is great." I think I was beaming like a new father. People rarely get this kind of validation from others, especially from their fatoligist. We discussed my progress, my hunger level and my ability to get food down and keep it down. "So you're not really felling any restriction?" he asks. "Nope. I think I could swallow a live fish if I had to.” I replied. “We don’t want it to come to that. Let’s give you a little tune up.” I laid down and a few seconds later I had one more c.c. of saline restriction. Dr. X gave me a few warnings about staying on liquids that night and pureed foods the next. After a few more words of encouragement, he was off to the next case. Needless to say, my second fill appointment was a success. I’m glad the bubbly Ms. K and Dr. X are pleased with my progress. As great as all the back slaps and accolades are, I can’t lose sight of the fact that I am not even half way home yet. There is still a lot of work to be done. I have definitely noticed that every pound is harder to lose than when I started. And I know they will be even harder as lose more. So, yea, I’m happy with the visit. But no, I am in now overconfident in my success. As I was leaving the exam room, I spotted that Rascal sitting unguarded in the hall. For a fleeting second I had thought of nabbing it, throwing on a fat ass chair and making a break for the parking lot. But my new reality set in. I don’t need the fat ass chair anymore. But I sure could have a blast on that Rascal! Bye for now. Johnny Hey you! Stop by my blog! You can enter your email and get my posts automatically! TheDeconstructionOfJohnny.blogspot.com

I'm 1 week post op and feeling good. I have a little issue with pain on 1 incision but it's not bad enough to take pain medicine. Thankfully the allergic reaction to the antiseptic is finally going away. I have stuck to the diet completely. Depending on the day I'm still starving most of the time and so ready for the soft food stage. Good news is I'm down 23 pounds total and 12 since my surgery date. Yay! I'm excited about the changes. I can already tell that I'm losing.

I love the weekend. I am home all week, some days till after 5 pm by myself. The weekend comes and the house is full of my kids, thier friends and my husband. I have people to tlak to. Yay!! Breakfast: Poached egg with quinoa Lunch: chili mac with low carb noodles Dinner: Hmmmm, well for the family it's going to be london broil, corn on the cob and mashed potatos For me: CAROLYN'S POOR MAN'S LOBSTER 4 ounce fresh or frozen haddock fillet * Water 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons granular Splenda or equivalent liquid Splenda 1 tablespoon light butter, melted Garlic or garlic powder, to taste Place the fish in a deep-sided skillet. Add just enough water to cover the fish. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Use this much vinegar, salt and Splenda per fillet. Boil 5-8 minutes or until the fish turns white and feels firm but isn't flaking. Remove the fish from the water with a slotted spoon. Place on a broiler pan and broil 2 minutes per side to dry out the fish. Combine the melted butter and garlic powder; serve the fish dipped in the garlic butter. Makes 1 serving Can be frozen * A 4 ounce fillet will yield between 2 1/2 and 2 3/4 ounces of cooked fish. I think I will have steamed spinach with it.

Today we had a big cook out at work. I spent most of the morning help set up for it and then manned the front table to make sure everyone signed in and got their raffle ticket. It was outside, but luckily the Texas heat was kind today, it was in the mid 80's and breezy but it still got warm. It was horrible smelling all that good smelling BBQ and not being able to have any. But I had my faithful water bottle with me. By around 1:30 p.m. a lot of people were asking me if I was okay. I was pale again with flushed cheeks and it was obvious I was exhausted. I felt like I needed to stick it out at work, but I only made it to 3:00 before I threw in the towel and came home. I made it up the stairs and into my bed. The building could have been on fire or someone could have put a chocolate fountain at the foot of my bed and I wouldn't have moved. I know that I am still only 8 days out of surgery and it takes time to heal, but I really wanted to be able to start walking and exercising. I know moving around all day was exercise, but I just want to feel normal. I took a two hour nap which I also did Sunday and yesterday and it made it difficult to get to sleep before late. However, right now I am exhausted again and will be climbing into bed shortly. Several people were at the cook out today who hadn't seen me in several months and commented on how it looked like the weight had just melted off me. So that is awesome and made me feel really good. I also wore a pair of jeans I haven't been able to wear in a long time!! Another thing bothering me is trying to decipher my insurance claims on my insurance website. It shows what was billed for and what was covered but its not clear if or what I owe. I also received a bill in the mail from the surgeon's office today, not sure what all this is about considering I paid them $918 for my surgery which was based on my deductible not being met, but this bill I received applies $150 to my deductible, so I am wondering if I didn't over pay them for surgery. So I need to call them probably later this week and see what all my money was allocated for. I said later in the week because they still have a claim pending on my insurance website. I just hate all the guessing and wondering if I am being ripped off by them. Part of what I was charged for was my initial meeting with the surgeon which was a group meeting and nothing special. I could have had the same results by attending one of their FREE seminars. Irritated to say the least. I managed to have my 2 protein shakes at work today. Oh and I got into it with my dietitian again. I emailed asking for guidance about how often I am supposed to eat, and I was told 2 shakes and 1 serving of soup at night. I fought fire with fire and asked how this was supposed to be feasible since liquid does not make you full, they preach do not drink liquids while you eat or you will wash your food through your band. She did give me credit for pointing that out and recanted with adding broth into my day. So small victory. Tonight I finished off two soups I had already started which amounted to about a cup. Going forward I will be measuring out my soup to make sure my portions are on point. Anyways, I am going to get some sleep and see if I can make it a whole day at work. Also looked at my incisions tonight and noticed some of my glue is starting to come off and most of them look a lot better. I am going to count my victories with my jeans, compliments, and healing incisions. Until tomorrow, Amanda

Just keep going, my surgeon tells me that I am doing great. I've lost 47 lbs 5 months. Not counting the week I spent in AICU after the surgery. Slow is good, because you want it to stay off. Stay on the journey and you will get there.