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I am 2 weeks post op and physically I am fine..but mentally...this sucks! I was not prepared for dealing with social meal situations..I am absolutely miserable..I have lost 23lbs but can't tell it in my clothes yet..I am sick of Protein Shakes and my energy level is not where it used to be..I know its only 2 weeks out but this is the reality of it and I rarely see anyone who actually writes this..so I am doing it..I don't regret the surgery but this isn't happy rainbows and teddy bears for sure!

This is where, as a revision patient, I think I had a small advantage. I remember some of the emotional stuff from 7 years ago. Some is easier now, some not so much. We use food for so much! Celebration, comfort, social times, you name it, food is usually involved. But that's part of WHY this surgery is good and necessary. It's going to "force" you to start treating food as just food instead of an emotional "event".

It's not going to be easy. You might even want to get professional help at some point. I think any WLS sort of MAKES people recognize their emotional dependency on food. Those who accept that and work to fix it are successful with their weight loss. Those who don't are the ones who regain OR substitute some other addiction for food.

It WILL get better when you can start eating small amounts of normal food. Just tell yourself you're recovering from surgery...it's temporary!

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My surgery is scheduled for May 28th. i have always been bigger than most' date=' my highest weight was 280, I would like to get down to 170-165. My mother is supportive, but my daughters father, and older sister feel I am taking the easy way out. I have not been in the 100's since grade school. So Im looking forward to this new change. I am so grateful to have found a forum that is supportive.[/quote']

Hi my surgery is may 28 as well!!!

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Hi my surgery is may 28 as well!!!

My surgery is May 29th. :-)

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This is where, as a revision patient, I think I had a small advantage. I remember some of the emotional stuff from 7 years ago. Some is easier now, some not so much. We use food for so much! Celebration, comfort, social times, you name it, food is usually involved. But that's part of WHY this surgery is good and necessary. It's going to "force" you to start treating food as just food instead of an emotional "event".

It's not going to be easy. You might even want to get professional help at some point. I think any WLS sort of MAKES people recognize their emotional dependency on food. Those who accept that and work to fix it are successful with their weight loss. Those who don't are the ones who regain OR substitute some other addiction for food.

It WILL get better when you can start eating small amounts of normal food. Just tell yourself you're recovering from surgery...it's temporary!

I've said from the start of this process that I believe the emotional aspect is just as importand, if not more important, than the physical manifestations of our obesity. Let's face it: we didn't get here overnight. Most of us have years under our belt gaining weight. You cannot tell me that does not have a profound effect on someone's emotional state on some level.

You are absolutely right: food plays a huge role in our culture and in our social interactions with one another. Its how we bond as humans. And it does take a bit of work to make that shift in your brain from "omg this food equals love/community" to "this food is fuel to keep my machine running". I don't believe I could have made that shift myself without the help of my Therapist. Digging into my abusive childhood and the unhealthy relationship with food it gave me is far from easy, but I don't believe for one second I'd be doing as well as I am if I did not do that work.

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I believe we all will handle our journey in each of our own ways. I like the honest approach of the good and hard sides of what is to come june 18 for me. That way im going into this with my eyes wide open. I dont look at it as à négative approach, i see it as venting feelings that need to get out to get to the n'ext phase which is Why we all are here...keep it réal i love it...

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My co-worker reminded me that I might have some pain pills so that might help with cramps! :D

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I was sleeved on Tuesday and doing great! I'm not ready to run a marathon by any means, but the pain is tolerable. I slept 8 straight hours last night, so this morning was very painful, trying to get out of bed. So....tonight, I'm going to set my alarm half way through the night, so I can walk around the house and sip, sip, sip. 8 hours of not drinking or walking was way too long! My bed just felt so good after two nights in a uncomfortable hospital bed.

The recovery is not as bad as my hysterectomy, but more painful than my Lapband. So....really not bad at all!

Thank you for posting that about 8 hours of sleep. I would have never thought about that. I will try and remember to do that.

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Thank you for posting that about 8 hours of sleep. I would have never thought about that. I will try and remember to do that.

Awesome advice. I will set up my alarm every 6 hrs!!

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Well, I'm 5 days post op and had a big step back yesterday. I ran a low grade fever all day yesterday, then diarrhea and vomiting started last night. I ended up needing IV fluids and phenagran to get things settled down. I feel MUCH better today but the area around my lower right incision hurts like hell, so taking pain meds again. I think the pain is from the vomiting and the stretching to wipe (sorry...TMI....but diarrehea is not fun when you cannot properly bend to take care of yourself!)

I'm praying it's all uphill from here!

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praying for you, too, A&Amom

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I'm also a May 2012 Sleever! Yes! I keep thinking what if I didn't take that step last year. My advice is to stay focused you can do it. I'm not going to sugar coat things and say all will be good because at some point you will question your sanity. LOL Real Talk!! When I start to mess up I remind myself that I consented for 85% of my stomach to be removed to save my life. That always kicks my butt into gear. Never compare yourself to others. I use to do that but then realized everyone's loss and journey will be different!

Good Luck to all of you who are joining us on the journey to wellness.

Hugs

Brooke....I'm a May 2012 sleever. All I can say is....best decision I ever made. This whole time, my mantra has always been "think where you'll be a year from now." Every time I things got tough, that's what I told myself. I've been telling myself that since I started my 6 month supervised diet way back in November 2011. I kept saying it right through the pre op diet, and the post op liquids. Still telling myself that.

But here it is getting close to a year post op and I feel like I have a new life. Yes, I'm still me...with all the flaws and stresses that come with that. But so many doors are open now that weren't before. And I have more hope for the future than I ever thought possible. I am brimming with optimism and enthusiasm. No more hiding, no more excuses.

Yes it takes work. It is certainly not "easy." There are times when you're going to want to take a hammer to your scale. And there are going to be times when you'll want to drown your frustrations in a plate full of unhealthy food. But you fight those battles and prevail. And one day, maybe this time next year, you wake up and realize that you are a new person in a new body with a new attitude. Makes everything worthwhile.

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Hey just joined today....its been 6 months medical weight loss for me with little success....however i was approved thru ins and my surgery date is May 29th.....I cant say I'm not a little apprehensive about surgery.....not the surgery itself...but the after...can I do it....can I stick to it...it seems impossible.....how hard is this liquid diet I have to start on Tues when I go to hospital for pre-op testing....what is pre-op testing....so many questions

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Hey just joined today....its been 6 months medical weight loss for me with little success....however i was approved thru ins and my surgery date is May 29th.....I cant say I'm not a little apprehensive about surgery.....not the surgery itself...but the after...can I do it....can I stick to it...it seems impossible.....how hard is this liquid diet I have to start on Tues when I go to hospital for pre-op testing....what is pre-op testing....so many questions

This website is FILLED with really good personal information. A doctor knows only so much. Take time and go through this site and read as much as you can. I have learned a ton. My surgery is May 28th and feel a lot more educated and confident now that I have been on this site.

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I'm in my hospital room now and being taken down first thing in the morning for my surgery. Excited but it's all very real now does not help heat I've come down with a UTI and have pain already from that antibiotics not worked yet. Roll on getting this over and done with I hate waiting!

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    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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