Amanda131

Hey all- I just got an iPad2 (LOVE!). Can anyone suggest a good app for recording nutrition and exercise? I used to use Spark People but their program has a glitch on iPad that isn't letting me record .5 servings. It's beyond irritating! All suggestions welcome and I don't mind paying for the app. Thanks! Amanda

Thanks guys! I will try myfitnesspal! I agree, not seeing the signatures is annoying. But, I found that there is a hotlink at the bottom of the page that allows you to see the full website if you want (with signatures and all). I like it much better that way.

Thanks for all of the replies! Although, I wouldn't wish these struggles on anyone it is helpful to know that so many others have fought(and are fighting) these same demons. Some have mentioned counseling, and I agree whole heartedly. Counseling is the only thing that has gotten me to the this level of consciousness. In the past I wouldn't have "woken up" to what I was doing until I'd gained back a big chunk of the weight and would have really felt like a failure so I'd keep on sabotaging. Just for the record, I am still losing weight, but I know I could be doing much better if I wasn't treating myself like a jerk. The good news is that I feel good, confident and capable of making the necessary changes. I look forward to supporting each other on this journey! Thanks again! Amanda

My fav was the lady at work who told me after I lost 30 lbs that I was getting "closer to beautiful everyday!" And, she beamed at me like she'd said something wonderful as I gave her the WTF? look. I've finally come to realize that all of the people within my circle mean well and want to say nice things they just bumble them REALLY badly sometimes. At those times, I grab the phrase us southern women use to secretly call people idiots, "Well, bless their little hearts."

I, too, followed this program years ago with great success. I've never been as strong as when I ended that twelve weeks. I would think that with some tweaking you could get close to that diet, mostly less veggies and carbs and a bigger focus on Proteins and shakes. Thank you for this post. I am stuck, need a shake-up and had not thought of this program in years. I might be following you into it! I absolutely love Bill Phillips' motto, "Fail to plan, plan to fail." Good Luck! Amanda

Congrats girls! In my opinion, you're on the easy side now especially once you're back to solids. Just remember to baby yourself as your body adjusts and get lots of rest. Yay!

I've been laughing about this all morning and had to share. Although I haven't lost much weight in the last week or two, something must be happening because EVERYONE is suddenly noticing all of this weight I've lost. I work in a large high school with a fabulous custodial staff. Today, I was walking next to one of our custodians who speaks very limited English. When I said, "Hi!" she looked at me and her eyes bugged a bit and she said in very broken English, "You is skinny! Yes? Es good! Es good!" For some reason, I found this hilarious. I thanked her for noticing and giggled to myself as I walked away. By far my favorite compliment thus far. Yes, I is skinny! Es good! Es good! :bounce:

Hi Khy- I also work in education. I haven't ventured into the thrift stores yet since I am still at the bottom end of my "skinny clothes". What I've found is that I keep slacks in black, grey and brown at whatever size I am and that shirts can be a tad big without looking bad. I have an outlet mall by me that runs amazing sales so I just buy a few mix and match items there. I am getting to the point that I need to shop for more work clothes but I am holding off since we're about to be off for two months. I would be out of anything I purchased now by then! Good luck! Amanda

I was told I could have soft, peeled fruits three weeks post op but I waited closer to 5 or 6. I am loving watermelon and will occasionally eat strawberries with no issues. I also had a few bites of banana and pineapple. I am not a big fan of fruit so I haven't had much else but I've had no problem the times I did eat it. Good luck!

I had to take those giant Bactrim pills too. I crushed mine and took it in a shot of G2 Gatorade.

Hi kids05- I really can't relate in this area since I have been very fortunate with this surgery, I have however been dealt some rather serious blows in my personal life that left me feeling like you said: "stuck" and "unable to catch a break". A therapist I was seeing at the time gave me a bit of advice that has really helped me wade through the chaos life sometimes throws us. She said, "Everything happens exactly the way it's supposed to happen." We may not understand, agree with or like it but it happened exactly as it was supposed to. I hated that statement while my life was crumbling around me. I questioned why God had allowed such terrible things happen to me when I had busted my ass to be a ridiculously good person my whole life. Yet, I continued to ponder that statement for a long time and later came to realize that all of the nasty things in my life ended up assisting me in some way down the road. I share this little mantra in hopes that it can help you too. It actually becomes pretty freeing when you learn to let go and believe this is all happening the way it is supposed to. You sound like an extremely tough individual and even though you needed a moment to vent today, I believe you will come out on top of this. Best wishes to you. I'll be thinking of you. Amanda

That first week of recovery that I spent mostly in a recliner in front of the T.V. was a bit tortorous. It was the damn pizza commericials that about made me crazy. At one point, I switched to watching the DVR so I could fast forward through the damn things. Hang in there! Amanda

At a month out I could eat a hell of a lot more than 3 tsp, too! It is/was closer to 4 - 6 oz. depending on the food type and consistency. I healed very quickly and am tall- both things can contribute to being able to eat slightly more. At first it was very difficult to tell when I was full- that is why portion control is so important. At this point, I experience an almost imperceptible tightness in my rib area that let's me know I am all done. Amanda

I can't really speak for what you ate, but I can tell you that as swelling from surgery subsides you'll be able to eat more food. People's swelling goes down at different rates- I was a quick "healer".Also, it's pretty much impossible to stretch your sleeve with one (or even a few) bad eating situations. Besides, the part of the stomach the sleeve is made with generally doesn't stretch that much. That being said, you are still healing so be careful to weigh your portions and work to eat to the point of satisfaction but not fullness.Take it easy on that staple line! If you feel you've hurt yourself, i.e. you're in pain, running fever, etc. then I encourage you to contact your doctor. Hang in there! Amanda

Girl, I'm impressed! I know, we all say it but you really do look fantastic. Congrats! Amanda

Hey Keepaloozen- First, I LOVE your screen name. It cracks me up! I have already started loosing hair. It's not fun but it is what it is. I will say it's a hell of a lot easier to deal with when you're 50 lbs. lighter! Amanda

No worries, it about a month or two Dad will be eating his words. My WTF (I felt much more strongly than H at the time) moment came on day 5. I was certain I had screwed the pooch and would be miserable and fat with no stomach left to eat cool foods for the rest of my life. I was SO depressed that day. At some point that day, I realized that buyer's remorse or not, there was no going back and I needed to just make the best of it. That was a turning point for me. Jump forward- past the two weeks of insane exhaustion and liquids- and I woke up one morning to realize I felt normal. Then I realized that I really didn't feel normal because my previous normal hadn't felt this good. And, like that, things steadily starting ticking up. It's a crazy ride at first but I promise it smoothes out! And, if you really feel you aren't mentally at peace with the change in your diet, then I encourage you to find a therapist who can help you work through this. This is the BEST decision I made for myself. Best wishes! Amanda

I will get a varicose vein on the back of my right leg zapped so I can wear shorts without an ounce of self-conscious. I am not sure about the rest of it. I am not loving my arms currently but I am young and I think there's a good chance that some of this skin will snap back. Regardless of if it actually happens, I am choosing to believe that positive self-thoughts and good karma will make it happen!

I was really lucky. Minimal pain (more discomfort than anything) and no nausea. I did get great drugs in the hospital and I wasn't afraid to take pain Rx when I get home. The biggest thing I remember immediately following surgery was being weak and trying to make peace with food demons since I had not had a pre-op liquid diet. Best wishes! Amanda

Hi All- I believe I have caught a nasty bug. I have not been able to eat or drink much since Saturday morning. I am a high school administrator and still had to attend Prom Saturday night- talk about awful! But, I digress. Anyway, I maybe had 200 calories each on Saturday and today. I think I am on the upswing now and I will call the doctor tomorrow if I'm still sick. Used to be, that being sick and eating close to nothing for two days was no big deal because I ate so damn many calories all of the rest of the time and would make up that deficient in a meal or two once I was well. Obviously, that's not the case post-op. I'm concerned that I missed two days worth of Protein. I also feel extremely weak- worse than ever before with a bug- almost like my body is cautioning that it doesn't have enough in storage. I still managed about 30 oz. of fluids each day so I kept dehydration at bay for the most part. Should I try to up my protein/calories for a day or two once I'm well? How have those who've been through a stomach bug/illness before handled it? We have a three-year-old so I'm sure this won't be the last gift from preschool she shares and I want suggestiong as to what I should do to get myself back in decent shape ASAP. Thanks! Amanda

I wrote letters a couple of years ago before my first business trip after my daughter was born. I keep them with my will in our safe. Having those letters gave me a sense a peace before this surgery. I will warn you though that I just about bawled my eyes out when I wrote those letters and I wasn't near as emotional back then as I was right before my surgery. So, be warned that the letter writing, while cathartic just might wring you out emotionally! Best wishes! Amanda

The joy in your post really makes me excited about my future. Thanks for that! And, Congratulations!

Thanks for the advice gang! I am back to the land of the living. I never ran fever or I'd have been hustling to the hospital. It was just your generic, feel-like-crap stomach bug. I've worked to drink constantly and eat lots of Protein today. Thanks again! Amanda

Hi There! First off, you are not alone! I would say that very few of us went into this surgery without fear. I lost it the night before surgery and bawled in Hubby's arms to the point that he reminded me that this surgery was elective- I could back out. But, my feelings were that the "me" that depended on food for security and happiness was terrified while the happy, healthy "me" that would exist after surgery knew I needed it. I went through with it but I will admit a moment of blind panic in the pre-op room where I prayed either for a sign to get the hell out of there or a sense of calm. Fortunately, I got the sense of calm. If you believe in a higher power, lean on it. I will say that me quality of life and happiness is through the roof 10 weeks post-op and has been for at least 6 weeks. I'll be thinking of you as you begin your journey. Hugs! Amanda

I've noticed the same thing with some foods. Unfortunately, I'm occasionally not as smart as you and I have to take a few bites trying to convince myself that I still "love" the food. I guess my NSV would be that I've recently learned to let it go after a bite and not liking it. It doesn't always happen, but I'm working on it. Congrats on your successes! Amanda