emily_0192010

Thanks for the laugh! That was so cute

At 5 weeks I was the same as you with the weight loss. I consistently lost an average of 2-3 lbs per week. It is hard right after surgery to see such small drops, but I promise it adds up and pretty soon you'll be able to see the weight loss and it will be so worth it for you. As for energy, again, I didn't have any sudden surge of energy before the 3 month mark. You are still healing right now, so try to give your body a little lee-way (sp?). You are doing great so far and it will pay off!

Oh, I forgot to say that I tried both benadryl and benadryl cream and they did not work for me.

I had the surgical tape too and in the first week mark I also had some nasty rashes around them. I thought I was having an allergic reaction to the tape, since it was on my skin for so long. I never went in to see my surgeon but I did call and they told me to put hydrocortisone cream on it twice a day. It took a LONG time to go away but it did. Also, at that point the tape was mostly peeling away... so I helped them along a bit. Not the best idea but they were seriously bothering my skin. They also told me to stop using the surgical tape around the bandages (so, take the bandages off as well). At that point I had already stopped the tape. Good luck!

When I asked the lady said it was 20... however when I am counting I say 15 just in case it is less. Also, I have never added it to Hot drinks, so that would be an experiment. When you add it in a frapp it will make it a bit more airy I guess is the best way to describe it, like it increases the volume by a bit. BUT it is sooo worth it My go-to once drink is a tall decaf latte with an extra shot (also decaf). I got used to decaf and now too much caffeine isn't so great. But, the extra shot totally masks the taste of the protein.

My mom was with me the entire time, but I asked that no one else (mainly my grandmother) come. I felt anybody else would be too much for me to handle. But my mom was perfect, she backed off when I was grumpy (the pain meds were too strong at first so I was dizzy and moody and grumpy lol) but never left my side. I remember her at one time asking "do you want to watch tv, no, do you want to read, no, do you want to just lie there, yes, do you want me to do your hair, no, do you want me to sit with you no, would you like me to leave so you can sleep, NO" LOL... she was teasing me and it was nice that she was just there. I didn't tell too many people before surgery, and I haven't told a lot of people after either. Mainly I just don't feel like it is any of their business.

Thank you so much for sharing When I was reading your post I love that your NP was so supportive! All of us need support, from our family and friends but also outside support. I get that outside support from here. Even the people at my surgeon's office are a bit too "professional" and distant to really feel like I could go to them for advice. I think having a person like this in your life is amazing and I'm so happy that you have that! I feel exactly the same as you, in that the weight loss before surgery is only because of the surgery. Before I was sleeved (and really I still think this way) and I was asked why I would use this metaphor. If I was shipwrecked in the middle of the ocean, I could keep myself afloat for awhile, but I would never go anywhere. I would be stuck. My sleeve is like a life-vest... it keeps me floating while I swim. My support group is my compass... they tell me which way to swim. All the sleeve is is a tool. It keeps up floating while we do the work to get to our goal. I lost forty pounds pre-sleeve, and in my head the entire time was "i actually get to keep it off this time because my sleeve will be right there with me". BEST decision I ever made. It has changed my life and I can't wait to keep up with your journey and how it will help you. Congrats on the 50 lbs, I know how much work that takes! We all do!

You look amazing... and what's better than you look? The way you sound You sound so happy and fresh and ALIVE and it is invigorating to read. Thank you for sharing!

A lot of things you mentioned I couldn't handle eating at that point either!! Potatoes could be a bad carb for you (for a lot people bread or Pasta is) and just sits wrong. chicken is one of the hardest meats to eat because it is lean. And for some reason a lot of people have trouble with avocado. I agree that you should take a step back for a few days,but then try introducing other foods. Try egg (either egg salad or a scrambled egg) for example works well for most. Personally, I found that slow cooked pork went down and stayed down the easiest. I could eat it and feel good after. Also at 5 weeks, you may just not be ready for heavier, solid foods yet. Especially since you have had some setbacks. Don't get discouraged, you'll figure out what your sleeve likes and what works for you and before you know it this will be behind you. ((hugs))

AWESOME! Congrats It took me a long time to figure out a go-to protein drink as well. Have you tried mixing in unflavored protein powder? Also, if you ever go to starbucks they will add it in for you. It adds a vanilla flavor to it but it is subtle.

I don't notice it when I'm just sitting, but I recently tried yoga and there were a few times that i had to roll up onto my butt and I ended up shrieking out loud cause it hurt!! My tailbone was sooo sensitive! Luckily the "class" was in my living room on the tv and no one but the 3 month old baby i watch was watching me! I now avoid those all together. I really hope this doesn't get worse as I lose more! Feel better Oh! Have you tried those donut pillows? The ones that many pregnant women use after birth or people with hip problems use after surgery? You can find them even as blow-up pillows... it may relieve the pressure and allow you to sit more comfortably.

I know how you feel!!! For some reason my surgeon's partner (there are two surgeons in the office) totally rubbed off the wrong way and now anytime he tells me something i'm like "pshhh, whatever..." lol. Most people really like him and he is actually the main surgeon... but I of course prefer mine

Google Hans Rueffert... he is a chef who had to have his entire stomach and part of his esophagus removed due to cancer... but seeing him thrive (and he's STILL a chef!) without any stomach was a big inspiration to me and remembering his story always reminds me that I can work my sleeve to the fullest. It also helped my nerves about long-term side effects or complications. I spent hours researching people who had this surgery or surgeries similar due to other reasons (ulcers, cancer, etc) and when I saw them doing well years and years and years down the road, it calmed my nerves. I'm sorry that you are feeling so nervous and scared about this. Good luck, you'll do great!

Congratulations I just hit "overweight" as well and it really is an awesome feeling Good job!

Way to go lady!! These stories are awesome! It is sooo much more than just the weight loss, its the way we change our lives. You are so obviously happy and that is thrilling to read. Have an awesome weekend!!

STOP!! You are in the 3rd week This is classic stall time. Almost EVERYBODY hits a stall at this time. It can last a week or a couple weeks, but this is completely normal, I promise! It is just your body's way of getting over the trauma of the surgery and the drastic change. You will hit stalls as you go along and they are normal. Are you weighing in every day? Because if you are, this might not even be a "gain"... our bodies fluctuate a LOT day to day. Weighing every day can be crushing because you keep thinking you are gaining when you're not. While you are in a stall this is what you do... keep up on your Protein and your Water, keep your treats small... and go on with your life. Your sleeve has NOT failed you and you have not failed your sleeve. Congrats on being sleeved and ((hug)) it will get better.

AWESOME!!! Congrats I'm glad to hear that you are doing so well! And I think I could ask "6 months out, will my mind ever catch up" for sure!! I am now down 100 lbs and I recently dropped inches like crazy (which means I am currently in a stall... I think I am starting to notice a pattern with my body) and I actually fit into a size 8... i'm like "nahh, it was sized wrong", then my mom made me try on a pair of size 6 jeans at old navy... and they fit. NO FREAKIN WAY is what I kept thinking. I've worn those jeans almost every day since (honestly, I only own 2 pairs of pants and 1 pair of sweat pants lol) and I still look in the mirror and see myself how I was. Maybe it is because of the skin and my stomach isn't "flat" . Or maybe the change just takes time to get used to. Maybe it takes a long time before I will start to recognize myself again

When I had access to a gym I did this for a few weeks (I had to redo the first weeks for a little while before I could move on) and I enjoyed it... but I'm nervous about moving it outdoors because of my shoes. I know I would need new sneakers and I honestly can't afford them (anyone know where to go for cheap but decent shoes??)... i'm pretty sure using my current pair would simply end in injury. Also, I've lost weight in my feet so they don't fit well on top of it! BUT, those few weeks I did it I enjoyed it. I was doing it without the app and just timed it myself, which was really difficult because I had to pay so much attention. I think if I did pursue this again I would definitely buy the program or the app to make it easier.

My grandmother was similar in some ways... I would report back with "i'm down 40, i'm down 50" and she'd be like "oh, that's all? well thats great i guess"... I'm like really! I'm only 2months out! (I lost a bit before surgery). AND two of her closest friends had the bypass two years ago, she was always ranting about how wonderful they look, but she only saw them once a year lol. It's hard when people have such a blase attitude about it. Hopefully with time she'll begin to understand that it is a process. Because seriously, if it was that easy, people would never hesitate to get surgery! We'd all be cured! LOL.

You know, right around 4 months I got that super tiredness thing too... I never officially worked out either. I did what Irene suggested- upped my Protein and my Water. I also started taking a B-12 supplement (though only a few, and only until I felt better, I didn't see the need to keep it going) and after awhile my energy was higher than ever and hasn't diminished. Also, we ALL go through stalls at some point or another (i'm in one now). Focus on hitting your protein and water goals, keep the treats to a minimum and go on with your life. The stall will end!! If you feel like you should exercise, then exercise. But don't beat yourself up because you didn't before. Cheer up! ((((HUG)))

Wow! I didn't know this at all Might actually be part of the reason why i'm in a stall right now, I recently started doing at-home exercises (yoga video, crunches, push ups etc) and I stopped losing lol. Thank you for sharing!

Isn't this site the BEST??? This WAS and IS my support group and cheering squad 100%! I think I would have had a much harder time if I didn't have this. I am thankful for it and the people who make it up every day!

Wow Ashley- I am so glad that this was able to work for you!! Thank you so much for sharing and congrats on the 40lbs!