SinDLou

2 weeks post op, I MISS COFFEE! When did you add it back to your diet?

I need help letting go, food has been my escape and friend for my entire life. Now, I am waiting on insurance approval and date for my sleeve procedure and I'm scarde. Fear, I know, is my will trying to predict outcome, control my situation. I am 14 years clean and sober (on March 15), food has taken the place of my drugs and alcohol addiction. Actually, food has probably always been my drug of choice. My weight is about 260, and worse than that I feel awful. My husband is almost 300 lbs, and also going through the process of having a sleeve surgery. We are both active in AA and NA, but have not let go of food addiction. What will my life be like when I can't use food to isolate, escape? Will I replace it with yet just another addiction? God help me to finally surrender.

Hi, my name is Cindy, 15 years clean and sober. Sleeved 3/3/11 and feel fantastic. I reguarlly go to meetings and sponsor women in recovery. We read literature and study the 12 steps. This program is theraputic in nature - different than meetings - but it appears they use the same tools when talking about recovery. I really like watching it. From thier perspective it does not matter what the addiction is (overeating, bulimia, anerexia, etc...) the problem is the same. Also the solution is the same. I'm also touched by another common theme - people in addiction appear to have childhood trauma. Interesting.

Go to the store, pick up two 10 pound bags of something (sugar/flour). 20 pounds is A LOT of weight! Hang in there! You're on the right path. We're in this for a life time, not a month at a time. You're changing you body - and your thinking. Stay connected and express your fears. We'll carry you!

5 weeks post op today - I feel very good. I hope March sleevers are doing okay, and if not try to stay connected with others. This message board has been so helpful to me to use as a sounding board. Of course, I always rely on my doc for advice, but connecting with others is also just as valuable. I LOVE my new life. Today I FULLY UNDERSTAND a new way to live, one day at a time - EAT TO LIVE, instead of live to eat. What a blessing this experience has been for me. Hang in there if you're new or having problems.

UPDATE: Visit and exam by the doc yesterday. He said the muscle spasms were nothing to worry about. He explained they use stitch thread as big as the "thickest fishing line string you can buy." And that the stitch is deep and my body sees this as a foreign object. With time, he reassured me, I should be fine. He also said people complain about this muscle spasm like pain usually 3-6 weeks post op. I'm in week 5. Thanks again for all your comments. I love this website! Have a super day.

I was sleeved 3/3/11. Really feel fantastic, however, just wondering if anyone has "muscle like cramps" where their incisions are. I called the doc's office, spoke to the nurse and she said the largest incision will sometimes give people trouble. Gosh, didn't think I would have problems like this. Any suggustions?

Thanks everyone for the feedback! I have good days, then days when the muscle spasms take my breath away. I do have a one month check up this week so will discuss with my doc. However, the posts above have been VERY helpful. Thanks so much for taking the time to reply to my question.

OMG - this has been a huge challenge for me too. I've been using fiber (mixed in water) sugar free, no taste. Seems to work ok, but my diet minus fruits and veggetables has not worked to clean out my system. Ongoing issue for me.

I went to a one-month post op nutrition class this week. (sleeved 3/3/11). The dietition said the goal is to eat 15 oz of food A DAY! wow, that is a drastic change from the crazy, rediculous amount of food I consumed (inhaled) on a daily basis pre surgery. The voice in my head today says, as I look at my quarter cup of "whatever," stop when you're full, and you don't have to finish your plate. Seems to be working. One day at a time. I've heard and seen so many stories about people gaining all their weight, plus more, back in spite of having WLS. I don't judge them, I too am a food addict. Today, I am blessed with many tools to use to deal with life non food related. Keep up the good work. Stay connected with others, and let's do this together!

I eat PB2 - It's fantastic and falls in line with my diet. Try it!!!!!!!

I gained 6 pounds in the hospital! My stomach was so huge for the first week post op, I couldn't get my pants on. I vowed to not step on a scale until doctor's visits, at least for a while. I refuse to measure my sucess by my weight. I was sleeved 3/3/11, a month has gone by and I am still a little bloated. However, my clothes are fitting - and even a little loose now. Hang in there! Time and good nutrition will heal our bodies.

Thank you everyone for your prayers. My 4 month old (only) granddaughter died of SIDS. Our family is devistated as you can imagine. Food, my drug of choice, is not an option. Because of my sleeve I CAN'T eat much. Feeling feelings and not "checking out" with food is brand new for this grandma. One day at a time, the path to healing has begun - without food as a distration to moving forward. I'm sure this is one of many hills and valleys one goes through in life, and without food life is REAL. Thanks again for the kind thought and word from everyone.

Just checking in and wanting to encourage March Sleevers! Surgery was 3/3/11. Mostly, I feel FANTASTIC! Healing, and finally feeling a TON of energy. I have avoided the scale, because I gained 6 pounds in the hospital. UGH! I made a decision to only weigh at the doctors. Two weeks I lost the 6 I gained in the hospital, plus 10 more. I am measuring my success, however, on how I feel, not by a number. Clothes finally fit again, and even are a little loose. Blood pressure is manageable, and life goes on, Unfortunately, we had a death in our family. FOOD WAS EVERYWHERE. One blessing of this surgery is I had no appetite so I didn't eat my way through this past week. I felt feelings and connected with people instead. My grief is unbelievealbe, but my road to healing is awesome because I'm not avoiding the pain with food. Now, people, that's why we had this procedure right? So we could learn how to live. Hugs to all, and blessings are there - look for them.

I like beans, so here is my favorite soup: 1 can black beans, 1 can rotel tomatoes - whatever spices you like. I put in garlic, a little salt and pepper. Put in blender and heat. Yeah - fiber (which I really need, and protein! Also, steamed cauliflower whipped with butter buds or steamed carrots with whatever spices you like - add unflavored protein powder and again, fiber and protein a winning combination for my tummy. I'm week 4 post op. Have a great day. Cindy

Almost 2 weeks post op (on Thursday). My energy is very low, but not horrible. I went back to work yesterday, since I have a desk job didn't think it would be too much. I took a power nap at lunch time for about 20 minutes, that seemed to help. I look forward to having more energy soon. I miss coffee too!

Stay connected, anxious to hear how you are doing. I am 1 week post op tomorrow. Everyday is a little better. A little tired & soar, but no need for pain meeds since last Sat. My tummy is VERY full & bloated, to be expected. Hang in there!

Sleeved 3/3/11. I am overwhemed by all the gas - both ends. :-) I feel extremely full, and have to make a decision to drink my shakes. Overall, I'm fantastic and so happy about my decision. Even though I promised I wouldn't weigh myself I did. I gained 7 pounds in the hospital. However, I know it is from all the swelling and forced fluids. I'd love to hear about other one week experiences. Have a super day all! Cindy

Yesterday I added a small teaspoon of instant decaf coffee to my vanilla shake. It was very good. I also invested in a very good blender so my shakes are really like soft milk shakes which make them fun (er) to drink. My doc said I had to avoid any chunks, seeds, peelings or anything that would make my stomach work hard. Easy does it!

I was sleeved 3/3 and came home yesterday. One complication I had was a bleed into my stomach. I had two units of blood, and felt like a new lady. :-) Home yesteday, so guess that makes a 3 night stay for me. However, generally people stay one night in the hospital. Today I feel GREAT!

One more BTW – “What to take to the hospital” checklist was WONDERFUL. Not sure if this list can be reposted, it’s somewhere in the March role call loop I think. Anyone remember where the list came from? Most helpful for me was: sleeping mask and ear plugs. I wouldn’t have thought of that – my first stay in a hospital since my kids were born years ago. It helped me tremendously to sleep, even during the checks through the night and during the day when I was tired. Anyway, thanks to whoever put that together!

Sleeved 3/3 – home from the hospital yesterday. I’m tired, but otherwise I feel fantastic. If your surgery is soon rest assured it is all worth it! Yeah – happy to be making such positive changes in my life. Physically I am still very bloated, and sore from sleeping on my back. (Whine, whine). But I am so happy! Hospital stay was ok, definitely a place to get stable, but recovery time is now at home. I have the entire week off work and plan to follow instructions…DO NOTHING. My doc, my family and friends all are encouraging me to sit still, which is significantly difficult for me. Hang in there March Sleevers – and STAY IN TOUCH. I love hearing how everyone is doing.

Just checking in...sleeved on 3/3 and had a setback. I was bleeding in my stomach, just finished a blood transfusion and feeling better. Hopefully it helps my blod clot and all is well. Hope to go home tomorrow. Spirits are high, and I have a wonderful support system. Love to you all!

Surgery was yesterday, it went fantastic. I have my new little tummyI! I am sore and trying to walk off the gas, but I I am estatic! Love to all, Cindy

Thank you for checking in! I've been wondering about how you're doing. Be patient, breathe, and ask for help when you need it (saying this for you AND me!). I leave for the hospital in about 2 hours. This will be worth it, time will pass and you will get better every day. I'm sending good energy for a speedy recovery your way! You can do this! Take care!!!!!!! Talk to you in a couple of days. Cindy