NikiS

Whew...I remember those days. I was so excited to do the pre-op diet because that meant I was getting closer to having surgery. Hang in there! If I remember correctly it was around Day 4 that things got to be easy-breezy!

I'm sure your friends and family have your best interest at heart but like you said you have to do what's best for you. Everybody is different. You know how you want to feel and what you want to look like so why not go for it?! I say pray about it, talk it over with people you trust - ones that will support your decision, and then do what's best for you. Whatever you decide, I wish you all the best!

First, thank you for being so transparent. It sounds like you have a lot on your plate. Please allow me to apologize in advance if this comes across the wrong way and I pray this doesn't sound harsh but the change in your family really isn't up to you. It sounds like you want more for them than they want for themselves. You want them to be healthy, happy, to have no weight induced illnessess, and you'd like for them to practice better eating habits. These are all wonderful things. However, they have to want it for themselves. It would be nice if love alone could fix this but there's probably more to their eating than the love of food. I pray that your successful weight loss will encourage them to make a decision to follow in your footsteps. Even if they don't decide to have a surgical procedure, eating right and exercise would be great steps to take. Here's wishing you lots of success. Chin up, be encouraged and continue to pray for your family.

When I read things from the men's forum I always smile...I just can't help it - LOL. I also learn a few things as well.

I'm so sorry you are experiencing so much pain. I think each person's recovery is different. Two days out I was ok and by the 4th day I felt 100%. Trust me, as time goes by you'll feel a little better each day. Be encouraged and take it easy. Don 't be so quick to recover. You don't want to hurt yourself by doing too much. All the best, Niki

Aaww, Honey,don't be discouraged. A quarter pound isn't bad. Like some of the others have said it could be any number of reasons why you gained. That great thing is it's motivated you to continue in your journey and has encouraged you to work out. Be encouraged and keep up the good work!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I too am 3 months out and half way to goal. I wanted to lose 100 pounds and I am already down 50. I had surgery September 20. 3 months and minus 50 lbs...I'll take it! Congradulations again and keep up the good work!

It's been a while since my last entry. It hasn't quite been 3 months since I had surgery. My official anniversay will be December 20. To date, I have lost 49 lbs. My Christmas goal was to be 50 lbs lighter but since I am so close to achieving that goal I amended it. My new goal is to be a total of 55 lbs lighter by Dec. 31. During my short journey there are things that I am still learning like the importance of slowing down when I eat, not eating too much, not drinking while I eat, and the the ever present vitamin! I take my multivitamin on a daily basis it's the calcium citrate that I sometimes forget. Lately, exercise has been null and void. I know... I have to get better with this. I'm sure the weight would melt off faster if I incorporated a regular routine. Not all is lost...I do eat healthy and I am very conscious of my protein intake. At my last doctor's appointment I was told the majority of my protein should come from food and that I should only use the shake as a supplement if I miss a meal. Another plus is since surgery which was on September 20, I have gone from a snug size 20 to a comfortable 16. Ross has become my very best friend. They have some really cute and affordable clothes in there. Despite the smaller clothes, to me I look exactly the same. I guess I'll see what everybody else sees soon enough. This has been an amazing, life changing, well worth it experience!

These next 3 days will go by in a blur and before you know it you'll be on the losers bench. Like you carbs are not my friend. I would definitely say I am a carb-aholic!! Let me encourage you not to give in. Carving thin is so much more rewarding than craving food! Enjoy this journey and delight in your success. All the best to you!

Wow...your time is fastly approaching. How do you feel? Are you getting anxious, excited, nervous... "D" all of the above?! I am sure you will do well. It sounds like you are keeping a level head especially through the liquid diet. That to me was harder than the surgery - LOL. All the best to you and please keep me posted.

I agree, the orange is a lot of juice so you may not feel as full. Poultry, pork or even greek yogurt may have a completely different effect, at least it does with me. Also, depending on when you had your surgery, you may not feel such a tight restriction just yet because your stomach muscles are still in shock. Trust me, your full factor will definitely kick in. Mine was around the 3 week mark, but each person is different. Lastly, please keep in mind portion control . Measure your food and don't eat large amounts because you can. After a while your new tummy will feel uncomfortable and begin to protest. All the best to you and congratulations on your surgery! Niki

You hear so much about protein, protein, protein but no one told me I could get too much protein - YIKES!!! I am probably one of very few people that actually enjoy my protein shakes. Since Day 1 they have never been a problem for me to drink. I had my surgery on September 20, and I thought the weight would simply melt off. I've heard about stalls and slow weight loss I just never thought I'd be in either one of those categories. After all, I'm dinking my protein, taking in plenty of liquids and doing well with food. Exercise is another story all together, but I digress. On post-op day 19, I called my physician's office to ask a few questions and before I hung up I asked if it were possible to have too much protein and was told yes! My protein shakes are 28g and I have 3 of them a day. That's already 84g of protein. Greek yogurt is 16g. That's 100g already and that's without my soft meats (I'm in the mushy phase). Tuna, salmon, talapia, etc. is protein. On average I was getting in close to 135-140g! That's too much. Not to mention, protein builds muscle so if you aren't walking or exercising you may gain. Of course if you're just coming out of surgery you can't really exercise but you can walk which I haven't been doing. No wonder the scale isn't moving!!! My doctor said to decrease the protein (keep it between 70g-90g a day) and get moving! I have lost some weight. I've lost 30 pounds since surgery, and I know I have to take it easy because it's only been 3 weeks but I still need to do my part. Too much protein...who knew!!

Swelling or reflux could be a result of the intake of heavier foods so soon. It seems like each doctor says something different. My surgeon told me a week of Clear Liquids and a week of full iquids (cream soups). I didn't move to mushy or potatos until I was 3 weeks out. Be careful and watch your intake. As you know the swelling and/or refulx is extrememly uncomfortable. Take it easy and congrats on your surgery.

Congratulations! You're dedication and hard work are definitely paying off. 100 lbs?! That's fantastic!

That's a hard lesson to learn - one that I haven't mastered - LOL. I've eaten too fast several times and received an unpleasant sharp little reminder to slow down. You said you're on full liquids right? Well one thing that you can do is take a spoonful of soup and then put the spoon down, don't hold it. Take a scoop then wait a few seconds before taking the next spoonful.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! You rock! 100 lbs is amazing. Your hard work is really paying off.

57 pounds in 2 months that's fantastic!!! All of your hard work is truly paying off. Just imagine how much more you'll lose between now and your next appointment. Your doctor really will flip. Keep up the good work and congratulations of a job well done. Cheers! Niki

It took me a while to go... longer than a few days. I had surgery on 9/20 and hadn't gone when I went for my follow up appmnt on 9/28. My sugeon told me to take Milk of Magnesia and boy did that help. The only thing was, I wouldn't go unless I took it. It wasn't until I started my full liquids phase (cream soups) that I went and when I moved on the mushy/whole foods I had no problem. I believe the lack of going is due to your food intake. I would certainly consult your doctor but I think you'll find the more you consume the more you'll go. I wish you all the best, Niki

This is a great questions. I remember being told about a leak - meanin what percentage of people get them but I don't think I was given a time line as to when it could occur.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I think you losing 30 pounds is absolutely wonderful! I get hungry but it's rare and for that reason I barely eat 3 meals a day. I think the more you consume - meaning small meals - it causes your metabolism to kick into gear at least that's what I've been told. How are you making out with your Protein? And are you watching your carbs?

The day after surgery I was given 6 oz of chicken broth to sip. I could have easily consumed the entire thing but I was scared. Like you, very early on I could consume what seemd to be regular amounts. It wasn't until week #3 post op that my restriction factor kicked in. I started getting really full very quickly. My tolerance for Water and other liquids changed drastically. I'm 2 months out and now I can drink just about anything and pretty decent amounts. Initially, I was told 8 ozs of water should take an hour to drink. 8 ozs takes me about 5 minutes now...easily. Even though you feel good still take it easy and don't do to much. I'm sure you feel good on the outside and it may appear that your scars are healing well, but just remember inside is something different all together. That will take a little longer so please be careful. All the best and congratulations on your surgery. I'm sure you'll do well. Niki