Lissa

Cake, You're ahead of the game if you go ahead and have the surgery now. Waiting for COPD or pulmonary embolism, or any other crazy problem is not a smart move. If you doctor says yes, then go for it! I was basically immobile before surgery and I'm walking and riding the exercise bike to help tone me up and lose weight. I've lost 70 pounds in under 4 months. Your results will vary from mine, though. I started at 352 before the pre-op diet. Good luck and let us know how your surgery goes!

If you're on solid foods, Denny's has some really good options. The waitress at mine lets me order from the senior or kids menus, which is nice. I love their senior tilapia dinner. I think it's one veggie and the fish is grilled, yummy. Since you're only 20 days out, you might like some Soup better. Their chicken noodle is good and mine also had chili as an option the last time I was there. I couldn't eat a whole bowl of soup at under a month post op. The other thing I do there is to order eggs scrambled with cheese with a little salsa on the said. I doubt you'd be able to finish an order of scrambled eggs at this point. Oh, and the super bird sandwich with no bread (I just take the bread off) tastes pretty good. Have a great evening with the girls!!

I don't pick at food. If I really want something, I eat it these days. I am not doing the good food and bad food thing and, so far, its' working for me. Lots of this journey is in our heads, though. Likasulema said something about all the "yummy, good food" she saw while riding in the car. That "yummy good food" is what got us all into this predicament, because we weren't able to control the way we ate before. I'm sure you'll find that it's not all so yummy and good once you start solids and you're working on getting in the required Protein each day. I don't agonize over restaurant menus. I just choose something that sounds good and order a small portion (kids or senior) of it if I can. If not, I figure out what I'm going to want to be looking at and eating for days. A single chicken breast can last me for 2 to 4 meals, depending on what else I'm eating each day. As for chewing and spitting, I HAVE agonized over this and done some reading. One of the long-timers here tells me it's called "cupping" and my research shows that it can lead to eating disorders. I do admit that I've spit out food before, but I did it because it was too tough for me to chew. I cannot wrap my mind around the concept of deliberately doing it. I have enough food issues without volunteering for a new one! LOL Lots of people report that acid reducers (PPIs) help get rid of the hungry feeling. Even if you don't think it's an acid problem, it's probably a good idea to try the acid reducer. There is also a lot of head hunger, especially early after surgery. Our minds definitely play tricks on us. It sucks, too, because our own mind is supposed to have our best interests at heart! I wish you all luck and the only real advice I have for dealing with head hunger is to keep believing that "This too shall pass". It really does get better as you progress through your healing stage.

Try walking. I did have a blood clot in my leg before surgery. It felt like the never-ending, worst charlie horse ever. I had the pain for 3 days before I finally went to the doctor. Once I was dx with the clot, I was not allowed to walk until they had me on a blood thinner. The bad part of clots is that they can break off pieces and send them to other places...and KILL you quickly. Once I was on the blood thinner, I was required to walk for 10 minutes every hour, even if it was 1 minute every six minutes. Now that I've scared you, my legs hurt way more than my stomach did after surgery. I was using my leg muscles to compensate for my stomach hurting. Use the Calcium and magnesium, but also keep in mind that the pain should be gone very very quickly if those are the causes. If the pain isn't gone in a few hours, go back to the ER or the doctor if it's not just soreness from using the muscles too much.

Kara, It's hard, but not undoable. Like Danielle said, the sleeve makes sure you can't overeat. You are responsible for following your diet and your doctor's guidelines. If you comply with what he tells you, the lifestyle change is pretty easy. As you lose weight, you will feel more like exercising and maximizing the weight loss. It will become a nice little circle, exercise, lose weight, lose weight, want to exercise more. There IS a head component to this surgery, even though they operate on our stomachs. You will need to face your food issues, either before surgery by choice, or after surgery by necessity. Once you are back on solids, it's possible to sabotage this just like anything else by eating sweets and other high-calorie slider foods. You will have to make good choices. For me, My Fitness Pal works. I don't want to eat junk and then have to list it on MFP. I keep my diary public so people can see what I'm eating. And, I'm no angel either. I still love sweets (after a 3.5 month disdain for them, they're back) and crunchy Snacks. Now, I try to keep myself down to 1 sweet thing a week and to make a better choice if I can. Atkins has a couple of bars that really help with that. Anyway, it IS a lifestyle change, but most of it comes about from necessity.

I agree with PDX. Leaks are possible, but not probable. Of those who I've seen post about leaks, most were related to errors during surgery (a skipped staple if I remember right) or an infection post-op. You should adhere very closely to your doc's plan and go easy on filling your tummy with either food or Water. The less stress you put on that staple line, the less chance of a leak, IMO. I don't think you're nuts. It's good to be very cautious about causing a leak, especially in the very early stages post-op. I really worried about it, and, so far, I've not had any complications from my band. In 5 days, I'll be 4 months out. Good luck with your journey!!

From what I've seen others post, the 6 month diet is required to be documented by your doctor/nut and they must note EVERY month that you were there for a consultation about your diet and exercise goals and results. You might want to post who your insurance carrier is so that others who have gone through that carrier's program can help. Also, contact the bariatric surgeon that you have chosen and see if their office can help you navigate the insurance hoops. Good luck!!

I really don't worry about calories. My doc and nut said to concentrate on getting in 64 oz of Water and at least 70 grams of Protein daily. Some days I reach my protein goal and I'm way under my artificial calorie limit on My Fitness Pal. Other days, I am over my calorie count by miles. I don't really let it worry me. FYI, My Fitness Pal is a great way to track your water and protein daily. Ignore the messages that pop up saying you're not eating enough. If you like, I'm Lissa912 on there.

I'm in therapy, not just for weight issues, but it's helping with that as well. I think it's an excellent idea. I'd even go so far as to say that a mental health checkup would be a good idea for many obese people, both those who are losing and those who aren't. IMO, it's a great way to identify what your triggers are for overeating and then find a way to work around them. It's been a Godsend for me! Even if you learn nothing about your weight issues, maybe it will help you build your self-confidence as you lose weight. Being confident that you CAN do this will certainly help to reach goal and to maintain once you reach that goal!

It sounds like you know what you need to do in order to jump start your weight loss again. I don't think there's "fault", though. You've done great to lose 80 pounds, now you have to do a little greater to keep going. By posting, you've identified what you want to do. I hope that helps you get back in the groove and move forward. But, 80 pounds is nothing to sneeze at! Give yourself some credit.

I think that, since the cardiologist said it's not heart-related, that you should try potassium as well. It might be time to revamp your whole Vitamin routine. Did the cardio run labs? if so, what were the results? Good luck and let us know what helps, if anything.

I "think" I had an egg, truthfully. I was almost disappointed because I couldn't eat much of anything. I learned really quickly to make sure I ate my Protein first and to make sure my food had some flavor. The bland stuff got to me. I can't eat really spicy food yet, but I'm slowly adding in some spicy stuff. Good luck!

Congrats to both of you and welcome to the loser's bench!! You will get there, just follow the rules!

Tinette, I had surgery at about your same weight. I was 337 the day of surgery, so I may be able to speak from experience. I did NOT wake up with a sore throat and I've had very little nausea. I haven't actually slimed at all, although I have been over-full a couple of times. That's a feeling I don't want to experience again! My worst pain was in my legs because I tried to compensate with my thigh muscles for what my tummy couldn't do. I had the same pain when I had c-sections with my kids. Just follow the rules: sip, sip, sip, walk, walk, walk. That will keep you hydrated and will help dissolve the gas to relieve the gas pain. It will be better than you expect! Good luck with your journey!!

I was actually fine for the first two surgeries, but my third one just about sent me scampering out of the hospital! I had a filter installed before and then removed 3 weeks after surgery. For me, the actual VSG was pretty easy since I knew I'd be put to sleep. With the other two they give you conscious sedation (Ick, IMO). I'm glad that all of you toughed it out and are now on the loser's bench! It's a good thing we're all losing weight or we would soon run out of room!!

I, for one, had major problems drinking much early on. I would advise (and I'm not a doctor) drinking very slowly despite the fact that you aren't feeling much restriction. Remember that your sleeve is numb right now, and probably still in shock because of the surgery. You definitely don't want to do anything that might open a leak in that new staple line. Congrats on being sleeved, and welcome to the loser's bench!!

You do know that all three are jealous of you, right? The "easy way out" woman is the worst of the bunch! She KNOWS it wasn't easy, but she can't admit that or she'd have to face her own demons about food. You did right, just smile and be agreeable and keep on rockin' that sleeve!!! You go girl!!!

Kathy, Before surgery, I really felt like I wouldn't be able to do much in the way of exercise. My docs all told me to go slowly and do what I felt like I could do. Right after surgery, I started walking by literally going a few feet at a time. Even I am amazed at how far I've come. I couldn't walk from my front door to my car without being out of breath. I started out by walking up and down my hallway, then by walking around one end of my building, then around the whole building. Now I can walk 1.5 miles on the treadmill at 2.5 mph. Some of the hard core long timers are probably laughing at how slow that is, but I am proud of that. I've come a long way in just a few months...and I recently walked the entire length of the mall twice without feeling out of breath or needing to stop. So, you can definitely improve your health very quickly with very little effort. As you recover further from your surgery, you will feel more like moving around. Just do as little or as much as you feel completely comfortable with and, before you know it, you're be considering a Couch to 5K running program, or zumba classes! Good luck!!

I've always been a flirt as well. My weight has never stopped me from flirting... and I got married at my highest weight ever! However, I am noticing that more men flirt and are nicer in general as my package gets better looking. That IS an NSV. I'm looking forward to being a normal weight again, but not necessarily because of attention from men. I just wanna feel like I look good in whatever I wear, instead of worrying if my butt looks fat in something. Right now, it usually does! LOL

CR, From what I've read about LapBands, YOU didn't fail the band, it failed you. Many people have had the LB and not lost weight, or had major problems with getting enough restriction to eat less without being so restricted they couldn't eat at all. I agree that you do sound more confident as you get further into your post. I'm glad your doctors are diligent and postponed the surgery until you are checked out by a cardiologist. And I'm happy that you are still determined to get your sleeve! I had a ton of co-morbidities before surgery and they are improving rapidly. I know that you will experience the same. Please don't let this set you back, just do what you need to do in order to get through surgery safely. In a few weeks, you WILL be on the loser's bench and happily losing the weight. As others have said, the sleeve does what the LB promised to do. Good luck and see you on the loser's bench soon!!

I'm still working on building up my walking endurance. Still at 1.5 miles on the treadmill at 2.5 mph. I did some not so nice things to my knee by pushing a hair too hard, so I've been instructed to stay there until it's "easy" by my PCP. I also ride the exercise bike for 30 minutes a couple of times a week, and I'm doing VERY light weights, but high repetitions, hoping to build some definition in my arms. I'm aiming to do the C25K in a few pounds and maybe add some other weights in once I'm used to what I'm doing now.

Are you taking an acid reducer? That helps with the hungry feeling. Are you allowed Protein shakes yet? If so, that might be a solution for the evening hungries. Make it a treat by using a flavor you associate with dessert, if you can tolerate sweets. How are you doing on protein and Water? I'm learning now that sometimes my "hungry" feeling is actually thirst. If I get in all my water, I don't feel hungry. And, I'm a little different than many...if I'm actually hungry, I eat something small. Can you do cottage cheese or cream Soups? Both will help fill you up and aren't sweet. I see that you're allowed plain greek yogurt, so maybe one of these is allowed for you right now. I'd suggest broth, but you're probably sick of that by now. But, something warm in the evening might be just what your sleevie wants to see. Good luck! You are doing great so far.

Glad to hear that you are doing so well!! Welcome to the loser's bench!! Good luck and enjoy this new part of your life!!!

(((Tina)))!!!! I'm so glad to see you. May I officially welcome you to the loser's bench?!!! Glad that you're doing well and I can't wait for your update and surgery details!!

Just walk. Six weeks out is a little early to be starting much exercise besides walking. You will get there and it will be fun! I'm glad your sleeve is working so well! I love mine, too!!