lizzyshade

You are an inspiration!

Awesome story, thanks! Congratulations

I really went through hell my first 3 weeks after WLS & thought life was never going to be the same, wondered about mistakes too. But then I started improving every week, like someone else said it just takes some of us longer to heal & adjust. Took me 6 wks before I could say I was mostly back to normal. Just get through each day for now & it will get better!

Congratulations! This is a big step for us all & I'm excited for you.

Sounds like success! Congrats

Hello everyone, I'm almost 8 wks post op & eating 2 oz each meal & 2, 1 oz snacks a day. Trying to stick w protein & veggies mostly. Is that about what others are eating or ate at this stage? I'm worried about the ounces, how do you know when to increase or not?

I used a compression garment the second two weeks and it did really help my discomfort while moving around. I did not wear it all day, just when I was active. It's worth a try. I'm going to start wearing it again when I return to work next week because it is supposed to help lose belly fat while shaping the area at the same time. Good luck with you!

It's been 7 weeks since WLS and life is finally moving on in a more normal fashion. I am returning to work next week and actually looking forward to it! I have been walking, but my weight loss has been stalled since last week. I feel great though and that's what counts. I have started a food journal to help me track what I am actually eating. This week I went to our families big summer barbecue and also celebrated my husband's birthday at a steakhouse. The barbecue was challenging and although I did eat about an ounce more than normal, I felt good about not eating the favorite sweets and such that I normally would have. Out to dinner was easier because there was not a buffet of every food I grew up with on display. The 2 oz plastic cups I take with me everywhere are my savior! They help me stay in control of the portions. My goal for week 8 is to incorporate weight training and get more protein in my daily diet. Here's to continued weight loss!

I need some breakfast ideas before work that don't include eggs, yogurt or protein drinks. Any ideas?

Thanks everyone! I love the support here!

Full release at my 6 week post-op visit today! I am approved to go back to work with no restrictions. I weighed in at 228, day of surgery weight 251, pre-op initial weight 269, total loss 41 lbs, 23 since surgery. Better than that, I'm wearing clothes that I haven't been able to fit in for two years! I'm really excited about my weight loss so far.

A lot of eggs, thin lunch meat w fat free cream cheese, cream of wheat, cream soups, yogurt.

That's a good plan, I was told to branch out to soft foods last week and it has been an experience. The best results I've had so far are soft boiled eggs. Getting kind of old though, but at least they don't make me sick. I'm sure it will get better in time. Best to you!

Good news for week 5 is that I am still losing weight/inches slowly and that is keeping me going. Bad news is I am so tired of being nauseated all the time. I have little energy and my body can't decide between constipation and diarrhea depending on the day. I am eating, but usually it is a disappointment in taste and an exercise in wondering: will this stay down? cause me gas? cause dumping? will I ever feel normal again? Kind of melodramatic this week, I guess. I just have to keep telling myself it will be worth it in the end.

That's awesome! I just told my husband that I could actually take my ring off, have been worried it would have to be cut off at some point before sleeved. I'm so excited for you!!!

I attend al-Anon and am also working through the steps. I struggle with an addiction personality also, food was my safe choice. However as my weight increased my health became an issue, so I am trying to overcome my head hunger while using my sleeve tool. It has not been easy so far, not so much the food choices because I am a lucky recipient of dumping syndrome, but because I am nauseated most of the time. However I am only 5 wks out so as my body finds equilibrium my choices will be a major factor in my success. Hopefully the steps will help us both!

I have battled diarrhea since surgery a month ago. Is has gotten better since I started acidofolis (sp?). The amount in yogurt wasn't enough so I got some in the natural dept at Fred Meyer. Also make sure your carbs aren't higher than you think, they can cause dumping. My doc said it just may take a while to equilibrate the GI track because my cdiff results were negative too. I hope it gets better soon.

I'm 1 month out today and have lost 16 lbs. I did not lose any during week 2 & 3, but then it started coming off again. I've had to quit checking the scale everyday because I get upset when the number goes up and down. The best thing so far is that my clothes are fitting better and I even wore a shirt I couldn't a month ago. We are all so different, so our time frame for losing weight may not match other's, but we will lose it and it's going to be great! Other food ideas: Eggs go down easy for me. Take 1 slice thin lunch meat, spread guacamole or fat free cream cheese then roll it up, perfect portion. Also 1.5 oz of salad baby shrimp, add cocktail sauce & a bit of cream cheese, blend together and it's good protein, soft to chew and get down. Other than that my list is the same as yours. I started walking last week and that has actually helped me feel better. We'll work on being positive together!

Congratulations, way to go!

Took me until the 3rd week before I was able to say, "I think I'm feeling a little better today." I did have some complications, but it has just taken me longer than some. Hopefully you will recover quickly like most, but if it's longer, don't give up hope, it does get better. Get what fluid you can, try cream warm soup, and walk if you are up to it, rest if not. Wishing you a fast recovery!

Going out to eat with husband, family, & friends is a part of my life that I've had to adjust too because portion control while visiting is hard for me. Now I keep 2 oz. plastic condiment cups in our cars, so I never forget to bring them and can measure my food before eating. I order and ask the server to bring a to go box with my food, so after I measure it I put the rest away. Once I experienced overeating at a restaurant, I never wanted to do it again. The little cups help me enjoy the experience without overeating. At home I use 1 and 2 oz. ramekin (souffle) cups to measure everything.

Today I'm celebrating a small, but felt huge, success. At the doctors today they had to use the regular size BP cuff because the large one was too Big!

4th week post-op visit went well, my weight was 235 lbs, heaviest at 269 lbs. So far I have lost 16 lbs since surgery and a total of 34 lbs from my first pre-op visit. I'm finally feeling less nauseated, have begun eating soft foods, am walking each day and am infection free. Emotions are up and down, but more up than down compared to the firs 3 weeks so that's progress I'll take. The best thing that happened was finding out my jeans were loose and wearing a shirt that didn't fit last month!

I'm so excited for you! This is a big step, but worth it. I did not use any of the items I brought with me in the hospital, except the clothes to wear home. Hospital provides, basic care supplies and you will most likely just want to sleep or rest. Some suggested a notebook & pen for notes or journal, gas x strips, and ear plugs. The one thing I did not have when I got home was an old fashion night gown with no waist. My husband went & got 2 for me and that saved me! Couldn't handle anything around my waist for a week. Everyone is different though, but at least make sure you have comfy pants and tops for the first few weeks. Also I wouldn't leave the hospital without a prescription for nausea that dissolves under you tongue. Be prepared for an emotional ride the first 2 to 3 weeks, they feel like a roller-coaster, but it does get better as you heal and become more mobile. Make sure you have little 1 and 2 oz containers and cocktail size utensils at home. Also Lipton cup cream of chicken soup and chicken stock (not broth) to make it with, it adds protein and goes down well. It's a nice change from protein shakes also. You should read frequently asked questions in the pre-op forum section too. I've learned since my sleeve a month ago, that the only thing that has changed is the size of my stomach. It doesn't change food craving, choice of food we eat, what food triggers we have, our habits, or how much we exercise. We get full fast and that helps, will lose some weight no matter what, but all the rest we still have to work towards changing ourselves. We can do it though! I wish you all the best in your journey.

Although my work did know I was having surgery I was also not well enough to go back to work. I Called HR & applied for short term disability, it was fast & no problems @ work. I figured better to go back fully well then maybe have to leave after returning. Work is able to plan better with a known timeframe. Good luck, started getting better after 3 weeks for me.