fitbottomedgirl

Hi ladies! Hope ya'll are doing great in which ever stage you are at! Now that I am post-op and 60 lbs lighter-- all of a sudden I really feel ready to date! Not like I wasn't ready before, but at the weight I was at, I was nowhere near comfortable with myself and never had a guy be interested.. sad, I know. I'm 22 yrs old and never been on a date.. my life is straight outta the movie Never Been Kissed! I just feel so much better about myself and my body now! Anyway, how have you ladies handled going out on dates (eating-wise) with your sleeve? Do you explain that you've had the surgery right off the bat.. or should I just continue saying 'I've changed my lifestyle, started seeing a nutritionist..' that I have been telling everyone else in my life? Only my immediate family know of my surgery.. do I tell a guy right when I meet him? Does it make everything easier to be up front? So many questions! If you have any tips on how to reel a guy in-- I'd appreciate those too! hahaha Thanks for your help

Thanks for all your responses!! Great advice!

When did you lose yours for good?? Mine taunts me every time I look in the mirror or catch my reflection in a window! I know I've only lost 30 lbs and I have a lot more to lose -- but I feel like its become more prominent and noticeable since I've lost weight around it..I can see some of my collar bone! I hope I don't have a double chin forever! Sry just had to rant

Congrats!! That's amazing! Keep up the awesome work

You look INCREDIBLE!! Way to goo!

Hi there! I had my hernia repaired when I had my surgery just because my surgeon suggested it and I went with it. His office put it through insurance and everything was covered. No problem. Except for the after effects of trapped air from the procedure, everything went smoothly. But gramaof4 has a great idea to get the insurance company to pay for it plus tummy tuck!! I'd go for that if it works! Best of luck!

Easter At the last minute, I decided to go to Easter dinner with my family. I brought soup and Diet Snapple for me to enjoy while my family ate a lavish meal that looked delicious! It really wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be to watch them all eat. I just passed on the appetizers and pasta, but took a little ham and mashed broccoli casserole. I couldn’t resist having a taste of my brother piece of cheesecake, but I think that’s what did me in at the end and I got sick. Worth it. haha It was nice to pass up on all the desserts for once because those are usually my favorite part of the meal. In the end, I’m happy I went to spend time with my family who I hadn’t seen in awhile. Week 4 It’s hard for me to want to eat breakfast in the morning. I really force myself to have a protein shake because it’s the easiest to just grab and go. It’s so weird to not have an appetite, sometimes I just think about food and I feel nauseous. Exercise Goal for the week: 45 mins of anything a day + the number of steps I take on campus everyday. Weigh in:

Week #3 It has definitely become difficult to not eat normally with people who don’t know my situation. I tend to just order soup, tea, and coffee or try to redirect plans to more active than just eating out. Easter is coming up, and I don’t think I will be able to sit and watch as my family eats wonderful foods and I’m stuck eating mush. I think I will try to do something instead. My Thursday weigh-in Only lost 1.5 lbs on my scale at home then gained it back once I went to the doctors to be weighed, so I think I am at a stall. After reading everyone’s reaction to their stalls, I think I was prepared for it and now need to figure out what I need to change (water/protein intake) to start losing weight again. I definitely need to start an exercise regime. I know I have been saying that for what seems like forever now, but I just got to set a goal and do it! After the doctors I met with my nutritionist, who I love! She so great! She’s went over everything Ive been doing these past few weeks and how I can progress into my next stage of foods. Now, everything must be thinly pureed, but I can have eggs, lean meat/fish, blended veggies! Very happy about my change in food. Today was also our monthly support group meeting, which I also love! Everyone is so supportive and friendly. I love catching up with everyone and seeing how their progress is continuing. Our nutritionist runs the meeting and the topics was carbs. Very helpful info! Weigh in: 255.5 (lost 1.5 lbs)

Week #2 Back to classes and work! I was definitely ready, physically and tried to prepare my self mentally for how to schedule my ‘mini meals’ around my normal schedule. I find packing my lunch, which consists of 4 oz of any approved foods for my first 3 weeks, the night before made my morning less hectic. Normally, I’ll have 4oz of Atkins RTD protein shake for breakfast (in a tumbler to take on the run!). I pack a mixed Greek yogurt (favorite: Fage at the moment) with a little Dannon Light N Fit (favorite: Peach or Coconut) together, a protein-filled jello each in a 4 oz Glad tuberware, and baby spoon with an ice pack. In the looks for a not-so-nerdy lunch box. Also I take a 28oz bottle of water, but I can barely get through half. I used to drink 2 a day! Really need to focus of my water intake. I don’t want to end up in the hospital for dehydration. I’ve heard so many stories of this happening to patients. Not worth the medical bill!! Itchy incision scars!! Sooooo itchy sometimes. I would put some moisturizing lotions on my stomach and it seemed to help. This was good because it means that the incisions were healing. They don’t look too bad even at only 2 weeks out. I had to clean my belly button out daily because it is hidden under my stomach flap. Kinda can’t wait to actually see it! Also, I need to up my walking. I walk all day from class to class to work, but I barely hit 5000 steps a day. Weigh in: 257 (lost 5 lbs)

My First Week Staying home from school and work for a second week after Spring Break was amazing; although I wasn’t feeling so amazing. I had a really hard time breathing, my lung capacity was being blocked by the trapped air. Granted, I still looked like an Air Head. My surgeon still said it was normal that the gas was there and it would leave eventually. I went to my primary doctor on Monday for my follow up appointment and she was worried, tried to get in contact with my surgeon and ordered me to the ER. Kind of a waste of time because the doctor there said he would have to just speak with my surgeon again and monitor my vitals. I guess it is better to be safe, than sorry. I was released after about 2 hours with the same explanation my surgeon gave me over the phone. Major waste of $300 L But he was going to visit me ad run a CT scan to check, but I was already gone. So Monday and Tuesday were rough. My other pain came from my shoulders. Many people on this forum said this was pain from gas. It really was bothersome whenever I’d go to walk my dog, but be fine once I sat back down on the couch. In addition I had a pain in my right side whenever I would try to breathe in deep. By Wednesday (my mom’s birthday), I was finally feeling relief in my lungs and able to breathe better. Therefore, the pain was lessening with everyday. By Thursday I was finally feeling like myself which was great! As the days passed, I would feel better and better. Saturday, my mom and I took my dog, Lily to the beach in Connecticut! It turned out to be a beautiful, but cold day and we really enjoyed it. In order to sleep, I formed a reclining pillow pile on my bed to finally find a comfortable position. Forget about sleeping on my side! As for my diet, I was allowed water, protein shakes, SF pops, SF jello, broth, Gatorade, and greek yogurt/Dannon Light N Fit. I’m stuck in this stage for 3 full weeks. Killer, but manageable. While home, I had no distractions other than walking and TV so it was very difficult for me to fit off “head hunger.” Watching the Food Network was no help either! I couldn’t tell when I was hungry or full, so I emailed my nutritionist (who is awesome!) and she told me to realize to up my protein and water intake. WHAT A WEEK! Weigh-in: 262 (lost 19 lbs)

Surgery Day I registered at the hospital around 10:00am on March 15, 2012 with my brother. After a few minutes in the waiting room, I was taken to a room to be prepped. I changed into my gown, had IV put in my arm, and answered all the nurses’ prep questions. My mom arrived about 12pm and the rolled me into the OR at 1pm. It was freezing in there, but once my oxygen mask was on, the anesthesia kicked in and I passed out. Recovery I woke up really groggy and in excruciating pain. My face, neck, and chest had blown up because trapped the air used in the laparoscopic procedure. I had no idea until I saw myself in the mirror and the Nutty Professor was staring back. No one seemed really worried, except my mom who said I was unrecognizable. Once I was wheeled into my room on the pediatric floor, my doctor visited me for a brief moment and said that the trapped air was possible and should be released back into my system with a few weeks. Other than my freaky appearance, I couldn’t breathe normally because of the air around my lungs. I was constantly short of breath and it was just painful to breathe, especially in my right side when I breathed deeply. They gave me the ability to press a button whenever I wanted more pain meds pushed into my IV. When my doctor visited a second time he said I had gone a little overboard and they took me off it and put my on Tylenol. That was really no help managing the pain, but I withstood it without complaining too much. I later learned that I really should have complained more because I should have never been in so much pain while in the hospital. I survived and I know it could have been a lot worse. My nurses were wonderful, everyday. I could tell they really cared about my wellbeing during and after my hospital stay. Saturday morning, it took them a little long to get me on my way after my doctor discharged me in the morning.

Best of luck, Mrs.Riene!! Praying for a smooth surgery and speedy recovery! Can't wait to hear from you!

Congrats!! Awesome weight loss!! Congrats!! Awesome weight loss!!

You're in mine too! Best of luck!!

Congrats!! Can't wait to hear when you hit Onederland!!

Congrats on your weight loss!! You look fabulous

I'm having the same problem! Just like dolores1976 said, knife thru my shoulders! Just popped in a Gas-X strip now, so I hope that works. I did ask my surgeon about this pain today and he said it must be from something other than the surgery-- THank God for this forum becuase this is obviously a normal part of our recovery. Shows how much he knows! lol Good luck with managing the pain

Thanks Mrs. Riene for your support and prayers! I can't wait to hear of your progress after your surgery! Keeping your seat warm on the loser's bench. To all the March sleevers to come, my experience has been a bit tough and I still look like the Nutty Professor (lol), but I am blessed to be recovering at home smoothly. I've already lost 9lbs from pre-op weight and can't say that the complications outweigh the results. Best of luck to all of you! If you ever want to chat, just message me!

Please help! I had my surgery on Thursday March 15th and my doctor had repaired a hiatal hernia too. I woke up in recovery swollen all over my neck, cheeks, and chest. I seriously look like the Nutty Professor. The swelling has gone down a little, but its still hurts to touch and makes swallowing difficult. Also, my shoulders are in excruciating pain whenever I move, but my surgeon warned me about that. But the most pain I have is when I take a deep breath- it feels like my lungs are going to burst and it bothers a pain I have in my right side. I know this isn't the worst situation to be in, it definitely could be worse. I just need to hear from others who may have experienced something similar. I can keep my Clear liquids down and am taking liquid Tylenol until I get my percocet prescription tomorrow. My surgeon knew of my pain before discharging me and seemed sure it would all pass in time. I really don't mean to have a pity party, but it feels like everything is working against me I appreciate any help possible!

Thanks for all the advice and support! I still look like the Nutty Professor, but my pain is subsiding! I just pray to God that this swelling goes down before I head back to school. Best of luck to all the recent sleevers! Def keep me updated!!

Liquid diet is here! It isn't too bad, but I could not honestly imagine doing this for more than 24 hours. Props to those who have to! Tomorrow is my big day! It feels like these past few months have flown by. It's been a mix of emotions, but right now I am pretty calm. Hopefully this feeling will last through the time I have to report to the hospital at 10:15am for my 1:00pm surgery. I hope God's hands will be guiding my surgeon and his nurses as they work on me tomorrow. I'm so fortunate to have a great support system in place to help me through this. I can't wait to update as soon as I'm able.

Best of luck Mews! Sleeve buddies! Keep me updated

Hey Everyone! My surgery is tomorrow around 1pm, but I'll arrive at Northern Westchester Hospital early in the morning. I've been a ball of emotions lately, like I'm sure everyone who's about to go into this surgery feels. But now I am really calm about the whole thing. Hopefully it'll last until tomorrow! Just wanted to thank everyone on this site who have shared their journey and become inspiration to me throughout my journey! See you all on the flip side

After two weeks of midterms at school, spring break is finally here! No Cancun vacation for me though. One full week off without worrying about anything but my surgery on Thursday. During midterms, my mind was completely off the idea of my surgery; so now I have been spending the first few days of spring break buying my protein and liquids. I had to read through and initial the consent form that thoroughly explained all the possible complications and risk of my surgery which left me feeling worried and anxious. My mom's worries about the surgery didn't help my anxiety. But after speaking with one of the members of my support group and reading through tons of success stories on here I am finally calm about my surgery. Obviously nervousness is normal before a major surgery, but I am finally back to that excited state I was in before that consent form. Tomorrow I start my liquid diet for 24 hrs before my surgery. I'm going to try to keep myself busy so I don't think about food. I've been enjoying the really warm weather with my dog, Lily, by taking her to the dog park Monday and the dog-friendly beaches in Connecticut today. I think we'll head upstate to walk by the Hudson River. I really love spending my days off with her because I don't get this chance so much while in school. Pre-Op photos and measurements to come!