4ALongerLife

Why don't you take a cooking class? It'd be a great beginning to all of this.... and I HATE to cook, but do it sometimes. I am blessed with my husband who cooks. I just made the hungry girl buffalo chicken dip and it's easy. You just open some cans and mix it all up. It was a little spicy for me, but you just need easy recipes. Emilybites.com has great lasagna cupcakes (easy to make!) and eggface's site has easy ones too. But alas, I know ... I hate cooking too, no one every taught me - I just follow the recipe. If I don't know how to separate the eggs, google it. Everyyyyything is on the net now! I'm trying to change - good luck wished to you! btw, love your ticker ladyarwenrose!

Are you tracking your intake and output? Come onto myfitness pal. I am loving that as a resource. Have you tried varying up your recipes? emilybites.com has a great lasagna cupcake recipe (that someone posted on the recipe thread here) and eggface has GREAT recipes, which usually incorporate Protein in some way. I personally can't do fruit as Snacks. That hour issue exists for me, it's your insulin - it surges after eating a piece of fruit and an hour later drops as the fruit is digested. Eat things that stabilize your blood sugar more. At least that's what I was told before surgery! I think just tweak your diet by 200-300 cals a day and you'll get there. The problem is "mixing it up" as it pertains to food and varying your exercises. Our bodies get used to our intake and outputs. We are creatures of habit right? I know for me, I LOVE the elliptical. It's hard for me to do anything else, so I'm trying to mix it up - swimming laps this past weekend, yoga the last two sundays with my beloved elliptical in between. And I'm "on the search" for low cal/low carb/high protein recipes. I think that working with the counselor is a great idea. But maybe RNY should be considered once all other options are pursued, but I understand your fears. You are very lucky to have a resource in your hubby!

I am wondering and I bet a few others might be too but.... I have seen it common for a rather large group of us to experience the "three week stall" (right after surgery) - but are there any other common stall times that commonly occur during the post sleeve journey?

You can do it! Be consistent in going to work out and mix it up to keep your body guessing. Grr I just wish my body was a creature of habit as much as I am! The mixing it up is always my challenge. GOOD LUCK!

You know I am mixed on this one. Even with all of my concern on a 12 year old having this surgery done .... the difference her life will now have is like night and day. I'm still like wow on this tho. From a medical perspective, does this damage her in any way? (i.e. scar tissue or IDK what else) What changes will her body experience as she grows up due to this surgery? Is she at risk for more of anything for having the surgery done? Or is it just a long term health benefit as well as one that will greatly help her confidence as she won't have to hear the teasing or taunts, miss the prom or dances or dating.......Very interesting...are there any other case studies at this young of an age with this surgery.... wow, blows me away.... but IDK when is too young for this or any other gastric surgery? Wow, just wow.

Didn't you just overeat like 5 days ago per your blog? Sweetheart, you are missing your coping mechanism. Believe me, I know the feeling so pls don't think I'm posting hate messages or anything ill willed, just maybe poorly said on my part. Remember you did this surgery to save your life - remember you said previously you were glad to have this surgery or you would have gained 30 more lb.s by now? I too understand that feeling. Ok the weight gain didn't happen overnight. It's not going to come off that way either. Relax, practice patience, know that God is trying to get you to learn to work on the head while the body takes it sweet time. Some basics that I try to remind myself whenever I get to this level of frustration: Are you exercising on a consistent basis? Are you drinking your water? Are you tracking your input (calories in) vs. calorie burn (calories out)? To that, I suggest myfitnesspal.com - it's wonderful! You have a lot of stress in your life right now so that's only adding to things. Relax, find a way to 'destress' and practice THESE basics - get your water in, get your exercise in on a consistent basis and track your i's and o's (inputs and outputs) and I BET you $100 you will see the scale move. Don't revert to 'fad diets' like going back to total liquids. You cannot live on those. But I too know how easy that appeals to me too whenever I'm stuck, grr. Practice the 'basics' and know tomorrow is going to be better! Good luck!

There have been MANY threads on hair loss, as another person said, it's a daily discussion on here. A good way to avoid as much hair loss as possible? Take Biotin. And get enough Protein in asap. Clear liquids filled with protein, have a plan of how to get your grams in from as soon as possible. I am a HUGE proponent of Cytomax's clear "whey Isolate" in tropical and tangerine. Protein helps you with healing as well so this is not just being superficial, but it DOES help with hair loss. And btw, I'm losing tons of hair, but I'm ok with it. Massive weight loss=massive hair loss and I've got thick hair. And with today's market for weaves, wigs, braids and other options, I choose to look at it as if I have to, it's time for a totally new look. I'd rather the weight be gone more than anything. Good luck to you!

I had a leak. I asked my dr. how long out after surgery it's possible to get them, and honestly? It's a long time. Longer than you think! But it's not likely to happen. Leaks ARE scary, but they are rare.

glad you are doing better littler mama (hehe littler as in losing weight!) xoxo

One of my own "staples" is a drink made by Cytosport now called "whey Isolate" ... you can see it here: http://www.cytosport.com/products/specialty/cytomax-protein-ready-to-drink I hated the Protein bullets (they make me gag). Sunkist makes protein bullets, ones that I heard are reallly good, I heard this rumor at a support group that I went to - but haven't tried them myself - you might want to look those up online and see if you can find a local supplier or buy them online. The 0 cal Vitamin waters you asked about - my dr. recommended those. If you can find an unflavored Protein powder to add (unjury's got one but after a while, it made me gag too... inbox me and I'll snail mail you a packet if you want it). Do you have a nutritionist? Meet with her/him and discuss your diet more in depth. My dr. swears to eat 3 times a day, 3 to 4 ozs at a time. Mirolax every few days if you aren't having BMs. But I would bet you need to get in Water. I hate water, God help me, but I love cherry pomegrante crystal light. Get the take along packets and keep some with you in your purse. Are you working out yet?

Well goodness girl, now I'm worried about you. What's up with the heaving and the yellow stools? YELLOW? Ok I've tossed my proverbial cookies twice - eating too fast for sure and one of the two might have been related to fat content and I didn't realize it. Maybe something you ate made it yellow? You aren't doing things wrong ok? You are figuring this out and it's alot. It's not easy, believe me I'm right there with you (I spent the MONTH of March in the hospital - yes, I got pneumonia and then sprung a leak and had revision surgery done). Don't ask me how in hades I'm going to pay for all of this, since I was originally a self pay. Some days, I have panic attacks and cry - thinking I really eff'd up now. But then again, I am lighter and hopefully healthier... it's just not easy. I have to remind myself to focus on the positive. I encourage you to do that too ok? Although I can't imagine adding a new job in there. You are going thru alot of stuff. Ok one thing on the counseling - if you have EAP it might be free through that. I did it after my mom died and it was free for grief counseling for x amt of sessions. Something's better than nothing. I'd encourage you to call your EAP benefits hotline and ask them. It's confidential. Are there any support groups in your area? Real, walk in ones? Call the local hospital and ask if they have a bariatric consultant. Just someone medical that might be able to say 'hey you are doing fine.' (beyond this site, altho i love the site) I'm not sure what else to say but I'm worried about you. Alot of freak'n help that is, but .... just so you know, you are NOT alone. Come pee on my rainbow anytime. Prayers and hugs to you from me. xxoo and dang, sorry, that was very long

I'm allllllllllllllllll for easy! Thanks

yeah i remember my first barium swallow or was that the upper gi? anywho they give you this gross stuff and say swallow, then you are on a table and they move that to a horizontoal position, then make you roll over. i almost tossed the proverbial Cookies that day. hang in there!

idk if i posted here yet or not (there used to be several of these threads out there) but everyone feel free to add me - i love having more friends on there on MFP as well... 4ALongerLife is my name there too!

I like the blue bunny SF popsicle bullets. And this is the time of the year for snow cones!

Thankfully no, that's not applicable to me (nausea with chewable bariatric vitamins). I've tossed the proverbial Cookies twice - both I believe from eating too fast. Bad habits die hard I like the citrate chewables for Calcium (about $10 at walmart) and spectravite chewables from cvs (i don't remember the cost, sorry) for my Multivitamin. Hang in there mama! U r rocking - 48 lbs. gone... awesome! hugs

Wishing you the best of luck and a speedy recovery!

Hey girl, glad you are better today... but we all have our moments in this journey. No worries. At least you are trying to figure out why you are putting what you are in your mouth. I keep snacking and not sure if it's emotionally driven or just bored and a habit to seek food. So far it's nutritious but I am am worried about my relationship with food - and how to change it. I just want to be "normal" (wtheva that is) too. I'd love to not worry about every ounce of food or feel guilty on days that I decide NOT to go to the gym (like today and I feel guilty as heck). The point of this long reply is glad YOU are feeling better and I think kudos to you.

Ever thought about going to counseling? It'd help your feelings now and you would be a step ahead of the game once you do have the surgery..... And I suffer from weighing myself too much. That alone will drive you nuts so go hide the scale. Relax, get your Water in and try to make exercise consistent. Try out myfitnesspal.com - commonly referred to on this site as MFP. It helps you track your eating/exercise and many of us are on there. Feel free to add me! Best of luck!

You are sooooo lucky to bee "Fleet-less"!!!! Congrats you "looser"!!!! Best of luck!

I didn't tell anyone at first, I just told work I had to "have a procedure" and requested time off. The day before surgery I told my in laws (my parents have passed already). Now I'm more open about it as I just don't care who thinks what. I did this for me and I'm finally comfortable just telling anyone and everyone as I don't really care anymore what they think. But at least they'll know if they decide to ask quesitons for themselves and they won't wonder whenever I eat such small portions. But it's all what YOU are comfy with hon. Negative Nellies will always exist and it is easier to deal with any of that AFTER surgery IMO (in my opinion). Best of luck!

I like the cytosport "whey isolate" ready to drink (RTD) drinks. I buy them from Vitamin shop. It's 32 g of Protein in 16 oz and cost 3.79 each. I prefer the tropical (green) or the tangerine (orange). Additionally, at Vitamin Shoppe, they have a refrigerated section where you can just buy one to see if you like it (and save your receipt - if you don't like it, look on the back of the receipt, you can take anything back there w/in x amt of time). This last tip is applicable to anything you buy at vitamin shoppe, fyi. Your taste buds change after surgery and during this journey, so I can only recommend not buying too much of anything in advance. I have nectar and unjury powders that are sitting because I just prefer the RTD drinks and my crystal light (still). I guess I'll get back to these powders sometime! (or i'll be making them into jellos or puddings or dips) Good luck to you!

You will lose weight hon, just maybe not as huge as some people's numbers - only because you don't have as much. But this tool will work for you as long as you follow the guidelines. I ditto harmonykalb's comments - chew chew chew your food and EAT SLOWLY. I've thrown up twice from eating too fast, unfortunately It's soooo easy to slip back into bad habits like eating fast. I'd also say follow what your dr. says (i.e. progression through the food phases). And be kind to yourself through this journey! Best of luck!