kkccmom

Any news out there, gals?? I am feeling kinda nauseated today...and trying to figure out if the 'pangs' I'm feeling are HUNGER or just discomfort? What are you drinking for your FULL liquids? So far I've had tomato Soup, about 1/4 of a Protein Shake (I just cannot get them down!), a Carnation Instant B'fast drink (about 6 oz), a low-cal fudge bar (about 2/3 of one; the rest went in the trash - too sweet). None of this is satisfying in the least. But I want to be so careful not to rush it...and with this lump still stuck in the middle, I don't dare. Yesterday I blew it and at an entire WARM sugar cookie...a friend brought supper for my family and it included a pan of warm cookies....I ate one, SLOWLY, but felt like cra* right after. And today, I cringe to even think about putting a cookie in my mouth. Lesson learned. I was VERY disappointed to step on my scale yesterday and see that it was down "0".... that is very discouraging. You know how you think that after all your hard work, sticking to THE PLAN, doing all the right things, and then to get "0" - what a blow that is? In the past, its been a major culprit to giving up. I think "what's the use?"... then proceed to eating everything in sight. Well, lucky for me, this time that is not an option....so I just had to suck it up, believe that this will TAKE TIME and know that the lbs WILL come off, slow but sure. Anyway, hoping each of you are feeling more and more like yourselves with each passing day...feeling empowered to keep pressing on, doing the right things for your body, and to keep your eyes on the prize - whatever that looks like for you. For me, I have a "little black dress" hanging in my closet...I likely won't get in to it until next summer, but I feel more confident than ever that I WILL get in it again!!! And won't that be somthing!!?? Blessings!

Got my band yesterday AM; 23 hr stay at the hospital and slept most of it!! Came home today. Feeling pretty good, but for this "lump" I feel in my chest..sort of like something is stuck there (almost like an air bubble, or burp, that won't budge). It doesn't "hurt" exactly, but it is uncomfortable. I am to stick pretty strictly to their outlined diet: Clear Liquids thru today, then "full liquids" starting tomorrow and for about a week, then soft/mushy for a week'ish, then 'real' food. I have read so many "opinions" on this, that I'm really being led to find my own way here...naturally we have to allow for a new passage-way for our foods to get thru, but like someone earlier stated, we have to see what works. Today I did eat the broth from a can of minestrone -- I warmed the entire can but drained all the goodies out and SLOWLY ate/drank (with a spoon) the yummy tomato'y broth. And I'm sipping Water along the way, too. So, I guess I'm a day ahead on the "full liquids", but taking it VERY EASY. I, too, have dreamed of a burger and fries!! EASY, girl!! LOL My surgery was alloted 90 minutes, but it was done in 50! The Doc said it went great...that my 2 weeks liquid diet paid off and the liver was completely cooperative. SO GLAD THAT IS OVER!! Ready to be ME again, only smaller!! I have significant belly-swelling, of course, and the incisions are tender (of course!), but thankfully I've had NO shoulder pain and no abdominal "pain" at all...just where the cuts are. I've managed our stairs, SLOWLY, tho getting up from sitting is no fun... I was told to take it very easy today, do more tomorrow, and more on Friday. I can shower tomorrow, (yippee!) and drive by Saturday. I will have a visit with the dietician on the 15th, then my first surgeon visit 2 weeks later. He said my first fill will depend on how I've been doing for this first month. If I am losing steadily, we'll wait. If not, we'll make the adjustment. So, I'm all fine w/ that. I think I am bound to lose at least a little, so that's exciting. Linda had fish recently!?....that sounds so good, and I was actually thinking of that yesterday - in between sleeping!! I love grilled Mahi Mahi w/ rice....I can't wait!! Anyway, here we go, laides! Let's do keep posting so we can continue rooting each other on. Be sure to track your losses, too! That's so encouraging...but don't be afraid to share your struggles and your "failures" -- we all know they will come, but they do NOT define us, nor do they have to derail our efforts! Still, getting it all out there is good for the spirit! AND likely we will each find that we're all struggling - or WILL struggle - with something similar along the way, and who better to hold our hands than those who are walking the same path??? Here's to our new selves!!

I haven't "been there" yet, Dawn, but do feel certain this IS just a phase. HANG IN THERE. It will get better...and hopefully SOON. It is very helpful to hear what everyone is experiencing. Its all so different, person-to-person, but it helps to know what we MIGHT feel, and that we are "normal" in the healing process. Keep doing whatever you can to stay hydrated, at least. I'm sure the other will come!!

Melissa...this is GREAT NEWS!! And your little refried bean mix-up sounds FABULOUS!! I love just about anything with a Mexican ring to it!! YEA FOR YOU! So very encouraging. And that you are up and about and going to baseball games and shopping....wow....its just so inspiring!! Wishing you continued wellness! Can't wait to hear what you do next!!

Linda...SO AWESOME! That you were able to eat eggs gives me such hope!! LOL Seriously, so happy you came through all right and are feeling pretty good! We'll be anxious to hear how things progress in the days head! Get some rest!!

So proud of you girls!! What a GREAT start to a new way of living. Thanks for sharing those "issues" with us...so good to be mindful of what we might expect in these early days. So much to learn about how/what to eat....that's a little concerning, but we all have to figure it out, I guess. Still, GENERAL thoughts are so important! My day got better....had a REAL moment earlier, feeling so sorry for myself. Dumb...but I got over it. Still not getting in all the shakes. I just would rather not have anything than to gag down another one. Just trying to get through avoiding food. I'm visiting my folks for the weekend. Their Srs group at their church is hosting an event, complete w/ a MEXICAN BUFFET. That happens to be MY FAVORITE cuisine. So, I'm not going until AFTER the meal/clean-up is done!! Can't see putting myself through that...so I will just go later. Anyone tried eating Mexican food post-op?? Great to hear from you ladies...wishing you a positive weekend, with a SPEEDY healing of those incisions and that port!!

So happy for the good report, Melissa...what I needed to hear. I am REALLY struggling today, DAY 11 of the liquid diet. I am losing what little mind I have...lol Keep asking myself is this ridiculousness worth it? Why can't I love myself the way I am?? anyway, here we keep going....kudos to everyone staying the course!! Melissa...keep posting...I'm sure it's what'll keep us all looking toward our own prize!

Maybe it takes time to re-set...?? I've gone and looked at the 'edit' section, and its showing 218, but the ticker does not reflect that....hmmmm....oh well. That's all I know to do....anyone wanna chime in here? In case we're missing something!? Thanks!

its not showing my new weight....I was at 218 this morning....so not sure what I didn't do...??

posting a test, to see if I did it right....

I'm new here, but I "think" you can go up to where you see your name/user name, open that, then you'll see "My Tickers"...go there and see how it leads you. I think it was pretty easy to add mine...and then you also go there to update progress. We'll be looking!! :>)

Melissa!! SO PROUD OF YOU....yea!! So glad to hear you are literally back on your feet and feeling 'pretty' good!! That is SOOOOOOO encouraging, and of course, what we all want to hear! I've been sort of fretting those first couple weeks post, but this is really encouraging. Would you feel comfortable adding a ticker to your posts? Just so we can do a happy dance with you as you get down to Skinny Minnie status?? Even a "pounds lost" - if you don't want to post current/starting weight -- I totally understand that, but boy we'd sure love to track along with you!! I'm already "done" with shakes, too, but know there are several days yet ahead, so I'm trying to steel myself for it. Anyway, celebrating with you and cheering you on!! Let us know how that first fill goes, and how you fair afterwards...and certainly keep us apprised of your progress!! We're in it to lose it! :>) K.

HI all... Surgery is scheduled for July 31...I'm almost there. I have had a TERRIBLE time getting in 5 shakes/day...I've been lucky to get down 3....and I know that has not been a good thing. I also have had "something" "real" every day -- in VERY SMALL AMOUNTS, I guess excusing it because I am not getting in all the calories from the Protein shakes....But today, I'm determined to get all 5 down. I NEVER eat 5 'meals' in a day, so its been a huge challenge to make myself stop whatever I'm doing and fix a shake. But today, I'm going to do it. I'm going out of town for the weekend, back on Monday, the day before surgery. Visiting my parents -- and my mom LOVES to eat out. Its sort of her fave way to socialize. Mine, too, frankly, so this will be really tough on both her and me. Hubby has been SO supportive and helpful this past week, and we're gearing up for what the next phase will bring. Would love to hear from any of you who are post-op -- how are you doing? What have been your biggest challenges? Fears? What have been your best victories - scale and non-scale!? We need to hear from you. We are amping up for a big change in so many ways....and we value so much the insight of those who've already been there!! Let us hear from you!!

Melissa....HOW ARE YOU DOING?? I've wondered, hoping your recovery is going better than expected. We'd love to hear about your experience. Mine surgery is the 31st...so I'm less than ONE WEEK AWAY...so sick of the shakes! Please let us know how you are getting along! Wishing you all the best!

Linda -- we're rooting for you!! Wishing you well throughout the procedure and recovery. We'll be anxious to hear from you when you're up and at 'em and ready to chat!! Best to you! Kim

FANTASTIC that you have someone near and dear to 'watch' during this journey. That's great. I don't have anyone near me, so I'm just winging it here. I do have a friend in MO (I'm in IN) who's had it done (2 yr ago); he's lost 100 lbs, and feel fab!! He is my 'nearest' inspiration...but I just keep saying "its only two weeks!"...tho I do realize its actually more than that with the post-op restrictions. But some days I do say, too, "why don't you just learn to love yourself the way you ARE and not have to put yourself thru 'this'?" Its so tempting to give in to that...esp today when I'm just so hungry. Still, we press on.

Anne...LOL...I know just what you mean!! My hub and boys had spaghetti w/ Ital sausage last night! It smelled SOOOOOOO GOOD....and its one of our fave meals. I am struggling, too, with not being present at the table with them or just sucking it up and trying to just ignore what's going on....we soooooo value our family dinner time so I just can't bring myself to absent myself from them. BUT, depending on how I feel going along here, I just might have to. But yes, you're right....WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS!! Thanks for posting!

Day Four...hardest so far. I'm REALLY hungry today. Not sure why more today than the previous 3...but I am. I am holding steady, tho...have had two shakes today and a s/f Jello. That stuff just plops down in your belly...makes me not hungry for about 10 minutes. What has been the hardest day for you all?? A friend told me that DAY THREE of any fast is the toughest...once I'm through that, it should be easier. But Day Four is proving tougher than yesterday. Of course I'm not caving, but do wonder what day you all found to be your hardest???

Linda...I'm with you! Mine is STRICTLY the shakes I had to purchase from my clinic. Day Three is down, and I did it, too! I am not getting in as much as I know I need...today was a crazy day and I was away from home all afernoon, so got in only 3 (should be getting 5)... Got in a 35 min walk yesterday and 20 today. I KNOW that is A MUST for this to work. HOWEVER, I am not willing to turn into an exercise fanatic...I've done that before, lost weight, but it is not something I can reasonably maintain...the crazed exercise, I mean. WALKING is reasonable, 4-5 days/week...but I cannot see going hard and strong and not being able/willing to keep it up...then I am bound to see a slowing of weight loss, and THUS discouragment - which gets to me very easily. So, I'll do some every day I'm on this liquid diet to be sure I maximize the results for surgery, but I am not willing to say I'll walk every single day, for an hour. Best to you, Linda! Keep us posted on victories - NON-scale and otherwise!! --Kim

YOU ARE RIGHT, Melinda, ON EVERY POINT. And frankly, its not news to me, but ALL OF IT bears repeating - and LISTENING-TO, over and over. I am notoriously "half-empty" when it comes to ME. I have a wonderful husband (who married the "chunky me" 13 years ago), 4 awesome kids (DD24, DD21, DS12, DS8), a lovely home, a fulfilling cottage-industry business (www.kcarddesigns.biz) , friends who do not judge me because of my size 20W, nor will they love me more when I am a 12/14M. ... Its ME who can't give ME a break. I was a trim kid/teen/college student. I was 140'ish when I married in 1983...started gaining w/ my first child in 87, and its been snowballing ever since. Lots and LOTS of stressors thru the years, and some underlying "Payback" attitudes toward my first husband during our 13 year marriage (I lost him to cancer in 1996), and some "control" issues in my second marriage...I'm a head-case, to be sure. SO, there are some "issues", just like most everyone else, and lots of SHAME that had accompanied my weight-gain. I hide from the camera like a criminal, either avoiding it altogether or hiding behind someone or some thing. Sadly, my young boys will have FEW pictures of their mama...until now. Boy, do I need therapy or what?? ha. Anyway, I appreciate the nudge regarding improving the shakes. I will definitely look into it. The coconut idea sounds really great. Never thought of adding extracts!!! Duh. I wonder if I had the chocolate variety, if I could successfully (read: DELICIOUSLY) add Peppermint Extract and enjoy it?? I LOVE chocolate/mint anything....hmmmm....maybe I should consider that!? I did manage a 25 min walk last evening. Went the main-loop of our subdivision. Didn't feel overly winded when I got back, but it was stiflingly HOT & MUGGY here in Indy, so I was a sweat-ball when I got home. I cooled down, then took a cool shower. And felt VERY PROUD OF MYSELF for having DONE IT. My friend has also applauded my success and has me committed to doing something today too, as you have!! Thank Heaven it is raining in our area right now, but maybe later today I will get to the street to make another circle. I did do some deep cleaning on my kitchen this morning, working up a nice lather. That surely counts for something??? Still, walking is my best thing, so once I get over "starting" I'm usually good to go. Anyway, thank you again for your kind encouragement. I know I will likely lose some weight in this pre-op stage. I'm counting on it!!... but I also know the critical reasoning behind it, and I do want everything to go smoothly. I stepped on my scale this morning: 221.8 (I need to figure out how to add one of those meters.) It was 224 at the clinic on Tuesday...don't know what it was here, tho. Still, obviously easier for me to track on mine than theirs, so I'll go w/ that. It is empowering, because I know a month ago I was knocking on 225-226. Encouraging. Cheers! Kim

I had no choice with the Protein shake product...it is MANDATORY and supplied by my clinci, for $225!!! I have 'cheated' with a couple SMALL bites of what I was fixing for my family, but I'm extending lots of grace here, KNOWING this will NOT go on. Like you said, if I give in to all the gnoshing, 'what's the point?' FOR SURE. I selected vanilla shake powder, thinking that was at least a little more flexible than the flavored ones. However, all I've found so far that even REMOTELY is down-able, is mixing it with 10oz of Citrus "Zero Water", shaking it w/ ice cubes, then pouring over ice and slamming it down thru a straw. I know it could be MUCH worse, but I figure just get 'er down and all is well. I do admit it does take the edge off the hunger, and I am determined to do this. I have considered some sort of procedure for a few years now, and only this year talked my husband into "letting" me go this route. He had fears about the long-term unknowns with the Sleeve, AND the risks with by-pass. SO, we're on for July 31, and there ain't no going back!! I will say when I left the clinic yesterday, after picking up my DELICIOUS & NUTRITIOUS shake mix for $225, I was thoroughly depressed. Worried sick about actually having the courage to do it, and do it right. I have sinned (akin to a 'white lie' I think), but will not let that derail me. I felt afraid, basically. and today I read over ALL the instructions for what to eat, when, etc etc etc, and I must say its pretty overwhelming. Sooooooooooooooooooooo many rules and restrictions and potentials issues....how many times will I puke because I did something wrong??? THAT scares me. So, I know you are right about getting my head in the game. I think, for me, this is going to be a DAILY battle. Not a "I'm THERE!" kind of victory, but day-by-day, thinking through the reason I am doing this (MYSELF, my health and my family having me around for a while longer!) and keeping in mind "Its only two weeks!" -- so small in the whole scheme of things. Thanks, Rachel! I'll keep an eye on you -- please do the same for me!! -Kim

Thank you, Melinda, for the encouragement! I did try the shake in my blender the first day -- decided it wasn't my bag. I felt that it was just prolonging the awfulness...it about tripled the volume!! So, today I mixed it with 10oz Zero Water (citrus flavor)...shook it w/ some ice cubes, then poured it over ice and slammed it down thru a straw. It was do'able that way. Would give almost anything if I could add fruit!! Strawberries or peaches....oh my. Trying REALLY HARD to not think about it long, tho....no point in making it worse, eh?? Yes, only 2 weeks. I keep telling myself "You can do this!"... starting to believe it. Problem is, I find I am not drinking one at all rather than HAVING to do it. Which means I know I am not getting the basic calories I need and will just not thrive on so little. I do the same thing when I'm on WW...if I can't decide what to have that's w/in my points range, I opt for nothing. Eating too little doesn't help either, I know. So, I've got to do better. In fact, I think I'll get up and go get a shake right now!! Thanks for the note...I'll be reading up on what others are saying. Need all the hand-holding I can get these days! --Kim

Hi everyone....I started my liquid diet today...for two weeks. Procedure is scheduled for July 31. I started this day with GREAT DREAD, because, like most of you, I AM A FOODIE. I love the taste, texture and comfort that REAL food gives me...and to go w/o that for two weeks, well....its not something I'm looking forward to. I HAD to purchase a Protein shake from my surgeon's office. They require this because there are SO many varieties out there, they want to be sure I am getting the most for my $, and that I am adequately prepared for the surgery. I have had TWO shakes today, and must say that I have a LONG way to go to get it figured out. Its gonna be a LONG two weeks! I have been encouraged, watching some YouTube videos "before/after" stories....and those have re-enforced my resolve that this is THE RIGHT THING TO DO. Finally. I'm 50 y/o, and still have lots of years ahead. Want them to be the best ever!!

I have been considering SOME procedure for a few years...have determined banding is right for me. Meet the psych on Tues to have my head examined, as well as the exercise cheerleader to set me on the path of motion. I will be 50 in June and am ready to shake 80+ lbs and live the next 1/4+ of my life healthier and happier than the recent 1/4. Did anyone have a "grieving" period about the foods you had to let go? How impt have support groups been for you? What are some of the biggest "head" issues you have had? If some of these questions have been addressed, please point me toward those boards...I will happily seek them out!

My name is Kim; I am 48 y/o. I live in Indiana. I have struggled with the weight game since my early 20s : Marriage+babies=FAT. Several tries at WW with marginal successes (most recently since 2007: 30 off, then on; 25 off, then back on)...so ready to get off this bumpy wagon ride and make these efforts really pay off. FOR GOOD. Will attend the informational seminar at a local hospital on the 8th. From there, an appt w/ a surgeon, and hopefully a smooth track to The Day to change my life. I have 4 children...two older,on their own; two younger, 6 and 10...and I want to be able to enjoy these little boys. Not to feel ashamed of myself everytime there is a school event ---which makes me retreat into myself and 'appear' to be snobbish, which I am NOT. I enjoying meeting new people and making new friends, but being FAT puts the skids on much of that because I ashamed of myself, and feel intimated by the slim classy moms (all MUCH younger than me, too!)...I'd love to have the confidence to share my experience with them....my daughters are 23 and 20; my boys are still young, and I'd love to be able to TELL them "I've been where you are.." but don't even want to open my mouth because I don't feel acceptable. My husband loves me no matter what, but I have become no fun in our marriage. Always tired, always frumpy...he deserves better. AND SO DO I. I will check back regularly to see how you all are progressing...how your lives have changed and improved...I'm so excited to discover the REAL me, that's been hiding in size 20 for so many years! Thanks for listening! Warmly, Kim