Bufflehead

I can't get a good picture but I promise you I have no visible scars. There are a few faint marks if you look with one of those lighted magnifying glass things and know what you are looking for, but nothing that can be seen with the naked eye. I didn't use any scar cream or anything like that. I think that you get a lot less scarring if your surgeon uses surgical glue to close the incisions rather than sutures or staples. That's the only reason I can think of that I don't have any visible scars - I certainly have them other places on my body from other incisions and wounds, so it isn't like I have magically non-scarring skin!

I'm not encouraging anyone to drink coffee or go against their doctors' orders but the "caffeine will dehydrate you" stuff is a myth . . . an old wives' tale . . . not supported by scientific evidence, etc. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/caffeinated-drinks/faq-20057965 http://www.webmd.com/balance/caffeine-myths-and-facts?page=2 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/01/13/262175623/coffee-myth-busting-cup-of-joe-may-help-hydration-and-memory

Is your friend a medical professional? More importantly, is she YOUR medical professional who specializes in medical weight loss? No? Then she needs to step back and practice being a supportive friend rather than trying to give you medical advice. The next time she tries to interfere between you and your doctors, take a deep breath and tell her something like this: "I'm so grateful that you are concerned for my health. I've discussed this decision with my doctors and we have concluded that this surgery offers me my best and safest chance to live a long and healthy life. While I am very touched by your concern for me, I need strength and support going forward. I want to ask you to be supportive of the medical decision I have reached with my doctors, and if you can't be supportive, at least don't say anything to make me fearful or make me feel bad about my choice." Keep repeating as necessary. Good luck!

I didn't have anyone at home and did not need or want anyone at home. Other than having my housekeeper do an extra visit to take care of some things that involved heavy lifting such as changing the kitty litter. I don't know, I am kind of grouchy and independent, the last thing I wanted was someone hovering over me and being solicitous and trying to take care of me!

I didn't have to lose a set amount of weight but I did have to do a physician supervised diet. My doctor and the dietician both wanted me to get on MFP and get in the habit of logging everything so that it would come naturally after surgery. There's some pretty good science out there showing that on average, people who log their food daily have more success with weight loss than those who don't - both people who have had WLS and those who have not. So it seemed like a good idea to me, and I did it. It's been tremendously helpful for me. I have tons of friends there who are WLS patients and I love being able to read their diaries for ideas and also we cheer each other on. Frankly I find it a more positive place than this or other WLS message boards, which tend (understandably) to be the place where people come to complain, fret, rant, and generally freak out and be negative.

chapstick and a charger for your phone. Make sure you wear loose, comfortable clothes to the hospital so you can wear them home. Everything else the hospital can provide.

My plan allowed only high protein foods on purees - meat, fish, eggs, beans, tofu, dairy; and three meals per day of no more than 3 tablespoons of food per meal. We were also allowed protein shakes between meals.

I think it's usually the surgeon who picks your date. The office will typically offer you the first available, but if that doesn't work for you, they can go over their schedule and find a later date that does.

I pureed turkey with peanut satay sauce (in a bottle from Trader Joe's, nothing fancy!) then heated it up in the microwave with some shredded jack cheese on top. Another one I liked was pureeing it with BBQ sauce and heating it up with cheddar cheese on top. You could use gravy to puree it, I'll bet that would be good. Or try a basic garlic marinara and then top with mozzarella cheese when you are ready to heat it up.

@@Eclectick how can we help you?

At that stage my guidelines were to stay under 800 calories per day. Personally I don't think that liquids and yogurt have any magical weight-reducing properties. As long as you are getting your calories from healthy foods and following generally acceptable macros for protein/fat/carbs post WLS you should be fine. But if you are more comfortable with protein shakes and yogurt, I don't see any harm sticking with them, as long as you are getting adequate nutrition. But you will definitely want your dietician's input!

Mine was 4 weeks. Suck it up, you can do this. One more week is not a big deal (though believe me I remember that it seemed like forever!). This is a good time to get in the habit of following your doctor's plans and not wandering off on your own path. You will get through it, I promise.

It sounds like you've done a great job researching and considering your options. I think the time is right for you to meet with a couple of surgeons (make sure they perform the DS - not all do this advanced surgery) and talk them through. They are the ones who can help you make the right call there. In terms of why will it work now when it didn't work before? Well, there are people who don't succeed with weight loss surgery, whether that means not getting to goal or regaining a lot of weight. But the truth is, there are FAR many more people who succeed with weight loss surgery than there are who succeed without it. Orders of magnitude of difference. The surgery gives people a tool that they need to be successful. Society has built up a construct that weight loss is purely a matter of will power, knowledge, and character - but that's a lie. The vast majority of us need a physical tool to succeed, and WLS gives us that. Everyone who has WLS is like you in one way -- they tried and failed to lose the weight "on their own," usually many times, before submitting to surgery. And most of them can be considered successes after surgery. They are not different from you. You can do it too. I know it seems like a big leap of faith, but this may be the right time to find some faith in yourself and in the medical process -- good luck!

Raw fruit a week out from surgery? My dietician and surgeon would have strung me up. Is it allowed on your post-op plan?

A white tongue often means you have thrush, which is common after surgery. You need to ask your surgeon or PCP about this. If you are really only getting 4 ounces of fluids per day (is that possibly a typo?), again, you need to speak to a health care professional because that is extremely unhealthy and they are likely to want you to come in for IV fluids. The rapid weight loss is generally not going to be a concern but you definitely need more than 4 ounces of liquids per day!

I really like Unjury - their chocolate splendor flavor is the least medicine-y and whey-y tasting protein I have found. It is very light, almost like Nesquik or something like that.

@@Tashabella they are supposed to be caffeine free and I looked at the box I have and there is no caffeine listed in the ingredients. I have to confess I add regular instant coffee to mine to bump up the coffee flavor, so I do get some caffeine with mine! You could add decaf instant to it though if you want more coffee flavor.

My plan would be: commit to weighing myself every day get or re-establish a Myfitnesspal.com account and log everything I eat, every day weigh or measure everything I eat, but don't focus right now on limiting amounts. Just to be aware of exactly how much I am taking in. No guess work! limit my food choices to high protein/high restriction -- basically meat, fish, and eggs -- and green vegetables. Eat that way for a week to see how I do. Good luck!

A lot of women find their periods really wonky for six months or so after surgery -- all the hormones stored in fat cells is being released and it can really do a number on your cycle! But the vast, vast majority find that it stabilizes after several months.

I like the Unjury chicken soup. I also like these high protein hot soups -- you can mix them with super hot liquids, not actually boiling but just under boiling, and they won't clump or curdle, unlike most protein powders when you mix with hot liquid. http://www.nashuanutrition.com/store/hot-soups/ If you are interested in hot soups, you might try the variety box to see which flavor you like. I also like the HealthSmart hot chocolates and hot cappuccinos -- yes they are sweet, but not as sweet or thick as the cold shakes so to me they are much easier to drink. You can mix them with either water or milk - I actually do a 50/50 blend of water and milk. And just like with the soups, you can mix them with really hot liquids. http://www.nashuanutrition.com/store/hot-drinks/

I didn't get hungry for about the first nine months after surgery but I do get hungry now. As long as I eat the right things to satiate the hunger -- meat and green veggies - it is very easy to just eat a little and the hunger goes away.

I have a lot of friends who have done the Zombies! Run! app and loved it. They all gave it rave reviews. I am doing an app called 5K Runner - it is a paid app, which I actually wanted because I figured I'd be more likely to use it if I paid for it. But it was maybe $2 so not hugely expensive! I like it because it integrates really well - plays nicely with Map My Run and with my music. It's been challenging but not impossible - I just finished week 4 day 1 a few minutes ago

Give it a shot but I would say be careful that you make your shakes etc. low cal. A lot of people start adding things in like bananas, peanut butter, cocoa powder, and that is not conducive to weight loss! But I know a lot of people who have done this sort of thing as a kick start and had it work really well if they watch their calories carefully. If it doesn't work for you, try a different kind of kick start - solid food but very high protein and very limited. Like only baked chicken breast and broccoli for three days. You'd probably take in lower calories and carbs that way. Good luck!

@@deedadumble where do you buy your outdated running shoes? A particular online store, or do you buy in meatspace? I am going to be looking for running shoes soon (I promised myself a pair when I get halfway through my 5K app, one more week to go!) and I would like to get decent shoes without breaking the bank.

I love my New Balance shoes. I also have a pair of these walking shoes by Clark and I have to say they are the most comfortable walking shoes I have ever owned. They are a little on the pricy side though, at least to me. http://www.amazon.com/Clarks-Wave-Trek-Lace-Up-Fashion-Sneaker/dp/B0072GC6L6