StrasVegasGirl

I don't think I changed clothing sizes until I was 3 months (frustrating!) into the process then I really started to see the changes in the size I wore and how much I weighed. I had surgery in November 2011 and now I have lost 110 lbs. I still have 50 more I would like to lose but it does slow down plus I don't always eat what I should. Your weight does fluctuate throughout the week so choose to weigh yourself on a certain day each week and only let that day count. I still weigh myself each day but only Mondays count:) It does go up and down depending on if I drank water or pop or if I had a lot of sodium.

Just had my 6 week check up. So far I am down 63 lbs from my highest weight and 53 lbs from my surgery date. Amping up my workouts with some running mixed in with my walks. Down 2 pants sizes. Overall happy with the results so far. Don't want to lose momentum the next 5 months. My goal is to have another 50 lbs. off by summer. Hope everyone is doing well!

I was sleeved 11/7. I am down 36lbs. since surgery and 46lbs. total. I struggle to get in my protein and fluids each day. I have been walking at 5am every morning for a 1/2 hour. I mix a slim fast shake (20g protein) with a frozen yoplait smoothie packet in the morning for breakfast. I can only eat about 1/2 cup of food at lunch and supper. I eat frozen fruit bars for a snack at night if I'm craving which also count towards fluid. I've thrown up some meals but no rhyme or reason as to why. Chicken is difficult to eat. Some meals I am nauseous after eating. Eating is not really enjoyable right now, but I have no regrets. It's probably more difficult for my husband than it is for me to not be able to enjoy our meals together. I go back to the doctor in February for a 12 week check up.

Luv-a-bull, I had my surgery in Cleveland, Ohio. I only told a handful of people at work because I had heard some make previous negative comments over the years about others who had gone down this path. I made this decision because of what another person who had gastric bypass said to me...she had missed out on so much with her children who were now 13 and 16. That one comment was all it took for me to make this decision. My kids are only 4 and 5 and I could make a difference now. I am now two weeks post op and everything is going smoothly. My highest weight was 310. I was 297 two weeks before surgery and my scale at home this morning read 280. This is worth it as long as we use it as a tool and make the necessary changes in our diet. I'm able to start walking more frequently which I know will also help with the scale. You don't owe anyone an explanation for why you are choosing this path for your life. You are going to do great!

Geno - yes I did get my period about 2 weeks after surgery. It was right on my normal schedule.

I am not to month 2 yet but I too am having a difficult time with protein so I was glad to see your sample diet so that I could start figuring out what to eat.

Had my two week follow up with the surgeon's office. Moving on the to semi-liquid stage. I am not getting in enough protein. Really struggling to drink the protein shakes. I guess I'm just ready to get it from real food. December 20th is when I will be able to start eating more normal aka no purees:). Thanksgiving was not difficult until the end of the day. I basically had mashed potatoes at our two food stops. I'm going back to work next Tuesday. Just savoring the last few days at home. Decorating for Christmas and finishing our shopping. Glad that everyone is doing well with their post op at home. To continued weight loss and healthy living!

Having some insomnia tonight. Last two nights have been rough. I am a side sleeper, but it hurts too bad to sleep on my side right now. I've been sleeping in the recliner since I got home from the hospital so I thought I'd try the bed tonight, but I woke up with nerve pain in my left leg which is actually more annoying than any pain in the stomach. I've been off of my pain meds for three days, and overall, that is going well. I too have been venturing out for small trips to the bank, grocery store, etc. My mother in law made spaghetti the other day, and I had about 1/2 cup of sauce just to have something different. Had to strain out some chunks but overall tasty. Today had strained cream of mushroom soup. Could only finish about 1/4 - 1/2 c. I'm on Day 10 post op. I actually got on my ellipitical yesterday for a few minutes. The day before I used some light hand weights to do some arm toning. Just trying to get into a habit before I have to go back to work.

Wow I had never given this any thought...I hope not! That would be a surprise for everyone in my household.

longer-life - have peace tomorrow as you take this step to move forward in your life. Today is day 6 post op for me. I would have loved to have some real food today. I know it was boredom and stress. I'm tired of being in the house. My 5 yr. old was home sick from school but thankfully my mom and dad took care of her. That is the last thing I need is the stomach flu. My 4 yr. old kept me company all day. I'm thinking she and I may take a walk tomorrow if the weather agrees with us. I am an emotional eater. We are having severe budgetary issues at work that is either going to result in a 3-10% pay cut for everyone and/or layoffs. Of course, this is all happening while I am not in the office which makes me sick to my stomach. I'm worried about how we are going to cover our personal expenses. I don't want my kids to have to suffer from this so we are reviewing all of our bills, etc. and seeing what we can cut out while still keeping the kids in gymnastics and piano lessons. I know there are many others who are in worse positions than we are so I am thankful for what we have, but this is one of those times where I would have been overeating in the past because of the stress of it all. Trying to figure out different ways to cope. Thanks for listening.

I was on clear liquids day after surgery then full liquids for the next two weeks. I also agree that protein is what will help with the hunger. My doctor does not care how many calories I am taking in right now so I am having sugar free hot chocolate, carnation instant breakfast - all made with fat free milk - I use organic that has 9 grams of protein per cup. I can have one protein shake this first week then next week I will start with two shakes. I'm also having popsicles, hot tea, water with Crystal Light Pure. I'm not a fan of broth. I'm hoping to start pureed/applesauce consistency food at the 15 day mark.

Good luck biggest loser! I am 6 days post op and all is going well. You will do great!

I get a little itchy after taking the meds but no rash. I did break out from the tape they used to keep the drain in for a few days. I have some blisters on my stomach from that. I have had previous sensitivity with red bumps but not blisters - treating with some neosporin.

I had my surgery in Cleveland, OH. I don't know how you all sleep, but I found having ear plugs for the hospital was great and helped me to have a better rest because the surgical floor was always bustling with noise. I also packed a pair of slip on slippers and they were so much better than the hospital socks they give you. I was a few hours away from home so I took my laptop so that I could skype with my family so they didn't have to travel to visit me during the work/school week. And my cell phone. They were great with me having all of this in my room. I had a room to myself which also made the experience much nicer. Get up and walk as soon as they will let you. It really helps with the pain. I was allowed to take a shower the last day so I did use one pair of the PJs that I had packed. Take some of your own underwear for after you get the catheter out. I was in the hospital for three nights though so it made sense for me to pack more of this stuff.

Please add my name StrasVegasGirl to the November Banana Babes Roster. I just figured out how to friend people today. So I went through and started doing that. So excited to see everyone's success!

I am going home today...still have to meet with the dietician and the surgeon before I leave the hospital. Have had a great experience. Looking forward to accomplishing success at home. I did not have to complete a liquid diet prior to surgery so I did not lose anything before coming to the hospital. In fact, I was having what some on here discuss as "food funerals". I was pretty much allowing myself to eat the things I would no longer be eating after the surgery. I don't think I will weigh myself until next Tues. which will be one week after the surgery. I am off of work until the Tues. after Thanksgiving which will give me the needed time to recover. My babies are so excited to have me home tonight. I did this for all of us so I can't wait until next summer when we can do some fun activities as a family. :smilingface (52): Let's go Banana Babes and show this world what we can accomplish!

Thanks for the prayers. I had some fear prior to the surgery but my fear of living the rest of my life like this always kept me focused on why I was making this choice. I had a friend get the bypass last year and she had teenagers and she had made the comment about how much she had missed out on in their lives b/c of her weight...It was like I was slapped awake and realized do this now while your children are young so you can live your life fully as a family.

Everything is going well. I am in the hospital until Friday. I get an upper GI tomorrow and if all goes well I get to sip some liquids tomorrow. I should get the IV out tomorrow. I got the catheter out today. I'll be switching to liquid painkiller tomorrow. So far, I have been able to walk many laps in the halls today. I'm going to do one more round before I go to bed. I skyped with my family tonight. I didn't want my husband to bring the kids to the hospital b/c it's 1 1/2 hours away and it's school days. The skyping worked pretty good. I could tell he was stressed from being the only caretaker. The doctor just visited and he said I have a really great sleeve. He also fixed a hyatel (sp?) hernia when he was doing the surgery. I had an upper GI prior to the surgery that did not show the hernia so good thing he still checked when he was in there doing everything else. Thanks Dr. Ben Meir!

I just had my surgery yesterday in Cleveland. So far so good. I get my test tomorrow to check for leaks and if all is well I get to start taking sips. Been walking up and down the halls. Just skyped with my family. Been on this journey relatively shortly since June 2011. I also could have gotten sleeved earlier but also had some commitments that needed fulfilled so Nov. 8 was my day. I'm off through Thanksgiving and am very thankful that my insurance covered this procedure. :regular_smile:

I had my surgery yesterday morning. I've been up and walking around three times. My IV got occluded so now I am waiting for someone to come put another one in. So no pain meds right now:( Overall, everything went well. They have my stomach binded for support which has been helpful for the walking. I was able to brush my teeth which helped make me feel somewhat human. I am scheduled to leave the hospital this Friday. My heart rate is up a bit so they are concerned for that, but my kidneys are functioning well. Definitely comparable to my C-sections. The pain is just in a different area of the stomach.

Thank you all for your well wishes. So far so good. I am just keeping my eye on the prize of a healthier lifestyle. You all are inspiration and have been since I found this site a month ago.

I have my pre-op Oct. 20 and my surgery Nov. 8 in Cleveland, OH with Dr. Ben Meir. Starting to feel anxious but ready to make this change in life.

Hello everyone ~I have my pre-op day on Oct. 20. My surgery is on Nov. 8. I am nervous as all get out. I have 150lbs. to lose. I haven't told many people about my surgery because I have some fears of negative reactions which I don't really want in my head right now. I haven't told my daughters about my surgery as they are so young and I don't want them to worry. I'm hoping to Skype with them from the hospital during my stay. Thankfully my parents are near to help my husband. I have a fear of failing yet I read so many success stories. I'm planning to go back to work after 3 weeks - basically a desk job - is this unrealistic? How soon after surgery do you feel like starting to exercise? I'm glad I found this site. I know I am going to need the reassurance of the veterans to get me through the rough patches. I am concerned about the hair loss I read about. Are there any supplements that help to decrease this side effect? Thanks for any recommendations to make post-surgery less painful and stressful!