kathp

I am currently trying crossfit because a friend (RNY a year ago) is obsessed with it and there was a Groupon for the one near me. She wants to be a trainer. I feel like I'm not quite ready for it, because I have to be shown lots of stuff. But they haven't thrown me out, and I'm not giving up half-way through the class. And I can move the next day. I think the most telling NSV is one my Mom pointed out. We were chatting about crossfit and my Planet Fitness adventures and she said "Kathy, do you realize we've just spent 5 minutes talking about exercise?" LOL. NOT the old me at all! Kathy

I didn't see the doctor every month, but I was MEDICALLY supervised by the dietician every month, and the surgeon's office met to go over the case files at least monthly. So there may be room in that respect, as long as it's CONSECUTIVE months. I know they're a real stickler on the consecutive visits.

That's it exactly - I'm LIVING my life. I still have lazy days, depressed days, and good days. I just don't spend it all on the couch or in slow motion. I have more confidence and smile more often, but I feel better physically (less pain), too. I think taking ownership and taking action gives us the confidence.

if you're on an Iron supplement, it binds you up. I go less frequently, and it is not easy. I've done stool softeners. I asked the NUT what was allowed before I just stuck something in my sleeve. Remember you've been on a modified diet - less Fiber, esp if you were on liquids. Kathy

They told me not to eat cereal, period. Weight control oatmeal showed up on the list of OK foods, but then he crossed it off. My group pushes low carbs, and says why start if you don't have to. Lots of people do the shake in the morning instead. It's not just sugar, it's all non-fiber carbs. I do net-carbs, where you subtract the dietary fiber out, and stay away from anything with more than 6 g net carbs per serving. So I haven't had cereal in months and months. I put my carbs into wraps with my lunch/dinner versus breakfast. Personal choice and surgeon suggestions, really. So no one can answer except your doctor.

OK, here's what I know, for what it's worth. I'm learning as I go along, and just share what I know... I'm willing to read labels and bring in more info, because I just ASSUME (silly me) that everyone is kind of on the same page. I didn't research how Mexico works, because I didn't do that. So... My surgeon is part of a group that includes him, two dieticians (or, on here, NUTs), an exercise physiologist (trainer) with a gym we can use, an insurance coordinator (my hero), a nurse-case manager, and an office manager. The program involves seeing the NUT and the trainer every month to meet the insurance requirements that their coordinator knows by heart because it's all she does. She gets us approved! The nurse case-manager handles the medication change questions, and other individual things like CPAP and heart and diabetes... So we see her when we are having our freak outs. She's just left, and they are hiring a replacement (not that she can be replaced, but another one, anyway). And monthly support groups. So the program IS the dietician who knows bariatrics. The surgery happens, but it's the tool we use with the NUT program and the gym work we do. I'm shocked that you don't have a NUT. HOWEVER, don't freak out at weight loss numbers. I was sleeved May 13, BUT that was after I had lost almost 60 lbs already, through diet and exercise with the program. (shocked me, let me tell you). I'm thinking I'm losing slowly now, but when we're in a stall, here's what they ask us: Are you tracking your food (measuring and weighing and writing it all down)? are you hitting your Protein goals (they set them based on gender and height. I'm 5'10" and a girl and mine is 85g / day)? Are you getting your fluids (64 oz of non-calorie, but your Protein shake counts)? No caffeine, no carbonation. Low carb diet. No more than 5 eating points a day. A shake a day. (if pressed, they will give a calorie target, mine is like 1000/day). Eating your Vitamins? No more than 1 c of food at a time. Does that help? Feel free to ask me more questions. I have lots of paperwork that I refer to - I'm a scientist

I know that the 10 lbs is often an insurance requirement versus the doctor just being "mean". My surgeon has rarely, but has, put people on a pre-op liquid diet. But then it's 2 weeks liquids before and then 2 weeks liquids after, which is a LONG time without chewing. If you drink Water, and track and weigh your portions, you will probably lose some weight. I would definitely ask for the help. My doctor gave me their 1500 calorie diet and I did it and was successful. A friend was not as successful, and they moved her to 1200 calorie. Then she and I ate together and we learned (by my observing) that she was "guestimating" way off on her portion sizes. She started using the food scale and lost the weight. Also, watch the fruit - the carbs in fruit will kill you, even if you think they're "healthy" carbs. I wish you well, and agree - if it was easy to lose weight we wouldn't need surgery. Kathy

Good tasting is relative. It is very dependent on you. If you get a better quality Protein, the whey isolate, it won't need the blender. You can get that, plus a Blender Bottle (they have the metal whisk ball in them, so you can shake as you go), and then just pour the milk and the scoop of powder as you dash out the door. I use Dymatize, and I have also used Six Star chocolate flavors. unjury has some good ones, but I only like their chicken Soup (which you have to heat, but not overheat or it will separate). You can order sampler packs from them for their chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, though. I can drink these with or without added fruit. GNC will let you return opened Protein Powder if you don't like the flavor. But read the labels before you buy, and be prepared for the upcharge for their "expertise". Alternatively, I use muscle milk light / or low carb dymatize / or Isopure ready-to-drink shakes. I've talked to different people who like them all differently. I haven't found just one that is my absolute favorite. I also do Oh Yeah, but they are kind of higher calorie. It depends on what I find at whichever grocery or healthy store I'm at and what mood I'm in when I shop. I hope this helps.

Congrats, you are normal! I freaked out about half way through my 6 months of monitored diet - I had lost about 30 lbs and was changing a lot. I changed from RNY to sleeve at that point for several reasons, but one was to slow things down so I could adjust to the changes better. Then three weeks before surgery I started to really think hard about what was going on. And then a few days after surgery I had the "WTF have I done?" freak out. I'm way over all of it now. I'm down to 215ish and feeling great. I have more to lose, but I can shop in regular stores for the most part. I can borrow from my mom and my sister (almost). I can fit in an airline seat. Make your list of what your post-op goals are (beyond numbers). Think about your freedoms. You'll do great!

If it's sublingual, are you taking it that way? Sublingual means under the tongue. Also, other things can cause lower energy. It may not be that Vitamin. Are you getting your Protein in? What's your height/protein target? Mine is pretty aggressive, compared to others I've heard, but I'm 5'10" and it's 85g / day. We do body composition analysis and I have only lost 10 lb of muscle versus 40 lbs fat since surgery. Have you had your blood work checked? Are you getting enough Iron? You can't take iron and Calcium together - they need to be at least 2 hrs apart.

Be glad that eating too quickly does not make you puke. That's what happens when I eat too fast. It happened a few times and I quickly learned to chew, chew, chew, and put my utensil down between bites. The NUT said it should take at least 10 minutes and not more than 20 minutes to eat my meal. Also do the portion control - max 1 cup of food for the first year they told me. I'm between 1/2 and 1 c most of the time.

Yep, they'll make you do six consecutive months. You can start over from whatever point you are consecutive. My surgeon's office warned me about this, and I'm surprised yours didn't. Your sleep study and everything is good for up to a year, so you'll be good. Can you quick get in for August so you'll be three months done?

I had to drink it. It wasn't that bad. Surgery Monday. Test Tuesday in front of an XRay machine. And there was a bubble, so I had to do it again. But I passed, and then they let me DRINK! It's all a matter of degree. It's not like you didn't just have surgery that hurt, what's a little bad taste? You'd rather know it leaks before you leave!

I'm of two minds on this topic. First, I told people. I let my FB friends know and told them if they weren't going to be supportive they were getting deleted. And I meant it. I made sure I did my research before I told anyone, though. I kind of explored the idea, after years of saying I'd never do it (being a hater myself, actually), before I committed. Once I decided, I shared it. There are people who say it's our job to educate the haters. I'm not sure I agree all the time. Yeah, sometimes we can offer help to those that might not also consider surgery, but sometimes we can be selfish and make it about us (if we don't look out for us, who will?) and ignore their negativity. So, when someone suggests that surgery is the easy way out, or that just modifying behavior is the simple answer, I take a deep breath. If they've been successful, I congratulate them on their success. And then I say that I want to make this permanent, that it's hard work, and then move on in the conversation. I read somewhere recently that cancer is something we have, but obese is something we are. It was a pretty powerful observation. Somehow the label gives people to be more judgemental and tell us how to deal with our health problems. If I had breast cancer and decided to have a masectomy versus a less radical treatment, people wouldn't be so bold about second guessing my decision with my doctor, so why are they with surgery. Just food for thought. Best wishes. I love my sleeve. (even if some days it doesn't love me... eat slowly)

You look fantastic! I know people who have lost weight "too fast" and it doesn't make them look younger. But at our age (I'm 40), we're in good shape to have the skin bounce back a bit. And as my surgeon said - loose skin never killed anyone (and being too fat was going to get us!) I FULLY agree the psych requirements and post-op psych help need to be improved. I've been looking for it, and just can't find someone who understands or is capable of the coaching I'm looking for. My current therapist knows me pretty well, so we're muddling our way through it. In terms of appearance - I have definitely found how I dress affects how I look. I can look good or bad and younger or older depending on how the clothes fit. I often take photos and send them to my "monitors" for yes or no votes. And often they are telling me the stuff I think is too tight fits correctly. We're just used to hiding ourselves and not used to having things that actually fit. Treat yourself to a personal shopper at Nordstroms. I think my friend said they're free. Have someone dress you and show you. If you're close to goal, it's worth the investment and the training (and you can always fill in your wardrobe with Goodwill!). As to stopping losing - I'm sure the experts are going to help you transition from losing to maintaining. My NUT has already mentioned there's a difference in what I'll eat. Not how much, just what. I think we've just been in "diet" mode between the pre-op and now post-op that we forget there's a way to eat a little and gain (remember the quart of ice cream for dinner? not that we can do that anymore...) Don't worry about what people are saying... You look great. And you feel good. And if you look like you're dating a model, more power to you! Congrats to you and your wife on your successes!

Unjury also makes a chicken soup flavored protein that I used to survive the liquids stage. The sweet was too much for me. Just know it's worth it in the end and it will seem like nothing when it's all over and you're looking back on it...

I lost 60 pounds before surgery from the 1500 calorie meal plan (low fat, low carb, high protein), the Water, and the exercise plan that were part of the 6 month diet/exercise pre-op. I was only required to lose 10. I was doing 3 meals and 2 Snacks (sometimes), but max 1500 calories. Sometimes I only did about 1200 calories, as I lost and just wasn't hungry. The second 3 months I was doing a Protein shake for Breakfast / as one meal. I've never done it for two meals. But my shakes were mostly made from the Protein powder / soy milk (or almond milk) and very little fruit. Or unjury chicken Soup with water. Not the ready-to-drink stuff unless I was in a hurry. (not sure the carb difference, or it if mattered) Lots of people questioned why I went ahead with surgery. My issue was the regain. I had lost 75 with WW once before (and that was about 45 before my HW) and found it again. Surgery truly is a personal decision, and I'm glad I made it for me. But losing weight will definitely make you feel better mentally and physically. Good luck!

thanks guys! Yes, my meds need adjusting, again. I just want to flip the switch and have everything be OK, which is a good sign I'm in a funk. I appreciate the advice, and the support. I'm going to have some Water and take a few deep breaths, and then go back to my arts and crafts project at work (I'm cleaning up my lab notebook, to shut off my analytical mind for a while). Kathy

These moments of panic are normal. There are very few of us who don't have them (and I'm not one of them). It wasn't overnight we got this way, and it won't be overnight we get thinner and healthier. Having a good therapist is huge. (I see mine tonight!) My nurse-case manager told me if I didn't have the panic she'd worry about me. It's your mind's acknowledgment that it's a huge step. Don't be surprised when that "oh crap, what did I do to myself" happens again post-op...

I've used it. It's not my favorite, but it's OK. I agree with Arts137 - it's not a complete replacement, that's why we shouldn't use it for weight loss. As a supplement, it's OK. Just watch the carbs, as with anything.

HW 325, SW 268, Sleeve 5/13/13, CW 218ish Started wanting RNY. Sleeve was better option in terms of long-term meds for other conditions that losing weight wasn't going to fix.

This sounds like a good idea. I love Brader's support group, but there's only a few of us who have sleeves. I'm doing reasonably well - he won't give me a weight goal for my 6 months since I'm already there (yay, but I need a target, so onederland it is!), but I'm struggling with meal planning and recipes. And can always use a workout buddy. Good luck everyone!

Thankfully they had me practice before surgery. I'm supposed to stop 15 minutes before and wait 1 hr after. If I don't, there's not enough room in my pouch. And it's not pleasant. Moist food helps, and not having something to drink on the table. If I'm short on the fluid goal for the day, I set the timer when I finish eating so I remember when I can start again. At restaurants, they often want to bring me something. I will ask for water and finish it between when we order and when the food comes. It's close enough. Definitely breaking a learned behavior habit! Good luck!

Congrats! I recall feeling excited and scared "carpless" all at the same time. I figure this is normal. It will get worse when you have a date. I hit three months post-op the other day. It's hard to believe it's been that long. And I just sat here eating my little lunch and it's beginning to feel normal. Good luck!

They had us on clear liquids at the hospital. And liquids only for two weeks when we got home. I'm glad, based on what I've been hearing, that our strict diet rules exist. It may suck at the time, but they are very clear and the hospital doesn't screw anything up and we don't get confused either. Glad you figured it out!