mistysj

I did feel inspired to tell my friends and family, after Angelina Jolie came out about her double mastectomy. To me, WLS is in the same category as that and I wanted to do my part to help people get over the stigma. I have had zero negative comments. That being said, I respeect and understand people's decision not to share it. I initially wasn't going to share with anyone but my husband and my best friend.

Just FYI, starvation mode is not a thing: http://fattyfightsback.blogspot.com.au/2009/03/mtyhbusters-starvation-mode.html Yes it's just a blog post, but it cites several credible sources.

I am type 2. I have always kept it well controlled with metformin. My last a1c before surgery was 5.7. That said, I have not taken metformin since surgery (3 weeks) and have not had a reading over 90 mg/dl (5 mmol/l). Most readings have been around 86-87 and it is trending downward. Even in the hospital it was already this low. I can't predict the future, but for now this is great.

Down 7.2 kg or 16 lb since surgery on May 14.

You didn't answer if you are having liquids with your foods, or liquid food like soup. You won't stay full if you do either of those. Are you eating your protein first? Are you getting all your fluids in between meals? If not you may be feeling thirsty and think its hunger.

I read it. She's like the best friend who is the life of the party but makes the worst choices! She expected WLS to fix her life but it didn't. It couldn't fix her bad relationship or addictive personality or discomfort with her sexuality. In the epilogue it's clear that she got herself to a better place. I really enjoyed the book. But if you want a less gritty view, read The Sleeved Life. I think A Stranger Here is a more compelling story because its so real. Nobody should go into this with unrealistic expectations, even though most do seem to! Even when they think they aren't. Full disclosure: pre-surgery I read every WLS-related book Amazon made available for the kindle. Some of them ate terrible. Skip the ones by the Mexican surgeons because they are basically advertisements.

Also try sleeping on your side. Your body won't let you hurt it. You'll stay still but you will sleep. I could sleep on my side by the second night and it got comfortable by day 4. Took me a week to sleep on my stomach. If your stomach is big you may need a pillow under it to sleep on your side.

I have heard that you should subtract 15 from your BMI and that is a reasonable goal for most people unless that puts them underweight. I started with almost 44 so my surgeon's goal would be a 29 BMI. Of course I want to get lower than that but that's the goal the surgeon feels sure about. I want to get to 22 BMI! But I'm not stressing. Downward is good no matter where I stop.

I'm still on purée so I don't think I have felt the true fullness yet. But for me it feels like I have to burp, but like if I try to push the burp out food will come up. Like food is stuck in my throat. But it's not. Just pressure. I have not pushed my luck yet. Sticking to half cup portions. Also sometimes the food just gets boring.

The diarrhea is totally normal. Just ride it out. Get some baby wipes. They help. I still have it about half the time three weeks out. Its the only negative symptom I have and I'm confident it will stop when I'm on solids. Have some salty broth as some of your liquid to keep your electrolytes up. My body was craving the salt. It's only 13 calories a cup. Are you on an acid blocker like nexium? Take that and sleep with an extra pillow. Maybe stop drinking an hour before bed.

I don't think it was dumping. It was not a high calorie shake. I think it just didn't agree with me. I got a txt from Bec:

I'm 3 weeks out and have no trouble. I was given Nexium at the hospital and its about the same size as a vitamin. Also if you get a good meal replacement shake it gives you 100% of your nutrients if you get in 3 shakes. That's what I did the first couple weeks.

You're welcome. How are you doing now? Guys, I got siiiiiick today. I tried a new Protein drink, the Aussie Bodies ProteinFX ready-to-drink one. It went straight through me like food poisoning. I am still feeling some stomach cramps hours later. Apparently something in that drink did not agree with me. I had to worm from home this afternoon and now I'm just really exhausted and cruddy feeling.

Interesting idea. Maybe we can choose to discuss on the weekend. In Australia so I'm 15 hours ahead of you guys. Or maybe we can just discuss as we finish a part. Who has already finished step 1?

I'm at the end of my third week and its liquid about half the time still. I go once a day. I'm in the purée phase and I use Benefiber twice a day. I will only get worried if I start going several times a day. That's the difference between loose stool and diarrhea.

I really appreciate that the "oldies" stick around and answer all the newbie questions over and over. This is a great thread! Pre-sleeve I would have a huge problem actually packing a lunch (too easy to eat out) and then making myself eat it if I did pack it (too boring). The sleeve has already saved me so much money on eating-out costs! I have not been out at all since surgery and probably won't for a while. It seems like such a waste of money! I txted Bec good wishes.

Lots of people have no Ida what it actually is. My mom thought they were going to cut out my fat! So I think a lot of the negative opinions are coming from a place of ignorance. People don't care to become less ignorant. Just look at all the scams that go around on Facebook or the unscientific arguments about climate change and pollution.

You will do great! See you on the sleeved side!

I got bruises from the heparin injections. No big deal.

You'll do great! I'll PM you my number if you want to txt me and let me know how you are in case you don't have Internet. I know you won't sleep well tonight but don't worry. You'll have lots of sleepy time in hospital!