Lyra

Well it happened to me, too, so I'm going to say it's 'normal'. It's probably because of the restrictive pre-op diet that we're placed on.

So I have a bit of a philosophical question. Now I've been stalled out for the last 1.5 weeks but somehow I've lost almost 2" around my waist. So where has the fat gone? It DEFINITELY hasn't gone to my butt (which is now bonier than an underfed horse and twice as uncomfortable to sit on!) and I must admit that I've given a bit of deep thought to this conundrum. Basically after researching all the scientific data that I could get my google-obsessed hands on I reached a major scientific breakthrough of an answer: Worm holes. Yep, worm holes. Basically we all have worm holes hooked up to us and as we lose inches (but not weight) the fat goes through the worm hole to another dimension where it floats around in 'space'. Since technically it's still attached to us (via worm hole thermonuclear physics and trans-dimensional laws of relativity ((I really love google! And Star Trek.))) the scales still count that fat. Yeah, it's a bit of a bummer but I figure if I ever get lost in the woods somewhere and can't find a bear to eat I can just reverse the worm hole and live off my stored fat. Kinda like a camel does water, or maybe a bear.... Okay, enough of the silliness (and I'm REALLY impressed if someone actually read this far. Give yourself a strawberry scratch-n-sniff sticker!). Today I had my 6 week checkup and I'm doing great. Thank goodness! These last few weeks have been hard but it's nice to know that everything is okay. Also, mom and I ate at Ruby Tuesdays and they have a surprising number of entrees that someone like me can eat. I think I about died and went to heaven when I found that they have a spaghetti squash pasta. Yeah, mmmmm, good! Granted I was only able to eat about 1/5 of it, but that's why people invented carry-out containers. Soooo good! I hope all of ya'll are doing well!

Sorry I haven't been around a lot, but I'm battling evil computer gremlins right now. Do not fear though, as I shall be triumphant. As for the rest of my life, things are going better. I'm stalled again, but it's giving me time to get my act together at work. Also I'm trying to be careful and not think that I've only lost 42 pounds in 5 weeks because I lost 42 lbs in 5 weeks! Yes, I am breaking out the Hammer moves! I'm finally back to full 8 hour shifts (thank god) and my naps are getting shorter and shorter. I am getting somewhat tired of my family always trying to figure out how I feel about everything, though. They seem to expect me to be stressed or having all sorts of problems and don't believe me when I say that I'm fine. My dad had this surgery and went through crazy emotions after he started to lose weight and it's like they expect me to be going through the same thing. It's kinda frustrating, honestly. I about lost it when they kept saying how "they knew that I had to be going through a lot, because they had been there with my dad, and I just didn't realize that I was going through it.". If I wasn't pissed before THAT little bit of patronizing family trivia then I definitely wanted to make short, pithy statements that would have made a sailor blush! They keep telling me I was withdrawn and not telling them everything and I kept telling them that I was in agonizing pain for 4 weeks after surgery (I had major suture complications so it felt like my side was being ripped apart every time I breathed) and wasn't chatty because I was in pain. *rolls eyes*. Nothing is more annoying than having people tell you how you should be feeling and then patting you on the head when you say that no, you don't feel like that at all. Hence why I wasn't calling them and thus started the vicious cycle. I've never been very communicative when not feeling well and I would think that after 29 years they would know that. Alas life is pretty good, though. My ego and self-confidence is increasing and I'm even thinking about hitting on the cute guy at work. This weekend I'm going shopping with my BFF because out of all my clothes I have about 3 things that fit. Also, I've never been happier that I need a new, smaller bra! Oh the inhumanity!! *grin*

I get where you're coming from, as time both seemed to fly by yet also crawl on broken arms and legs when it was my turn. It's hard, knowing your date, yet having to wait and it brings forth a lot of emotions. This is trite, but the days will slip by much more quickly than you would think. Take this time to prep yourself for your new life. Go on walks, spend time with friends, practice always drinking water in small sips. Be kind to yourself and know that if you do need to vent you can definitely come here. It'll be okay, and before you know it it'll be your surgery day.

So I have officially stalled, which doesn't come as a shock as I'm a couple weeks out of surgery. Yet I really don't care. I know that the scale will move again, and frankly I've felt so nasty the last week (I'm finally feeling better) that I've kinda had a lot on my mind. Also, I've lost 30 pounds and I feel sexy and prettier than I have in a loooooong time. Granted I still need to lose a lot of weight, but baby steps! Tomorrow I go back to work and I'm kinda nervous about it. I have a physical job and because of my problem with my sutures I know it's gonna hurt. But I'm still excited about seeing all my friends and coworkers. Wish me luck, ya'll!

I apologize to everybody who has messaged me asking where I was. Frankly, it's felt like the last week has flown by, what with going back to work and everything. My managers have really pulled through for me and decided that I needed to be on half days for last week and this week as I was struggling to make it through the day. If my job was less physical I would have been able to stick it out, but I just couldn't deal with an 8 hour shift yet. I'm hoping that by Friday I'll be back to normal hours, although I've never been so glad that I accumulated so much PTO! Things have been going okay. I still have trouble with getting my gallbladder med, vitamin, and my protein in but each day is a little easier. I have felt very cut off, though, and I realize that it's somewhat self-inflicted. I'm so exhausted from work that I go home, sleep for about 4 hours, then get up and work with my weights or go for a walk. Which exhausts me and then I go to sleep. I've always been someone who is always doing things and its hard for me to take the time and relax. I'm hoping I can schedule some fun stuff for this coming week, though! Today I'm going to go to the new wing at the science museum and then to the art museum and I'm really excited about it! Okay, on to the 'blushy stuff'. I read that people can get really horny as their hormones get released from the fat cells...but damn. I swear I'm about to jump on the first available man I see and do a "wham, bam, thank you sir" in public! I'm going to end up on Channel 10 local news if this doesn't come under control! I feel like I'm once again a hormone-bombed-15-year-old. Seriously not cool. Okay, so it is cool...but it would be so much better if I had a boyfriend right now. Although he probably would have to call in sick to work from massive dehydration and pulled muscles....*grin*

So I've always been sensitive to smell, and have always noticed the way people smell (not that I go around sniffing people). Personally unless I've worked out I've never really noticed my own scent to really change much. Yet now that I've been sleeved for a couple of weeks and have dropped a lot of weight fast I notice that...well...a few hours after I shower I seem to start smelling like I've been running a 2 mile exercise routine. (I really can't believe I just admitted that). Kinda a sour smell, which I've always associated with people who are sick. Granted summer is coming, and granted I'm on a ton of medicines right now because of complications I had....but has this happened to anybody else? I'm seriously contemplating switching antiperspirants and soap. Or taking 3 showers a day......

I'm willing to try rain dancing while beating a jungle drum and singing the 'My Little Pony' theme song if it'll help! Thank you and I'm definitely gonna check that out!

Hey! I feel okay, the medicines have been helping a lot and I'm kinda glad that I've stalled for the past week. It's allowed my body to stabilize and has taken some of the strain off my infected kidneys. Work has been awesome especially when they realized that I just couldn't handle a full 8 hour shift with all the bending, stretching, picking up, etc that goes on as a cake decorator. Even my manager told me to go home, and that shocked me as my past managers have had the philosophy that unless you're wearing a toe-tag then your butt better be at work. Apparently I kinda look like hell, but I think each day is a little better. I've been really surprised how many people noticed that I was out of work, found out that that I had surgery, and have stopped by/called/brought flowers. It's....amazing. Astounding. And flattering. I've always tried to be friendly with people at work but you never really notice how you effect other people. Ya know? How have you been?

So it's been a few days and a lot has happened in that time. I ended up having to go back to the hospital for them to check me out but luckily everything was easily fixed. Apparently when I threw up the first time it can cause your sleeve to constrict and get pissy, which can cause a cascade failure of epic upchucking. Which pulled and semi-tore some of my internal and external stitches. And because I couldn't keep anything down the ketones from the fat breakdown build up in your body and kidneys. Which don't have the liquid to properly flush them. Which means you get a lovely kidney/UTI infection. Which makes you feel worse. Yeah, do ya'll see where I'm going with this? So they ended up giving me 2 bags of fluid, 1 plain saline and the other a 'banana bag' that is full of vitamins and stuff. Then they prescribed me 3 different "Stomach Be Good" medicines that I have to take for the next month. Seriously, though, I about cried when I could eat and drink without having burning/stabbing pain. Unfortunately the suture pain I'm just going to have to deal with but at least I can eat and drink! So this little adventure set my physical recovery back, and I still have to go into work Thursday. My boss rocks, though, and I'm going to be honest that if it wasn't Mother's Day coming up the doctors recommended I take another week off. I think she'll let me work some half days so that's good. Anyway, overall things are better and I'm back on track. Rock on and I hope ya'll are doing well too!

So for the past couple of days (ever since I moved to soft/mush) I've been throwing up/dry heaving like crazy. When I eat or drink something it hurts like a b***h, kinda like somebody shoved a hot poker into my chest area. I would think maybe I had sprung a leak, but I don't have a fever. Has this happened to anybody else? Do ya'll think it might be because my sleeve isn't ready for food yet? I'm kinda concerned and figure if I'm not better by Monday I'll call the doctor.....

Yeah, The Sheriff went from "We're all good, bring on more food" to "Def Con 1" in about 2 seconds. That was my first experience with sliming. Fun stuff.

Thanks for all ya'lls help, guys! I'm going to try your suggestions and see what happens. Wish me luck. ~Lyra

Like they said above, a therapist will help, but have you also thought about volunteering? I like to volunteer at a no-kill animal shelter because it not only lets me meet new people, but also feel good about giving something back. Also, cuddling with lots of animals will make anyone feel better! Also you could try Meetup.com and find local groups that may enjoy the same things you like. There's all sorts of groups; climbing, kayaking, arts/crafts, movie groups, etc. It's really cool and it's been a lifeline to me when I've moved to a new place. Do you like art? Most areas have art centers where you can learn to work with a variety of mediums. Maybe finding new fun things to do will help you find new friends, and perhaps lift your spirits. Good luck and keep us posted!

I had surgery 4/25 and was cleared for soft/moist 5/3 and everything was fine until I tried my new multivitamin which caused me to throw up. Ever since then it's hard for me to get any food or liquid down without extreme pain/throwing up. D*#@n it, I don't want to have to go back to the doctor! I'm supposed to go back to work in four days!

Honestly, it barely bothered me. I think I took maybe 2 GasX the entire time.

you should go to a running store so they can analyze your walking pattern and pair you with the correct shoes. I swear they make a huge difference! I'm jealous that you're able to walk so much! I've had problems with dehydration and having pulled my stitches and was told to take it easy for a few days. No walks for me until Sunday. Major bummer.

What about if you just pour water into a regular 2C measuring cup? That way you know the ounces in your glass without using 1oz cups. Other than that, your blog is hilarious, and I love reading it!

Wow, that doctor was a jerk. There are definitely better ways to ask those questions, and apparently he is to old to take some classes on bedside manner! Next time you should tell him about the different diets/exercises you have tried, and that you were there for help in changing your life, not because you desired his lovely personality and witty repartee! As for getting the money, can you refinance your house or use your car as equity?

Try watery grits with a bit of butter spray. I had a few days where my sleeve was really grumpy but I could get the grits down. It was one of the yummiest things I had ever had, lol!

well I'm in soft/moist right now and I can have: cheese, very mayo-y tuna/egg/chicken salad, morning star stuff (I love the 'chicken' patties!), cottage cheese, yogurt, pudding, eggs, fish (tilapia, cod, etc), mushed up bananas, grits, beans.

I felt bruised on the inside, but I mostly felt pain from the sutures. It also didn't help that when I woke up from anesthesia I freaked out! I started thrashing and moving about and it really didn't help my surgical sites. There seems to be a wide spectrum in pain for people, but it seems most everyone gets a pain pump after surgery. Hit that thing a few times and you wont care whats going on! Good luck, go get a massage, and relax!

You can also ask your doctor if you can take the Opurity Bariatric Vitamins (the ones for the bypass). They're chewable, you take 1/day, and they only cost $40 for 100 days supply. They also supply your Vitamin D and I think your Vitamin B. It's cheaper than the ones you can get from Walgreens. It sounds like you've had a tough few days. Feel better, good luck, and keep us all posted!

Its kind of counter-intuitive in that the longer you lay around after surgery the weaker you get. Not only does moving around help with blood flow and help clear your lungs, but it also helps you heal faster. You wont magically wake up and feel like walking a mile, but you will get stronger every day. Set yourself small, increasing, goals in how far you're walking and you'll be surprised at how much better you'll start feeling. Good luck!

Botox, or you can try a plumping moisturizer, although it would probably only minimize and not get rid of the lines. If you decide to try the moisturizer spend some extra money and get it from a makeup counter like Clinique, Este Lauder, Mac, etc.