SpaceDust

Good for you! You CAN do this.

I know that in my case, it was less about losing weight (although I did lose some). My dietician told me from the start to not worry too much about that, it is really more about making sure I learned the right tools I'll need to succeed, and to establish that I have tried less risky (and less expensive!) weight loss methods. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

It's really normal for hormonal imbalances to put you on a roller coaster after major surgery and major weight loss. For me, I would have unexpected crying jags for no real reason after I had abdominal surgery a few years ago. I just suddenly felt so very sad! I was probably a bit emotional for a little over a month, then all of a sudden things evened back out and I was my normal self again. If it's really causing you major stress, it would likely be worth it to talk to your doctor. Maybe you could go on some medication to "smooth things out" for the short term, while your body sorts itself out. Good luck!

I'm another voice saying "yes, milk of magnesium, and do it today" - the pain meds cause constipation, and it really isn't any fun at all if you let yourself get "impacted". I went through it one time, and one time ONLY. The other surgeries I was immediately doing what I could to prevent it happening again!

I was reminded of this, too, after spending almost a month in Thailand late last year. And yes, my husband and I *do* eat street food there, regardless of the fear mongers who say you should not. Guess what - the only time I've ever been sick from food when traveling it wasn't street food, but food from an airport restaurant. It was amazing how well-behaved my blood sugar was even with all the noodles and rice in the diet, too.

Congratulations! Good luck as you move forward!

First of all, congratulations! 22 lbs is something to celebrate! Everyone's body responds differently, but I wouldn't think of your loss as slow. I'd say your weight loss is at the high end of normal for someone at your starting weight and in our age group, based on the reports I've read here over the last year or so. The ideas vary over how many calories are too much. Some subscribe to keeping it around 500-600 for the first few months, but others subscribe to the concept that you have to eat a bit more than that to really keep your metabolism rolling. Your best bet is to consult with your NUT as you suggested, though.

If she's snoring that badly, I would be surprised if she's not diagnosed with sleep apnea. I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea, and I generally don't snore a lot at all per my husband. In general, it only happens when a) my allergies are acting up and I'm sleeping on my back, which is not common for me. This site is a treasure trove of knowledgeable people. Just remember that every doctor seems to have their own routines for pre and post operation diets, so while we can all talk in general terms, the details of your particular diet may be different from everyone else's. Don't let that cause confusion! Good luck!

Large amounts of weight loss can definitely impact hormonal balance. My guess is that you're just experiencing the mood swings that can accompany the imbalance while your body adjusts. It doesn't make it any less uncomfortable, but it is sometimes a little reassuring to know what's going on. It might be a good idea to check in with your doctor just in case, though. Good luck!

I got my sample pack of Syntrax Nectar last week and I'm working through them. They are pretty good, and a nice change of pace!

Interesting, thank you for that, Pammers. Would you mind sharing which insurance you have? I'm still a couple of months from my approval being submitted, so I'm trying to prepare for the answers I'm likely to get

*laughs maniacally, finally passing out due to inability to breathe* Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

Hi, Pammers - do you know why your insurance requested your surgery be done at Evergreen? I'm just curious, don't have any particular bias either way.

Excellent job so far - you do look great!

Basically, everything I'll take will fit in my small travel backpack - my CPAP (only because I'm required to take it - my sleep apnea is quite mild and I don't use the machine as much as I should...) Smartphone and tablet (which has a keyboard add-on), plus chargers - having been through three previous major surgeries, while I will be tired and not very energetic, I will want to read a little (yay, e-book and e-magazine library!) and might want to listen to some music or answer an email or two. I'll probably bring a comfy robe for walking the halls - I know I could just wear another gown backward, but I know from experience I will find my robe soothing. Plus, it can serve as a lap-blanket if I'm sitting up. Gas-X strips and lip balm. Underwear and socks for the trip home - I don't mind wearing the hospital non-slip socks for the duration of the stay, but they just are NOT comfy in shoes . I'll wear yoga pants, a loose top and slip-on shoes that will be sensible for wearing home, too. I probably won't bother taking much in the way of toiletries unless I hear otherwise from my bariatric team - I'm only expected to be there for one night, and my experience with hospitals is the major things like soap, shampoo, toothbrush and paste will be provided. Plus, I'll be 30 minutes from home - if I desperately need something my husband will bring it to me, or I'll do without for a few extra hours.

I haven't gone through this surgery yet, but I've been through the same behavior when dieting before. First things first - forgive yourself. You're human, you lost track for a short time. Now, it's time to get back to basics. Plan your meals AND Snacks in advance. Take what you're allowed to eat with you to work. It's a lot easier to stay on track if you don't have to think about it too much when temptation strikes. With regard to your coffee addiction, is it just the coffee, or are you drinking full-fat, full sugar caramel macchiatos all day long? If it's just the coffee, it's not so bad if you're tolerating it - a lot of people are drinking coffee after surgery, and my diet doesn't preclude it at all except during the 3 days of clears. However, you want to steer clear of all the sugar and fat in the mixed drinks. Maybe consider a decaf with a shot of SF vanilla and a splash of skim if that would calm your desire for coffee?

LINDANACK, did you mean grams of protein? If you get in 50 oz of protein, that's basically a smidge under 1420 grams, which is way too much!

I think some doctors are overly cautious because of fears that the extended release meds will release too quickly after the sleeve is done. I could see that as an issue with a bypass, but it seems a bit off when talking about surgery that did not monkey with the actual digestive process, just the size of the stomach.

Hi, Lizanne - I'm so sorry to hear you are having such a hard time! I can't help you with regard to your medication - I think you're on the right track by calling your doctor tomorrow to discuss it. I can tell you this, though: it's really not unusual to have bouts of emotion overload after major surgery - just do a web search and you'll find lots of reputable sites with articles about it linked to all sorts of major surgery. I found this site to provide some interesting basic information regarding post-operative depression: http://www.healthguideinfo.com/treating-depression/p88339/ There are many others. This surgery is a big deal, and there's plenty of stress, fear and uncertainty that each of us will face that could trigger the emotional rollercoaster. Hang in there - you'll get through this, and you can always come here to talk about it if you need to vent!

Hang in there, kristy26 and Pixie Dust - you'll be strong enough to do it! Just don't go too long between shakes - they are what will give you a sustained full feeling. I'm finding with my current testing of the diet waters that a Protein shake will keep me feeling okay for about 3 hours, and I can stretch that to 4 hours if I'm drinking plenty of liquid. Just plain chicken broth from a box doesn't do it for me, but if I doctor it up with more herbs and pepper, then simmer it with some veggies and strain it that it seems more full-bodied to me and more like a meal. I think I'm actually going to try and make myself some home made chicken broth before I go in for surgery and have it waiting for me, though. More flavor and maybe a bit healthier for me

I absolutely agree that you have a right to your opinion, as I do to mine. I think that there are valid points on both sides, and it's good that we both presented our reasoning. Perhaps our conversation will help someone else find what's right for them in their battles! And regardless of how we make this work, it's most definitely an ongoing battle, whether it is with our minds, with physical and mental urges, with negativity and doubt. Good luck to us all.

Girl, you may as well forget about being a sleeve guru - I think you're about to become an aspiring evangelist in a few more posts! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

Your headaches are likely because of the caffeine withdrawal - Mt. Dew is caffeinated, and if you've been drinking a six-pack or more a day, that's a fair amount of caffeine. Others on this thread are correct - wean yourself more gradually and you'll minimize the headaches. However, you can do it cold turkey. You'll likely have to fight headaches for 3-5 days, but then it's over. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

Well, you know how to reply to a forum post, so that's a good start. Are you trying to start a thread in one of the forums? Are you using the website directly, or one of the apps for iPhone or Android? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST