Getting There

The saggy skin worries me too. Hate the thought of losing a bunch of weight only to have icky droopy saggy skin...... I keep reading that plenty of Water and exercise can help. Also the younger you are and/or the number of years you've been overweight can affect how much saggy skin you have. I'm starting to save now just in case I end up needing some cosmetic help!

Dr. Kim was my surgeon too. He is VERY reserved, but his staff have all been absolutely wonderful! I've called several times with endless questions and I've never felt that they were rushing me or bothered by my calls. My surgery was 6 weeks ago today. I am SO glad I had this done. Yes, there have been moments of regret that I can't eat like I used to. But those moments are quickly replaced with happiness that by this time next year, I will hopefully be at or near my goal weight. Please feel free to message me with any questions/concerns and I'll do my best to give you as honest an answer as I can. If you haven't already been told about Dr. Kim's Support Group on Facebook, I highly recommend it. It's a private group so the posts will NOT appear on your regular FB page. Do a search in Facebook for Dr Kim Weight Loss Surgery Support Group and ask to join. It's nice to interact with those in our local community who have had the same surgeon. Where will your surgery be? Mine was at Forest Park Medical Center. It was awesome!!! Best of luck to you on your journey!!!

My acid reflux is actually better post-surgery. I had an undiagnosed hiatal hernia (most of us who are overweight and 50 "ish" do). The symptoms of the hernia include acid reflux and fatigue. For 6 months my surgeon has his patients take Pepcid (or similar) and a PPI - this is mostly to promote healing. I took a PPI and Zantac everyday prior to surgery and still had reflux. Haven't had reflux since surgery.......

You can "doctor" up the Protein shakes with flavored sugar-free syrups (I.E. Torani or DaVinci), coffee crystals (like Folger's instant) and extracts. The first 2-3 days are the worst, then it becomes MUCH easier. I also like them with 1/2 fat-free milk, 1/2 Water and 5-6 ice cubes. Some like to put in a blender. I like to put in a "Blender Bottle" (WalMart has the best price I found on these) and shake really well. Who is your surgeon?

I haven't done MFP yet. I just keep a small journal in my purse. That way I can track as I go - and easily see where I am each day. I'll look at MFP tonight - maybe it's something I should consider. Thanks for the suggestion.

I had surgery 6 weeks ago today. Typically, I get about 550-600 calories/day. I focus on protein but also watch carbs. I don't watch fat much because the foods I eat just don't have enough fat to really worry about. Not sure how much I've lost - I'll weigh on Thurs. I'm wondering if maybe I should increase my protein a bit (I'm at least 60 gr/day now). Supposedly, at this stage, I should aim for 500-800 calories/day.

I seldom drink the protein shakes anymore. Maybe I'll try adding 1/day - but I seldom feel hungry enough to "eat" more than I already do...... Maybe I'll try the 1% milk too - I use skim now.

My surgery was 6 weeks ago today. I can typically only get in 450-600 calories/day. I'm not sure how I can manage many more (at least mostly protein & "healthy" carbs). What are you doing to add calories? I meet with the NUT on Thursday and will hopefully get more ingo then. Not sure how much I've lost. I haven't weighed since my 1 week post-op.......

My surgery was 6 weeks ago today. I'm eating "moist" foods now. I learned during the pureed stage that if I don't eat SMALL bites, chew well and eat very SLOWLY, about 15-30 minutes after I finish, I don't feel very comfortable. And I'm not eating much! Baby spoon/baby fork were helpful.

My surgeon's plan is clear liquids only for the first week. It seems each surgeon has different guidelines. I'd suggest checking with your surgeon.

I don't think there are limitations on what we can take as long as the pain reliever is Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and not an NSAID. I'm taking Robitussin but it just isn't working as well as it usually does. I'm wondering if it's because the medicine doesn't stay in my stomach long enough or something...... Hope you feel better soon too

I'm almost 6 weeks post-op and have a terrible cold. I've taken the liquid cough medicine I've always taken but it just isn't doing anything. Wondering if maybe it is passing through my system too quickly or something? I don't have trouble with pills. Maybe I should take a capsule or something instead of liquid? HELP!!! I'm coughing my lungs out.

I have a miserable cold. Coughing my lungs out - and I've taken plenty of cough medicine. Nothing really sounds good - especially protein. I had some soup and had to pretty much force that. No way I'll make protein, fluid or walking goals today Feeling pretty bummed......

I don't think we're coming down on her. I think we're a little incredulous that 1) a doctor would perform this surgery on someone that clearly doesn't meet the typical BMI/Obesity guidelines and 2) that someone with only 34 pounds to lose would chose to do so this way. Can't deny that this surgery is a pretty extreme measure to lose 34 pounds. I'm not being critical of her - just surprised at her choice.

If her pic is accurate and recent, not a typo.

At only 154#'s, you have a significantly lower difference between your starting weight and your goal weight than most of us do. We are losing more initially because there is a greater difference in our previous typical calorie intake and our post-surgery caloric intake. With only 34 pounds to lose, it will be a much more gradual loss than what most of us experience. You're basically starting at the point where we will be in many, many weeks - or months. If you want to increase your rate of loss, exercise is probably the way to go as you can only cut out so many calories and remain healthy. That being said, I'm totally amazed that you would go through this to lose only 34 #'s. Also amazed you found a surgeon willing to do the surgery. No matter what though, I do with you the best!

I evaluated the lap band, the sleeve and bypass. My goal is to lose 135 pounds. I started at 265 and am 5 weeks post-op. I haven't since 8 days post-surgery so I'm not sure how much I've lost to date. I know it's at least 25 pounds. Speaking ONLY for myself, I decided the following: * The lap band had too many complications, required fills, weight loss was slower and the average % of excess weight loss was too low. Additionally, long term results for maintaining weight loss were disappointing. * The bypass was too severe for me. I wasn't comfortable with re-routing my digestive system. Dumping and malabsorption were of concern too. I didn't want my life-long consumption too be as limited as the bypass would make it. Positives were rate of weight loss, average % of excess weight loss is the highest and long-term weight loss maintenance are good. Even with the positives, this was just too extreme. * The sleeve has been performed for many years for purposes other than weight loss (as a young child, a family friend had this done for stomach cancer). The risks, compared with the other surgery choices seemed "reasonable." The average % of excess weight lost and the long-term results seem to be very acceptable. All of that said, at 5 weeks out, I can say that I'm very happy I went with the sleeve. I'm VERY fortunate. I've had no complications, very little post-surgery pain, and feel great! No matter what option you chose, be prepared to totally change the way you look at food...... You will probably go through a period of mourning and regret. It's normal and as you continue to lose weight, you'll feel better and better about your decision. Best of luck!

Once you get the sleeve, you don't stop actually living and enjoying the normal things in life, do you? Life isn't going to be all about "the sleeve" forever, is it? I didn't get the sleeve with the thought that I wouldn't enjoy being "normal" at some point. For me, that includes traveling - I LOVE to travel and part of that is enjoying the local cuisine. But the sleeve will allow me to sample smaller portions and once I return from vacation, I'll have the tools (physically and mentally) to do what I need to in order to maintain my weight loss, right? For me, being normal doesn't include being obsessed over each and every bite that goes in my mouth. I'm 5 weeks post-op and am worried that the constant thoughts about Protein, carbs, fats, how many ounces have I had so far today, etc. will always dominate my thoughts. I'm practically obsessing over grams and percentages of totals of what I eat, and quite frankly, it's annoying! I don't want to live like this forever...... All I want to be a "normal" size and have "normal" thoughts at some point in my future. Is this realistic?

I don't want to either, as far as my weight and eating habits go. But I do so much want to (need to?) feel that it won't be this obsession forever. Traveling is a big part of my life and I don't want to feel that I can't go to Paris and enjoy a bite of a crepe. Or to Munich and snack on some pretzel and bratwurst....... I'm not talking 2-3 pretzels and 2 brats - but a small snack-size serving. Just feeling a bit overwhelmed today I think........

I don't expect to (or even want to) eat normal portions I just want to live, interact and think normally.

I've had fat-free refried beans a couple of times. Added 2 Tbs salsa, a bit of grated low-fat cheddar and a small dallop of low-fat sour cream. It's a nice treat, but because of the carbs, I won't indulge very often.

I just found some notes I took that say average 15 carbs/serving & 2 servings/meal. That would be 30 carbs/meal which seems high. I have a NUT class on Thurs - I'm going to ask for clarification now for sure. I'll share what I find out.

I'm 5 weeks post-op. I average around 50 carbs/day. Some are as low as 28 and one was as high as 68. But typically around 50. I've been on a pureed diet for the past 2 weeks. It's amazing where those carbs hide! 18 carbs in a Tbs of honey...... Never would have looked at that before. I have a cold and enjoy lemon tea with honey. Not going to give up the honey but I'm only using about 1 tsp/mug instead of my normal 1 Tbs. It's all about compromise and deciding what we can live with.

They are on my recommended list. I had them with some finely grated cheese, a bit of salsa and a small "dallop" of ff sour cream. Yummy!

I use a regular, whole egg.