Momonanomo

omg that is AWFUL!! I'm so sorry! What a horrible person that clerk was! Like 20 years ago, bought some sweatpants without trying them on -- just grabbed a folded pair & paid for them. Well when I got home and put them on, there was a giant hole in the crotch! So I took them back. The salesclerk woman was like no we won't take this back, you obviously were too big for them and ripped them. I was FURIOUS! I told her exactly what happened, and I said You Have GOT To Be Kidding Me that you won't exchange these for me. The owner of the store heard all this & rushed over and let me exchange them. But I never never went back in that store. What is WRONG with some people???

Haven’t blogged in a month, so this will be long. Today marks 12 weeks since surgery and 14 weeks since the beginning of the pre-op. I’ve lost 43 lbs since surgery and 53 lbs in total. I’m damn happy with that! How funny….at the end of that last sentence, I made a typo, and instead of an exclamation point, I typed a question mark. If that’s not my subconscious peeking through, I don’t know what is! No really, I’m happy. No way would I be at this point if I hadn’t had the surgery. I am impatient. I am dismayed that the weight loss is slowing a bit. But, I do find hope in knowing that if I apply myself, the losses will continue and time will pass and every little bit adds up to a lot. So much of weight loss is a mental game. This is the true test. To make sure that I stay the course, not just because eating healthfully is actually good for me, but because I cannot – will not – comfort myself with the wrong kinds of food. I will lose weight at exactly the rate that I am supposed to. Now, I take this time to analyze what I am responsible for. I believe that I am eating the proper way and that I am getting a balanced diet. I am tracking my food, another plus for me. I will be downloading my sparkpeople logs and submitting them to my NUT so that she can review and give feedback. I am taking my vitamins. I am definitely reaching my protein goals. I do not feel that I am under eating nor do I feel that I am overeating. What could I be doing better? I probably am not getting my fluids in. I am not tracking that, and how would I know for sure if I don’t track it? I am hiking 6 evenings a week, up the hills behind my house, for at least 30 minutes & sometimes longer. That is waaaaaay more than I used to do, so while I applaud myself for that, it is time to step it up again. And I have not been doing the strength training I should be doing. I do sometimes have the fear that I will be someone for whom this surgery only gets me half way to goal. Or that the weight loss will stop altogether. I remind myself frequently that there are still things that I am responsible for, and I have no choice but to take responsibility. I have this sleeve as a tool, I have been lucky that my body has taken so well to this surgery, and I also have a tremendous source of support in the resources my surgeon’s team provides. I can contact my NUT and exercise specialist any time I want. For the rest of my life I have these tools. What has changed for me since surgery that seems to be a Forever change for me now? Well, like I said, I am much more active. I am much more mobile and my balance is better. I love that because I can see evidence of things to come! As far as intake, I am still following a pretty pure, unprocessed, paleo type diet. I have had bread on about 2 occasions, in the form of ½ of those whole wheat skinny buns. Other than that, no bread, no rice, no pasta. No sugar! I am having fruit once a day and more vegetables than I was eating at the beginning of my diet progression. The sleeve has certainly relaxed, so I am being careful to do the protein first thing. That definitely does the trick for filling me up, and it gives me peace of mind that I have the ability (for the rest of my life!) to be in control of my appetite. I got the sleeve because there have been times in my life that I felt insanely hungry. Now I know that I just need to eat some good dense protein and I will not feel that way! No doubt if I ate slider foods (and I could now if I wanted) I could eat and eat and feel that out of control hunger and keep eating. So I love that I have that control measure. I ALWAYS eat the protein first. And often I find that one last bite, the one bite that would be the One Bite Too Many, I discretely spit into my napkin. I will not push myself and make myself sick. I’ve gotten over the whole clean-my-plate thing. I’ve had alcohol on a couple of occasions and have been fascinated to discover that I have become a one-drink-nurse-it-all-night kind of gal. I was never like that before. I always felt driven to be gluttonous with food and drink in my previous life, and I no longer feel that way. I am so happy about that! This is an amazing journey indeed. I am so very grateful to have been given this opportunity. Onward!

I think you are a wonderful, sweet, thoughtful wife, and he will LOVE your surprise! Your post brought tears to my eyes. You have a wonderful husband, and you will be rewarding him for his love & devotion by becoming a healthier, happier you. Be honest with him about why you didn't want to have the rings up-sized, he'll understand and be glad you shared that with him. There is every reason to believe that you will get to a healthy weight -- isn't this journey amazing? It has given hope to those of us who thought we were doomed. I wish you every bit of luck and an early "Happy Anniversary!"

Maybe someone else has experienced something like this and can chime in, but I'm going to say that pain that severe does not sound normal, and may not even be sleeve related. If it were me, I would get an appointment with my PCP to start with, and try to get to the bottom of it. I'm so sorry you're hurting like that! Hugs are supposed to be nice things Take care, and good luck

When I read the title of your post " Can't I just hit the stupid people?" I thought to myself, Sign me up! And, Boy are our arms going to get tired! LOL But when I read your story OMG I am soooooo proud that you did what you did!!!!! That was awesome!! I can't stand "sales people" types in the first place -- sometimes I just want to freaking LOOK without having someone up my butt trying to "help". But for her to make such an assumption, omg, rude. Let's just hope it was a learning experience for her!

yes, I'd say an odor is something the doctor would want to know about. It is a sign of infection. Don't panic, but don't hesitate to call the doc. I had the belly button single incision, and the first couple of days I left it alone -- it just got incidental rinsing in the shower, though I was careful not to let the spray go directly on it. The next couple of weeks I would create a bunch of soap suds in my hand and kind of pat them over my belly button, then splash a LOT of Water on it to wash the suds away. Never never never scrubbed it, and waited several weeks before running the water directly on it. Have the professional look at it though, and give you advice on how you should best clean it.

The sticks are for unrinalysis and are supposed to show the presence of ketones. I mean, honestly, if you're in ketosis you kind of already know it, but I like that extra reassurance-- I like things you can see so it shows me. LOL I just googled "ketostix" so I could show you a picture, but then I found this: http://ketopia.com/why-you-need-to-stop-worrying-about-the-color-of-your-ketostix/ which I probably need to go ahead and read now ANYwaays....yes the ketostix confirm to me when I am indeed in ketosis and I just like that added feedback. You can get them at any pharmacy.

I agree with JerseyGirl -- track your intake and show it to your NUT. I use sparkpeople and it lets you export to excel so you can print it out. I would think that MyFitnessPal probably also allows reporting, if that's what you use. I know sparkpeople will let you track sodium, just in case that's the culprit as you suspect. If you feel like you're doing everything right but don't get the results you want, take the data to your NUT and let the expert review it. that's what the NUT's for!

Well as far as what to expect....it's hard to say because every program is different. My surgeon has a comprehensive program, and I was required over the course of my preparations to meet with their nutritionist, their exercise specialist, my primary care physician, a psychiatrist, and the surgeon himself. It could be that they're having you do a lot of that at the same time if it's going to be 4 hours. Probably they'll get your medical history, your dieting history, and do some preliminary testing to assess if the surgery is appropriate for you. They will certainly weight you and measure your height to determine your BMI. My surgeon poked around on my abdomen. As far as what to bring or have prepared -- I would call their office and ask them if there's anything, then you'll know for sure. At that time they will probably enlighten you as to what the appointment will entail. It's a good idea for you to take your own written list of questions too. If I don't do that I always get "dr's office amnesia" and forget to ask all the questions I had! And then, I highly recommend camping out here on VST By the time I had my surgery, nothing that happened was a surprise because I had read it all here. Best of luck to you!!

I went to the pharmacy to buy some ketostix -- these little strips you pass through your urine that tell if you are in ketosis or not, and the pharmacist was like "You don't need those. If your urine smells different, then you are in ketosis" I went ahead and bought the ketostix anyway

Also make sure you're getting your fluids in. Being dehydrated will cause the headache and can also make you nauseas

oooh ouch. Been there. Once. And hope to never do it again. I feel your pain! This is some serious behavior modification we've signed up for, isn't it?! On a different note....your healthy tacos sound really yummy !

I agree I agree I agree! All of this discussion about why this woman said the things she said would be one thing if it were a family member or a friend or acquaintance. But she was not! She works the desk at the lab!!!!!

You didn't say , but have you had surgery and if so, when? All things considered though, the discomfort sounds like a bladder infection, which won't get better on its own. Should probably see your doctor.

I have made similar "milestone" goals. Definitely want to weigh what I did when I got married, and to weigh what I did when I met my husband, then to weigh less than him. Another one on my list is to weigh what is says on my drivers license! LOL Congratulations! You've done so well achieving your goals....you inspire me to work hard to achieve mine!

ya know.....I would have been tempted to ask for her supervisor, if not then perhaps I'd call back later... Maybe I'm just a beyotch. But you didn't walk up and ask her professional opinion, and it's not her job to give it to you (not that she's qualified!) nor is it to go on about her personal problems in a professional setting. I don't tell a lot of people about my surgery, but I do tell doctors and other medical professionals and I expect them to use the utmost professionalism. Why would the fact that it's WLS give her the right to make any comment on it at all? Much less start talking about herself. Or judging you OR your surgeon. Shame on her. She doesn't know your circumstances. I'm sorry that happened to you, but you handled it well. If it had been me, she might have gotten seriously reprimanded!

I agree with everyone above, since you cant handle quantity, go for quality (calorie dense & full healthy fats) and frequency (several small meals per day).

My surgery was 5/22 and i had a couple sips of white wine on July 4th. Since then I've had a drink here and there, maybe 1 drink every 2 weeks. Have not had beer. I have found that, just as my sleeve has made me no longer want to gorge myself on food, it has also turned me into someone who can enjoy a beverage at a reasonable pace and one is enough. I used to be one to toss several drinks back quickly & easily. I am glad for this change too!

I was told by my surgeon that after 6 weeks you are pretty much in the clear..however I read a recently posted blog post on this website from someone who got one at 6 months out. That was really upsetting I sure hope she has a quick recovery.

I expect mine to start any day now. . . I'm just over 11 wks out....I know it's inevitable. In addition to all the things you listed to help lessen the hair loss, I've also heard people talk about a product called toppik, whcih I intend to use when it's time. It's on amazon and I think Sally has it too (no Sally's where I live unfortunately) They also have their own website toppik.com I think. ANYways, it's a "hair fiber" that you put at the roots of your hair & it kind of disguises the thinning. Comes in a bunch of colors. And it washes out. I have lots of hair now, and I know it will be a shock when it starts thinning. The second I see my scalp I'm going to try that stuff!

Well....first let me say that I have seen identical threads become heated debates, so if this one does too, there was fair warning That being said, aside from the empty calories of alcohol, it is a bit early on a still-healing stomach to be pouring something as harsh as alcohol over it. I know 21st is a big birthday, but it would be wise to wait until you're a bit further out from this major surgery you've had. Take a minute to think about what's been done to your stomach. Then think about what your surgeon -- not your NUT-- would say at the prospect of alcohol at this point. I don't mean to be a downer! But, the alcohol will always be there & there will be plenty of time later to drink it. I say why risk it now??? And.. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

yeah, I was that kid too, and my mom believed in telling it like it is. Boy oh boy...the day when I was 5, and I asked where babies came from, I decided there where some questions I'd rather not have answered!

thank you so much Bluto and Butter for going more in depth on the protein thing and providing additional links for further reading! Round of applause for the educational value of this thread!

I also love PB2 & vanilla protein shake done up in the blender with ice! I use syntrax nectar which is only 100 cal and 23 g proteint. It does get a wee bit grainy because fo the powdered PB, but I enjoy that too To second what Butterthebean said.....my printed materials from my NUT specifically say that for protein shakes, they should be less than or equal to 180 calories and no more than 35 g of protein. When I asked why about the protein, I was told that the body doesn't absorb it when you take that much in at once. So.....I would definitely split the recipe into 2 servings!

Whoa great job!! I can't imagine how excited you must be to be running a 5k!!! Best of luck to you, and bravo on a job well done with the transformation into a real athlete!!