MichiganChic

Congratulations on your continued success. I'm always happy to give my opinion and support, glad you don't mind some bad ideas along with the good! But at 100 pounds less, don't you feel great?

Internal sutures, steri strips on skin.

Wow, looking good! I can sure tell you've lost 96 pounds!

Good for you to realize what's going on and be accountable to yourself! I think once the swelling goes down and food is tolerated better, it takes more effort than it did at first to stick with it. Don't be so hard on yourself, because that is counter productive. I am just under 3 months out, and I'm finding the need to be very fastidious about eating, because I know I could graze all day! (haven't done it, but know I could ) You mentioned you have a hard time with rules, and I have to tell you, I don't like them either, lol, but I follow them. If the day comes that I don't do so well, I hope I'm as brave as you to come here for support. My diet is super simple. I don't want to spend any time focusing on food, either thinking about it, shopping for it, preparing it, etc. Breakfast: Premier protein shake Lunch: lunch meat, chesse, egg, yogurt, etc Dinner: chicken, turkey, other lean meat, veg or fruit Snacks: string cheese, yogurt, hummus/pita chips or veg, fruit I use fitbit to track every bite I eat, and have been eating 800 calories per day. My weight loss slowed in February, so I'm bumping up my calories a little to see how it goes. I decided there is no sense in eating 800 calories a day if I'm only losing 1-2 pounds a week. I could do that on 1200+ before! Good luck!

Sorry, I don't have an experience, just a question. Just curious - did you take Urso Forte or anything after your surgery to prevent gall stones? I have to take until I'm 6 months post op, and I see you are over 9 months out. Good luck to you, hope all goes well for you!

What you are describing here sounds much more toxic than I interpreted in your originial post. You've identified her behavior is like this about many things, and that you see through her boorish behavior. You've also identified what you will do, which is pull away from her. We can only make choices for ourselves, and it sounds like you are making the best one in this circumstance. Right now, this issue (surgery) is all about YOU, and people who can't recognize that have no place in the equation. None of us need negativity and distraction. You sound grounded, and I'm willing to bet you are going to do great, with or without her. Good luck to you as you navigae through this issue, and with your impending surgery!

Thanks for sharing your pics. I'm glad for you that you are happy with the outcome - you look great

Good luck to you! Wishing you an easy time and speedy recovery! Let us know how you do.

My surgery was about an hour and a half. No complications or other surgeries. Maybe my doc is slow, lol. I was in recovery for about 5 hours due to problems with pain management and high blood pressure. Surgery was at 11 and i didn't get to my room until after 5 pm. I was in the hospital 2 nights.

It inhibits vitamin absorption, too.

I found a good paper (guideline) about calcium, how to take it properly, and how much. I am supposed to be taking 1500 mg daily in divided doses, but wondered how far about the doses needed to be. I like this article because it discusses absorption issues and recommends doses. http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/health/az1042.pdf

Fage 0%

MetroMint chocolate mint water. Not sweetened or carbonated

Such a sweet story! Thanks for sharing, and good luck to you!

Comments like that are hurtful, and I'll never understand why people say things like that. But then again....sometimes say/think things that I probably shouldn't. I want some slack when I do, and I try to remind myself of that when others irritate me. Have you asked her clarify why she is saying you are "cheating"? Maybe she doesn't really understand. As others have said, it's still up to us to do the work. I don't think I fully understood that until I was post op. I knew the surgery wasn't magic and I would have to work, but now I really get it Sounds like you have been friends for a long time, and it might be worth a discussion with her .I like the way johnlatte summed it up. If she can't support you, then I would distance myself from her because you are going to need all positive support you can get! You are making the best decision for you, and deserve to surround yourself with people who really have your best interests at heart. No added stress needed. Good luck

Glad you are doing well and happy now. I'm also glad I had my surgery in the US after reading that!! All that stuff would have made me crazy! I've been an OR nurse, and I can tell you, we don't do it like that here, lol. One similarity no matter where you go - the diarrhea! No mention that in the US either, lol.Your post was too funny!

Actually, the higher weight is likely due to fluid retention. The surgery itself causes the body to hang on to fluids for a few days, but it does come off. I was surprised by how much water weight I gained. But to answer your question, I think it took about a week to get below my surgery day starting weight. Don't worry, it comes off!

I had to do one, for two weeks. As others have said, varies by physician. My doc's process is based on BMI; the higher it is, the longer the liquid diet. In my case, 2 weeks, lol. Their rationale is that it shrinks the liver by 15%, decreasing chances of liver laceration during the procedure, and gives more room to work. I did the diet, and when they got in there, he said I had a great looking liver....so I doubt 2 weeks of liquid diet did that. Your doc knows what her feels comfortable with.

The first few weeks are the roughest. It's a job just meeting the basic reqirements for protien and fluids, for sure! As long as you are keeping it down, the best advice I can give you is sip all the time (of course, not within 30 minutes of eating). I used to drink lots of Water before surgery, and was surprised I had a hard time getting it down afterwards. I didn't like it plain water as much....so I bought several types of additives like MIO, the Crystal light liquid, and even store brand flavor enhancers. Some have Vitamins, too. I like them because you just squirt it in, so it makes it easy to flavor to taste. I don't like it too sweet, so I add a little less. I also found a couple of flavored waters at the store that I love. My favorite is MetroMint - they have a chocolate mint flavored water I really like. No sugar, sweetener, or carbination, just the most subtle hint of flavor. I think it's expensive (about $2 a bottle) but it's a nice treat. It's in the organic section at my grocery store, and I've seen it at whole foods, too. Hint is another brand that is also very good. Anyway, just keep sipping and get as much in as possible. I'm about 11 weeks out now, and I have no trouble getting fluids in anymore. You'll be surprised at how it changes when the swelling goes down. Good luck!

There are a couple of really long threads on this topic you could search and get loads of opinions. Look for "why lie?". Anyway - it's a personal decision, but I would recommend if you don't want people to know, don't tell anyone at all except close family. I only told a handful of people, but some of them told others, so now many more people know (at work). Probably more than I realize know.....we have a grapevine there, lol!

You are living my worst fear! I don't have anything to offer, other than I can understand why you feel the way you do. It's got to be so frustrating. Just curious - What is your calorie intake? And, when did you stop losing? How close are you to goal? I do hope something changes for you!

You look great!

I was exhausted at 2 1/2 weeks, but I still went places and did some things. I agree with the others, it's a full time job getting in protein and fluids. You didn't mention how you are planning to travel, but that's also a factor. I wouldn't want to ride in a car (or plane) for too long, since so soon after surgery blood clots could still be a risk. Also, it depends on what you plan to do when you get there. If you can go and just hang out with family and can be comfortable staying wherever you are, then I'd probably try to go, even knowing how bad I felt.

Dana, Congratulations on your big loss! My loss has ground to a halt...hauntingly like before surgery.I lost great at first, but I've only lost a few pounds the month of February, and most of it in the first few days. I've been between 700-800 calories, too. I'm considering increasing my calorie intake, as well. I think at this point it really can't hurt. Normal people don't gain weight on 1000 calories a day! How do you get those calories in? I could eat more often, or I could increase volume, or I could increase dense caloric foods....not sure which is the best approach. I don't know about you, but I can eat more than I expected to be able to. Not that I do all the time, but that I have so I know I can (maybe a cup). I haven't really pushed my sleeve to see just what it can hold, but it scares me to think I ended up with one of those "big" sleeves, lol!

Personally, I would not do it with low BMI and no comorbidities. It really depends on your tolerance for risk. In my case, I felt like the risk was worth it. Having gone through it, and having had a minor complication, it was pretty rough and made me realize how you can be that small percentage who gets a complication. I felt very lucky that I didn't get a serious complication like a leak, and I'm happy with my decision, but knowing what I do now, I would have made a different one if my circumstances were one of no weight related health issues.