2013newme

Thanks so much for sharing eggface blog - I just went through it - it is awesome and full of fantastic ideas!!!!

do you drink alot of water? The jerky has high sodium content and you may need to drink extra water to compensate??? You may want to increase your calories too if you are doing really low calories - your body might think it's starving and be storing up the fat... just some thoughts....

I was having a hard time sleeping as well - until I amped up my exercise routine - using my fitbit - I never go without getting in 10k steps now - and I guess that wears me out :-)! However, I do agree with you guys - if I am woken up in the middle of the night (like my dogs barking) - I find it difficult to go back to sleep - but I'm not sure that is because of the sleeve.

I'm 5'3" - I tried to tell them I was 5'4" - but then they actually measured me...lol!!!! how about you? Tomorrow is my big weigh in for my 2 month post-op - we'll see

Oh I know all about the stall (sigh here too)... I went about a week and a half before I decided not to look at the scale for 5 days (Tuesday is my big moment, and if I haven't lost weight, I will throw up :-)).... I also increased my calories (they say your body thinks it's starving, so goes into storage mode) and I increased my "movement"... i was already exercising well - so I just started moving more - more housework, more walking around instead of sitting, etc.... we'll see on Tuesday (my 2 month post-op weigh in) if it paid off - I KNOW it is FRUSTRATING!!!! hang in there - I'll let you know if my changes did the trick or not....

LOL!!! Thanks for holding me to my word! NOPE - no scale - Tuesday morning is my big day - If I don't lose anything - I'm just going to throw up! :-) Jeff - I'm going to join you with that 5k milestone soon - I am determined to get there!!! Way to commit yourself now - I'm chicken still - but I'm going to get there too :-) Yesterday I hit a major milestone on my fitbit (if you don't have one - get one - talk about addicting (in a good way))!... 16356 steps taken today 164% of goal of 10,000 7.54 miles traveled today 151% of goal of 5.00 That was 3.5 miles on the treadmill for an hour plus all the house work I did yesterday - I always make it to 10k these days - except on my off day - where I do 5k - but have never gone this high!!!! Super proud of all my moving around with all the energy I have these days!

beauty - I wish I would lose 30 lbs a month.... my experience says differently. I lost about 20 the first month - and I'm approaching the end of my 2nd month and I have been extremely faithful to the program AND have kicked up my exercise dramatically and have lost 12 lbs so far (with about 5 days to go).... I have also seen others posts and the weight slows down - sort of like slow and steady. My first post op appt. my doc said the first 1/2 of the weight loss (in my case 50 lbs) is from the surgery alone, the last half is from what I do for myself (eating and exercising right). Let me know how the trend continues for you... I guess everyone is different, so I wish you a safe and speedy loss :-)

sweetcurves - my surgery was 1/8/13 - about 7 weeks ago

sheree212 - yes - I am surprised they haven't put you in contact with Meagan yet (the dietician) - that was a pre-req for me for the surgery. You will have to meet with her at least 2 times before surgery - one to talk about nutrition in general and another right before surgery to talk about pre and post op diet. They want you to be on liquids for about a week before surgery and only clear the day before. I say about a week - because they moved my surgery date up and I only had 4 days. The reason is because they want to try to reduce your liver fat as much as possible so they don't "knick" it while doing the sleeve. are you going to the post op support group on the 11th or are you doing the pre-op support group? If it is in the evening - it is post-op. Hope to meet you there!

emeraldeye - sorry about your frustrations - I feel your pain for sure!!! spouses - love - hate relationships for sure :-)!! Jeff and emeraldeye - awesome on the c25k ambitions - I just don't know how I could run right now. I am walking at least 5k a day right now, with 3 of those in pure sweat mode :-)... I just don't know how my knees (and fat) could handle the run yet. I'm trying to get at least 40 - 50 more lbs off I think before I run - but maybe that's just the old me saying I'm too fat - maybe 20 lbs? Anyway - I wish you all luck with your venture into that!! 5k's are the BEST way to energize yourself and meet fantastic people! I used to run in them all the time (ok I did 5 in my lifetime - but who's counting :-))! I'm STILL at 218 - soooo - I have decided to change the game a little... taking some advice from others... today I am increasing my protein and water and going for 2 big walks today (one already done - actually already hit my 5 mile mark on fitbit today before noon :-))... going for another walk this afternoon. AND.. this is BIG for me... I'm not going to look at the scale until Tuesday next week (8 week post op)....we will see :-)!!!

I was sleeved at Emory midtown as well with Dr. Davis - I'm sooo looking forward to everything being in one spot - i haven't been to one of the support sessions yet - but am planning on it in March - hope to see you there!!

Thanks for the insight Woobs!

ok - I am soooo frustrated!!! I have been 218 for more than a week - and what is worse - every day it teeters between 218 and 219 - some days 219, some days 218. I have really upped my walking since Valentine's Day - walking at least 10000 steps every day - and this week started 3 miles of aggressive exercise (like really working out and breaking a sweat). My typical day of food looks like this: morning protein shake (about 200 calories) and blueberries, mid morning - protein drink (Medifast - 100 calories), lunch - non-fat cottage cheese or hummus with raw veggies, mid-afternoon - protein drink (100 calories), dinner - portioned fish, veggies, and whole wheat couscous..... I try to get in water thoughout the day too - but probably only about 32 oz - I know I need to step that up for sure! I also know that I'm building muscle - which weighs more than fat... but COME ON!! 7 full days of going back and forth with one pound and NOT LOSING ANY WEIGHT!!!! I am doing everything right!!!! or am I???? I know I should concentrate on my NSVs like clothes fit better, I'm getting exercise in for the first time in a long time, I have far more energy - but it is soooo hard to celebrate those when the scale doesn't budge!!!!! FRUSTRATING!!!!

sooooo Jeff - how was the sashimi? That was the first "real" food I had too :-)... interestingly only 2 pieces of fish though - that is all I could "stomach"! Hope all went well with your doc!

I saw this article too - it is a great message.... I have alot of anxiety (two kids with autism disorder pretty much sums up why :-))... and I drank alot of wine and took Lexapro prior to surgery.... after surgery, when they told me I had to crush up all my pills - I just stopped taking the Lexapro (I had to take 2 pills of this alone)... the docs (when I told them what I did) where not happy because your body is going through so much already - you just can't stop cold turkey - but I did :-)... now I'm 6 weeks post-op today and still haven't taken any Lexapro.... my pcp and I decided to see if my exercising would replace the need for meds and we are going to take a look at where I am in about a month from now.... I still have "issues" with my anxiety, and question my decision on coming off of Lexapro sometimes - but as I increase my exercise time, I think this is helping - I know they said 8 mins a day, but I'm probably not up to the "speed" yet they imply in that 8 minutes :-) I guess I'm doing my own "research" and study on this... we'll see but so far so good! p.s. I use a fitbit and am soooo addicted to it - this helps me get motivated to stay active!

so - I had my labs done at 4 weeks post op - my pcp told me that my ALT and AST (liver) were high - I freaked a bit - only because pre-op, I did my fair share of drinking (just sayin' - I like wine :-))...anyway - sent the labs over to my bariatric docs...they said not to worry because it is common for rapid weight loss to put a strain on your liver - and it is a big reason they say not to drink alcohol during this post-op time - drinking is yet another strain on your liver - and with our weight loss - it's too much... thought I would share in case you see the same things with your labs..... on a side note, I have had a 1/2 glass of wine since surgery (over an hour period of time), and it was not a fun night in the bathroom let's just say... so I'm glad that happened to me so I'm not tempted right now to sneak a glass or so every once in a while... think I'll let my liver rest for now :-)

Jeff - great work on bday party #2!!! Keep up the great work!! - just think... tomorrow is 6 WEEKS - whoo hooo!!!

1 can black beans, 1/2 jar salsa (I use Ariba medium), vegan shredded mozzarella (about 1/4 cup at most), and about 1 tsp lime juice. Simmer all ingredients for about 1/2 hour (to get beans mushier) - then transfer to blender to puree... I made this recipe up - it was sooo good - my husband loved it as a bean dip for the Superbowl this year too. I also made up a guacamole dip (though it is tough not to dip it with something) - 4 really ripe avocados 1/2 jar salsa (I use Ariba medium), 1 tsp cumin, 1-2 tsp lime juice... mash together and eat or keep cool until ready

interesting about y'alls comments on telling the parents because they offer food... I am just the opposite... I didn't tell my parents at all - and don't plan to because they are on my case sooo much about my weight - even when I was younger and thin - my mom would cook for the whole family and serve me a Lean Cuisine (no joke)... she meant well I'm sure - but I just don't want to "hear" about it from them on how I should have done this sooner, or "I know someone who...." or whatever the condescending comment they will come up with... so it's just me, my husband, my bff, my boss, and y'all that know :-)...and thanks for all the support you all provide - couldn't make it without you guys!!!

So sorry for all your trouble and the issues on such a special night... thanks for the reminder though and lesson learned!!! I too, am at the just over 5 week mark, and getting "comfortable" with my foods...I am going to definitely going to keep your post in mind!!

Jeff - you know - our spouses are so used to our old habits, it is tough for the to change too - my husband keeps ordering pizza (one of my overeating foods) and I just have to move to another room until dinner is over... we might have to find a way to gently remind them that we are "new" to this relationship and need "new" feel good items. On a separate note - I found my new addition - my Fitbit... if you don't have one, I suggest getting one... instead of focusing on my food now, I'm totally focused on my steps and miles per day. I am constantly uploading my data to the computer and monitoring my progress - quite obsessed actually. Last night I still had over 1000 steps to hit my 10,000 step goal I set for myself so I did laps around the house while watching (listening) to Dateline :-0!!!!!

I survived Valentine's Day - and even lost a pound :-)! I actually have lost my desire (taste buds) for sweets - but I found out yesterday, that doesn't include brownies. I made them for my kids thinking that it would be just another sweet that I can't tolerate - dang - it wasn't - I liked it and didn't have any "bathroom issues" with it (which usually keeps me from testing out these types of things)! So - brownies are gone (I threw them out - I told my kids that the Valentine fairy took them - they didn't believe me - but I thought it was funny) - and I found out I am still human and have to control my intake and food addictions just like a non-sleeved person :-)!!!!

oh the feet!!!! I hate evenings now because of my feet being sooooo cold... I feel your pain (and lack of sleep)... I can't stand socks on my feet, but I have started wearing fuzzy socks to bed and take them off as soon as I feel that la la land feeling of sleep.

asifitsthelast OMG - what happened to you... that looks horrible!! I hope you have gone to the doctor - I hope you are on the mend!

HI all! I had my 4 week post-op appt. with my surgeon today! He told me some very interesting things that I thought I would share with you (you may already know this - but I didn't)... but first... my stats! Largest lbs: 259 Surgery day lbs: 248 (my official weigh in was Friday before surgery at 250 - but 248 is what I weighed myself in on day of surgery) 4 week post op lbs: 228 (total 20 lbs loss so far) lost 1 inch in neck and 3 inches in waist! So here's what he said: first of all, the avg. 1 month weight loss is between 15 - 20 lbs - any more than that they worry about patients being dehydrated or other issues; also told me that I could expect to lose about 50 - 60 lbs of the 120 that I want to lose by doing nothing and letting the surgery do it's thing... the rest is totally up to ME; the side incision hurting is because that is where they took the stomach out and they had to stick the inside - they didn't have to do that for the other incisions; the stomach is going to be swollen internally for about 3 - 4 months post-op, so this helps with the "full" feeling, after that - you really have to start watching portion controls - this is also why they stress protein at the beginning because they know your stomach isn't able to hold much food and they want to make sure those muscles are building back up. I was told I could start really exercising - breaking a sweat - now - and that the walking I had already started last week was fine - they want some patients to wait until after 4 week post-op because of other issues with their health/weight/surgery. I asked if there was anything I could do at this point to "mess things up" internally - he said "nope"... I'm "healthy" (this cracked me up since the reason I did this surgery is because I am NOT healthy - but it's all relative of course), and I would have already done any damage in the first few weeks. He told me of a patient he recently had that ate a full mcdonalds meal the day after she was released from hospital and busted right through her staples... can you imagine? I couldn't even swallow a sip of water then!!!! Anyway - I just thought I would share what I learned today! I am released from my surgeon now - and only see the internist and dietitian moving forward... my next goal is to get off of ALL my meds (I'm down to only 2 now - wooo hooo!) Happy one month anniversary to all!!!