Jenna P

OK so this is the same as what I posted in the My Story section of my profile...but I think its a good start for my first post! I have been overweight for a large portion of my life. I started getting heavy when I was about 11 years old. I always knew I was overweight and I tried to lose weight more times than I can count. I've done it all: Weight Watchers, NutriSystem, my own diets, exercise, weight-loss pills, fad diets...you name it. I've even been an athlete for a good part of my life. I played soccer for 11 years and softball for 7 years. No matter what I did, the weight didn't come off. Sure some of it did, 10..15..maybe 20 pounds when I stuck to a program...but once I started to see a drop in weight-loss, I dropped that program. And some of them just didn't work. Then, when I was 19, I just stopped trying. I decided I was happy and could live a happy life as an over-weight girl. I have plenty of friends who love me for who I am and don't ever judge me or make fun of me for my weight. I can't even remember the last time someone called me fat (probably because if you're over the age of 16 and use that insult, you are the one with no friends). So I started just doing what I wanted. Drinking on the weekends, eating fast food and unhealthy food...just not caring. But as the months went on and my friends and I started going out to bars and clubs more, I started feeling uncomfortable in my own skin. That was the low point. When you go out, and you're dressed up, hair and makeup done, but you still feel like you're not even half as attractive as the other people in the room is one of the worst feelings someone can experience. That's when I realized I had to do something. So I started looking into weight-loss surgery options. I was thinking about having the Lap Band or the Realize Band, I just thought they would be the best option for me. Dr. Ballem was the first and only doctor I met with. He asked if I had ever heard about the sleeve surgery. I hadn't. So I did my research, decided that it was the perfect fit for me, and that was the day I started this journey. My blog is going to be about my experiences on my journey to my goal weight along with my feelings, ideas, advice, food tips, and whatever else pops into my head. Enjoy!

I'm a little over a month post-sleeve. I'm on the soft diet (can eat pretty much anything cooked and that I can cut with a fork). But I wonder if I'm getting enough protein. I have a shake for breakfast (25g protein) and eat small meals for lunch and dinner of usually chicken or fish and veggies. I feel great and haven't had any issues with food really besides some indigestion and discomfort (probably from eating too fast). How do I know if I'm getting enough protein? What happens if I'm not? HELP!

Thanks! I had no idea that would happen if I don't get enough...I'll definitely look into myfitnesspal now.

Thanks for the help..I don't use myfitnesspal but I guess I should. I usually write everything down but if I don't finish a meal I can't really estimate how much I actually got.

My dr gave me capsule type pills for acid reflux and I was supposed to empty it into food but it was nasty so i swallowed the capsules and i was fine...no issues at all (this was like 5 days after my surgery). I also swallowed my painkillers whole 3 days post op and was fine..those were regular pills that i was told to crush also.

When I first decided to have the surgery, I only told my parents and older brother. Then, once I got mixed reactions from them, I decided I wanted to tell my friends. I started with just my best friends who I see a lot. It would be nearly impossible to keep it from them!! And then I decided I didn't care who knew...I'm proud that I got this surgery and I want people to know that it works. Of course I got the 'WLS is the easy way out' speech from some people. But luckily the people in my life listen to me and understood that this was FAR from the easy way out. I feel better that people know about it...they ask questions and support me and everything. And I made it clear to everyone from the beginning that they don't have to accept what I'm doing or agree with it. I was doing it no matter what because it's what I wanted. And now I have a huge support system and it's made things easier for me.

When I was on my liquid diet (days 3-13 post op), I could have yogurt..and I LOVE greek yogurt. so what I did when I wanted something dessert-ish was mix the plain yogurt with a little yogurt. Then I got more adventurous and froze it in an ice cube tray..kinda worked but wasn't like the usual froyo from the places around here. If you want something like frozen yogurt from those places, my best idea for you is to do what I did and freeze the yogurt. Maybe even add some protein powder? Good luck!

I'm new to all of this...just joined this site today and really liking it so far. Just past my 1 month post-op mark and i've lost 22 pounds so far! I'm hoping I can lose 50 more pounds by my birthday in August.