swimmom

Yes, My Fitness Pal has been great! I use it every day! I also like that you can print out your food/exercise diaries/reports - it is an easy way to have something to bring into the doctor's office for check-ups.

My doctor said it was a poor choice - it is low on protein and high in carbs.

I was on a bit of a roller coaster the first week with nausea, etc - felt great most of the time, then I'd get waves of nausea and not feeling so hot. I also tended to get sore around my incisions later in the day (probably from the day's activities). If it becomes problematic or more severe, definitely check in with your doctor!

My surgeon told me 10 days. I think I actually waited 2-3 weeks.

I haven't had any real problems this time, but when I lost a large amount of weight before, I had about 18 months of very few/irregular periods. They say that when your body is losing a significant amount of weight, it impacts your hormones, which in turn, impacts your periods. I once heard that your body is in "self-protection" mode when you are losing large amounts of weight quickly, and it knows that it is not a safe time to get pregnant. Who knows - but I do know that your hormones are all wacky at the moment, which is bound to create changes.

You need to get a sleep study done to determine if/how badly you have it. I got my sleep study done as part of the pre-op for surgery, and I discovered that I actually had SEVERE sleep apnea - I got started on a cpap machine and still use it every night - I even travel with it. Makes a HUGE difference in quality of sleep! What amazed me is that if you have moderate sleep apnea, you are 5 times more likely to have a heart attack in your sleep! My friend's husband recently had a heart attack, and the doctor told him he had severe sleep apnea and needed to get treated - the doctor felt that the sleep apnea was a GREATER risk factor than obesity for having another heart attack!! Not many people know much about sleep apnea, but they are discovering that it can be pretty dangerous for your health long term if you are not treated!

I think that more doctors are leaning towards the sleeve, unless you have a severe medical complication that would make the RNY preferable (if you have severe diabetes, for example, it can be corrected faster with the RNY). It may not be as RAPID as the RNY, but certainly seems fast-enough - I was sleeved March 18th and I am down 43 pounds already. Studies are beginning to show that long-term success with the sleeve is equal to RNY, and fewer complications. Also, while you say that you are doing this one time and never again, you can always take heart that the sleeve can be converted to RNY down the line if there was a need for it.

I just requested a sample of them to try.

I think it all depends upon where you start, your level of activity, etc. However, my doctor did tell me I'd be losing into the second year - I have a total of about 90 pounds to lose altogether. I am 43 pounds down since my surgery March 18th. The last few pounds have been slower, but I am trying not to worry about it! I know it will be very slow once I get close to my goal weight. But it did make me feel better to know that the weight loss may well continue past the year mark - we've got a long ways to go!!!

American Bariatrics cappuccinos (I have one every morning mixed with coffee!), Laughing Cow Lite Garlic and Herb, Morninstar Farms Sausage Links, Cruncha Mame (freeze-dried edamame - just discovered them - they are awesome and easy to take on the go!), any brand of light string cheese.

Everything that everyone else has said so far is totally true - it is WAY to early to be feeling discouraged! Your body just needs to catch up. I felt discouraged for my first couple of weeks, because I hadn't shrunk out of any of my clothes yet! I am 2+ months out now, and I am shrinking out of clothes faster than I can buy them! The other thing to keep in mind is that your hormones are going through all sorts of adjustments right now as well, and many people often feel a little depressed and/or full of anxiety after surgery - this also contributes to your frustration. Give your hormones - and the rest of your body - a chance to stabilize and get with the new program.

Relax and don't worry about bringing too much - the hospital should provide you with pretty much everything you need. Totally normal to be feeling anxiety right now. As soon as you get into the OR prep, they will give you some valium or something to relax. It's a great adventure ahead - smile and get ready for the trip!

The surgery will stir up your hormones - could account for some unusual cycle occurences. The hormone disturbance also causes some mood issues after surgery. For me, it all seemed to even out 3-4 weeks after surgery.

If you can find a support group in your area for WLS patients, I suggest you attend several times BEFORE you decide on surgery. My surgeon requires everyone to attend these meetings at least twice before surgery. It was SO eye opening - a great dose of realism. I was totally impressed with the weight people had lost, and how great they felt! However, I also got a real picture of life on the other side, in terms of side-effects and the mental and emotional aspects of it. It did not discourage me, as every one of those who had had the surgery said they'd do it again in a heartbeat. BUT it was also a good reality check that this is NOT the easy way out - it requires work and there are some not-so-fun parts of this. I was sleeved March 18th, and I now see this as one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am 43 pounds down and am now feeling great! But in the beginning, I suffered with bouts of depression and frustration (like a lot of people!). At 2+ months out, I finally feel like I am getting into the groove of things. I finally feel like I am not jealous of my family when they eat pizza and doughnuts - I am happy with my few bites of protein at this point. Anyway, try to find a live support group meeting in your area - for those of us in my area, I feel this is a really critical piece of our success.

I have been on Paxil for years, and I was sleeved on 3/18 of this year. I have had NO problems taking the Paxil whole - it is so small. I, too, was worried about this before surgery. Everyone assured me I would be fine, and if I did have problems, I could always get the liquid. I was able to take my Paxil in the hospital - whole - the day after surgery - no problems! One person in my support group suggested taking pills with something warm if you have problems - like taking the paxil with tea or hot chocolate. I have not needed to do that, but some people swear by it.

In my research, the statistics showed that a) people don't lose as much with the band as they do with the sleeve, people are FAR more likely to gain the weight back with the lap band (I do that pretty well on my own without surgery!), and c) my PCP and a family friend who is a physician both advised AGAINST the lap band because they both felt it had too many complications associated with it, and the weight loss was not what it should be. My surgeon gave me the thumbs up to choose any of the three surgeries based on my medical history. When I told him that I was mainly waivering between the sleeve and bypass, he encouraged me to do the sleeve. That settled my decision.

I definitely see a lot of people on here with unrealistic expectations of WLS, and very little information going into the procedure. My surgeon requires that everyone attend one of his VERY REALISTIC seminars before he will even book your consultation. Then he wants everyone to attend the WLS support group meetings at our hospital a few times before surgery - that's when you meet and talk to many people at all different stages post-op - and you get a super realistic view of the post-op lifestyle, and how hard it can be sometimes. It was totally eye-opening for me, and I think it allowed me to go into the procedure with a very realistic picture of post-op life. I am 8 weeks out and TOTALLY HAPPY with my sleeve - but it is not easy in any way. I continue to go to that support group, now as a post-op person. Every month, we have some pre-op newbies attend, and I am sure we scare some of them off (and they don't end up going through surgery) - but I think it is better to go into this fully prepared for the real picture. I WILL tell you that I am very concerned about this huge trend for people to go to Mexico for surgery. I am not saying it is bad for everyone, and I certainly understand the issue of finances. However, I think that people choosing that route don't get enough pre-op prep, or post-op follow-up - and I think it can be a dangerous combination. My success and happiness, in large part, I think are because I had my eyes wide open going in, I was expecting and prepared for the negatives, and I can fully enjoy the positives!

I made some high protein veggie chili (added in lots of black lentils and some Textured Vegetable Protein) - and I added one can of corn to a 6 quart batch. I have had absolutely no problems with it. I am 8 weeks (2 months) out, and the doctor just told me yesterday I could start integrating in some semi-firm veggies and fruits - I would assume that corn falls into that category. Just like anything else, stick to YOUR doctors recommendations, and whenever you try something new, go slowly, eat a small amount, and try new foods at home in case you have a reaction!!

Find new goals to work towards, like a specific race or challenge. A group of us are preparing for a 5K mud run (obstacle run) in October. When that is over, I will find my next goal/challenge - perhaps something completely different. It helps to have a goal and a focus to keep you motivated! Just be sure to find a new goal or focus as soon as you complete one. When I was thin many years ago, I also got into triathloning because I got burned out on just running - the training and racing variety was good to help keep me motivated. Finding a friend or a group to exercise with really helps to keep you accountable! And if you can afford to, buy some new, super-cute workout clothes! Sometimes that helps to get me up and going.

I think everyone on here is correct that the Doctor/Hospital will not approve of your driving home after surgery. One thing that really suprised me is that I got terribly carsick in the car for the first week after surgery - even when I tried to drive 5 days out! I was not expecting that - no one had told me about that. But apparently, that can be fairly common. It goes away in time on it's own, but I would say that driving while nauseous is a dangerous combination. You may not have this issue, but it is quite possible you might. Other people in my support group experienced this, some severely enough that they had to take presription meds everytime they went somewhere in the car for the first couple of weeks.

I haven't posted pictures yet because I am lazy about it . I have told close friends and relatives. My children and husband have been with me every step of the way, and I have been very honest with my children. I have struggled with my weight my entire life - started doing Weight Watchers for the first time when I was 10 years old. Since then, it has been a roller coaster of weight loss programs, camps, diets, starving myself, becoming obsessed with exercise - you name it, I have probably done it at one point or another. My Dad and brother have also struggled with their weight - it is a genetic tendency. Therefore, I want my children (who are normally-weighted at the moment, thanks to the fact that they are very active on swim team) to be in the loop about the struggles AND healthy ways to deal with obesity. I look at it like managing any chronic health condition - diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. - and in this case, there is surgery available to help me keep things in check. The surgery doesn't replace hard work, and lifestyle changes. I want my kids to know that - and to see it in action. In terms of other people, I have mentioned it in passing on Facebook. And yes, I received one very opinionated, strong negative response from someone I haven't seen since high school. I simply unsubscribed to her. Other than that, the support has been phenomenal. What I have found MORE interesting is the number of friends that are CURIOUS about what I have done because they have secretly considered it, but never told anyone and have not know anyone who has actually had WLS. They want to know the whole scoop. I hope that my experience can help them with important decisions.

Not uncommon. I had some of this off and on for the first week or so. May be the pain meds, the after-effects of the anesthesia, or your body adjusting to so few calories. Make sure you are getting in plenty of water (it's hard, but you MUST do it) and call your doctor if it continues.

So sorry to hear what you are going through right now - I can't even imagine! My thoughts and prayers are with you! Hang in there!

I started using My Fitness Pal about a month ago and LOVE IT! I am going to see my doctor today for a follow-up, and I love that I can print off the diary so that the doctor can review it - it tracks calories and protein!!

I was back up and getting around a few days after surgery. I had the surgery on a Monday. On Friday, I felt good enough to drive, pick up the kids at school, and do some errands. I was still a little tired, but pretty much up and around. However, some people do take longer to recover.