DebCat

Happy to hear that, Sarahjane79, My first week was the easiest of all for which I am grateful. A rough beginning would suck! Remember, lazy days will be happening frequently for a bit of time due to your body screaming for food that it's no longer going to get. Yay for jammy days!

I hope everyone is mending nicely! Be gentle with yourselves.

Y'all are so pumped up for surgery! That's fantastic. I'm 8 months post-op and am so happy that I had the surgery. Lots of days in the beginning I didn't feel that way and even some days later. With the help of my family, friends, physical trainer and THERAPIST, I'm looking at a completely different life. I've lost 80 pounds (slow loser), but have maintained (and gained!) muscle mass thanks to having an amazing trainer and lots of support at my gym. I'm at my half-way mark so 80 more to go. Ways my life has changed: I do in one day what used to take a week Fantastic high heeled shoes are in constant rotation now Mental acuity is significantly better Shoe size is even a size smaller I can sit anywhere at sporting events now even all the way to top row of bleachers I can buckle the seatbelt on the airplane now WITH SEVERAL INCHES TO SPARE Eating enough Protein is still a challenge Shopping in regular sized clothing now (size XL- woo hoo!) The only body aches I have are from working out Sex is different now - not better, not worst. Different. Cut off my long hair I've rid myself of all kinds of extraneous "protection" - fat, hair, too much stuff in my house, too many clothes... The first few months were brutal for me emotionally. I had a lot of work to do on myself to uncover why I was hiding behind all the weight and all the material possessions. Excavation is still underway, but I really like what I'm uncovering. Good luck to all of you and this mission!

Incredible job! I'm not near that rate of loss. I had surgery at the end of June and am around 65 lbs down. What are you doing to have such awesome results? I'm only at the gym a few hours per week (personal trainer 2X/week). I count all my calories and still don't exceed more than 1,000 per day most of which come from Proteins, but my carbs get up around 70 per day. It's a sloooooow process. :l Thanks for sharing! Deb

That's fantastic!

Oh the long moments of regret! I have them, but I know they will subside. At 6 weeks out, I am just now being able to feel somewhat normal since week 1. Week 1 was much easier and I felt better than I do now even. Protein shakes are NOT my friend. I've struggled with dehydration and even passed out from it. I am very sad about the situation. HOWEVER, I am still hopeful. Before I decided to have the surgery, I didn't have hope and I had let go of my dreams of being able to do so many of the things I loved to do prior to becoming obese. We've done something (albeit extreme!) about it. I truly wish I hadn't gone so far down the obesity road that I felt destined to stay there. But since I did, the only way back to looking and feeling like the "me" I once knew is to somehow find a way to embrace this tough road ahead. When I can start seeing "me" again, I know the regrets will be forgotten and I will run towards the healthier woman that is fit and strong and had the courage to start this journey to begin with. I started seeing a therapist a couple of months before surgery and I know I will be with her for the duration of this journey. It has been the most crucial part of the equation so far. I am so grateful that I took this precaution and realized that being obese wasn't as simple as eating too much. Regret is an enormous burden. Peace and hope be with you, Nani...

I'm a month post-op and was hoping to be doing some exercise by now. Instead, I'm really tired and just too weak to even get going. I have struggled with dehydration and it's happened twice already. My bp meds were out of whack and my cardiologist just took me off one and cut the other one in half this week. I can feel a difference already. However, after just showering, dressing and going on one errand, I'm exhausted and come back home for sleep. Not just a nap either. It's like 4 or 5 hours of sleep. I'm sleeping 7-9 hours at night and it's pretty sound sleep. I want to be able to exercise!!! My skin is already sagging and I feel so blah. I was much more active pre-op. How much longer until I feel like I have the energy to do something? I'm going out with friends for my first evening outing tomorrow. I know I will have to take a stupid nap before I go. Ugh! I have tickets for an R&B concert on 8/11 and I need to have some groove back. Help?

Thanks y'all for the words of encouragement. I guess I am a bit impatient. I just want to start living NOW. Yesterday! But, I am probably being a bit unrealistic. I felt so good the first week post-op besides hunger. I had it on a Monday, home by Wednesday and didn't need any pain meds after Tuesday. By Friday, I was out weeding the garden and trimming bushes. I thought it was going to be a matter of increases in energy. Was I wrong! I've upped my Protein to average around 65g per day this week. My Water is a minimum of 64 oz daily now too. Calories are between 500-600. In my mind, I'm swimming laps, going for a run, doing yoga and riding horses. The skinny b***h inside me is harassing me! I guess she will have to simmer down until after I can, at least, catch up on my laundry.

Looking good, Tiffany!!! Thanks for sharing and sharing your Youtube Vid. You're going to turn even more heads @ 6'1" and slim. Dang girl! Yay for you!

At 4 weeks post-op, I can eat around 2oz I think. Sometimes, maybe a little more and sometimes a little less. It depends on the food. I can eat 1 hard boiled egg, but not one more bite of anything else or it will come back up. Today, I had some poached Atlantic char (similar to a lighter salmon) for lunch and ate a little more than 2 oz. It's not as dense as the boiled egg. Cottage cheese is my go to food. I eat 1-2 oz depending on if I've put any berries or peaches with it. I'm simply not fretting about the quantity. I keep up with all of it on MyFitPal app, but once it's entered, I've moved onto something else in my life. Not food! Yay!!!

Thanks for posting the pics! Inspiration!

I"m only a month out, but I remember 3 weeks of unbelievable hunger. It was ridiculous! I wasn't prepared for that kind of hunger either. The full liquid diet seemed like a reprieve after the clear liquids for a week, but I just stayed in a pissed off mood and couldn't stand my protein shakes. I even went so far as to chew on some food and spit it out. I know that sounds ridiculous, but I was hungry and it was better than nothing. I don't know when I will ever want another creamy soup again either. Being on soft protein, I still crave salads and crunchy vegetables. Prior to surgery, I juiced vegetables almost daily and ate a lot of salads. Just know that it's normal to feel ravenously hungry. Try not to eat your children and keep your wickedness to yourself. I sent my own self to my room to spare my family. Coming out on the other side of it is a glorious thing! You can do it!

I'm 4 weeks post-op and was still battling the nausea until the other day. I took a promethazine pill that my surgeon had prescribed for post op. I hadn't taken one until this week and it made a huge difference. Not only was my nausea gone, but so was the constant headache. I've been able to up my nutrition as a result. The shakes were making me super nauseous so I don't have them every day any more. I'm still feeling pretty weak though. I've gotten dehydrated twice now. You'd think I'd learn after the first time!

I'm still not clear on how much Protein, carbs, and calories should we be having each day. I am 4 weeks post op. I average 40 g protein, 500 cals, and 30 g carbs daily. I've looked through my literature from the surgeon and nutritionist several times and can't seem to find any guidelines. Anybody know? Thanks!

Marci, The first few weeks were tough to get Protein in, but I managed to get more in at that time than I am now. I'm adding a Protein shake daily and at least 1/2 bottle of Isopure. That's giving me another 50g protein on top of being able to eat soft Proteins now as well. I didn't want to see another protein shake after I got through the 3rd week. I'm sucking it up and going back to them though. Ugh! Good luck to you as you get through the liquid portion of your post-op. I know it can really do a number on your psyche. I honestly didn't think I could do it. I amazed my own self! And you will amaze yourself too!! Deb

Height is relevant due to the length of muscles in a tall person vs a shorter person. The taller person in the same physical condition as the shorter person will have a larger amount of muscle mass that will need to be "fed" in order to maintain itself or increase in mass. Protein requirements increase with weight as well due to the need to 1.) carry that weight 2.) increase muscle mass that will burn off fat storage in the case of obesity 3.) maintain muscle mass in the case of body building. It is all relevant to muscle mass in any case. By considering height, weight and BMI of the individual, a more accurate protein requirement can be assessed. This is why answers will vary so much. I saw that no matter who answered my question, I was definitely not getting enough protein, So, I increased my goal to 80g protein for now. Haven't made it there yet, but I will get there shortly!

Thanks so much to all for your information. It's greatly appreciated. I'm obviously not getting enough Protein by any standard! Am I the only one that gets horrible nausea from the Protein shakes? It takes me two 30-40 minute attempts to get down one shake. I space them apart (morning and evening). I have six different brands in my pantry right now - all are from the doctor's office or the internet with the exception of the 52e brand. There's a particular taste and smell in all of them that makes me gag at this point. I will go back to drinking the 40g protein Isopure drinks daily. They're expensive and leave my mouth feeling weird, but I haven't ever thrown them up. I have a NUT appointment on Thursday. I'm sure I will get some help from her at that point too. I've forgotten about the Vitamins too! I will get back on those!!! Thanks y'all! Deb

I think that's why I'm unclear about it. The focus is all about protein and water so I wasn't getting solid number info. Therefore, I've been at a loss and was feeling like I'm not getting in enough of the protein and water. 60g protein seems like a doable amount. Thank you so much Andi!

Caffeine sends false signals to your kidneys telling it to pull water from your body (by way of blood flow through the kidneys). So it definitely puts you at a higher risk for dehydration. And yes, it does impede the healing process. Blood flow is directly affected by hydration. The repair mechanisms sent to the traumatized area of your body are all transported by blood flow. With that being said, I have still had a few cups of coffee since about 2 weeks post-op. I was a 2-3 cups per day coffee drinker prior to surgery. It did make me feel some discomfort, but I also don't find that it's as tasty as I remember. Sad about that...

Isopure is a liquid (GNC) that has 40g Protein, 160 Cals, and 0 Carbs. I like them better than shakes usually. I'm burned out on both of them right now, but when I'm having difficulty getting protein in, then I will force it down over an hour or two.

10 days out is difficult to get enough protein without protein shakes or the Isopure. I was having difficulty even swallowing the shakes because I was so sick of the taste. Isopure seemed like a big relief. Didn't have to worry about getting enough protein and the taste isn't wretched (until about the 12th bottle). I just use them now as a back up and I'm almost at 4 weeks. I just got to the mushy foods at week 3 and am still so happy to actually have food. You're correct in realizing that you know your body best. Backing up to liquids again is very wise! When it hurts to eat it, then don't do it. I ate watermelon after 2nd week. Wasn't on the "approved" list, but it went down so well. No pain from just a few bites. I eventually got to where I could eat a cup of it, but now I've backed off since I can have mushy foods and don't need the carbs.

Holy crap! Your pics are my inspiration for the day. How pretty and happy you look!!! Yay, you! I bet you're so relieved to be that far along in the "marathon". Now, go get a bright color of nail polish and paint your toenails with it just because YOU CAN NOW!

I COMPLETELY know how that feels!!! I was a mess for weeks 1 & 2. The hunger and feelings of doubt took me D O W N. I cried, was angry and pretty much stayed in my bedroom so I wouldn't contaminate my household with all my negative emotions. What did help me was having at least one friend over per day even if it was only for 30 minutes. The days that I did that, I didn't feel quite as badly. I'm a single mom and although my kids are super supportive and understanding, I needed peer support. I did an odd thing that helped tremendously and I'm not sure why it worked. On July 4th (10 days post-op), my daughter (16yo) invited several friends over for burgers and sparklers that evening. I grilled the best burgers I've probably ever made that day and served it with Sun Chips and freshly sliced watermelon. They thoroughly enjoyed it. Seeing them eat and enjoy something so much gave me a huge amount of pleasure. I did take a small bite of the hamburger patty and chewed on it for a very long time and just spit it into a napkin rather than swallowing it. Gross! I know!!! But I just had to know how they tasted. I've spent way too much money on shakes that the smell or even thought of them made me nauseous. Isopure got me through a rough patch since it's not thick. It leaves a weird dry feeling in my mouth, but it was better than a shake. A few days ago, I came across a protein shake that seems to be the one I can deal with. I had never heard of it before. It's called 52e, vanilla cream. I couldn't stand anymore flavored, fake tasting shakes and had stopped doing them all together. Before that, I mainly drank BioTrust (internet only) since it wasn't laden with so many artificial things in it. Just know that you're in the "dark period" and you're not alone. It just feels BAD. But coming out the other side of it will make you feel stronger and more in control than ever. So, go call "your people" and have them come for a visit! Friends are good!

I'm having a very similar experience as well. At just 3 1/2 weeks Post-Op, I've hit a stall in actual weight loss. Pre-Op Weight (6/24/13) 298 lbs Week 1 (7/1/13) 294.5 lbs Week 2 (7/8/13) 289.5 lbs Week 3 (7/15/13) 287.5 lbs However, my clothes are definitely fitting differently. I haven't been measuring to see about inches, but think I will start doing that to keep myself encouraged. Nutritionally, I've fluctuated some, but not significantly. Avg Daily Calories 500 Avg Daily Protein 38 Avg Daily Carbs 45 I'm using My Fitness Pal to monitor EVERYTHING I'm ingesting, weigh ins, and the little exercise I'm able to do. I'm trying not to get too distressed about the lack of weight loss and I want to get down to only weighing in once per week. Curiosity seems to get the best of me though!

I've lost 22 lbs, but I also have a lot more weight to lose than you do so that would have a lot to do with it. You've lost around 5% of you total body weight and mine is about 7% loss so it seems like your on track. Enjoy the success!