McButterpants

I think an age appropriate explanation is that your having an operation that is going to help you get healthier and you will be able to do a lot of things you can't do right now. I don't think there's a need to go deeper into the discussion unless she asks. I dreaded telling my then-13 year old son. When we finally did a few weeks before surgery, he asked some really good questions. Questions about the doctor, the surgery and how it was going to affect his diet. I started out by just stating a vague explanation of what was happening and let him take the lead. Our conversation didn't last long - maybe 5 minutes. I suspect yours with a 7 year old will be shorter. My son did ask random questions over the next few days. Best of luck to you!

Agree with the above...don't worry about calorie count yet. Focus on getting your Protein and liquids in, the calories will follow soon enough.

My husband actually hid the scale from me and brought it out once per week. I'm glad he did. I've come to realize that the scale is not my friend most of the time. Cut yourself a break! I had feelings that the surgery wasn't going to work for me - that I was going to be that failure story. I don't think like that any more. Best of luck to you!

I cut down dairy, specifically milk and I've noticed my weight doesn't fluctuate like it used to...up two pounds, down two pounds. I started using unsweetened almond milk in my shakes mixing half Water and half almond milk - it gives it a nice flavor. I really don't miss the milk any more!

I was cleared for walking immediately after surgery - walking only and NOT on a treadmill. At 6 weeks I was approved for all exercise - gym cario equipment and light resistance training. I work out a lot - I log 80-100 miles per month (treadmill, elliptical and walking outside) and I have been doing Turbulence Training (squats, planks, core, etc). As for saggy skin...I have batwings under my arms (expected), my stomach is better than I expected and I have some sagging on my inner thighs. All in all my skin is better than I expected. I moisturize after every shower with Nivea Firming Lotion - I have no idea if it helps, but it makes me feel like I'm doing something to combat saggy skin! LOL

I limited my carbs early in to 20-30 and I really felt bad - very low energy. (I did this on my own, not at the advice of my NUT.) I have found that I'm comfortable in the 40-60 range, but it also depends on the carb. All carbs are NOT created equal! Bad carbs for me are breads, Pasta, sweets, flour, basically, anything processed. If I have these, it triggers my hunger and I want more and more food. Good carbs for me are low-glycemic fruits (mostly berries) and veggies (broccoli, bell peppers, cauliflower). I also eat Beans which are also a good source of Protein and Fiber (beans are carby, so I limit to less than 1/4 cup). Hope this helps!

I have become an "insides" eater...I eat the inside of a Subway turkey sandwich or the inside of a taco. When I eat pizza now, I just take off the topping and leave the crust. I might eat a couple of bites of the bread, taco shell or crust, but that's it. Lots of places have grilled options - like McDonalds. You can buy a wrap and just eat the insides w/ grilled chicken. Wendy's chili rules. I love it. Or you can have a hamburger without the bun.

I lost 24 pounds in 6 weeks after surgery...I couldn't have been happier! A couple of suggestions 1. Don't compare your weight loss to others or try to be "typical". There is nothing "typical" about this process. We're all different and each of us is going to lose at a different pace. We all didn't gain at the same pace, why do we expect to lose at the same pace? 2. Do not be a slave to the scale - the scale is not good for your soul, it's a cruel instrument developed to make us feel bad about ourselves. In retrospect, I wish I had thrown out my scale months ago. I suggest taking pictures to document the changes your body is going thru - take some of your face, full body shots (with clothes or without), side shots, shots of your backside, etc. I have hundreds of pictures I took along the way - it's great to compare the "old me" to the "new me" Also, take your measurements - I measure my neck, bust, waist, hips, biceps, thighs and calf) - this really helped me when the scale said I wasn't losing pounds...I was losing inches.

Hi there. Great responses above...Here's my story. When I started looking at WLS surgery, I wanted to get down to 150 pounds - that was my goal. One doctor (whom I really didn't like), said I would probably "settle in" at 180. I asked him how he came up with that number. He said, "Averages" My reply was, "I am not going to give this an "average" type of effort, so I will lose more." Here is what I have found, after losing 70+ pounds so far...My goal of 150 isn't as important as it was before. My body is different at 185 pounds than it was years ago at the same weight. I attribute that to losing fat this time. I can wear a smaller size now at 185 than before at 185. I still want to get to 150 pounds, but the number isn't as important to me as it was when I started. My life is awesome at the weight I am currently - I'm more active, I'm happier, I do things now I wouldn't have done 70 pounds ago (ski lift ride and Alpine slide last weekend, hiking the weekend before that). I have gotten my life back and that feels pretty wonderful.

I started shedding at 3 months and it continued into the 6th month - it's slowing down now, but OMG, it's horrifying the amount of hair I lost. Like you, I would look at what I lost in the shower and almost cry. I would look on the bathroom floor after I did my hair and was amazed that there was more hair on the floor! So here are some things I did... I went with a shorter cut - It masked the hair loss for me. I started using Nioxin shampoo and scalp therapy - it has a drying affect on my scalp, so I would use a moisturizing shampoo a couple of times a week as well. With my doctor's OK, I started taking Biotin and Folic Acid. I purchased Toppik - it works just like the videos on line show. It seems expensive, but I am still using the small bottle I originally purchased. I believe that the steps above are not going to help anyone with the shedding or losing of hair, it's going to help with the new growth. I can see new growth and lots of it. I'm not losing as much every day as I was, so things are getting better. My doc said, "Whatever you lose due to the surgery, will grow back." I can see that. Best of luck to you!

I telecommute full time...I was operated on Thursday and went back to work half days the following week. (No one at work even knew I had surgery.) Had I had to go to an office, I would have taken 2 weeks off.

My weight was 3 months from the day I decided to have surgery to my surgery date. I kind of wish I had a little more time, but the waiting was unbearable at times. Here's what I suggest for while you're waiting for and working towards your surgery - put this time to good use... * Practice mindful eating techniques (eat at the table in a calm environment - no TV, radio, phone, computer, etc) * Start experimenting with shakes - try different textures, temps, flavors (don't over purchase if you find one you like, your tastes may change after you have surgery) * Practice chewing your food 20-25 times per bite and slowing down - take 45 seconds to a 1 minute between bites (you'll be surprised how quickly you feel full) * Start walking and getting yourself in better shape - you'll recover faster and you'll feel better * Start eating w/ appetizer spoons and forks - this will help slow you down and get yourself used to smaller bites * Research, research & research - I wish I had found out more about food addiction and reasons why I ate the way I did. I wasn't prepared for the psychological part of this process - I wish I had been better prepared. Hang in there. Your surgery date will be here before you know it! Good luck!

I'm down 70 pounds and about 25-30 to where I want to be. I can just now shop comfortably in the Misses section. The first time I was able to actually pull on a Size 14 pair of shorts, I bought them - they were $50 and I didn't care. I think I'll probably keep those shorts for the rest of my life - I actually teared up in the dressing room when I got them. They were a little tight then and they are a little loose now. I'm not saying I'm a close whore, but I don't mind shopping in the mall, an activity I used to dread! As for beauty products, I'm experimenting now. Prior to surgery, I really didn't care. I might go weeks without wearing makeup. I also never, ever moisturized. I never liked the idea of slathering lotion on my body - now, it's a daily ritual. I also find I shave my legs more - probably because it's easier! So, all in all, I'd say I'm more vain...and I'm happy about that! Look forward to reading more responses! Thanks for starting a great topic!

I think like just about everything else...each doctor is different. I was first because I booked that date before anyone else.

Hi there. Great answers above...Here are my tips (I'm 7 months out now). I will say that the foods you mention above are loaded with carbs. I was addicted to carbs prior to surgery - I know that those types of foods are a trigger for me. The more carbs I eat, the more I want/crave/need them. When I limit them, I feel better and have more energy. The other thing is, help your family become less dependent upon carbs - they will benefit in the long run. Hopefully teaching them healthy habits now and changing their tastes to more healthy food will negate the need for them having this type of surgery when they are adults. Stop the cycle now! 1. Baked Beans- my family and I love Bush's baked Beans and the Protein count in them is great. But do they give anybody problems due to the sugar content (brown sugar, molasses, etc)?? I love Bush's baked beans, too. They do have some protein, BUT those darned carbs can be dangerous. I allow myself a couple of tablespoons only. Make sure you eat your protein first. 2. Kraft Mac/Cheese- another fave in my house. We have small kids AND live on a tight budget so every couple of weeks when the bank account is dry we have Kraft spirals for dinner with some ground beef mixed in... If mac and cheese is a must, serve it to the kids and make yourself a small hamburger patty instead. You don't have to eat what the kids are eating. A small burger patty with some cheese melted on top (no bun) is an OK choice. 3. Peanut Butter toast- a staple breakfast. I know eggs are great for me post-op but I'm sure I will only be able to eat SO many days of eggs before I need a break... Prior to surgery I was addicted to bread. Now, I really don't care about bread. I can count on one hand the number of times I've had a piece of toast. My breakfast most days is a scrambled egg topped with some cheddar cheese and a Jimmy Dean turkey sausage patty. If that gets boring, I will do a shake or a bowl of protein-fortified oatmeal (www.mybariatricpantry.com). Peanut butter toast isn't going to get you enough protein to last you until your next meal - you'll get hungry quicker and consume more calories. 4. Spaghetti- a weeknight staple for my family- I assume I would be able to have a very small amount of the Pasta with a nice serving of sauce (which I also put some sort of ground meat into for protein) Regular pasta has basically no nutritional value - I stay away from it. Whole wheat pasta is a little better, but again...CARBS. For spaghetti night, I will roast onions (350 degree oven, cut the onion into strings, toss with some olive oil and salt and pepper - cook until very tender, like a spaghetti noodle) or use spaghetti squash (about 1/4 cup). If I'm short on time, I'll eat the sauce and have a side of broccoli or cauliflower. The key to this game it to change your behavior, your tastes and your lifestyle. I know cooking for a family is hard, but as I said, you don't always have to eat what they are eating. Sometimes I'll tell my husband, "You're in charge of dinner tonight" and I have some deli meat and cheese. Take good care!

@@Indigo1991 is that really you!?!? OMG - it's great to hear from you again. Now you're wearing a swimsuit...in public. First your getting nekkid with a real man and no one fainted or ran away in fear (still one of my favorite posts) and now you're wearing a swimsuit. And you thought it was unpossible! You are rockin' it, girl. Happy for you and proud of you!

Such great advise from some successful sleevers! @@M2G, it's good to hear your take as well. Along the lines of feeling hunger after eating...One thing I've been playing around with the past couple of week is drinking after my meal...sometimes it's hard to wait that 30 minutes. I have found that if I can stretch that 30 minutes into 45 or 60 minutes, I don't get as hungry as fast. It makes sense if you have watched the YouTube video of the guy with the funnel explaining why you shouldn't drink during or immediately after eating. I'm envious of those that can eat salad. I can eat about 1/4 cup - it has to be finely chopped and I have to eat it very slowly. I used to love sitting down to a nice big cold salad on a summer day. This is a great thread!

I'm 7 months post-op.... 1) when you eat and get full, is it the same feelling as today, just without the big food quantities? Or is it a different feeling? Full feels different than before surgery. If I eat to the point of really full, I'm in pain. I have eat slowly and chew each bite 20-25 times. Food doesn't have the same draw as it did before surgery, so it's completely different - I eat until I'm satisfied, then I stop. 2) are you handicapped for life? Like the need to avoid certain foods and certain drinks. I have a sleeve of steel - I have not found a food my stomach doesn't like. I do avoid drinks with a lot of sugar, because I don't feel good after. Same way with certain foods I loved before surgery - Pasta and bread were a big part of my pre-op life...not any more. Quite frankly, I don't miss them, which surprises me. Bread doesn't make me feel good. "Handicapped"? Not at all...I just eat the foods that fuel my body and make me food good. 3) can u ever drink a whole cup of Water, or will you need to sip slowly for life (sounds lile a torture). I still sip at 7 months. I cannot gulp, although I have heard that some people can. If I take more than 3 drinks in a very short period of time, I feel a pain in my stomach. 4) just tell me about ur day to day life. I dont know if u had the same feeling, but I sometimes think to myself that I might be crazy to be cutting an organ that functions 100% right. I know how you feel - I still have fleeting thoughts about "What the hell did I do?" My life is totally normal except for the fact that I eat 4-6 times a day. I eat a Breakfast (usually a scrambled egg and turkey sausage patty). lunch might be a pizza (a carb balance tortilla with pepperoni and mozzarella). I have a shake almost every afternoon. dinner might be some steak and broccoli. I usually have a Protein bar or maybe some deli meat and cheese as a snack if I'm hungry. I can tell you - I do not regret having the surgery. I'm down 70 pounds from my high weight and I am happier and healthier than I have been in 18 years or so. This is a life changer.

Touch base with your doctor or surgeon. I contacted my NUT at the 5 day mark and told her I hadn't poo'd...she got a little freaked out. She wanted me to have one immediately.

To all of you that are going on some form of a pre-op diet...Decaf Green Tea was on my plan and it was a life saver, especially those first few days which were hard. I warded off hunger for me. You got this - this is so worth it! Yes, it is going to suck, but in the end, you'll be happy you did it! Good luck, guys!

All of the above are great suggestions... I kept my Water bottle with me all the time. I set a timer to chime every 5 minutes which reminded me to sip. I didn't get anywhere close to the minimum water or Protein requirements for days, so don't stress it. Just do the best you can. Also, I couldn't tolerate plain water after surgery - I switched to Propel Zero and Vitamin Water Zero (both zero calorie drinks) and that helped. I don't know why I don't like plain water after surgery - it's like drinking liquid sandpaper for some reason.

My doc didn't give me a requirement for weight loss on the pre-surgery diet. The goal was to reduce the liver so it wouldn't get in the way during surgery. My suggestion is to follow your doctor's orders and don't over think this.

Amen, my brother. I am 7 months out tomorrow and I've slowed way down...1 pounds lost in the past month. **sigh** I've been working out, getting my Protein in and drinking Water. One thing I realized at my 6 month appointment, I was snacking quite a bit. I've stopped that in the few weeks since then, but it hasn't made the scale move. **double sigh** I'm trying to keep my chin up and keep on keepin' on - some days are easier than others. Will be interested to hear from others with the same issue...