McButterpants

I contacted my NUT 5 days after surgery to let her know I hadn't had a bowel movement and she got concerned immediately. Even though you are on a liquid diet you should still have a BM, even a small one. She suggested taking some Metamucil and a good quality probiotic to get things moving. It worked about 90 minutes later! LOL Best of luck to you.

I just wrote this on another thread...I had severe 2nd thoughts the morning of surgery, in admitting. I was terrified. Once I started thinking about the reasons why I was doing this, those doubts went away. It's scary, I know. I had my surgery done on an outpatient basis - I was in admitting at 6:00 am and back at the condo at noon the same day. I can't explain what happens in the hospital after...other than, I started walking immediately upon leaving the recovery room. I think the walking helped my recovery. I walked every hour - at first in the condo, back and forth, back and forth. Then graduated to the parking lot. Walking will help with the gas - they pump air into your abdomen to make room - GasX didn't help and neither did the pain meds for that pain. And you sip, sip and sip some more...sipping Water. It's important to get your water in or you'll get dehydrated. That happened to me on Day 3 and it sucked. I switched from plain water to Vitamin Water Zero which was much easier to get down. Plain water was like sandpaper to me. I didn't experience much pain - I only took 4 pain pills after surgery and that was so I could get better sleep, not so much the pain. As far as the being scared point - once I decided to go thru with it, I had no more fear. And after the first day of recovery, I've had no buyer's remorse. This was the best thing I could have done for myself. Best of luck to you on MOnday - you got this!

Congrats to you!!!!!!! I can't wait to be overweight! lol

I made my decision to have the sleeve on 08/21/13 - I must have waffled 20 times between then and my surgery date of 11/14/13. I, too, went through the "What am I doing to myself?" "Have I tried hard enough to lose on my own?" "This is so drastic." All those thoughts. I even went as far as to sit down with a piece of paper and write down the pro's and con's. I think it's normal to waffle back and forth - this is a big decision, correct that, HUGE decision. It is truly a life-changer. I even had 2nd thoughts in admitting the morning of surgery. I thought to myself, "I can walk out of here and I'll only be out $500." Then I looked at my husband and thought about my mom who has been obese her entire adult life and I CHOSE to go thru with it. I was terrified. My husband was terrified. But, we were armed with the statistics about complications, including death; we knew the odds were in my favor. I carefully chose my doctor with whom I had great confidence. I had some buyer's remorse the next day or so while recovering, but since then, not a 2nd thought. Other than marrying my husband and having my son, this was the best decision of my life. I've had great days since surgery and I have had crappy days - the good days outnumber the bad. I wish you the best of luck, sweetie. You will know what the right thing for you is.

I've answered some of your questions below.... --Anyone else worried about long term risk, since it's still fairly new? Like I wonder if in 40yrs from now (I'm early 30's) I have some other issue and this will affect it? I was not as concerned about the long term risk of this surgery as I was the long-term risk of me slowly committing suicide by knife and fork. For me the benefits of the surgery outweighed the risks - short term and long term. --I know my diet will be mostly Protein and veggies and rarely room for carbs...does that mean no more carbs or fried food ever? Or ethnic food? (I'm asian so some food from my culture but I could focus on protein stuff first...for example, can I have curry?) For me, it's about moderation. I will probably be able to handle fried foods eventually - will I eat a lot of it? No, because that helped me get to 256 pounds. I have not eaten anything that has upset my stomach yet - I seem to have a sleeve of steel. I don't want fried foods like I did before, sot it's not an issue right now. --I know no soda or carbonated drinks anymore...was this hard to give up? I wasn't much of a soda drinker, but was a big coffee drinker. Trying to quit caffeine was hard - I had to try twice, the 2nd time weening myself off over the course of 2 weeks. If you're going to do it, start soon and ween yourself off if you're a caffeine drinker. --Is the first week of just liquids extremely difficult? Thinking about it and it seems pretty hard to do only liquids for a whole week The beginning of the pre-op diet for me was the hardest - the first 5 days. After that, it becomes the new normal. Post-op,it didn't bother, I was just trying to get by while still attempting to get in the Water and protein. It's uncomfortable, but not unbearable. --I'm a NYer...no more bagels ever? I love my bagels and miss them - I won't ever be able to sit down to a huge bagel with cream cheese again. I am living proof, though, that life goes on. --I love ice water and not drinking near meals sounds tricky...does it get easier? Practice prior to surgery helped me - as soon as I decided to have the surgery, I started eating meals without drinking/sipping. You get used to it. --How do you explain to others what you did? Did anyone make you feel badly? I told 5 people, so I don't have to explain anything to anybody. The 5 people I told were very supportive - my husband, son, parents and best friend. --What do you do when you're on vacation or near the holidays etc, just try your best to stick to plan? Again, moderation is the key - I was about 6 weeks post-op at Christmas. I tried a couple of things - Cookies, homemade caramels, bread. I wasn't excited about any of it. Food just isn't that important to me any more. I'm heading to San Francisco for a 10 day vacation - I'm going to enjoy some of their local foods, but in moderation. The good thing about the sleeve is I can share my husband's meal - it's cheaper! A lot of your questions are lifestyle in nature. One thing that surprises me about this is how little affect food has on my life now. Like your bagel question - I used to love going to the bagel shop on a Sunday morning. I haven't been in over 2 months and until I read your post, I had not thought of bagels. Last night for dinner I had one chicken strip (2 ounces) and 4 tater tots (yes, I ate carbs - and I logged every last one). I was full and completely satisfied. The other night my husband wanted to know where I wanted to go to dinner and I said, "I honestly do not care. You decide." I really didn't care. My life USED to revolve around food and my eating - it no longer does. I have become one of those people that forgets to eat! Only you can decide if this surgery is right for you. Do your research. Talk to your family. Do some soul searching. I made the decision because I wasn't participating in my own life and the people around me expected so little of me that bar of expectation was lowered to the point where I wasn't expected to shower or get dressed every day. I didn't want to live like that any more. I also suggest going to a local support group so you can network live with pre-oppers and post-oppers. Best of luck to you!

My refrigerator is where extra food goes to die! I feel bad, but there's only so long that a can of refried Beans can last in there! I have a container of Wendy's chili that will have to get tossed if I don't eat it today - I get 3 meals out of a large...by the time I get to the third meal, I'm kind of tired of it!

Thanks for sharing - it hasn't happened to me yet, luckily. I've had a time or two where I've taking a couple bites more than I should have - talk about uncomfortable! This is an interesting journey for sure.

That's great! Congrats to you!

I mix it in my shakes - chocolate and vanilla. It's great! Enjoy

My doc OK'd Biotin and Folate - I'm taking both. I also use Nioxin shampoo. I'm throwing everything against the wall to try to slow it down. Also focusing on my Protein - min 80 grams per day. Indigo suggested a product called Toppik - I just got my order in last week and I love it. It hides really thin spots. I'm thankful she suggested it!

I have a fitbit and love it. Feel free to add me as a friend (I private messaged you jnlebean). Here's my fitbit id: http://www.fitbit.com/user/232XPH

I'm right there with you - I was sleeved a few days before you...11/14. I have been losing ssssooo slowly - it's frustrating! I think I'm in another stall right now - I had one for 10 days between weeks 3 and 4. I'm trying to be positive and keep working to the plan. It's hard to not compare what you're results are to others, I do and I know I shouldn't. I want the weight to come off faster!!!! Hang in there - we're in this together!

Mr. McButterpants and I read the VEET one again last night - OMG, knob and bullocks! We were like a couple of teenagers giggling while reading! A much needed laugh!

I had to cut out caffeine prior to surgery - doctor's orders. It was tough to break that 3-5 cup a day habit. I had to ween myself off. At my 6 week appointment, my local doc approved one cup of regular coffee per day, but had to pinkie shake that I wouldn't go back to my old habits. I now have a delicious cup of strong regular coffee in the morning - I make it like I like it...some coconut milk creamer and a teaspoon of honey (all gets logged). If I want another cup during the day, it's decaf and no honey.

Congratulations on getting your date! A couple of suggestions to prepare for your pre-op diet and post-op life... * If you drink caffeine, start weening yourself off. (I had to be caffeine free before I started my two week pre-op diet). You don't want to go thru caffeine withdrawal while you're recovering. * Practice taking smaller bites - I used appetizer forks and spoons. * Practice eating slower - I downloaded an app called Eat Slower. You set the intervals you want and it chimes when it's time to take a bite. * Practice chewing your food 20-30 times - this is how you're going to eat post-op. * Practice mindful eating - turn off the TV, radio, don't read. Just eat your food slowly - you will be surprised at how you slow down and the feeling of full you feel. * Start incorporating shakes into your day - experiment with different flavors and textures. This will help in post-op life. (Don't overbuy your shake mix - your tastes may change after surgery.) * If you aren't exercising, start. This will help in your recovery. This is an exciting time for you!!!! February 6th is right around the corner!

Maybe try a Pepcid or different antacid - Prilosec didn't do anything for me, but Pepcid helped. I was feeling something similar to yours, but not all the time.

I just read this to Mr. McButterpants and we were both laughing so hard tears were streaming down our faces!

I vote for the first one!!!!

OMG - I'm going out to buy some Haribo sugar free right now!!!! This review rivals the one I found about an office chair on Amazon.com and the male review complained about the fact that the chair caused him great pain in discomfort in his balls.

I've been sick the past two days, so no exercise...ugh. It's finally nice enough to walk outside (it will be all the way up to 47 degrees today!). Going to do a couple of miles outside and see how I feel. Month to date I've done 38 miles to my 85 mile goal.

That's me! LOL

Since you are the Sparkly Princess of all that Glitters, you can make it so!

Lipstick Lady for Governor!!!!!!!

I think so - The Protein is important so you don't lose lean muscle mass. Lean muscle mass is what burns calories and keeps your metabolism rev'd up. Sometimes the thought of drinking another shake makes me want to run myself over with my own car. But, I look at it as medicine - medicine my body needs to keep working.

I'm just over 8 weeks out. Are you tracking your Protein intake? It seems a little light to me. My doc still wants 80-90 grams of protein - in order to get to that amount I still have to use Protein shakes. Did your doc give your protein goals? As far as calories, I'm at about 800-900 almost every day - that could be because I'm still using 2 shakes per day in order to keep the protein numbers up.