Redwillow13

I will definitely be lifting you up in prayer. Thank God you're surrounded by love and strength. Doesn't take away the hurt, but it does help to know that you're held up by others.

I don't know what stage exactly I'm on yet but my favorite food right now is salmon sashimi. I LOVE IT! I did not like sashimi before surgery but now, dipped in some soy sauce, I'm in heaven. Second favorite, though not asked, is chicken Soup (made with mixed vegetables, lots of great seasonings, and a little gravy).

I have dreadlocks that I've been growing for four years. It's been quite a commitment and I'm soo afraid of any of them falling out. I'm hoping somebody who's been out of surgery for a while with dreadlocks can post here so I can hear about their experience.

I just read a post about a week ago when somebody said they hit 6 weeks and eating started to become really uncomfortable. I was doing okay and didn't know what they were really talking about. Um, I'm almost six weeks and now I'm feeling that same thing. I'm beginning to HATE eating! It's so uncomfortable. At first, I thought it was just my body responding to new introduction of more solid foods, which makes sense. But I'm noticing that even pureed stuff and soft stuff like avocado is uncomfortable going down. I'm not throwing up (haven't sense surgery) and I'm taking very small bites as well. I'm frustrated. I can't find that other post to see what suggestions were given. Does anybody have any suggestions? Should I just give it some time and wait it out?

You look wonderful! Congratulations!!! I can't wait to be where you are. What's your exercise regiment like? I'm about a month out and I'm about to join my local gym. I'm wondering, how your regiment evolved from initial post surgery to now? If you don't mind responding.

Congratulations! You look fantastic! I am about a month out and I soo understand you when you said it's been challenging in so many ways. It sooo has been but not regrets! I hope to be where you are three months out. Thank you for posting.

Hi, I'm about 4-5 weeks out. I have not experienced nausea much at all but I have experienced constipation. One of my issues was I was not getting enough fluids. How is your Fluid intake? Are you at 64 oz a day? Are you lactose intolerance and trying to eat dairy products? How about acid reflux - is that an issue for you?

Congratulations!! And you are soo right!

Hi Ag333, your struggle is so real and I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time right now. What state do you live in? What are the free health insurance options for you there? I live in NY and if you don't have a job, you can get Medicaid which is pretty good for free insurance. But I know every state is different. Right now is a good time to start looking for support systems. Joining a group (free) with other people who are struggling with depression. Not feeling alone goes a long way. Staying in your house and eating all day is, as I'm sure you know, totally symptomatic of depression and anxiety. It feels safe there while the outside world begins to seem scary. It is a lie that your emotions are telling you. Increasing the amount that you get out of your house will start to help combat some of the anxiety and a little of the depression. As for the unemployment. Again, I don't know where you live so I don't know what the job market looks like. Are there temp agencies that can help you as you're looking for employment? Or part time work? Two part time jobs will bring in income, get you out of the house, allow you to engage with new people, challenge your brain which is stimulating, and hopefully help you begin to regulate your eating (since you won't be so focused on the negatives). Lastly, you HAVE to start exercising. It will get your breathing flowing which is very calming when your anxious. It gets you out of your head space since you're focusing on your body movements. It will stimulate your metabolism and increase your energy levels. And it'll naturally help you regular your eating habits (of course with intentional efforts on your part). To aid in exercise being meaningful, you MUST get rid of the junk food in your house. It's like having tasty poison sitting and waiting for you to fall. Don't leave traps around you, if you can help it. There are tons of resources on this site from people posting what their eating. Lots of great, tasty, stuff. And even if you're overindulging on Protein as well as junk food, at least the protein offers something for your body. So try choosing the protein. I pray for breakthrough in your life Ag333. I know it's hard as hell but you can totally get out of this black hole and get your life back!

You look fantastic! You were beautiful in your before picture and absolutely stunning in your after.

Hey Coach, I'm curious what prompted the question? I'm about sixteen or so days out and I haven't cheated. It's been difficult but I take it day by day and remember that I'm eating this way to allow my body to heal. After that, when solids do come in, I'll be eating to keep my body decreasing. So it won't stop being a process. Were you curious because the cravings are intense or just wondering in general?

I am soo sorry that happened to you. :c. I hope you were okay and I cannot imagine the embarrassment and pain of that moment.

Hazelsbliss, Did you do the tummy tuck, arm lift, and breast lift augmentation all in one surgery? I was wondering what's the recup time for something that intense? Was the pain level also super intense? Curious about how that goes. R

There was soo much that finally made me make the decision. I have felt fat and been overweight most of my life. I remember having thoughts of being abnormally big in the 5th grade. By the time I was an adult, I was truly in the morbidly obese category. I first thought about wls surgery when I was 22. I was about 270 pds then and though I did not have any comorbities I was horrified and scared of being that big. Sadly, I did not have the means to pursue and I dropped it. Fast forward 9 years to this summer. Within this time I lost both my parents, ages 69 and 63. Both had out of control weight issues which lead to high blood pressure (father) and diabetes (mother) which led both to kidney failure and then, eventually, they both had strokes (within 5 years of each other). I finally realized this summer, when I hit my biggest at 306 pds, that I was terrified. I was terrified that I was far larger than my mother had ever been and yet she had died so young. I was terrified that I'd be apart of the same nightmare cycle of bad health as my parents and have an even earlier end. Next to that fear was the realization that my life was getting more and more boxed in. My existence was so clogged up with fat! I couldn't get past my obsession and unhappiness with being fat and it was literally taking over my life on every level. I needed help! I remember sitting and praying from my heart for some health because I felt so out of control and that the fat had become stronger then me. Soon after, a friend told me about his experience and that's when I began pursuing wls. I was sleeved on 12/17/13. It's early yet. There's lots to learn. But I have no regrets. I feel like my prayer of help was answered. I can't wait to see what this journey brings.

Hey Everyone, Happy New Year!! I am hoping everyone will have an incredible 2014! I'm a little stressed out myself (does not negate that 2014 is going to be incredible!). I will be seeing my surgeon tomorrow and my primary care doctor on Monday and will be talking to them about some of this stuff but I do want to post here to see if anyone else is experiencing what I am. So I have been dehydrated. I'm not experiencing dizziness but my skin feels like a reptile and my urine is pretty dark. I'm at about 50 ozs of Water a day which helps somewhat with the color of my urine. However, I feel like something is wrong with my body. Something feels off. For the last two days I've had some sensation in my lower back which could be due to the dehydration. I'm not sure. In any case, I am anxious about it. My second issue is I've been getting acid reflux pretty badly. Sometimes I can't even sip my water. I started taking antacid otc med about three days ago to combat it somewhat. Without it, I wouldn't even be able to eat the little I am eating. It is annoying and I'm praying that it doesn't last for a long time. Is anyone else having similar experiences? I absolutely DO NOT regret the surgery at all. I know the body is a very mercurial thing and issues arise. But it's nice to not be alone. Again, Happy New Year Everybody Robin

You look wonderful!! Congratulations on your progress and success!

Hi Everybody! I am in need of some support. I’ll make this short because I my computer failed me when I tried posting before and I don’t feel like typing everything again. I am six days post op. I’m sticking to my NUT’s diet plan as closely as I can. Each day gets better than the last. I’m struggling to get in the 64 ozs of liquid and 60 g of Protein. Work in progress. My abdominal area is healing very nicely and I’ve not needed any pain medication. However, I’m hungry. Nothing outside of Protein shakes and greek yogurt satisfies this hunger feeling. It’s definitely not head hunger. The sensation is uncomfortable. I know my little sleeve pouch is still healing and I don’t want to overextend it. But I’m wondering why I’m feeling such persistent hunger when NOBODY I’ve read about on this forum started experiencing hunger this soon out the gate. I’m beginning to get paranoid about whether I’m sleeved or not! Any advice? Thoughts?

Omg Ladyd! I'm going through the same thing. I had mine the same day. The burping was worse during the hospital stay and like a day after but it still occasionally happens now. It still hurts. I've also had dry mouth and I know it's because I'm not getting in 64 ozs. Have you been getting in all 64 ozs? I think, in general, normality will come eventually but don't expect it now. However, I think every day has been better than the one before. I hope that'll you'll be able to say the same thing soon. Sorry Ladyd :/

Today is the day!! I will be having surgery at Lenox Hill at 730am with Dr. Edward Yatco. Still excited. Very anxious. And ready to do this!! I will touch back with you guys when I return home (I don't have a smartphone to be able to update. (Boo :c) Blessings and prayers to everyone else who is having their surgery today as well. And many, many thanks to those praying and supporting us!!

Congratulations!!! I am amazed at the progress you've achieved at only three months! What's your workout regiment like?