Ellie_Grace

Heal fast!

odiemom101

Awesome! Congrats!

Keep what you bring down to a least amount possible. But your own pillow, if that is important to you, I had to bring mine since I cant sleep without mine. If you are attached to a blanket or whatever makes you feel more relaxed is important. I am not attached to a specific blanket but my friend is. Bring something to entertain you, but you will mostly either be sleeping or walking (remember walk ASAP and as often as possible) after your surgery. It does depend how long you will be there, I was only there over one night, so did not need much. I played on my phone or watched their television (food channel of all things) but kept drifting in and out of sleep. Maybe a book or something like that, but keep it light and fluffy since you will not be up to anything heavy. Also bring personal items for teeth and hair etc. I brough makeup for going home. I did not bring my own sleeping clothes and just wore the hospital gowns, they did the job and it was a pain to get into my own clothes due to the catheter that they did not take out until a few hours before I went home. IF you have a drain it also makes it difficult (I did not have the drain). I was also told to bring chapstick but I never needed it, but I was able to drink and stay hydrated, but it is not a bad idea because you never know. Phone and phone charger a must for me. Other than that I would not bring much. Maybe a journal to journal you journey? Best of luck on your surgery

For me it was when the doctor gave me all the time I wanted to ask him questions. He kept saying you sure you have no more questions? I laughed to myself because I had done so much research and asked so much in here I kinda did not have many questions. My hubby did ask when we could have sex but other than that it was just info about what to expect during and right after surgery basically. Then I had to go get some blood work done, an EKG done and filled out a lot of forms including consent for surgery forms and given the advanced healthcare directive to complete and return on the day of surgery. Other people had different things happen so it does depend on your surgeon. Good luck this was one of the easier appointments and most exciting.

have you checked to see if you have a stricture? A few members on here report similar issues like you have and it ended up being a stricture which has to be diagnosed by your doctor and it can be fixed with a procedure done normally a couple times, but not unbearable and certainly better than being sick every day.

I am also about the same time from surgery as you. Mine was 6/7/12 so maybe a bit further out. Anyway my weightloss slowed dramatically by the end of the second month. I now average about 2.5 pounds a week, that includes weeks I gain or weeks I don't lose any, but the overall average is 2.5. My understanding is that the less weight you have to lose the slower it will come off, so it is probably safe to say the lower you go the slower it come off. But remember at the lower weights the impact of a pound lost is greater than when you are 300 for example. I mean when I was 275 I could gain 15 pounds and not change sizes and lose that in a week or two and gain it back in a week or so with less difficulty. Now when I lose 10-15 pounds I tend to drop a size. It is frustrating to see the scale slow down but I figure as long as the number trend is downward I will be able to handle it. I think you are totally normal.

I desperately need to increase my protein levels, but I have not yet found a shake I can actually drink they all make me gag and I can only get in one or two swallows. Everyone keeps talking about the unflavored unjury powder I can add to my food and get in more protein that way. I went to the unjury site and dang it is expensive. It would cost me 20$ (without shipping0 every week just to get in the extra 40g of protein a dayI am trying to increase my protein by. That is pretty steep. Does anyone know where I can buy it for cheaper or know of as good a product as the unflavored protein powder that I can buy? I need to do this soon cause I can only seem to get in 45 to 50 g of protein a day on a good day through just my food. So HELP!! I will resort to the extra money if I have to, but would rather not. Thanks Protein is out to kill me I swear!!!

My Dr said to keep it below 10G of sugar. I think the other yogurt I had was 11, so this might be doeable for me and if I put in some of my unflavored protein powder this might be a change up from the shake. YAY Anyone put protein powder in a yogurt? Does it taste ok and does it change the texture too much?

I remember going through this process. I was a basket case in some ways. I was sure I was going to be denied, since it had happened 6 years previously. I refused to invest too much into the surgery until I got the approval, but part of me still believed it was going to happen, so I was very conflicted. I went and bought clothes to show to myself that I had faith it was going to be approved but refused to donate my old clothes until after I got home from surgery because I was afraid something would still happen to prevent surgery even after I got the approval. We all have issues and fears connected with this, you are so not alone. Yes I am now 3 1/2 months out, but now my fears are different and I still have to practice putting my fears in their places etc. Keep asking questions and we will keep helping. Keep sharing your feelings and we will keep supporting, that is why we are all here. Feel free to ask me questions personal or otherwise and I will be glad to answer, I am an open book. The psych eval made me nervous but honestly most therapists (and being one I think this is overall the truth) are there to help and if you are honest and open you will be fine, Remember they meet with people all the time going through the same process so nothing you say or feel will surprise them. Good luck on the eval and just be yourself and you will be fine, I am sure of it.

Even before my surgery I was hitting the thrift stores with my husband. The rationale being, who knew when they would have decent looking clothes to buy and I would need professional clothing to wear to work. I am a clinical Social worker (aka therapist) for a state hospital for sex offenders, so need to dress a certain way. Anyway, I dragged my husband along with me and we went through the racks and I bought anything I loved or liked enough in any size down to 14. Talk about fun, to just pick up stuff without worrying about size (except too big, what a thought) and we bought them. I then put them in my closet by size. Now I return to the thrift stores on a regular basis but now I look for more specific sizes. Depending on my needs, but if I find stuff in lower sizes I pick them up anyway. Here the one thrift store has half off and no sales taxes on Fri and Sat so I pay less than 3 bucks for each item of clothes, most of them time closer to 2$. There was no way I could find time to get to stores when I was dropping, this method worked great for me and now I have things to wear and things to try on to see if I have dropped sizes. A few times I just tried them on and sure enough they fit, what a surprise since I never would have thought to purchase something already. There is no way I can wait until I lose all my weight to get new or used clothes, the thrift store method is awesome and there are great brand new clothes half the time and in perfect condition clothes the other half. I strongly feel that it is important to wear clothes that fit you, it helps you to feel the changes and to experience the feeling of looking good in what you are wearing. If we hold off on getting clothes that fit (If you can alter that is awesome) you lose out on looking your best and feeling your best, which is a great motivator to stay on track and keep pushing forward. Even if you can only afford a few items at each size, go buy something just to have to wear to look your best and to try on to see the amazing changes in your body as you drop down. I was size 26 now I am in 18/Xl and even was able to wear some 16W (whooohoooo). My 18W are getting too loose, so I am in between sizes. My thighs are smaller but mystupid stomach refuses to get equally as small, so I am stuck with tight waist and too loose in the thighs. LOL It looks silly for sure, hoping that changes eventually.

how are you doing today?

I am Odiemom101

Yes one time u dumped out if just a few- and for sure my first time was eating a small container of Greek yogurt. Afraid to try again and the plain is nasty even frozen fruit added. Was hoping for a good Greek yogurt but still no luck I guess

How much protein in this? How much sugar?

Just make sure you recognize all the good and positive emotions you are having related to the surgery. We tend to focus on the negative because those are scary and we feel out of control. But remember mixed in with the fear, anxiety, helplessness etc is the excitement, joy and life is now full of possibilities type of emotions. When you have those negative emotions acknowledge them but then maybe examine them for reality? Are you really going to die from surgery? Will you have complications? Are you going to fail? Will my husband and friends still love you or leave you etc? All of these might have some validity (in a very small way) but stop giving them power, focus on the positive. I found reading through these forums that more people have positive outcomes then negative ones. I know we have all failed numerous times on dieting etc, that is partly why we are here, plus we have been judged by others as well, so our self-esteems might be lower, but that does not mean you will fail now or that others will leave you etc. If asked most people I have talked to would do this surgery again, even with al the pain in the neck scary pre-op stuff and the major changes we have to make in our lives. I for one would never go back, I miss my favorite food and recently its been driving me crazy, but my focus is on the future and how much better off I am today. 67 pounds are gone and I am active and healty and my husband and children are thrilled with the changes. Remember this will be you in a few short months when you will be there to motivate and help others through this journey. What a blessing you will be since you will have so much to share to help them through it.

Nerves are totally normal. You would be crazy if you did not experience some kind of nerves. It is what you do with those nerves that can be an issue. Try to learn some deep breathing and visualization techniques to help you when the nerves get to be too intense. Also try talking to a close friend (here is good but not quite the same thing for you benefit wise). Try sitting down and writing down and starting a journal of why you want this surgery and all the postitive things you will gain by doing this surgery. Write positive affirmations you can read to support you through this journey (google these they are helpful for self-esteem issues as well). For example, I am worth having this surgery done, I am a valuable person, beautiful and ready for this healthy change. Meditate if possible, Pray Read a good book Educate yourself more and more on the surgery and the journey to reassure you of what is going to happen, AVOID the negative posts since you already made the decision and do not need that negativity. Avoid negative people, surround yourself with loving caring supportive people. Treat yourself to a brand new outfit that you will wear in a few months and hang it in a prominant place in your closet. Like something like 3 or 4 sizes down. I was a 26, mine was an 18, which I now can wear. Write down in the above journal all the goals you have for your future and make a copy and carry it with you to keep you motivated If you have a partner or spouse or children etc... have them write down the reasons why they are happy you are doing the surgery. Well got to run, but hope something helps Plus ask as many questions as you like either in here or in private and we will all help you through this. You will be fine!! Remember you are a beautiful awesome person that deserves to be healthy and happy and you can do this! Ellie

I do not think it matter what time you work out, what matters it that you work out. I do mine mostly from late afternoon (4:00) to anywhere as late as 10:00. It all depends on the day, where I am working out etc. I think the biggest thing is to just keep doing something and eventually increasing what you are doing, either with increased time, reps, resistance, strength etc. So just find a time every day that you can work out and do it. It is great if you can find the same time everyday to make it a ritual or habit, but I find I can't do that, but I do find time daily, with a few rare exceptions to exrecise at least 30 minutes a day. Good Luck on finding what works for you, and do not give up!

I am 3 1/2 post op and my nightmare that I had was of eating every kind of junk food and awesome food I have not eaten since the surgery! LOL I woke up and then had to drink my not so awesome Protein shake, what a downer. I am sorry you had such a scarey nightmare. You will be fine and you wont starve but you will feel hungry until you have surgery, but what a awesome lady you are to be able to overcome that challenge and come out successful on the other side. Good luck you will do great! Ellie

My name is odiemom101 on mfp

Looking awesome

Surgery date. 6/7/12 Weights - Preop 261 Last week. 202 Today 197.8 Weeks loss 4.2 pounds Total loss 63.2 Yay!!!! Finally out of the stall and below 200

You have any questions we can help with to ease your nerves?

Most state insurance for unemployed people cover this surgery, at least that is what I have heard. You might have to redo a few things, but I am betting well hoping that they will accept what you have already done. So be sure to check with the state to see what medical insurance you get from them. So sorry you guys are dealing with this, hope things work out for you. Keep us posted! Don't stress too much, things will work out.

Yes... The answer to that is yes! Actually I was 199.8 yesterday but wanted to be below for a couple weigh-ins to make sure. Today I was 199 so officially I am below 200 for the first time in 24 years!!! So not only did my almost 2 week stall break I dropped into the 100 territory. One more goal down! So surgery was 6/7/12 and weight one week before surgery was 261 and today 199 so goodbye 62 pounds!!