Fluffnomore

Couldn't agree more. And we do have to fight for it…I wish it wasn't that way but sometimes it really seems like it is. And somewhere I do think our families want us to succeed. Like us, they are afraid when the status quo gets shaken up. I've heard everything from "There is no food in the house; I guess because you aren't eating we don't" when there is PLENTY of food in plain sight, to "We can't go out to dinner anymore…" which is also not true. I see it for what it is. Complaining about things being different because of a fear that everything is changing around them. We will get to our new normal as a family in addition to our having personal new normals...

This has been said in many other places, but for me the taste of certain Protein drinks post-surgery has been distasteful, when I could handle them just fine before.

The only time I worry about my rate of loss is when I make an effort to compare myself to everyone else. At 45, my rate of loss will be completely different from someone who is 25, from someone who has a different exercise philosophy, from someone who has a different physiology. It's hard to keep that at the forefront of your mind in the beginning, or when you're going through a stall, or worrying (probably as we all do) that you are the one person this won't work for. Would I be happy if I never lost another pound? Hell, no. But I am happy that as of right now, I'm already feeling more like the self I think I am in my deluded head, and less like the fat girl I started out as.

Hi Lyn, the calories look fine to me (600-700 is about what I remember at that time.) You can always double check with your NUT. At this point it really is a leap of faith. Keep doing what you are doing and you will see some changes. I think TOM could definitely play a part; it was responsible for my first blip upward of a pound or two, about 2 weeks post op. That was followed by some nice loss the next week. Good luck!

It doesn't seem to affect me in a bad way. I was cleared at my 6 week appointment and I don't intend for it to be an every day thing. Tracking makes me hyper aware that it's a waste of calories, and the urge to overindulge is just not there. But I get that this is highly individual.

Yuck, Mouse. That is really a bummer.

These are great tips. I'm almost 7 weeks out and went to a party Saturday. I had a glass of wine while I thought hard about what I could eat, and then I filled a small plate and took my time eating some of it. Like PDXMan says, it feels good to fit in and no one questioned me, even the people who knew about the surgery. When I got home and added up all my choices I was right on track. I know that won't happen every time, but it was good and empowering. It can be done.

Sleeved 10/24. No pain meds after 10/25. I was working (at home) almost immediately; worked at an event by two weeks out. Took a 1900 mile car trip over the week of Thanksgiving and did most of the driving. I'm now almost 7 weeks and have started to work out again. I feel great.

Chili in a crock pot.

That is beautiful.

Congrats, Frank!

Had to have a tantrum yesterday about the wife and mother stuff. My teenaged daughter said snippily, "I guess you expect me to be perfect." I said, "No, but when I feel like I'm giving 90% on a pretty regular basis…" "Oh, you want 100% from us?" "No, I would be pleased with 10%. And that's sad." You're right; this is about much more (for me) than losing weight. It's about exerting myself to be what I should be, live up to my potential, and not be the reflection/support system/receptacle for my kids' and husband's hopes and dreams. The odd thing? I have a nice career and I do well; I don't think this is the outside world's perception. And unfortunately that is a balance I need to address.

What I have learned in the last 3 weeks: My home is my bubble. A regular day for me involves getting the kids out, and doing some work on my computer from home. Getting my Protein and liquids in when I'm in my bubble and nothing out of the ordinary comes up? Easy peasy. Work at back to back events on a Sunday from 3 to midnight, in which the second event includes a reception? Not so easy. People don't regularly stock soft, protein-filled foods at your typical reception. I'd brought Water and a RTD Protein Drink (good) but not enough for 8 hours away. It is a dance. I'm not hitting my steps quite yet.

I'm one of the "lucky" ones with a cast Iron sleeve. But I think I will regret that. I sort of wish I would dump with my former favorites…not that I have tried them all yet, but so far the bite or so of sugary stuff? Nothing. A little wine? Nothing. Different meats? Nothing. I would love to have the "allergic" response to the stuff that is not good for me…it would be easier to keep away once I'm totally back into all foods.

Helpful and inspiring, even to a noob.

Beautiful!

Good luck Mel!

I really think one of the biggest mindblowers involved here is how little we really need to eat to survive and thrive. I shared my food diary with a friend who is thinking about the surgery and she freaked out. "How can you eat that little?!?" And the thing is, her habits (doesn't eat breakfast, lives on coffee or a latte until mid-afternoon, comes home and pigs out) are certainly not working. Why is it that we don't want to realize that our bodies require so little? Is it conditioning, or emotion, or what? I have been wondering about this since the procedure. I have always wondered about friends who seem to live on white wine and green salads and very little else; now I know why it works. Somehow they're getting their calories in. They're not good calories, all of them, but their bodies adapt.

If I were estimating what I'm taking in I would probably tell you I was between 600 and 800. The truth is (because of pretty relentless counting/tracking) I know that I'm really pretty regularly right around 800. I figure the weight loss at this point is what's key, and it is coming off steadily and I don't feel terribly deprived. So all good.

This sounds great to me! Don't get discouraged. You're Alice in Onederland.

Lovin' the new lips, Lady. Very festive.

I don't have any cons yet. Like some of the earlier kids out there I worry about reversing my progress by making bad choices eventually…but I would face that with any WLS.

Height: 5'5" SW: 234 CW: 201 Average: 5.3 per week (since 10/24; might read higher than it really is as my SW is my pre-op appt weight from 10/18.)

It might be, and it might not be. For me, I would say it shook out like this: The first few days was getting over the surgery itself and figuring out how to get anything down. Deciding which liquids worked, and becoming more comfortable with incisions, sleeping, etc. Week one to week four was the tedium of navigating clear and full liquids; wanting more than that but being too freaked out to try it. This is where the emotions kicked in for me. I was a total cranky biznatch during week 2, and many others have alluded to the fact that this has to do with hormones being released, etc. But the good part: I figured out how to drink and sleep again. Then there was the stall at 3 weeks, not fun. Weeks four to six have been the smoothest. Not only do I have more options food-wise, but the weight loss has kicked up again a bit. I am feeling more confident, and having had to travel over Thanksgiving and go to a couple of holiday parties I am seeing how I do outside of my little bubble…and it's working. Then too, I'm starting to be able to wear my smaller clothes and getting some superficial benefit from the surgery, which feeds the overall confidence that I can do it. And it's fun! So yes and no…it's getting used to a new lifestyle but if your recovery is smooth (as mine was) it's not the kind of hard you will be expecting. Go in expecting the best, or at least not worrying about what the worst might be.

Cute dress, but I LOVE how happy you both look in that picture. Keep it up, Sprout.