Maggy'sMom

It's been quite some time since my last post so I thought I'd update my first post. I'm 9 months post op. My surgery and recovery went well. Struggled with the pre op and post op diets. I absolutely hated the Protein shakes and meals required by my program. Followed the plan to insure I would qualify for surgery but modified it soon after surgery. I still don't get the recommended protein and Water but I feel good, my labs are very good and my body fat and muscle ratio numbers are right on track (at least they were at my 6 month check up). I need to get serious about tracking my food intake with MyFitnessPal as I've been eating more and more junk lately. I haven't had a gain yet but I can see how easy it would be to gain. My sleeve can tolerate just about anything. There is still a great restriction for most food but for some reason the bad for me junk foods seem to go right down. I had quite a few incidences of foamies when eating chicken. I don't know if it was from not chewing enough, eating to quickly or too much. That hasn't happened lately thank goodness. I'm down to a size 4 or 6 depending upon the brand from a size 20/22. I have a considerable amount of loose skin in areas and my face looks hollow and sagging. I had a small bust to begin with and now I have nothing but hanging skin. Nothing left in the trunk either. I've noticed a lot more hair in the sink and on my brush but don't see a difference in the volume on my head. I only told three people I was having WLS - my mom, husband and a neice. While prepping for surgery, my cousin came into the presurgery room. She said she was scheduled as one of the surgical nurses and asked if I wanted her to be removed from the schedule. I said no but I hadn't told my children I was having surgery. She said she wouldn't say anything to any one - HIPPA laws etc. and she could lose her job if she discussed it. I was so surprised, I didn't know she had changed hospitals! I am fortunate to have had such a good outcome. I'm happy to answer any questions.

My discharge papers said if my pain was not controlled with the script I was given, I should call immediately. Call your doctor. You shouldn't be suffering with pain. Good luck and hope you get some relief soon.

McDonald's sales have been dropping for months now and I'm pretty sure I'm responsible. Lol

I would go back to mush or at the very least call my doctor and ask if I could advance. I thought the stages would take a lot longer but was approved to move to hard foods at 6 weeks. Your tummy is like a new born baby and you want to treat it as such. Try to follow doctor's order. The doc is the expert.

Sounds normal. I'm almost 7 weeks post op and barely get in 40 oz. I didn't drink protein shakes but was told 4 oz would probably be the most I could get in at a time. Glad you're doing well. Just keep sipping! It will take time to increase your intake.

My first thoughts as I became aware I was being wheeled out of recovery and to my room was "what the hell did I just do?" and "please let me go back to the OR and put it back." For me I had been so sure surgery was what I wanted. I think it's natural to second guess a major decision like that. I'm almost 7 weeks post op and things are going well.

sugar free popcycles

My doc told me to cut back on exercise until I get closer to my protein and calorie goal I was walking 60-70 minutes a day and getting only 30-40 grams of protein. He said my body will start holding onto the weight. He also said I would start losing muscle instead of fat.. I was feeling great getting that much exercise but I've cut back because The doc knows what he's talking about. .

Call the office and ask. I also had McLaren insurance and I'm still waiting for all the numbers to come in. It took over a month to get an appointment after the seminar so get your seminar out of the way. I know a few people who went to Grand Rapids for their surgeries. I ruled that out because I didn't want to drive that far for appointments. I had a great hospital experience. The staff was very attentive to my needs and I felt I received excellent care. Many people go to Mexico for the surgery. I'm too chicken for that.

I have learned a lot from your posts and appreciate every one of them. Many people would miss your wisdom and insight if you left this forum. You have lost your excess weight so you are successful. Some medical professionals just don't have the right stuff. Instead of letting his know-it-all ego do the talking he should have done what was right for the patient. You yourself knows how Bariatric Pal helps. You don't need your friend to tell you it doesn't. Next time just thank her for her opinion and log right in and get some needed support. Love you an hugs!

Don't worry about gaining. You won't be getting enough calories to gain.

My favorite is Spaghetti sauce, ricotta cheese and shredded Parmesan warmed in the microwave. There is a food forum you can check out too. Congrats on the awesome weight loss!

It took mine quite awhile too call off. the last one came off at 4 weeks. I washed with soap and water and after the edges came loose I trimmed the loose edges. The worst part was the sticky glue under the strip. it was all black and and really hard to scrub off. I didn't want to scrub to hard and hurt the incision so I started using Bio Oil. When itchy, I would lightly smooth the strip with my finger.

I'm five weeks out. I am feeling really good and looking pretty good (according to family). I was cleared to advance my diet to hard foods. I can't eat much at a time but I've had some tasty meals. Today I had hot pork from my favorite buffet restaurant. I ordered off the menu. I was totally satisfied with the 1/4 cup I was able to eat. I had it for my supper too. At times I feel a little sad that I can't pig out like I did before but I remember how miserable I was after I would eat like that. From what I understand after some time, I'll be able to enjoy just about any thing just in much smaller quantities. I questioned whether I should have the surgery after losing about 50 lbs on my pre op diet. I have always lost in the past but couldn't reach goal and would gain it back plus more. I really thought maybe this time I could do it on my own. I remember feeling the same way the last two times I was on a weight loss plan. That feeling reminded me that I probably wouldn't reach goal and keep it off without some help. It is hard. I hated the products i had to eat in the pro op diet and the post op diet. I hated the Protein shakes, I hated the broth. I hate sugar free anything. I'm not getting in the required protein, calories or fluids yet (by a long shot) but I feel so much better. I was walking 70 minutes a day but my doc wants me to cut back till I get closer to 70 grams of protein and closer to 600-800 calories. It feels like it is a full time job trying to get everything in. I used to drink Coke or Water. Now water has a bad taste. But that too is getting better. I cried when I fit into a size 10 jean. I started at a size 20w. I never knew it had a name until I heard it on Jimmy Fallon, but my "front butt" is slowly going away. I have excess skin but it isn't as bad as I thought it would be. It is a major decision. Not every one has a successful surgery. not everyone will keep the weight off. My husband's Aunt is one year out and has gained a considerable amount of her weight back. If we don't follow our plan we all can be like his Aunt. Right now I have a great restriction and I'm not very hungry. I could not eat all day and I wouldn't feel hungry. I'm sure that will go away someday. That's when I will have to be diligent in following the plan. I won't deprive myself but I will try to eat mainly healthy. I just don't want to go back to eating the whole bag of candy after eating three plates at the buffet and 3 or 4 cokes. It is actually a relief not having to worry about having enough junk food in the pantry to get me through a night. So long story short, although I'm sometimes sad, the benefit of the surgery far outweighs the sadness for me. Good luck with your decision.

How scary! So glad to hear you were not injured. Wonderful that you now have the speed, agility and stamina to save yourself from a trampling.