Inner Surfer Girl

I just use MyFitnessPal since I use it to track my food/protein anyway.

You won't stretch your sleeve drinking fluids.

I would suggest you make an appointment with your NUT, find a good therapist, and go back to basics. Your NUT can help you with a good eating plan and a therapist can help you learn new, healthy skills for coping with life changes and stress. See if the therapist who cleared you for surgery can see you or recommend someone who has experience working with bariatric patients. A good book I read recently, called Eat It Up! might be helpful for you. It was written by a therapist who works with weight loss surgery patients. In the meantime, go back to basics. Follow your program. Track your food. Make sure you are reaching your Protein and Fluid goal daily. Take your Vitamins and supplements as recommended. Exercise. And, be patient with yourself and Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I chose the sleeve and never considered the band. I have a cousin who has a band and when I asked her about it she said that if she were to do it today she would get the sleeve. You have to make a decision based on what is right for you, but I would agree with your surgeon. I was sleeved April 20 of this year and couldn't be happier with my recovery and results so far. Keep researching and asking questions about all of the procedures until you are confident about your choice. You don't have to decide today.

It's pretty common. I had to make sure I wore something to cover my incisions at night so I wouldn't unconsciously scratch my abdomen. Just keep hydrated and use lotion or oil (just not directly) on your incisions. It will get better.

I am so glad you are seeing someone.

I don't know. That is why you have a consultation: so your surgeon can determine what needs to happen in order for you to have surgery. Yo our surgeon may ask you to lose weight or he or she may not.

Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the process of losing weight. None of us lose at a constant or steady rate. If you are planning to lose a lot of weight, you will experience periodic stalls. Almost everyone has their first stall about three weeks after surgery. I don't know that there is a usual duration for stalls. As long as you follow your program and don't cut protein/calories as a response to a stall, weight loss will resume eventually. Follow your program. Make sure you are getting in all of your Protein and fluids. Take your Vitamins and supplements as instructed. And exercise. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Merry Christmas! One of the strangest things for me after surgery was how hard it was to drink plain Water. I found that just about any liquid was easier to drink than water. Try decaf tea. Try water with Mio drops or another enhancer. Try different temperatures: room temperature, warm, or even ice cold. Try sugar-free Popsicles. Try ice. Try broth/soup. You may find some temperatures are easier than others. Fortunately, you can count all non-caffeinated beverages toward your Fluid total, including your Protein shakes. Just keep trying. It will get easier. For me, I was eventually able to drink plain water without difficulty.

You can do it. I can't tell you how much getting into the pool helps me: body, mind and soul. Also, since I am swimming at a wellness center that is associated with a hospital and serves a lot of folks undergoing physical rehab, the encouragement is awesome.

Merry Christmas! It has got to be extremely hard only being on liquids for Christmas. It's hard enough on a regular day. I hope you can find joy in being with your family and knowing that whatever deprivation you feel today will be more than worth it. For me, it helps to focus on what I can have rather than what I can't. I brought some of my favorite decaf tea bags and Mio drops with me today since I won't be at home all day. Do you have Protein and/or sugar-free hot chocolate? That is also a good alternative for me as a Christmas treat. I wish you all the best and hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

I am not a veteran or at maintenance, but it looks like your answer is in your post. Track your food! How do you expect to know whether or not you are meeting your nutritional objectives if you don't track your food? Especially your Protein intake. I would also suggest you make an appointment with your NUT to talk about your goals. In the meantime, go back to basics. Follow your program. Make sure you are getting in all of your protein and Water. Take your Vitamins and supplements as directed. Exercise reasonably. Talk to your NUT to make sure your nutrition can support your exercise (this is another reason why tracking your food is important). You have already had a great deal of success. You can do this!

Welcome! I was sleeved April 20 and couldn't be happier with my decision, my recovery, and my results so far. I have considerably more to lose than you. I suggest you learn as much as you can about both procedures and talk with your surgeon about the benefits and drawbacks as it relates to your specific situation, Best of luck

Being scared is natural. This was my first surgery ever so I had no idea what it would be like. Turns out, the surgery was the easiest part of the process. One minute you are getting on the table and the next minute you are in recovery. Just take deep breaths and try to keep yourself occupied until time for the surgery.

I agree. The psych evL and other requirements are supposed to help you identify areas that you need support and help you find the resources you will need to be successful. Just because you haven't been ready up to now doesn't mean you won't be. I agree that finding a good therapist and an advocate may be helpful for navigating this process. I wish you all the best.

Great. If your cardiologist is comfortable clearing you without it then cool. All I was trying to say is that your cardiologist MAY need tests not required by your surgeon based on your individual situation.

Just an FYI, "only" losing 2 pounds is not a stall. Everyone stalls. Everyone loses at different rates at different times. The sooner you come to peace the process and calibrate your expectations the happier you will be.

Actually, your Cardiologist made need something entirely different from your surgeon. Your surgeon and you need a cardiologist clearance. Even if an EKG is what your surgeon needs, he is also relying on a report from the cardiologist. You can get an EKG from your PCP.

My doctor's instructions are to weigh daily. I'll switch to not so frequent. If you choose to weigh every day just realize that it's just a number. Have you taken your measurements? That is another good way to monitor progress.

That is so cool! I just looked at her schedule and the closest she will be to me is Nashville.

I didn't have a drain but I did have this ball/device that administered a numbing agent. It was wired into my chest, just under my sternum and hung around my neck. I only wore it for a couple of days until it was empty. My incisions across my abdomen were glued, so unless I lifted up my shirt and showed someone they were not visible. You may have some bruising where the IV was administered. Also, since you are on blood thinners you may bruise easily. One thing you may need to keep in mind as a student is that in the first weeks/month or so after surgery you may be mentally fuzzy. I was in a bit of a fog for a month which impacted my short term memory. This may be due to dehydration/lack of nutrition, anesthesia, and/or general stress due to the surgery and healing. Also, keep in mind lifting restrictions. You won't be able to lift a heavy book bag for a while. The best way to heal quickly is to be gentle with yourself and follow your program. Focus on getting in all of your Protein and fluids. Take your Vitamins and supplements as instructed. Exercise (walking is great until you are cleared for more strenuous exercise). If you need any accommodations after surgery, talk with your Dean of Students office. And, if you can't find healthy choices through food service, definitely talk to the manager of your food services. Best of luck with your surgery and keep us posted on how you are doing.

Like the Sparkpeople app, you can look up foods, create meals and recipes, as well as track other things like exercise. Take a look at what is available and works for you, but ultimately the best one is the one you will use.

That is so great! I haven't worn jeans in decades. I would consider being able to wear Mom Jeans as an NSV myself.

Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the weight loss process. If you intend to lose a lot of weight you will experience stalls. Most people experience their first stall about three weeks after surgery. Follow your program. Focus on getting in all of your Protein and fluids. Take your Vitamins and supplements as instructed. Exercise. Stay off the scale. If the numbers in the scale are going to dictate how you feel, then I recommend you weigh no more than once a week (or even less often). Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

My idea has to be: Embrace the Stall!