Inner Surfer Girl

First off, a sleeve won't stretch because the stretchy part of the stomach is removed. The real danger with eating too fast is that you will bypass satisfied and head right to uncomfortable or worse without realizing it. Take small bites, chew each bite 20-30 times so you can really taste your food, and put your utensils down after each bite. Some people even use timers or apps on their phone to help them slow down. Good luck. It takes practice.

It won't be this year, but I am looking forward to: wearing boots (both fashionable and hiking boots) and fall clothes (sweaters, cords, tweeds, etc.), Going to football games and the fall racing meet at Keeneland. Homecoming. Fall art festivals. Taking pictures in the mountains. Several years ago I went on a weekend photo workshop in West Virginia. I had fun but was limited due to mobility. I want to go again. And there are some more I would like to go to.

Just keep in mind the 2 oz containers don't have a lot of head room. I like the 4 oz ones so I don't have to fill them to the very top.

Welcome. I am 51 and was sleeved April 20. Best of luck with getting all of your pre-op clearances done in time to get your surgery this year. I am sure that you aren't the only one with a tight schedule. As long as your surgeon's office is aware of your issues they should be a great help in getting you there. In the meantime, learn as much as you can, read, and ask questions. This site is a great place to learn a great deal. Best of luck and keep us posted.

It does get better. You have just had major surgery and your hormones are in flux. Be gentle with yourself and keep sipping. Focus on getting in all your protein and fluids. You need both to heal.

Just follow your plan. Focus on getting in all your protein and fluid. No one loses at a constant rate. Our bodies are complex systems and not simple machines.

I resumed taking my antidepressant the day after surgery. If anything, my depression has lessened since having surgery. That said, keep in mind that in the few weeks after surgery some people do experience mood swings. Its probably a combination of: dehydration, effects from the trauma of surgery, etc. but mostly because of the rapid release of hormones from stored fat and no longer being able to use food to regulate moods. This is when a lot of people post on here about regretting the surgery, etc. I definitely think that with the help of your medical team, you can weather the emotional turmoil and it doesn't last forever. I hope you won't make a rash decision without talking to your therapist and/or surgeon. If your surgeon has a psychologist on staff who is familiar with bariatric patients then definitely talk to him or her before you pull the plug. Best of luck and I hope you find the support you need to make a more informed decision.

Welcome! You will find lots of ideas for liquids and puréed on this site. To answer your question about tea. It really depends on the program provided by your NUT and surgeon. I am allowed decaf tea and herbal infusions (what people commonly call herb "tea"). I am also allowed up to one cup of tea (with caffeine) a day.

Wow. That has got to be terrifying for you and everyone else. But, it sounds like if something like that were to happen you couldn't been at a better place. Glad to know you are ok now.

Best of luck and definitely keep us posted on how you are doing. You do sound like the ideal patient for this type of surgery.

Or, a co-worker says that whatever happens, she hopes her daughters never get fat, because that would be the absolute worst thing to ever happen to anyone.That's....I don't even..... What a despicable person! I don't think she knew I overheard. If she was aware I heard I could have provided a list of a whole lot of things that are worse than being fat. I just felt very sad for she and her kids.

My question would be related to long-term effects. It looks like they are altering the size of the fundis. But, not removing it entirely as with the sleeve. It seems that over time, the fundis that is still there would stretch as fundis' are designed to do. Curious.

Yes, I understand. For me it was more die to mobility issues. I had gotten to a place where my lack of mobility was impacting just about everything in my life and had no real hope that it would ever improve until I decided to have surgery. Once I made the decision I knew I might be able to do some things but was on the limbo of not knowing how long it would take to get there. Now, almost 6 months post-op, things are improving faster than I anticipated!

Definitely talk to your surgeon or NUT about this. For my clear liquid phase, I had to be able to see through the liquid (with the exception of some protein supplements were allowed). I think I was allowed clear, no-sugar added fruit juice if it was diluted but don't think I ever drank it during my clear phase. I know I drank V8 during my full liquid phase.

I know a lot of folks little toddler dishes. I prefer adult dishes that are small. I also happen to like pretty dishes. I bought: appetizer spoons, sushi plates, rice bowls, saki cups, and salad plates. I also use Soup plates a lot -- I already had several that I bought at a restaurant supply store that I love. Now that I am farther out from surgery, I have a fiestaware soup bowl that I eat out of a lot. I use the appetizer spoons or just the tip of a teaspoon most of the time. I find I rarely use a fork just because so much of what I eat is moist that a spoon works best. But, when I use a fork I just use a regular-sized one. The 4 oz rubbermade or ziplock bowls are good for storage. Gerber also has some nice, colorful lidded bowls. If you like glass storage, there are so nice containers that are marketed for baby food, but Libby also has some jars with lids. I know some people use the small canning jars. You can get small ramekins that can go in both the oven and microwave for cooking small portions. Definitely make sure you get a good food scale and measuring cups and spoons if you don't already have them. For someone who didn't cook much, but happens to love kitchen ware, this is where I went on a bit of a shopping spree. I even bought a couple of blenders but still mostly use a Blender Bottle. I just recently pulled out my old slow cooker, but am eyeing a new multi cooker.

Welcome! I know how hard it is to give up pop. That was probably one of my biggest mental blocks. I successfully weaned myself off of carbonation and caffeine before surgery. The good thing is, I no longer crave it now that it's out of my system. Best of luck and keep us posted on how you are doing.

Congratulations!

Or, a co-worker says that whatever happens, she hopes her daughters never get fat, because that would be the absolute worst thing to ever happen to anyone.

Congratulations on making this decision and starting on your journey. Learn as much as you can, read, take lots of notes, and ask questions. You can learn a lot from this site. The length of the process can vary depending on many factors: insurance requirements, surgeon's requirements, clearances, finances, etc. It took me about two years from the time I started to seriously consider surgery until I actually had the surgery. But a lot of that time was so I could line up financing (my insurance excludes bariatric surgery). Some people take years and for others it may be a matter of months. Exercise patience, but also stay on top of the process.

Congratulations! I understand why you are thrilled!

I am not sure others have mentioned this, but as a sleeve patient, when I was on liquids, I sipped all day. I wasn't instructed to wait between Protein shakes and other fluids. My primary goal was to get in all my protein and fluids. I sipped something continuously. I counted all liquids like protein (Soups, shakes, puddings), Popsicles, ice, toward my Fluid count. It does get better.

I wouldn't drink because alcohol will have an immediate and significant impact on your liver. Definitely talk to your surgeon ahead of time, but if it were me, that close to surgery, I wouldn't risk it. That said, you can still have fun without drinking. If your friends are true friends, then ask them to respect your decision not to drink. Have fun and Happy Birthday!

I don't live in Hawaii either, but will be back someday. The last time I was in Hawaii I couldn't walk on the beach, so one of my major goals is to be able to take surfing lessons when I go back (hence my name). I hope you find some local folks to meet with, and when I am able to revisit Hawaii I'll look you up!

Embrace the Stall!

Definitely ask your NUT. Mine is 100 grams. For my surgeon, all men and anyone over 50 BMI, our goal is 100 grams. I think the lower BMI women were given a goal of 80 grams but I wouldn't swear to it.