Inner Surfer Girl

I was able to wear a regular seatbelt today! It has been years since I was able to comfortably wear a seatbelt without an extender.

I was allowed no-sugar added peaches and pears, and banana when I started soft foods. I still try to have at least one serving of those a day in addition to the fruit in my yogurt. My NUT encourages vegetables and fruit.

I am glad to hear you are attending an OA meeting. We all need support on this journey from people who truly understand (this forum and OA are both excellent resources).

Even if you are not sure you can start the process. As you go through the prep you can learn as much as you can. Only you can decide if this is the right thing for you but as you have the opportunity now why not at least talk to your doctor and attend an introductory seminar.

One of the "gifts" of obesity is learning to be assertive. If you are uncomfortable, for whatever reason, it is perfectly acceptable to request a change. You don't really need to explain specifics. Suffering in silence doesn't do you or your meal companion any favors.

Yeah! I was able to get in the pool yesterday. The first time since we closed it at the end of the season last year. My old suit still fits but it's really baggy in the butt. Of course, it rained all day today.

I would think in addition but why not call and double-check if you are confused?

Check the hospital's policy, too. Mine only allowed small children to visit on the weekend. Since I was sleeved on Monday and left on Tuesday children would not have been allowed.

If you are eating chicken and fish all day every day but only getting 20 grams of protein a day, something isn't adding up. How much are you actually eating and when? If you had a turkey/ cheese roll-up that has 10 grams of protein twice a day that brings you to 20 grams. Are you measuring, recording, and planning your food daily? Do you set bench-marks? (Need to get 20-25 grams of protein at least 4xs a day, etc.) Have you planned out a schedule for meals and Snacks with various options? At 6 weeks out you should be able to get a majority of your protein from food but you have to work at it. Did you NUT give you any suggestions?

In addition to what everyone else has suggested if you like milk you can try Carnation Breakfast Essentials (No sugar Added) made with milk as a Protein supplement. You can also just add powdered milk to your milk. Talk to you NUT. The further you are out the more food options you have. As someone mentioned above don't worry about calories now and make sure you get enough protein and fluids.

You have to eat frequent meals and snacks if you can only eat a small amount at a time.

My goal is 100 grams a day which means 20-25 grams per meal at least 4 times a day. My NUT said to plan for three meals and two snacks. If my 3 meals have 25 grams of protein and my snacks 10-15 grams then I am fine.

I don't see why it would be a problem, especially if you are able to reach your Protein goals with healthy foods. I was sleeved April 20 and my protein goal is 100 grams a day. Some days are easier than others in reaching my goal without supplements.

Probably.

I have had a great recovery. I couldn't be happier. My major challenge is getting in my fluids. That has been the biggest challenge so far. Today was the first day I have done a significant amount of exercise. We finally opened the pool and I was able to swim for the first time since surgery, It's going to be a great summer.

In a matter of hours I will finally be joining the ranks of the Sleevers and taking my seat on the losers bench. It has been a long journey to get this far, but in the process I have learned a lot, and am at peace with my decision. Two years ago I had pretty much lost hope and couldn't imagine being able to do something as simple as kicking the Diet Coke habit. I wanted to thank everyone on this board to helping me to get this far. I am eager to come back at the beginning of my new life. Wish me luck.

You still have time to wean yourself off the caffeine before surgery. Yes, going through post-op and caffeine withdrawal at the same time would suck. I was a serious Diet Coke addict so I started by reducing my daily consumption gradually, increasing my Water consumption and also drinking tea (lower caffeine). I am sure someone who was a coffee drinker can help you with a good way to decrease and then eliminate you caffeine over the next week or so. I can't guarantee it will be easy but it would certainly be better than going cold turkey two days before surgery. Good luck.

I understand. I have been too large for most hospital equipment for several years and learned to check ahead. I have had to educate so many people in healthcare. For instance my old HMO would send me for tests, I would ask that they check on weight limits, etc, they would assure me that I would fit, I would arrive for the test, and sure enough would be over the weight limit, and then have to start over. It is a pain. Sometimes, it is not even the equipment but in the training of the staff. As people's weights in this country increase, this is an issue that will become more critical.

When we reach goal...

Can you call or email? Mine is also over an hour away. I see her when I have a surgical appointment but O can contact her at any time with questions or concerns.

I am so sorry you were rushed into this surgery without preparation. It is as much a mental challenge as it is a physical challenge and I was able to prepare over a year's time. Many people, especially in the US, go through at least a 3-6 month process that includes education on nutrition, visits with a psychologist, pre-op testing, etc. By the time surgery rolls around, we are fairly well prepared and yet many people still go through moments of regret right after surgery. While you may think things are dire now, I would suggest you take a big breath and slow down. First, contrary to what you have heard, since the surgeon removed the stretchy part of your stomach it will not stretch very much. What you need to be most concerned with right now is making sure you heal safely and if you start trying to "stretch" your sleeve you could really hurt yourself. Second, I would recommend you learn as much as you can about what you need to do to be healthy and heal properly. Third, I would suggest you make an appointment with a counselor or therapist because you have just undergone a traumatic change without any tools to help you cope, and if you are like many of us, your biggest coping mechanism (food) is no longer available to you. Are you still breathing? For now, follow your surgeon's post-op instructions which should include a plan for transitioning from Clear liquids, to full liquids, to soft foods, etc. You should also be trying to get enough Protein (60-100+grams depending on your starting weight), walking (to relieve gas pain and forget DVTs), and staying hydrated (aim for 64 oz + of fluid). Keep us posted in how you are doing. Although this was a sudden change for you, you can still make the most out of it and may eventually be pleased with your results.

Like most people on this site, I have battled my weight my whole life. I spent a lot of years trying to figure out what was wrong with me! Why couldn't I be like other people? Feeling defective and like a failure. Until fairly recently, I was completely against any kind of surgery. Part of me was afraid of surgery, but mostly afraid that since I was screwed up I was doomed to fail. You know what? All of those fears were put to rest when I started actively considering the surgery. I was ready. All of those failures, and all of the fear came together to prepare me. I was at the end of my rope. I really had nothing to lose. With about a year of time, an awesome surgeon and support team, supportive family and friends, an Enlightened PCP, and my own gifts, talents, and skills I was finally able to have my surgery April 20. By then, the hope far outweighed the fear (and not the kind of hope that leads to disappointment but the kind that feels that what will happen is the right thing). Yes, this is a scary process, but the rewards are worth it.

Congratulations! What plan are you referring to? Your pre-op diet? To prepare for my surgery I: weaned myself off of pop and caffeine, drank at least 64 oz. of Water a day, exercised at least 60/min a day, focused on slowing down my eating, chewing thoroughly and started sampling Protein shakes. Best of luck with your surgery.

I just noticed that I am a VIP. Who knew? Hello everyone. I am single, never married. At 50, going on 51, I am officially a spinster. I have no children but am an awesome aunt to 7 nieces and nephews. I am currently on disability/not working but looking forward to getting back into the workforce once I regain more mobility. I certainly hung on to the bitter end before even considering surgery. This process has saved my life and given me hope for a second act.