KristenVSG2014

I haven't had Chinese since surgery but I'm not opposed to it. My favorite "healthy" items are Moo Goo Gai Pan without rice or steamed chicken and broccoli with garlic sauce on the side.

Definitely stay on full liquids. Keep in mind that fluids pretty much go straight through you right now so you probably won't get a full feeling or much restriction until you start eating foods. However, keep that healthy fear of messing something up. The first weeks and following the post op diet are crucial to recovery. I never threw up. :-)

The first two weeks I had what I thought was hunger but was a combination of acid and lingering gas. I had rumbles in my stomach, but they weren't hunger. What is your post op diet? Mine was clear liquids one week then full liquids the second week.

Tuck that thing in your underwear and wear a large shirt. No one will notice.

I cook and bake with it. I've used it on my hair before. Google all the possible uses!

I find some of their questions entertaining. This week one of them asked, "Aren't you a vegan?" I laughed really loud and said, "Noooooo, I think I'm the opposite of a vegan. I eat high Protein and low carb." Then I left it at that. Those people have seen me eating eggs, yogurt and eating beef Jerky for two months. They've also seen me lose over 40 pounds in two months and it's driving them crazy they can't figure it out since everyone has gained holiday weight.m Edit to add: I DID tell those I work closely with about my surgery. They love my weekly updates on weight loss and have all been awesome and supportive. However, I just see no reason for the other 25 employee to know.

You've got this! The pre-op diet will soon be a distant memory.

eggs with sausage gravy??? This is the most genius thing I've read today. I'm going to keep this is mind if I happen upon some sausage gravy.

Yes. This is me as well. I was sleeved 11/3/14 and I hit my lowest adult weight on Monday after only 8 weeks. From here on out I have no idea what my body will look like because it's never been that weight at this height. But I'm excited! I feel like I'm peeling away layers of the old me and exposing who I really am, and always have been, but now people can see me for me. However, it's strange because people are noticing me. Like...I'm aware of people looking at me and not because they are being judgmental. I'm not invisible anymore and I don't know what to think about it. I kind of liked the anonymity of being obese and not worrying about people hitting on me or "checking me out" but dang it if I haven't had some random people honking at me lately! And I dress modestly!

You may need to add some healthy fats in your diet (coconut oil, avocado, etc). My skin is normally combination but it gets dry when I cut down on fats. My body is much happier at low carb, moderate protein and fat.

You can read about my surgery and post op here. I update it once a month now: http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/320791-Kristen%27s-Journey-From-Pre-Op-and-Beyond While I didn't have any complications, it wasn't a cake walk either. I had a complete nervous breakdown right before surgery because I was the last surgery of the day and I hadn't eaten in 3 days by that point. I was just very tired, hungry and emotional at that point. But I'm SO HAPPY I did this. I'm so proud of myself for being brave enough to get through it and do the very best I can do.

This ???? I had absolutely no issues with heart burn or reflux until I accidentally had a black tea and later in the day had some dark chocolate. That small amount of caffeine triggered the most terrible heart burn for two days. I started taking Omeprazol and cut the caffeine out again but the heart burn creeps up now and again. I think some of us are more sensitive than others but after reading a post about someone getting an ulcer and leak MONTHS after surgery I'm not taking any chances.

Yes. This used to happen to me the first 4-6 weeks post op. Here was a discussion I found online that explained why.

What an amazing story!!!

I weigh once a week, take pictures and measure once a month.

I think the new growth looks absolutely hilarious. Like a chia pet!!

I would like to add that sometimes it is simply rapid weight loss that causes the hair loss. I went to a weight loss clinic for 6 months. They put me on a high protein low carb 800 calorie a day diet, very similar to what I'm doing now. I lost 50 pounds in 6 months and I lost gobs of hair despite taking all the supplements and Biotin. My hair is fine and thin so it was very noticeable to me. It took a long time for it to get back to normal. So far I haven't had any abnormal hair loss but I won't be surprised when it starts to happen. :-(

Thanks @@BLERDgirl! I went to the full site and finally updated my weight. On a side note, @ I saw Bruce Brient did your surgery. Small world, he was the surgeon who removed my gallbladder over 4 years ago and suggested I look into WLS! I had to go to Mexico though because his office needed $15,000 to do the surgery out of pocket. Were you happy with him?

I think I have one...but I can only update it on the computer. 95% of the time I'm using the phone app. The app doesn't show tickers and doesn't allow you to update it either.

Congrats! So how much have you lost in total? I still have about 60 to go until I'm "fat". Lol! Although I disagree with BMI charts. Body fat percentage is more accurate. Medical terminology: A BMI from 18.5 to 24.9 is considered normal. Adults with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight. Since the BMI is an estimate, it is not accurate for all people. Some people in this group, such as athletes, may have a lot of muscle weight, and therefore not as much fat. These people will not have an increased risk of health problems due to their weight. Adults with a BMI of 30 to 39.9 are considered obese. Adults with a BMI greater than or equal to 40 are considered extremely obese. Anyone more than 100 pounds overweight is considered morbidly obese. http://m.medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003101.htm

Kids want to know why people are different. My uncle lost his leg when he was 12 years old and kids have stared, pointed or asked what happened his entire life. He always tells them an alligator ate it and makes up some elaborate story. He likes to see the look of horror on their face. Once my young cousin saw a woman in the mall with a large mole on her face. He felt it would be helpful to inform her, "Hey lady, you've got a giant bug on your face!!" Of course his mom was mortified and told him you shouldn't say things like that but he thought it would help pointing out that the woman obviously didn't notice the giant "bug". When the child is old enough to know (8+ years) that people come in all shapes, sizes and colors and then they make a rude comment...then I want to slap them or run away crying. Or both. I haven't had kids make any mean comments to me as an adult. But when I was a kid I had other kids make mean comments and that was very hurtful. I had two girls, complete strangers, one grade above me that asked me if I was pregnant. I was only 12 years old and that really upset me. Around the same age I was swimming in a pool at a campground and some boys were laughing, pointing and making fun of me. I cried the rest of the day. When I was 16 a boy at a pool (I really love swimming) called me Jabba the Hut. Unfortunately for him I'm a big Star Wars nerd so I knew exactly what he was implying. So I kept shoving his head underwater until he apologized. He finally apologized. A year later I saw him again and he was really nice and complimentary. I'm glad I was able to educate at least one person. It is never ok to make fun of someone just because they are different. I'm sorry you had this happen. Hopefully you can find a way to get the surgery. I went to Mexico because my insurance doesn't cover any WLS. Also, after 29 years of being overweight I decided I wanted my 30's to be the best years of my life since I "wasted" my 20's.