Stephanie Kandace

No one understands unless they go through this themselves. I am sick and tired of my family and their comments and afraid I will end up blowing up on them. Surgery was 10/29 I lost 25lbs in the first 3 weeks and stalled. Doctor says it's normal but on Thanksgiving a few family members asked my sister why I wasn't losing any weight yet. Then last night at a family gathering there were pork chops, rice, brownies a whole bunch of crap and I didn't have any, just ate my Protein pack and my aunts are telling me I shouldn't be eating cheese and had the nerve to say, 'You know you've been eating this stuff', I was boiling inside so badly but was saved by the doorbell. None of them have a clue about anything regarding this surgery and/or my body. How do I tell them all to shut the hell up and stop watching me in a respectful way because I'm ready to blow up on everyone. And the problem is my family has so many functions, I have to be around them so my daughters can participate also.

I've read that caffeine dehydrates us and it is hard enough to get all the Fluid in that we are supposed to so if we do drink coffee or tea we would have to increase our Water intake even more. I was a serious Starbucks drinker, at least 2 a day but now it's just not worth it to me. It's hard enough getting down the water I am supposed to. But I cannot lie, I do indulge in a sip or two some days. Just not Starbucks since it's too expensive to throw away a full cup. Good Luck!

I like all of your ideas but I will have to go with the adult hissy fit. I was trying to avoid that since I am passive aggressive and let things slide until I snap and was trying to avoid snapping but I don't care at this point. I even went so far to let my passive mother know that the next time someone says something to prepare herself and not be shocked because it's going down. Worst part is this is the season with all the Christmas and New Years parties but I guarantee everyone will shut up and hold their comments and thoughts to themselves in 2015!

I can relate, I return to work tomorrow, 5 weeks post op and only lost 25lbs total. Feeling frustrated but everyone says this is what happens. The weight will fall off in no time, I hope. Good luck!!!

I think you will be fine. I had to cook 6 days post op for my daughter's birthday and it was fine. Just pace yourself and start early enough to give you enough time.

I am 4 weeks post op and honestly I've never enjoyed cooking so much in my life. My family is so happy but it's just ironic. Before the surgery I would barely cook and would order take out most of the time for me and the kids but now I am cooking daily and good stuff too. I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that I still haven't returned to work yet and I used to fill my days with eating so now it's cooking stuff I can't even eat.

Tomorrow will be 2 weeks post op for me. I went back to the gym last Thursday and walk but hate it, I want to do the elliptical so bad but my surgeon said 6 weeks. Said even though the incision might not hurt he's more concerned about them healing inside. said the twisting of the torso he does not want since that can pop a stitch and that scares me but I still want to do the elliptical so badly. For now I do the treadmill and stair master.

I am only 2 weeks out and since I can't return to work yet friends are always trying to take me out. i keep a Protein shake on me and plenty of Water. I've also carried yogurt and crystal light with me and keep some in the car so i always have something. For you I would say to just choose from the low cal menu since most restaurants have one or choose anything with fish and greens, any other healthy decisions...Good Luck!

I won't lie, I cheated on the pre op a few times. I managed to lose 11 pounds but I'm not making excuses but I needed this surgery for a reason. Thank God there were no complications but I won't lie and say I didn't cheat.

I broke up with my boyfriend during my post op, he would come by as much as possible and bring me my favorite foods to try and deter me...sometimes you have to pick yourself and your happiness over other people

My MD said I could wear a binder soon as I can tolerate it and I am 4 days out. First day home from the hospital I wore a girdle I've had forever that wasn't that tight and continue to wear that or spanx just because I feel more secure. By 4 weeks you should be able to wear a girdle or waist trainer for sure.

Didn't think I would enjoy this part but I actually am. I just made some puree fish and pumpkin and my kids looked at me in horror as I licked the spoon making crazy noises because it tasted so good to me, LOL. Anyhow, I went online doing some research and stumbled across this page with tons of great ideas for the pureed stage. Tomorrow I will make my own hummus and see how that turns out, here you go... http://www.muschealth.com/weightlosssurgery/nutrition/RecipesPureed

@@Elode yes, I put them both in the nutribullet and it tasted fine to me. I also took the pumpkins inside from the decorations we had outside and tomorrow I will make a pumpkin soup also. I'm actually enjoying this stage.

Hello all, I was sleeved this past Wednesday 10/29 in St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn, NY. Everything went so smoothly and quickly I am still in shock. I thought there would be a series of blood testing and everything like the pre surgical appointment a week prior but it was quick. Appointment was 8am so I was there by 730, by 8 I was already in a stretcher with blood drawn and answering questions. The anesthesiolgist came to see me and I can't remember much after that, I didn't even see the inside of the OR. I was already knocked out. Woke up and was a little taken aback by how I felt, thought I would be in agonizing pain and I wasn't. They woke me up to go walking and I did, next thing you know I am in a room with a button in my hand for dilaudid. I wasn't really in pain but I kept pressing it because I was afraid the pain would hit me hard but it didn't. I felt fine, worst part was my room mate and I were saying how much we would pay for some Water, just a sip, or ice chips. That was hard! ChapStick and mouth swabs got me thru that day. Other than that, I felt great, I even did double laps when walking because I felt so good. Next morning I was given some tea and ProStat to drink and just the 3 medicine cups had me feeling so stuffed. The staff was great, Doctor, NP and PA were all wonderful. But that morning I tried not to take any of the pain meds since I was going home and after that walk I could feel the rawness around the incisions and it hurt so I took 2 more hits before I had to go home LOL. PA said we can take tylenol also so I didn't fill the Percocet prescription. I take generic Tylenol I brought from costco that is extended release and in a capsule and I am fine with the pain. When I came home, my family was a little shocked at how well I looked and seemed. My mother thought she would be here to help me do everything but I did for myself. Even washed my own dishes without an issue. I thought it would be worse than c-section pain but it really isn't at all to me. I wouldn't call it pain honestly, it's more of a discomfort, feels like a raw abrasion you might get on your knee or elbow. Since being home I make sure to walk, I also thought that going up and down the stairs would be a problem for me but it wasn't, I was able to go up and down and much as I needed to without an issue and while I am walking around sometime I walk from the basement to the second floor 2-3 times for the exercise.funny thing is hardest part is getting the Protein and water in. I'm on pureed for 4-6 weeks and it's so hard. I get full so quickly it amazes me. 3 teaspoons and I feel stuffed. I haven't eaten to the point of fullness out of fear of vomiting but I feel good, I feel lighter and the funniest to me is prior to surgery I was always hot, now even in the house I always have an oversized hoodie over my clothes and my Uggs on. I am so cold which is welcomed since I hated sweating all the time. Not weighing myself yet but I feel great and know this was the best decision I have made for myself ever. I am wearing a comfy girdle that isn't too constricting along with moisturizing my skin constantly. I was also able to sleep in my bed the first night home with the help of a body pillow since I'm a stomach sleeper, I was able to sleep on my side and comfortably. Getting here seems like forever then it comes and I realized it was all worth it. It is amazing to me that my perception of food has changed immediately. On the way home I passed a Wendy's and Checkers and normally love to stop there but the thought alone hurt my new pouch, lol. I can't even imaging being able to swallow a bite of a burger without being in pain. I'll pass. I cannot wait to see what lies beneath all these layers. Thanks for reading!

Thanks guys. I read so many horror stories and thought everyone has a lot to say when something is negative or not going the way they thought but we never hear the positive. It is still early but it's scary enough without reading about all the negatives.

Ask your surgeon because they might know what it is or they may just tell you it's fine as long as you get the recommended amount of Protein in.

walking really helps with the gas

I'm on purée so I can have anything in that form. MD said to pulse some tuna or chicken breast in a food processor and add some fat free mayo as an example. Actually had to eat some tuna in order to be discharged yesterday. Good luck to you!!!

Good Luck to everyone going this week!!!

Great way to start 2015, CONGRATS!!!

I'm sitting here watching The Biggest Loser and each season they have all these break throughs and once they get to the root of the problem, it helps them even more with the weight loss and I can't help but wonder, I to this day do not know why I overeat, I know I'm an emotional eater but that can't be the reason, while I cannot wait for my surgery which is 12 days away, I can't help but wonder, will I really have success if I never get to the root of the problem...Anyone else feel this way?

I appreciate everyone's feed back, apologize for being MIA, been working doubles last few days and at work right now. I must say I really appreciate a few comments made here by some of you. #1 my post is not about the biggest loser but my question was about how many of us know what got us here. Some say there are no issues they are just fat because they like to eat and this is where I agree with Bittersweet*, tunnel vision is never a good thing and I find it ironic how some of you feel because you may not feel as if something in your life has impacted your diet in the past but to automatically assume someone is overweight simply because they are greedy is just as ignorant as many feeling that all fat people are lazy. NOT TRUE!!! #2 the reason I believe there is something underlying to obesity is because if you go back into the forum and follow the post regarding what will we NOT miss, it is heart breaking. My post included because it made me ask, if we so want to accomplish these things and feel these different ways then why continue to sabotage ourselves. I understand that this weight loss/weight gain life is hard but every time we reach for a cookie, cake, bread, rib, ice cream, extra butter, chocolate, Mexican, Chinese, fast food, burger or any of those things we felt we needed then truth is, that feeling of wanting/needing that meal trumped the things we want for ourselves like wearing a bikini, being more active with our children, living longer lives, etc. this is what made me wonder what is holding me back and I guess I should have phrased the question better. #3 I will share my own story quickly as I can if I haven't bored you to tears yet. I grew up in a household where everything must be cleaned off of our plates. Constantly told to eat until I am full and a grandmother that catered and made sure I had a home made cake made for me once a week. Always told I was pretty and curvy so I showed confidence and many commented on wishing they had my confidence but I had very little to none. I stopped going to college because I hated the small chairs I had to squeeze into. Post poned nursing school until I could find a school that did not mandate white scrubs because I thought I looked like a huge gallon of milk! Married the first man that made me feel beautiful, he was my trophy. Had 2 daughters that love the outdoors but I only take them out when it's not too humid or too many people. The majority of our trips are to the movies which Involves nachos, popcorn, sodas and candy. Finally lost 65lbs in 2011 and never felt better, even dated a man that I fell in love with. Then the weight began creeping back on the last year after our breakup, having many issues with my family and also dealing with a stressful change of companies at work. ..I can go on forever but my question to myself is if I've never felt better and happier than when I was 225 then why did I stop, why not continue. Why go back to donuts, Snacks, ordering out every day, etc. yes this is my personal story but I believe there is still something underlying like maybe the fear of being successful, being completely confident. As the surgery day gets closer I wonder if I even understand the magnitude of this life change. To be completely satisfied and even happy with the way I look and more importantly feel. How great it will be to go to a shoe store and try on shoes with ease, going to Disney and Water parks with my kids, not hiding food from my own kids because I'm even embarrassed that they see me eating Ben & Jerry's again and too many more to list. But bottom line is if I want these things so badly, why couldn't I focus on those great things that are possible for a lifetime including decreased risk for almost every disease out there, opposed to picking up those things to put in my mouth that feels great until feeling horrible about all I just ate minutes later. Bottom line is, it is my personal opinion that there is more to being obese than just liking food. I know plenty of healthy people that love food and not obese or even overweight. You don't have to agree with me but at least think about it for a minute.

I understand what you are saying @@Cody's mom, not everyone has some traumatic life issue, but I'm speaking from my point of view, not everyone with issues has an eating disorder, some drink, smoke, whatever but in order to solve the problem first I'm thinking I need to find the problem. Things affect us in ways and sometimes you don't even realize the impact it's made.

Hi, I also started my pre op yesterday. Only drinking the shakes for now, will go buy some soups and pudding later on today. One thing I am not sure if allowed or not is coffee/tea so I am still having one cup a day until maybe 3 days pre op. I need my caffeine. I am also including frozen strawberries and bananas to my protein shake in the morning since I figure I am burning those calories at work.

I do use almond milk with the Protein shakes, 4oz of Water to 4oz of milk with the shake. Makes it more tolerable for me and adds some taste to it. Currently using Bariatric Advantage, Lean Shake and Herbalife all in different flavors so I don't get too bored.