Kimberly_R

I had surgery on October 13th. I had many of the same fears that you do. I had a panic attack a week before my surgery and almost called it off. I can tell you that even though I am only 5+ weeks out I do not regret it at all. The surgery is actually much safer than we are lead to believe. It is fast. Recovery is hard for some people and easier for others, but you do recover. The things you are fearing about how you feel will go away. You just have to remember that. I know some folks who had terribler recoveries and now 4-5 weeks out they are doing fine. As for food. It is psychologically shocking that I can eat 1/4-1/2 cup of something and be full. Seriously! You wont want more. It is a discipline to get in all the liquids and Protein and food and exercise. When people say that surgery is the easy way out I want to punch them. Many people I know who are further along than I am are eating just about everything they want to, just in small quantities. I'm not saying it isn't difficult but for me it has been my emotional life that has been the challenge. Not being able to self-sooth with food or wine means the truth about my feelings are very present. I have had to develop new ways of coping but in the long run I'd rather deal with this kind of pain (because you do get over it) than all of the things I have had to deal with as an obese person. My high weight before surgery was 275. I had surgery on October 13th. I know weigh 240 and am now in one size down. I can move around and exercise without pain and I am happy!!! Your decision is personal. You are 22 years younger than me and I wish I had done this sooner. I could have had a totally different life. You have time to wait. You will likely have insurance again in the future. Don't push yourself if you are not ready. But, I wanted to let you know how scared I was because when I read your post I feeling like I was reading something I could have written. Praying for you and your decision-making process. Kimberly

Peek, I like weighing once a week. I've lost every week - - total of 23 lbs since surgery. I know I'm in the stall and that from day to day I must have had no change or even gain, but I haven't seen it. I'm glad. If had seen all that I would have been very discouraged on a daily basis. Give it a try for a week???

We get to eat popcorn? I thought that was done forever.

Peekboo, watch it on the hot and sour. I love it but when I tried my favorite from the local Chinese restaurant--just the broth mind you-- I got so sock with gas I lost half a day. I'm leaving that one alone for a few weeks.

Chellede, had my first scrambled egg with cheese on Monday. It was unbelievable!

Thanks for making the post op forum for we October folks. Good to read everyone's experiences. I am 15 days post op and started pureed foods yesterday. Dinner didn't go well but I was able to eat half a scrambled egg with small amount of cheese for breakfast. Thing is, I was full the rest of the day. Yesterday, was actually my first "bad" day since surgery. I started working again at home and doing chores. I was busy all day and so I couldn't just watch the clock and make sure I was drinking water all day. Needless to say between the exercise I did in the morning and not drinking as much water I was very dehydrated and feeling it by 3:00pm. I got really frustrated because I felt trapped. I want my life back but it seems like I can't take care of my nutrition and work at the same time. Fortunately, I work at home. If I was in an office or something I have no idea what I would do. Every day we get to start over and so I have a good outlook today. I set an alarm on my phone to go off every 15 minutes just to remind me to drink. My stats: hw 272,sw 267,cw 249. Sleeved 10/13.

Kimberly.in.pomona@gmail.com

I'm grumbling alot of the time, too. It doesn't bother me too much. Looking forward to pureed foods starting Monday. Those of you who are already in that stage, what are some of your favorites?

Very encouraging, Chellede. Thanks!

rmspencer, are you confessing because you want us to talk you out of it, or? I was concerned for you when I read this. I think it is normal for us to want to test the boundaries, but there is always a price to pay. You've told us the truth about you grilled cheese sandwich, perhaps you can follow-up with how it went for you?

Hey chellede, I e-mailed my doctor last night about the drinking more than an ounce at a time and in under 15 minutes. Hey said that while we are on liquids won't be too much of a problem, however, when we move to thicker or solid foods we have to slow down and consume less or we risk stretching the sleeve. Glad I asked. Gonna slow down now to get used to it.

Good morning! RE: Facebook group: I would rather keep it here, as well, for the reasons others mentioned. RE: the scale. I really want to encourage those who are checking the scale daily and are worrying about what looks like a stall to STOP weighing every day. Personally, weighing-in is stressful. If I start the day on the scale and I don't like the progress it can leave me feeling defeated the rest of the day, which makes me feel sad or anxious. This is how we used to live. I'm not interested in that kind of stress. Once a week is good enough for me. We need to remember to keep track of the big picture or end goal. I imagine all the people who post their before and after pictures after 1 year experienced the same thing we are now or will in the future experience. It seems to me that if we "do the plan" well and don't mess with it, we will lose weight. How much and how fast, well, it's different for everyone. What if instead of looking at the scale for feedback, we looked at our food diaries and celebrated every day we stuck to the plan. In the long run that is what is going to get and keep the weight off. The weight I have lost since surgery is already making an impact on my life. I feel better, I am sleeping better, and I move around better. My blood pressure is down. This is what I am choosing to focus on and it is a lot more fun. Have a wonderful day! K

Week from today and we're on to puree...Yay!

Hello, I have been reading everything as it comes in but have not been good about writing. I can't figure out how to write from my Android app and I've stayed away from the laptop to keep from working. :-) Anyway, just wanted to say thing to all who are posting. You guys really made a difference when I was freaking out before surgery. If you are new to the forum and haven't yet had surgery try not to freak out. It was sooooo much easier than I thought it would be. I had surgery on Monday last (10/13). The only pain I had was on the same day as the surgery and it was gas pain. I haven't had pain from the incisions. I did have some nausea but I was prescribed a motion sickness patch (who knew???) which helped immediately. Like others I am working hard to get all of the liquids in every day. Unlike others I am kind okay with New whey. The lady at the Vitamin store told me that people either like them or hated them. I think they taste like melted Jolly Ranchers. I have been able to drink them without watering them down but I treat it kind of like medicine. I drink 1 oz (10 gr protein) 5 times a day, then get the remain Protein from Soup and yogurt. It's working for me now. I had my post-op appointment with the surgeon today. Lost 11 lbs since surgery. Quite shocking! He checked everything and ordered blood work and all of that was normal. My favorite things so far: 1) 1 oz of anything fills me up. 2) sugar free popsicles. 3) My favorite jammies are no longer tight. 4) I am not hungry. 5) I am not feeling deprived and am not cranky. Also, my awesome husband has found ways to doctor up the strained cream Soups brilliantly. I don't think he has made them the same way twice. I can't finish 4 oz in even an hour, but who knew I would get so excited about watered down soup. :-) I don't really have any complaints other than I don't have as much energy and I run out of energy completely by about dinner time. I am sleeping well, though. That's a plus. I have a question for folks who are further down the road. I have been religious about taking 1 oz of liquid every 15 minutes thing. It seems to be working but it sort of feels like I am held captive to my clock, in the living room, binge-watching seasons of TV shows I have never seen. Today I noticed that I am not quite "sipping" anymore. I am able to take twice as much liquid in the same amount of time. Cool, but I am wondering if that is bad for the sleeve. I am not having any pain or anything. Anyone having this experience? Well, this was long. Sorry. For those of you still waiting to have surgery, seriously, keep yourself busy so you don't obsess about the surgery. Even the folks I know who have had more challenging experiences with the surgery did better than the dark scenarios I conjured up in my brain before surgery. Blessings to you all, K

Hello friends, Just checking in. Surgery tomorrow!!! Feeling pretty calm and prepared for the most part. Good luck and God speed to my 10/13 buddies. Check in when you can! K

Hello again, everyone. It has been a crazy week but surgery is Monday. I have everything I need as far as I can tell. I am far less stressed and worried than I was on Monday, in part because I have been messaging with you guys and reading the boards. I have 3 ladies from my pre-surgery group who are ahead of me, had their surgery already, and I have been watching their journeys as well. I am still appropriately scared but I am a person of faith and prayer is helping me a lot. How are you guys doing?

Had my final pre op today. Surgery on Monday. I was terrified yesterday but after the appointment today I'm excited and looking forward. Loved the Kaiser program and its thoroughness.

Kathy812, I am not sure. My best guess is I am grieving the lifestyle I am about to give up. It sounds sick since the lifestyle I am giving up is unhealthy, painful and exhausting, but, there it is. I tend to process hard emotions before I take the plunge into anything new that is difficult. I am hoping my current sadness will make the post-op "What the heck was I thinking?" bit either non-existent or less severe.

Congratulations!!!! How's your energy and pain today?

My date is October 13th. Week from today. Excited, nervous and a bit sad, really.

I'm set for surgery a week from today. My pre-op blood work appt is tomorrow. I've not done very well on my pre-op diet. Worried about how that will play out. Have been super excited until this week. Now sad and scared about new lifestyle.