CanyonBaby

I guess I am one of those who doesn't mind answering questions, because I was there once, as well. So it takes up a bit of time. I've been sick this past month, so what else do I have to do? If I can help someone, I will. My problem. If I can't take the time to help, what does that make me? When I first started on this site, I didn't know about the search option, so I didn't use it. I admit I am pretty naïve about computer crap. And I don't wish to get too educated on it, either! I also try and answer those questions, if I can, that no one else seems to reply to, and that is because I don't want anyone to feel abandoned. This surgery stuff is very scary, even for us who have been operated on dozens of times. It's a scary thing to go it alone. Stupid to do it? Patient enough to care? Wasting my time? Mine to waste, mine to care, NEVER alone...

Good Girl! Way to go, preparing ahead of time! You should do really well at this stuff! Why not try for the post-surgery protein requirement of 60-80 grams? When is your surgery scheduled? When do you start your pre-op diet, and for how long are you on it? You must be really excited for this, to do all this beforehand! I look forward to hearing about your journey...keep us informed!

What has your dietician suggested? You should be able to, I would think, start any time on it, as your sleeve allows. However, don't be surprised at your sleeve's reaction to it, fresh veggies are harder to digest. The problem I have with salad is how much room it takes up, not allowing for protein. And then it is gone in a flash, leaving me feeling like I need to eat again, which I DON'T want to do. I miss it, or what it was like to eat it, but I'll get over it. I just need to remember PROTIEN FIRST.

Yup, Yup, and Yup. Welcome to the club. Just an idea, there are thousands of posts on this site that pertain to this subject, and the many others you will relate to, just use the search feature to look them up. And there are TONS of suggestions and tips that might help any other issues that come up (and they will; like hair loss, stalls, dumping, stalls, emotional issues, stalls, did I say stalls? Stalls.). There are as many opinions about things as there are folks on this site - maybe more!!! I am glad you are asking, because those who don't tend to have the problems. The VERY best thing to do in a stall is get out the measuring tape (actually, start the whole procedure, from day one with a tape measure), and then take ALL your measurements. This will stop the "why did I do this to myself?" thoughts in their tracks! Your measurements will show your success, even if the scale does not. And only weigh yourself once a week, at the most! I do it on Mondays, makes Mondays a lot happier! And just a side note....don't go too far away from the bathroom. All that stuff you're taking for the blockage is going to start working...just saying!

I just thought about this, and I think your activities for the day are playing a role in this, as well. For example, if you did a lot of physical stuff, you will require more water, and maybe have a larger appetite. If you just sit on the couch all day, you may not drink as much fluid, but maybe have more snacks(?). All these things contribute to what we weigh, from one minute to the next. Such a mystery, such a puzzle.... I'm for the "I am now at goal, so STAY THAT WAY" theory...anyone with me?!

The best thing you can do, for YOUR situation, is to call your surgical team. They have all the answers for you particular need, AND you paid them for it!!!

You should do fine! I also have hypothyroidism, and at 4 months out from surgery, I have lost 52lbs. They will check your thyroid at your follow-up appointments, to see if your numbers have changed, and to adjust meds accordingly (mine went down again, so another adjustment for me!). Make sure they check your vitamin D level, for hyperparathyroidism (I have that, as well), even though the two are NOT related. After the initial loss from the pre-op and post-op diets, you will probably lose 1-2 pounds a week, which is right on track, according to my surgical team. They also feel because we lose it slower, it will have a better chance of staying off (they can't explain this, though). Just remember to stay on your plan, and plan to stay on it FOR LIFE. WLS is just a tool, NOT the cure. All the best to you...

Oh, the woes of the spine. I can totally relate, my dear. Have you tried chiropractic treatments? It helps me to maintain. I don't know the particulars of your pain/injuries/disease, but I have learned a very valuable lesson from my dearest aunt who suffered tremendously with rheumatoid arthritis: use it or lose it. No matter how much it hurts, keep it moving, if you can without causing further harm (may be very painful, but should not cause harm to the afflicted area(s)). You could use the program Sit and be Fit (on PBS here in Washington state, or get DVD's of the program). I used it for my exercise prior to my surgery when the weather wouldn't allow me to walk. It is as hard as you want it to be! I wish you the best, and pray your pain will again retreat.

Remember, different foods you eat contain different amounts of sodium, which may cause you to retain Water (which tends to weigh ALOT!). So don't be surprised to see the scale adjusting accordingly. Like you said, they are minor amounts. Try not to weigh yourself so often, maybe try for once a week. The way your clothes fit should tell you a lot, also. And use a measuring tape to start taking measurements weekly. All of this should help. If you are following your plan, you should be fine, but IF you have questions, call your surgical team and ask about maintaining your weight now that you are at goal. They probably have a plan that will work for you. Good luck and great job getting to goal!!!

My NUT suggested Benefiber, which I have used daily for months now, with no issues. I actually use the Shopko brand, which is a lot cheaper. Got me regular, and keeps me that way. I add it to my "cocktail" in the morning, consisting of cold Water, Water Enhancer drops, unflavored Protein powder, and powdered Calcium citrate. A quick and easy way to get a lot done in a fairly tasty manner.

I'm so proud of you for seeing it through! Trust me, if you follow your plan, the weight WILL come off! Best of luck to you!

You shouldn't have any interference from the nerve damage on your weight loss, one doesn't have anything to do with the other. I have many scars, thus nerve damage (resulting in no sensation) in my abdominal area, but it hasn't affected the weight loss at all. The weight, for me, is coming off equally all around my body, no one specific area. I think of the nerve damage kinda as a bonus....strange as that may sound, but for the most part I don't feel any pain AT ALL for other surgeries. Yeah, I can't feel my cat high-karate-ing my gut, and hot things must be carefully watched, but through all my surgeries this has been a God-send!

@@drmeow I like to add the unflavored Protein powder to the flavored Water, as well as my powdered Calcium citrate and Benefiber. This "cocktail" takes care of a bunch of stuff I need to get down. Once in the morning, and once in the afternoon/evening (minus the Benefiber this time). Far less calories than the pre-made shakes, and I like them better, also.

@@Bandista And good - NO, GREAT! - for you and the courage (IT IS COURAGE, PEOPLE!!!!) to proceed and follow your dream, to follow your LIFE! We are NEVER alone! NEVER (did I say it enough?!)!!!

@@ilikecake2much Oh no, you are NEVER alone! As for your family, they have a couple of choices to make: To support you, or not. Maybe, just maybe what you're doing frightens them (I mean, they will now have to confront what THEY are, whether it is obese, mean, judgemental, obese and not doing anything about it, mean and knowing it, mean and NOT knowing it, judgemental and scared because it makes them face what they are/are not - it's easier to blame someone else for their failures - obese and scared to do anything about it....the list goes on). So plod along, my dear, head upright, heart upright in the knowledge that YOU care for you, and that is what counts. They can come along for the journey of a lifetime, or not, the choice (and the loss) is theirs. BUT...YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!! We are here! Write when you want to, need to, or have to...we ARE here!

See! Look at all the caring folks on this site! I am in love with this post. Period. You tell what you want, what you need, and what you will do about it. AWESOME! And this is why I know you will succeed. You can tell the ones who will have struggles (self-imposed, I might add), and those who will succeed beyond their wildest dreams. It's because you recognize what will be required of you and you show you will do it, no matter what. And you will be an inspiration to all who are on this site seeking advice, as well as your family (pay attention, husband, your wife knows what she is doing...you'd be wise to follow her path!!!). Yes, there will be difficulties, stalls, head-hunger........... but you show STRENGTH. You will do GREAT! I look forward to your journey, I hope you share it with us! God bless you in your endeavors!

To help you after surgery, it is going to be difficult to get your fluids in (especially with the hernia repair...had that, as well), use the water enhancer drops. Makes it much easier to get it all in. Shop before your surgery so you don't have to think about it afterwards. Start the day with warm water (your tummy will have contracted during the night with nothing in it, so it will be unhappy being wakened up with a splash of cold water!!!). Then, when you are onto solid foods, start the day with a couple bites of soft food, for the same reason, then onto the harder/denser foods. You are kinda "priming" the tummy for the other stuff. This has helped me tremendously, and HEY! My NUT actually knows what she is talking about!!!

@@lclemur Thanks for the compliment! Yeah, there are certainly pressures in following the plan, but I see it this way: I have had ABSOLUTELY NO luck doing this on my own, so I had the surgery kinda so I would have someone/something to tell me what to do (because I haven't been successful at this). The plan tells me what to do, and I follow it. Simple as that. I am down 52lbs since I started this, and I know I couldn't have done that on my own. Even if I don't lose one more pound, I am content. But I will, because I am following the plan. Oh! A reason to shop! Like I needed another one! My life, my way, happy today!!! Happy to all of you, as well!

OH! And don't forget to try chai-spice iced tea.....need I say more?!

@@lclemur Have you tried using the Water Enhancer drops? As I still struggle with fluids, I mentioned this to my NUT the last time I saw her. She suggested using the drops for all my water consumption, and said it tends to make it easier to get he fluids in.....and guess what? She was right! For some unknown reason, I am now able to drink waaayyyyyy more than without the stuff. So, I believe, I am the SOLE reason these companies are in business, because I buy the stuff by the boatload! It's nice to be able to adjust the sweetness level, not to mention the flavor options (which I am now mixing to make my own favorites!). Have fun with it!

I am IMPRESSED! Wow, you really know your stuff, which is great...so many go into this without all the info they truly need. Well done! As for your decision, I understand that if the sleeve doesn't work, the RNY may be done, depending on your situation. So, have you and Dr. considered this? Just an idea. You will find ALL kinds of responses on the N-Said thing. Some say it is ok, as my Dr. says, and others say no way. I take Advil liquid-gels with no issues (only when I really need it for the arthritis, though, not too regularly). The best thing there is to follow what your Dr. says. I wish you all the best, and if you need a buddy, please write!

Sorry, I can't tell you the effect it has on me because I'm too scared to try it, and here's why: I got this write-up from my dietician on liquid calories: "Alcohol is dangerous because it has more concentrated number of calories per serving than other carbohydrate. Carbohydrate has only 4kcals per gram. Alcohol is 7kcals per gram. Calorie content varies tremendously because of the other ingredients (sweeteners and such) and the concentration of alcohol." Not worth it to me. My "buzz" is from my successful weight loss!

I'm not going to lie to you guys, this is HARD WORK! You have your legitimate worries about the surgery, surgery is never fun. But, in my opinion, it is the EASY part. You may have a painful recovery - goes with surgery. But the hardest part is sticking with the program. How many times I have read on this site about people not following their program AFTER the surgery, and wondering why it didn't work!!! You will have stalls, very discouraging stalls. So, start out TODAY with a tape measure!!!! Take today's measurements so you have a base to work from, then when the stalls begin, you can SEE progress! Because your body is going to fight back - fight the starvation it thinks it is going through. At the most, weigh only once a week - choose a day (I prefer Mondays), and weigh wearing the same thing everytime you get on it. Listen to your head-hunger! Then tell it to SHUT-UP! Follow your plan, and have the Dr. give you an acid reducer - that should help the phantom hunger you will feel. Eat every 3 hours, so the "hunger" is kept at bay - NO GRAZING!!! Use popsicles (sugar-free, of course) for the crunch and chew you need. SIP! Keep it going down! You may even put on a few water-weight pounds for the first few weeks of surgery. Be mentally prepared. You, more than likely, will have pain from the gas they fill you up with throughout your left shoulder area. And pain around the incision sites and general abdominal area. WALK! After surgery, the more you walk, the faster those gas pains will go away. Have a hobby to do to get your mind off food (your whole life you have been eating - now you have to change the focus!)Make it an enjoyable one (or more), so you look forward to doing it. Most of all, get ready for the biggest (probably) change in your life to date! EVERYTHING will change in your physical life. What, when, how you eat. Your clothing sizes and styles. How people see you. How YOU see YOURSELF! All the best to you, I am praying for you all!

What do you mean by "extra pains"? Since it is all in the same general area, you really shouldn't be able to differentiate between where the gallbladder was and the sleeve surgery. At least I wouldn't think so. I had my GB out in '06, the sleeve last December. If you are having what you feel is unusual pain (not what was described to you by your surgical team), call your Dr. Good luck to you.

So ask yourself what you are doing it for, and if it is for your health, you're on the right track. Any other reasons may make you want to think twice. You've done your research, asked your questions of all the appropriate people, and still are concerned. So the next thing to ask is, what will happen to you if you DON'T do the surgery? Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith. I have had 22 surgeries to date. Many a lot more serious than the sleeve. The sleeve surgery, I can honestly say, was the easiest and least painful one I have had. BUT.......it was also the most successful for what it promised to do (albeit I have to do my part to make it work, as well). You have the support of this site, it helps a lot if you really take the time to read the many posts on it. And really utilize your surgical team. That is what you pay them for, and I think a lot of people under-use them. Good luck to you, and ask all the questions you want!