provenzee

hang in there! They say the second day is the worst. I was in the hospital for two nights and three days, so I wasn't home. I actually felt better when I stopped the pain meds though. Turns out, those were making me sicker than surgery did. I stopped taking them before my second night post op. Stay strong!!

Luckily (or unluckily) I had tons of jeans from going up and down through the years. I had sizes ranging from 10-22. Most of which were only worn a few times since I switched. I am not buying any new jeans until I am at my goal. Most of the shirts I had got thrown away though, so I have been buying some. What I have been doing is, every month I go out to target and buy their shirts that are 3 for 24$. they are plain but they come in nice colors and really show off my shape well. I also have bought some at old navy, because they usually have shirts for 5-10$. If you can, wear leggings - they'll fit for SIZES. I am still wearing the same ones I had on when I was a size 22, and I am a 14 now.

My office is terrible with unhealthy foods. Every week there is something. Someone is leaving so they order pizza, someone is getting a promotion so they got donuts and bagels, someone is having a baby so they are having "taco Tuesday". Last week was Nation strawberry day, so they gave everyone strawberry shortcake with chocolate glaze. They also had SMORES day last week, and today they got glazed donuts!! Its insane. I do usually avoid the breakroom. Usually if the person next to me is eating something though I get a little antsy about it. At that point I just eat the lunch I brought. Occasionally i'll eat something small that isn't too terrible (not a donut, but maybe a wrap or something) Basically the best thing I can tell you is that if am craving something badly, I go fill up on four ounces of Protein immediately...I don't feel hungry and feel full so it helps the cravings

I am 5.5 months out. I can eat about 6 ounces at a meal now if it is 4 ounces of Protein, 2 ounces of vegetables. Up until month 4, I was only able to eat 4 ounces. I believe my stomach has fully healed and that is what caused the difference though. Some examples of what I eat that would make me VERY full, but not to the point of throwing up: - 4 ounce can of tuna with 1 tbsp. mayo and 1/2 ounce of cheddar cheese mixed - 4 ounces of lemon grilled chicken with 2 ounces fresh lemon asparagus - 1 slice of pizza no crust + the cheese/ toppings off another - 1/2 cup of spaghetti with 1/2 cup ground beef and sauce - 1/2 a bagel with a two slices of deli ham, and 1/2 slice of cheese - 5 ounces of chili with 1/2 ounce cheddar cheese - 5 ounce cheeseburger with no bun - 3/4 of a 5 ounce cheeseburger with the bun - 2 chicken tenders from KFC, and 1/2 of an individual mashed potato - 1 fried chicken breast a 2-3 French fries - 4 ounce sirloin and 2 ounces of grilled mushrooms - about half of a "half" chicken salad from wendys - 6" flatbread from subway with just turkey and cheese (no veggies) - 1 thin pork chop baked in gravy with 1/4 cup of rice Those are just some things I have tried. They all give me about the same level of "fullness" even though they vary in size/weight. I don't do well with dairy, except for cheese which I have no issue with. I get very sick from drinking even a small amount of milk, and "dump" (which might not be the correct word to use since I had sleeve not bypass, but I definitely have to make a fast trip to the bathroom). I haven't had anything carbonated. Too scared lol But I have had wine, with no issues other than feeling it after 1 glass :-)

You'll have to get your calories in with protein shakes if you can not physically eat the calories you need

This is a fun topic! My first NSV was wearing a pair of denim shorts out in public! Never did that before and I am 25 years old!! haha

Yay! you are one step closer now!!

I was the same way. I gained 26lbs waiting for surgery.

Valentina, you sound just like my friends and family (who hate him, by the way!). Thanks for making me laugh though

I hate that! My company is always bringing in donuts, bagels, having parties. Last week they celebrated "national strawberry day" by giving everyone free strawberry shortcake with glaze of your choice. Ugh!

I stall the week before my period...but once it starts, I usually see a drop

Congratulations on your quick recovery! I did not have many problems post op either. I felt better and more energized instantly!

hahaha thank you so much for making me laugh!

I am a little over five months post op, and I have had a few bites of candy here and there. For me, I can control how much of it I eat, and one starburst isn't going to kill me. I haven't had laffy taffy, but I have had one of those cherry mini airheads and it was fine. No issues at all, except it being SUPER sweet compared to what I am used to. I have noticed that I have a huge problem eating anything gummy though. The air head was okay, and I am thinking a starburst or skittle would be fine as well, but I ate 3 gummy bears the one day and I was so uncomfortable and ended up being very uncomfortable for at least an hour.Then a few weeks later I had a gummy lifesaver, and the same thing happened. I was sick and uncomfortable. So for me, candy is okay, but gummy is no good lol

I have lost about a cup size and expect to lose another cup. When I was thin in high school and at my lowest, I was a B cup. When I gained weight I made it to a D cup. I expect to end up back in a B cup...ive never been "blessed". Always wanted bigger ones, but not at the cost of gaining 120lbs!! lol

For me personally, two months out would have been fine to have a drink. But do check with your surgeon and evaluate your body. Have you tolerated most foods well? How do you feel? I healed very quickly and knew I could tolerate it. Some advice though: -Hard liquor made me throw up instantly. I only tried it once since surgery, and I threw up immediately. I haven't attempted it since. - I cant have beer since it is carbonated and I am only allowed carbonated drinks after 12 months to avoid discomfort, so I cant drink that. - The only thing I drink is wine. I really enjoy pink moscato and it is light enough to drink without stomach issues. After one glass I can feel it, and after two I am REALLY feeling it. Pre surgery I could've drank a whole bottle and barely felt it. Be careful, and keep in mind that all alcoholic beverages are high in sugar and calories. But also, have a good time and happy 21st!!

I went with the sleeve because I felt like it would give me a more "normal" life as opposed to gastric bypass. I had known a few people who had each surgery, and it seemed like those who had gastric bypass had so many more complications. Malnutrition, problems eating, getting sick and tired after eating very little. The people I knew with the sleeve had been able to eat much less than prior to surgery but still lived "normal" lives. They would eat a small amount and not feel sick/throw up after everything and looked amazing and had more energy. Those I spoke with after GB stated feeling tired after even a few bites of food. I figured since I am only 25 years old, that I would want something more normal. I have lost 85lbs and only have 41 more to go. I will reach my goal, and feel like I did not need the rerouting that comes with GB. Eating less is enough to get me where I need to be while still maintaining the quality of life I enjoy. I think it is true that some people need the rerouting to help. Although it is important to remember that only helps for the first two years, and then your system starts functioning normally again ( according to my surgeon) - which I believe is why weight loss with sleeve vs bypass is the same at five years post op. People tend to regain after that two year period is over with GB. With either surgery, you will have to work at it. With my sleeve, high sugar foods do not make me dump BUT high fat foods, such as friend chicken and other fried foods, do cause me to dump. Keep in mind, this is only one opinion and is only based on the personal experiences of those around me. What is right for one, may not be right for another

I am five months post op right now. For the past two months I've noticed way more hair falling out than usual. I read a lot of information about it, and it seems most common to lose hair between months 3-9 post op. I am not going bald, and it isn't terrible, but it is somewhat annoying. I mostly notice it when I brush after the shower - no huge clumps, just tons of hair falling out. When I straighten it/curl it/ use heat products I really notice it coming out. The one day my hair actually tangled my toe lol. I wouldn't trade losing 85lbs to have my hair back. This means a lot coming from me because I am what some would call "vain". I've always loved my hair. It is long and was thick. I am not cutting it, I absolutely refuse. Honestly, no one can even tell it's thinned except me. I am hoping the worst is over, and that it will start to slow down a bit since ive been losing for two months. One thing to note is that it is pretty sporadic - one day I wont lose any, but the next I cant wear a black shirt without it looking like I got a haircut. Honestly though, if I had to rate it on a scale from 1-10, I would give it a 5, on the worst day. Generally it's more like a 3. Totally worth the surgery. I even enjoy it being a bit thinner, as I've been able to cut down on heat styling and wear it natural since it's thinner, it looks less "poofy". Oh and to add: I didn't take Biotin or anything. Just the regular vitamins/supplements recommended. I kept using the same shampoo as always, and didn't do anything special. My thoughts were, whatever happens happens.

I am in a stall right now. I am five months post op, and over the past two weeks, I haven't budged a pound. I've been doing the same thing, watching calories, carbs, and protein. It is annoying but I know it will pass. Just trying to stay off the scale. This is my third stall since surgery in February. Hang in there!

Congrats! I never really got sick either, and could tolerate everything. One time I ate too fast and had an issue, but other than that I've been good.

It doesn't sound like much to me. I worried from day one I could eat more than I should be able to, and still worry now at 5 months out. But I have been successful, and still lose consistently so I think it was all in my head. In order for us to get all of our protein, we need to eat multiple times a day. Because we cant really eat big meals anyway, there is no harm in eating 5-6 times a day if youre keeping them small and protein filled.

I had a similar issue happen to me when I was about a week out. I was still on liquids, and my family decided to have a huge party. The food looked and smelled amazing....I had to sip broth. I cried in my bedroom alone and was miserable. Everyone was eating and having a great time. I promise, it gets easier once you can actually eat. I am currently five months out, and not too long ago my family had the same type of get together with all the same foods. Everyone was complimenting how good I looked because I lost so much weight. I ate what I could of the foods that looked the most appealing to me (I had a meatball, 1/4 of a burger with no bun, and a few slices of cheese). You will feel so full once you start solids, you will not want anymore to eat once you've reached your cap. I still get cravings, and I still fail and give into them occasionally. The best advice I can give to help is if you are craving something to the point where you think you might break, go eat four ounces of dense Protein immediately. Find chicken, tuna, ham, whatever you have and eat it. You'll be full, and feel satisfied, and there will be no room for the stuff you wanted. Good luck!!

I was eating up to 1200 at that stage. As long as the foods you are eating is Protein filled, you will lose. Now at five months out, I eat up to 1400 calories a day and still lose a steady 3lbs a week. My goal was to get above 1000 calories and stay there as soon as possible (which was about 4 weeks out for me ). I did not want to ruin my metabolism to the point where it is impossible to maintain long term. My goal is to eat 1200-1400 a day currently, and when I've reached my goal weight I should be able to maintain in the 1800-2000 calorie range.

When was on pureed, I snuck in a SF pudding....shhhhhh

I was just wondering if anyone else's goal weight still leaves them in the overweight or obese range according to BMI. My goal weight is 172lbs, which would put me at a BMI of about 29.5 (still overweight). When I get there, I might decide to keep going to 155lbs, which would still leave me overweight with a BMI of 27.5. Is anyone else in the same boat? Do you think we should be aiming for "healthy" weights?