Beck90

So the herb lax I took helped significantly (if it's not TMI I had about 4-5 stools since taking it) It was gentle on my body which was what I was hoping for since it's a combo of all natural herbs. BUT My stomach is still super sore and queasy.. like it's hard to eat or drink because it makes me sickish and sore and I still dont' feel completely emptied :\ is this normal? I expected to feel back to normal after taking it but I've been feeling pretty yucky all day.

So what is this colace? Is it a pill or something you mix with food? Or is it tasteless?

Ahem.. That Sound of Music meme is the best. Possibly because I'm trying to imagine Maria von Trapp speaking like that and just can't picture it XD!!!

Nope. I was not told or prepared for any of that. I learned it might happen or was coming here on the forum.

I did! I lost about 11 pounds during the 6 month diet but most of it creeped its way back on.. I don't think it was anything specific I did just.. the nature of wanting to eat until I felt full and not needing that many calories. Luckily I'm now down 20 pounds at 3 weeks out and couldn't be happier You're not a statistic and you can beat this thing.

Being able to live an active lifestyle and do hobbies people my age enjoy like white Water rafting or water skiing! Being able to show my dog in conformation classes without feeling like it's a major cardio workout Being able to shop in stores for young adults like Am Eagle and having the clothes actually FIT! Being able to look at an outfit I think is cute and know there'll be a size on the rack that will fit me instead of just having to settle for something that's my size even if I don't like it. Losing weight in my arms so they fit normal sleeves again Being able to go through the gates we have up for the dog for when she's wet from the lake without having to turn sideways/ shift my hips. Being able to stand and walk a distance without having pain and out of breath-ness Being able to say I want a thin and healthy significant other in my life without feeling like a hypocrite (and being able to attract one because I'm also thin and fit!) Being able to have pictures taken of me that I won't be embarrassed of for the first time since I was in grade school. Being able to change my attitude and mind about a lot of foods (it's already happening. Tried brown rice and kale the other day and it was delish. I never liked either before) Having enough energy to be able to come home from work and cook real meals and take care of a home and pursue hobbies instead of just having to flop on the couch. To not be tired out by the smallest physical efforts.

In addition to everything others have said here.. I prefer the sleeve over RNY/bypass because they use a different part of your stomach to make the sleeve which makes it less prone to stretching. Bypass uses part of the fundus - top of the stomach - which is a lot more stretchy and it also produces the ghrellin hormone which causes hunger.. the sleeve uses only the non stretchy part of the stomach and removes the ghrellin-producing part. I'm super happy that I chose the sleeve.

@@bellevuefreak have a look into Fairlife milk. It has 13 grams of Protein a cup so it is well worth the calories to drink it since you need to get in about 60 grams of protein a day. Sometimes I drink it straight and sometimes I add it to Soup or other meals that need liquid. And it doesn't taste any different IMO than regular milk.

My recovery has been pretty blissful beyond some annoying constipation - I did have a bit of tightening after my hiatal hernia repair which happened at the same time as my sleeve but they just gave me a few doses of steroids and it was fixed. Beyond that it was perfect. I had no gas pain at all. I was able to stop narcotics a couple of days after I got home and after a couple of days of tylenol I was off pain meds entirely. I was able to eat cottage cheese and eggs with cheese a week out from surgery with no problem at all. I was able to drive within ten days after surgery (could have sooner but really felt up to it at that point). I took my first aqua aerobics class on Friday and was able to keep up with them and it was a good work out.. I'm looking forward to doing it again tomorrow. My incisions are all healing well. I'm gradually introducing new soft foods and each one has been responded to well (except Peanut Butter for some odd reason - we'll try that again in a few weeks). I'm having only a little residual discomfort from my incision sites and stomach now.. I'd say within a couple of weeks It'll be back to normal in terms of having no discomfort and like I never had surgery in that regard. So this is a positive story from me Even though the first day after surgery was painful I remember waking up that morning already -knowing- I had made the right decision. And that was pretty cool.

Remember.. like they said on the other page.. Acrylics are super expensive.. a new set can cost upwards of 40-60 dollars depending on where you live... big picture it's worth it to take it off for surgery.. small picture YES I can see why OP is freaking out about it. In my case they said to remove polish but when they found out I just had French tip they told me I could keep it on because they could easily see my nail beds to monitor me during surgery. I was using Jamberry rather than acrylic but it would likely work similarly.

I had the same complication as Lily mentioned above and the same treatment (steroids) but it didn't extend my stay because the plan had always been a 3 day stay so they were able to get it under control within that time

I'm in the exact same place as you are.. I have found that I have to actually make out a chart.. and put times on it.. in order to get it all in... I chart every hour of the day and plan when I will eat (and what - Protein count) and when I will drink. It makes it a little easier to juggle. I'm also using an app called Plant Nanny - it lets you grow plants as you tell it you've drank. You can make 4 custom size cups for your different liquid intake.. and choose which one you drank before you tell it you drank so it gives it the right oz. When the plant finishes growing it moves to your garden and produces seeds so you can buy more exotic plants and have variety... it's super fun and it makes getting in my liquid a bit more rewarding.

For me.. I'm only three weeks out.. but my sense of hunger has changed a lot.. I don't really feel hunger anymore.. (sometimes I do have head hunger and crave thing I used to eat before) but I can sense my body telling me that it needs food - for instance yesterday I did a really intense Water aerobic exercise for an hour. And a little while after I got an intense sense of needing to eat.. but it wasn't.. hunger really.. just a sense that my body needed some food rather than just liquids.

So... to preface this a bit.. my experience with weight loss has always been negative (that's why I'm here.. that's why I had surgery) no matter how hard I exercised or how little I ate, my results at losing would be meager.. a few pounds over a whole summer and fall for instance.. constant disappointments have left me believing that I can't do it and that this is absolutely my last chance to ever be healthy and fit. And right now it's going swimmingly... I'm 5 days post opp.. doing okay on full liquids and have gone from 265 to 251.5 since May 18th which makes me... unspeakably happy... But I have a deep fear... The first stall.. I'm scared of how fast it'll come.. I want to keep enjoying the weight loss like this.. I want to lose.. I don't know more.. lol before that first stall comes. I think because even though rational me knows it's not true - when it first happens... emotional me will be scared that this is the end of my weight loss and the end of my surgery success because I've never been successful before.. I know that's not true.. but every day during that stall when the numbers don't go down I think I'll still be terrified... Advice? And also.. when did your first stall happen? How soon can I expect it? If I'm prepared maybe I'll handle it better.

I think it's I'mportant to have a "I'll see you later" instead of a funeral... thinking about some of your old favorite foods as "This is goodbye I can't ever have this again" will be a really hard thing to overcome later on after surgery... I did go out for a last huge meal before my surgery diet began but I did it mindfully knowing I'll come back and have hibachi again.. it just won't be with such a huge portion Now some people have to avoid tempting foods altogether to avoid slipping back to bad habits but for me at least.. I do intend to eat everything I once liked.. just with a lot more good food and in a lot more moderation

They've all given great advice. I'd recommend the two weeks before setting a goal between 800 and 1k calories to do. Make this diet lean meats / high Protein, low carb (and if you do want carbs stick to healthy carbs) and low fat.. It'll help your body start adjusting to how to eat after so you won't be shocked.. Go out for a yummy meal the night before you start this diet / have all your favorites in the week or so lead up and remind yourself this isn't goodbye you'll eat them again! Make a goal to hit 50- 60 grams of protein as that's what you'll want to hit after surgery and start trying to work toward 64 oz of fluids a day..