LisaMergs

If that body of yours is now 262 what the heck are you going to look like at 162???? Holy cow girl! You're an inspiration!!!! Congrats!!!!!!!

By day 4-5 I was calling my surgeons office and telling them that my blood sugar was too low and I was not going to make it. Basically told to hang in there, I would be ok. They were right. By day 7 it leveled off. I survived. It is soooo hard!!! But you've got this!!! How long is your preop plan for?

Good luck to you guys! I'm only 5 weeks post op but saw this and wanted to cheer you on!!!

Fantastic!!!!! May I ask- any issues with extra skin? It's the only thing I fear. My skin has no elasticity due to YEAR of prednisone for RA. There is no way I will avoid a drooping tummy. But that's what plastics is for!

Just wanted to share this- Pre surgery, I cooked up a STORM for my family of 5, which includes two teenaged boys who EAT. And eat. My kids will bypass fast food any day for a home cooked meal. They actually prefer it, along with fruits and veggies. So, being a typical mom, I didn't want them eating garbage while I was recovering. My lovely mom even contributed to my stockpiled freezer. My family had meals for 4 entire weeks. Last week I was moved to a general diet and finally blew through all the cooked frozen meals. Here's the kicker- I have been cooking all of those meals once again, and I'm ok with it. I really didn't think I would be able to, knowing there were things I could not eat at this point. But I did. And have enjoyed it. So, a different kind of NSV, but exciting nonetheless. Even made Desserts. Didn't want a single bite of any of it either.

I am chucking here. Was cleared for general diet last week including fresh fruit. All I could think about was honeydew melon. I knew I'd be running errands but HAD to have it. Local grocery has a wonderful full salad bar. Picked out a few pieces of the melon, some grilled chicken pieces, a piece or two of steamed broccoli. My salad bar total? 1.89. With tax!! Love it! Had a great, healthy lunch for under $2!

Valentina, dear Valentina, so, you are telling me that SHOULD I have chosen to get an associates degree and then take 5 years to complete my bachelors degree it MATTERS??? The degree is not the same? Or, if I had to use invitro fertilization to achieve pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby that is better- or worse- than "normal" conception and delivery of a healthy baby? PUH-leeze! Get a grip. You are acting like judge and jury. There are CRAPPY doctors all over the US practicing medicine without censure- because they haven't been caught! And do not- for ONE MINUTE assume your journey has been harder or easier for any other person on this forum or in the "real" world. You do not know what the circumstances of the OP are- nor do you know mine. That is pretty dang assumptive of you, and we ALL know the old saying about AssUMe-ing. You'd be wise to remember that. As for praying for me, I'll take all the prayers I can get. Thank you. But don't forget! I get the distinct impression you have a direct line to Heaven's ears. As for flag waving- good on you! I'll join you anytime, any place, given the RIGHT cause. I don't think this qualifies. On this date-MY opinion.

Let's face it people- for some who have to self- pay for surgery, going over the border is the only choice they may have. Saying "aren't you worth it" is somewhat demeaning. We are ALL worth it. Unfortunately we don't ALL have the resources to afford it. I'm lucky. Good coverage by insurance and a world- class medical team via the University of Chicago. Sure- it's a win- win for me. BUT- the likely benefits to a persons overall health, especially when it is a self- pay situation in choosing over the border surgery FAR outweighs any hand holding your surgeon may do. Yes, I see my doc at post op visits. But my PCP could hold my hand while he is following up on my care just as well. Having an opinion is one thing- projecting negatives that are hurtful- possibly due to finances, quite another. We all walk different paths in life. How we get from A to B doesn't matter as long as we get there. Play nice people.

I found music to be helpful- no, seriously! I have been walking like crazy since I got home from the hospital. For the first two days just up and down the street. Then I ventured around the block. And then you could not stop me! I blew a crap-ton of money on the best walking shoes I could find (Brooks), queued up some new playlists that made me want to move ( I'm a product of the 80's music scene so there is a lot of culture club lol ) and I have found that the two have me happier then ever. You WILL get moody- about a week or two out. That's hormones talking sweetie. Tons stored in fat cells that are being released into you blood system. Hello! PMS on steroids. My oldest son got the brunt of it one day and there was NO controlling me lol. Fortunately, I went for a walk, calmed down and apologized ad nauseum. That too passes! The confidence comes from within! Embrace the changes, the stalls, the feelings- all of it. And btw- good luck!

Take a look at this website- you will find videos on tons of different exercises for all muscle groups. I linked to abs specifically for you, but if you go back to the menu under exercise guides, you will see all the different groups labled on a body- select the one you want and then there will be tons of videos to watch for proper positioning etc. http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/finder/lookup/filter/muscle/id/13/muscle/abdominals

What is v gel? For that matter, what is Alboline?

I giggled here! Lol

Shrinking a liver has less to do with calories in general versus TYPE of caloric intake, and it is a proven fact that over time protein will sustain you longer than carb-laden foods. She isn't getting enough protein, period.

Lol. Isn't that the truth!!??? I have yet to dump, but I have avoided sugars completely for FEAR of dumping and quite frankly the couple times I even put a piece of rice or Pasta in my new tummy I felt so restricted it hurt. Not doing THAT again! We live, we try, we learn. That's the name of the game, especially when we progress to a "general" diet. I've found, oddly enough, that several times since surgery, I've come upon a restriction that won't allow me to even eat mushy foods. I was completely freaked by it and my surgeon had me back off foods for a couple days, revert to liquids, and it cleared up. Happened again the other day, followed his instructions and it again abated. Use your body and its response as your guide. You really don't want to be eating sugars and heavy starches anyway- Devils foods I tell you!!!!

You will quickly learn the difference between "real" versus "head" hunger, the latter which can usually be calmed with a liquid such as water. It passes quickly. But 5 weeks (today!) post op I have to set an alarm to remember to eat! That is how awesome it is!

Per my surgeon- healing from the sleeve procedure is more intensive than the bypass, so progressing through stages is harder. There is a greater surface area to heal from a sleeve and it's much more delicate. Take your time, even if it is hard. You will be on foods soon enough. Good luck!

As an aside- if you were to look at your shakes as your meals, and the others as fillers, you may have more luck. And I agree with the others- drink, drink, drink your SF liquids! They go a long way to keeping the hunger at bay. Good news- on the other side of the surgery, you will no longer have hunger! Poof! It's gone!

My doc and his staff are soooo strict with the preop diet. Four(4) Protein shakes a day, SF Jello, broth and SF liquids. HOWEVER- they understood the need to "crunch" and such and allowed for unlimited NON-STARCHY veggies. It was a big deal- per his PA- to allow this, but she went through the procedure and convinced him that it was really non-damaging and actually beneficial to patient compliance. Truthfully, I can't see where 1-2 Protein Shakes are doing you any good! That's NOT enough protein OR calories in your daily diet. And tomatoe soup is 12g (or more) of sugar per serving. You literally are not getting enough calories to sustain you. In my opinion, the diet is off kilter.

Love the Fuzzy Navel Syntrax!!! I also add I packet of crystal light orange to it!

Good luck!!! 5 weeks post op and loving it! Just remember to follow your eating regimen to a T. Don't push too fast to move to the next level of food. Before you know it you will once again be able to eat most things the rest of the world does. Gas pain in the upper body is the worst- walk walk walk and walk the hospital halls as much as you can. When you get home, walk some more- even if it is to the corner and back every hour or two. I promise you it will make a HUGE difference in your recovery! See you on the other side! Oh- and make sure someone gets extra 1/4 cup and tablespoon measuring items. You're going to need them! Lol. I went to the dollar store and stocked up!

Funny, my buddy and I were literally discussing rate of loss today. My loss is averaging 5 lbs a week. I'm almost 5 weeks post op now. I see no change in scale then Boom! I drop 4 lbs. But having read so many success stories here and elsewhere, and following the plan and exercising like crazy, I thought I'd be melting away. I'm ok how I'm doing, just need to focus on MY reality and bypass experience

Snapple makes a few great sugar free choices! Also, have you considered just adding some fruit or veggie slices yo your Water? Here are a few of my favorite combos- strawberry and cucumber slices Peach slices with a pinch of ginger Honey dew melon and lime slices Carro slices and some blueberries with a pinch of coriander. Use your imagination! Your choices are limitless! And don't forget the spice cabinet. You can really create some wonderful flavors

Ooh that's a great idea! Do you prepare them ahead of time and freeze?

The problem with A1C is that it averages your numbers over a period of time. Getting it down to a lower number in such short order may be hard. Dang. If you aren't using the Lose It! Or myfitnesspal app, start now. You'll really be able to see your numbers in terms of carbs, Protein, and fats. And then do everything caweaome said! Good luck! Also- as an aside- since it is difficult to get that average down, perhaps your doc will allow you to do daily blood glucose recordings?

I agree with everyone here! I'm 5 weeks post up bypass and happy as a clam spared from the bake! Lol Couple of things I've learned- healing and progressing through foods is easier with RNY. Because the surgical area with the sleeve is a greater surface area, takes longer to heal. With the sleeve, if you aren't super careful you can really stretch it out faster. Not saying you can't mess up with bypass- you can- but there are more stop-gaps to help you along: inability (for most) to properly process sugars and fats making the possibility of getting sick a plus--- you don't ever want to experience "dumping syndrome"! Sleeves and bands don't have that issue. You will be closely monitored to be certain you are getting the proper Vitamins and nutrients. Just remember- any of these surgeries are a TOOL. And with any tool, you have to read the instructions and follow the directions to safely reap the benefits. I would also imagine that your insurance won't give your new procedure a second thought and approve it right away. The educational part is easy. My doc has us watch videos at home that are monitored by his staff for completion. I would lay money your surgery won't be delayed! Good luck!