Christinamo7

pre surgery I prepared and froze some meals, because in the time I was on liquids I did NOT want to cook. and then once I was on soft foods it was fine. it doesn't bother me a bit to cook for the crew and there is going to be something in the mix for me so maybe they are also having some healthier choices. oh and because I have lived life with 4 teenage boys I will add, if you need to set aside something for tomorrow, put your portion in the vegetable drawer, BEFORE they come to the table! my boys are grown now, but in those years I did not know what a leftover was. they ate EVERYTHING in sight.

that sounds like a good plan. If you were concerned about holding Water, I'd want to see someone sooner, as it can be indicative of a medical problem, but since you are not concerned about that I'd keep following your plan for the two weeks, maybe change up your workout a little bit and see what happens. Let us know how you are doing and what they say.

do you still have a NUT that you work with? and, are there any issues with constipation or anything that would make you hold Water weight?

you shouldn't need to - but talk to your team because safety would depend upon your individual medical conditions.

welcome to the club! I am looking forward to hearing about your progress.

I wouldn't think so. Did they give you an antibiotic ointment for your eye?

it's pretty easy to make and freeze. Yes, it's pretty good.

cottage cheese with fruit, lima Beans, power crunch Protein bar, little snack packs of almonds, dried cherries and chocolate chips. those are some of my go to Snacks. I also like fresh (not fried) cheese curds with little turkey meat sticks. mmmmmm

they are full of nutrients. some benefit those at risk of heart disease especially (walnuts), others offer benefits for our brain (cashews), some are anti-inflammatory(almonds), and most of all they give you a long term feeling of satiety. I do choose to eat nuts, usually almonds or walnuts on a fairly regular basis (oh 3-4 times a week) worked into my food plan. usually along with dried cherries and a couple of chocolate chips. weighed out so I know exactly how much I am getting. makes an easy, filling, portable snack.

Not to hi-jack this thread, but if you are up in that area I highly recommend tubing down the Platte River. Very inexpensive and really fun. You can check it out at canoemichigan.com. I've never been tubing on the Platte - we usually go down the Manistee, as it is right near the family farm. I'm all over that area as often as I can manage to go home.

Thank you for coming here and sharing this story. I hope that putting it all in writing is also helpful for you. keeping you in my prayers tonight. We are doing better because we know better. I hope your ticking bombs turn out to be diffused.

last summer I went to the sleeping Bear Dunes in Northern Michigan, I go there most every summer, but last year I couldn't climb the dune to see Lake Michigan from there. This summer I am going to climb the dune. I can't wait to see your progress and your success next year!

that's great! and welcome to the club. I'm glad you're home and on the mend. My NUT and surgeon do not always agree either, but I find that my NUT just reads the generic protocol, whereas my surgeon actually takes the time to look at the particulars of my case, and so I go with his advice if they are in disagreement.

congrats! I look forward to seeing your progress

I had some sort of nerve block, and very little pain. and I got a new me for going through it. my c section- yikes. that was pain. but at least I got a cute little boy outta that mess. the sleeve was harder in that you have to follow a liquid diet afterwards. with the c section it was back to normal foods.

please let us know what you find out. hopefully it's a low or high something and easily remedied.

I think you have to decide what you consider "success" I know there is probably a minority who get to and stay at a normal BMI. a lot of them are here, and boy do they inspire me to reach for it! for me success will be defined as not being a diabetic, and being less than 160#. I want to be obviously less weight than my husband. I think my chances of achieving this and keeping this success for at the minimum 5-10 years is pretty darn good. I'm committed. if it adds a decade to my life it will be a success even if I don't stay at my goal for the rest of my life. Already this year my quality of life is so vastly improved I know it was worth my time and effort. I will just keep following the program and see where this wild ride takes me! my motivation for the surgery was to be healthier and extend my life so I can see my grandchildren grow up. If I get to anything close to normal BMI, well that will just be gravy. I don't want to rule it out, but I also don't want a number on the scale to completely define my success/failure. I posted a thread a while ago about my inspiration - my uncle's story. I believe the surgery saved his life and even though he is almost 70 and probably lost half what he could have - he is still alive with us and healthier than I remember him being. I consider him a success too. How will you choose to define success? what are your motivations for the surgery?

Got a problem with toads? nope. I had to kiss an awful lot of them to find my prince.

toads?

have you had a medical work up lately? I'd be concerned about things like diabetes if I was drinking a lot and still thirsty.

yup, the majority of us have gone through the exact same thing. it is MADDENING, isn't it? the more times you go through a little stall, the easier it gets to trust the process and just keep following your plan, but no one really likes it. right now my weight has been bouncing around the same few pounds and I am just about to cross a major goal. boo. maybe next week. how are you doing at getting in your fluids and Protein? how many calories are you getting in? how much activity?

head hunger can be a real ***** can't it? but when I want a candy bar I usually work a triple chocolate power crunch Protein bar into my regimen or I make an unjury chocolate shake with fairlife milk and add some PB powder for a reese taste. when I want ice cream I have a sugar free popsicle. I find that when I am doing what I am supposed to do, getting my fluids and protein most of the time it quiets the cravings. and sometimes I just tell myself NO, and pick up one of my hobbies to keep my hands busy and get through it.

@@Dub this is so rewarding! sometimes all people need is to see one person who was brave enough to do this and change their life and then they feel they can be brave enough too. and in this case, you may have given these people the answers they need to support their daughter. a lifeline. I have a dear friend who is now considering the process. she will see her doctor in August. I have been answering any questions she has when we see each other. I hope she will move forward, time will tell. all I can do is continue to be real with her.

yes, I had depression, mild, for about a month following surgery - weeks 4-8 and now off and on. I'm fine one day, down the next, and unreasonably in a good mood occasionally. it's the hormones that were stored in the fat. normal. in fact, I have two people I love and trust who I am filtering all important decisions through right now, because I know my emotions are not reliable or stable, or necessarily reflective of fact. I think this part has to be more difficult for the guys, at least as a woman I'm used to riding a hormone rollercoaster. Walking helps me. exercise is shown to elevate the mood. it at least keeps me from wallowing in it, and then I only seem more subdued to those who know me. and congrats on the baby! getting into good shape will sure allow you to chase after the youngin a lot more easily.