Ragdollorchid

HW 250 SW 231 on 9/27/16 CW 195 A family member posted a photo of me on FB this weekend. People who hadn't seen me in a while were surprised. It's a good feeling to see my progress and read their responses. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So proud of you! Inspiring! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Great success! So happy for you. Keep on keepin on. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Best wishes to you! Take chap stick to the hospital with you. Get up asap and walk. Let people help you. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This is what I relied on also. I couldn't deal with puréed meat. Soups and Protein shakes got me through this stage. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Surgery was on 8/27. Hernia surgery created bad neck and shoulder pain but very little discomfort from the sleeve. I got up and moving quickly that day to avoid a second night co-pay. (I'd rather stay at the Ritz for that price!) Including my two week preop diet and post surgery I've lost 34 lbs. Just struggling to get the walking in or I would lose faster. The worst part so far for me was the puréed stage. I kept drinking shakes. I wanted FOOD! My mental adjustments have included learning the feelings that I use to cover with food and finding new coping skills. Being around snack food and alcohol in social situations and being the voyeur. Overall, now that I'm eating food I'm happy. I'm wearing some clothes from my "thinner" closet. I'm getting compliments. I have struggled with constipation but there are some good ideas here. Good luck to all! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hang in there. I followed mine strictly and lost 15 lbs. prior to surgery. It put me in a great starting position for losing. It was worth it and it got better after day 3. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

3 weeks out my surgeon wanted me to start walking then after two more weeks start lifting weights. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I made this recipe with fat free ricotta in a muffin tin. It was great! Even my big eater, picky partner liked it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

If you're like me, yes...I have been drinking a lot of Protein Shakes for these four weeks since surgery. I've found it tough to get in my protein with the little bit of food I could eat. I have eaten soups. Tomato basil was tough for me to get down until week four unless it was really watered down. It also has little or no protein and is higher on carbs than many soups. But it is delicious! One of the best soups I learned from someone on here is wonton broth. It's a good way to get liquid and the soup taste. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Took two weeks off. I was weak that first week back at work, but now at 4 weeks I'm feeling great! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The constant search for Protein. (I'm 3 weeks post op.) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I think we are so focused on food that we think everyone else is also. If she knew you were having wls then yes she wasn't being sensitive. Or she was being twisted--which I would hope isn't true. But my family would have loved it if someone sent me Cookies after surgery. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Before surgery 8 oz serving. After 2-4 oz. now 2 1/2 weeks out I'm at about 6 oz. Getting in that Protein has been tough with puréed food. So the shakes are still my best bet to hit over 50 grams. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yes. Feeling nervous is normal. But I'm two weeks out, feeling good and happy I did it! You'll be awake and past the scary part in the blink of an eye. You will do fine!☀️ Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am allowed Babyel and laughing cow in the puréed stage. My Nutritionist also said that Pasta will slow loss or lead to weight gain. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This is from my surgeon's guide. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

54 and had sleeve and hiatal hernia surgeries on 9/27. HW 245 Surgery day 230 CW 221 Had zero sleeve problems. Lots of shoulder and neck pain from the hernia surgery, but I pushed past it. Stayed in the hospital for 1 night. The nursing staff was floored by how quickly I was up walking and moving. I was motivated to not stay a second night. I'm transitioning to puréed foods this weekend. Every step is a new adventure. I wouldn't have qualified or wanted the surgery 10 years ago, but I'm so glad it is giving me a good chance in the years ahead to be a healthy Senior. ☀️ Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

9 days out...This thread gives me hope that there's real food in my future. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm glad you asked this question. I'm planning for puréed next week and although I'm tired of so many Protein shakes, I'm not sure where to go with real food. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

A huge and important first step in this journey for me was to say, "This my not be the best time for my work year and my family is going to have to step up and do things that I always do for them." It helped to take my partner to a nutrition appointment. I'm sure with small children it will be hard, but it will be harder if you have a heart attack or other problem related to obesity. You're going to have to put your foot down. That's exactly what a good friend kept telling me. I would suggest that you sit down with your wife and discuss creative strategies to help--like hiring a babysitter for a couple of hours to watch the kids while your wife shops, etc. Ask friends or family if they can pick up items at the store. discuss the parts of chores you will be able to do--folding clothes while seated. There's never a perfect time. The world will still keep spinning while you do this important thing for yourself. Good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Glad you are doing better! I'm sure your positive attitude helped. ☀️ Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Look at it this way. The last thing they will be bringing you in the hospital post op is caffeinated coffee. It acts as a diuretic. And you'll need all the fluids you can get post op. So deal with it now or deal with it later. As I stated in another post giving up caffeine and carbonated drinks was hard for me, but I consider it a big part of developing the ability to make sacrifices in food and drink that will allow me to succeed at this. It helped me see the things that had a hold on me--if that makes sense. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Your incisions may hurt for a few days, but hugs (loose) and kisses from family helped me more than they hurt. You will be able to modify the things you do. Just don't overdo too soon. I did that last Sunday. Not good. Good luck with your surgery! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

To make a long background short, every 10 years I've gained at least 20 lbs. After I had my youngest son in 2000 I thought I could lose it. Soon my new baby was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. I remember comforting myself with mash potatoes and gravy from the hospital cafeteria. I had to focus all my strength on him. I never was able to stay below 200 lbs. again. 15 years later I am so happy to say my son is in good health, but my weight kept climbing. After my friend in the Midwest lost weight through bariatric surgery, I told myself I'd try on my own one more time. Although I lost 17 lbs., the cravings returned and so did the weight. So in February I talked to my PCP who was encouraging. I contacted the surgeon's office, met with him in April and my adventure with gastric sleeve began. I didn't lose much weight on my 4 mo. Preop diet, but I did change many food issues in my head. I followed the liquid preop diet to a t and lost 15 lbs. So a month after my 54th birthday with a HW of 245 and surgery day weight of 228, I headed into the OR. My surgery was Tuesday, 9/27. The sleeve part of surgery has not been painful compared to the hernia repair he did. The surgeon said my neck and shoulders are sore because he had to mess with my diaphragm. I feel like I have whiplash, but heat helps. It has been a distraction from any incision soreness. I stayed one night in the hospital. They were all amazed at my quick progress, but I was determined to get out and progress. Last night the pain meds made me feel sick. So I'm trying other ideas for my neck and shoulders. sleeping is the biggest challenge. I've been thankful for this site. I knew to walk, walk, walk and sip, sip, sip! And to remember chapstick for the hospital. I've taken two weeks off work and hope that my strength will be back by 10/10. So I'm setting small goals each day. Today my goal was to log my liquid and liquid Protein. It is tough to get it in, but I can tell that logging it helps. Seeing the numbers I can keep pushing myself to get it in. Tomorrow's goal is to get up and move around at least a dozen times as long as I feel up to it. I'm proud of myself for doing this. I've mentioned in a couple of posts that my 80 y/o mother is my biggest cheerleader through this. Her mind is sharp, but her body hurts from carrying so much weight over the years. She wants better for me. And I do too! I'll work on getting up the courage to post pictures along the way.☀️ Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App