Sullie06

When I was on pureed some of my go to meals were: Pureed chili with a little melted cheese and low fat sour cream Refried beans with salsa and cheese Ricotta bake Cottage cheese with peach baby food mixed in Pureed tuna with a little mayo and relish. Cream Soups. Check with your NUT or Surgeon to make sure you know what is allowed as every plan is different. I was allowed pretty much anything during my pureed stage as long as I could get it to the this pureed consistency.

I'm a mother with 2 small children, ages 2 and 4 and work full time outside the home. I had no co-morbidies going into this surgery and was healthy other then my weight. But my weight effected everything, I couldn't play with my kids like I wanted and my knees and back ached so badly from carrying the weight around. For me, having this surgery has changed my life in the best ways. I don't struggle with food. I can eat everything I did prior to surgery except eggs. I have no issues with dumping (haven't dumped ever) or food getting stuck. I can eat a normal meal size in comparison to my thin female friends and average 1000-1200 calories a day, I'm meeting my protein goals and while I don't meet my fluid goals everyday, I do most days. This journey is different for everyone, some will struggle while others do not. There is a risk of side effects with any surgery but there is a huge risk of health issues with being obese as well. You have to think about which is a bigger risk to you and your lifestyle.

Thank You Brittany! This site was so helpful to me early out so if I want to do something for someone else. You will do great, it's a process and it's tough at first but it gets better with each passing day.

I actually made my husband take over meals for my kids during my pre-op (which was only 4 days) and then during a couple months post op. It was actually easier post-op because in the early days I had no desire to eat.

I went into the program 7/19/16 and was sleeved 12/30/16 but I was approved the last week of November, I chose to push it out past the holidays because I have two small children, so I could have had it done a month earlier. My program only required a 90 day program at the time but it's since moved to a 6 month program in the past year.

Love spicy food and have no issues with it. Buffalo chicken is now one of my favorite go to meals.

My brother in law was referred to have Gastric By-Pass by his doctor. He's about 5'9", weights about 350, is diabetic and is disabled. He's had back surgery, needs a total hip replacement and is only 33 years old. When he told me that, I said you should do it, it will be life changing. He says "I'm going to wait a few years to see if you croak from your surgery before I even consider it." Gee.... thanks brother. He also continuously mentions how I've lost to much weight and that if I'm not careful I will die.

I tell people about my surgery as I feel fit. I don't go up to every stranger I meet and tell them all the intimate details of my life but if someone asks, I tell them the truth. If people have something to say, I really don't care because I know how hard this journey was and I know those same people were likely talking about me behind my back even more when I was large. I've always been fodder for gossip, being very overweight, so at least I'm finally comfortable in my own skin and so much healthier. I do like to tell people struggling with weight and who have asked me about how I lost mine. I don't' tell random stranger who are overweight because I never would have wanted to be told but I've had a few co-workers, associates and a friend reach out to me about my possibly having the surgery themselves. My doctor did not every suggest WLS and she was not super happy when I chose it, she actually asked if I really wanted to do that and that she can put me on physician led diet (again!). The doctor who did refer me was actually my OBGYN and I cannot thank her enough for saving my life!!!

I really liked the GNC Lean25 shakes. They are a light lighter in texture than many of the shakes I tried and they come in so many flavors, including special seasonal flavors so you can switch it up if needed.

I was a BMI of 38 at the time of surgery, I was a 41 when I went into the program and I was worried I wouldn't be approved as I had no co-morbidities but I was still accepted. I will be 1 year post op on 12/30 and I've lost 113 pounds. I'm currently sitting at a BMI of 27 so almost in the normal range and about 15 pounds from goal. I'm currently bouncing up and down 3 pounds.

Congrats!! Best feeling ever.

Good luck and welcome to the other side (almost). To answer your first 3 questions, yes get a food scale. It will be a life line for quite some time, I still measure stuff if I'm unsure though I can pretty much eye a plate and see where I'm at now. I used measuring cups for everything early out. If it was liquid, I measured it. I also got 2 ounce disposable cups with lids and would put my food in those and store it in the fridge. As for the phone app I've been using the Baritastic App since day 1 and I love it. It's designed for people who have had WLS. The anxiety/depression I cannot help with but maybe talk to your doctor who manages your medications, if you are on any, or a therapist/psychologist if you see one regularly.

Just wanted to say good luck to all of you. I'm a late December sleever and coming up on my 1 year anniversary of my sleeve (12/30) so I was experiencing all you are now, last year. You will do great and it's completely worth it. Just listen to your body, sip sip sip and follow your surgeons plan to a T.

Chili is a great option. You can put it in a crock pot and make it as spicy or mild as you like. Bring some shredded cheese and low fat sour cream to melt on top. Also buffalo chicken dip is another good one. I use canned shredded chicken and make it in a crock pot. You can use low fat dairy options when you make it. I personally just eat it off a spoon but bring chips for your co-workers. Grape meatballs are so good if you looking for something a little sweet too.

Thank you! She must be pretty great

It's not a HIPPA violation as Hippa only pertains to covered entities but it could be a violation of company policy or privacy laws depending on your profession and location. That being said in order to report it to a higher up or HR you would need pretty solid evidence, for 2 reasons. The first being you don't want to accuse and potentially get in trouble an innocent party and the second being they may ask for detailed information when making a complaint such as who said what to whom and when. It's also possible that someone overheard or saw something while in a supers office but was not told directly by your supers. I think your first step would be to just go talk to your supervisor and express your concerns. It's possible the people in to office just noticed you lost the weight. My boss and supervisor know and 2 co-workers but nobody else in my office but people all over the building have noticed and commented on my weight loss.

I like my surgeon. I've seen him at every appointment and follow up. He pushes me and sometimes I get frustrated but I know his personality now so I'm used to it. I did a lot of research which surgeon to go with and it was a big help that my hubby worked with him numerous times in the OR and trusted him. He will be doing my Gallbladder surgery next month so I clearly trust his ability and skills. Honestly, many surgeons are not known to be the most personable but they typically deal less with the patients themselves. My OBGYN for example, I love her but I saw her probably 30 times while I was pregnant at least, plus follow up and every year for maintenance so it's a different kind of environment with surgeons. I've seen my surgeon maybe 6 times, in the same amount of time, didn't even see him the day of surgery or for follow up, his colleague saw me.

I'm a horrible snacker at work, specifically in the afternoon. The last two hours before we leave are often slow and if I'm not busy I want to eat. My go to work snacks are cheese (I do eat full fat cheese per my nut but you can get reduced fat cheese or cheese sticks), beef jerky, nuts, yogurt and sometimes a protein bar if I really need something. As for work temptation I weigh if it's really worth the calories when things are brought into the office. This time of year is hard for sure. For example my co-worker makes the most amazing Christmas cookies ever. I made the choice to eat one but I made sure I tracked it and I compensated for it later. I don't tell myself I can never have anything again because that makes me what it more but I'm more choosey about what I do indulge on. ETA: I'm a year post op and have gotten looser recently. Early out I was very strict about snacking.

I'm almost 1 year post op from the sleeve and I can eat everything I did before except eggs. There are things I don't eat or eat very rarely but that's by choice. I don't eat seafood of any type either but that's not a new thing. I avoid pasta and rice almost completely. I think I've had pasta maybe 5 times in a year and I was a huge pasta eater prior to surgery and rice, maybe twice since surgery. I do eat bread, I found the Pepperage Farm Very Thin Bread and I love it! Sandwiches are a favorite food of mine and this bread is lower calorie and carb and its so thin it doesn't sit heavy in my sleeve so I will eat sandwiches 1-2 times a week. I try and stick to lean protein and veggies as much as possible but my NUT stressed over and over I need starch in my diet so I make sure I add starches to at least one meal.

I would say about 50lbs when people started noticing who didn't know I had the surgery. My friends and family who knew said they could notice within a month due to my face thining out.

We eat out usually 2 times per week, either sit down or fast food, because my life is crazy right now with my kids extra curriculars and holiday stuff going on. In terms of fast food, we don't have a lot of options here (McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy's, Taco Bell, A&W, KFC, Subway and Popeyes). Usually we do Wendy's if we get fast food and I will get a chili or a single burger with no bun. They will put it in a container for you and you can get toppings on the side so I will add cheese and a little ketchup with onion, lettuce and tomato. Also Subway is another popular one for us, I get a chopped salad with double meat. I will also occasionally get a grilled chicken, no bun, from McDs or spicy tenders from Popeyes with Corn as my side. When we eat out at sit down restaurants it's usually diners so I just look for items that are high protein and lower carb (though I'm allowed up to 100 grams a day) and substitute veggies for fries or just get no side and steal a few of my kids fries because I can only eat like 3.

It feels great doesn't it? I've since bought 3 pairs, my legs love it but my wallet is like "woah tiger, slow it down there".

I would love a tummy tuck and to have my breasts fixed because they have all but disappeared but my insurance won't cover plastics at this point (maybe sometime in the future because my local group has had a couple people actually approved for plastics by insurance recently). My skin isn't super saggy but between prior C-Section and having a B shaped belly my stomach needs help. I'm a year out almost, 113 pounds down and 14 pounds from goal so by the time Im ready for plastics I might be able to get approval. If not, I still plan to get my breasts done and just pay out of pocket. Nobody sees my stomach anyway and it doesn't bother my hubby.

My goal weight was 190lbs at 5'10" but I was more interested in hitting a goal size which was a size 12. I'm now 187-190 depending on the day and wearing a 10-12 at almost a year post op. My surgeon did set a goal of 175 for me long term which would put me at "normal" BMI, well technically it would be 173 but he said to round up . I don't know if I'm every going to reach that though because my body seems happy at this weight and I've been bouncing for almost 3 months.

I think the veterans were the biggest help to me during my days leading up to and freshly after surgery and they are a very important part of this site. What would be the point of this forum if it was just a bunch of newbies and pre-op people talking about something they haven't yet experienced or were just newly experiencing. I wanted to know if something had been experienced by other people, I wanted to see their results and hear their stories and I wanted to know in the dark early days that it would get better. I wanted to hear their meal ideas and good products that the found on the market. The thing is some people will be kind, helpful and accommodating but not everyone is going to be. Some won't say what you want to hear, not everyone is going to be nice and rosey but instead straightforward and direct, some people will be down right rude because we all perceive things differently, especially on a message board where you cannot decipher tone or infliction but many have very good advice and are encouraging. Even if they come off a little harder than others sometimes. They are the ones who have the experience, they have lived it. Even my surgeon stressed the importance of support groups because as he said "I can give you the medical side but I've never had the surgery myself."