blizair09

Yay! The next few days will likely be very unpleasant, but you will bounce back quick. Good luck!

Yep...

I weighed 397 when I started my journey last March.

You just have to buckle down and do what you have to do. This journey requires grit and perseverance. Trust me, it is only going to get more difficult before it does get easier. And even when it does get easier, EVERYTHING is dependent on you making good choices with regard to food and drink. That is why changing your relationship with food is an absolute must to have any meaningful success. Good luck!

But your words here define the real issue. This isn't a diet. It is a prescription given by the doctor that provides your body nourishment at the same time that it gives your body time to heal from surgery. It is dangerous to ask people to comment on violating that prescription. Making choices (good, not so good, or otherwise) pre-op is one thing; post-op is something completely different (that could be deadly).

I followed my plan to the letter. None of us has any idea what the condition of our stomach is since we can't actually see it. I just wasn't willing to take any risks over some random food and a few random days.

How long has this been going on? If it is a regular thing, you need to get in touch with your surgeon's team and have a conversation (or maybe an office visit). I hope you feel better!

Cereal has way too many carbs for me!

@@shelby18 Band rocks! I was drum major of my high school marching band way back when. Of all the things I have done in my life, that will always be one of my proudest accomplishments! Good for you for taking such mature steps to get to a healthy weight at your age. You should be so proud (and I know your mom must be super proud of you, too)! Best wishes as you continue your journey.

Good for you! I have told anyone and everyone about all facets of my journey -- including the surgery -- from the very beginning. And I have not had one remotely off-color thing said (at least to my face). And I pity the person who ever would say anything like that. They'd have a confrontation on their hands that they wouldn't soon forget!! To lose nearly 160 pounds, surgery or not, is a pretty impressive feat. Someone would have to be pretty ignorant to disparage such hard work and commitment.

Are you entitled to FMLA benefits?

I was on liquids for 3 weeks (and I didn't even have to do the infamous pre-op liquid diet because I had lost so much weight prior to the surgery). That period was BY FAR the toughest for me, but it was necessary to give my stomach time to be ready for something more dense. The food stages are there to protect us because we can't see what the current state of the stomach is from the outside. Hang in there. Good luck!

Ain't that the truth? And timely at that!

I took 6 weeks off from work (STD at 100% pay). You'll get a variety of responses to your question. Some people went back within a week; others took as much time as me. I'd say the average is probably 2-4 weeks. Fatigue was a real issue for me right up until I went back to work. Speaking for me, I could not have gone back in less than 2 weeks. But that's me. My advice is to take as much time as your personal, professional, and financial situations will allow. Remember that it is not only about healing, it is also about getting yourself off on the right foot with regard to your Protein and Water intake and your progression through the food stages. Good luck!

In my early days post-op, unflavored Protein powder was a lifesaver for me. I'm not sure where you are in your food stages, but you can mix it with broth, cream of chicken Soup, or yogurt, among other things.

That is both awesome and inspiring! Congratulations!

I agree with the idea of picking one scale to acquire your go-to metric and using it in the same circumstances when you do. When I was on a recent trip to Asia for 3.5 weeks, I couldn't weigh because there wasn't a scale available (even in the fitness center of the hotel, ironically). It was so freeing -- and this comes from someone who has weighed everyday since mid-March. And I lost 13 pounds during that time, so the journey went on even without me getting on a scale everyday. Since I have been home, I have returned to my daily weighing habit, but I am seriously thinking about transitioning to only weighing on Mondays.

All of my numbers have been in the normal range since the end of my six month pre-op diet program. When they re-tested everything in December (I had met my out-of-pocket max for my insurance, so I had them test everything), everything continued to improve. You're right; it is a good feeling!

If I remember correctly, that appointment was August 10 and my surgery was scheduled for September 28. But that is all relative to your insurance and your doctor's availability.

When I met with the surgeon, he basically described the surgery itself from beginning to end and that's about it. That was the last of my insurance-required visits pre-op. I met with the NP for most of that time, and the surgeon came in and talked to me at the end of the visit. Good luck!

@@erp -- somehow I missed this post earlier. You make SUCH a good point. Rapid weight loss can be a shocking sight to see for some people, and their responses could be very genuine and sincere. My dad is fighting Stage 4 Lymphoma right now. He has lost a massive amount of weight in the past 5 or 6 months. (In fact, it was the weight loss without him trying to lose weight that finally convinced him that something might be wrong.) Sometimes, when people see rapid weight loss, they think that something is wrong (because something often is wrong). Comments like that may be investigating that conjecture without directly asking about it. That's just something to think about it. We all (myself included) form opinions pretty quickly sometimes without putting ourselves in the metaphorical shoes of others.

You mean "well bless your heart" ? LoL .. I've heard that can be and is used sorta sarcastically Munky When someone gives a compliment (sincere or otherwise), I'll often say "well aren't you sweet." It works in either case. "Bless your heart" moments and people are a whole other thing! :-)

@@avremy, I wouldn't worry too much about the bathroom if it isn't causing you any pain. Even at 3 months post-op, I only go every 2-3 days. What you're taking in doesn't look problematic to me. I bet you are just in a stall right now. If you're really worried about it, I'd call your nutritionist and have a quick conversation, but I'd bet the weight loss will pick back up before too long.

Getting the Water in is just one of those things you have to do. Commit yourself to sipping all day long and you'll get it in. Some people find sipping out of a shot glass is helpful. Also, remember that your "food" (e.g., broth and the like) also counts as liquid if that helps. Good luck!