travelergirl
Gastric Sleeve Patients-
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Everything posted by travelergirl
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Time off from work RNY vs Sleeve
travelergirl replied to AvrilMarie's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I agree with catwoman7. I took 2 weeks and then I worked from home for most of the third week. I mostly sit at a desk but donuse mass transit to get to and from work. I was very tired and frequently needed a nap week 3 and 4. Once I got back on real food I finally started to have energy again...at week 6. Right after surgery and during liquid stage having frequent urination and constipation was more common. I was off the pain drugs around day 3 or 4. Getting up and down from a chair was doable but I felt like I had the ab workout of a lifetime in terms of discomfort. Good luck with your decision. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app -
Is this what regret feels like or is just a phase?
travelergirl replied to lessoflilo's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Wanting to chew in those early stages isn't regret. It is just normal. You will get to chew again. Patience gets tough as you start to heal and feel better. Follow your Dr's program. Spice up your drinks...add some cinnamon or peanut butter powder. Order some different flavored protein shakes. Keep with it. Have you tried some meditation when you get those pangs? They did a session at my support group and it was so great. I've tried it a few times and it can help me. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app -
How are people losing 10lbs/month?!
travelergirl replied to sleevedshereen's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
For breakfast I usually do a premier protein shake. For a snack I'll do some cheese and a two or three slices of fruit. For lunch I alternate between chicken breast and tuna. I'll then so a small amount of veggies. For a snack I usually do some nuts. For dinner I will do chicken breast, tuna, or some ground beef and a small amount of veggies. Protein is 2.5 to 3 oz. Veggies 1 to 2 oz. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app -
20 months out 223 pounds down pics
travelergirl replied to Sweettee23's topic in Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories
Holy !!!! You look fabulous. That is an impressive achievement and I hope you are proud of yourself and all the work you put in to make that happen. Congratulations! Thanknyou For sharing and being an inspiration and motivation to myself and others to keep with the program. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app -
Nobody comments on weight loss?
travelergirl replied to Jenopolis's topic in Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories
I'm 86 lbs down and most people don't say anything. I didn't shout out to the world about my surgery but I also didn't keep it secret. The people who know are the ones who usually say something. I'm going to a business meeting tomorrow and I'm curious what people might say. It's been 6 months or more since I saw these people. A couple of them know but not everyone. I may get more comments because I got my hair done and im more starwberry blonde than about my weight. I agree with other posts...for some it is a taboo topic. For others there will be jealousy. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app -
Sensitive question about ladies time of the month
travelergirl replied to Catherine Keegan's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Mine have been irregular since surgery. First one was light. Second one was heavy and lasted for 9 days! Third one is so far very light. I am not concerned as I know my body is dealing with a lot of changes. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app -
How are people losing 10lbs/month?!
travelergirl replied to sleevedshereen's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I'm three month out and lost 35 lbs. That is averaging just over 11 lbs per month. I go one to two weeks with little to no weight loss and then have a couple of big drops. I am noticing a pattern around my menstrual cycle too. I thought these first few months would have bigger numbers and then would get smaller after the 6 month mark. And sticking with the plan gets hard with so many days with no results on scale. I am 14 lbs away from the 100 on mark including my pre op weight loss. And if I stay on this path then I'll be around -120 when I hit my 6 month surgiversary. I keep with the plan and track using baritastic app. My goal is 80g protein and 800 to 1000 calories. I'm working with a trainer twice a week and added zumba once per week. I'll work on adding another day of cardio in as well. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app -
Recovery for Singles
travelergirl replied to Uterno's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I live alone with my dog. I flew my sister in to help me for the first few days. It was nice to be able to turn everything over to her...picking up prescriptions, setting the reminders for pills, walking the dog (walking me [emoji6]), and she did some laundry. I could have done it alone. The laundry would have been the hardest part. There wasn't a lot of pain. I described it like a really intense ab workout...i was sore getting up and getting back down into seated position. But otherwise good. I went off the pain drugs after a couple of days. I was more tired than anything. From my experience, bending down to ground would be the tough part if you need to do something with your cat...food, litter etc... If you have someone close who could come by for an hour once or twice a day that would have gotten me through the first few days. Oh and my place is two stories. Stairs were no problem from the beginning. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app -
I'm 12 weeks out. I don't worry about the before part. I just give myself a few minutes before I start eating. I feel best if I wait to drink after eating. I didn't wait a couple of times and it made me nauseated. So I try to note the time and wait the 30 after eating. I also use a straw with no issues. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app
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Confused About Expected Weight Loss
travelergirl replied to Cathy Mettille's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
There are some people that despite the procedure keep eating poorly. The WLS is not a cure. So the statistics show that. Long term success and losing more than 65% will come down to the person and their food choices and the activity they add to their life. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app -
A question for my fellow ladies
travelergirl replied to shantel's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
About 6 weeks post op I got one of the heaviest and longest periods of my life. I agree...the hormone changes after surgery mix this stuff up. Make sure you take your vitamins with iron and stay hydrated Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app -
Incisions are EXTREMELY itchy
travelergirl replied to erint93's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Ice packs kept me from going crazy. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app -
Stalls, stalls, stalls
travelergirl replied to bcl1628's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Stalls are frustrating. Slower than anticipated weight loss is frustrating. Patience takes a lot of work! I'm 12 weeks out and "only" down 32 lbs. I just knew because I was doing so well pre op that I would have a lot faster weight loss post op. 10+ pounds a month is great but I had expectations of greater loss in these first few months. I'm down 83 lbs total in the 9 months since I met with my surgeon. If I keep up at 10 lbs a month that is 113 lbs lost in a year. That would be awesome! You are not alone with the frustration. I take joy in getting rid of clothes that don't fit and buying "new" clothes (goodwill and eBay mostly). I get very excited about the non Scale victories like seatbelts fitting and running up a flight of stairs. Heck even doing lunges at gym with my trainer gets me excited (they are so much easier! Still a challenge but I really struggled 50 lbs ago!) Good luck and keep at it. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app -
Cut Calories and Excercise and no weight loss
travelergirl replied to bwillia08's topic in Fitness & Exercise
You don't indicate how much protein or water. Since I started back with my trainer I increased my protein to 80g minimum from the 60g the Dr and NUT provided post op. It is also key to have protein within about 30 minutes of your workout to help repair muscle. Animal protein is best because it already has all the branch chain amino acids as well as the protein. A shake usually needs to have the bcaa added. 1200 doesn't sound crazy but we don't know your height. You may want to add in one day/week with some slightly higher calories. I found that doing a bit of calorie cycling can help me. I would emphasize fat too. Make sure you get healthy fats in. Tracking is key to me. I do best when I stay under 50g of carbs. Track your numbers and see if cutting carbs helps. I also like switching up things so...switch your breakfast and dinner. Try a new type of cardio. Then there is the return to the basics. Go back to the liquid diet for a few days. You have to watch that with your workout but it may help get you started again. -
When to start going to the gym?
travelergirl replied to Pakko's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Check with surgeon. I was cleared at 2 weeks which I thought was crazy. She said if something hurts then stop doing it. I still stayed away from gym and my trainer until week 7. I did do some easy DVD workouts, walking, and a little bit of resistance bands at home starting about week 4. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app -
I have worked with several trainers over the years. Some of them went to high school and then got certifications. Others went to college and then pursued the certifications. Prices vary but the more education the trainer has meant the more I've paid. My current trainer has extensive training including physical therapy. When I first met him he offered nutritional support but I told him no thank you as I was already working on my pre op plan. I basically started on the protein focused plan modeled off the post op (for life) plans the NUT gave me. I'm his first WLS client but he has worked with clients who have had other surgeries etc... I took 7 weeks off after surgery before I went back to see him. We've had three weeks back together so far and he has been very responsive. I get tired more quickly than pre op. He adjusts my weights or reps accordingly. We're doing some abs and back work as I have found post surgery they were weaker...i get tired and sore standing. He mixes cardio in with weights. We do a lot of staggered stance work (biceps/triceps, shoulder press) as well as trx. We use the rope machines and the ladder (painted on floor and we do different footwork patterns) to mix in the cardio in our workouts. He also has me pushing and pulling the sled with 125lbs added on. I've lost 82lbs total from my HW. I had him support me when I tried to pick up the 80 lb barbell. OMG. It was so heavy and almost impossible to move...picked it up and put it right back. I was carrying around all that weight all the time! Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app
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The good, bad and the ugly. CARBS!
travelergirl replied to heycrystal2052's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I avg about 40g of carbs which is about 30 net carbs per day. I've had a few high days when I go up to 70 ish. I use an app to track and I'm looking back to see what works best for me. For me the tracking and stats about my own successes and stalls etc...are so helpful. There is no one target number for everybody. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app -
When did your weight problems start?
travelergirl replied to The New Kel's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I agree. Thank you for sharing. I was a super skinny kid. Then in 4th grade I started to develop breasts. By 5th grade I had started gaining weight. I got my first period and everything changed. My weight kept going up. So for me puberty/hormones made a huge change. I developed large breasts quickly and got unwanted attention for it. At the same time my father quit drinking and the whole family went into AA. My sister and I were really too young and I found it very stressful and uncomfortable. So, food became what I looked forward to the most. My mother struggled with her weight and was not a good role model for nutrition or portion sizes. She also didn't want to really bring up any concerns about my weight as she didn't want to repeat what her very critical mother said to her as a young girl. By 8th grade I was a size 14. By high school graduation I was a size 18 College graduation I was a 20 or 22. Law School was a 24 and around 275. Fast forward a decade after gaining and losing weight and gaining back even more (weight watchers, nutrisystem, back to weight watchers, Jenny Craig, and then Lindora)...I was a size 30/32 and 377 lbs when I saw my surgeon last November. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app -
New BariatricPal Tracking App! What Features Do You Want?
travelergirl replied to Alex Brecher's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I use baritastic as well. It is hard to modify items like getting a cheeseburger or sandwich and eating half of bun or skipping the bun entirely. You have to guess. Specifically I got a skinny turkey sandwich from jimmy John's. They pull out the middle part of the bread for you if you request. Then I doubled up the meat and used about 1/2 of the bread that was left. I found the sandwich on the app but then had to adjust my serving size guessing at it so that it didn't completely throw off my daily tracker. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app -
The bariatric pal store sells them. I plan on staying on my chewable for another month but looking ahead to switching to patch. Anyone been using the patches for a few months and have blood work checked? Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app
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Going back to work Post Op
travelergirl replied to HDScarlett's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I took off two weeks. Then I worked from home 4 days that first week back. I was still exhausted and needed a nap by 3pm. I use mass transit and my commute takes an hour each way, so that added time also made for long days when i returned to my office. I think it was about week 4 before I was working through the day and didn't hit that 3 pm point of exhaustion. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app -
When to Start Resistance Training?
travelergirl replied to SandraD_PDX's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
My surgeon cleared me at 2 weeks. She said if anything hurt to stop that activity. I didn't return to gym and trainer until week 7. I didn't feel ready. I did walking and some aerobic dvds until then. I did try some bands around 4 weeks and felt fine but I didn't push myself hard like I do at the gym. Now having been at gym for a few weeks I'm still not at the full hour of a workout. We do 40 minutes plus 20 minutes of stretching, foam rolling etc... Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app -
Smoothie and shake work arounds- sick of boring protein shakes??
travelergirl replied to xoxococojay's topic in Post-op Diets and Questions
I love to add pb2 powder to vanilla for more of pb flavor or to chocolate for a Reeses flavor. I use a nutribullet and I find premier blends well. I also added cinnamon to vanilla shakes. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app -
I need your input and your help!
travelergirl replied to kristygrem's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Tracking what I eat always leads to more success for me. Go back to fundamentals. Protein is key. Low Carbs. Drink water. You can do it. Good luck! Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app -
Schedule for weaning off Phentermine before WLS
travelergirl replied to BakeMoveLive's topic in GLP-1 & Other Weight Loss Medications (NEW!)
I basically stopped cold turkey about 3 weeks before surgery. Once my surgeon told me why I decided to stop early. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app