lacylou

I am so happy for you. You have completely taken control of your life. Thank you for sharing! Hopefully you have already planned your next goal. Keep going!

I am 2 weeks post op (almost) and my doctor said I could use the elliptical and the treadmill only. I can hit the gym (lift, run, etc) at one month. If your energy is low, might I suggest walking and extending the distance or time every day. The more idle you are the more tired you will feel. Definitely get up and move, even if it is for a short time each day. Good luck!!

I was trying to get some exercise just one week post-op yesterday and decided to walk around a shopping outlet. I had fun going into the stores to see all of the Spring fashions and I would occasionally see something I really liked and I would pick up a size 10 (my first goal size). I'd look at it on the hanger and say it looks so small. Very hard to wrap my head around shopping in "small" again. I have been overweight for about 17 years. In that time, I not only had to buy bigger clothes but as we all know, we are limited in fashion choices. I do not know how to shop for my age, size, and I have no clue what is in style. I am looking forward to being able to buy some new clothes but it is going to be daunting. I don't want to look like I am dressing too young. I don't want to look dated. I don't want to have a distorted body image and buy clothes that are too tight or too baggy (I am currently the Queen of baggy). Guess we all can't have stylists!!!

I have been so pleased seeing posts of people who have made or surpassed goal weight. I am very curious as to how you set a specific goal. My doctor and his team of thousands has never talked to me about this ideal weight. Is it determined by BMI? Is it a personal goal set by a life occurrence (example - your weight when you got married)? Is it a realistic % weight loss from your high weight? I am also curious that some people change their goal weight as they lose. I would love to hear from you about how you established your goal weight. Wishing everyone gets to their goal weight and when you get there, that you are truly happy!!

Wow, sounds like there is no true formula for a GW. I should probably consult with my nutritionist (although I don't really like her - she has done nothing but read the WLS manual to me which I had already done myself. Hate to pay someone for their expertise when they are completely unhelpful). It definitely seems that the goal is part personal and part science. I am glad that the goal is adjusted to suit your personal needs and is not just a number on a height/weight chart. I had no idea that age, body composition/muscle mass, and, most surprisingly, past weight loss history, were all true considerations. I can understand why the surgeons don't want to define this weight. Their main goal is to get us healthy, lose those co-morbidities and prevent future medical problems. When people like us live off the number, it is a hard habit to break. I have defined how I feel for years based on that digit on the scale. Guess I'll know my ideal weight when I get there, when I like how I feel and look.

30 lbs in a month? Your darn right to be proud! Congratulations and keep up the optimism - it's contagious.

Anyone who is in their first few days, hang tough. All the things you'll miss by day 4 post op: 1- nausea 2- bloating/fluid retention 3- headaches 4- smell sensitivity 5- headaches 6- sleepless nights 7- tender tummy 8- headaches (I said that already, right?) I feel so much better today. The future is truly bright. Good wishes to all us January sleevers!!

Another day down and I'm still here. I was terrible at getting Water in today, just hurt a lot. I did boost my Proteins so I'll pat myself on the back for that today and get much more focused tomorrow with water. Interestingly I have been having to pee a lot - I'm chalking that up to losing all of the IV Fluid pumped into me at the hospital. My hands, wrists, and feet aren't swollen anymore (thank goodness). I tried unsweetened apple sauce with some GENEPRO powder and it was terrible. Who says that stuff is flavorless? I went to the grocery store with my husband and the after taste was so bad I unwrapped a SF popsicle in Aisle 7 and munched away (took me 20 minutes to eat the thing but who is counting) In the midst of all the SuperBowl party foods that are out (I live in MA - go Pats), I got a lot of weird stares for eating the popsicle in the store like a little kid. I thought it was kinda funny. I went for a mile walk holding my water bottle and trying to take a sip every few feet but that didn't work as well as I would have liked. The nausea has subsided considerably - yeah me! January sleevers - keep the info coming!!

Just got home today. I had surgery on the 25th.. Very little pain but the nausea is really tough Every time I try to drink I feel like i'm gong to lose it again. I'll power through cause I have to. If the nausea is only for a few days, I can deal, but if it is longer it is going to cause a serious dehydration and nutrition problem. Anybody just recently sleeved find they have an increased sense of smell? I do and it makes we want to puke. When the nurses gave medicine through the IV and used alcohol to wipe the tube I got very nauseated from the rubbing alcohol smell. Go figure!

So glad there are two others on this topic going in tomorrow. I need to report to the hospital at 10 am. I'm jealous of the others who report earlier. I was allowed to have a light Breakfast and a light lunch today (just had Protein shakes) and then only clear liquids until midnight. After that - I'm cut off. Definitely do-able to not drink or eat when I wake up tomorrow but when you are denied, that's when you want it more. Interesting how different surgery instructions can be, both pre-and post-op. Good luck to Orion and Green-eyed wolf (glad you were able to work things out). Speedy recovery!!

So sorry that this is happening and taking the focus off the surgery. This is your moment. This is the time you get to not worry about your family for a few days and take care of yourself. You need to make this work!! If I had a friend that was desperate for help, I would drive cross country for them if needed. Try asking your friends, they may surprise you. So many well wishes being sent your way. PS I was counting on going through this together. Hope this happens for us both on the 25th.

Thank you, I try to find them. Sounds good.

littlemomma Where did you purchase the Atkins Lift? I like the Atkins products but haven't seen this. Thanks

Right about now you are probably in recovery or resting. When you read this your in Stage I !!! You are post-op!! Great decision! You did it! Speedy recovery!!

Judygrim708, I understand that you want what is best for your husband. Was your experience so bad it has completely turned him off to the idea? WLS is clearly not for everyone. I hope he reconsiders though. Sounds like he would be a good candidate with his co-morbidities. He needs to do this for himself but it sure would benefit you too. Less worry and more life. My husband has never said anything about my weight (probably glass house and all) but when I told him I was gong to have WLS, it was instant support. Either he was secretly hoping all along I would do more about my weight and that it really bothered him or... he knows he could never talk me out of it and just went with it. Either way, I have his support.

I'm from the South Shore (MA). I am 10 days away from my surgery date and I have had some very meaningful conversations with my husband about how things will be for us post-surgery. I promised to never say, "Are you really going to eat that?" or "You ate the whole thing?" This is my food issue not his but... he knows I will need his help. Vacations can not revolve around food and drink anymore, buffets are are on possibly permanent hold when we are together, and he can't "feed me" anymore. The nice thing about the timing of surgery for me is that he is going to diet with me (and he is the disciplined one). My surgery is going to benefit us both but I will not make him change his eating habits for me unless he wants to for himself. I only request and require his support. He is a great guy and I know he will do his best. He knows we will both have to adjust and he is all in! Clearly your wife loves you but she needs to adapt as well. (We had a fire inside today watching some great football). Go Pats!

I am right there with you. I go in the 25th. I have been keeping myself very busy to not think about it too much. I spent the day getting the house organized and errands to prepare for a 2 week down time. Feels like the "nesting" instinct that expecting moms go through. Staying busy will pass the time. I am not required a pre-op diet but figure what the hell. It will give me a chance to try different Protein shakes and clear the carb and caffeine headaches ahead of time. Any loss before surgery is a bonus. Time will fly, I'm just staying busy! Good luck, keep us posted!!

I have a question for all of you vets (although anyone with experience or thoughts on this topic are most welcome). I am completely at peace with the food restrictions but I am very anxious about the drinking experience (I don't mean alcohol). There are few things more satisfying to me than chugging a nice cold beverage after a day in the sun or after a workout. I know small sips are the norm post-op but for how long? Will I ever be able to down Water when thirsty without getting sick? I am really afraid I'll miss this.

Thank you for all of your very thoughtful responses. Dub, saying it is a non-issue is reassuring, ty Lip stick Lady, thanks for the "it's not a big deal" Little Bill, guess that is the root of my concern, being very thirsty and not being able to quickly fix the situation with a quick drink but having to take time to fix the problem with little sips, I don't want to be dehydrated. Appears that the solution is just to keep drinking throughout the day to avoid extremes. WLS Resource, you're right - I won't know until I get there but I would like to be prepared, that is why I asked WLS veterans for input. Perhaps my use of the word "afraid" was wrong; perhaps "concerned" would have been better. Please give me more credit - this issue would never prevent me from having the surgery. I have done a lot of preparation for this surgery and do not take it lightly at all. I am two weeks away and Water intake is going to be rough for me, but certainly not a deal breaker. Appreciate all of your experience and thank you for all of your wonderful and honest responses!

kheter55, I'm impressed how quickly you got through your program, I first saw my surgeon in July 2016 (and I did not have a 6 month program with my insurance). Many, many appointments but........ my day is Jan 25th. Good luck to you and all the other Jan 19th's.