settingqt31

Hey! I'm now 9 months post-op and about 15lbs from goal weight. Wanted to see what people are doing about dating, specifically eating out. I'm going to dinner with a guy a friend set me up with this weekend and just nervous about him wondering why I don't eat that much of meal. My surgery is something I've been very open about to friends/family so if I go on several dates with someone I would absolutely tell them but I don't want to do it on the very first date. Thanks!

I was diagnosed with PCOS over 10 years ago and struggled to lose weight despite a very active lifestyle. I'm now 7 months post-op and down over 65lbs. I've recently hit a stall but I think it's secondary to working out so much (lots of muscle mass coming on) and me being a little more liberal with my carbs. This has been the best life decision I've made to date besides following Christ.

I'm doing amazing! Honestly my surgery and recovery went great and I have already lost over 65 lbs. Down to size 10 for jeans and medium tops!!! I started working out with a trainer twice a week after I was cleared at my 6 week appointment and then do extra cardio days. I have developed a love for weight lifting and exercise. I completed my first 5k last month and am hoping to do a sprint triathlon this spring/summer. I'm also thrilled that as my weight is back to a safe range I'm back riding horses (English riding) 1-2x a week and have even started jumping smaller jumps again. I think the holidays were the biggest challenge I had. I gave myself a little grace and let myself eat a few carb-heavy foods (a couple bites of pasta, a sliver a cheesecake, etc) but did better than expected and still lost weight. Also having to work hard to not make bad choices on my call days at the hospital (I'm a physician) when I get stressed but so far it's going great and my colleagues have been very supportive. What’s your next goal? A sprint triathlon if I can get more comfortable with my new bike, I want to jump a 2'6 fence out of a canter by this summer (I hadn't ridden since early HS so getting back into it). I listed my goal weight here as 150 but I really just want to see how strong and toned I can get without being totally bulky as I'm already so close to 150 and I have a feeling I can surpass it.

I think it is very much a personal decision for you. My dad came with me for mine (my mom died unexpectedly about 9 months before my surgery) as he wasn't comfortable with me being there alone. I sent him back to my place for the night though. I personally live at the hospital (I'm a physician) so I didn't feel the need to have "support" there and I'm good about making sure I get anything that I really need. The nurses got onto me for getting myself up and to bathroom, taking off and reapplying my SCD's, walking without help, etc but I honestly only felt bad for the first few hours and it was more from anesthesia.

If you haven't already I would try it. My trainer has been AMAZING. I started with him 5 weeks post-op (in the pool for the first couple times). I told him about my surgery up front and he helped me start with body weight things that were under my lifting restrictions and then we advanced once I got full clearance. I'm doing 2 times a week now at almost 6 months out and I'm physically stronger than when I was in high school playing competitive sports. I feel great and my trainer has encouraged me through each step and as he took the time to learn what my nutrition/water goals were holds me accountable for them.

I joined a gym 5 weeks out and started working out with a trainer. It has been a great decision for me. My trainer knew up front my lower caloric intake. In the last 4 months with him (I'm not quite 6 months out yet) I have grown so much and gone from struggling with basic body weight exercises to being able to do real weights (deadlifting 110 lbs, squatting 95lbs, bench pressing 45lbs, etc). For me being at the gym is motivation to keep working and my surgeon said the reason I likely don't have lose skin is from all the gym time i'm putting in.

You used same clinic as I did- I see Dr. Kilgore. I'm doing my first 5k tomorrow night though will do more walk/run this time as opposed to running the whole thing. Training for a sprint triathlon in April as well! I still don't love running- I prefer swimming and horseback riding but my personal trainer keeps pushing me on the treadmills

All I used was my phone and charger, pillow, and toothbrush. I changed into a pair of workout pants and tshirt before going home but literally nothing else (laptop, slippers, PJs, toiletries, makeup, etc) I packed got out of suitcare as I was so tired post op I didn't even want to watch TV

Plano, Texas

At 6 weeks I started working out with my personal trainer 2x a week. We did some pool based workouts and then started with body weight and core exercises. Have been amping it up since then. Now (4.5 months out and 58lbs gone) I still do 2x a week with him- we lift (dead lifting, squats with weights, lunges with weights, leg presses, arms, etc), do lots of core stability training, and recently have started working on running. I'm looking at doing a couple 5k runs in next couple months and doing a sprint triathlon in April. I also do 2x a week of cardio (mostly walk/run intervals but sometimes swim) and ride English equestrian 1-2x a week as well. I rode and jumped in HS so now being in early 30's and healthy again felt like the time to go back as I love horses and hopefully will buy one in a year or two.

The only time I've done Italian I ordered a side of meatballs with marinara sauce. Super yummy

My first solid was a crockpot shredded chicken cooked with low-fat cream cheese and salsa verde

I'm celebrating a great Texas Tech victory last night and about to go hiking with some friends. I'm up in West Texas visiting my dad for the holiday so this evening will cook him dinner (chili) and enjoy watching football. Then drive home tomorrow. Creekimp- tell your daughter good luck with her studies. I am a physician and the hard work is worth it.

I had surgery 7/10. I'm down 51lbs which since i had a lower starting weight and PCOS/hypothyroidism I'm really happy with. I am working out with a trainer twice a week plus another 3-4 days of cardio or extra strength training. I'm getting protein in easily but sometimes struggle a little with water at work. Right now I'm in the 800-1000 kcal/day range. I've had to order new clothing for work (professional wear) and for the gym because all my old stuff was becoming baggy!

I take the bariatric advantage soft chews for both. The BA chewable multivitamin that was the most expensive with iron made me sick but the chewy square is great.

I got mine in the hospital. I wore it til about 2-3 weeks post-op and haven't needed it since. Just make sure you get the right size in the hospital the first one they brought for me wrapped around me almost 2 times so I had to ask them for a smaller one.

I'm on Bariatric Advantage- the Chewable tabs that had iron made me sick but the chews (look like the calcium ones) are great.

I was pretty calm in pre-op given the fact I work in healthcare and in the hospital daily (not the hospital where I had surgery though). Also, the anesthesiologist called me the night before to touch base as well. When I arrived at hospital they took me back to the pre-op holding area (my hospital had private rooms) where I changed into bear hugger gown (they blow warm air through it), got my IV (the nurse got it on first stick!), and waited. My surgeon came in and met my dad who was with me and made sure I didn't have any new questions, then shortly after the anesthesiologist came in with the OR nurse to get me. They both were really nice and he reviewed with me what would happen and then me being medical asked more about specific meds haha. It was then time to head to the OR. I can honestly say it was one of the best anesthesia experiences I have had. I don't recall them taking my gurney down the hallway or moving over to the OR table (I usually do in my prior surgeries). I do remember my surgeon coming over and just saying "all set?". I also don't remember anything from recovery. My memory of waking up was in my private hospital room. They had at some point taken off the bear hugger and put me in a very large bariatric gown (it wrapped around me 2-3x). The nurse was checking my pain level (never over a 7/10 and addressed relatively quickly) and if I had nausea (I didn't but they were giving me zofran scheduled). I am not sure exactly how long but I dozed in an out for a few hours likely before getting up and walking. The first walk I was a little lightheaded so it was a short walk but after that I walked every 1-2 hours without any issues. The rest of the evening I was still drowsy but I was able to facetime with some friends and had a few visitors come too.

The first 5 days were really tough for me. I just did my best and I spent 24 hours in the hospital where they had me on IV fluids which helped "tank me up". I think I was in the 50 ounces range for those days. Now I can drink 4-8 ounces of clear liquids in an hour (I'm 3 weeks out) . I just started pureed foods and only was able to get in a few bites before feeling full. I know I will still need to get a good amount of protein in through liquids for now as even 1/4 cup of refried beans wasn't doable.

I had surgery on 7/10. So far doing well with exception of pulling the stitch in the muscle under the incision they took stomach out from so had an increase in pain from that. The only thing I might have done to cause that was lifting my dogs onto bed but they only weight ~15lbs and I was cleared to lift up to 25lbs at my 2 week visit. I did talk to my surgeon and it's just a matter or rest/time and I can use pain meds and try a muscle relaxer to see if it helps. I'm back at work so on my feet with that but backed off gym walking time as it makes the pain worse. So ready to be back at the gym! I advanced to pureed foods today! I tried refried beans which sat ok on my stomach but I couldn't tolerate more than a few bites- WOW! Finding a protein source I liked was hard but after ordering numerous things I finally found some ones I liked (the fruit drinks on here and the Nectar powder sample pack were key to me meeting goals). Surgery day weight was 219, today at 3 weeks out I am 202! Clothes fitting bigger and wore some dress pants that I haven't worn in a year or so to work so slowly but surely getting there.

I have had several personal trainers tell me it's 20% what you do in the gym, 80% what you do in the kitchen. You can't spot treat. I love the gym and at almost 3 weeks out I can't see my stomach handling anything more than walking or water aerobics (which my surgeon cleared me for). I am not ready to add back weights yet.

depends on what your surgeon says- my surgeon does 3 weeks of liquids before any pureed of soft foods. I really struggled with protein shakes but did well with the protein fruit drinks on here and the nectar products.

I was given one of the Aprepitant to take before surgery as well as 1 scopolamine patch to help with nausea from anesthesia. My surgeon did 2 liquid pain meds- Tylenol 3 (tylenol with codeine) and Vanatol (tylenol w/ caffeine and a barbituate which is a step down). I was off them within 4-5 days so had a lot left over. I got zofran and phenergan for nausea and again just needed them for a couple days and I took 1 zofran after I tried a multivitamin at 2 weeks out and it made me throw up. My doctor also sent out scar cream meds, a PPI, and some vitamins which were in huge capsules so I'm waiting a few months to use them.

You're doing awesome! I'm 2 weeks post-op and down 14 (SW 219). My doctor has me on liquids for 3 weeks. I personally like the Nectar protein supplements. The chocolate truffle with milk and some PB2 has been a lifesaver. I'm so ready for some refried beans or taco meat! I've never gone this long without Mexican food haha

I told my co-workers (we are all physicians) and they have been so supportive (a couple even bringing me protein samples from relatives who had WLS). We also eat in our office so I knew not telling them they would figure it out. This morning was our monthly birthday celebration breakfast with bagels and it was hard to say no mentally. It's been nice to have the support of people around me. I haven't told all the nurses and other people I work with yet but am not afraid to tell them if it comes up.