Rainbow_Warrior

Non Scale Victories. Things that get better in your life/diet without measuring on the scales. You might notice that your belt is now in a couple of notches. Your partner might tell your your upper arms are 'harder'. You might notice that because your arse is a little smaller, you have to move the car-seat forward to drive off. NSV Lesson 1 is over!

Good luck with the whole process. It's already Wednesday 25th (11am) in eastern Australia. This time for you (11am Wednesday) you'll likely be waking from anaesthetic stupor. Best wishes!

A whole day. :-) I was due to be sleeved Thursday two weeks ago and on the Monday preceding, my wife had come home from the delicatessen with slices of champagne ham and a block of 5yo aged extra tasty cheese. I made a 450 calorie sandwich on thick-sliced Finnan sunflower bread as my last break-out meal at about 9pm that evening. (Cos lettuce, Ox-heart tomatoes and lebanese cucumber on it too!) Memorable!

It might have escaped your attention but I was not dishing out **** to you or at you or about you. My comment in reply to yours was AGREEING with YOURS and supporting and amplifying what you had just said. YOU said: Yes, Protein Drinks count as fluids so I agree there try and try again. I replied: Correct. It's almost universal that the pre-fab Protein Shakes or the powder-mix ones with Water added count in one's water/fluid calculation each day ... as does dairy milk, almond milk, juices, liquid egg whites, etc. I am hoping you would not read it any other way. Perhaps you just had a hypersensitive moment for whatever reason. It was certainly meant as nothing to shame or belittle you. I just paraphrased what was in my clinic's pre-op booklet. (AMPLIFICATION!) As for wishing me a nice evening, we are many time-zones apart. It's pre-lunch Wednesday here. Thank you.

Best wishes from this (currently) 13 day sleever.

Correct. It's almost universal that the pre-fab protein shakes or the powder-mix ones with water added count in one's water/fluid calculation each day ... as does dairy milk, almond milk, juices, liquid egg whites, etc.

Ditto that. A couple of 4-5 minute "ambles" around the upstairs wards. Several more on the 2nd day and 5-6 on the 3rd day ... until I was sent home late that day ... 56 hours in hospital for ten walks altogether, as I recall.

Okay, sorry if I had any misunderstanding of that. I have three* brands of shakes with a range of flavours for each so that I hope the rut syndrome is avoided. I have enough, I think to get me close to New Year without restocking. Optifast by Nestle - Chocolate (22), Vanilla (22), Strawberry (17), Banana (16), Caramel (14) Isowhey - Ivory Coast Chocolate (42), Madagascan Vanilla (42), Strawberry (21), Banana (21) Optislim Rapid - Chocolate (21), Vanilla (21), Strawberry (21), Banana (21) Optislim Optiman Smooth Chocolate - (11) So, at three serves (maybe four) per day, I have a good stockpile to see me through. Chances are that I will make it through RUT-free.

That is sad. I know this sort of pain. At social events in the 1985-1995 period, my ex-wife used to tell my work colleagues thoughts (from our home discussions) about how I dealt with issues at work and plans I might have had to get through difficult periods. More than a few times, this talk of hers undermined relationships at work where I was already treading on proverbial broken glass. It became one of a few issues that became harder to deal with in being with her. - - - I am not sure the best thing to say or what will work for you BUT please, communicate openly with your husband. Share how you are feeling and that this has caused you much emotional damage. Ask him to be in line with your feelings of 'privacy' to the Nth degree until you advise him otherwise. Best wishes. This sounds like a tricky conversation to have to have with a loved one.

An attitude I wish I saw more often on Bariatric Pal. Congratulations. That's largely how I look at it too. I am saddened by the people who feel that everything must be 'perfect' for their taste buds or they won't use it even if it can do the job. Power to you, jess9395.

Eight months. Wow. Good on you. A stoic digestive system. I'm up to eleven days now and looking forward to the joy of eight months or more if I can do it. My dietitian and surgeon were pleased for me at today's appointments but they said that people like you and me are only 8%-15% of the post-op population. Touching wood!

Can I suggest that it maybe worthwhile to watch some episodes of FAT DOCTOR or THE OBESITY MYTH or WEIGHT LOSS WARD on Youtube? By watching a range of episodes (about 25 altogether) in the two months prior to my own surgery, I got to see almost the whole range of others' experiences AND how the surgeons, GPs and hospital staff intervened or helped. It might help to read some of the threads here where others have discussed how they've handled reflux/vomiting, etc. Best wishes in getting through this period ahead.

Certainly, this is not the norm from all the posts in this website. Had the same experience as you ... NO pain, NO reflux, NO bowel problems (other than 2-3 days of excess flatulence immediately following the op). When I went to see my surgeon for the follow-up appointment this morning, he asked if I felt any 'different' in any way. My only comment was that I still sleep 7 to 8 hours each night but that with only 900-1000 calories going in each day now, I tend to need one or two day naps totalling 1.5-2.5 hours as my energy is a lot lower (not surprisingly). I think our post-op condition annoys or worries those who have pain/reflux/bowel issues, etc. I wish them early success in winding back their upsets but I'm glad for my great experience to date.

I'm guessing you engineered this to get hospital gowns for your Halloween zombie costume.

I am not angry. There was no intended tone to my printed words. I don't know how you gleaned that. I actually went back and reviewed my last eight posts (before this one) in this thread and decided, probably because of the SIX thank yous and the 15+ like votes that maybe other people were able to read the information re my dietitian's advice and my post-op experiences in a much more positive light. If you can pin-point what you think is 'angry', please say so. I am generally quite the optimist and (before I retired mid-2016) was told by employees and colleagues from 25-60 years of age that I was helpful and positive almost constantly.

I think 85% of more of obese people feel that way initially. I'm not sure when or why the reality of past failed efforts bites into a person's psyche. Ten years ago, I gave enough thought to WLS to go to a couple of information nights and do a lot of 'net research. Of course, back then, the mortality rate was 2x to 3x higher. And I thought the gym sign-up would work. The beacon for me was 2015-now when my 1.9 metre tall (6'3") son-in-law went from 208kg (458.6 pounds) to 99kg (218.3 pounds). It worked so well for him, I thought that the retired me could do it too.

(Requoted from my earlier post) In saying that she was in the shower area with me for 15-20 minutes, there a few observations: 1. There was no way, not so much as a snowflake in hell that this 45kg (99lbs) young woman could have been expected to catch me falling (158kg or 349lbs). 2. She was not put there for her viewing comfort or pleasure (unless she was a masochist). A retired morbidly obese male patient's shower would not be a duty one would rush to sign up for. 3. I think she was eternally GRATEFUL that I was so independent about washing and drying myself.

At the first interview, they also suggest: (A) Use side plates and, at first, just a 25%-30% 'covering' of food (B) Use a two-tine cocktail fork, NOT a regular fork (C) Use a teaspoon to regulate liquids into your mouth, NOT a soup-spoon These will minimise the 'assault' of food-load on you newly limited stomach.

Okay. Did you get the very clear instruction to put about half-a-teaspoon of liquid into your mouth at a time then wait 30-50 seconds before putting the next one in? I have instructions here on mine: (a) eat about 0.5 of a level teaspoon at a time OR sip extremely small amounts. Take a short break, typically 30-50 seconds before the next 1/2 teaspoonful. (b) never gulp (c) do not use straws; you risk getting too much air with your food (d) allow your 'new' stomach time to 'accept' the amount it can handle (e) do NOT be afraid to burp -- keep a paper serviette handy as, in the early days, you may get regurgitation.

This comment, in light of what you said before and after it is scary. Why do you not know what to eat (and to buy) and what your timetable is to try certain types of food? Before my surgery, I had to spend time with a dietitian (twice) and an exercise therapist. Each of them had a suggested timetable for eating and movement/exercise. It actually says what to eat and for approximately how long. When to move and what exercises to try. Each of them gave me an A4 display booklet with their thoughts and expectations laid out. Julie, my dietitian, had suggested eating plans in two week blocks. How to get my protein. How to get variety. When to move from watery liquids to purees; when to move from purees to small amounts of solid foods; which order to eat each type of food. I am puzzled as to why you have not had this sort of support.

A lot of ... ? Food? Pain? Discomfort?

When I had my 6am meds the day after surgery (and had been using the 'bottle' under the bed covers for urination) they asked me if I might like to try standing up "a bit later" and "maybe walk yourself to the toilet and shower". I agreed that I'd be happy to try. So I sat up on the edge of the bed after 7am. I went for a walk to the nurses' station (15-20 metres) and back. Later on, I went to the toilet. At about 10am, after the doctors had done their rounds, I went to the shower. The nurses on duty sent a tiny 19 year old nursing assistant in to assist me. I had a shower chair which I used for the first minute or two while I "soaped up" but I felt okay about standing to shampoo and to rinse off. I towelled myself dry and dressed myself. All the while I had the availability of assistance but did not require it. I am sure if you ask, Bruno1966, that you'll find that you will be supported or assisted if you are unable to do it yourself.

Hear, hear. Well said.

Ditto. The surgeon who discussed knee replacement wants me as low as possible in the range 110kg-120kg [242-265 pounds] to even consider the operation. I'm fairly sure that if I get to 110kg, I won't feel the pressure and pain on my joints.

Aldi brand Mamia has that covered too. For 99c to $1.19 or $1.29 they have pouches of veggies and veggie meals ready done. Transfer them to a microwaveable container before you go to work.