TakingABreak

Some things I'd love to do now, not in any order: 1. Renew my vows. My husband and I didn't do it the traditional way, partly because I was embarrassed to have a formal wedding at my former size. 2. Go on a vacation with LOTS of outdoor activities. I'd love to go paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, horseback riding, zip-lining... you name it... I want to try it. (With the exception of skydiving). 3. Start a family. This is something very motivating for me. We were unsuccessful trying for the past 5 years of marriage. I'm really hoping that we will get pregnant fairly quickly after my 12 month waiting period. 4. Get professional family photos done. 5. Go ride rides at an amusement park.

The PCP who oversaw me during my hospital stay, suggested that I drink Pedialyte. I noticed it really helped when I couldn't get my fluids in.

I'll be honest I don't know, I always buy the single serve ones at the grocery store, because its pretty much the only times I even use protein powder. I've used probably 3-4 different brands and they all worked perfectly. I can look tonight to see if I still have one in the cupboard and let you know.

I've used this recipe a few times, and varied up the chocolate protein powder. Always turns out great. https://www.bariatriccookery.com/simply-gorgeous-protein-brownies Also, I've made this one with unflavored protein powder, usually Isopure. https://kalynskitchen.com/recipe-for-low-sugar-whole-wheat-and-2/

Welcome back! and I'm super jealous of your adventures I can't wait to go on vacation next year and see the benefits of the new me.

My experience was that they did a "carb overload" the morning of surgery, which for me, was like 3 AM, because statistics show you heal quicker if you have an excess of carbs in your system during surgery. So I had to drink two, 28 oz min, Gatorade, or 100% juice the night before and morning of surgery. I was on clear liquids only in the hospital, which was 5 days due to complications, and then 1 week of full liquids after I got home before purred phase.

My girlfriends keep telling me, stand up straight, hold your head up high. I was really bad at that before. Its a work in progress. My next goal is 180lbs, so I'm well on my way! And yes, I'm very very pleased. In fact, prouder of myself than ever before. I don't even think graduating college made me this proud.

Welcome to the loser's bench!

Thank you I do walk around with my head held higher, lol. Taller, maybe? Anything's possible!

Thank you!!!!!

You look awesome! Congrats

This are the top tips I recommend to people getting started.... Here's my top 13 tips! Start altering your diet now. Cut out processed food, or at the very least processed sugar. Practice eating your protein first and then focus on non-starchy veggies. Also, start tracking your food. There are lots of apps that make logging very easy. I personally use MyFitnessPal, but there are others out there. Find something that you like to drink that doesn't have calories. Try different caffeine free teas and water additives. I still can't drink plain water....so you want to have something on hand that you know you like. Cut out caffeine. Most programs allow caffeine back in relatively quickly, but caffeine can hinder your body's ability to heal. You don't want to go through caffeine withdrawal along with the aches and pains of surgery. Don't use protein shakes before you absolutely have to! I made the mistake of supplementing some of my meals with shakes to "prepare myself" for the pre-op diet. Big mistake. You will get to the point where they are DISGUSTING, and you don't want to increase the timeline of that by drinking them before you need to. Start incorporating exercising (even if it’s just walking) somewhere in your daily routine. It will make it easier if it’s already a habit. Practice chewing your food at least 20-30 times before swallowing. Muscle has memory and it will be so much easier if you already have this habit. If you screw up and swallow too soon after surgery, you will pay the price. Set timers and don't drink and eat at the same time. I highly recommend having at least 1 visit with a therapist to establish with someone for after surgery. It’s not required, but everyone seems to have some emotional struggles afterwards. Whether its 2 weeks, 2 months, or 2 years you may struggle with the changes. I personally wouldn't share with people, unless you know they will be 100% supportive. It is nerve wracking already and you need nothing but positivity. Plus it’s a lot of pressure from people who know you've had WLS, versus people who think you are on the weight loss track. People think that the weight is going to melt off after surgery, and sometimes it doesn't. You don't want the extra judgment. Don’t engage people with people who say “WLS is too dramatic” or “You could just diet and lose the weight” or “You aren’t big enough for surgery” or “It’s the easy way out”. SCREW THOSE PEOPLE, they don’t know. They will never know how triumphant our victory will be. I would also remember that you need to make time for you! Make the time to shop healthy, meal prep, cook healthy, and plan ahead. And I’m talking to all the selfless mothers, fathers, husbands, and wives. We give so much to our families, but NOW is the time to focus on ourselves. We are doing it for them, after all. We are doing it to prolong our lives and improve the quality of our lives. Come up with a reward system of sorts. You want to acknowledge your successes. For my 50lb mark, I went and got pedicures with my girlfriends. For my 75lb mark, I bought myself some new dresses. For my 100lb mark, I bought myself a really nice full length mirror. Stalls happen and are completely natural. There are tons of threads in this community that you can search for suggestions or for advice. Hunger happens. Some people don’t experience a decrease in hunger, but it is easily manageable with a small amount of the right foods.

The things that seem like a struggle now, will become less and less difficult. It will become normal, in fact. It seems like a major disappointment now, but I promise you that the scale and the NSVs will keep you motivated and grateful that you did this. With anything in life there are drawbacks. This has way more positives to regret.

I did fine with ground beef. My first food into soft food stage was meatloaf. You won't know until you try it. I do recommend getting the leanest version possible, and rinsing the meat (to get the excess grease out), if you grind it up.

^^^ I second the FairLife Milk. I drink a glass a day, min. Its fairly low cal for 13 grams of protein per cup.

I wore tampons at my highest weight, and never had a problem inserting them, in the right position of course. If you can wear tampons, you can do the Nuva Ring. There is zero difference in difficulty level or comfort. In fact, I can't feel the ring, at all. Worth a shot @saygrace.

^^^ I agree. I've heard too many stories of people I know who've had complications. @saygrace I did the Nuva Ring because I had RNY, and the doctor says it bypasses the digestive system. No problems and I actually love the ring. I started wearing the ring mid Feb, one month after surgery.

You are probably out of surgery by now, so instead of best of luck, I will say, Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Its funny, because I called them to schedule my 9 month check up...I assumed that I would need to get labs done. They said they only do it for 3, 6, and 12 months. But since I missed my 6 month... they aren't interested in doing it at 9 months. *shrugs* I honestly don't understand the thought process...Oh well.

Refried beans Cottage Cheese Soft scrambled eggs with shred cheese (mashed very very small and soft) Greek Yogurt Blended Soups Egg salad with Greek yogurt Mash potatoes (if allowed on your plan) Blended veggies Very soft and blended meatloaf I kind of blended the soft and purred stage together because I'm really affected by texture of things. But a lot of what you can eat can be blended or mashed to give the purred consistency. Don't be afraid to reach back out to your NUT if you are unclear about what your plan allows.

You should absolutely be proud of yourself for coming to these realizations. Honestly, I had to change my relationship with food. I had to think of food as a means to an end. I don't allow myself things that are super yummy (if I do, its rare). As an example, I bought these protein muffins months ago.... and still haven't brought myself to eat them. They aren't bad, in fact, the sell them on the store here. BUT, I know in my heart... they may taste too *good* for me and it could lend way to other things. I also have replaced food with other forms of enjoyment or distraction. I kept a clean house prior to surgery. But my house is immaculate now. I'm always getting up and doing something to keep my mind off things. Its about knowing you have a problem, and fighting that problem every day. Sometimes you lose, more often than not you win. But eventually it becomes normal. Your thought process changes, and its not such an up hill battle.

A newborn Giraffe. Getting pretty close to potatoes that the average American eats each year.

Thank you I missed my 6 month appointment with Dr. Rantis... life happened and I couldn't fit it in to spend the day traveling. So I'm scheduled to go back in October for my 9 month. I hope he's as pleased as I am!

Thank you!

I've lost as much as I should weigh now.