SueperGal

Just my experience: Constipation? I was getting terrible pains in my left back side around the kidney area no matter what position I was in. It was getting worse and worse each day. I saw my GP who checked urine and did not find anything. She took a listen to my bowels and they were really quiet. I took some Linzess the next few days and the issue has been resolved.

I feel like I am reading my diary from 6 short months ago! I know it really really sucks feeling that way, and I am sorry that you are going through this panic. It is not a good feeling :-(. As everyone on here has said, this is completely normal, and you look back and wonder why you ever worried once you are on the other side. Try if you can to focus on the facts and the tasks at hand and not the what ifs. It is very easy to become overwhelmed by negative thoughts and feelings. The unknown can be terrifying. It takes strength and courage to make it through this period. We really only get the chance to be courageous when the going gets tough. Be courageous! Just making the decision to have the surgery in the first place was brave, so I know you are tough. You are here asking for help, instead of just giving up, again a sign of strength! You can do this!! We are all here for you. I am only five months out, and I can tell you, I am not weak at all. I work out 5 times a week on less than 900 calories a day and I do not have any problems with energy. A lot of my hair has fallen out. My best friend and I are the only ones who have noticed. It has been falling out for about 3 months and my only result is a smaller ponytail . Some people don't experience it at all, so you never know. The pain does suck a little, but it doesn't last long, and it is not even close to as bad as you may be thinking. I don't really remember it so much at this point. Pro tip: have a recliner, that helped me dramatically during the first week or two. There are plenty of things besides NSAIDS. Saggy skin is no big deal, it is a much smaller issue in my opinion than not being able to fit in a chair or buckle my seatbelt. Your relationship with food will absolutely change, but I definitely do not miss it the way I thought I would. You will see, when you have that restriction, and lack of hunger, you think about it differently. You think about it less. If you find you need help, reach out, reach out to the community here, reach out to your surgeon, your GP, or a counselor. No one has treated me with anything but dignity and respect when I have reached out for help. People want to help and they will :-).

As FancyChristine mentioned, the first month was very tough, tougher than I was expecting, and for different reasons. I had done a ton of research, but nothing prepared me for what it would actually be like to have so much restriction and have to drink the same thing all day, every day. For some reason, I had it in my head that I could still eat the same, just less, once the liquid part was over. That is sort of true now (5 months out), but it was tough to accept the first few weeks when I was having a hard time even getting liquids in. I was so worried that I had not thought it through enough and didn't do enough research and now this is life (it's not, but I'm a drama queen). The pain, the restriction, and the new lifestyle all happened at once and it was a lot to deal with. I have had flashes of "remorse" since when I realize that life is not the same, but it only lasts a second until I am able to remind myself why I did this in the first place.

I am about 5 months out and I still bring a lot of the same stuff to work: Cottage Cheese Dannon Light & Fit Greek Yogurt (There are a few flavors) Protein Shake Crystal light Packets 2 oz of deli meat with a slice of cheese rolled up Refried beans with a little bit of shredded cheese on top. I heat it up in the microwave Canned tuna or chicken w/ avocado or greek yogurt (Mayo sub.) Boiled egg or egg salad (with avocado or greek yogurt) The rest is portioned left overs :-).

My tastes seemed to be heightened for things that are sweet, salty, spicy, sour, etc. As in, if something is sweet, I feel like it is REALLY sweet. I pick up a "chemical" taste in things that I never did before. My pouch cannot seem to deal with any hot spices. I have not found aversions to any foods yet, but I do not have craving for anything either. I don't know what it is about regular water, but it is a struggle. I do much better with tea, crystal light, coffee, or anything with flavor than I do with plain water. I think some of this has to do with my pouch, but also, not eating anything for about 6 weeks between preop and purees. I remember crying in the first couple of weeks because I did not think I could stomach one more protein shake. I think having only liquids for so long kinda reset my tasters, just like when I used to go without soda for a long time and then be turned off when I tried it again. I agree with everyone on the scrambled eggs being tough to stomach! I never used to turn down any food even if it was not quite to my tastes, I just ate it. Now, I am extremely picky about flavor, consistency, freshness, etc. I only get so many calories a day and I fill up fast, so it better be good :-).

I went this route too, but with Alex & Ani bracelets. I am doing one every 25 lbs!

I am doing fabulous! I just came back from vacation. 10 hours on a plane each way with plenty of seat belt slack!! I have lost 75lbs since starting my 2 week preop. Surgery was 5/29. I am doing great with my food intake. Water is always a struggle (it gives me acid reflux for some reason. My Surgeon is working on this with me). I certainly do not feel like I am in any way qualified to provide anyone else with medical advice. I can share my goals however :-). I work out 4 days a week, 2 of them with a personal trainer. My goal from my team is no more than 900 calories a day. Shooting for 90 grams of Protein and less than 60 grams of carbs. My nutritionist is usually able to provide me with more details on the diet than my surgeon when I ask her :-).

I live right near Orlando and visit both Disney and Universal Studios frequently. As others have said, Disney is VERY size friendly and you should be able to ride just about anything there. most of the coasters there don't go upside down. Rockin Rollercoaster is the only one and even then, I was always able to ride. Universal, like most other theme parks, is absolutely not size friendly, but it does depend on your body proportions a little bit. I was larger in the butt and thigh area so I could not fit in between the arm rests at all. Even though I am smaller up top, I was essentially sitting on top of the seat so they could not bring the chest harness down far enough. If you are smaller in the butt and thighs, you gain a few inches there. Universal does have some modified seating, which is for guests with a larger upper body. The seats are the same size, but the harnesses do not seem to have to come down as far. Here is a good article about it. You may want to search for modified seating at whichever park you are considering attending. All of that said, given my proportions, I was a size 20 the first time I was able to go and actually fit into the seat. It was very tight, but I fit. If you have a smaller lower body you may be okay earlier than that. Best of luck. I hope you thoroughly enjoy your first ride!!

I'm officially 3 months out and everything feels so much easier now! The first month or so was definitely rough. The struggle: I still haven't quite hit 800 calories a day and I am supposed to be stepping up to 1000. I am hitting my 90 g protein goal, but the struggle is on every day to up those calories. I started losing hair about 2 weeks ago. It is a lot. My weight loss is completely inconsistent week to week but going down overall. New NSVs: I went on The Hulk (Rollercoaster) at Universal Studios . Not a modified seat, a regular seat!! I was able to clip in the seatbelt myself! This is huge for me since last time I rode I was in a modified seat and had to have two guys come press down the chest harness to clip me in. Then I gained another 20 lbs and couldn't ride at all. My social anxiety is starting to go away. I went into a crowded restaurant this weekend and was not freaking out the whole time about taking up too much space or having to walk past people. I adjusted my office chair to move the arm rests in.

http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/

The only thing that I have really been put off of from before surgery, are sweets. I loved the nectar powders mixed with fat free fairlife in the months before surgery. I tried one last week and I could only get a few drinks in before I had to pour it out :-(. I have had this struggle with everything sweet I have tried, including chocolate premier protein. I do not crave anything sweet anymore and I was an ice creamaholic in a previous life. Not a horrible side effect :-). I have noticed that I feel more attuned to the flavors in things now, or better yet, the salt and/or chemicals. I eat a lot of meat and cheese roll ups. I have to go for the low sodium stuff or I feel like I am just eating salt. I have also found that I taste something chemical in some deli meats (maybe preservatives?). I have found this in a few other items as well, like sugar free drinks and even popsicles. Some things just taste off to me, especially if they are not natural. Part of it may be that I used to barely even taste my food before I swallowed it. Part of it may be that I don't have cover ups for the flavors anymore. I am not putting my meat on bread or eating it with condiments. Part of it may be the 8 weeks of liquids I was on between pre and post op. Part of it may be that I am eating so little now and I have to take so much time to chew that I taste everything. It is definitely interesting and not quite what I imagined when I saw people mention it when I was preop. It's all good, it is just making me shift towards different brands and be even more aware of labels and ingredients.

I did my barium swallow test about 24 hours after my surgery. That was the first thing I was allowed to eat or drink. It was definitely my least favorite part of this entire process. It tasted like dish soap. Luckily they only gave me about 2 oz. I think I sipped about 1 oz total. I did become nauseated directly after, but I did not wind up throwing up. It passed very quickly though. By the time I was wheeled back to my room I was feeling better and they had all of my clear liquids waiting for me. It sucks, but it could have been a lot worse :-).

I haven't cheated with food just yet that I know of, but my mentality is starting to change a bit. I am not that far out of surgery but I have already found myself becoming more focused on what other people are eating around me. Maybe it is because I don't have enough to do at the table anymore? Either way, for the first time I have started watching what other people order and what they eat and kind of judging them for it. I of course don't say anything, but I am thinking, "oh, that is why you are having a hard time losing", or "that is how you stay so thin". I feel horrible about this. This was honestly one of my fears when I was gaining weight and then super morbidly obese. I didn't want other people to see me eat because I thought they would judge me for it. I don't want to be someone that judges others either. I think the only positive is that it is helping me to observe and learn so maybe I can be more cognizant of my own behaviors in the future when my appetite returns. Has anyone else developed this or any other habits like it?

That looks delicious. I love the Dannon light and fit and eat it at least once a day. They do not have a whole lot of flavors at my grocery stores so these little add ins would be very welcome!

@AshMarie794 I was gung ho about surgery all the way up until the night before. It was suddenly something that was actually happening and not an event that I was working towards in the future. I had been thinking about it for years and more than 6 months of hard focus and suddenly I was panicking?! This happens with basically every big event in my life because something major is about to happen and then things will forever change and that can be terrifying. I will not say that I stopped freaking out, because I didn't, all the way up until the knocked me out. I did however make the decision to see the stress and fear for what it was and let it be. I do not know that there was any help for it and I know for a fact that if I had let that fear make a decision for me that I would have immediately and absolutely regretted it. That fear and panic tend to throw all reason and logic out the window at a moments notice. I am here on the other side, 9 weeks out, and it is amazing! I am very happy with the decision I made to move forward and not let me emotions get the best of me. I wish you all the best!

I love chicken pad Thai so much, but I haven't had it in months. I used to eat a full order in a sitting at least once a week. Last night i asked if they could replace the rice noodles with bean sprouts and ate 1/4th of an order (about 1 cup). My husband's full order is included for comparison. It was amazing! Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

hmmmm...It depends on the exercise. I do a lot of combination exercises, like boxsquats into over head press with free weights. I would use a machine to do pull downs or sitting row pulls. Sitting here thinking about it, the free weights are typically used if I am pushing away or up. Or, if I am doing another exercise in combination (squats, steps, etc.) The machines provide resistance when I am pulling and remaining stationary. A typical work out for me would be the below. I usually switch between 2 exercises, doing 3 sets of each (building weight), and then move on to the next set of 2 Kettle Bell swings (free weight) & Step ups with weight (free weights) Note that the guy is stepping way higher than I ever would, I would use a lower platform Lat pull downs (machine)/ or Sitting Row (Machine) & layback press ups (free weights) On the layback press ups, I am usually laying on a weight bench instead of on the floor, but in the same position. My knees are bent and my feet are up on the end of the bench. You may be a little scrunched, but don't let your head hang off, it will really hurt your neck. Planks (body weight) & Medicine Ball Slams (Kind of a free weight) There are a ton of different planks. I started on my elbows with my knees bent and worked up my times and then moved on to the tougher ones. I have always used a 10lb medicine ball and just built up the number of reps. These are SUPER fun, and stress relieving, but also very noisy :-). Other, recent exercises: TRX assisted Squats (body weight) Resistance Band Pull Aparts (band) Rope (heavy ropes) I standing in a slight squat position and just using one rope right now for these exercises, since I am just starting on the ropes. There are so many different exercises! My personal trainer guided me to all of these. Sorry the links are from all over the place, I couldn't find videos for everything :-(.

i second @QTRYNY2018's suggestion to start with lighter weights and build up. Even now that I am lifting heavier weights, my trainer usually has me do my first set with lighter weights for muscle memory, and then gradually increase my weight and reps over the next 2-3 sets. If you have the funds, I would recommend a personal trainer for a few sessions. They can help you learn how to use the weights safely and effectively. I would be up front and let them know your goal is to learn as much as you can in a few sessions. Trainers are usually very helpful and cool about that. Some gyms offer a free session to get started. You do not usually have to commit to a bunch of sessions and can always set up another session later to check on your progress and get some recommendations. I feel like the money has been worth it for me. If you do not have the funds, Youtube has a ton of videos that talk about form, reps, and how to build up on weights. I believe the gym staff would also be okay confirming that you are using the correct form for free :-).

It is awesome to hear that you are seeing so many non scale victories! I committed myself to focusing more on my NSVs in the last two weeks, which has helped me get away from some of the negative feelings I was spiraling into due to my "slow" progress. In the mean time, my weight loss started to pick back up. I actually lost 5.8 lbs in the last two weeks, which is amazing. I switched trainers, and workout methods, and it seems to have woken up my metabolism. NSVs: I have found that I can do just about any physical activity without getting winded in the first minute or two, though I haven't tried any long cardio endurance tests just yet. I am happy to be able to make it through my Personal Training sessions and 30-45 min cardio sessions without giving up. I dropped from a size 24/26 to a size 18 pants and from a 3X Plus size to an XL Women's size tops. My feet are getting smaller already I can sit in arm chairs with ease. My eating and vitamin taking habits are becoming second nature. I'm working on water still! People are starting to ask me for advice on snacks and what to eat. (Me, really, did you just ask ME that?) I lost 7 inches!! off of the largest circumference of my body that I have been tracking. I cleaned out my closet of everything that is too big and donated to my mom and sister. I had 7 trash bags of clothes and shoes that I will hopefully NEVER be able to fit into again. I moved up two notches on my watch band. I am losing weight in my hands and arms like crazy!

My surgeon released me week 2 to begin working out and weight training. He also spoke to me during that appointment about how big of a gift the first year really is, and encouraged me to do everything I can to follow my diet, drink my water, and keep up with my exercise. He said I should not even focus on my weight so much as the other three. Everyone's plan and surgeon are different, as far as when you are released. I was honestly stunned that I was not made to wait longer. I had a few gym memberships throughout the years, but never anything consistent and I mostly just stuck to the treadmill and the few machines I could figure out myself. Basically, I did not have any idea what I was doing or if I was doing it right. I left the Surgeon's office the day he released me and went to my chosen gym. I chose a gym affiliated with my local hospital which focuses on whole body wellness. They have the gym, but they also have a spa, cooking classes, and various education classes taught by the hospital staff. My goal is to make a serious life change and make exercise part of my daily life. I felt this place would help me do that. The gym offered a free personal training session. I met with the trainer to discuss my goals, he took me around the gym to show me how all of the equipment works, and had me do some exercises to test my mobility, strength, and stamina. Most of the exercises he had me do, were not with the machines, but with free weights, and bands and other stuff that I would not have even tried to go near by myself. That was the first week of June. I worked out with Joe (my personal trainer "PT") at the gym twice a week up until last week. He had me doing different exercises every time I went, so it was never boring. I learned more about all of the equipment and I became more confident in doing things myself when I was not with my PT. Joe helped me figure out what my limits actually are, what I should be feeling during exercise, what I should not be feeling, and how much I can push past my perceived limits. I know more now about resting times, and why they are important. This is all stuff that I maybe could have researched and discovered on my own, but I am not sure how safe that would have been. Joe left the gym last week and I immediately requested a new PT. My new PT has a completely different methodology, and while it is different, it is still very effective. I learned about some new exercises and equipment last week and I look forward to learning more today. Pros: I feel like a trainer helps me get the most out of my efforts and my time at the gym. I am able to learn how to work out and use the gym equipment safely and most effectively. The PT teaches me why I should do certain exercises and how they help me reach my goals. It keeps me accountable, knowing that I need to keep up with my recommended exercises and show up for my sessions I feel like they help me learn what my limits are and how to push them. I am provided extra activities to focus on outside of my sessions (I went from 2 min to 25 min on the rower just by doing my homework). The PT can keep moving me forward and providing new challenges as needed. Cons: I am accountable to someone and have to show up at least twice a week Having scheduled sessions makes it difficult to plan around. The sessions take it out of me and I am usually too wiped to do anything else but shower and eat once I get home. Neither of my trainers have worked with bariatric clients before, so I have had to provide some gentle reminders about my low calorie count and my need to sip (not gulp) water. The sessions are not cheap.

@Herewego2018 Congratulations! I remember how excited/terrified I was when I finally got the call to start my two week pre op. I too had a very limited diet that consisted mostly of protein shakes with a few sugar free additions, like jello and popsicles. Shopping this weekend is a great plan! Drinking more water can definitely help. I blended my premier protein shakes with a few cubes of ice to make it thicker. I set times for when I would eat to make sure it was spaced throughout the day so I was not super hungry at night. I did not go out to restaurants during the two weeks and tried to leave the room if my husband had any super yummy smelling food. I also tried to find other activities to help fill my time, like chores, video games, boardgames, puzzles, short walks, naps, etc. If you are doing mostly protein shakes, you may want check and see if you can take Colace or something similar for constipation. Not everyone has that issue though. My want to cheat did not go away, but I made a commitment to myself to just make it through this meal, make it through today, make it through tomorrow, make it through this week, and so on. It can be difficult at times, so stay strong, YOU GOT THIS!! Everyone says it, but it really does go by faster than you think.

@hopeful333 I am very sorry that things are feeling crappy right now. I went to OA for a while a few years back, and it did seem to help. It sounds like you are taking steps in the right direction and not letting a misstep be your downfall. I had a close friend set me straight about my attitude, which I think helped me quite a bit. I made a commitment moving forward that if I say anything negative or complain, that I also have to come up with something positive or good to say as well. It has helped me to shift my focus a little more towards the positive. I am spending less time worrying about my weight and more time focusing on the changes in my body and in my energy levels. My surgeon did tell me that I need to focus more on my food, water, and exercise than anything else, so I am going to try to do that, and attempt to keep my focus on my successes thus far. Best of luck!

I thought the same pre op. After so many weeks of nothing but protein shakes, jello, and broth, just about anything tastes like the best thing I have ever eaten! I still think food tastes amazing now. I just had about half a cup of chicken fajitas for lunch and it was delightful. It is different, but great. No worries!

It's not a silly question at all. I as worried about the same thing pre-op. I was also completely perplexed as to how to know what a sip was (how much is too much/too little). Believe me, you will pick it up immediately post op. I am about 7 weeks post op now and just starting "normal" foods. Having gone through the progression from liquids, to purees, to soft food, and now regular food, I feel like it comes naturally. In the first couple of days, I had a lot of restriction which very quickly taught me to take smaller sips. As my tummy healed, I was able to increase my sip size a bit, and could tell immediately if I pushed it too far (you feel it. Yes it is odd. Yes, you get used to it). The same is true with food. I always take VERY small bites when I start and chew as much as I can. My body will tell me immediately, through a full feeling, or a little bit of feedback (burbling/indigestion), if the swallow was too big. I try to take try to take very small bites to keep that from happening, because it is annoying and can be a little painful. I also eat much slower than I used to, and I take breaks in between bites to let things settle before I start getting together my next bite. I haven't thrown up yet, so I consider it a win LOL! When I could, I did the exact same thing that you described, of hardly chewing and then swallowing. I could eat a lot of food, very quickly, that way. Now I am sure to either measure my food, or separate what I think I can eat on my plate and focus on taking my time. I will say, I used to feel ravenous while I was eating, like I couldn't get the food in fast enough. I would feel that way all the way up to the point where I was uncomfortably full. I no longer have that same sort of "hunger" that I used to experience. I am eating now because I know I have to get a certain amount of calories and protein. I do not feel the same urge to satiate my ravenous hunger, so it makes it a lot easier to focus on just getting the job done and doing it right, so I don't throw up or spend the next hour with indigestion because I tried to eat too much, too fast. Don't worry, you will be a pro before you know it.

Right? We all have different struggles after our surgery which is why I posted. I figured I was not the only one struggling with this particular issue. Two months ago I would have just eaten these feelings. I cannot do that now, so I am attempting to figure out different ways to deal with them. I figured sharing would be a good first step. I know this is not the end of the world and I know it will pass, but dealing with these feelings all day and week is bringing me down. It is good to know I am not alone and I know it will be worth it for us in the long run.