Creekimp13

Also keep in mind that this whole process is hell on our hormones and emotions. Things that might not have even registered to bother you in the past...could make you feel very sensitive now. There's a whole process of losing a comfort crutch (food) that is a little unhinging. We get a little frayed around the edges. That being said....your mom could be more supportive, and your hubby could be less oblivious. A pox on both of them! LOLOLOL

Keep your calories around 1000-1200. Don't eat processed food. Limit high glycemic carbs to 75 calories per day or less. Keep your protein over 60g a day. Eat raw fruits and veggies....the fiber will grow healthy gut bug diversity. Keep a food journal. Cook meals from simple ingredients. And here's the big one, and the hard one... Be Patient. Stalls are normal....and maddening.

Everything will be fine. Just talk to your nutritionist about everything that's been going on and your concerns about your BMI disqualifying you. S/he will have a solid answer about that...or will be able to get one for you.

If you're having doubts....you might want to wait. Alex wrote a great article about deciding when you're ready: https://www.bariatricpal.com/magazine/646-five-signs-that-you’re-not-ready-for-weight-loss-surgery/ Then again...people do get nervous at the last minute...even when they're very committed. It's common. Try to trust your saner self who has been jumping through hoops for months trying to get this done. Eating will change...a lot...after surgery. The feeling, the urgency, your preferences....will likely change quite a bit. Yep, you'll have screw ups. But they probably won't be as big as the screw ups you've had in the past, and you'll learn from them...cause eating will change for you. You won't feel comforted from it as much anymore. And it really sucks to feel overfull and nauseated from too much sugar....so you do change your habits. You can overeat with sleeve. You can gain everything back if you don't stay focused. That said....MOST people will lose 70% or so of their excess weight and typically only gain back about 10% of their excess weight. That's the average experience. You can do a lot better than that...or you can do worse. You get out of it what you put into it. And a little bit is luck....just how your body responds and how your hormones change. Best wishes moving ahead:)

Jello slides right through. When you start food with texture, you'll know more about your restriction. Don't worry, there is no evidence anything is wrong.

So sorry you're experiencing this:( On the plus side....you can use the extra hours you're awake to stay well hydrated. Be careful of sleeping too much and getting behind on your hydration. I know it's tough. I promise it gets better in time.

Sometimes when they do a sleeve, they also repair a hiatal hernia (a little extra space where your esophagus passes through your diaphragm) ...it's pretty common. Reason I brought it up, is that the hernia repair will often cause deferred nerve pain that you feel in your shoulder. How weird is that? But yeah...the neck and shoulder pain you're experiencing might be nerve pain from that region. I had it, too...and I know it's miserable. Walking helped the rest of me feel better quicker...and alternating hot and cold packs on my shoulders helped. I think I liked hot the best. Pain went away after a few days....got a little better each day. I know it's miserable. Wishing you the best.

Stabb....did you have a hernia repair?

Man, I bet! I remember mine made me feel pretty rough...I think I ate nothing but cottage cheese for a month! Got it out and felt SO much better. Good luck!

Ok... Just before surgery you were 269...and you would still have a normal BMI at 145 (as a 5'4" person)....so your total excess weight on the day of surgery was about 124 pounds. People vary...a lot. Stalls happen...a lot. Not because you're doing anything wrong, but because people are just a little biologically different...and can react to the stress of rapid weight loss with some defense mechanisms. It's important to trust the process and stay consistent. It's maddening. The average person loses about 18% of their excess weight in the first month. 18% of 124....is about 22 pounds. After that, each month, the average person loses less. At around 6 months, the average person will have lost about 50% of their excess weight...or in your case...about 62 pounds. Sounds to me like you're losing at a reasonable, pretty average rate. Best wishes!

I just said to hell with it and started using Lady Rogaine as a preventative....my hair is looking better than it has since my 20's.

That's frogs!

What was your presurgical weight, your weight day of surgery, and your goal weight?

Supposedly, you make a smoothy with almond milk, frozen banana, and chocolate peanut butter cricket powder. I'll give ya'll the report after I try it:)

Jess if I ever need fitness training advice, you are one of the first people I'd ask. You're a treasure of experience and insight in that particular topic. How weird is this? My dog training club does dog yoga....where you do poses with your puppy. It's sort of hysterical, and probably couldn't be called real yoga....but everyone laughs a lot and the dogs seem to enjoy it:) Some good stretches.

Damn the bad luck. So sorry Jessibird. Wishing you a speedy recovery and no more complications!

There's no physical reason why you can't eat them.....but they're a dreadful food choice. If it's something you want to take a couple of bites of once in a blue moon, you might find a way to work it into a healthy day's eating. If you think you're going to want to eat full servings of them, or will have problems stopping after just a couple of bites...you might want to reconsider reintroducing them. Refined high glycemic carbs will cause sugar spikes, insulin spikes, and this triggers rebound hunger. They're also not nutritionally dense....not much fiber, not a lot of nutrients. They're kinda like a candy bar. Pretty empty. A couple of bites once in a while....wouldn't be world ending....but if it's a temptation that is more of a hassle to avoid overindulging in.... than something you can enjoy in moderation...maybe skip it? Best wishes either way you go:)

People are people...they're gonna think weird crap about everything. As the song goes....you can't please everyone, so you gotta please yourself. My loose skin is goofy. Yep, I look a little like melted cheese. LOL But I look dang good in clothes these days, and even a bathing suit...so that's pretty cool:) My hubby is all about thinner me...then again...he was all about fatter me, too...so that hasn't changed much. In new relationships, I can see where it could be awkward, but people are pretty understand really. Everyone has something, you know? Cleanliness is no issue. Just shower. And ultimately, if it bothers you....there's skin surgery somewhere down the road if you want it. It's kind of a nonissue for me. Others might feel different.

Meh...to each their own. I'm not a pork rind fan, though, I think my grandma liked them? My kid is bringing me some cricket flour tonight. Protein flour made from ground up dried crickets:) Some people will think that's disgusting. I'm kinda into trying this kinda weirdness. Bugs are certainly sustainable and have a lot of protein and fiber:)

I think the post op liquid diet is easier....because you have a sense of accomplishment:) Also...because that light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer and closer:) Lot of people go through that unreal feeling...sort of....what the hell? It's done? Seriously? LOL. It's like Christmas....this HUGE lead up...and suddenly you're on the other side sitting in the wrapping paper. Did anyone catch the license plate on that reindeer? it's kinda...stunning. Glad you're feeling well, Fluffy. Keep on keeping on:) Yay! You did it!

Wow,...you have a serious plate full of responsibilities there! Munchkins are a lot of work...and being a sharp student on top of it...takes an amazing amount of energy. And it's so easy to get spread too thin and get wiped out by everything that needs to get done when the kids are small. So been there:) Please don't be down on yourself. You're pulling up and you're taking action....that is awesome! You should feel proud of that. Just keep trying every day. That's all anyone can ask of you. Do your best. Speaking of proud....3.8gpa smartypants...that's a terrific accomplishment! On top of running after kiddos and working on some special needs....that's a lot. I think you need to have a heart to heart with your partner, and get some help so you can have more time to take care of yourself. Put some of those skinny family members to work helping out. LOL:) Nothing I'm saying here is much help...but know that most of us reading this are pulling for you and get it. You're not alone.

Homemade pea soup with homemade whole wheat bread:) Healthy Carbalicious:)

Mine, too. I've been munching on all my favorite veggies, seed, nuts, the works. So far no issues....long may that last:)

Man, I keep learning stuff:) Thanks

I'm good:) Had my three month post op appointment today a couple weeks early due to some scheduling issues. All my labs came back great and I'm down almost 70 pounds:) So...a really good day! Liquid diet was SO HARD for me...I feel your pain:) By the end of the post surgical clear fluids....chicken broth tasted like chicken armpit. LOL.....God I'm glad to be done with that part:) Best wishes!