sleeved2win

I use Vital Proteins and I order it from their website but Walmart and Amazon sells it. It's animal or plant proteins that have been (loosely) shown to help strengthen skin, hair and nails. Some are skeptical but I honestly love it and see a difference. It's also a source of protein, and can help your body break down protein supplements more effectively. It's not a substitute for your other protein sources but it's a great supplement.

I use collagen and biotin and been taking vitamins for years. I haven't noticed a difference in my hair since starting collagen but my skin looks great.

So much salt!!!! I wouldn't do it.

I'm happy for you that you liked it and it went down well-- I love brussel sprouts, eat them often and I know they can cause bloating. Just an FYI in case you end up a little crampy later. I had my surgery 6 weeks ago and I haven't attempted them yet for that reason.

You got this! Best wishes for a successful surgery!

I watched it to qualm my anxiety (believe it or not!) and it worked great. Seeing the surgeon working with confidence (even tho it wasn't my surgeon) and doing a great job made me feel at ease. It was less abstract and more real, but in a good way. It's not for everyone. I could see how it might do the opposite for some people.

YAY! Another Flinstone kid, like me! hahaha I swear, finding out I can take those was the best thing ever. Those giant bariatric vitamins are the worst!! Taking two was like torture for me.

This journey is HARD. Pre-op diet and post-op diet especially are difficult, plus if (God forbid) you experience a complication, you are going to need support. My psych eval included ensuring I have plenty of support at home to help me with my recovery from surgery and help me stay on track. As much as it would be awesome to say "Piss off!" and just do what you want anyway (LOL) you have to live with this guy and let's be honest, that ain't gonna work. Your hubby is very wrong that this is the "easy" way out. As someone who's done WW, and lost and regained the weight a few times, I can tell you this is just as difficult. It's a hard decision, it takes will power and dedication, just like any other lifestyle change you make. He needs to be educated. Suggestions: Would he respond better if you wrote him a letter explaining why you feel the way you do? Sometimes if people see it in writing, it resonates better. Do you have a support group through your surgeon's office that you can take him to? Would he go to a meeting? Don't take this the wrong way, but a mediator or therapist could help, too. There is NO shame in it-- sometimes having someone in the room to push the conversation in the right direction (meaning, understanding each other on a deeper level) would be helpful. Just throwing ideas out there. I would also provide him information on how safe the surgery is. I'd be willing to bet he's afraid to see you go under the knife! Completely reasonable to be afraid, but the surgery is very safe, generally. Especially if you're young (you look it) and have few health issues. If he wants to keep you around for a long time-- prevention of health issues is best!! That's why I did it.

I have them and used them when I couldn't handle my vitamins. My thought process- it was better than nothing until I had a viable replacement for the giant, terrible tasting chewable vitamins I had. My surgeon literally laughed when I mentioned them and said it was BS that you can get vitamins that way. I have recently discovered that Flinstone vitamins are acceptable by my surgeon's standards and they are SO MUCH easier to chew, swallow, and no nausea to follow. Probably not the same quality as the ones I can't stomach, but I would rather take something than nothing.

I've always loved salads and raw veggies. Lately, at the stage I'm at (soft foods) tuna and chicken salad are just not doing it for me because I miss the added crunch of onions, celery, peppers, etc. Of course, I'm going to wait until I get to 6 weeks and I'm cleared for raw veggies before I try them. That being said, I'm nervous as to how my stomach will handle them when the time comes. When I was pregnant with my son, I couldn't handle raw veggies at all during my pregnancy (I have a really sensitive stomach, go figure). I had to cook my veggies to mush, kind of like I do right now. Does anyone have lingering problem with vegetables? What veggies did you start with, or would recommend? I got 5 days til my six week mark!!!

Had my surgery right after the holidays, so thanksgiving and Christmas were my final "bad" meals. I skipped dessert but didn't skip the gravy, potatoes and stuffing!!

Flinstone vitamins saved me. I have a big bottle of bariatric vitamins (large, awful tasting, and have to take two) and I can't stomach them, with food or otherwise. Now I take one tiny Flinstone vitamin at night, takes me less than 3 seconds to choke it down-- they don't taste good but they are way more tolerable. And cheaper. Anyone want a giant bottle of bariatric vitamins in French vanilla flavor? Lol

@jess9395 you rock!! Thanks for these suggestions. Those dressings look so good, especially the carrot ginger. I also love turmeric, it's a natural anti-inflammatory. I drink tea with turmeric and ginger almost every day. Definitely planning a trip to Trader Joes soon!

@jess9395 that's what I'm afraid of. Everyone's feedback has really helped me think about my strategy here. For my first salad, I think I'm going to try iceburg lettuce and concentrate on the whiter, crunchier parts rather than something like romaine, which has more nutrient value but is leafy and harder to digest. I feel like cucumbers would be a safe bet too. Raw carrots and celery might take more time. I'm going to go really slow, but I hope I'll eventually end up back to where I can eat salads with all my favorite fixins (nuts, seeds, veggies galore, etc)... just 1/4 the size and with 1/4 the dressing. It may sound silly but I feel like it's good to plan and have something to look forward to!

Thanks!!

Pre-op. I've lost about 15 #s since surgery. I say "about" because I'm teetering between 1-2 lbs for the last week and 4 days. *edited because I can't math.

I came in for my 2 week appt and said the same thing. "Did you even do the surgery?" was my actual quote, half joking and half serious. The APRN told me that the people who follow the rules tend to feel the same way I did. Those without complications have a general good experience. I hope that's all that's going on with you! I still get hungry. I can eat fine, but I am careful not to over do it. I measure almost everything (unless I can count it, and then I count). I am progressing really well with regards to my food stages, even (gently) tip-toeing ahead a little here and there, and haven't had issues with fluids or nausea or anything. And I've stalled (weight) for a week and a half right now, but I'm not worried. I injured my leg this week and can't exercise, so it is what it is. I'm curious what your doctor will say and how it may differ from what mine said. Either way, I hope your x-ray/appt goes well! Keep us posted.

No I'm the same way. I was eating puréed Chicken Tikki Masala, spicy Italian sausage, and hot sauce and ketchup on my scrambled egg as soon as I could lol. I can't wait to have a real (HOT!) chicken wing, but that dip hit the spot!

I realize I provided no help to get ready lol... Start stocking up on protein shakes, protein powders, and sugar free popsicles, crystal lite, etc-- get a few different flavors, you'll get bored Treat yourself to some comfy sweatpants and tops for recovery if you don't have some already. My hospital bag had clothes, toiletries, my kindle, make up, and more and I used maybe 5% of what I brought. I was in a hospital gown the entire time and only changed my underwear each day lol never took a shower because I didn't get dirty or sweaty, brushed my teeth and washed my face and that was it. It's always good to have things in case you want it but you will most likely overpack. Also, I didn't use the gas-x I brought, but you should bring some. One thing I did bring and so happy I did was biotene mouthwash. You can't drink anything before or directly after your surgery and your mouth gets dry. I rinsed with it twice and it was such a huge help!!

Congrats! I remember that excitement. Start getting ready now- the next seven days are going to FLY by!!!

I feel the exact same way. I feel like I'm losing really slowly, and it's annoying- but I only feel that way when I compare myself to others. If I hadn't had the sleeve and I lost this weight in this amount of time I would be jumping for joy and amazed at my success. Why are we so hard on ourselves?! I like to remind myself that the slower it comes off, the more time my skin has to "snap back," the easier it will be to keep my surgery a secret (which it is), and as long as I continue on the current path, I will reach my first goal of fitting in my cute bathing suit by Memorial Day. I bet if you focus on the positive it will help. And you must quit reading people's stats! If you use the mobile app it is harder to find that stuff. I recommend it.

I wanted wings SO BAD but made my own low carb Buffalo chicken dip and it was like heaven. Weird not eating chips with it lol but whatever, it's good on a fork.

Thanks girl! We'll have to swap some salad jar recipes in a month!!

Genius.

Don't be so hard on yourself. You're human. You're hungry. You went from eating 2000+ calories a day to eating barely anything. It's not in your head. And this phase passes. You'll be back to eating normal foods in a month or two. KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE!!! YOU GOT THIS!!