Orchids&Dragons

Wanting to get started on a big change is very normal. It's just human nature. But, even if you had surgery in March, you'd still be dieting all summer! Even now, when I'm nearly at goal weight, my challenge is to not eat more than 1 cup of food at a time (which I am able to do, unfortunately) and to not drink during meals or for 30 minutes after. So, a year out, I am still very mindful of my meals, paying attention to both volume and calories. Very few people are successful long-term without constant vigilance. Yes, there are a lucky few, but not the overwhelming majority. Best of luck to you!

Use the 6-month period for preparation and developing the necessary mind-set. This isn't a short-cut to weight loss. It is a long-term commitment. Have you addressed the reasons that you were not successful with lap-band? This is a major, irrevocable life-change. Unlike lap-band, you can't change your mind and have your stomach put back in. The surgery is the smallest part of success. Your brain isn't changed by the surgery and that's what will determine whether you're successful or not. Good luck.

Thanks, GT! Yes, I'm almost there. Having to tighten my diet to keep the gallbladder happy has moved the scale a couple of pounds. Getting so close to goal! So long as I stay super low-fat (clearly no Keto for me) I don't have any pain, so that's what I'm doing.

So sorry about this, but, as you mentioned, at least you know what it is and it's treatable. Hope you feel better soon.

That sounds delicious!

You're just a few weeks out. Are you concerned about the size of your sleeve?

Congrats, Fluff! You look amazing! I've enjoyed sharing this journey with you!

Wow! You're looking fantastic! Congrats!

Great one!

Oh, I thought you were transitioning everyone to a one-year thread like this one for 6-months.

Well, I can join you on the 1-year thread next week! It's amazing that this thread is up to 139 pages so far!

Happy Surgiversary, @FluffyChix ! You've been an inspiration to so many!

What do you do for protein?

I read that you can crush them and mix with sugar-free Cool Whip. But, I'm not speaking from experience. I was able to swallow pills in the hospital.

The first month is wildly unpredictable. Some doctors advise patients not to weigh themselves at all during that time. Your insides may still be very swollen. Be kind to yourself!

Moving from stage to stage is not on a regular timeline. Stick with yogurts and shakes for another week or two, then try again. You may just be a slow-healer. Give yourself time.

I have no idea what I had in the hospital, but since this is day surgery, I'm sure it won't be what I had before. I'm just afraid that I won't be able to sleep for several days since I'm already up 5-6 times a night. (Saturday night, I gave up and watched Murder, She Wrote reruns at 3 in the morning. UGH! (That's what I used the oxy for before-not during the day, just at night.)

Did anyone have just Tramadol for pain after surgery? I've got to get my gallbladder out in about 10 days (the day after my 1-yr surgiversary for sleeve) and the dr. seems pretty adamant that he doesn't want to prescribe oxycodone, which is what I had for my 2 weight-loss surgeries. This has me pretty nervous. I'm not shopping for pain meds, the only 2 times I've had a prescription for oxycodone was my other surgeries, so I don't know why he's so nervous about it. He's willing to prescribe hydrocodone, but I can't take it. Any advice is welcome!

I liked making a pot of diet-friendly chili and freezing in single serving containers. In the morning, just grab-n-go.

Those look amazzzzzing!

What a difference, congrats!

Sorry, but this is flat-out hilarious! Did they think your modest clothing was because you were fat?

Yeah, turns out some victories are a real PIA!

I've claimed this one before, but I love it every time: Not needing an extender for an airline seatbelt and not even having to wonder about it!!! I know it will buckle!

I just had a similar thing happen in Florida. When I explained that I'd had bariatric surgery, TSA let me pass.