notmyname

Sleeve 10/29. Lunch today - 4 oz TJ's tomato/feta soup with 4 oz water. Put in a blender, then strained through a sieve and heated up. Yum! Unfortunately, the first time I tried this, I tried to add a little protein powder and it clumped. Anyone know how to incorporate protein powder into soup without it becoming a gross clumpy mess? Question - I'm walking a couple times a day. I was measuring by the laps around my row of townhomes. I've now put on my fitbit, but not sure if I should set step goals or what they should be. How is everyone setting their walking goals after surgery (I'm not yet a week out). Thanks!

Honestly, for the last week pre-op I desperately wanted to cancel my surgery. So, I just avoided thinking about it. When I was in pre-op, my surgeon came in and said that the last time he saw me, I'd still been unsure and asked how I was feeling. I told him, honestly, that I was still unsure. But I went through with it. And at least for now I'm glad I did. In truth, I've tried everything to lose weight. And I wasn't ever going to be able to do it without this tool. But to get myself on the table, I had to pretty much ignore the fact that it was happening.

Thanks. I’ll try it again. I used 8 oz of boiling water and whisked it. Maybe the water was too hot? I’ll try hot but not boiling water. I’m trying to not repeat the same drinks in a day, so the more variety I can have the better.

Do you find the soups to be grainy? I tried the cream of tomato today and it was like drinking very fine sand. If you don’t- any secrets to preparing it? Thanks!

Surgery was on Monday. Came home from hospital late Tuesday, which was good because the hospital didn't have anything other than water and veggie broth packets to eat (they kept bringing me jello - which I can't eat because I'm a pescatarian). So far, so good. Got my protein and liquids in yesterday and am on track for today. Took my first vitamin today. Maybe over did the walking, though. I'm tired because I'm having trouble sleeping - I usually toss and turn, and can only sleep on my right side now. But that'll pass. All in all, I feel a lot better than I thought I would.

Can I put a plug for Dress for Success (or something like it ) vs. plain ol' Goodwill/Salvation army? They outfit women who are getting out of poverty for job interviews (and otherwise help them with job skills). In most areas, they have a lot of plus sized clients and few plus size donations. Sorry if I'm incorrectly assuming you're a woman.

Well, tomorrow it is. I'm still not confident I've made the right decision, but I'm going to do it. My SIL is flying here to take care of me and my therapist emailed me Thursday to check in. So glad I have some supportive people in my life. At least I get some time off work - right?

Sparkpeople has a good article on how to take body measurements. https://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=1281

I agree its about being prepared. I'm having surgery on Monday. Assuming I'm feeling up to it, I plan to go to my friend's Thanksgiving and take some baked ricotta and pureed sweet potatoes with me to eat. I'm actually looking forward to it.

I would give my right arm to be able to eat vegetables instead of all liquid!

Thank you both! And I may just have to change my name (if that's even possible)

I know I've posted a couple times that I'm not sure I'm actually going through with it. Today is the last day to cancel my surgery without a hefty fee and I've decided I'm going to do it. My therapist helped me reframe it as this is something I'm doing for me (ease in travel, health, being able to stay in my multi-story house, comfort), even though I really don't want to. It's helped. My SIL bought her plane ticket and is coming up and this is actually happening. This board has been a real help.

Thanks! This makes me feel better!

So, I’m scheduled for a sleeve with hernia repair at the end of the month. I play the French horn and am starting to get nervous about surgery messing with my diaphragm and ability to take in air/deal with the back pressure of playing horn. Any fellow brass players have any insight to give me on how it went for you after surgery? My doc said he didn’t have any patients that played, but he thought I’d be ok after “awhile”. Thanks!

Same here.

I did have that thought - especially since I'm early and was scheduled to have it DURING surgery, which clearly would have been worse.

Still scheduled for the 29th. Started my liquid diet today. TMI ALERT: And, of course, I also am starting my period. Which means I started my day with a migraine and will likely want ALL of the food. Just my luck. Still thinking about whether I really want to go through with this. Talking to my therapist tomorrow and need to make a decision. I'll do the liquid diet until I decide for sure. In the meantime, I'm stocking up on various protein powders, etc. Went to the hospital's support group last night and it was REALLY stressful. Lots of people talking over each other at the same time, lots of chaos. It just isn't well run. I'm required to go, but it was so stressful (not even the stuff people were saying, but just the noise and having 10-15 people all answering anyone's question at once). Made me nauseous just being there.

PSA for the ladies: lane Bryant is having a bogo $15 on their active wear and tees, plus 25 off 75, 50$ off $150, etc. I was able to get some stuff in smaller sizes on sale.

Spent Friday afternoon cooking a bunch of purees for after surgery - spinach, sweet potato, butternut squash, and black bean. I like to pre-prepare foods and even though surgery is two weeks away and I'll have two weeks after that before I get to purees, I just wanted to do something to feel prepared. Disclaimer for the following: I'm really just rambling here because I need to say this somewhere, but don't have anyone here to talk to about it (until I meet with my therapist next week), so not looking for anyone to make this decision for me. I am really not sure if I want to do this. I am terrible at making big decisions like this, so I know that I'll never be sure. I have tried everything to lose weight, and nothing has worked. So mentally I know this is the only way to do it for me. But I still just don't want to - I don't want to have any surgery (I've been putting off fixing a ligament tear for 2 years), I'm afraid that as a pescatarian (who really doesn't eat that much fish - mostly vegetarian foods), I wont be able to get enough protein without shakes (even in the long term) or that I'll have to start eating chicken after 25 years of not), and I have other fears. But I'm also afraid if I don't I'll just keep gaining and not be able to stay in my multi-story home or travel or oh so many things. Anyway, like I said, I just needed to get this out in the universe. I plan to have an extra long session with my therapist next week to talk all this through (she specializes in weight issues and is great).

I’m not telling anyone other than my boss, a friend that has to drive me to/from the hospital, and my personal trainer. I plan to tell people what I’ve always told people - I appreciate your concern, but my weight and what I eat are my personal business. When asked again, I say thanks, but I’ve already said that’s personal. If someone doesn’t get the hint, I say I’ve already said I won’t discuss that and either change than subject or leave. For work people, I plan to say basically that they shouldn’t be discussing anyone’s body at work. This is all assuming I go through with it - which I say is about 50/50 right now.

It is interesting the various rules docs give. I ended up seeing three different surgeons to find someone I was comfortable with and due to some insurance issues. Each of the three had different programs on what you had to do before they’d submit to insurance, what pre-pre of diet you needed to be on before they’d submit to insurance, what pre-op rules were, and the stages for food re-introduction afterwards. So interesting. I really hope someone is doing the research to see what is really the best way for future patients. I get the feeling some of it is more art than science at this point.

For those of you who are home - how are stairs? My doc says I'll be OK in my 3-story townhome, but I'm concerned. Bedroom is on 3rd floor, as is only full bath. Half bath on 2nd floor (as is kitchen and living room). How hard is that going to be? And there's not a lot of room to walk, so if I want to walk, I'll really need to go outside. Thanks! And any advice on anything I can pre-prep? Planning to buy various protein drinks, probably cook some veggies down to purees and freeze them so they're ready for at stage. Bought some of those Millie's sipping broth bags and some unflavored protein powder to use with them. Anything else I can cook/do now to make it easier. I just know after a previous (orthopedic) surgery, I was SO tired for weeks after and had a hard time getting myself motivated to cook. Thanks!

I'm scheduled for October 29. Still not 100% sure I'll go through with it. I've cut out caffeine, diet sodas, and am trying to eat better. But I'm still unsure. Its not the time on the table I'm worried about - its the weeks/months/years after. I mean, if I couldn't stick to healthy foods before now, why would a smaller stomach make me (at least after the initial honeymoon period). I have one more appt with my psychologist before the surgery (someone I've been seeing for awhile), so it will be interesting. Sorry for the stream of consciousness.

If its just that you don't like coffee cold (vs. don't like cold brew coffee), I heat up my cold brew in the morning. Make it on the weekends and heat up a cup every morning

Lucky you still allowed to have coffee (I'm already weaning off caffeine and coffee is a no go for me in liquid phase before surgery and for at least a month after - likely because of my GERD)! Have you tried making cold brew coffee? I don't like plain black coffee, but cold brew is significantly less acidic and I really like it black. Its pretty easy to make.