Lily2024

Oh I remember those days so well, each semester felt like torture, worried that I would fail something, then passing, graduating, and post grad licensing. Always something to worry about coming up, and worried about not being able to do a job that I was already doing, lol. I had a very helpful therapist ask me if I had a precedence for failure. Every time I started torturing myself with "Can I really do this? Will I be good enough?" I would run the new tape that reminded me that I work hard to ensure I will accomplish my goals, and if I'm not able to, I will be flexible and go at it another way. For some reason that really helped me. However, a good antidepressant/anti anxiety medicine along with new tapes for my thoughts, and life is much better.

AmberFL, we are pretty close! I lost 26 pounds from August (Consultation visit) to preop in December, then about 10 pounds on the liquid diet. I've lost another 6 pounds since surgery last week. You've lost about the same and you haven't had surgery yet, way to go!!! I wonder what size I'll end up at and what style I'll decide I need to wear now.

So my 2oz food containers are tuna fish with light mayo, then I add a splash of pickle juice to it for flavor. I also whipped up some Jell-O Sugar free Chocolate Fudge pudding, with 2 cups of Fairlife (extra protein, lactose free) skim milk and a scoop of Isopure protein powder. I've also mixed tuna with cottage cheese, and salmon with light cream cheese. Today I pureed ground turkey with some broth, ate it with taco bell mild sauce. Seems to be doing just fine in my belly. Oh, and Chobani Zero Greek Yogurt, the flavors are great, very low calories, lots of protein and goes down so nicely. I do feel cra**y some too, just keep trying to keep moving. Mainly I've had a lot of gas pain and cramping, moving really helps that. Yesterday when I made breakfast I had my family finish it, I got tired and wanted to just sit and eat.

So my 2oz food containers are tuna fish with light mayo, then I add a splash of pickle juice to it for flavor. I also whipped up some Jell-O Sugar free Chocolate Fudge pudding, with 2 cups of Fairlife (extra protein, lactose free) skim milk and a scoop of Isopure protein powder. I've also mixed tuna with cottage cheese, and salmon with light cream cheese. Today I pureed ground turkey with some broth, ate it with taco bell mild sauce. Seems to be doing just fine in my belly. Oh, and Chobani Zero Greek Yogurt, the flavors are great, very low calories, lots of protein and goes down so nicely. I do feel cra**y some too, just keep trying to keep moving. Mainly I've had a lot of gas pain and cramping, moving really helps that. Yesterday when I made breakfast I had my family finish it, I got tired and wanted to just sit and eat.

This is so exciting. I already purged my wardrobe and shopped through old smaller stuff that I never got rid of. That's what I'm wearing now but I've dropped so fast now, I think I'll go out and get a few new things for work? Maybe I'll look through thrift for now until I stop changing so quickly?

I was very nervous for the same reasons. I started a modified bariatric diet a few months before surgery as part of the preparation, also stopped any caffeine or sugar. I have gastroparesis so eating before strenuous activity is never a good idea for me but I would feel so nauseous and lightheaded. After I started the bariatric diet I realized that even if I was hungry when I started my lap swim, I could still do a normal work out and feel good. The diet allowed me to maintain a consistent level of energy that I had never experienced before in my life. The 2 week liquid diet was not my favorite, days 2 and 3 were the worst for me, day 4 was better until the day of surgery. I didn't like it, but I still was able to exercise daily. I had one episode of woozy..reviewed with my nutritionist and found I was not getting enough sodium, added a daily broth and that took care of it. I know we're all different but this may be same for you and if it is, I'll be happy for you. I feel so much more free now. I don't have to worry about scheduling activities around food/hunger/etc anymore. I can plan my eating around my activities, if that makes sense?

Today is 8 days post op. It seems like my innards are awaking and they don't like me right now, but that's nothing new. Yesterday I made breakfast, took a half hour brisk walk on the treadmill, went grocery shopping and made my little 2 oz food containers, baked a cake and made dinner, then folded the laundry. All told, I'm feeling much more normal again, feeling antsy to get moving and I'm having more difficulty limiting myself than motivating myself. Before the surgery I was used to either a one hour lap swim with drills, or a one hour fast walk on the treadmill with hand weights. For the liquid diet I shortened both to about 40 min and slowed a bit, no hand weights. My body still wants to move but I know that I can't get too worked up right now, I need to heal more first. I have my first Post-op appt on Tuesday, hoping I can go back to swimming next week if my incisions are healed enough? 🤞

I started the same liquid diet on Dec 20th, surgery on the 3rd. I was down almost 4 pounds on day 2, then no change for a few days. In total I lost 9 pounds on the liquid diet, but I had already lost 26 pounds over the 3 months prior. I've seen some people lose 2 pounds or more, some only 2 or 3. That doesn't seem to speak to a person's overall success though I'm sure it's frustrating for those that don't see a real change. I weigh myself daily because my weight fluctuates so wildly really, it's better for me. But I'm able to just look at the weekly averages and feel good about it. For most people it's better to only weigh once a week or less.

Day 4 post op: Able to drink fluids, it's uncomfortable if I go too fast, as I knew, however I now know how fast is too fast for me. I'm walking on the treadmill fairly easily, slow pace, no incline, limited to 15 min at a time. I walked 5 times yesterday, only once so far today and only 5 min according to how I feel. I'm able to eat up to 2 oz at a time, so far I've had Chobani Zero nonfat greek yogurt, tuna pureed with light mayo with pickle juice, and a sugar free pudding mixed with protein powder. All of it has gone fairly well. I haven't vomited, very little nausea, and every day I'm more awake and thinking more clearly. My only issue so far has been a sketchy bladder. I guess of all things that could happen, it's pretty benign, but I had to have a catheter placed to allow my bladder to rest from being stretched too much. I think all the angry innards caused some shifting. In all likelihood it's just a temporary thing that will resolve when some of the swelling goes down. I have some nerve damage from many years ago so it isn't as far out of left field as it could be.

I had bypass on wednesday, home today. The pain has lessened significantly , I'm able to drink liquids the way I need to, and able to eat. Lots of walking, and slowly waking up from the anesthesia. Del75 I felt the same way, I had lost 25 pounds in the few months prior and thought maybe I just keep doing that but I'm glad I did it. No regrets.

Good news, I'm glad to hear it. I'm glad you won't have to go through any new requirements.

Me too, I'll be thinking of you NickelChip.

Oh yes, the letdown or after effect of all the craziness. All the fear and anxiety about the surgery, the relief of getting back to normal and feeling more normal again, can feel like depression, or just wading through quicksand, teary and easily emotional. You have been on a such a roller coaster for a while now and it's just stopped and returned to the station. You are likely just letting down your guard because everything is okay and now the emotions that stayed under the surface are coming up. Honor your body for the journey it has taken and survived, honor your self for being so resilient and steadfast, pamper yourself and do all the little things that feel cherishing like extra sleep, foot baths with spa treatment, comfy clothes and cheerful movies, music that makes you feel good, books that make you think. Anything that feels good, and just give it time and know that it will ease once you've felt the feelings and let them go. If it lasts more than 2 weeks or gets worse, or severe, please contact your team and let them know, they will likely have resources for you, in fact, no reason to wait if your team has a psychologist you feel comfortable with, go ahead and talk to them. It would likely be very helpful. Take care.

My program requires it of everyone across the board, 2 weeks clear liquids, with 4-5 protein shakes a day. It's just their protocol. I dislike it but I learned a new thing, I can do liquids for 2 weeks. I've been very rigid about it and these past few days it's been harder cravings wise, but the days are going by.

Today is day 9 of the clear liquids and I finally feel like I can do this!!! Only 5 more days to go. 😎 I've definitely had some moments where I'm doubting, anxious thoughts creeping in, feeling lightheaded and sorry for myself, but I keep walking, swimming, doing laundry, playing games on my ipad, and journaling/coloring. Listening to music helps a lot, and weirdly enough, cooking meals for my family helps but I've been cooking them meals for years that I can't eat so it isn't the same I guess. Right now my lovely husband is sitting across the room eating Doritos and I had a moment of irritability about that but I'm the one who put the order in at the grocery store🤣

I had my pre op class with diet instructions on Dec 13th, for me it's liquids only, the only exception is 4-5 protein shakes a day, I've been okayed to sub a cup of milk for one protein shake, though it's fairlife milk, low sugar. I can also have sugar free jello, popsicles, decaf coffee or tea, and clear broth. I mixed a scoop of isopure unflavored with a cup of chicken broth and it was very good, though take that with a caution, I've not eaten any food for a few days so maybe my taste is changing? LOL, I hope I still like it when I start eating foods again. I think there is a lot of difference between surgeons and programs, some allow a small meal, some only want 3 days of liquids.

Courtnay, you have my sympathy, and yes it can be normal after a major surgery in that all the anesthesia and pain relief make those signals more dull, and you're less likely to rouse/awake normally at those cues. Of course sharing with your surgical team but it's not likely to continue. There are just so many mixed signals going through your body right now. I think it's kind of you to want to filter what you write here so as not to scare others but I'll go ahead and say that my fears are there and they're not dislodging🤣. Surgery is 2 weeks from tomorrow for me, I'm starting the liquid only diet tomorrow and I'm already pissed😂. I can't seem to stop borrowing from tomorrow. Le sigh.

I'm having RYGB on January 3rd, starting the 2 week liquid diet in a few days, and really feeling this also. I keep having these moments where I want to eat everything in sight, then sad about the changes that are coming, then I realize that this is a choice and it's the right choice, and I'm in control of that. That seems to help, and remembering that there aren't any foods that I won't ever be able to taste again, I just won't be able to eat a whole pizza, or whole sub sandwich, that's ok. I'm also feeling a bit scattered, it's harder to stay focused but at least I'm not bored?

NickelChip you are amazing, this is truly reprehensible behavior from the admin at the hospital, and you are just not batting an eye, rolling on with what needs to happen to reach your goal in a new direction.

Good morning, I'll be thinking of you today. I'm sure all will go well and we'll see you in a few days updating how you're doing.

NickelChip that's a great point, any time I restart exercise I start with ten minutes at a time and slowly increase when I feel like I want to do more.

I'm sorry you're facing such difficulties. It sounds like you have a lot on your mind and it gets harder to plan and care for yourself the way you want to when you're trying to manage so much. Honestly, it's very possible that letting yourself have a good cry/scream, loud music (whatever helps you feel some release of tension) can help get you back on track. Finding another way to comfort yourself, like a warm bath, comfy blanket, hot tea, etc could replace the food.

I keep trying to eat in the morning because it's supposed to be better to spread the meals out over the day but I keep getting reminded why that doesn't work for me. I usually end up hungry again in 2 hours then need a nap, doesn't matter what I eat. I figure as long as I have the energy I need to fuel my day and continue losing weight, then I'm doing fine. I have gastroparesis and my stomach doesn't play nice in the morning and I usually have milk in my decaf coffee but no solid food until after I do my work out. I think if you feel good and have the energy to do what you normally do then you're doing it right for you.

Well done for keeping your cool, that would have been very difficult for me also. I'm hoping everything goes smoothly for you from here on out.