~Niecy~

Definitely a gamer here! I love the Zelda series, mario, and animal crossing. Stardew valley and Diablo 3 & 4 get their hooks into me and suck me in for a few weeks at a time. My true love though, is World of Warcraft. I've been playing it off and on since release. I'm not up with current content though, I've only played classic era the last few years. 🙂 I have to say, I love dual monitors! Lately, when in a flight or waiting during raid prep before we do anything, I turn on a step aerobic video and get some movement in at my desk to kill time! It's how I justify still playing games post surgery!

Yeah I've talked to my dr and drink lots of water. He's waiting to see if it improves by my 3rd month followup. It is improving slowly, thankfully!

I don't know that I've seen insomnia as a common thing. For me, I think it was basically because I wasn't taking part in my regular routines at that point. As for the other question, exit point lol -- not fun. Yes, I would 100% still have the surgery knowing everything that I do now. 2 months post op and I feel amazing, both physically and mentally. I've never had so much energy before. My weight loss since day of surgery is only 21 lbs, but my inches lost is a much better measurement imo. 4 inches off my waist in 2 months. My smart watch used to be on the 2nd hole and is now on the 5th. I'm in 3 different weekly exercise classes and actually ENJOY going, even when the sweat is dripping into my eyeballs. I can see a future for myself again, when there were several years that I was convinced I'd be dead by 40. This whole process has turned my life around 180 degrees and it is the best thing that I have ever done for myself. 10/10 would recommend.

I'm only 2 months post surgery -- Thankfully, I've been very careful with what I eat, and have not yet had to deal with foamies or dumping syndrome. The two main issues I've had, are insomnia and.... I don't really know what to call it. It's not constipation, as I'm still going every day like clockwork, the...volume? is just rather intense and it hurts when I go. The insomnia was insane from weeks 3-6 though. I barely slept at all, I would stay awake all night long, and usually the rest of the next day too, then I would crash and sleep for 15-16 hours straight, then back to being awake for close to 48 hours. It was rough, but then one day it just suddenly straightened itself out again.

This did happen to a very good friend of mine. Her teeth started crumbling away. It should be noted though, that she hadnt been taking her vitamins at all for several months. When I started talking about having surgery, the very first thing she warned me about was to not mess around and skip vitamins because she didn't want that to happen to me too.

One thing my doctor told me too when I inquired about a similar issue (tho for me it didnt stall until 3 weeks out), was that pre-surgery there was that very intense liver shrinking diet. A few weeks after surgery, the liver will start to build back up to a more normal size, which can cause a slight weight increase or stall. There are many other factors to the stalls, but this was just one aspect I had never considered. It all seems pretty normal! I'm at 7 weeks post surgery now, and down a full pants size, but actual weight loss since date of surgery is only about 17 lbs. I'm so happy I made this change in my life. This is going to be the best year ever!!

I'm home and recovering now. I'm sore, and sleepy, but otherwise doing well! Time to catch up on some Netflix christmas movies!

Good luck Koda!! I did mix things up tonight and made crab legs for dinner with a side salad with fat free dressing! I surprisingly had NO issues eating the crab without butter. The flavor was so good!

Congrats! I had my testing earlier this week. Everything went well and I'm ready to go for Tuesday! Liver shrink is HARD. I'm fine all day long, but really struggling when it comes to dinner time when I can actually eat real food and not just a protein shake. I feel like I'm eating the same boring things every day. I think I'd almost rather being in purely shakes, because at least that I can vary the flavor of. @one more time, I wonder if it has to do with BMI? Maybe your bmi is lower and the size of your liver won't be as much of an issue?? I know bc my bmi was over 50, that's why I needed 3 weeks of liver shrink instead of my Dr's usually two week rx of it.

Just a few days to go! How's everyone doing?!

@Odougz I feel you on that! My surgery is next week and the anxiety is getting real. I think its completely normal though. I mean, who wouldn't be at least a little concerned?! It's a major life changing surgery! You're right though, we've got this! Stay Strong December buddies!

I worry about this some as well, but I chose this surgery specifically to be more aggressive and help me to avoid those things! Pre-liver shrinking diet, I had a bit of a farewell send off to some of my favorite foods, and I'm finding recipes to make things healthier. They won't be the same, but maybe can hold off cravings a bit. My plan is that when I want something, I'm going to have it, but just a bite or two, then share with my family. Now thats its been a couple of weeks, how are you doing? Managing everything ok? Given that it says you're in Minnesota, I wonder if we have the same doc! My surgery is 3 weeks from today in Duluth.

I'm scheduled for the 10th. I officially start my liver shrinking diet today, though in reality, I started last week. I knew there would be some minor hiccups and I wanted them out of the way so I can be 100% on track with what my dr requests starting today. He has me on a 3 week liver shrink diet as my BMI is over 50. The way he sets it up is: Breakfast - Premier Protein Shake Mid Morning Snack - 1 cup melon or berries (or 1/2 cup other fruits) Lunch - Premier Protein Shake Mid Afternoon Snack - Premier Protein Shake OR 1 of the following: 6 oz light yogurt, 1/2c cottage cheese, 4 oz tuna, 1 string cheese, or 1 oz low fat jerky Dinner - 4-6 oz lean protein + 1 cup raw or 1/2 cup cooked non-starchy vegetables I'm finding that I do well until that mid afternoon snack, then I'm wanting something more substantial. I might be scheduled a week before you, but I'm here if you want to chat at all!