crc38

Spinach is terrible! About 1 month after surgery, I was trying to eat some spinach casserole, and it was my first PB. And it was just awful.

I had a ton of information and had to go to several seminars offered by the hospital. I think it comes down to that, with everyone, there's that one thing that they weren't clear about. There's always SOMETHING that they didn't hear or can't remember.

I was visiting family in Chicago and we went out to dinner at Chili's. I was trying to drink a margarita while eating dinner (yes, I know. But it was sooooo good!) and it was just toooo much Fluid to try to put in my stomach. I had to run to the bathroom and throw up at Chili's. We left soon after, and I was still uncomfortable for the rest of the night. I was trying to be good too! I ordered a half turkey sandwich and small salad - and I still got sick.

I had the same thing happen. Your body goes into shock eventually - getting use to the lack of calories. At some point, it decides that it needs to store the calories because you might not be getting enough. I dropped 25 pounds in the first 5 weeks post-op, since then, it's been a lot slower. Don't get discouraged! Also, this well sound kinda gross, but have you gone to the bathroom? Some people get backed up post-op and that could be contributing to it. Good luck!

I eat a lot of the same things I did prior to surgery, just a lot less. For example, I went out to lunch today and had a slice of pizza and couldn't finish it. But before surgery, I'd eat 3 slices, sometimes 4. And I made sure I had pizza with chicken on it - so it would have the Protein I need. I do usually try to make healthier choices, but when it comes down to it, I don't tell myself that I can't have anything (unless it doesn't agree at all, then I don't bother). If I tell myself I can't have something, I want it even more. As for portion size, that depends. I usually try to keep everything around a cup of food. That's what my doctor recommends at least, so I stay in that zone. Right now, I don't have much restriction at all. Some days I have problems with some things (chicken that's too dry is a big one), but overall, it's not too bad. We'll see how that is after my 2nd fill, which is in a month.

I've told everyone who would listen. I'm not ashamed of it and I want people to know that there are ways to get healthy. My parents, my boyfriend, my boyfriend's sister (who told my boyfriend's parents, who I DIDN'T want to know, because his mom is CRAZY and now harasses me about how I'm going to die from some complication), my close friends, and my co-workers. I didn't tell everyone at work, because I just don't like some of the people - but my supervisor knew and a few other people. My Mom's friends all knew. Then, after surgery, I tell anyone who will listen. I'm proud of this thing - and I should be. The insurance company got billed 104,000 dollars for the surgery itself - I almost pissed myself when I saw that. Thank god they covered the whole thing. Even the head of my department/professor at school knows. He was part of my inspiration to do this - and every time I see him, he acts like he doesn't know me because I'm disappearing. I even keep a blog to keep friends/family informed of my progress. I guess part of it is that I've never been ashamed of my weight. I'm the type that I'll tell people how much I weigh and not bat an eye. It doesn't bother me - I'm not out to hid anything. Especially, since most people you meet now know someone who has had a band/bypass.

So, here are a few. August 2008 - Right before I decided that I wanted to pursue surgery. (In Central Park.) I saw these pictures and it just confirmed everything - I looked terrible and felt terrible. I could barely make it through the day in NYC doing tourist stuff. February 2009 - A week before surgery - 10lbs down on Pre-op diet. (At Franklin Institute.) 5/09 - 3 months post-op and 34lbs lost! (At my Uncle's wedding.) Notice - NO STOMACH ROLE! Highlight of my life! 6/09 - 4 months post-op and 37lbs lost! (In Chicago.) Now, when doing tourist stuff, I feel great. I can keep going. I'm not tired and my feet don't hurt. Unlike the first photo, I felt wonderful.

Today, for the first time, I was able to shop in a normal store! I went to Jones New York and was able to buy a XL top. I was thrilled. I'm so sick of Lane Bryant and women's departments and their ugly/expensive clothes. It felt really great to not just be in the fitting room, watching other people try stuff on and telling them what I thought, but trying things on for myself and having them tell me I looked great!

Mine still bothers me sometimes. It'll get really tender and hurt like my scars did a couple of weeks after surgery. Usually, I can tell I've bumped it or something. But sometimes it's nothing at all. I don't think it's anything to worry about. They sew the ports into muscles and so it's a tender spot. Either way, next time you're there, I'd ask the doctor, just to be sure.

Call your doctor!

Prior to surgery, my levels had jumped up to 50. I haven't ever been able to get my levels to get to normal for a long period of time and the high levels didn't effect my surgery. They did retest the week before surgery and it was at 16, and they still did the surgery as scheduled. The surgeon just wanted to confirm that I had been in touch with my other doctor about the levels, but that's it. On a side note, while the surgery waiting room, where they have you hooked up to the IV before surgery, the anesthesiologist came in, looks at me and goes "You have a thyroid problem, don't you?" And I was like "How can you tell?" and he tells me that he can see it in my neck - I've got a goiter (it's not huge, but it's puffy). It amused me. Either way, good luck with your levels! I know how much of a pain it can be. And good luck with surgery!

I did something similar. I've been able to eat anything without any problems. I still keep my portions very small and try to make sure I don't eat too much. But the other afternoon, I went out to lunch and was sharing a breakfast quesadilla with my boyfriend. I put a quarter of it on my plate, and looking back, I shouldn't have. It was too much of a portion. I ended up eating the whole things and regretting it almost immediately. I had to take the cloth napkin from the restaurant with me because I could feel the food in my esophagus and it was trying to come up. In the car, we made a sharp turn, and I burped in the strangest way I ever have. It was bubbly. But after that, I felt a bit better. At least, I didn't feel like the food was going to come back up. I still felt really uncomfortable, but live and learn. I'm glad I learned this BEFORE I got a fill though.