ReadytoMaintain

I really don't worry about what people are telling me. Most don't know what I have done and they really don't need to know. I have a few people like my sister and sister-in-law telling me that I did not need to do it and that I did not have that much weight to lose. But, this was their opinion. They are also telling me to not lose too much weight. I wonder if they are telling me this because they don't really want me to lose all the weight because they are overweight themselves. Again, I am not worrying about what they are telling me. I will lose what I feel/think/believe is necessary/healthy for me. Good luck!

Hello all. Just wanted to say that I got my period officially on Tuesday and it was the WORST one of my life!!! I have NEVER had cramps and never suffered from PMS or PPMS or anything else. If I did, I just thought it was a tummy ache and it would go away and then the next day I would get my period and I would be like "oh! that's what the tummy ache was about!" But, let me tell you, I was so unprepared for this. Monday my stomach felt so bad and it was sooooooo bloated! My insides hurt and I didn't know what it was all about. I thought it was because I had cheated on Sunday and ate some mushy food even though it was a week early and maybe I over did it. I barely ate anything because I could not tolerate the pain. A hot shower and my big hefty warm cat laying on me like a hot Water bottle made most of the day tolerable. Eventually, I HAD to take a pain killer. After that kicked in, I was soooooooo much better (of course!). I am still in some pain but it is so much more manageable. Anyway, just my thoughts on this topic. Thanks! ReadytoMaintain

Hey there. I'm with you at 3 weeks out. . . But, I have not really had hunger. A couple of times I did, but I not HUNGRY as you are describing it. My diet from my doctor is not mushies yet. I am on full liquids with Protein supplement. Are you supplementing with a protein? Maybe you should do that to help with the hunger. ReadytoMaintain

Congratulations!!! It is indeed soooooooo EXCITING!!!! Made me smile just reading your excitement! Thanks! ReadytoMaintain

This is AMAZING!!!! I was doing the same thing today!!!! I wore some pants that I always hung onto just because I liked them so much - but I hardly ever wore them. Some size 16 clothes still fit while other pants with a size 14 tag on them fit also. So who knows! LOL! But, I just zipped up some jeans that I last wore 9 years ago. It's so exciting!!!! But, you know the best part? It's the thought that hit me while doing all of this that I will NEVER EVER have to worry about regaining all this weight again so I don't have to keep the clothes - you know the thought - "just in case" I regain. So Happy for everyone! ReadytoMaintain

Newmom, sorry, I do not know if they sell samples. I ordered the dutch chocolate - tasty for me. ReadytoMaintain

Congrats! Very inspirational! Thanks! ReadytoMaintain

I have this Protein powder called juice Plus+ Complete. I had to order it. One scoop equals 13 grams protein. I am looking at the can right now. I don't see/read anywhere on it that may contain shellfish and no sucralose in it. "sweetend with natural fructose" is what I have read on it. Google it and see if this may help you. ReadytoMaintain

I have been totally fine with regards to urination. Within a few hours of the nurse removing my catheter the day after surgery, I had to urinate. Since then, I have not had any problems with regards to urgency, (non)frequency, pressure . . . nothing. I drink; I urinate like I have before. My two cents. ReadytoMaintain

RubyTuesday, Your doctor doesn't have any concerns about you weakening the staple line . . . or something to your stomach? What about lifting more than 15lbs.? My doctor and most of what I have read has been about not lifting anything too heavy for too long too early in recovery. I am in awe. I don't feel pain. But, of course sometimes, a certain stretch just the right way and I have some discomfort/tinge of pain. But that's really it. You had surgery within the last 2 weeks, correct? Thanks for your response. ReadytoMaintain

When did "you" get back to exercising? My husband and I take salsa lessons and have for a long time now so it is not something "new" for us. The class can be intense but only for brief moments (spinning a couple of times during the routine) and for the most part it is not really intense. First hour is usually the learning period of the moves, the second hour is the time that has the "periodic" intensity as previously described. I felt really good today and wanted to join in but abstained with the thought that what if someone bumped into me and hurt my abs or stomach. I think that one or two more weeks and I may be feeling pretty darn good to rejoin. Thoughts? Thanks for your help. ReadytoMaintain

Liz, this was my very FIRST surgery in my whole life. I am 38 years old. Never had a broken bone in my life and never had to be in a hospital for anything. So I was sooooooo nervous about my operation as well. I had mine done in TJ, Mexico. Even though I did not need it, they still gave me a pill prior to surgery to calm my nerves and make me more relaxed. Didn't even know when I got the anasthesia, came to, fell asleep in the recovery room, taken to my room. When I woke up about 1/2 hour later, I talked on the phone with a friend of mine to tell her I was well and safe, albeit a little "high". She said I sounded happy but out of it at the same time. There is some major discomfort with the surgery but nothing that a few days of walking and burping won't cure and BREATHING won't cure. My stomach felt like I had the WORST ab workout of my life. That feeling went away by the second day out of surgery. Really, the worst part about the whole surger was the drain tube. THAT HURT when they removed it. No, not "major discomfort". PAIN! But it was over very quickly, thankfully. Your husband is scared and nervous. He will come around. He should read through the forum as well. Take care and good luck! ReadytoMaintain Surgery Date: 10-29-09

Oooo! Good luck! Take care! Keep us posted! ReadytoMaintain

Hello all! I was wondering . . . does anybody "juice" here to supplement their vegetable and fruit intake? If so, how has that worked for you? Thanks for the help! ReadytoMaintain

So, last night we were invited to go over to my sis-in-law's house to have BBQ and drinks and hang out. Well, since I am only one week out from surgery I did not think that the 8lbs that I have lost are that noticeable. So, I just put on some jogging pants and blouse that I would always wear. THE FIRST thing my sis-in-law said was that she could see I was losing weight! Mind you, they do not know about my operation. I was so happy on the outside and jumping for joy on the inside! It was my first family gathering since the surgery. It did not bother me that everyone was eating and drinking around me. I took my little can of Soup and drank it there with them at the dinner table. And drank two bottles of Water while I was there. BTW, they still don't know - I also have a cold so they figured I was not in the mood to eat nor drink and completely understood. It was great! ReadytoMaintain

Itstime: My surgeon was Dr. Liza Pompa with the LIMARP surgery center in TJ, Mexico. You won't read too much about her here but I found other information about her and contacted her directly for information. I was treated well and so far so GOOD! If you want to know anything or something specific, just ask I will answer the questions to the best of my abilities. ReadytoMaintain

JudyJudyJudy and Cajun, I am in the liquid phase right now and my diet is not calling for any Protein until the third week. So, I am not counting carbs/sugars right now. I am on the full liquids without protein stage. Next week, I will make sure I complete Proteins BEFORE adding something like a veggie drink. BTW, it was 3 carrots, 1 celery stick, 2 small granny smith apples. That was all the carb and sugars I had for that day. Thanks! ReadytoMaintain

So, since I am on full liquids now and I love and miss my fruits and vegetables, I went out and bought a juicer. This morning I made a lovely carrot/apple juice (3 large carrots, 2 small apples, 1 celery = full 8 oz glass). WOW!!! First of all, it is soooooo filling - so I diluted it some. And second, if you are longing for some FLAVOR or SWEETNESS, or TANG, well, then I suggest a juicer. I really am happy about being able to add veggies to my liquid phase instead of just broth and Soups. I am still keeping in mind to limit my sugars so no pure fruit juices for me. I really wanted to vegetables anyway. ReadytoMaintain

Dybarra, I also went through this right up until the moment I left my room for the surgery at the center. Maybe I should try AGAIN the regular way. Diet and exercise MORE, and MORE. Again, I can lose the weight but I could NEVER keep it off. That's why I finally made this move. I was starting to lose the fight again. Always a new high, and then maintain to not gain more just to end up losing the fight. I just couldn't do that anymore. I need to make a PERMANENT change. This was my answer. I would vocalize these thoughts to my husband and he was in total agreement with me and he does not provide lip service. He absolutely agreed with me. RubyTuesday - 18lbs since Monday? WOW!!!! AMAZING!!! Congratulations! Thanks to everyone on this forum! ReadytoMaintain

Cajun, that is good!!!! Dark urine = dehydrated. I will remember this. Thanks! ReadytoMaintain

Hello! It's very well! Thanks! I am sitting here just having some broth for Breakfast. I know that today is our first day at full liquids but for right now broth is most accessible. And as it turns out, I just caught a cold. So, I am stuffed up in the nose and taking meds for the nose/head and the broth is nice for the cold. Aside from that, all is going very well. I have had a weight loss of 6.5lbs so far. It comes out to a pound a day. I love that! Now, we are moving on to full liquids this week. I am a little nervous wondering how my stomach is going to react. So, we shall see! And my incisions are doing well. The last two are coming along slowly. They have been stubborn to healing but finally, it looks like after today, they are on their way to healing up nicely. How is your progress coming along? Let me know. ReadytoMaintain

Sweetie333 I hear ya. I do too especially with the holidays coming around but, alas, I will be working on my patience as well. It's not a virtue of mine, actually. I think you are ok. I actually think that I can have the same as well within the same amount of time. And because you are sipping and sipping, you are never really going to "feel" full. But, I can drink 3/4 cup of broth, feel full, wait 15 minutes, and then drink another 1/4 -1/2 cup. I feel full again at this point. Then onto Water after about 20 minutes. I do this on purpose because I want to know what the "full" feeling with the new stomach feels like so that when I transition to food, I will know. It may be different and then again, it may not. From what I have been reading, it will be different once we start to eat solids. ReadytoMaintain

I think it is great that we are going through it at the same time. It's very comforting. As for instant breakfast, I don't know about that product as I have been on clear liquids only by my doctor. Within 30-40 minutes doesn't sound absurd. I probably do that with Water - drink, full, wait, drink, full, wait, etc. Also, I don't have a problem waiting for real food when the time is right. I REALLY don't want to get a leak. I hear it can happen all the way through 6th week. I'm being careful and cautious. ReadytoMaintain

I have wet stool because I am only drinking Water and broth - and it comes out right one time. I really don't like to call it diarrhea because I think diarrhea is really when I put something SOLID into my mouth and my body then pushes it out as watered stool unexpectedly- THAT's diarrhea to me. :confused1: But aside from that, yeah, I got really wet stool. I have read that once we start with the more firmer food that it will subside. Also, I second Sweetie333 thoughts about not thinking/wanting/hungry about food. My husband last night ate a Tombstone pizza. Love them! But, hardly smelled it at all. And once I did, I was not even thinking "got to have some!". Just went on about my business. My tummy didn't give a growl as it would have done in the past. I wasn't even hungry for it. Of course I miss it, but I am waiting for the right time once I am healed. And I am loving the fact that I won't be eating the WHOLE thing! I think that is the key, huh? To BE HUNGRY for the food. Not just smell it and want it. Revelations for me that I could NEVER achieve previous to the sleeve. It's amazing. ReadytoMaintain

I had my surgery last Thursday. This whole week has been a complete healing process for my stomach and head regarding food. I can see and feel that after a week off, I would have been ready to go back to work next week. ReadytoMaintain