Stacy160

They kept the oxygen on me the whole time I was in there, and it wasn't humidified, so I was sooooooo dried out and froggy for days afterward. It'll go away.

You said it's like your body is craving a drug...because IT IS. To your body, sugar is crack. Heroin. Meth. That's why I advised you to research it, so that you understand what's happening when you can't stop and why a little always makes you want more, more, and more. Bear in mind too, that excess carbs of any kind can trigger that, so I'd start by laying off candy, soda, and "treats" for a few days, but then also let go of breads, pastas, most fruits (on a regular basis anyway), etc. When you know and understand ahead of time what "just one bite," is going to do to you, not just mentally but physically, you'll have a much better chance of succeeding at this.

I just posted this in another thread 5 minutes ago, so I'm just gonna copy and paste. I've been preaching about sugar addiction...if you think you have a "sweet tooth", there's a good change you're a full-on sugar addict. Do some research...it's as physically addictive as cocaine, and imaging shows that it lights up the same areas of the brain as cocaine addiction does. I always thought I just had a sweet tooth.... it wasn't until years after surgery (and 55 lbs of regain) that I learned about this. Understanding that it's just as real as an alcohol or drug addiction, and recognizing it in myself, has made all the difference in the world in my ability to get off and stay off the stuff. Please research it and understand it. It's the one and only thing that I wish I'd known about ahead of time.

Absolutely!! Many, many, MANY people go into surgery with GERD (me, I had it BAD for years), and come out of surgery never to see it again (yay!! That alone was worth doing it!). It's the people who never had it before who sometimes develop it afterward.

I've been preaching about sugar addiction...if you think you have a "sweet tooth", there's a good change you're a full-on sugar addict. Do some research...it's as physically addictive as cocaine, and imaging shows that it lights up the same areas of the brain as cocaine addiction does. I always thought I just had a sweet tooth.... it wasn't until years after surgery (and 55 lbs of regain) that I learned about this. Understanding that it's just as real as an alcohol or drug addiction, and recognizing it in myself, has made all the difference in the world in my ability to get off and stay off the stuff. Please research it and understand it. It's the one and only thing that I wish I'd known about ahead of time.

Just the opposite actually...I didn't get sick at all, not even with a mild cold, for at least 3 years after mine, possibly longer (it's been awhile). I always figured it was because of all the vitamins. Even 8 years later, I've only had the flu twice and a bad cold a couple of times.

Many people have, including me. Seems like if you didn't have it beforehand, you're more likely to develop it afterward, but if you did have it beforehand, it tends to disappear. Many of us (I would venture to guess a majority) have undiagnosed hiatal hernias that are discovered and repaired during surgery. I had horrible nighttime GERD for years before surgery, and if I didn't take a double dose of Pepcid before bed, I'd wake up choking on stomach acid. That disappeared immediately after surgery. 8 years later, I might feel a slight bit of mild heartburn a couple times a year, and that's generally the evening of a holiday where I've been munching on extra bad stuff (desserts...carbs always, always made the GERD worse) throughout the day.

You only have a week or so left on liquids, you can make it. I'd suggest trying Syntrax Nectar fruit flavors because they're more like drinking Crystal Lite, but it sounds like you've got enough protein to last a lifetime already LOL... so in the meantime, maybe try mixing it into sugar-free pudding or jello, or mix the unflavored into your cream soups.

Took and USED: - Chapstick, #1 by far - Light, stretchy capri-length sweatpants (workout pants actually, sweatpant material) - Sugar-free Ricola drops....was SOOOOOO DRY from the oxygen they kept me on through day 1 and night! - Phone - Listerine and GasX Strips - Deodorant, Toothbrush/Paste Took and did NOT use: - My own slippers and robe - Book (read during pre-op, couldn't stay awake long enough to read much after surgery) - Makeup (Seriously?!? )

It's different for everyone.... my brother was hungry very shortly after surgery, but at 8 years out, I still rarely feel actual, gnawing physical hunger. I can tell when it's time to eat something, but I can't describe that feeling. The head hunger, where you just WANT something? I don't think that nonsense ever goes away!!

Fatty liver... most of us had it. It's VERY common, but it also shrinks fairly quickly and easily. I had no pre-op diet either, but did do low-carb for 3 days before the surgery and just water the day before, just to help get it out of the way. It just makes it easier for the surgeon to move around in there but don't worry.... once they're in there they're not gonna back out just because of you liver. He's just trying to scare you into compliance. Breathe, follow your pre-op as closely as you can, and know that it won't be an issue!

Never, ever. EVER.

I'm loving this, you guys!! 5K was high on my list as well. When I was young me legs could go forever, but I'm sure I had exercise-induced asthma and my lungs wouldn't let me. When I tried it when I was old, I'd outgrown the asthma but my legs wouldn't cooperate! I started training for my first 5K 6 months after surgery and completed it two months later. You can all do this!!! (the Couch to 5K method is what finally worked for me.)

ABSOLUTELY!!!

Regaining weight is very easy, if you allow yourself to go back to your old habits and graze constantly on crappy food! You'll want to follow the rules until you get to goal. Most people find that eating "on-plan" 80-90% of the time allows them to maintain nicely. The trick is, when you do allow yourself a little treat with the kids, or pizza night, or whatever, to not let that become "Well, might as well have more, might as well go crazy and get back on it tomorrow, might as well finish out the week and get back on it next week....well, next week's [insert holiday or occasion here]...remember that from the dieting years? It's a sneaky, sneaky thing but before you're aware of it your "old" self can come for a visit and move right in. That's not to say that you can't enjoy those things ever...you just have to be vigilant about keeping focused, and not get careless about eating whatever, whenever. And I'm preaching this all over the place: If you feel like you have a "sweet tooth" now, please do some research on sugar addiction ahead of time. It's a real, physical addiction and the ONE thing I wish I'd known about, identified in myself, and been prepared for ahead of time.