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Hello Bariatric Buddies (corny right? lol) I thought I'd come on here and share my experience so far for those who may be thinking about weight loss surgery OR are scheduled to undergo surgery soon. I started my bariatric surgery journey May 4th 2021 after YEARS of wanting to do it but not having the courage to start. At that point i was 298LBS. At my heaviest i was 305LBS. What prompted me to just go for it and conquer my fears was just wanting to be healthy again. I was tired of making excuses and as sad as it sounds i was tired of looking in the mirror every day staring at myself morphing into this person i no longer wanted to be. Fortunately for me, i didn't have any MAJOR health issues, however i did/do suffer from PCOS (Polycystic ovarian syndrome). For anyone who knows the struggles of PCOS you know trying fad diets and exercising isn't really helpful when trying to lose weight when your hormones are so imbalanced. Any who, going forward - i contacted my local bariatric surgery center and set up my initial consult. Since we're still being affected by covid, majority of my appointments were via video. My first consult they went over my eligibility requirements, health history and goals. After speaking with the nurse navigator they then scheduled my next visit with the Surgeon who would then change my life forever. So, two weeks later, i meet my surgeon VIA zoom (and let me say, i love that she was blunt, super honest and made sure my goals and perception of the surgery was realistic), she told me about herself, she asked me a few questions about my life, health history in depth, and she then went over my surgery options and what she felt would be my best choice (Gastric Bypass RNY). We ended the appointment on a good note. At that point i was feeling good, motivated and just proud of myself, like - GOSH, I'M FINALLY DOING THIS! At this point in the process, i have scheduled an appointment to get an EKG, chest X-RAY, cardiology, pulmonary, and a behavioral specialist. Over the course of 4 months i would complete each appointment and the specialists would send over their impressions over to the surgeon. September 3rd. I had my pre op class (with a dietitian). I signed a bunch of papers stating that i would not consume alcohol or use tobacco. I watched a video and then the dietitian stated that starting September 9th - until September 19th i will need to be on a full liquid pre op diet - at that point in the liquid diet you are not allowed to take any vitamin supplements, and or specific medications (they would go over that with you). September 9th came around and i started my three protein shakes a day, with drinking 64OZ of water until September 19th as advised. Let me tell you, that was the single most hardest thing that i have EVER done, but in the end i was so proud of myself. September 20th at 10:00AM i had to drink 10OZ of Magnesium Citrate to bowel cleanse in preparation for surgery the next morning. I spent all day in the bathroom. Around 1:30PM i received a call from the hospital letting me know what time i needed to be at the hospital for surgery the next day (9/21/21) which ended up being 7AM. I had so much trouble falling asleep that night as i was so excited yet SO nervous! Surgery day rolls around and i am up getting ready. We (my boyfriend and i) then make our way to the hospital, check in, and head to my pre op room to be prepped. They took my temperature, and my weight. When i started, i was 298 - the day of surgery i was 282LBS! At 9:40AM i went in for surgery and was in the OR for about 4HOURS. I spent about an hour and a half in recovery where they gave me 1OZ water every half hour, that would continue as i was transported to my room that i would stay for the next 24HOURS. My hospital stay wasn't bad, and my nurses/doctors were super attentive, supportive and courteous! They came in almost every hour to check my temperature, blood pressure, and incisions. I went home 9/22/21 at 9:40AM. 1st day home was challenging. I was in so much pain and discomfort. That quickly subsided as the days passed. But in those days, i attempted to drink water and protein and move around as much as possible because walking truly helps with the pain. Here i am 9 days post op and i am not at 100% yet but i am improving i still feel slight pain only where i have internal sutures, and i am gassy (like burping and stomach feeling bloated) - for that i use GAS-X - it's amazing! I currently weigh 273LBS which makes a total of 25LBS lost and 9LBS lost since surgery. 6 Day's post op i was back at work (I KNOW I KNOW I AM CRAZY - BUT I WORK IN AN OFFICE AT MY DESK MAJORITY OF THE DAY SO I AM OKAY).. Hopefully this helps! & if anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask :)

my doctor said that i could essentially eat anything i wanted as long as i didn't eat any carbs. this did include all forms of bread and pasta, and most sweets. for about 10 days, all i ate was meat and eggs.

I was told to walk as much as possible and then at 4 weeks I could add the treadmill and stationary bike only. At 6 weeks I could add light hand weights and slowly add other exercises. Right now I exercise twice a day. In the morning I walk on the treadmill for 15 minutes and the stationary bike for 10 or 15 and then do the same in the afternoon. I can't tell you how much of a difference this has made for me. I do this 5 days per week but I think I will add something extra on the weekends. What ever you choose to do....keep at it and keep moving, it's the secret weapon.

My goal is to get to get to onerland. 10 lbs good luck everyone.

I agree with allwet. I suffer from chronic constipation. Been using Miralax every day for 10 years now and it works. Very safe as well. You seriously can do some damage from going without BM for too long or straining too much.

I had my sleeve on 8/7/19 and am struggling to meet my protein (60g) and water (64oz) intake goals. I feel like I have to graze to work towards the protein goal but since I can’t drink anything with food I don’t have many opportunities to get my water in. Suggestions?

Surgery was 10/22/12 and everything went really well. And 17 pounds lost since surgery. I'm thrilled but I also feel really weepy. Maybe it's lack of good sleep. Plus, I am so sick of sweet tasting things. The shakes,jello,Popsicles ....yuck. On Sunday I can add some strained veggies , maybe that will help. I have lots of support and help which I really appreciate. But right now I just feel like locking the door, turning off the phone and crawling into bed. Blahhhhhh! Anyone else really emotional?

I'm sitting here at this very moment planning my eight day preop and tears are flowing. I'm going through so many different emotions . Is this normal ? I have 10 days to go before my surgery . I'm happy, sad, excited, depressed, crying, smiling..it's like every damn hour is a different feeling. I guess after months and months of planning, when it gets right down to it I can't believe this is really happening..

Just something else to consider.... My doc recommends about 4 weeks off to recover from the sleeve. He says realistically you only need about 7-10 days to recover from the actual procedure but he recommends the extra time to really plan for success and adjust to my new way of life and new way of eating. He really wants me to get used to planning out meals, measuring, weighing and making good choices as your diet changes those first few weeks. I am unable to afford that much time off but I think it's a great plan for those that can. Really set yourself up for success. I had my surgery on Tuesday and I'll probably go back next Thursday (9 days off). But I'm not going to push myself. As of this moment I can't even stand up straight because my big incision burns and pulls so much but we will see! Good luck to u all!

I was banded 12/11/08. Up until last week, I have been that extremely LUCKY one that had never felt hunger since banded. On 1/19/09 I had my 1st fill 2.5 cc in a max 4.0 cc band. I know my eyes want more than I need so measuring is a must 1/2 cup per meal is what I eat. Since 1/22/09 I caught a case of whooping cough...turned into bronchial inflamation... 4 trips to GP 2 antibiotics, then Prednisone(10 days) and steroid inhalers... This past week I have been STARVING. My meals aren't doing a thing for me ... thank heaven for work ... I can't get to food and my DH is trying to help by distracting me... when I can't take it anymore I get a prepackaged piece of string cheese or some type of protein. It hasn't helped my mental state that the scale keeps going up ...6 lbs this week. I'm trying hard to stay on the program and I feel I'm not that far off. I did call and talked to my support bariatric nurse today. She said it is the result of the Prednisone and I still have as many days as I was ON Prednisone that I will be feeling the side effects that many days OFF and could continue to gain. Encouraging ...yuck. She encouraged me to keep doing what I'm doing...if I have to stick with the solid protein...Once the Prednisone is out of my system my body will turn lose of everything it was hanging on to. All this said I still have the urge to eat everything and the kitchen sink! I want to scream, rant and rave. So thanks for keeping me at the keyboard right now...It is so nice to have all of you that understand and help me out. I keep telling myself this is only a short term situation and it will get better... I guess I kind of got spoiled with the no hunger thing! Anyway thanks for letting me spout off. Deb Highest lifetime wt. 386 1st visit to dr. 376 Surgery 343 Today 315

He is doing my surgery on Thursday, July 19. Anyone else feel like you are just drifting at sea waiting on his office to call with information on scheduling, fees, etc?

Thanks everyone, It feels surreal still. Yes I have been reading since I started my journey, so hopefully I am ready, I can feel it in my heart that I'm ready. I have to start the clean out and I already started getting the things I need for post op minus the Protein shakes since I have been reading that some peoples tastes change so I will see what happens with me. I do have the unjury starter kit, and the Isopure grape and fruit punch for the Clear Liquids phase. My date has changed since this morning to 10/18, my surgeon only does sleeves at a certain hospital so it had to be changed. Thank you so much everyone for being here, I can't wait to see you on the losers bench.( I couldn't wait to say that!!!) Oh and my doctor doesn't do a pre op diet so I will just watch what I eat and go to the gym to prepare.

Helen, White castles are a very small hamburger or cheeze burger. The buns are like a dinner roll. Very soft white bread. The meat patties are square like a large postage stamp. they put chopped onions, grilled if you want on and that is it. No sauces of any kind. there are little packets of ketchup and pickles and mayo you can add your own. The whole thing is steam cooked. All very soft and wonderful. Horrible for you I am sure! It is a chain of fast food places in the Mid west and Eastern part of the US. I do not thave them in California. I have relatives in Michigan. Hence my knowledge. White castles were the cure for a hangover when I was of that inclination. We can get them here frozen from costco, but, they are NOT the same. All the restruants out here are making "sliders" little tiny hamburgers, but, really good ingredients. Excellant for sleevers. Only, three of us need to go eat one plate of them. hahaha. It's all good. Ky-Hen: congrats to you! I will be joining you by Christmas. (I am a"teener" today~218~) missed 19! Happy happy happy us.

You all are doing so great! I did great the first few months I was banded, but then went off track. I lost 62 lbs in the first few months then gained back 20lbs. I have lost 18 of those 20lbs now but still dont feel like I am doing very well. I was banded 1yr and 3 months ago and have only lost 60lbs. I still weigh over 260lbs. I want to be in onederland so bad. I have not been there since I was 15 yrs old and that was only for a few months. Before that I was about 10 yrs old the last time I weighed less than 200lbs. I have always been severly obese and feel like I will always be. My next weight goal is 247, that will put my BMI under 40 and I will be considered overweight instead of obese! I will make it to onederland one of these days. Thanks for the support everyone..

This is the original I use low fat cheese or reduce fat cheese to cut all the calories 1 2 1/4 - 2 1/2 pound deli-roasted chicken, skinned, boned, and coarsely shredded 2 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup coarsely chopped celery 1/2 cup chopped onion 2 14 ounce can reduced-sodium chicken broth 1 1/2 cups milk 1 teaspoon bottled hot pepper sauce 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese (6 oz.) 1 1/4 cups crumbled blue cheese (5 oz.) 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (2 oz.) 1/3 cup all-purpose flour Bottled hot pepper sauce (optional) Directions 1. In 4-quart Dutch oven melt butter over medium heat. Add celery and onion; cook and stir until onion is tender. Stir in broth, milk, and the 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce. 2. In bowl toss together mozzarella, 1 cup of the blue cheese, Parmesan, and flour. Add gradually to Soup, stirring after each addition just until melted. Stir in three-fourths of the shredded chicken; heat through. Top with remaining chicken, blue cheese, and hot sauce. Makes 6 servings. Nutrition Facts (Buffalo Chicken Soup) Servings Per Recipe 6, Calories 490, Protein (gm) 45, Carbohydrate (gm) 12, Fat, total (gm) 28, Cholesterol (mg) 145, Saturated fat (gm) 15, Monosaturated fat (gm) 8, Polyunsaturated fat (gm) 2, Dietary Fiber, total (gm) 1, Sugar, total (gm) 5, Vitamin A (IU) 729, Vitamin C (mg) 2, Thiamin (mg) 0, Riboflavin (mg) 1, Niacin (mg) 10, Pyridoxine (Vit. B6) (mg) 1, Folate (µg) 40, Cobalamin (Vit. B12) (µg) 2, Sodium (mg) 1134, Potassium (mg) 471, Calcium (DV %) 475, Iron (DV %) 2, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

permalink Im day 10 post-op, feeling great... im on the thick liquids portion of the post-op diet til thur, then I get to start cream of wheat and stuff like that. I can have creamed soups that have been strained, and have been living off of cream of potato and cream of chick soup and my protein drinks. I did get out with my fiance for a 1.5 mile walk... over did it totally, had to rush home for an emergency bathroom visit! I think this is about the point where the free ride of losing weight without exercise is over for me, gotta get my tail moving. I took 6 weeks off from work, so my only job is to make sure I do the maximum I can to get the best results before going back to work. Everyone knows I have had this procedure, so I am sure they will be evaluating my success (you know how women are!). Have my follow up tomorro afternoon, so looking forward to getting released to get back to my aqua-aerobics classes!!!!

The Millennium Trilogy books and original films are a profoundly influential aspect of my life. They forced me to confront and address events in my life which, up until that time, I had only mildly dealt with. With that in mind, I can honestly say I am completely incapable of giving these films an objective analysis. But, I do my best... Two things before I begin my review: 1) Have you seen the original film first? If not, see this version first. If you have, try to distance the two in your mind while watching...it will help. 2) Prior to seeing this I was pondering if this was to be a remake of the original film(s) or an adaptation of the book(s). It is an adaptation of the book. Okay, now that that is out of the way, I'll go into it a bit further. **insert requisite possible spoilers below notification** To explain why I say you should see the newest version first...Typically when someone says this, they are implying that the film to watch first is not as good as the original. To say that would be unfair to the new version and an overstatement of quality of the first. As film adaptations go, I believe both are approximately equal in standing. Both are very good films. Judging by quality of translation from novel to screen, I would actually say the newest version is better. Things that were lost and/or altered in the original were left intact in the new film and did not detract from the story at all. Did it add to it? Probably, if you are one of those who like to see every little detail possible translated on screen. However, I never felt their absence in the originals. The original films have a very secure place in my heart and mind and I partially wish I had not seen them as I spent a significant amount of time unintentionally drawing connections between the two. I did this with the newest Robin Hood film, however, given the immediate alterations to that story, I was able to distance Prince of Thieves from Russell Crowe's version fairly swiftly. I could not do that right away with TGwtDT. Both open similarly however with the newest version we are treated to a sort of James Bond-intro-on-a-bad-acid-trip introductory sequence. Paired with the awesome rendition of Immigrant Song, it worked quite well and fit with the feel of the film quite well. All throughout I liked the music and even felt some occasional homages to the original score. Well done. Visually, there are even some references to the original. I remember thinking when I watched the trailers for it, how I almost thought they were filming in the same locations and trying to mimic some of the original in style and visual. I thought the same while watching the film. However, these are definitely two, very distinct films, both with their own individual interpretations of the same source material. One of the most powerful elements about the original film(s) is its refusal to back away from the realism regarding violence against women. The two rape scenes of Lisbeth being key in our connection with the character. We connect with her in those scenes in a way that I feel has never happened before in a Hollywood depiction of rape. Hollywood tends to glorify the act and make it visually stimulating at the same time diminishing the act and making it seem almost inconsequential to the film. However, no woman, man or child who has been raped will tell you that the act was inconsequential to them. In the original film, we spend the entire sequence with Lisbeth. We see and feel her. No fancy music. No flashy lighting of scene changes. It is her. It is her pain; her loss of control; her suffering which we see and feel. In the newest adaptation, we again in the same place. However, the choice of the director to give more screen time to the rapist, rather than focusing on Lisbeth takes you out of her space and you lose the impact of the rape. It is still intense, do not get me wrong. However, there are some visual angles and shots used during the second rape scene where rather smart choices. My biggest complaint about the film is the editing for the first main chunk of it. It felt rather disjointed in the way it was put together. We are with Mikael, then Lisbeth, then elsewhere, then back. The connecting scenes didn't have a thematic bridge all of the time which made it somewhat disjointed. It worked, but it was a struggle. However, once we make it passed this area, it becomes much better. Those unfamiliar with the book(s) and original films may have a bit of difficulty following along with the same level of enjoyment as I did. Maybe I am wrong, but I recalled thinking that someone who didn't know what was going on, might find the whole thing bizarre. Anyway, that is my quick little review of the 2011, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo film. Overall I still loved it. The two leads were perfect for their respective characters (even more so than the original actors if you are going by novel to film translation standards). 8.5/10 (original is a 9/10 for me) p.s. This film also contained probably the best use of Enya ever.

I am not feeling to bad was sleeved by Dr Lopez Corvala on 10/23. He was great and so was everyone on his team. I am only 3 days post op.

Hi Kimberly! I am like you I am still Hungry. I am not sure if its in my head as I am obsessing over food I think or if I am really hungry??? I was sleeved on 1-28-10 in TJ by Dr. Almanza. I just started eating mushies and have been pretty confused as to what I can and shouldnt eat. I ate steamed zuchini with cottage the other night and it hurt my stomach really bad and up it all came. I think it was the cold of the cottage cheese?? I seem to not be able to tolerate cold very well yet. My hospital coordinator sent me this today and I found it really helpful maybe you will too? It sort of explains a lot of what is and what isnt ok to eat. http://www.cornellweightlosssurgery.org/pdf/dietary_guidelines_sleeve_gastrectomy.pdf Good luck!! Irene

I followed the Quick Weight Loss plan for 10 days of my 14 day pre op diet because I knew I would loose the weight and I started my 2 shakes and 1 meal on day 11. It worked because I lost 17 lbs by my surgery date. The purpose is to get your liver to shrink for the surgery. I don't regret it because the doc said my liver looked great and smaller during the surgery. I also did water aerobics every other day during my pre op.

Hi I know your thread has been going a while now - but I wondered if you are getting used to your 'new you'. I see you have reached your goal too - which is fantastic! Well done. I am newly banded 28 Feb and so I am just beginning. However, I have been on this journey before and lost 5 stone myself - twice ! Only to pile it all back on. Funnily enough, I remember when I too had lost a significant amount and looking at clothes in shops - thinking, oooh that size 14 looks like it is would fit age 7! I will never get into that, and then finding that actually I could. It did take a while to get used to looking and feeling trim - my brain was still hard-wired to think I that 5 stone heavier. One of the moments I remember was asking my husband if he had seen a particular t-shirt. Oh, that one he says, I thought it was Jack's (our son aged 10 at the time). I am in the weight-loss zone now and for me, in the past couple of weeks am finding that clothes are now getting roomy. I am struggling to find work clothes that don't look I could smuggle a couple of cushions inside! It's a great feeling. Well done on your journey - I bet your life has changed so much, you must be very proud.

I'm out in Crestwood, and have a club fitness membership. We go to the club at Watson and Laclede Station. I was banded 10/26/2011. Send me a message if you want to get together to work out, or maybe go to a zumba class I also had Wagner as my surgeon!

As long you are happy, it's all that matters. I am happy for you. Keep up the good work. In my case, my boyfriend told me I look like a crackhead so now I am trying to gain a 10 lbs. I am too thin! Foreign language to me!

hi....i ve been banded on 17th march...and I had no pain at all...ofcourse we are given painkillers thru saline...and then orally also.. But I did have gas and vomitting....first 10 days I had a lot of gas....and weakness... all the best !!

Just so bombed out today. My surgery is Monday and my husband asked me if I was going thru with it. I told him yes. He said I'm being lazy I can exercise and do this. I argued my point about all my health issues heart prob, joint pain in my knees, sleep apnea, 3/10 of a point of being diagnosed as a full blown diabetic per my AIC but am prediabetic now,.... trying to handle this before I can't handle it and he just doesn't get it. I told him yes I have lost weight before but it has come back n he is like you are not 300 lbs I said hell I started at 242-244 lbs I was knocking at the door of 300 lbs. he was like you lost weight just now but that due to my 4 month nutrition visits with dietician. I want it to go and have a tool to help me keep it gone. I'm so hurt and feel so alone and my soul just aches. He is not showing any compassion and he says if my husband disagrees I should not have it. I'm like I have to do what I need to do to take care of me . He has been thin all his life so he doesn't understand weight struggles and think it can all be solved with gym. But it's more than just that, I been fighting this battle for 4 years and I'm doing it now. I refuse to not do it. I will just have to walk alone physically but God is an ever present factor in my life so he will be with me.