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Hi everyone, Its early in the morning on Thanksgiving, four days before surgery and I wanted to check in because I owe it to myself to be honest about how I am feeling. I am struggling, not with the decision I made to have surgery, but the truth about the challenges I am facing moving forward. I started to ask if anyone had challenges with their pre-op diet, but I know the answer to that question does not matter because I am. I feel a little silenced or maybe ashamed because if I admit to my family I am scared and self-sabotaging then I will be forced to ask myself if I am doing the right thing. I was doing well with the pre-op diet until two days ago...Tuesday. I have a form of anemia that makes it difficult for me to absorb iron through food. I noticed I have increasingly more tired and I found out Saturday my iron levels are low again, 6 months after my last iron infusion, and a part of me feared that I would need to post-pone surgery for another round or go in early for blood transfusions. In meeting with me hematologist late Tuesday afternoon, he told me I did not have to do either and since they draw blood every day in the hospital, they could do a blood transfusion there if necessary. I have been through a lot healthwise, many surgeries (8), including a gastric sleeve six years ago. The irony is I stepped on the scale and I was the exact weight I was, 368 lbs before surgery in 2013 and although I had a great deal of success the first time, but then as I said in my story life happened. Even though the weight itself was shocking because I felt like I failed in only losing 4 pounds during the first week of my pre-op diet, I don't think panic really set in until I met with the check out receptionist. We were talking and laughing about my relief of not needing to delay my surgery....then without knowing it, she dropped a bomb on me that I did not really recognize how much it affected me until this morning. When I said I was having a second sleeve, which I had gotten over the embarrassment of admitting, she told me that she had a friend who had her third sleeve some time ago, and she had not seen or heard from her since. My gut reaction was - hell no, no way I am doing this a third time, but in the back of my mind, I began to wonder. Am I ready...will I be successful...is this worth it to go back a third time....then finally, maybe her friend died after her last surgery. The reality is the cavalier way Miss 'size 10' talked about her struggles in what she described as ballooning due to a medication, my guess is that her friend decided she was not the right person to share her struggles with. I cannot even remember he name but I already regret sharing mine. I am aware of how desperately I battled depression, how I came back from the brink after two suicide attempts after surviving a horrifying violet attack, and I was grateful to be at the point ready to have surgery. Then I came home and started self-sabotaging. I am not sure it was intentional, but I was extremely exhausted and had two doctors appointments that day and had missed two of my shakes. I had larger meal, not like before, but enough to make me horribly sick. I had not eaten any basic carbs in more than a week. Yesterday I was so fatigued, had burning pain in my knee from an old injury, but since it is too late to take NSAIDS, I used flexeril, which made me feel even more out of it. Yesterday, I still felt out of control and had half of hoagie, which then made me feel worse about myself. My normal unconscious reaction was to head for my go-to foods, SUGAR, thankfully not an ounce of it existed in the house, except for fruit. I took two (non-benzo) anxiety pills and took a nap. I reached out to my surgeon and asked if I now had to change my surgery schedule. He calmly told me no and to just use the pre-op diet to get back on track. This morning (well technically middle of the night) I woke up and realized all week I have been looking for signs I was making the wrong decision. My nutritionist had given me this negative self-talk wheel that I really forgot about even though it is stuck to my bulletin. When I looked at it, my behavior patterns started to make sense. The truth is I am scared, and I need to give myself permission to feel that and grieve. Its Thanksgiving and fortunately, I am not cooking and will not be around a lot of food. For the past few years, I have been a part of big Thanksgiving celebrations, due to emotional struggles, but my adult daughter usually brings me something from her dad and his family celebrations. This morning I woke up and realized how much of my life I have missed out on living in a prison that I not only created, but am the warden who locked away the key to release myself. I want to start living again and not just existing. I know what to expect and that having the surgery will not take away my problems. It is just one tool in my journey to health and better living. Today, I am thankful for the opportunity to begin losing the pounds of pain I have carried for far too long. I needed the last two days to remind that this journey is not going to be easy, but it will take a conscious effort every day to choose to strive for a healthier life for me. Hopefully, this time next year I can look back on how I feel today and we thankful I made it to the other side. Thank you for sharing this journey with me, Mya

I was wondering the same thing because Kaiser Richmond tells all patients not to drink protein shakes... EVER. They say that they are "empty calories" and do not keep you full. I completely disagree with that and have been substituting one meal a day with a protein shake (I am still pre-op until next week) but I am wondering how in the world I am supposed to get all my protein in without protein shakes!

I had my surgery on Septemebr 27,2011. Ive oniy been out of the hospital for a week now (way over the 2 expected days I planned for). Unfortunatley the doctor has me on TPN at home for 12 hours a day. This is depressing and I feel like I have no life. I have to stay at my sisters because my house has too many stairs. I miss my kids (they were not allowed in the hospital because they are under 12 yrs), I miss my husband, i miss my job (AMAZING) and I just really miss my life. I dont go outside, ive become a recluse. I am struggling with food and liquids. what can I do to get myself back on the healthy track? Any food suggestions? Anyone out there on TPN also?

good update...keep up the good work! I was only down post-op 1 month about 22 pounds...had stalled around 3 weeks...since then losing has been slow, but at 6 weeks post-op I am now about 30 pounds down...I don't have a follow-up visit with my surgeon until another 2 weeks, which will be 2 months out...I hope I can be at least 5 more pounds down by then, so my total loss at my upcoming visit will be 35 pounds...if I could somehow make it to 40 lbs down by then, I would be super happy

Hi, You must be really worried. I am four days post-op and I will share some issue's I've had, this early in the journey. First, the two week liquid diet was too hard for me!! I felt like I was going crazy. I'll admit it, I cheated. Many here will frown, if not yell at me, for this but I was just too stressed out on the liquid diet. I even broke out with hives! So, I had a small 2oz helping of skinless chicken breast and this happened twice. Now, I'm four days out and I am still feeling like I want to cheat since I'm still on a two week liquid post-op diet. I lost 4 pounds during the pre- diet and four days post-op I have lost five pounds. You asked the question about exercise and weekends. The answer is yes. You should be walking every day. (Surgeon direction to me). Maybe try some other form of exercise? I was looking for low impact aerobic yoga and something called cardio-drumming. Youtube will have videos of these exercise routines so that could give you some ideas. Another suggestion, did you work with a dietitian before the surgery? If so, I would call them. If not, I would try to find one. I hope it helps! Good luck!

I started Zumba before surgery but resumed classes about 8 weeks out.

Sleeved a week before you and down 49...looks like we are right on track with each other! Good job!

am 1 week post op and also down only 2 pounds, I'm so glad you posted this question. Reading the replies make me feel a little better :-)

I'm definitely looking into this. It would be great if it worked for me. I have an appointment coming up in a couple of weeks. Thank you

I'm 18 months post op down 130. At 6 weeks postop I walked 30-60 mins daily it's the best exercise and at 4 months post op started light weights and trampoline or elliptical. I'd start on elliptical slowly for 20 mins and work up a couple of minutes a week to 30 mins and then do that daily 3-5 x a week add in some weights and you're set!

I suggest free weights. I walk about 2.5 miles four days a week. I want to introduce free weights next month. I heard that using machine weights will help build your core. Someone told me about Pilates or yoga for core or strength training. I have my doubts about that though. I want to burn calories and build strength. Sent from my Moto G (4) using the BariatricPal App

Hi I am 7 weeks post op & have been walking for exercise up to now. I got cleared to start with 10 lb weights & increase as tolerated. I am wondering when did anyone start any workout classes in their local gym classes? I really want to pick up some classes too. Thank you

I could barely walk for the first year or so - my weight was just too high and my joints/back too damaged. I still have never went to a class but I go do go to the gym twice a week. Today I did 35 minutes on the incline setting on the treadmill going very briskly. Almost needed oxygen but this is my commitment. Most of us eventually do give in and do something about getting physically fit. The weight loss stops being a passive process after a while.

From what I understand it is very difficult to slip your band. Keep in mind too that your stomach is swollen from the surgery and the tightness in your chest may be related to that as well as the air still trapped in your cavity from surgery. The first few weeks I was very aware that something foreign was in me, and eventually the feeling you describe went away. If you are able to swallow 1/2 a pill your are probably doing just fine. Of it were stuck you would probably regurgitating the soy milk and pill.

PDX has it right. My own thoughts on the topic, based on info from my surgeon plus my own experience: As your stomach heals, you can't eat much at all - perfect opportunity to lose fast in the early days, so take advantage of it. After 6 months, you are pretty much healed up, so more food is easier to get down (read "easier to screw up"). Your metabolism "reset" that allowed you to lose very fast in the first 6 months may start to slow down. My dr says the "window" closes around 18 months and weight loss stops at that point. I definitely lose at half the rate post-honeymoon than I did early on. One pound a week instead of two (I'm a slow loser to start with). My surgeon's goal was 60% of my excess weight off by 6 months, which I was able to do, even with my slow loss rate. I still have my food issues, but at least I am very aware of them now and I feel like I have more control. I know now that I eat "bad" food for reasons that have nothing to do with hunger. While I am not always successful, I do have some go-to strategies post-6 months to help me get through those times, and they work most of the time. I have the sleeve to thank for that because it never would have worked for me before. The honeymoon was a great period to work through these issues and learn good habits. Bottom line: you can lose after 6 months, however, it will likely be much more difficult than the first 6 months when everything is new. The honeymoon is a wonderful time for loss and not to be wasted. Best of luck to you.

I'm still going strong though it seems I keep hitting a wall and it takes forever to get over it. This week I finally broke through the 200 lbs barrier rief. I now way 198.00. It's been ok though. I started at the gym last week. I feel good about it and am looking forward to going more often. Brian's been working some pretty crazy hours. I would like to be at 180n by HCristmas but I don't think I'll be real disappointed if I dont. As long as I don't gain - I'm good.

Had my 2nd fill Monday Feb 15. Up to 4cc's now. I lost 8 lbs by Saturday. It's Wednesday and I am still feeling ALMOST like I did when I was first banded. Does this mean maybe long term restriction or is this normal for the first week or so after a fill?? I take my meds and I am full... I have to take them in between meals... lol. And by meals I mean meal. Usually just one... because I am just not hungry for anything most the time. food sounds "uck". But I get light headed and HAVE to eat. Then, when I do, it's a couple of bites, maybe more, maybe less. Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining. This is what I signed up for... I'm just hoping it will last. :wink: What do you think? :eek:

I am 9 weeks out and having constipation. So frustrated. Anybody else? Any suggestions on how to handle this?

I was told they repaired the hiatal hernia. Stomach was inflamed, had to do the X-ray with barium swallow, it proved there were no leaks but liquids were going down really slow. I was given three IV bags of vitamins before I was discharged. I guess I have to allow time for everything to heal.

One thing that happens to women after WLS is an increased level of estrogen in the bloodstream. This is caused by the estrogen that has been stored in our fat cells. As we lose weight rapidly and lose fat - those fat cells release the estrogen they have been storing into the blood stream. For me, I felt like I did in the worst of puberty - wild fluctuations of mood - happy, weepy, angry - and a wicked tounge in my mouth that I had to watch to keep from saying inappropriate things. This lasted about three months, then gradually abated. I didn't have to worry about a change in my fertility levels or a change in my menstrual cycle, since I am 55 and had a hysterectomy years ago - but younger women beware! This increased estrogen level can play heck with your cycles. I recommend being particularly diligent with your birth control during this phase of your weight loss. Sharon

I was banded on the 12th. It will be three weeks tomorrow! I still have periods of time where I feel exhausted. I'm still on mushies/soft foods but getting my protein in. I had arthroscopic knee surgery 4 weeks before my lap band. I'm thinking that I was just hit with a double whammy and thats why I am so tired. I started sub lingual B12 several days ago. Any thoughts? I work part time as a nurse with a busy pediatrician in a busy office. Yesterday was my first day out on the floor with patents. Maybe that's what did me in. I just want my vitality back. It's a little frustrating.

It seems strange Dr. A's office told you three meals a day and no snacking. I have an email from Gaby from about a week ago saying I should be eating 5 or 6 small meals a day. Maybe you should write or call to clarify. I write to them all the time, practically bomb their email box. They might have some good advice for you.

No blood clot!! Bad news: brace, ice, elevation, rest and pain meds. If not better in a week I will have to see an orthopaedic dr

I'm sorry to hear you are having such problems. While I won't be sleeved for a couple of weeks yet, I have read similar accounts on this site. They all seem to have said the same thing, that time settles these issues. I hope the same is true for you.

This was my first Thanksgiving post-VSG. I had a nice day with a friend who came by. I ate more calories than I've had in 51 weeks (next week--Dec. 4th--makes 1 yr VSG), but I'm happy to report my portions were definitely smaller. I even had sweet potato pie, which I hadn't baked since my surgery. OMG--delish! But again, slices were MUCH smaller than what I used to eat. My "pig out" was that I ate rice, a dinner roll and pie, not that I pigged out on tons of food. Since I've been between 186-184 the past 2 months or so, I don't want to weigh the rest of this weekend because I don't want to (possibly!) see 190. I'll have a few leftovers today, then back to basics. By Monday, I should be a sure 184 again. I wanted to be at 175 by my surgiversary, but as in other posts, I've been less than rigid about all the rules. I'll eventually get to 175, then ~160 goal.