3 weeks out

Hi everyone, I had my surgery 3 weeks ago this past Tuesday and am feeling fantastic! I told myself that I wouldn't be a slave to the scale, but old habits die hard and I've been weighing daily. The first week was fun because the scale always went down, but since about a week and a 1/2 out, the scale hasn't budged... well it was +/- the same pound or 2 and I'm getting a bit discouraged, but I know that I shouldn't be. My dr. appointment in May with Dr. E I weighed 257. The day of surgery I was 247. 9 days post op, according to the dr. scale I was 237, but my scale at home said 233. My home scale has been hovering around 231/232 since then. I go back to the dr. on Tuesday, so I have no idea what his scale will show. I advanced to the pureed food last friday, but honestly I've not been interested in food at all and have had to really force myself to eat. I've been having alot of tuna salad and oatmeal, some refried beans and when I eat the more solid foods I am able to eat small amounts. For my breakfast I still prefer a protien drink, it just feels better on the pouch. By the end of the day I usually have 3 protien drinks which puts me at 69 grams of protien, if I put some skim milk in the AM shake it's higher, plus what I "eat" during the day, so I'm getting my protien in. I think that I'm doing pretty well with my water, but that is harder than I thought it'd be. I usually end up drinking crystal light since water makes me feel so blah. Pre-op I was a water ***** my coworker gave me that nice nickname because I would drink at least 4 liters of water at work during the day. Now, I can't stomach plain water, it has to have some flavor in it. It's been so hard to exercise too, and I know that I need to add that to my routine. I work in Stamford and live in Stratford, so that commute kills me. We have a treadmill that I need to set up at home so that will happen this weekend. With the hot weather we've been having I'm afraid to go walking outside and get dehydrated since I tend to sweat alot when I exercise- I'm so afraid of dehydration. Plus this is the first week where I haven't felt so tired at night, which is making me think that now I'm more up to walking. I do walk around alot during the day, so it's not like I'm stuck behind my desk all day but I need to add something in. I'm not sure what I'm getting out of this post, more for my own sanity really, but I'm just a little discouraged about my loss right now. I'm sure that if I were to go home tonight and take my measurements I'd be impressed with the inches lost since I can fit into things I haven't worn in 3 years, so that's a great feeling. I know that you can't compare your loss to someone elses, but I just wish that I could see that number budge. I would love to be in the 2-teens by the end of the summer, but am not sure that it's even possible. After years and years of dieting, it's hard to not focus on the numbers, ya know? Anyone with a similiar experience? I'd love to hear some words of wisdom from you! Lisa

Hi Lisa, It sounds like you're doing everything right...A lot of WLS post ops can't drink plain old water for a bit after surgery. Dr Aranow told me that it may be the temperature or the Ph that's different and we need to add a bit of flavor to it. As long as you keep sipping, sipping all day long, it's ok. I was told early out that, if the scale stops moving, you're probably losing inches. So, your clothes may start to loosen up a bit at this time! Don't fret! I know what you mean about walking in this heat. I'm also afraid of dehydration (plus I've been sick with an ulcer and on a liquid diet and am weak) so, I've forgone the walking this week. I have a treadmill, but did not use it. I've given myself a break this week. Enjoy your success thus far. You're on the right track. Just follow the rules of your doctor and it'll all work out great! Good luck. Post often. paula

Hi Lisa! Sounds like your doing fine so far. Would defintly wait till it gets a little cooler out before I start walking outside. You can always take a drive to the mall and walk in air conditioned comfort. Think about joining a gym whenyou feel your ready. Making it part of your lifestyle really helps in the weight loss . Hope to see you at the walk in September! Take Care,

Lisa~ Sounds like you are doing well being so newly post op. You are covering all the important points. HYDRATION--primo at this time and during this hot weather. And flavoring your water to get it in is a creative way to still comply with the requirements. Water Sensations is also a good flavorer. Comes in many flavors. And Julio just told us about Big Y (closed to us is Monroe) for the Tea packets. PROPER NUTRITION--follow the guidelines supplied to you by the nutritionist. If you don't have one, I suggest you see Nancy Muprhy in Fairfield. She it top of the line and knows what our special needs are. And for me, seeing a nutritionist on a regular basis had held me in good stead. EXERCISE--Take it slow right now. Walking the mall is a great suggestion given to you by Julio. You can also consider using the Leslie Sansone Walking Tapes. This can be done at home and will fit into your schedule. One more thing I would add would be SUPPORT GROUP meetings. 2 in Norwalk monthly 2 at St. V's monthly Both a good source for support and friendship. You can have FCB put you on their email reminder list. One thing about the scale. (First, I don't own a scale, rely on the doc and nutritionist to tell me if I am on track) I stalled round about the first month mark. Think it was my body saying... "what the heck is happening here?!" I stuck to my program and it began to move within a week. Patience is truely a virtue with this journey. And as Julio says all the time... This is not a race, nor a comparison game. Be well. Towanda

Dear Lisa, I, too, am a recent WLS patient. I had my surgery on July 19. I was so impressed with the weight loss the first week that I jumped on the scale 3 and 4 times a day. I couldn't wait to wake up to weight myself each morning. Then, whamo, it stopped!. I finally had my husband take the scale and hide it from me. I was so discouraged that I couldn't figure out why I wasn't losing with so little food going in. I have been attending Weigh****chers for 8 years and plan on never leaving so when I got on their scale on Saturday I had lost 1.4 pounds. I was pretty pleased with that. Don't get me wrong, I was scared to get on it not knowing what it would say. I am so conditioned to the scale that it was like facing withdrawal without it. I am okay with it now, I guess. A plus... I have more room in my bathroom for the tub mat. Good luck to you. I have my fingers crossed for my success as well. I know I have the tool and I will learn how to use it!