Can'tweight

I too started my soft food stage a few days early this afternoon. I had 2 scrambled eggs and 1 1/4 pieces of toast and thought it was a lot!! I do think I ate too much because later I felt a smidge too full. Tomorrow I am going to begin my journaling and measuring to keep close tabs on what I eat. I just thought that was a lot for my first soft food meal. Does anyone have any sample menus with portion sizes (Tiff)? Also, skinnyagain and I have the same doc and both of us had the 36 bougie. But I really think the size difference from a 32 to a 36 couldn't be that big of a difference, right? Very interesting. I had read some where that the bougie is measured in french measurements so I'm not sure what that compares too...size wise. Anyone have a clue? Doc said is was such a small difference, but I have no clue how the sizes compare.

I concur with the others. You should be ok as long as you stop to walk every hour. So sorry for your loss! As for the Protein shakes...I have found that if I'm out and about and need a Protein Drink, I stop at a good convenient store and grab a banana Cream "Muscle Milk." It's like 14ozs, 220 calories, 5-10gms Fat, 10-15 Carbs, and 25gms protein. Very yummy too!

NotFatJustExtraFluffy, you are doing fabulously on your weight loss. Congrats!! I couldn't take the protein with straight water...it was just too nasty! But my doc said if I am using 1% milk that I could definitely count it in my Fluid intake. I was so glad because I was having a hard time getting all the water plus the shakes.

Yes, the pain med helped with the pain but made me feel like crap. I did start feeling better after I was off it. Be careful though, your only 4 days out. Maybe take half a dose first and see if that helps. I know there are some that have posted stating the same on the Fluid intake, but not sure how many.

Remember, your Protein drinks count as part of your Fluid intake. At least that's what my doc said. Not 64ozs Water and 3- 8oz (20gms ea) Protein shakes. You are doing great for day four, sister! And walking helps SO much. Yes, I gained like 5 lbs from surgery. Was 241 right before they rolled me in. When I cam home the next day I was 246. I am 15 days post-op and am at 227. If I keep losing like this, I'm going to look like a flying squirrel...

I think you're are right on target for starting weight of 222. Congrats on the loss! Keep up the good work!

Yes! In fact, they encouraged it at the hospital where my surgery was preformed.

Yes, I am 15 days post-op and my left big incision is still swollen. You have to think about the fact that this one had the biggest tool inserted, and as mentioned above, where the old stomach was removed from. We took quite the beating in that area. Are you wearing your binder? I still where mine most of the time. It keeps me from getting so sore in that area. Everything you do seems to effect that incision. Including going potty, turning, getting up and down, slumping, bending over, etc... Hang in there! It will gradually get better. No worries...

Yes, ma'am! It is quite normal.Your tummy has A LOT of healing to do. Fourth day out was not a good day for me either. I am now 16 days out and life is soooo much better. Hang in there! It can be REALLY tough the first 2 weeks. It will gradually get better, I promise. Just try to keep sipping away. And remember, you don't have to worry about getting in any proteins until you're in your 2nd week. Water is the most IMPORTANT thing right now.

Good going, Sister!!

Before surgery I worried a lot about this because I was always thirsty and could down a bottle of Water like there was no tomorrow. But, after surgery I have found that I am not really thirsty. Granted, I am on full fluids still, but it is a huge difference in making myself drink it. I am still nervous about not being able to drink anything with my meals because I love my Mexican food. It's hard to imagine not being able to drink with my hot sauce (salsa). I laughingly told my husband I was going to have to get a spittoon so I can rinse my mouth out if it gets too hot!! A few other changes I have noticed as well. 1) High blood pressure was never an issue for me. Mine always hovered around 120/80-135/80. Funny thing is, I went to my PCP to get a diabetes kit because shortly before surgery he diagnosed me with diabetes. While there they took my blood pressure and it was 110/80...she said, "let me take that again." Well she did and it was still the same. Wild! Maybe that explains why I'm not burning up all the time like before. I was so very hot natured before surgery, but I feel pretty comfortable now. Sometimes I'm even a little chilled. 2) She gave me a crash course in checking my blood sugars and when it came time to check it, it was 118. Normal! She told me maybe I won't have to start my meds after all. She said to check my blood every other morning for 2 weeks and we would go from there. Praise the Lord!! I am sooo loving my sleeve!!! By the way...I am 15 days post-op and down a total of 24 lbs!

I've read a lot of others posts pertaining to Post-Op diets, but I am somewhat confused still about the liquid stage and Protein drinks. My question is: Are we allowed to add stuff (fruits, PB, syrups, yogurt, SF Jello powders, etc...) into our protein drinks/shakes in the full liquid stage? I CANNOT stand the smell or after taste of the Protein Drinks, but have found that if I can add a little PB, syrup, etc...I can handle it.

Went to my 2 wk post-op appt. and everything looks good. I am down 23 lbs from starting weight. Yea!! Also, I have been busy compounding "Soft Food" items from all over the web. I took my list and ALL items were approved. I get to move to this stage next Wednesday. If you have others not mentioned PLEASE let me know. Yea! Here's the list if any one needs ideas for this stage: 600-800 Calories 60-70gms Protein 40gms Carbs 30gms Fat Soft food Stage Sliced/shredded fat-free or low-fat cheese Yogurt oatmeal Soft Fruit eggs (poached/scrambled) Cottage Cheese SF pudding Canned Baby Meats/Pureed meats Canned Tuna/Salmon/Chicken Baked/Broiled/Steamed/Boiled Fish (Cod, Tilapia, Salmon, Crab, Shrimp, etc…) Lean Lunchmeat Turkey/Ham/Chicken Soup Mashed Potatoes/Sweet Potatoes/Squash Lean Ground Beef/Turkey/Pork (93% lean or better) Unsweetened Applesauce Soft Cooked Veggies (Green Beans, Carrots, Squash, etc…) NO CORN, PEAS, APARAGUS Cream-of-Wheat Malt-o-Meal Dry Cereal soaked in 1% Milk Toast Crackers Beans Ricotta Cheese Condiments: Splenda, Powdered Creamer, Light Margarine (free of trans fat), Ketchup, Light Mayo, SF Jelly or Preserves, Low-fat salad Dressing, Hot Sauce, Mustard

I totally agree! I just wanted to taste something other than "SWEET" protein shakes! I'm going to focus on staying away from potatoes, bread, rice, and Pasta. They have nothing to offer in the way of nutrition in my new eating habits, really. Thanks for your reply!!

You poor thing...Day 3-4 sucks! It slowly started getting better after that. I agree with the others. My doc said don't worry about the protein the 1st week. Hang in there! This will pass before you know it.

Tried mashed potatoes (thinned) last night. Wasn't supposed to yet, and it bit me in the you know what!! I woke up at 4am with bad cramps and felt yucky and light headed until afternoon. I fessed up to the doc and he said although it was thinned, it is a starch and swells up, that's why my sleeve didn't like. Just be careful with the starches "Big Tom." Take it really slow.

Well...you're just right around the corner from me. I'm downtown!

Yummy! Thomas is my favorite brand. I've never seen these, but then again, I wasn't looking for them either. Thanks Tiff.

The pain meds cause cotton mouth, therefore, no saliva to moisten your lips and they get VERY dry at times.

Thanks! I'm no where near even trying bagels yet, but was just wondering? I still have another week on full fluids, then 3 wks on soft foods. I really am going to try to stay away from bread, pasta, rice and flour for the most part. But I figured on occasion I could have part of a bagel. I was a BIG fan of bread before. Heck! I was a big fan of anything that didn't eat me first!!

Everywhere I have read says YOU CAN STRETCH your sleeve! Granted, not to the size before because the elasticity in the portion that remains is not the same. Be very careful! As I said before, ask YOUR doctor as he/she knows what they have done specifically to your tummy. Although this is for Gastric By-pass, the diets are VERY simular across the board.

Yes, I was very nervous up until the main event! Which I struggled trying to figure out why. After all, I have had 2 c-sections, hysterectomy, apendectomy (sp?), Spinal surgery, and 2 other laparoscopy's. But with being 5'5, 251 lbs, with sleep apnea, fatty liver, newly diagnosed with diabetes and high cholesterol, I had to do something. Not to mention all your reasons as well. Although, I'm only 14 days out...I am glad I did it. I think with all the past diet failures, it's hard to have faith that this will help. But it can! Just look on these forums and see all the success stories. Granted, it is only a tool. You do have to make a life-long commitment to change your eating and exercise habits. That's by far harder than the surgery itself. The 1st week is no walk in the park, but over all, the recovery could be a whole lot worse. Just do your research and you will be able to make the decision if it's the right thing for you. Good luck in your decision.

No they won't. You have to be off all your pain meds before you can drive. I don't think it would be wise to try and drive yourself after 4 days without pain meds for 6 hours. Unless, you are Wonder Woman...seriously. I would give yourself more hotel days. But that is just my opinion.

I've read on here that Water has a huge part of the weight-loss and the Protein has a big affect on filling you up longer. So you HAVE to find a way to get it in. Also, are you drinking while you eat? My paper work says NO fluids 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after. Any exercising? Are you journaling your intake? You should roughly be getting 600-800 calories depending on your body. You may require less. As far as the rest this is what my paperwork says: 60-70gms Protein (Men 70-80) 40gms carbs 30gms Fat 600-800 Calories That's all I have. Maybe others can give some other reasons. Hope this helps!

Y'all are so welcome...