redroses47

I was advised to avoid using straws for a couple of months post-op due to possibly either gulping too much fluid or air at once. It can be pretty uncomfortable. I haven't tried straws yet but will return to them soon. Everyone is different.

My favourite is Pure Protein bars .. 20 grams of protein .. usually under 200 calories .. a quick fix of you need some protein. (Note there are two sizes of the bars .. the larger one I cannot consume in one sitting .. it's too large). The least sweetest tasting to me is the chocolate chip bar. The 'fruit' protein bars are sickly sweet. Pure Protein - Eat Good. Look Great.

I am almost 8 weeks now and only just now am I feeling a bit better in terms of energy. I see the personal trainer next week and will pick his brain about this lack of energy but I am sure it's a combination of lack of food vs. lack of exercise. It can only get better

I learn so much from other's point of view and experiences on this board! I was told I was never allowed to take any pills again if they were larger than a pencil eraser. Yours is a dime. If I had that advice, I would go back on my pill form of Vitamins .. the chewables and liquids are not that fantastic. Same with Protein powders - I've spent a lot as well and I am so sick of them. I do find other protein options and hit the 60-70 gram per day with ease. Well, you have the drive to go, get things done and exercise. Like I said, I am envious of that energy and while I am a 'get it done' kind of person as well, I simply had no energy post-op. It was very frustrating for me but it's getting better now. I get full VERY easily .. no more than 2/3c per meal no matter what it is. I am most comfortable with a 1/2c and I do eat 5-6 times per day. The liquids and soft foods are what most sleeve people tolerate the best so I am not surprised with how much soup you were able to eat. It will probably change once you start eating more solids. Best of luck to you.

That is a very common side-effect of surgery and most of what I have read from others tells me that a lot of people experience this. I did as well to the point of wearing socks to bed and sweaters in the daytime and I never used to do that. I think it wanes after awhile but I do notice that I get much chillier very quickly now. Rapid weight-loss will do that to you.

You are going like gangbusters .. part of me is envious but part of me wants to tell you to take it easy. You are still healing and will be for the few weeks ahead and the last thing you need is a tear, leak or any complications from over-doing it. I can assure you if you tried that hamburger, you wouldn't make it past the 2nd bite. Stick with the mushies or whatever plan your doctor told you to follow. I never had any pain either and I joked with my surgeon to ask if he actually did anything. But, I am not pushing it (I can't) .. I have such little energy from the little food that I do eat. I am eating probably between 600-800 calories a day and that is about as far as I can go. The pills thing .. are you taking pill-form Vitamins? I don't know about the other sleevers but my surgeon advised that anything pill form is a thing of the past. I am to only take liquid or chewable vitamins or even pain medication. Apparently the sleeve is not fond of pills due to the digestive process that could breakdown the pouch. Please check into this! You sound happy and energized. Good for you.

I don't have any tats but I fully expect I will need some sort of tummy-tuck procedure at the end of this. While I can not predict the outcome, I suspect due to my age (44) and length of time being overweight, there is no way my skin can recover. Even my surgeon said that the possibility is high so I will deal with it when the time comes. I am fully committed to following this through to the point of my satisfaction :001_rolleyes:

I am seven weeks out and it was really only about a week before I could sleep on my side but I didn't care ... I was so tired that any position I landed in was fine. My surgeon assured me that the wounds wouldn't open but when you are in the position of having six open incisions, it's hard to trust that! .. but I did and all was fine. I 'leaked' as well for about 3-4 weeks actually but that is my body .. I had a similar experience from another surgery a number of years ago. It was a bit of a pain because you didn't want to mess your clothes up and for me, I am allergic to latex and non-latex bandages just don't stick as well (IMO). As for fluids, just keep working on it until you feel comfortable and are able to get in close to your recommended amount. I was able to get all of my fluids in by the end of the first week but even now, day to day, it's different. On average, I am only able to drink about 6 cups because I am too full all of the time! Good luck!!

Well, you should check with your doctor. I don't want to assume that everyone takes it post-op but from what I have read here, most are prescribed this drug. It wouldn't hurt to ask .. you never know.

I have heard different experiences about the clear fluids from a number of people .. mine were only a few days and some, like you, were two weeks. You really won't want anything and pretty much all sleevers understand that feeling but keep at it. Your body is healing and needs the fluids. I hope you feel better .. that is a lousy feeling .. but things will get better.

PPI means 'proton pump inhibitor' .. like Prilosec (omeprazole). It helps eliminate any acids in your stomach and if you suffer from acid reflux, this is very important. From what I understand, all sleeve patients take this for at least three months post-op during the healing phase. I have never had acid reflex before or after but I still take it but anticipate this will end in about a month's time.

Seaview .. I am envious of your energy. That hasn't been my experience at all. I am 7 weeks out and still pretty sluggish and I eat very well. I move when I can, drink my fluids and eat my Proteins. I think I have connected with a few people here that are experience the same as myself so you are lucky! KathyM .. I think, like you, I was mourning the loss of any social aspect and eating regular meals prior to my surgery but I can tell you that changes very quickly. My experience has been like a weight has lifted off of my shoulders in NOT having to think about this stuff. The freedom is quite spectacular. Good luck and keep us informed with your progress.

Are you taking the PPI medicine? That could make the difference. I had the same 'pressure' in my system for the first few days too but this goes away. Just don't gulp or chug any fluids .. sip sip sip! Your Fluid intake is something you have to build up to but keep it up, take it easy and you will get there. I don't think I was able to get in my full daily fluids for about a week but still, I did the best I could. Good luck .. it will get better.

My first few days were strictly Clear Liquids .. ice, Water, Crystal Light, Jello, etc. .. no Protein drinks until the third or fourth day. Maybe you started too soon? I walked around with a 1 oz medicine cup and sipped from that. I didn't keep track of how much I was consuming and only that I knew I needed it. Take it easy. The first few days are challenging and yes, you will be tired. Listen to your body and sleep when you need to and walk around as much as you can when you are up 'n about. I never got sick, felt sick or had any pain so be careful with your intake .. you don't want to undo what was just done! Didn't your surgeon's office give you guidelines about intake and what to expect going forward from the surgery?

This reminds me of Susan 'Stop the Insanity' Powter from a number of years ago. Same thing .. no pics except one .. and she marketed her weight loss scheme based on this one photo.

I posted last night about excessive tiredness and a poster suggested fish oil, too. I will give that a try again because as a fish-oil consumer for 20+ years, I stopped a couple of months ago prior to surgery. Seems like it's time to get back on that wagon again. Great info, thanks for posting. As far as I know, I have never had any sort of depression in my life but I am feeling quite 'different' post-op. I can't exactly pin-point it but I just feel blue at times and it's hard to climb out of it. My energy (what little I have) plummets and all I want to do is sleep. At the same time, this is a new feeling for me so I am working through why I am feeling that way. Is it related to my surgery? I highly suspect this is the case but I have faith that things will eventually work themselves out as my weight loss continues. So my plan is to continue to eat well (including healthy carbs), take my Vitamins and get lots of sleep. Exercise/walk when I can and come back in these forums and read that I am dealing with things that others are experiencing, too. I appreciate the support in here :thumbup:

Having a bit of a laugh - but not at your expense - but there is so little sun in Vancouver these days that is feels like November. Driving me nuts! Fish oil .. I never thought of that. I was an avid fish oil consumer for 20 years but stopped a couple of months ago because of the surgery. I have a liquid form that I haven't tried yet but maybe I will give it a shot. I had planned to go back to it anyway so I may do it sooner rather than later. I never equated this oil with energy but there must be something to it as the fat works synergistically with your body.

Very inspiring .. thanks for sharing your success!

Jerryvic .. I am like you. I am good in the morning and then I fade pretty rapidly as the day progresses. I have a management/desk job so I really try to get up every 30 min or so even if it's to cruise around the office .. get my blood circulating. I am really focusing on listening to my body's cues for hunger, fullness and tiredness and act accordingly. Citygal .. I know you are right re: exercise (and trying to avoid an 'excuse' here .. ) but I find it even more hard to get in those 15 min post-op than pre-op. I know everyone's journey is different but I heard/read way more about the immediate 'fabulousness' of the energy post-op than the tiredness so I guess it came as a bit of a disappointment. However, I shall remain optimistic as I feel completely blessed to have this opportunity to better myself through this surgery. Every day is a new opportunity.

Thanks for your feedback. Your stats are close to mine .. from date of surgery, weight and weight loss .. and now you are feeling the same as I. I haven't done any post-op labs yet (will do in August, I believe) so I don't know those stats yet but it should be interesting. I've heard from others that they feel so fabulous after 2-3 weeks so maybe our day is coming soon

Although I am told I am allowed anything at this point (6 weeks post-op), I am not feeling that comfortable with 'everything'. Eating slow is critical for me. Second to that, I listen to my body and stop eating the moment that fullness kicks in. Like some posters noted above, it doesn't seem like I have had that much but I tell myself if I want more later, I can. Any meats for me are almost too dense so Tiffy I will take your advice and go to the chicken/tuna/egg salads route. Soft foods, Soups or stews really seem to be my comfort zone of eating. My true challenge is getting in the fluids in between meals .. I am struggling with that and probably only consuming about 6 glasses of Water a day. I am just too full most of the time and I know that isn't enough Fluid for me - I can feel it. I almost feel like I have to wake earlier to give me time to eat and drink all day.

I couldn't have said it better myself .. slap the sass off *giggle*

I was very cold for a couple of weeks post-op .. I mean layered clothing, socks and slippers .. and it was fairly nice here in Vancouver. I know it was related to the surgery and I am feeling not as cold but definitely cooler than I am used to.

great! look forward to hearing your updates

Ouroborous .. I can completely relate to what you wrote. I am experiencing the same things. The first few weeks, I felt zero hunger but ate/drank anyway, of course. But now, I am feeling if I don't have something every couple of hours, my energy drops to zero and I also get tired. I am far more tired now than I ever was but I realize it's because my calories are so low. Not sure how to remedy this .. I am still trying to work with my food/water schedule and my need to eat every 2-3 hours. I see the nutritionist on Friday so hopefully she can help me through this.