Purdy in Pink

Wow, thanks everyone! I feel so much better and not so guilty anymore. also, TY for the birthday wishes too. I love this site...i can confess my sin's, and you all make me feel good about it. Thanks!

Ok fellow sleevers...........tell me if I was terriable today...I'm ready and I can take it. I had surgery 5 weeks ago.....I'm on the "soft foods" part of the food plan. my girlfriends took me to Red lobster to Celebrate my birthday. I ordered the parmesean crusted talipita, broccoli, and mashed potatoes. (I know were not supposed to eat mashed potatots anymore)....but I thought 2 small bites wouldnt kill me. so i did. and mmmmmmm boy were they yummy. but before that, they brought out those yummy garlic,cheese biscuits. I only intended to lick one and that was gonna be all...........well, I bet u can guess what's coming....i ate 3 small bites! has anyone else been bad like this.....I'm feeling soooo guilty.

I have my 5 week checkup a few days ago, and that was one of the questions I asked the nurse. She told me at 6 weeks I can start to eat salads. I know everyone's probably told something different, so, i'd follow what your dr. tells you. Goodluck!

Hi Kathy, I was sleeved on may 24th, my 1st 2 days were the worst. Neasous all the time, sore, tender. I took myself off the pain meds on day 2. Boy did i feel so much better on day 3. those meds really drag us down. soon as you feel able, get off and see how you feel. i was able to manage the pain w/ tylenol x strength. took those for another 2 days, then off forever. I'm feeling wonderful, no problems. I've been on liquids now for 4 weeks. Wednesday the 22 is my birthday, and i get off the liquids and can eat mushy/puree foods! woohoo....what a birthday present to myself....lol best of luck to you, and i hope u feel better real soon. Today (June 20) is my second post op day. I had a VGS on Saturday the 18th, and I think I feel worse today than I did Saturday night. I was up walking Saturday night and other than being really sore, wasn't too bad. Today I feel really punk! Is this normal? Somebody please help. Thanks! Kathy 49

i know everyones dr says something different, but my dr, said it was ok as long as i swallow it. also it had to be sugar free also. i am so craving a piece of gum .. my surgery was on monday 6/13..can i chew gum?

Hi Ladies, I was sleeved on the 24th May, I've had a terriable backache like I've never had before, been having it for a week now. well, today I started my period. Have any of you experienced more mensteral pain,cramps since you were sleeved? My periods were always so mild in the past. Today my backache is a little less, so I'm wondering if it is related. I was beginning to think I maybe had a infection of some kind going on inside me..... Sorry to ask such personal info.....

When I was concidering doing this sleeve, I talked to my husband, explained just how I felt about being "fat". We have been married for 24 years, so he already kinda knew. I was a self pay, and it was a big chunk of money. We were saving the money to re-side our house. He surprised me, told me he know's how unhappy I have been, and If i really wanted to do this, he will suppost me 100%. and he's been wonderful! He cooks his own meals, cleans up his mess......and even uses a small plate and eats 1/2 the amount he use to. He told me we will diet together. (although he don't weigh that much..170 and he's 5'8.) I wont have to cook for him or our son until i can cook for myself and eat it. He's very conciderate when he does eat, he eats somewhere that i'm not. Although I told him, he does not have to do that, I'm fine. This was my choice, not his. My hardest day so far was going to a 50th anniversary party (pot luck) for good family friends. All the wonderful food.....man o man was that tough. I went to the car, got my "muscle milk" and sipped on it for about an hour. but I made it, My point is, were going to be in difficult situations now and then, but this was our choice, and we can't expect everyone around us to change for us. I feel very blessed to have the support I have, i'm a lucky woman.

Hi, I had my surgery on the 24th May. 1)..I did not have any trouble with being sore from the drain tube, i got mine out on day 2. but everyone is different, so it's perfectatly normal to be sore. 2.) Don't know the answer here, but i think several here have already addressed it. 3.) I was one of those who also was focused on Protein right away, cause it's what the Dr. said....lol well, I was getting in 60 to 80 grams starting with day 2, but I was so full from doing this, I wasent drinking the Water. The wonderful people here helped me to understand that water was more important then the protein at first. You really don't want to have to go back to the hospital, get a IV again just so they can hydrate you again......not good You mentioned applesause?.....My dr said that wont start until the mushie/soft foods stage, you may want to double check.....(i know every DR, is different.) My dr told me liquids for 4 weeks, but I see some people here can have them per their dr after 2 weeks......just follow your Dr's orders no matter what others here are doing. Your DR knows best as to the way he did your surgery. Remember, your stomach when through a terriable ordeal......liquids are best, and about week 2, you will be so sick of the liquids.........but keep it going, stay strong, you don't want to do anything to mess this surgery up. After I read lots of the postings where ppl were getting to eat real food after 2 weeks, I called my Dr's office...begged and pleaded.....and I still got a NO!.......lol...GRRRR Good luck in your healing! I am home from the hospital as of this afternoon.. thank god THank you all for the well wishes you are all wonderful. Can someone please answer these questions for me... 1. is it normal for the area where dr put the tube for drainage to be sore.. he took it out before i came home this afternoon since there really wasnt much leakage. Told me to just shower with the bandage on it.. then dry off and replace the gauze and bandage. Its very tender and a little swollen around it.. is this normal?? 2. Does 1 sugar free popsicle count as my whole 2 oz of liquid for the hour im eating it? Im feeling thirsty and ok to drink .. but afraid :/ 3. Tomorrow i start my full liquids for 5 wks -- I am trying to figure out the best way to get down this protein and all my other stuff. So - if i taken 3scoops of protein powder that is my 60 grams right there for the day. If i mix it with 8 oz of water and just keep it in the fridge and then pour 2 oz every other hour.. that works and satisfies my daily protein requirements right?? then of course in the hours in between ill be doing my jellow/yogurt/applesauce whatever .. and water since water is unlimited. Does this all make sense? I am so scared to mess it up or miss getting in my protein.. and I want to try to avoid calling the dr for EVERY single thing since I know everyone here has been thru this!!! Please help me I would so appreciate some help on all 3 things. About how long did your area where your tube was removed hurt thats really the only pain im having so im hoping it goes soon :( I get so worried about infections or leakage! Thanksall

Hi Slevers, I have a few questions: 1) I've had surgery 2 1/2 weeks ago (May 24th) I was wondering how soon i can actually start to do some real excersizing.....more then just walking..... 2) i'm having some mid to lower back pain..feels like i have about 50 knots tied up in there, anyone else experience lower back pain? I've been doing the heat/Ice, and no releif in a week? Any ideas? 3) I'm stuck in in a holding pattern in my weight loss............I lost 16 lbs in the first 6 days.....and only 1 more in over a week. Is this normal?

Hi All, Question? I was sleeved almost 2 weeks ago. When did you all start the soft foods, ie: cottage cheese, eggs, etc? I'm so sick of these sugary tasting Protein beverages, My Dr. says 4 weeks, but I notice some of you start b4 that. Did you get your dr's permission? Thanks to all of you who respond!

Thanks for all the reply's back. I just talked w/ my Dr's office....GRRRR...she said I really need to wait 4 weeks b4 I start the soft food phase. dangit! i'm 2 weeks out now, I see alot of your DR's have you start now.......i wanna start now too.....lol

ok, I tried the Protein shot just this morning. (I got these at costco, in a tube looking container, and I think 12 come in the case) and they were AWEFUL.....So sugary tasting, I was not about to waste it, so I took a sip, gagged, took a sip, gagged, till I finally finnished it. each shot is 25 grams protein. Not wanting to waste the remainder, I'm trying to think of ways I can drink the rest. I'll try to make a shake of some kind I think. ok...there is my 2 cents...lol As another poster said about the mushies, I am so over this. Only for me it's protein. I have about a 3 to 4 ounce capacity so my life is baked fish, tuna or chicken. Honest. I lost weight pretty easy on Adkins but I didn't want to have to do Adkins the rest of my life so I was sleeved. You know the perfect sleeve fantasy. Eat anything but in small portions. Still have some pleasure in food, just reasonable. Well when you top out at 3 to 4 ounces being able to eat "anything" becomes protein. Protein. I am so sick of protein. So, down the road does anyone know if the liquid protein -- specifically the protein shots of whey -- is as beneficial to your body as ...well, chicken and fish. Even if I get a little stretch at 6 months, I can't see eating this way forever. Going through the summer seasons without fresh fruits or veggies just sucks. So frankly, I don't care what the rules are about not drinking protein. But I do want to make sure it's of actual benefit for my body. My plan to cope with my small capacity is to take a swig of the high test protein shot and then the fresh fruit or veggies. Without that protein at each meal, if I lose 1 meal I'm way off for the whole day. And back to my original point, I just can't see doing this forever. And even if my capacity doubles, 6 ounces is still pretty weak. I really want tomatoes from the vine and fresh snapped Beans. Is that a bad fat person's dream? So share with me what you've read and know on the subject of liquid protein. I really want to hang onto my muscle if at all possible. But I also sooo want some garden peas this summer.

Hi sugarland, Thanks for the reply back, you are inspirational to me. I actually went and bought some low fat cottage cheese today, I'm hoping I can try it in a few days. I'm scared...hehehe Purdy Hi, I'm not quite sure I caught your story right. Did u get sleeved on may 13th? and you are already eating chicken and vegies?. It's only been 3 weeks............i'm only asking not to question you, but I was told 4 weeks of liquids, then another 2 weeks of the soft/puree'd foods and at 6 weeks, starting in on the meats. i'm so DYING for food.....(not the liquid kind either)....your Dr. must have you on a different plan? Love the idea on the coffee cup warmer tho, I'll be sure to use it when i get to that point. best of luck to you! Yes you are correct I got sleeved on 5/13. I haven't had any complications and I'm sailing along with my recovery. I've even started to work out again, just walking and trying to get back up to 3 miles in 45 minutes. I chew up my food really good, I mean like it's gum or something!! I can only eat a very little but it's so good. I contacted my doctor's office and they said if it doesn't hurt do it so I'm doing it! I missed chewing and the weight is still coming off!!! If I don't chew my food really good trust me it hurts like HECK!!! Last night we went to Olive Garden and I got the Zuppa Toscana soup, no bread or anything and a glass of tea. I ate all my bowl of soup except for 3-4 spoonfuls but only 5-6 sips of tea. That soup tasted like heaven!!! Good luck to you on your weight loss journey!!

Hi, I see that some of you have a measuring tape of sorts that shows ur weight loss progress....Can anyone tell me how do I get one. I've tried to figure it all out, but i dont see it anywhere. Please help me if ur able. I think it's called a ticker....and how do i get one on my page/profile? Thanks!

ty, It worked, I now have one!... woohooo Here is a wonderful ticker tutorial by LilMissDiva: http://www.verticals...616#entry153616

Hi Eddie, I'm so sorry you are having such a hard time. I was sleeved on tuesday, May 24th 2011. Are you still taking the "pain" medication? I too was miserable, naseaus all the time, (although i never vomited) I sure felt like it. I took myself off the pain meds on thursday the 26th, and boy did I start to feel soooooo much better. I was having trouble getting in my fluids during those 2 days, I also had to be hydrated 2 times, on wed the 23rd and thur the 24th. Once I was off the meds, I was albe to drink more. I'm getting in most all my 80 to 100 grams of Protein daily, but I'm finding i'm so full from all that, I'm not drinking as much Water as i'm sure i'm supposed to, but i'm geeling great, don't feel like i'm dehydated..ie: no dry mouth, no chap lips, etc. anyhow, I hope this passes quickly for you. best of luck and take care! Hi everyone, My name is Eddie. I was sleeved on May 13th after about 6 months of research. I' was 5'7' and 250 pounds before I started and have lost 25 pounds.I was pretty active before, just lived on fast food and got fat. I didn't like the long term complications with the band and the full bypass was too scary. In the three weeks since I've had this done, I've been miserable. I'm exhausted, nauseous & struggle just to get 20 ounces of liquid and maybe 20 grams of protein a day. I've tried protein powder, Isopure, protein shots, you name it. Nothing taste decent enough to make me not want to boot it back up. The thought of food or drink makes me want to yack. I've already barfed today. I called the doc and his brilliant suggestion was to drink more. If I could drink more, I doubt I'd be in this situation. At this point, I'm not worried about losing weight. I just want to get healthy enough again to be productive. Anyone else go through this?? What did you do??

Hi, I'm not quite sure I caught your story right. Did u get sleeved on may 13th? and you are already eating chicken and vegies?. It's only been 3 weeks............i'm only asking not to question you, but I was told 4 weeks of liquids, then another 2 weeks of the soft/puree'd foods and at 6 weeks, starting in on the meats. i'm so DYING for food.....(not the liquid kind either)....your Dr. must have you on a different plan? Love the idea on the coffee cup warmer tho, I'll be sure to use it when i get to that point. best of luck to you! The best thing I ever bought was a candle warmer [or you can use a coffee cup warmer]. I got mine from Michael's for $3.99. I even invested in some really cute little plates [$1.49] and a tea cup with the strainer and lid [$4.99]. When I microwave my breakfast/lunch/dinner I turn on my mini hot plate and then put my coffee cup or little plate on it and it stays nice and toasty until I finish eating, which everyone knows takes quite a while when you're first sleeved!! I'm at work right now with my chicken and mixed veggies on a pretty little pink plate and everything is still bubbling hot!!! Just thought I'd share!!! Toodles!!!

You all have been so helpful.....the nasea has passes...im feeling much better, getting in about 60 to 70 gm Protein per day. Plus liquid.... Thanks again! Purdy -- Everyone is really right when they say that the more important thing right now is just to get in your fluids. If your doctor says it's ok, you might even try some broth with Protein Powder mixed in -- but really just drink your Water. Your tummy has to heal and it will take some time. I don't think I felt like I could eat anything until I was about 3 or 4 weeks out -- because I really couldn't stomach anything -- so take it sloooowly. You've just had major surgery and it will take some time. Keep us posted on how you're doing -- Take care!

Hi ppl, I was sleeved 2 days ago. I'm naucious most of the time, I've had to be hydrated twice at the Dr. office. My worries are that I'm not getting in the Protein daily that's required of me? I'm sure soon as the naucious feeling goes away, I'll be hopefully hungerier and will be able to take the 60 to 100 protein in a day. Has anyone else experienced this feeling, and how long did it take to pass? Am i doing any damage by not meeting the 60 to 100 protein per day. It just hurts to drink, and I feel full b4 i even start. I'd love to hear from any of you experienced sleeve patients. Thanks!

Thank-you Beadingnurse. you have been very helpful and I appreciate you taking the time to respond. Thanks! Purdy...Foxgirl is absolutely correct! The Protein is just not important right now but fluids are. None of us will starve over missing a few days or even weeks of protein! It will take awhile for the swelling to subside and your nausea to go away so be gentle with yourself. I drank a lot of just plain tap Water, Vitamin water, hot tea and chicken broth initially when I couldn't tolerate much else. For some reason I lost my taste for icy cold drinks and prefer things now at room temperature or warm. Experiment with your drinks and don't drink or try eat anything that doesn't appeal to you just to get your protein in. Good luck

Foxgirl, Thanks so much for your reply, I was sitting here trying to down some honey greek yogurt..(yuck), and after i read your post, I traded it in for some Water....lol. thanks! Please do not even stress the Protein yet!!! You'll get to it, for now, just worry about the water. Sip sip sip all day long. Your stomach will adjust then you can focus on protein. I know they try and tell you to work it in for that first week, but it's so much more important to worry about your water intake. You will begin to start fitting in some protein after the first week I am sure, so don't worry. But if you are feeling nauseous anyway, then the protein just might make it worst and the last thing you want is to get dehydrated from throwing up and not drinking enough water! I really didn't start on any protein until at least 5-7 days after getting sleeved. And I started very slow, maybe got 25 to 55 a day depending how hard I tried. You're gonna get there, but for now, just worry about the water! It really won't hurt your weight loss by not getting in the protein, but you will probably just be extra tired. So take it easy and one day and one ounce of water at a time!

This is my very 1st post. I have been leaning taward the band, but after research, and this site, I'm not pretty sure i'm going to go with the sleeve. Thanks for all your coments!