mnbsleeve

Congratulations Liliana!!! What a great feeling!!!!!

I'm sure you will get there! I also wanted to share, as I mentioned in a post above, that for me how fast I eat makes a big difference. Eating slowly and smaller bites was a big adjustment and still will affect me if I revert back to stuffing a bunch of food in mindlessly! I have to take small bites and eat slowly, over a period of at least 30 minutes or else I get nauseaus and sometimes pain, on a couple of occasions I had to throw up! I would just add to be sure and check in with your surgeon so you're at ease that all is well. I'm sure you've done that but I just wanted to throw it out there. Hang in there! You are going to love looking slimmer and trimmer and feeling energetic!!! I fee so good, I don't even thing about food!!!! LOL

I eat anywhere between 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of food, o occassion I get to about 1 cup. That's because foods "go down" differently. I focus on lean Proteins and they tend to give you a satisfied, full sensation right away. Carb laden foods seem to fill you up less and that's why people call them "sliders." Also, alot depends on how fast I eat. I need to eat slowly! This has been my challenge. If I relax and take my time and just enjoy each bite, I can eat a little more and also be comfortable. On occassion I forget and revert to slaming some food in my mouth and at about one bite I'm done! :-) So, taking your time makes all the difference. Generally, 40 to 45 minutes is a good time for me to enjoy a nice meal. So if I go out to eat, that's what I do. I even sip on some wine before my meal - something I did not start till after about 6 months. I can eat anythinng, however. I don't like fried foods or very heavy foods and they don't sit with me well. So fo instance, if I have fried calamari, I have one and enjoy it. Not because it filled me up but because I know it won't feel as comfortable and certainly not give me the nutritional value I need. One thing the sleeve really gave me is the ability to have " a taste" or "a bite" of things without feeling deprived if I don't eat more. So for me, it's easy to stay on program. I don't stress so much about how much I ate, more about quality and if I want to try things I just go for it. I will honestly say that it's been a long time (probably since being a teen ager) that I don't have to worry about food! LOL I know everyone is different. But I do want to stress that it takes some patients in allowing your body to regulate and come to its natural place. My sense of all this at this point is that the first year or so is the real adjustment. Then everything becomes the new normal and most of us don't seem to fight it nor have any more difficulties. That's my sense. Others may chime in with different ideas too. (The best part about this board!) I know this is a l longer response than you may have expected! LOL But I think the answer is a little complex, as you an see. At least for me! Happy losing!!!

Hi Pam! Welcome! I was 48 when I got sleeved - now 49 - and often also wished that it wouldd have been sooner. But you know what! I'm so happy I did!!! I feel (and look) 10 years younger anyway LOL!!! For me it's been an incredible journey. I'm soooo happy!!! Still working on getting to goal - and the operative word is "working," but it always feel that my efforts finally pay off. Best of luck to you with everyting, including your knee. Sending lots of good thoughts your way and again, welcome!

Pammie, I know it's hard not be discouraged... while I don't recall the exact amount of weight I lost at that point I can tell you that I have had the LONGEST stalls!!! and most were early on, by the way. Some over 4 weeks. But, the weight DOES COME OFF! I have already lost close to 80 lbs.!!! Often after these stalls are followed by a steady weight loss. I know it's hard, but try not to be discouraged. I always focus on nutrition and doing what I need to do. Eventually you begin the downward trend. I think the body just needs to adjust! Hang in there kiddo!!!!

I did not get to more solid foods, albeit very pureed, till around the six week mark! It's a process and you have to be patient. I think you are doing well by taking it slow. When I was first instructed to include soft foods I was petrified! It gets better though. Again, it's a process! Now at 8 months out I can eat anything I want - I limit what I eat based on good choices, not inability or nausea. Hang in there! It will get better!!!

Forensikchic, I just want to congratulate you on how great you are doing. I have no doubt you will achieve your goal of losing the rest of the weight by summer. Once again, we are on a simmilar path. I hope to get to my goal at the end of summer or so as well. I think that, especially since you are increasing your exercise, you should be able to get there no problem. I love that you are feeling well both physically and mentally. That's just as important to get to our goals. Looking forward to continuing to read about your progress!!!! Go to it sista! :-)

Congratulations!!! I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity! It's an incredible journey! Best wishes!!!

Sounds like you are looking HOT, HOT, HOT!!! You go girl!!!!!!!

Great thread! Looking forward to the follow up! Thanks guys!

Excellent! Thank for the tip. I actually have the shaker cup with the ball whisk! I tried my bullet but as you say things tend to explode. Also, I tried the mixer you submerge, but it's messy, not enough liquid etc. Mixing slowly by hand left clumps. I never thougth of the ball whisk. DUH! Although I did try a regular whisk. Somehow I could not get the hang of it. I think putting it in that cup and whisking and releasing the pressure should do the trick. I don't like things too hot either so your technique should work. Can't wait to try it out. I'll let you know how it goes! Thanks again!

So glad that you are doing well over all! I hope all the gas pain gets resolved soon! Sending lots of good thoughts your way for a super speedy recovery!!!!! Now you will be a "big loser" like the rest of us Be well!

Cheri, how do you prepare it hot?! I love Hot drinks, especially now in the winter, but I can't seem to be able to get my Proteins to work in hot liquid -- they clump up or remain in a lumpy texture. Any tricks or tips?! Thanks!!!!

TRSJ, I know it's such a difficult and personal decision! And everybody is different in terms of how they come to this decision. Similarly, everyone is different how they respond. Some of us do incredibly well from the get go, others have a few challenges and still a few others face serious complications. I think that IN GENERAL, most of us deal with some gas pain in the first few days and the primary struggles center around sipping and getting fluids and Proteins in. There are varying degrees of nausea, some only a bit and other for a few days. You also need to walk and move your body. Most also experience some degree of pain in the incission - generally described as an intense abdominal workout. For some of us we have a "stitch" type pain for as long as a month. But overall nothing too painful - more anoying. A good number of us seem to have issues with getting our Protein in, specifically dealing with the various shakes - whether because of taste or being able to keep them down due to lactose intolerance. Some of us get a bit of the runs with some of the shakes - although there is less of us. This requires a bit of patience and dedication in trying different things and experimenting. Overall I would say that the main focus the first few days, and I do mean FOCUS, is on moving to help with gas pain, not lifting, and sipping your fluids to reach your goal! That's why everyone says "sip, sip, sip, walk, sip, sip..." Also, getting Liquid Protein in if so prescribed by your surgeon. Those are the main challenges. After the first week or so things really tend to look up and the challenge again is getting proteins in, and fluids of course which will continue to be the challenge. It's sort of starts again with soft food - the first few bites are scary and can result in a little pain or slim. This is my general impression from the experiences being posted on the board as well as my own. I had quite an easy journey, not without challenges but most have resolved. I didn't really have any pain and very little nausea for which I was prescribed raglan - only needed it a few days. I felt pretty energentic by the second week. Again, everybody is different. Some people, while only a few, face more serious complications. So I believe we do have to be ready should that occur. I hope this is helpful in some way. I just remember this very difficult place that you are in right now and hope to be able to offer some support. I've learned it ABSOLUTELY NORMAL to feel completely freaked out right before surgery!!! I wanted to run out of there even as my IV was put in!!!! I had all the supportive words of the good people on this board with me reminding me that they went throught the same fears and it helped calm me. It is scary and I really think we are an incredibly courageous bunch!!!!! And sometimes in life it just takes that leap of faith to reach our dreams. Best of luck to you!!!! We are all rooting for you!!!!! Please post and let us know how you're doing!!!!

Hey guys! just sending good thoughts your way!!! I'm so sorry for what you're going through. I hope you can have all this behind you soon!!!!

In weight watchers they would always say that it's not one day that will set you back. We're all human and will have our ups and downs. The main thing is getting back to it. So good for you for acknowledging a rough day and just moving forward!!! Thanks for your honest post!!!!

Are you on a good anticid?! If not, that could be the culprit. I'm on Prilosec... well stating to wean off... but in the begining without it it was not good. I experienced the symptoms you just described. Good luck kiddo!!!!! Hope you feel better very soon!!!

I know what you mean about the first 30 or 40 lbs. not being noticed. About a week ago I went to get my hair done and my stylist, who has seen me drop close to 80 lbs.!!! says to me, "wow, have you lost weigth?!" It cracked me up because I had been stalled and had finally dropped about 2 lbs. since my last visit!!! LOL I'm thinking, wow, you didn't notice the other 76 but these 2 little beauties did the trick!!! Obviously, proportionally speaking, a couple of pounds now really show whereas when I weighed well over 240 lbs. they were mere fluctuations! LOL I do take some offense when people ask "how much weight have you lost?" It's not appropriate and I put it right up there with questions like "how much money do you make? or have in your savings account?" It's really none of anybody's business and it's rude to take such liberties. But I think it's that cultural value that "fat people" somehow are fair game. No one askes a thin fit person about their food or weight etc. I LOVED the response from the poster above who said she responds " a lot." That says it all in a very polite way!!!! Happy losing everyone! :-)

LOL!!! High five!!! :-)

Same as PdxMan above. I had both done at the same time. I won't repeat everything said but I will say I am about 8 months out and I eat whatever I want. I mostly "choose" the right foods for nutrition and cal content. Red meat is still more difficult but then again it always was for me. Also, my quantities are small, between 1/4 cup and 1/2 at most. Dense proteins = less amount that I can get down sense they fill me up immediately! i.e., red meat! Regarding the cramp on the side: I struggled with that for quite a while. I was doing alot better and one day I sneezed and bam! again with the pain. I believe it's the muscle that was cut that is healing. It gets WAY BETTER!!! Hang in there! In a short while you will not be able to feel any difference in your body.. other than the weight loss and low food consumption... but you'll feel great!!!!!! It just takes an adjustment.

Yecats!!! So happy you are home and doing well!!!!!!! Sending lots of good wishes for a super speedy recovery! Welcome to the looser's bench!!!!!!!! :-)

My surgeon's fee were just under 9K and about 1K for anesthesiologist. It was the hospital fees that pushed it to about 20K. I got in just under the wire as the hospital increased their fees. I was sleeved in San Francisco, California. Great surgeon, great hopital, incredible care before,during and after. It really was a great experience. I don't regret it one bit and I am soooooooooo thrilled, and greatful, that I did not have to wait for insurance. I was ready and did not want to go through more. I am greatful I was able to do it. I know it's a huge hardship. But I made the decision to do this for me. Best of luck with this. I know it's a big decision!!! Let us know how things go.

I agree with Sunny. I would talk to your surgeon and/or MD. Many meds cannot be crushed and warn against it. Also, I know lots of people on this board that resume their medicine regime after surgery - without a problem. In terms of vitamines, you can get liquid or chewables, same with calcium. Otherwise, I would not crush anything on the advise of my NUT. Best of luck with this! Let us know what you find out.

Sending good thoughts for a speedy recovery!!!!! Hang in there!!!!

Yes, yes, and yes! :-) A few weeks ago I actually crossed my legs on a plane!!!!! I could not believe it! I'm always crossing them now (and switching when my knee digs in to the other leg) so I just unconsciously crossed them and WOW, I realized I was on an airplane seat... with my legs crossed!!! woo hoo, happy days :-)