Eureka-C

Been there done that.

I measured before surgery and a week after surgery. I gained almost 4 inches in my belly. It took three weeks to get to pre surgery size even though I was losing.

I was told by my nutritionist and surgeon to wait until 6 weeks to 3 months to add serious exercise. I was told for the amount of calories and energy needs for healing it was better to do light workouts, walking, housecleaning, playing with my kids. Then when I am healed and able to eat enough protein start moderate exercise, weights, machines, bikes etc.

That is one of my biggest problem. Don't do it. I have taken one more nibble a few time and it is no fun, it just sits there feeling awful or it comes back up. Not worth it. I am still learning.

Yup I had a 10 day stall, up and down the same 3 pounds for 10 days. I also gain one or two days every month. I am beginning to think it's ovulation, and I get way hungry for crap for2 days before my period and have lost only one pound the week before. I am only twelve weeks out and a little obsessed with the scale, 2-3 times a day, so time will tell. Just keep eating protein, getting fluids, and exercising. Btw, antihistamines make me retain water too.

At 12 weeks I still have one shake three or four times a week. I just don't like eating breakfast, and it helps me get in my fluids. I would say do it until you can eat enough other foods to get in 60-80 grams of protein. Everyone heals differently, and our sleeves are different sizes. I can eat way more than many at 12 weeks. I was getting 40-60 grams of protein from food at 6 weeks. I don't like when docs/nuts/good intentioned friends try to make me fit in their boxes. I listen and then do what is right for me.

All that ground meat bits just feel nasty in my mouth now that I chew so much. No problem to the sleeve though.

I sneeze and my nose starts running and my eyes water. I try to pay closer attention, but I am really bad about one more nibble.

I would wonder who he did his residency with and who his supervising surgeon was. Did he learn from someone or some great facility?

That's awesome.

Try some unflavored protein. Just be warned, it doesn't heat well. I wouldn't put it in water, but others might have recommendation. I used vitamin water zero and lemon juice concentrate to add to the fruit flavors and cut the sweet. I can't stand the chocolate or the thickness of most protein drinks, but finally settled on cherry syntax protein, extra water, lemon juice or crystal light lemonade mixed together. By the way by 2 1/2 - 3 weeks I could swallow bigger sips and didn't feel like I was drowning myself sipping constantly. This too shall pass. Just focus, and keep it up.

I would say look for samples. I personally like syntax nectar brand. I also do special k protein drink for an extra 10 g of protein on low days. Personally, I have a hard time with the choc/vanilla ones and prefer the fruity ones. At 3 months out, I rarely do a protein shake anymore and get all of my protein from food. I also don't worry too much about the carbs. If I eat the amount of protein 60-80 g recommended, there is little room for anything else anyway. I am not sure who ships to your side of the world. Let us know how it goes.

The sleeve volume will change over time, but as far as I am aware, it is due to healing, and reduced swelling. I have heard tiffykins say that she could eat more each month for a while (i cant remember the exact time frame) then she just stabalized and has been eating the same amounts for months now. Personally, I am a little jealous. I could eat 4 oz of tuna easily at 6 weeks out. Now at 12 weeks, I can eat that and some lettuce/tomato etc. 6 - 20 minute meals sounds like a good plan, and it sounds like it was working for you. Keep up the good work.

my husband swears the sugar free koolaide is sweeter and tastes better. Personally, I like them all. I did start mixing the lemonaide with my cherry Syntrax Protein b/c the sweet was getting to me.

They also make anti-nausea medicine in a supposotory.

I know I missed your two hour deadline, but I went out several times early out and wanted to post just in case for next time or others. In a mexican food restaurant, the tortilla soup often has a stock that they pour over the ingredients. My hubbie and I both ordered a cup, and I asked them to let me pour the stock (it came out in a cute little creamer pitcher). I gave my hubbie the extra ingredients in the cup and just poured myself some stock. Kids and hubby shared the double ingredients (chicken, avacado, tortilla strips etc) with a little stock. My son used it as a dip for the chips. In other restaurants, I have ordered a chunky soup. I could then scoop out spoonfulls of broth easily, took the rest home and blended/strained it for later. I found the creamy Soups and chilis too chunky to scoop out spoonfuls of cream without chunks so after one attempt, I just avoided them at the restaurant. That one attempt, I finally used a fork to damn back the chunks and let a spoonfull of just the creamy soup on my spoon. Miso soup at a japanese restaurant is great. Once my husband ordered a sandwich au jou and gave me the au jou. I just ate it like soup. Friendlies is definitely not the place to be. I looked at the menu. I would probably get the chicken noodle soup and just sip at the broth. Or you could bring a scoop of Protein powder and mix with a small shake.

The surgeon & RN suggested I go ahead and replace two meals with shakes, keep one high protein/low carb meal, and 1-2 snacks high protein when I went for my consult in June. Due to insurance problems, I didn't have surgery until 11/22. I didn't always stick to it (I kept the high protein, but often ate too much) but worked hard at the beginning and once insurance finally approved me. At my consult, my liver was large and mushy, but it looked great in the pics of my surgery. Small and firm.

Have you called your surgeon? This seems extreme for 3 weeks out. I would also wonder about a stricture?

I was terrified of throwing up and causing damage. I told the nurse, the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, and they all made sure I got meds to prevent nausea. Btw, narcotic pain meds always make me nauseous, and several people have said dehydration can make you nauseous, so no matter how hard it is, once you can start drinking, keep sipping constantly. Best of luck to you.

How far out are you? Right after I started mushies, this was the case for me as well, now at 11 weeks out, I easily go hours without being hungry. In fact at times I want to eat, but have no hunger, everything just sounds blech. Although, i have found that the week before my TOM, I still want to eat constantly and obsess about food like I always did before surgery. Only now I can't eat too much. My worst day, I ate almost 1200 calories, whereas before surgery, I could eat 5000 or more on bad days. As for stretching, I think that is least likely to occur with several small meals. I worry about stretching because I have the urge to eat until feeling overstuffed, just one more bite. I am working really hard not to do this.

I understand your concern. My husband has had several surgeries and he always hates the catheter. He always asks them to take it out before he wakes up. Usually this is good, but last time (appendix removed), the anesthetic lingered and his bladder got too full, preventing him from peeing and causing severe pain. They had to reinsert the catheter (by this time he was begging for it) to relieve some pressure and allow him to pee. He says next time he will let them keep it in to never have to go through that again. I tell you this because some types of anasthesia don't allow the body to work like it's supposed to and the catheter is required to prevent problems like this. My husband says all the times he has had one, there is no pain, no bleeding, no scarring. The last time they had to reinsert it when he was swollen inside caused a bit of uncomfortableness, but he was in so much pain by this time, the relief of releasing his bladder far outweighed that. As for my surgery, my surgeon uses general and a local as well, and does not require a catheter. Have a talk with the surgeon and the anesthesiologist and maybe you can work something out. In the end, no matter how uncomfortable the idea of the catheter, isn't it worth a few hours of annoyance to lose the weight?

Only iv. Nothing else

Having someone at least come and check on you a few times is nice. If not, make sure you have a comfy chair. Recliners are awesome. Have a tv tray or small table where you can easily reach. Buy everything before you go in the hospital. Get your pain meds pre-filled. My doc did this on request. I personally wouldn't plan on going upstairs the first day home.

Royse city (near Dallas)

I would just leave it as-is until your scale catches up with your ticker.