PdxMan

Post-op, the stomach is going to be swollen, and not the same amount for everybody. So, the amount someone can take in is going to be different for everybody. As long as you stop AS SOON as you start to feel restriction, then that is what you need to do. That is the amount to take in. If the next time you can take in more, great, but if it is less, then so be it. Listen to your body. Keep trying to get all your liquids in and remember your Protein, too. Don't stress if you don't hit your target amounts, just keep trying. Myself, I didn't reach my target amounts of liquid and protein until about a month out. I could do about 3 oz at a sitting and it would take me 20 minutes to do so. But, I'm a sweller. Just scratch me and my skin raises.

For me, the shoulder pain related to the surgery and internal gas was reserved to the left shoulder only and was gone after about two weeks post op. Now, what I have discovered, though, is after I started losing weight, old injuries which I haven't felt in years are back. I was rear-ended 6 years ago and went through the whole PT regimen and was feeling great. Now, the exact pains I had are back. Why is that? I have a theory. The physical therapy I went through and the adjustments I made to deal with the injury required building some muscle to support my body with the injury. When I started losing weight, I was also losing muscle mass. Big time. I'm theorizing I lost some of the muscle I was using to support movement in this area. I was back to using ibuprofen and tylenol and not feeling good at all, but then I developed this theory. So, this is when I started back hitting the weight room lifting. This was about 3 months ago and I believe I was right, for me, because my pain is greatly reduced. Did you ever have a previous shoulder injury or perhaps somewhere close where now your muscle loss could be reference pain? You don't need to hit the weight room to build muscle, either. For shoulders, I know they recomend band exercises and you can do push-ups against a wall adjusting the angle as you progress. As always, consult your Dr before starting any kind of workout routine. I always suggest paying $50 for a personal trainer session so you learn how to do the exercises correctly, efficiently and do not injure yourself further.

Wow, implying someone getting ready to have WLS surgery in a few days might be overweight ... How outlandish, thinoneday. I don't think some people understand the consequences of being overweight. Even on a WLS board. People are dying from morbidly obese complications and we are supposed to smile and give everybody a ribbon? Folks who are young and/or don't have complications ... God bless you. But for how long? Do you think it is a good idea to put a weight loss program off until a complication does come along and do permanent damage? WLS may or may not be the answer. Being that young, do they feel they have exhausted other means or investigated medical reasons for their weight? But let's not kid ourselves about being overweight here. I believe the OP has come to grips with that or they wouldn't be here on this forum and only a few days away from surgery. I would suggest you talk with your medical team about this again soon. Surgeon, dietician and psychologist to ensure this is the right decision for you at this time.

Rosy, check out my signature section for all of my details. I have to remember to really chew well, especially something hard like tortillas. I could feel them in my tummy for sure. It didn't feel bad, like when I tried eating a roll a couple weeks ago, but it didn't feel like the old days, either. I was over at a friend's house and they were wondering why I wasn't having more, but I said I had a late lunch and was having dinner later with my wife. Deigh, I was right there with you. I just wanted so bad to eat something with texture, but at the same time was terrified to do so. Any time I pushed the limits of my sleeve early on, it seemed I paid the price. It is frustrating and seems like you will never be able to eat again, but it does come around. I promise. It does.

Hmmm ... that is a good question. I don't think I ever did go back to feeling the way I did pre-surgery. At least not yet. After getting through the initial shock of surgery, drinking broths and then mushies, I started a 3 week stint of extreme fatigue which was turned around by increasing carbs. After that, I had lost so much weight and now had so much energy, I could do things and felt better than I had in years. It truely is a roller coaster, and I really don't want to go back to my old normal, but I'll say I started feeling better after I got through the fatigue stage, about 5 weeks post-op. Had I listened to my body and talked to my NUT earlier, I'm sure it would have been sooner.

As I posted on Liliana's post, I pretty much stay with Soups having them pureed early on. Salads also work for me and it is always nice having a to-go for later. Pretty much all those places have their nutritional stuff posted online. As a former cook, though, know that what is posted and how it is actually prepared are two different things. Usually always more butter or oil. Portion sizes are also larger in real life. I think, through this process, you may find going out to dinner occurs less often as you have been forced to prepare more meals and do meal planning. At least, this has been true for me.

Early on, I just ate soups. Real early on, I would ask that they puree it, which they did no problem. After moving from soups, I just take bites off of my wife's plate. If I am alone, it is a side salad or soup, but yes, no matter what, I'm getting a to-go container.

I'm 5 months out and still not on bread. I had a bite of a roll on Thanksgiving after having a couple bites of turkey, and that was it for me. Couldn't eat any more and the roll didn't sit well with me at all. I have had some tortilla chips. Had two nacho chips the other day with chicken, cheese, salsa and olives. Two chips and I was done. Full. Those sat better than the roll, though. I regretted the roll. As I understand it, breads, pastas and rice expand in the stomach. I'll try again in another month or so.

ItalianLady, Sensitive is good. I wish my son's first grade teacher was more sensitive. It means you care genuinely. But we also must be honest and sometime it may mean brutal honesty. In my research pre-op I went to a local seminar and the question was asked about mortality rates with the sleeve. The surgeon shared a story of a patient (not hers) who died two weeks after surgery. It seems this man wanted a steak so bad, he induldged and long story short, he died. This is not a game we are playing here and I think some people come into this with the same attitude of getting a tooth extracted. They think it shouldn't "be that hard". Well ... it is for some ... for lots. And they need to know that as well as those researching it.

Nachos ... had some the other night with chicken and cheese. Could only eat two chips (loaded) and I was stuffed. That is the joy of the sleeve. It does for me what I could not do for myself. Stop stuffing my face. It's almost like I am eating like a slender person! Maybe if I keep this up, my body will be slender, too.

This is definately a tough one. Written word like this can take the emotion out of true context the author intends. Often, it is interpretted by the emotional state of the reader at the time. There are several studies on this. In this day and age of the quick instant message, the phone text and the pocket forums, people don't take the time and don't have the skill to relate enough information to convey the emotion behind their meaning. If the reader is feeling vulnerable, they can interpret it as being attacked. If they are in a good mood, it could be interpreted as humorous or the author pathetic, while if in a sympathetic mood, interpreted as helpful. I know I am guilty of this ... giving my 2 cents in as quickly as possible. But, I am also a grown up and know not to take things people write in a forum to heart. These are all suggestions and it is up to me to take the snippets of what I find may work for me. I want honesty and grant others the same respect by returning that honesty. Like I told my wife on our first date, "Don't ask me any question to which you don't want the answer, because I will tell you the truth." Sometimes, I probably just need to step away from the forum for awhile. After reading the same post from 5 different people complaining about being in a stall, but admit they are not eating the right foods and not exercising ... Or another one of my favorites from those who have tried 3 different Protein shakes and have given up ... They don't want honesty. They know what they have to do. We all do. Sure, there is going to be the 1% who never had a consult with a dietician or their surgeon never mentioned xxx. But the other 99% have been told. It is here on the forum to be searched. There is Google. These folks may need some tough love. I guess my advice to all is: Don't post a question to which you don't want to know the truth. If a response does offend, know that it is based in love, though it may be laced with frustration. Try to take your emotion out when reading and be objective. Post in the correct forum. If you are looking for some reassurance, perhaps the Post-Op forum is not the right place. Place your post in the right context by choosing the right place. I want to help all those who are also willing to help themselves. Let's all do this together.

How are your measurements? Are the pants/shirts tighter? I, too, have been lifting weights for a little while and figure that is a contributing factor to my weight plateau. To be honest, I would like it to go up a bit, due to muscle gain, of course. But, the holidays are hard. We, too, have all kinds of food around the office and I am well known for homemade english toffee. I make about 20 batches each holiday season for friends & family. Butter, sugar and chocolate ... oye! Of course, I have to sample each batch ... But, I am forcing myself to keep exercising, even through the dark days here in the Northwest. I got the little reflector vest and run at least two miles every other day. I do this as soon as I get home from work or after I get the kiddies in bed. It's only 20 minutes plus 10 minutes for shower. But I feel great afterward and don't have to beat myself up when I do have that piece of peanut brittle that Kathy brought in to the office. About twice a week I hit the weights hard and hoping that will relieve just a bit of the extra skin issue. But after that, too, I feel great and compelled to stick with this program. About a month or so ago, I was ill and did nothing for a week. It was sooooo hard to get back into it. But once I did, it seemed to get easier to stick with it. You just have to get over that initial hump.

I thought I was going to be fine. Thick, dark hair ... took all my vitamins ... got my protein and then some ... about two weeks shy of 5 months, it started coming out. I'm a week past and it is still coming out. Thinnest it's been in years, but so am I, so ... I'll take it.

Can you do protein shakes? I would think so. They are filling and get you the protein you need. They will also help you fill full. During this time, you will be losing weight and I would hate to think your Dr would want you possibly losing muscle mass now, because post-surgery, it is almost impossible not to lose muscle.

I think that is a difficult question to answer. Somebody who started with a BMI of 50 would probably have a larger loss than someone starting at BMI 40. Men vs woman ... pre-existing conditions ... exercise... There are several topics that do give some #s for people where they are at. http://www.verticals...__fromsearch__1 As long as you are doing the right things, you will lose. This isn't a race and I think we could drive ourselves crazy if we think it is. Just keep doing what you are supposed to be doing and it will be GREAT!! BTW, congratulations on being down 39#s. I think that is great!

I lost 10 pre-op on a two week, protein shake breakfast/lunch and a lean and green dinner. I did cheat on the 2nd and 3rd day of it, though. It was my daughter's birthday and we had pizza and cake/ice cream. I was still so weak willed, but I was able to pull it together after that.

The sabotage comes from making excuses to not put some effort into doing what we need to do. We have all seen the posts from those who say they can't drink the Protein shakes but admit they haven't tried any variety. If one doesn't work, you shouldn't throw your hands in the air and say, "Protein Shakes don't work for me" like we see posted on a daily basis. I think we have all made a commitment to change in going through with this. I just hate to see someone sell themselves short by not putting in the smallest effort to find what works for them. That, to me, is sabotage.

No you didn't. Yes, you are right. It is condescending. I hate it when people can't take a few seconds to figure something out for themselves. You said you don't have a lot of options for shopping there. Yes you do. You don't need exotic Protein drinks and you don't need excuses. We've all found ways to sabotage our diets in the past. Let's not continue this behavior, what do you say? Sorry, I'm pretty blunt and call it like I see it. Some people may not like it, but this is serious stuff we're dealing with here.

Two weeks is usually pureed foods, but check with the dietician associated with your surgeon for your exact plan.

I've been posting this all over ... Ham and Lentil soup. Soooooo gooooood! pureed if you are in that stage, otherwise, go for it. I've heard, though, to avoid celery as our tummys can't handle the strings, if you haven't diligently removed them.

I have had this issue as well. Thought I was going to pop a blood vessle for sure. I eat prunes daily. Love them. Keep things moving. Of course, Water consumption. I don't even count the liquids from the Protein shakes as I figure the protein kinda cancels it out. Even doing this, though, I have run into problems. That is when I reach out to MOM (Milk of Magnesia). That has worked for me.

Sure thing. I just got to thinking, though. Be careful of the xxx with rice or the xxx and noodles. They may be a little tougher to digest at first and may be your go-to at the end of this phase. They say rice and Pasta expand in your stomach and at this point, those items are not the most important thing to be going in there given our restriction. Don't worry if you can only get a couple spoonfuls in. That is normal. Just take your time. Don't push yourself. It took me half an hour to eat 1/3 of a cup. One spoonful ... swallow ... wait a minute ... evaluate how that felt ... repeat. Do not drink other liquids while eating. You'll do great.

I was a big fan of ham and lentil Soup. I then pureed it with my hand mixer. Lots of Protein and bold flavor. I would say grab any soup you like and puree it. Just make sure it has protein and carbs (veggies) in it.

No, I don't think you will have to do this for the rest of your life. This is just until you can get into the full swing of things and back to a diet of 'normal' foods. But this will be different for each person. I am very active and will most likely use Protein drinks for workouts and Meal Replacements, but that will be by my choice, not because I cannot get what I need through regular foods. A quick google search in Saskatoon for health food stores turned up quite a few: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Saskatoon+health+food+store

I weigh once a month around the 20th. That was the day I had read a post from someone who was complaining because they weighed themselves in the morning and then again that afternoon and had gained 0.3 pounds (that's zero point three) and was SOOOOO UPSET!! I was thinking how ridiculous that was and vowed to not make myself that crazy. I think that is the only place weighing often can lead you. I weigh myself each month and I weigh less each time. I don't have to beat myself up for that 0.3 pound gain. AHHH!!