PdxMan

None of the above ... From what I understand: The pyloric valve sits at the bottom of the stomach. When it opens, it allows the food which has been mechanically digested by the stomach to pass into the large intestines. This is where nutrients, for the most part, get absorbed, not the stomach. (B12 is an exception) The stomach, combined with acids and the moving around of the contents, makes a liquidy paste of the contents. When it is liquidy enough, the pyloric valve opens allowing some of the contents to pass lowering the amount of food remaining in the stomach. Not all will pass at once, depending on what you ate. Adding liquid to the stomach gives the pyloric valve a *false* signal to open and allow food to pass a bit too early. This allows food to pass out of the stomach sooner which would allow the consumer to eat more. Eat more food, consume more calories ... well, you get the point. Kind of misses the point of having the sleeve in the first place, doesn't it? I have experimented with this when I was running a lot of races. I couldn't get enough calories in to maintain my exercise efforts, so, a couple days before a race, I would drink with my meals. I could DEFINITELY eat more food at a single sitting and could eat again sooner. Now, I'm not talking about eating like I did in the old days, for sure, but I could get up to 1,600 to 1,800 calories in a day, no problem.

What are you doing for exercise? What are you willing to do for exercise? I can't imagine having any level of energy at 600 calories.

Yowsers. Why are you trying to stay under 600 calories per day? Is that Dr orders? Remember, you can exercise, so if you are able to do an additional 200 calorie burn, you add 200 to whatever daily intake ... 600 ... I was doing that a couple weeks post op, but to maintain that level won't be good in the long run. You can't get enough carbs in for energy.

This sounds like me exactly. Love TJ's turkey jerky. I did 2 protein shakes a day as well.

Boy ... a real meal ... at 5 weeks ... I don't think I had a *real meal* until I was 6 months out. Or at least what I would consider a real meal. I never really differentiated between a snack and a meal since they were pretty much the same thing. I ate what I was comfortable with at whatever time. Didn't worry about quantifying it as a *meal* or a *snack*. So, yes, while my family ate a hamburger for dinner, I would have a baby belle and a small section of sliced turkey. They might have some cheese and crackers after school and I would eat some lentil Soup. Just eat what you can, when you can and call it good. Jerky, Protein bar, sliced deli meats, cheese, yogurt ...

I hear you, but tell me, since you relate it to your first trimester of pregnancy, do you now regret being pregnant? If you had a chance to undo your pregnancy so you didn't have to endure it, would you now or was it worth it? I can't speak to that aspect of life directly, but I sure am happy my wife endured her two pregnancies. I'm quite elated by the result of that as well as my WLS journey. It does get better ...

Sorry, can you help us with a timeline? Your lapband presurgery weight was 243 and with it you dropped to 155 or your sleeve surgery weight was 243? When was your sleeve surgery? What is your exercise routine like? Do you track your food on MyFitnessPal or the like?

Yup, didn't know I had one. Dr repaired it for me. I, too, had horrible reflux for years. I haven't had to take a PPI since my surgery, BTW. Swallowing was probably a little more difficult for a couple extra days, but that is about it. It was definitely an added bonus.

I started at a 40 BMI, 300# and my moobs were gone when I hit about 205# mark, as I recall.

Go over to the band to revision forum and read about everyone's nightmares with having the band. If that won't convince you ... Sleeve has been awesome for me. Can't see how it couldn't do everything you needed it to do.

People tell me I look 10 years younger now ... There are pictures in my gallery under my profile ... you decide.

My wife made me a little embankment with pillows in bed. It was awesome. Totally supported my from all sides. Slept and relaxed there. Thanks Honey! :wub: (Yes, she reads the boards)

I jokingly said my goal weight was whatever weight I am when my moobs are gone. I hated having them and feel so much more like a man without them. Congratulations on your loss

Wow ... Raw oysters at 5 weeks ... I wouldn't try it. I couldn't do solid meats (steak) until I was 6 months out. I blended chicken and tuna with a fork until then. And with crackers? Did your NUT say crackers were OK for you? I can't imagine they would, but I have heard of crazier things. Have you asked your NUT this question? Seems like a meal closer to 5 months than 5 weeks.

The endoscope and bougie are most likely about the same size, so, no big deal.

How old are the kids? I don't think you could ever go wrong in finding some hobby to pursue with your kids. Whatever age they are. Whether it be fishing, woodworking, model building, gardening ... What are their interests? You will never regret spending more quality time with your kids, and they will love it, too.

Totally understandable. I think you would have to be numb not to be nervous. I wasn't so nervous about the surgery as I was about the lifestyle change. But let me tell you, it has been great. I am no longer a slave to my cravings which would drive me crazy sometimes. I feel like I have control over that aspect of my life and it is so ... liberating. I think that's the word I am looking for, but there are so many other words to describe it, too. Also, if you want to aid in your surgery recovery process, start excercising now. The better endurance you have, the better off you will be when it comes to your recovery. It can be as simple as walking or doing band exercises on your couch. Start doing something now.

Well, after having the surgery I turned into a runner. You can check out my blog HERE. If you go into my profile (click on my name), on the left hand side, scroll down to gallery. I have before and after pictures there. As you can see, I have lost over 100 pounds and think I look the better for it. I know I feel better. Yes, I do have extra skin, but it is better than being morbidly obese, for sure. I am 13 months post op now and will evaluate plastic surgery when I hit the 2 year mark. By then, whatever bounce back my skin will do will be done by then. For 99% of the population, an exercise regimen will be a good thing and will aid in your appearance. Good luck

Don't know how to reply without getting flamed, so I'm just going to pray for you. I truly wish you the best on your journey.

I think I might have you beat. I went from deciding to have the surgery to actually having the surgery in 30 days. I was self pay, so I was able to skip all those hoops, but, same as you, I woke up and said enough was enough. I need a permanent solution to this roller coaster. Congrats on making a decision to take some action. It has been great for me.

Once I was able to get to pureed foods. My NUT suggested I increase my carbs to get some energy back, so I had veggies in my smoked ham/lentil soup that I pureed. Also, chicken veggie soup and clam chowder, again, pureed. I started to feel human again.

You basically have to change the way you eat. We can no longer eat at the same pace we did pre-op. food must be chewed more thoroughly now and at a slower pace. What you are experiencing is called sliming. You just have to find the pace that is right for you. I always put my utensil down after a bite and evaluate how each bite felt before taking another. This is true even after a year. I can't wolf down food like I used to and to be honest, quite happy I can't. Yes, it does feel like some days I am eating all day long, but I know that my caloric intake is still nowhere near what it was, so I am OK with that. There is no reason to push yourself. Do you really want to go back to the same eating style you had pre-op?

5 weeks out I was eating purees. Any Soup ... I pureed it. My fav was smoked ham & lentil. Great Protein, healthy carbs and bold flavor. I also did chicken veggie a lot, too. I transitioned to turkey chili and also enjoyed clam chowder, but the ham and lenil was my go-to. I was so desperate for flavor and that fit the bill. As time moved on, I pureed less and less to transition my stomach to more solid foods. Worked for me.

Spinning is great because you can go at your own level. Don't worry about the spastic person next to you cranking it as hard as they can trying to out-do the instructor (there's one in every class). Just go at the pace you feel comfortable with and try to push yourself occassionally. That is where you will see the gains in your fitness and endurance.