DollyGirl

Wowza, I actually feel like I took a long time off in comparisons to others; 8 weeks. I had originally thought 4-6 weeks and my doctor came back and told me no way, 6 weeks is his minimum and they prefer 8 weeks. I'm glad that I took all 8, I spent the first 4 weeks taking long naps daily and didn't feel like myself until the 7th week post-op.

I have to say that even at 3.5 months out that water is still a problem for me. I can't do any cold liquids at all and even at room temp water makes my tummy cramp. I'm able to get in 60 ounces of herb or decaf tea everyday thank goodness!

HI there, I'm 5 weeks out tomorrow and I am having the same issues. Plain Water, cold, room temp doesn't matter it makes my stomach cramp. Crystal Light and other add ins are either too sweet or just icky. I have two go tos that seem to work. Room temp Gatorade G2 or my hot tea latte. That's it. I try to get in at least 30-40 ozs a day but I struggle too.

I feel like the WLS oxymoron lately. food is sounding good again. Most foods, including ones that I know are no longer on my menu of okay to eat. Problem is, I no longer like eating. Before weight loss surgery I was a champion eater, which was a big part of my problem in creating the rather large body I was residing in. I love to cook and I love to taste test while doing so. I would pick at food while cooking, serving, etc. When I sat down to eat, I had already had three or more post surgery size meals while cooking/plating and then would have my rather large plate piled high with at least two full size servings. I didn't know the word halt, put the fork down until the pain in between my shoulder blades in back warned me it was going to be a Tum, ta-Tum Tum night. Now? I have really slowed down my eating, the sleeve doesn't give you options if you don't; just pain. I have forced myself to take small bites, put the fork down, think of something else while waiting to take the next bite. Heck, I even took someones suggestion of using one of the small hourglass/sand timers to turn over in between bites to force myself to pace, pace, pace...<sigh> It does work, but the whole 40 minutes we are supposed to take to eat our 1/2 cup of food? I have little to no patience. I want to EAT! Hence, I no longer like eating. And what is up with only wanting to drink or feeling thirsty while I am eating?! I know to follow the 30 minute rule, but oh my heck! Is there anyone else out there that has gone through this and made it out the other side with their sanity intact?

OMG honey, see my post today...we are almost exactly the same days out from surgery, and the same weight loss and I can relate to 10 out of 12 of your complaints! I guess that I am lucky in regards to nausea and vomiting and have not had that as an issue post surgery. The rest? Oh yes...heck yes! I had no problems adhering to the protocol the first 2 almost 3 weeks post surgery, but now at almost 5 weeks? Pish...I want to drink my dang Gatorade with my meal darn it! It looks like part of the normal progression that most WLS people go through which brings some comfort. So glad I am still off work and not subjecting my co-workers with my sparkling personality LOL. This too shall pass and we will look back and be glad we made it through. And the thought of no pumpkin pancakes at Ihop this year makes me sadder than sad let me tell you; I feel your pain.

I am 4.5 weeks out and still cramp when I drink water. I am fine with my morning decaf, fine with my Starbucks tea misto, but water or water with add ins like Crystal Light; yuck! It is not as bad as it was immediately following surgery, so take heart it does get better. I have found that warm liquids are the key for me, room temp or cold just causes cramping.

Hi there, I have grown to dislike water...every single time I drink it my stomach cramps and feels icky. I have had better luck with Gatorade G2 drinks as they are as good as water and are low in sugar (another sensitivity I have now). I drink my protein shakes blended with a half of a frozen banana to thicken and have no problem with them either, just water and water mixed with Crystal Light or other add ins. Hope this helps!

I was never so grateful that my surgeon only required two days of liquids before surgery! Hang in there, you will get through this! My experiences are very similar to those voiced above; never vomited and only experienced nausea twice in the hospital. I was in my own bed the very first night home even though I was unable to sleep on my side for the first week. My tummy felt like I had been doing sit ups for three days straight LOL. My surgeon says that they insert air in between the muscle and abdominal wall which stretches the muscle out, hence the soreness. I was sleeved on 9/27 which puts me 4.5 weeks out and I have lost almost 30 lbs and feel better than I have in years! Good luck to you and welcome aboard a great forum.

I can relate to being tired the first few weeks; I am at 4.5 weeks out right now and have just stopped taking naps once or twice per day. The huge decrease in calories for most of us is a big deal in loss of energy, especially as we have burned through our glycogen stores in the first week post surgery. Get your 60 grams of Protein in and make time for the exercise, even if it is just a walk. By the way, my surgeon put me off of work for eight weeks. He says that the time necessary to retrain your body/mind to adapt to the way you need to eat after weight loss surgery is a must. I thought about asking to go back at 6 weeks, but I think that for once I am going to listen to my doctor and my body and take the time off. Thank goodness for California having disability insurance is all I can say.

You are doing great! I am four weeks and one day post op and have lost 29 lbs so far; almost a pound per day. I expect this to taper off to 4-5 lbs a week soon.

I'm now four weeks out and while I won't say I love my sleeve, I am appreciative of what it is doing for me. I do love not craving foods and not having hunger pangs. I love the restriction most days/meals but not so much when I take a bite and all of a sudden have a rock under my breastbone LOL.

I can totally relate; I am three weeks going on four post op...I wake up somewhere between 2:30-4:00am and just can not go back to sleep! By mid morning I am crawling back in bed for a couple hour nap. I am not quite lethargic, but have hardly any energy. I wake up with an iffy tummy, sort of achy & sore. I know that the incision where they removed my excess stomach has started bothering me, it feels very tender and bothersome in that area. I get the gurgles after I eat anything...my appetite is pretty non-existant at the moment. I used to love Protein shakes before surgery, now I can't tolerate them. I started the mushies and found that the items that my tummy seems to like the most are meat! I can eat fish, chicken, and even steak. eggs on the other hand, not so much, scrambled seem to sit like a rock although poached seem to be ok. The thing that seems to bother me the most is liquids, especially Water whether it is flavored or unflavored. I try to drink hot tea and sip the water, but yuck. I'm getting my multi-Vitamin in at least once per day. Surgeons office told me no B12 or Calcium until the 2 month mark; I wonder why?

I can answer the flu shot question; they gave me mine in the hospital the day after surgery! My doctor told me with flu season approaching new WLS patients need to be protected as much as possible. Any illness, especially the flu is taxing on the body and dehydration for WLS patients is a big no no.

What an inspiration you are! I have the same goal weight as you; 155 lbs. You are my WLS poster woman...I would love to look so wonderful! And my partner will point out, "see, she works out...with a trainer even!" Your arms look fantastic and you are right, it is from the weight training; great job! Congrats again!

Oh gosh...I'm less than 3 weeks out and sometimes I feel it sounds like the empty cycle on my dishwasher after I eat solid foods LOL! It sounds like it might last for a while, thank goodness I eat lunch offsite at work, hopefully being outside will muffle it a bit.

I love the Chike too! I have found that mixing them with milk just makes them too sweet, especially as I use Lactaid which has 8 grams of sugar by itself. They seem to go down easier with water for me.

I am 15 days post op and discussed this with my surgeon today. The answer I was given was "exercise." The more you exercise, supposedly the more regular you will become. If the constipation is bad, take the MOM along with plenty of Water or as my Dr. put it, it will make paste. A bit more info than I wanted I think LOL.

Hi there, I went for my 15 day, staple removing appt this morning and my Dr. released me to drive today. I was told the reason for not being allowed to drive is because if you were to be in an accident and your airbag deploys it will hit you right at your surgery site and create some serious damage. Hope this helps!

Hello, I am 15 days out and this morning the scale registered a 1lb gain from yesterday! I feel your frustration, I really do. I look at my journal where I record everything that I eat and drink since surgery and nothing is different. I guess I had a case of wishful thinking that this phase would bypass me, LOL, I guess not! Just remember we are in this for the long haul total weight loss and not the short term instant gratification of seeing the scale move down daily....or so I keep reminding myself.

Hi there, I am only 12 days out and very fortunate to tolerate any protein drink; however, one morning I made my Chike Orange Dreamsicle flavor with non-fat Lactaid and was in a similar situation as you. I didn't realize how much sugar the Lactaid had in it and think that was more than likely the cause...all of my other protein drinks I had made with water. I thought I was being smart trying to up my protein count with the Lactaid...I sure didn't feel so smart after the drink LOL.

You look fantastic! Congrats!

Wow, congrats to you. I hope that i am as fortunate! Keep up the great work!

LoBee, according to my surgeon the number of patients like yourself number 20% of VSG with the nausea/vomiting complication. He told me before surgery that for many it will pass in the first week, some in weeks 2-4, and some will have it through week 16. My doctor would not even release me from the hospital until they could see that I was tolerating Clear liquids. I was sent home with three different anti-nausea medications...a pill, a patch, and suppositories and have been fortunate that I have not needed anything. Let your surgeons office know...if you become dehydrated the nausea is worse and you wind up in a vicious cycle. I wish you the best!

I have it too AnneG, I feel like the Peanuts character Pigpen with this odorus vapor clinging to me LOL!

That outfit looks wonderful on you! Heck, you look wonderful on you LOL! Congrats!