Katie713

Congrats! You're doing a great job!! Keep up the good work!!

Perhaps it is swelling near the esophagus. It takes time for the swelling to recede. Keep an eye on your symptoms, and if it becomes worse of very painful, put a call in to your surgeon's office. Some people do experience strictures which is scar tissue which sometimes causes a severe narrowing in the new stomach and it usually dealt with by stretching the stricture with balloon like device. Not trying to scare you, it might just be that you still need healing and things will soon pass without problem. Are you able to drink your fluids once the pain passes? Does it hurt every time you sip, or just at first? Once in awhile I go through something similar, I am 3 months out and eat solids but once in awhile it feels like I get this constriction after my first few bites like my stomach has clamped down and then I have to wait it out for a bit and then it seems to relax enough that I can resume and slowly eat. I would say try that as well for the meantime, go really slow and then stop and let your stomach relax and then see if you can resume. Good Luck!!

I was so worried about the darned hospital gown fitting, because as most big girls know when you go to the doctor and have to put one on, you really needed two one in front and one like a robe! I was so surprised when I was in the pre-op ward, I was given my gown and it was HUGE. Really HUGE, not because I had lost weight, they were huge because of our prevailing patient size. Oh....the little miracles : )

It's tricky for sure. I just made sure everything was very soft and saucy if that makes sense. I made mashed potatoes and then added a can of white/dark canned chicken to a jar of chicken gravy and had that. I made cream of tuna with a basic white sauce and added a can of drained tuna and frozen peas, and had that in a little bowl. All soups can be pureed, they have a balance of protein and veggies. There is no easy way to separate your food at this point, don't go crazy trying to do that. In a few weeks you will do that much easier with solids. Just make sure protein is a main factor in your combinations. You can puree chili beans and they taste just as good, and some people puree soft roast beef with roasted veggies. Refried beans with melted cheese and sour cream on top. Find a few things you like the taste of ok and rotate them.

I made the 10% by the time I went to my consult with the surgeon, but not before ending the Options classes and I was still referred to the surgeon. Some others I know were still given surgery even though they did not meet the 10%. I agree, for most surgeons, they probably want to make sure you are trying, and that you can be compliant.

Ricky.... for sure, it is nice to have a place to just talk about whatever is on your mind rather than asking a specific question you need help with...it can tend to be very subject (thread) based dialogue. But just chatting between WLS friends means alot and that is the building of the community!! How are you doing on your journey?? Katie

I am going to Trader Joe's after work to get some good healthy food. They have teriyaki chicken in the frozen foods that is only 150 calories a serving and it tastes so good, and some brown rice, perhaps I will only have 2 tablespoons, but it is a whole grain carb not empty carbs. I will also be looking for other tasty frozen and fresh Entrees that might work well for us sleevers!! My friend was visiting for 2 weeks and I didn't lose weight while she was here, so now I have to get back to being really strict and get this ball rolling again!!

Be very up front about what you are feeling with your doctor. They may order more labs to see if there is something to be concerned about. I never felt the way you have described what you are going through, and I would be concerned as well. You may be dehydrated since you have had the runs. There are recipe books for bariatric surgery patients, maybe check amazon.com and there is also a recipe section here on this board. The website "The World According to Eggface" has lots of ideas and recipes as well. I would say make sure you are taking all your vitamins and iron at night as well as 70-80 grams of protein daily and at least 64 oz of fluids. Let us know how it goes...and good luck!

chimera...I liked the analogy of trying to quit cigarettes...it is soooo hard, and imagine when you are at a party with people smoking, the new non-smoker may feel like they are going crazy with their cravings... Most of us have had a problem with over eating and that is why we have had the surgery, and hopefully we can find a way to adjust as we move forward. I have found that I can use recipes I have seen here and there to help me get close to the tastes that I miss so much. I know I can't eat very much, my restriction is strong, and at times I can only eat a few bites, but I want those bites to be delicious nonetheless. It takes time to get it right....the cravings will come and go...but Karen...you will find a way to satisfy your cravings in new ways as you move forward and begin to eat regular foods in small portions.

Could have been a combination of things that made you so weak. Eating so little can also bring down your blood sugar. I've felt like that on occasion and quickly got some Water down and a snack to normalize. How many ounces of water are in your water bottles? Is it about 16 ounces? If you drank 3 of those on a normal day and capri suns as well you should be ok with your fluids as 3 X 16 = 48 oz plus probably 8 ounces for each pouch of capri sun. Of course on a hot day when you are sweating, your body might need more, just be conscious of your intake and track it if you can. If you think your blood sugar is low perhaps a few crackers and cheese or some sliced apples with Peanut Butter works fantastic. Imagine what a difference it is in what we take in compared to the what we consumed in the past....amazing how it works out as your body has to convert our own fat cells for it's energy needs.

I had a guest staying with me for the last two weeks while we celebrated our birthdays as well as the 4th of July during that period. I ate out more than I usually would, as well as having guests over, cooking and keeping food in the house for my guest and my family. My weight fluctuated up and down about 1-2 pounds over this period. I am glad I didn't gain big time, and tonight I am cleaning out my fridge and cupboards and stopping at the market to resupply with my healthy, high Protein, low carb food choices so that I can really get back to business. It was great partying and all...but it feels great to get back on track!!!!

What seems to be the problem? Are you able to eat without problems? Do you feel that you aren't thirsty or you hate the taste of regular Water? I found that sipping all kinds of things a little at a time worked best. A cup of tea here and there, water flavored with MIO drops or crystal light, a juice spritzer (half juice/half water) sugar free Snapple, Soup broth. Even fruits and veggies with lots of water content help. Some people do better with a straw, even though many doctors do not advise it, but some people just can't seem to gulp the Fluid as they feel as though a gas bubble gets in the way. Do you prefer ice cold with lots of ice, or not? Are you tracking your fluids and protein/calories/etc and getting your Vitamins in? Obviously you don't want to end up in the hospital again dehydrated, and being dehydrated can be deadly. I know you've been struggling with energy problems, I saw one of your earlier posts. Perhaps you can gain some help or strategies from others on this board who have struggled as you are with fluids. Good luck!

I can see that when you are early in the post-op routines and it is hard to get your fluids in, it would be counter productive to drink a diuretic beverage, but after awhile, getting in your fluids isn't that difficult. Also, it made sense to avoid any irritants while the stomach staple line was still healing - so I abstained. By the time I got to 6 weeks when I was allowed to move to normal foods, I added back my regular coffees and teas, no problem. I actually allowed myself Arizona diet green tea even earlier than that, like 4 weeks out. I haven't had any problems with my coffee or teas!!

After your incisions are completely healed.

I have a drink now and then. I enjoyed a sangria for my birthday dinner, it went down fine! I don't plan on getting drunk and going overboard anytime soon though!

The conversations are mostly light hearted and should stay that way - as long as there is no stepping outside the boundaries of what most of us would consider appropriate behavior on this particular forum. Sometimes we need to discuss certain things that do include sex and our bodies in this new realm. We all know this is a public forum, so those that don't want to participate don't have to!

Vomiting after VSG is not like it was before (at least not for me and not representing those who have had leaks or excessive nausea, etc.) there is not much force behind the food that is coming up and because of PPI's not much acid either, it is more like chewed food going the other direction - OUT. Not much wretching or fluids probably due to not drinking with a meal. It's over in a few minutes and then you feel fine. I slimed a few times in the beginning by eating too fast/too much...but found my happy place - the old 1/2 cup or 4 oz limit for most meals.

All you are taking in are liquids. Liquids in, liquids out. As soon as you start with full liquids, this will start to change, and as you move along - it will probably be the opposite problem. When you get to solids, things should normalize. Be prepared to just roll with the flow (literally)....

You'll get dehydrated at those levels. I know 64 oz is hard at first...but get in as close to that as you can. You literally have to sip, sip, sip constantly. Are you drinking Isopure for protein? 200 calories is REALLY low too, you don't want to get run down.

No problems whatsoever. I had mine out 22 years ago and had my VSG 4/6/12. No problems pre-op no problems after.

Eat your beans sweetheart and enjoy every bite! You can have them!! Salsa and sour cream too!

I make it with meat sauce for more protein in single serve ramekins. I bake them in the oven until bubbly and browned, like lasagna. It feels so decadent! Can't beat it when you are craving pizza, lasagna, anything Italian.

It takes some getting used to for sure, gosh I remember the earliest days looking in the fridge and seeing nothing but containers of leftover food! Most regular servings make two meals or more for us sleevers...I try to be aware and minimize spoilage or waste by getting right to it the next day. Dinner leftovers are lunch the next day! I used to cook for a whole family and now I have my empty nest, so its all connected...little meals whenever possible. If I buy bulk, I break it down in ziplock bags for one serving...it helps.

At Kaiser we were all recommended to start Isopure immediately as a clear liquid. A 20 oz bottle has 40 grams of protein. I bought mine at Vitamin Shoppe and there are lots of flavors. It counts as clear fluid so you get hydration woth protein.

It takes a few weeks as your body is in the healing mode and you still have internal swelling due to the injury to your stomach. As the swelling goes down, your body will release those fluids. Don't worry...it will come off.