DebiC

It will get better. There is no standard amount that you need to consume at this early stage. Right now the most important thing is to stay hydrated. Your body can live on the stored Protein for a little while until you are able to consume more. Some people make up Protein shakes and just sip on them all day. My doctor wanted us to have 3 shakes (or full liquid meals) a day. These first 4 weeks or so are the hardest. You are trying to change a lifetime of eating habits into completely new habits. So just take it slow. Keep coming to the boards and ask all the questions you want. Everyone's journey is unique, but you are bound to get some suggestions or advice that you will find helpful. So for now just worry about getting liquids in. Sip Sip Sip. Water, popscicles, tea, broth. Whatever makes your tummy feel better. Try to get your shakes in, but just make sure you are staying hydrated. Good luck.

I have to agree. If you weigh yourself too often (One person on here was weighing herself every hour!) you are bound to get concerned. Our weight just varies too much. As hard as it sounds try to just weigh in once a week. Same time, same day. You will get a much more realistic picture of your progress and much less stress in your life. Hang in there. It would be almost impossible to gain REAL weight when you are consuming about 600-800 calories a day.

I have a very similar habit. I feel like I have to have something to eat just as I'm going to bed. Even it is usually 5 or so hours since dinner, I don't think it's real hunger. My doctor is a strict 3 meals-no Snacks. so I feel like I'm cheating, even if I only take 1 bite of something. I have halfheartedly tried to stop, but not made a real effort yet. I guess it's time.

Julie-I feel the same way. I thought that since I started with a much higher BMI that I would lose faster. Doesn't seem to be the case. It's hard not to get discouraged. People will say "Every loses at their own rate", which, while true doesn't make me feel any better. For once couldn't I be the one who loses faster!! I lost 24 pounds in my two weeks liquid pre-op. Then only like 22 my first month!! I lost that much doing WW and i got to eat all day everyday. I just try to keep telling myself- at least the weight is going in the right direction Down! for a change. And I keep telling myself that it will happen, even if i lose slower than others (especially the men!!!) It's especially hard for me- because I know from past experience that even when I lose 100# you can barely tell. Because I have so much to lose I don't get the NSV's that others do short term. When I lost the 100# before I didn't even go down a bra size or a clothes size! Yes, I felt better and was able to do more physical activity, but I didn't have anyone coming up to me and telling me how great I looked-whereas some people exhibit noticeable changes after only 30 or 50 lbs. So just try and think it doesn't matter how slow it's coming off-at least it's coming off. And we really can't compare ourselves to others-metabolisms vary-what we eat varies-amount of physical activity-even age plays a big part. Hang in there and keep working the plan and we will both get there on our own time. Slow and Steady Wins the Race!

I too had a laproscopic hysterectomy and that was much worse than my VSG. I had no pain from my sleeve. Didn't even take pain meds in the hospital. While I know that is not normal-it was my experience. I also was much more tired after the hysterectomy. I was able to do normal activities much sooner with my VSG.

7 weeks out. I can manage 1 egg and a slice of bacon or a sausage. I hear that people are able to eat more as time goes by. The drinking with meals causes the food to flush through your sleeve faster. Some people purposely drink so the food will go down so that they can eat more. I have to admit that this is one problem I still have and on occasion I forget and just take a drink. I don't think that it will "harm" you. But it's probably something you don't want to make a regular habit. It's the one thing it seems ALL the doctors and clinics agree on.

7! But my surgeon also said that my surgery had been particularly difficult. I figure with all the sagging skin I'll have I'll never notice the scars!!

I notice a lot of people setting short term goals (i'm sure most all of us have the long term goal of achieving a "normal" weight). Is this just a number you "hope" to meet by a certain date or do you actively work towards reaching that goal? I'm curious what you do extra to achieve those goals? Do you eat less? Eat less carbs? exercise more?

What a good attitude! I wish you all the success you can have in this coming year. 2012 will definitely end differently for all of us than it started.

I am 56 years old and in relationship limbo-Married, but we haven't lived together for 8 years. I have stayed married for the health insurance-but that will change this year. I had 5 children. 2 boys-3 girls ranging in age from 21-39. My youngest son was killed a year ago. I have 4 granddaughters. I did work for about 20 years as a Tax Specialist, counseling people on their tax situations and preparing their taxes. I loved it-but computers took away most clientele. It was seasonal work and I stopped to go to school full time in 2006. I graduated from college 2 years ago with a degree in Social Work. I haven't even looked for a job. At my weight I would never even think of applying for one-too much risk. It was hard enough to go to school. Couldn't fit in those stupid desk/chairs. It's a long walk from the parking lot to the classroom. I'm surprised I was able to finish. After graduating I basically gave up on life. I had no energy, no stamina, no passions for anything. I was just sitting around waiting to die-hoping to die. I couldn't see a future. My health began failing rapidly and I just didn't care. I had refused to consider WLS for years-but when I read about the sleeve that changed. Having to lose 250+ lbs is a lot different from having to lose 100 lbs. I am so proud of those of you who took this step before you got to the place I am. My life would have been soooo different had I changed it around when I "only" had 100 lbs to lose. I have a new lease on life now. A future I'm actually getting excited about. Other than my divorce I can't wait to see what 2012 brings!

I have not-but more because I am a Pepsi addict than anything else!! My doctor takes a hard line on soda-but I know some people handle it OK. Personally, as much as I crave it-I don't dare take even a sip. Every one I know that has regained weight attributes it to soda. I know that I can't handle just one sip. I see no redeeming value to soda. In addition to just losing weight-I'm here to learn healthier eating habits and for me that can't include soda. My doctor says that the carbonation can contribute to stretching your sleeve. Others in this forum say that is not possible. Not willing to take that risk. It was hard enough to give it up pre-op.

Your soup looks so good but I have never seen the Progresso Enchilada soup around here (Utah). Do you have it at any stores besides Walmart?

Sounds delicious! Have you ever tried it with chicken pieces (breasts). No one in my family eats dark meat. Since you are rubbing the spice into the skin-is the flavor there when you remove the skin to eat? Thanks so much. I wish more people would share recipes-Hint Hint to everyone reading this!!!

I was fortunately able to swallow even my largest pill after a few days. But before that my doctor suggested cutting the pills into halves or quarters (a pill cutter is only about $2). For the capsules, he had me open them and mix the contents with a spoonful of applesauce. The texture was kind of like little round sprinkles, but it was doable. Thankfully tho I could take them normally after just a few days. I still usually take them 1 at a time (7 in the morning-so it takes awhile).

Wow. Look at the difference. Keep up the good work

PEPSI!! food I know I can have again. Not the same quantity, but I can't think of anything I really love that I wouldn't allow myself at least a bite of. But Pepsi is a different thing. I know that I will never be able to even have one sip again. For me that would certainly start the ball rolling down a very slippery slope.

The shoulder pain could be gas-have you tried taking any anti-gas medications or walking it off? I have also heard that excess acid can cause hunger like sensation. Did your doctor give you anything? My doctor did not-in fact he was surprised that I had taken Pepcid on my own (I was having horrible heartburn at night after surgery). Be careful about what you take bites of. As your stomach is still healing you don't want to do anything that could cause it to leak or not heal properly. I was allowed cream Soups, cream of wheat, things like that starting the day after surgery. Maybe a few bites of something filling, but liquidy would help with the desire to eat. Hang in there. In a few weeks you'll be able to eat more normally and this will be nothing but a memory.

6 weeks out. Have been on regular foods for 2 weeks now. I worry that I eat too much. Not so much wrong things, just too much. For instance if I have a salad with my meal I can eat a cup or more of that, yet my doctor wants me to eat 1/2 cup of food or so at a meal. No more than 4 oz. I only eat 3 "meals" a day. But at night I still have that habit of wanting something sweet. So I might have 1 bite of ice cream, 1 cookie or 1/4 of a cupcake. I know he would disapprove, but yet I feel that is something I enjoy and I don't think I'm over doing it. I only have the opportunity to weigh every month-I weigh more than my regular doctors scales so have to wait until I have appt with surgeons clinic. Too far away to go to just to weigh in. Because I started out with such a high weight-my weight loss is much less noticeable. A few years back I lost 100# on WW and still wore the same size clothes. So I don't expect to SEE any difference for several more months. Just hard to gauge if i am on the right track. I keep reading how much everyone else is losing and just don't feel like I'm having the same success.

Shannonbcaldwell-Can't speak about the white bread-not into that. But I have had very small amounts of Pasta and didn't have a prob. There are lots of things you can substitute if you are really into pasta, spaghetti squash. Personally I like to use zucchini-I pour spaghetti sauce over it, or make lasagna with it. My doctor does allow sandwich thins (made by orowheat and other companies) I like the Whole Wheat, but it does come in white. Works good for sandwiches/burgers (although I can only eat 1/2 of one). I also spray with spray margarine and then toast it and have it with an egg occasionally. I try not to have bread type carbs more than once or twice a week tho. I never thought I could do the no bread thing either. I thought Garlic Bread was one of the 4 basic food groups. But since the first weeks post-op you can't have ANY breads, I realized that I could do it. I'm sure you'll do fine. Just hang in there and think about everything you CAN have (or do) now that you will be thinner and healthier and not about the few things you can't have anymore.

Thanks PdxMan for the advice about salads. It's hard for me to get used to the Protein first-I have spent a lifetime training myself to eat my veggies first. It's that upside down WLS food pyramid! The "Treat" things I talk about are usually just a something before bed. A longtime habit I need to work on kicking. Not really much of a trigger since I am eating it just before bed. The problem is that I generally have had my dinner meal about 4-5 hours before bed. Not really wanting a protein snack just as I am heading up to bed. Unfortunately I can't have any artificial sweeteners, otherwise Feedyoureyes suggestions would fit the bill. I just need to retrain my old habits (afterall, look where they got me in the first place!) thanks everyone for your advice. I was just feeling kinda down today. I don't believe in weighing yourself everyday. That can be frustrating. But it would be nice to be able to weigh myself once a week so I can have some positive feedback. When I lose 15 more pounds I'll be able to weigh whenever I want on my doctors scale.

6 weeks out here and on normal foods. I still get a little nausea sometimes for the first few bites (or even drinks). But I also get a little nausea if it's time to eat. Nothing major. I kind of chuckled when I read "looking forward to day of being normal with my eating". I'm not sure if that ever really happens after being sleeved. While I can eat almost anything I want-it is a far cry from normal eating. Eating slow, small bites, thorough chewing, eating Protein first (instead of veggies as I've done all my life), not drinking with meals. It's a new "kind" of normal.

6 weeks out here. Been on regular foods for two weeks. Pure chocolate bothers me, spicy foods, fried foods (I can handle about 2 bites). Also things that are really sweet (lemonade, ice tea). Haven't tried popcorn yet. I hear some people handle it OK others don't. Lot's of people become lactose intolerant after surgery (I didn't). That might be the cream of wheat problem. My doctor also allowed cream of wheat right after surgery. Maybe you ate it too fast or took too big of bites. That will cause problems no matter what you are eating. Some people also are adversely affected by hot or cold temperature foods after surgery. Don't eat sooner than your doctor recommends. if a food doesn't agree with you-try it again in a week or two. It just might agree with you then. The only foods my doctor disallows permanently are squishy white breads, rolls. They can ball up in your sleeve, provide little nutrition and take up space that could be filled up with something more nourishing.

Like Meg I get more of an irritable type thing. Not really hunger, but I can tell when it's been about 4 hours since my last meal. 6 weeks out and my doctor is one who stresses 3 meals and no snacks. I have no desire to eat between meals and if I try to eat before 4 hours have gone by, it is uncomfortable. Still having to deal with the head hunger tho. Seeing something that looks good, or more often feeling full, but still seeing a few more delicious bites on my plate.

The only day you will ever be a failure is the day you give up. Thanks LilMissDiva-I needed that today. Thanks Debbie for posting this. I just finished my first non-program Breakfast since my surgery. Visiting family and my niece made packaged muffins-something I would never eat at home. And I ate 3! I am only 5 weeks out so not only no protein-all white flour and white sugar, but way too Much food for my sleeve. I feel sick and hope that I learned my lesson. but as everyone says, it was one meal (or one day) and as long as we get up and get back on the horse-we should look at this slip and think about how to handle this better next time-as there will surely be a next time. Good Luck-

I can't do sugar free at all. I will give that NuNaturals a try... I use real sugar and just not often. As far as the water-someone on here mentioned trying different waters, because of different Ph's. I did that and found that helped at lot. I was drinking Brita filter and I couldn't stand it. I tried Fiji, that was good. Now I enjoy the regular bottled Water from the store. I hate it that the new water drinks out there almost all contain artificial sweeteners. They look so inviting.