DebiC

You are worrying too much. You just had surgery and may still have some Water weight. How can your surgeon be angry at you when you are doing everything you are supposed to? We all lose at different rates. I thought that starting out so much heavier than most I would lose faster, hasn't been the case. Just keep doing what you are supposed to and you can't help but succeed. In fact if you are eating too little your body will shut down to conserve the organs and you will lose even less weight!! Good Luck.

I know that long term "grazing" all day-even on small amounts-is a definite no-no. But I am 3 days post-op and am so unclear about when and how much I should be eating Now? I know a lot of people have food problems right after surgery-but I have been lucky so far. It seems I can tolerate anything I choose to have (I am on full liquids). I have limited myself so far to broth, Jello, Water and shakes. should I just have those available and take a spoonful or sip whenever I want-or should I be trying to set up a mealtime schedule even this soon? My doctor is one who wants you on three meals no Snacks, nothing but water in between meals. I am worried a little about Protein as I can't stand another Protein shake (I was actually on Carnation Instant breakfasts, with added milk powder, which aren't that high in protein anyways). I just don't want to start up any bad habits that I will have a hard time breaking. So at the beginning did you just eat your 2 tlb and then wait a few hours or did you take a spoonful or sip whenever you felt like it?

The only thing on your list I did use was the toothbrush! I was so out of it from the anesthesia I did nothing but sleep. I don't know how long you have to stay. I had surgery at 2 in the afternoon and went home before noon the next day. I was never fully awake the first day and spent most of the next getting ready to go home. Like you I wore the clothes there I planned to wear home (brought clean underwear). Fortunately I never had gas so I didn't need my Gas-X. Good Luck. And remember the less you take the less you have to lug back home!

You don't say how long ago your surgery was. However, I agree with Jasleeve. That is what happens to me if I do any of those things, eating too fast, too big of bites, drinking with my food or too fast,eating too much or not chewing enough. I am 4 weeks out and still learning how to eat right!! I would make sure I was doing those things and then if it was still happening I would call my surgeon.

The diet you have been following is much closer to the post-op liquids, that's for sure. The pre-op liquid is basically Protein shakes, clear broth (not pureed broth), Jello, apple or white grape juice, popscicles. Some doctors do shakes and 1 lean meat meal a day. I doubt this would cancel your surgery or anything drastic. But I would definitely make sure I did the clear liquids a day or two before so that my system was clean before going into surgery.

So Sorry-Please let us know how this turns out. I second the antacid. Next time try Milk of Magnesia or a stool softener. Good Luck

Unfortunately there is no "typical" each doctor is different. Mine was full liquids (which included purees) for the first two weeks. Then "soft" foods for 2 weeks. Then full diet at 4 weeks (except bread, Pasta, rice and some fibrous veggies). I have seen some people whose doctors require Protein shakes only until you reach goal! There are lots of "Pureed" dishes that are close to real food. Refried Beans with cheese and salsa, pureed Soups, chili. Good Luck. This time too shall pass.

Congratulations on getting this under control while you are still young!! I was only about 100lb overweight at your age. I let it go (surgery was not a viable option for me back then) and then gradually it inched up to where at the time of surgery (I am now 56) to where I need to lose over 300 lbs!! I will be happy at this point to lose 200! There are many here who need to lose over 200 lbs-even some who like me who need to lose 300 and a couple who have already lost over 250! When the time comes you'll find a way to deal with the excess skin. I'm so excited you are doing this before you miss out like I did for over 30 years. Good Luck. I wish the sleeve had been available 30 years ago. My whole life would have been different!

I always figure I'm the last to discover new products or foods-but just in case I'm not I thought I would share two foods that (for me at least) are very WLS friendly. The first is PB2. This is Peanut Butter with the fat removed and it tastes like REAL/REGULAR peanut butter. Regular PNB has 190 Calories per 2 Tablespoons, 16 grams of fat and 8 grams of Protein PB2 has 45 calories, 1.5 grams of fat and 5 grams of protein for 2 Tlb. It comes powdered (you add Water to make pnb consistency). I put it dry into my Protein shakes to add flavor and protein. On their website www.bellplantation.com they give recipes. The first time I ordered it from Amazon although it was more expensive. The next time I ordered from www.netrition.com for a better price. I ordered a chocolate/peanut butter also. The other food I discovered since surgery is WASA Crisp'n Light crackerbreads. Kind of like a cracker but MUCH larger-they only have 20 calories each 0 fat and only 4 grm carbohydrates. They are whole grain, fat free and actually yummy. I have topped them with cheese, or peanutbutter or chicken salad for a meal. Or had them with Soup or salad. These I just bought at the store. But you can check them out at www.wasa-usa.com

I discussed it with my doctor this week. I am 4 weeks out and have been having the 100% whole wheat sandwich thins since week two. Not every day-but 2-3 times a week. I only eat half of one. with an egg or a slice of cheese (and then broiled)-they make a great pizza base too. I also do WASA Crisp'n light crackers-they are big and crunchy and only 20 calories. I will spread one with Peanut Butter for a meal. I have had corn tortillas a couple of times too. Not fried. I spray them with Pam and heat them in a skillet for tacos or enchiladas. I can only manage to eat one. I think the main reason to stay away from bread is that it fills you up so quickly. That's why my doctor approved the "thins" he said they have no moisture and so won't fill you up-He said as long as I do Protein first and keep the carb to under 25% of my meal it should be OK. I can't envision eating a roll-it doesn't even appeal-so for me taking that second step to white fluffy bread isn't an issue.

I too lived for spice-I can manage mild salsa but that's about it (I'm only a month out-so there's still hope that it will change). I keep thinking it's not the spice, and try a different spicy food. But each time I feel sick for hours. I find I'm still able to go out to eat. Luckily it's usually with my family (married kids and grandkids) and they know what I can eat and what I can't-so that makes it easier. Sometimes I can shae with them. Sometimes I order a kids meal. Last night we went to In-n-Out and I got a burger "protein" style-which is where they wrap your burger in lettuce instead of a bun. Lots of places do that now with all the Altkins people around. At Mexican places I can usually order something like Carne Asada and then just eat the meat. Most every where has salads now or grilled chicken. But I find it harder now to rationalize spending the money when I can only finish about half the food. I actually prefer the food I make at home now for the first time in my life!! I just hope that I can get to a place where my new tummy can enjoy the same spices my mouth does!

Having a high BMI would help-Mine started well into the 60's so hopefully I will have as much success as you! I hope to hit the -100# by 5 months. That will put me at less than I have weighed in over 20 years!!!

As much as we say this isn't a race-and it truly isn't it's hard not to compare with others. I think 39# in 12 weeks is great. That's an average of over 3# a week. At that rate you would lose over 150# in a year (if you kept at that rate) and who could complain about that. That being said-I just came from a site where the person had lost 38# their first month and my first thought was "That's not fair"(I only lost 22 my first month-which ended yesterday) I started out with a BMI almost 15 points higher than hers. By all logic and calculations I should lose more than her. But I didn't. Yet I did everything right. Still I lost 46# in 6 weeks!! How great is that! I mean without the surgery I would have probably gained 5 pounds in those 6 weeks! All we can do is compare ourselves to ourselves. We know when we are following our plan and when we aren't. I really think we need to concentrate less on running the loosing race with each other and focus more on how much healthier we are getting and how we are learning to eat right. Now if I can just convince myself of that...

I lost 24 in the 2 weeks pre-op and then another 22 in the month post-op. yesterday was exactly one month-So a total of 46 in 6 weeks. I have a much higher starting BMI than you-so that makes your loss even more amazing. Geeewhy- You've lost 122.6 lbs in 3 months? That's the fastest I've ever heard of!! What's your secret?

Holiday-thanks so much for the list. I too prefer to make my meals from scratch. But having a light frozen dinner is certainly better than stopping off to get a burger (even if you forgo the buns and fries)- I also do the frozen scratch meals. I have a Forman type grill that cooks things from frozen so I make up ground beef (96% lean) into 3-4 oz seasoned burger patties and freeze individually. Or take chicken tenderloins and put them in a baggie with marinade or whatever seasoning (I love lemon/garlic/Greek seasoning the best). When I grill those I can even throw on some zucchini or whatever to grill at the same time. These don't take any longer than microwaving a frozen meal. I use a mini muffin pan and make meatball/meatloaf type muffins. They are about 1 oz each. I cook and then freeze. I can take them add and add whatever sauce I want. I live alone so having these individually portioned meals is perfect for me.

My doctor is one who is adamant about 3 meals a day with no Snacks in between-at all. I really haven't had any desire for snacks during the day. But I have my last meal about 6. I eat until I'm full-and that's all good. But sometimes before I go to bed (about 10 or 11) I just want a little something-sweet. Most likely just an old habit. So if you are someone who occasionally wants to have a cookie, or candy, or some nuts or whatever-When and how do you fit that in? I am still only eating about 4 oz at a meal so that doesn't leave me room for a treat with my dinner. And I was never one to have "dessert" right after a meal. I always waited a few hours. I don't want to start up a bad habit here. but neither do I feel I should NEVER be able to have a cookie or a bite of ice cream or a handful of nuts.

Troblyer-You need to give yourself some time. You probably still have Water weight gain from the surgery. Also the liquids can go down much easier than solids do. So you can consume larger amounts. Are you getting in enough Proteins? When do you see your surgeon again? If you are that hungry I would definitely call him or the nutritionist if one is available. I don't see how it could be possible to not lose weight on a liquids only diet unless your liquids were loaded with sugars and fats. I'm sorry you are having a rough time and I hope it gets better. Hang in there.

My doctor is also one who moves you into real foods quickly. We don't even really have a "mushy" stage. It was kind of included in the full liquids. Then at 2 weeks it was soft foods (basically anything except dry meats and fresh veggies) then at 4 weeks (which I hit yesterday) the fresh veggies got added (Yeah salads! even if it is only a tablespoon full) Each doctor or clinic seems to have their own plan. I say follow your doctors plan, and unless something doesn't sit well then you must be doing OK. As for the vitamin-Have you tried the Gummy chewables? costco has large bottles of Adult Gummy Vitamins and also Gummy Calciums. So I wouldn't worry too much how others move through the stages (I've seen several who do full liquids for 4 weeks or more post-op)and just follow your doctors suggestions.

"Slightly diabetic" should count in your favor as far as insurance is concerned. And as far as a Vitamin D deficiency-in the US We mostly get our Vitamin D from the sun (through our skin) and from fortified foods. Milk, eggs, fish. It basically effects our bones. You should actually be glad you found out sooner rather than later!! So you can protect your bones. Doctors have a tendency not to explain these things to us very well. Did he suggest you take a Vitamin D supplement? That might be all that is needed to rectify the situation. Hang in there-I know all the pre-stuff can make you crazy once you've decided on the surgery-but it'll be worth it. Keep us informed of your progress. Good Luck.

Lissa is right. Everyone's weight fluctuates from day to day. My 1 month is tomorrow and I will get weighed at my doctors appt. I have not weighed myself since my one week post-op visit. I have lived long enough and been on enough diets to know that weighing yourself more often than about once a week just causes too much stress. The weight will have to come off. Your body requires a certain amount of calories just to live and breathe-even without any activity. As long as you are consuming less calories than that amount (and you would have to-the sleeve won't allow you to eat that many) you are guaranteed to lose weight. It may not show up day to day on your scale. And if you are exercising-muscle weighs more than fat so if you are replacing fat with muscle you will be losing inches, but maybe not any lbs. Obsessing over our weight and diets is what got most of us into this mess in the first place. Just work your plan and the weight WILL come off.

I'm assuming you are taking small bites and eating slowly (I'm still working on those). I find if I eat slow enough I get to the point where I can just tell that one more bite will not go down (on several occasions I have taken that one more bite because it tasted so good.). For me if I eat too fast or take bigger bites I miss that cue and then I get pain in my esophagus and start to feel like I'm going to vomit (I haven't actually vomited thank heavens). This lasts anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour and is quite painful. I know some people get a burping sensation or hiccup when they are full. I don't get that and have just had to learn the hard way. It's really just a learning process. I got sleeved 11/14 and have been on "real" food for two weeks and I am just starting to figure this whole eating thing out.

Can you e-mail the nutritionist? I wasn't allowed anything but Protein shakes and Clear liquids (I would have killed for lean meat and a salad!!) so I can't really help you much. But you really should be able to call your surgeon or his clinic and ask. Good luck. Pre-op is no fun. But hang in there-it'll be worth it.

I paid $325 for my class. They gave us a binder of nutrition info and just basically went over the surgery in more depth-what to expect. And in great detail about the eating. Our fee allows us lifetime access to their dietician and Exercise trainer. Other than that my entire surgery was covered since I had met my yearly deductible.

As I read through peoples posts it is amazing to me how different each surgeons post-op diet plans are. Start pureed foods at one week-two weeks-three weeks. I saw one who requires his patients to stay on Protein shakes only until goal! It can't just be concerns over healing, because my doctor puts us on an almost full diet at 2 weeks. Weeks one and two are full liquids and then two to four are soft foods (not mushy or pureed). It means almost everything except raw veggies and breads/pasta/rice. Do you think the different plans affect the rate at which weight is lost? I haven't weighed myself since 1 week post-op (I am now 4 weeks post-op) and I worry that since I was allowed to eat so much so soon that I won't have lost much when I get weighed this week. Or maybe if I have nothing to worry about, I'll invent something.

I'm surprised your parents even recognized you! Congrats-You look great.