CJinMichigan

Why aren't we supposed to drink something while we are eating? I forgot to ask my nutritionst last week when they put me on soft foods. Sometimes I take small sips of milk with my food and have found it very satisfying; before surgery I always drink a big glass of milk with meals. Is this drinking this little bit of milk harmful?

I have a strange question but can’t seem to find an answer anywhere else. I’m hoping someone here might have an answer. For several years now I’ve notice that sometimes I get an odd burning sensation inside my lower abdomen, in front of the pelvis just above the groin, after walking for a long period of time. I always thought it was probably due to my large overhanging stomach pulling on the muscles and tissue. Now that I’ve lost about 125 pounds I’m surprised I still get this sensation. Yes, I do still have hanging fat there but it’s gone down a lot; I also always wear a support girdle type undergarment to hold things firmly in. I have had 2 C-sections too. I went to my regular family doctor and explained all this to her and she had no idea what it could be. She examined me and found nothing. I’ve done a search on the internet and could find nothing. Has anyone had or heard of this? Thanks!

Wheetsin, sorry I'm not very savy when it comes to techno stuff and can barely email or post on this forum so don't have a clue how to add a picture. I'd say the pain is right in front, not on the side, about where I have my C-section scars.

Thanks for the info. No Chitowngirl, I don't think it's due to my breathing while walking because it happens after casual walking like grocery shopping. I don't do any walking for exercise; I know I should, but I hate all exercise. 7Carol3, I'm past ovulating and menopause so that can't be it either. But thanks for your help anyway.

I eat it all the time with no ill effects. I get the low fat microwave type, eat it slowly to make it last, and really enjoy the treat.

If you are far enough past your surgery to be eating more real foods I think they are a better choice than the drinks and powders. I haven't used drinks or powders in months, still count my protein and get in plenty by eating a diet of real food.

I wasn't told to be on a liquid diet before my surgery except for the day prior to it. Two weeks before I was put on a low calorie food program, not just liquids, so I wouldn't worry about it and I wouldn't tell.

I am almost 9 months post-op. I usually eat breakfast, a mid-morning snack, lunch, and dinner. If dinner was early I might have an evening snack. Soon you will start to feel hungry again; also you will get into a routine and not have to think about it so much. Good luck on your journey to good health.

Perhaps your metabolism has slowed way down due to the small amount of calories you are eating. In the beginning I was advised by my nut. to eat about 900 calories; I knew that was too low for me and have eaten about 1500-1800 since I was back on normal foods. Eating small amounts of calories leads to your body slowing things down to keep the weight. I average 1-2 pounds a week and for the past 9 months it has worked for me. Be patient, remember, slow and steady wins the race.

I disagree with having a "Food Funeral". It sounds like a part of you is dying. The way I looked at it was that I was going to learn to eat like I was always supposed to and not be a binge eater anymore. I wasn't giving up any food forever. I was just learning to eat it in the correct porportion. I am almost 9 months post-op and eat almost every food I did before; only smaller amounts. Some foods don't agree with me now so I usually steer clear of them but nothing is really off limits or "dead" to me. I like knowing I can have "junk" foods now and then; just have to remember I can control it now.

My goal is to be obese. Don’t get me wrong I’m all for being healthy but for me I think being “obese” would be healthy. The reason I think this is because I’ve gone from being categorized “super obese” with a BMI of 56.3 to currently being “severely obese” with a BMI of 37. My goal is be just “obese” which would be a BMI of 30-34 and a weight of 229 lbs. I am 53 years old and only remember being less than 200 pounds once in my adult life; I was on Weight Watchers at the time and stayed at that weight for maybe two weeks. I’ve gained and lost hundreds of pounds during my lifetime. During the spring of 2011, at 370 pounds, my knees hurt so badly from arthritis that I could barely walk. That was my wake up call. I knew if I didn’t do something I’d end up in a wheelchair or be bed bound. I got serious about eating healthy and losing weight. I was doing pretty well on my own when I heard about the gastric sleeve surgery. I did some research, went to a seminar, met with the surgeon, and decided this surgery would be a tool to help me achieve my goal of being healthy. Prior to my surgery I’d lost about 50 lbs. on my own. Since the surgery my total now is 124 lost. I had my surgery on Oct. 31, 2012 (yes, it was on Halloween, but it wasn’t too scary). Having the Sleeve surgery was the right choice for me. I feel great, can still eat whatever kinds of food I like (only much smaller portions), and I don’t have high blood pressure anymore. I didn't have any complications from the surgery and have no regrets, even though the first week was hard, it was worth it. I can do so much more physically now and my knees don’t hurt. I have 17 more pounds to go and I’ll be at my goal. I am so excited about getting to be “obese”.

I am about 8 months post-op. I had a stall at around month 6. It lasted about 3 weeks. I lost nothing and then I suddenly lost 5 lbs. I think it's normal to have a stall every once in awhile. I continue to eat about 1500 calories a day and on average lose 1 pound a week. Good luck on your journey to health.

I am 6 months post-op and have lost almost 100 pounds. I’ve noticed in the past few weeks that when I bend over from the waist and then straighten back up I have the sensation that something inside my lower abdomen is moving back into place. I’m in my mid-50’s, been through menopause, and have had two C-sections. It kind of feels the same as when I was pregnant and the baby moved. The feeling only lasts a few seconds and only occurs after I bend over. Has anyone else had this happen? Any ideas what this could be?

Thanks all for you comments. I had my surgery 6 months ago but started losing on my own last June. I began counting Weight Watcher points then (didn't go the meetings but had in the past)and still continue to do so even after the surgery. If I don't I can easily gain. For example this past weekend I went on a mini vacation and didn't keep track; this morning I'd gained 3 pounds. Yes, I have lots of loose skin. Which is one reason why I'm going to just try to maintain after I get to my 100 lb. goal. I don't want to have any further surgery. I feel so much better; my arthritic knees feel great and I can get around without limping now. My goal wasn't to get to a "normal" BMI, it was to get healthy. Hopefully this funny feeling I get is no big deal and I'll live a long, happy and healthy life.

I'm 53 and 6 months post op. I look much older than I did before the surgery. I didn't have any wrinkles before but do now. I also have jowls and a turkey neck now. The thinning hair has really made me look old too. Oh well, at least I'm a healthier wrinkled woman.

On an averge day about how many calories do you eat? I am almost 5 months post op. I eat between 1200-1600. At this level I lose about one pound a week. I know that is more than my nut. advised, she said 900, but I was hungry all the time. Also at around month 3 my hair started falling out big time so I raised my daily calorie limit to try and stop it from all coming out. My hair loss has stopped, thank goodness. I wonder if I should lower my calories limit. I was curious how much other sleevers eat. Thanks!

I am almost 5 months post op and have only had one stall and it didn't come on until month 4. I started at a much higher weight than you and I think that affects how quick it comes off. I wonder sometimes if after all those years of being on and off diets if we screwed up our metabolisms to the extent that our bodies are fighting us to keep the weight on. Don't get discouraged. I find that only weighing myself once a week helps from getting stressed out by a number. Good luck.

You are awesome! I don't have a goal weight; was never given one by my surgeon's office and I don't plan on having one. I'll know when I'm where I need to be. I don't want to stress over a number. Like you all I want is to be healthy and happy. Good luck in your journey.

I've eaten grilled onions several times since surgery with no problems. Good luck.

I eat corn quite often and have no problems. I've eaten some coconut in things like a cookie and it was also fine. I was also never given a list of forbidden foods by my nutri. everything is fine in moderation for me.

I think I'm in a stall or hit a plateau. I've been super good this past week and gained four tenths of a pound. I've done nothing different to cause the slight gain. I am over 4 months post op and have lost well every week so far. If you had a stall how long did it last? Did you have to do something to start losing again? Any advice would be appreciated; thanks.

I am a food addict too. I had the surgery this past Halloween. At first I couldn't binge if I tried. Now several months post-op I have to really watch it or I'll fall back into my old habits. I have to remind myself that this sleeve surgery is a tool to help me beat my addiction and get healthy. I suggest you do some soul searching and see if you're really ready to put your addiction behind you, otherwise it will be a huge waste of money. I wish you luck with your journey.

My surgeon recommended Celebrate chewables so I bought them and they were expensive. I had the same problem after my surgery; before the surgery I could take them with no problem. Now they make me vomit. When I mentioned this to him he said, "yeah lots of folks can't handle them after the surgery". He told me to find a good adult gummy chewable at the drug store. That's what I did and have had no problems with them. Wish he hadn't advised me to buy those expensive Celebrate ones first. Good luck!

I am almost 3 months post-op. I can eat almost everything with no problems. Bread and pasta seem to be too dense for me and give me an overly full feeling so I eat only small amounts and very rarely. I am so thankful that I don't have a "Sleevezilla".

I've noticed, as you did with the celery, that some foods don't fill me up. I can eat lots of crackers and not feel full but if I eat a half cup of pasta I'm stuffed. What's with that?