AliveAgain

Glad to hear you have some support. Gatorade was not on my acceptable fluid list either, but that's because my doctor is super diligent on the low-carb thing. You'll see lots of variation of what each doctor finds acceptable. Some docs don't care about carbs, but mine wanted me to be less than 20-30g for the first month -- still not above 40g daily now. The majority of my liquid was water, tea, soy milk, or broth those first few weeks.

Nope. I thought it was absurd as well, and somewhat against my loosely-based religious beliefs to get rid of something God gave me. But I also believe that it was my worst enemy in the battle to get healthy. There is a Bible verse that explains to cut off one's hand if that hand will cause the entire body to sin. I'm not that religious, but there was a lot of logic in that statement for me. Now, at 3.5 months out -- I feel completely normal, like nothing has changed. My life goes on like it did before, without the big portions of guilt.

It's funny how they used to tell you to stop and pay attention to your meals so you didn't eat "blindly" more than you needed and could pay attention to when you're full. But then after the surgery, I found that to be incredibly hard to do for the reason you just said: It's a small amount over 30 minutes. I will prep my shake or food then work on the computer or do housework and take a bite every few minutes. Watching a TV is great at night because I can pace my meal by where we are in the show. Eating out is the hardest because they expect you to woof it down and the wait staff tend to check on you a lot when it looks like you're not eating much. We tend to tip higher because we're sitting at the table longer than we normally would be

You should be aiming for a minimum of 64oz per day (eight 8oz glasses or cups). However, some people struggle to get above 48oz their first week. I had a few dizzy spells and it turned out to be low potassium due to the liquid diet. The gatorade will give you some, but not all of what you need. My doctor prescribed me some pills I dissolved in Water and they really helped. At three weeks out, my doctor told me to aim for 80oz of fluids per day. Do you have a good doctor and/or nutritionist to work with here in the states, to do labs and monitor your health?

Search the forum and you'll see this has been queried and answered many, many times. Make sure you supplement some sources of fiber (Benefiber, Metamucil - unflavored powders), drink lots and lots of fluids and walk/exercise!

I was told all of the above. Skins are tough to digest the first 2-4 weeks. Mine told me to keep them at bay because they are fructose sugar. While MUCH better and healthier than sources of refined and cane sugar, the whole point of this surgery is to give the liver and pancreas a nice long break and cut down on sugars OVERALL. They are a source of carbs, and if you follow the low-carb diet -- they can add up. Some docs focus on this, some don't. Plus, some patients don't have restraint and get a taste of sweet, decide a bite of candy won't hurt, then a donut, etc. Really it comes down to common sense and watching your intake in your food journal. I started out with blueberries and raspberries in my Greek yogurt, spitting out the skins the first month. And only eating 10 berries in a day. Google a list of fruit, you'll see bananas are one of the highest in sugar. But if you let them go past ripe to slightly brown, it reduces in sugar. I treat myself to about 1/2 a medium banana every week or two. Maybe a strawberry here and there. I'm sure when it's cherry season, I'll have a few. The key is small servings and moderation.

YAY! Must feel amazing! Did you do anything to break the stall? I've been stuck at 204-202 for a week and am ready to see that "1" myself, hopefully by Friday!

I recommend keeping to walking for another 3-4 weeks, just going for longer as you progress. My doctor gave me the OK to swim once my incisions were healed at about 4 weeks out. He said I could do some light riding on the bike, but to avoid lifting weights or anything that requires bending, pulling or squatting (your own body weight). I was told the rule was no lifting or pulling 25 pounds the first week, then deduct 5 pounds each week until week six when you can go back to "normal." By then the stomach and incisions should be fully healed. I was too nervous to do too much for the fear of injuring myself, so I kept mostly to walking.

Also, the emotions are totally valid. Between the shock to your system, the pain meds and the travel -- it happens to the best of us. It too will go away after the first week or so

Whoah, take a deep breath! Yes, this happens to almost everyone and the doctor should have told you. I came home 8 pounds heavier. It from all the fluids they pump in through your IV. It will retain for a few days, but if you keep sipping fluids and walk around it should go away quickly then you'll start seeing the REAL weight loss magically happen. Best of luck! Relaxation is key, this is a long journey :-)

For the larger breasted women (though I don't mind hearing from any size): When did you start to lose in your cup size? I have lost 35lbs so far, very happy, feeling great. I am definitely losing in my torso as my rib measurement has gone from 38 to 35! But my actual cup size is not changing much. Not as much as I'd hoped. They already look like hell and I know it will only get worse. But I'm really ready to lose the fat in these suckers. It's already hard enough to find a properly fitting 38H/I bra -- I can't wait until I'm a DDD or DD again. I will have reduction surgery once I hit maintenance, hoping to be a C or B one all is said and done!! Also, I need to find a better sports bra as I have people telling me I do not appear to have the right support. Anyone have any luck with any retailers or online brands? So far, all the stores carry those "one size fits all" things that turn you into uniboob. My torso is a size 16/18, but my boobs are still like a 22/24. And I'm short to boot with a super short torso. Most bras out there are made for taller women and have really long straps when I need shorter straps. I've heard there is a "petite" category that goes by height, but have never seen them in stores. Thanks for the help!

I agree with the other posters to try lowering your calories a bit while maintaining your protein. According to my doc, 1200-1500 calories is where I'll be once I'm in maintenance and not wanting to lose or gain more weight. But definitely shake up the exercise routine, and don't forget to drink plenty of fluids -- especially water. Those serving sizes sound huge to me since I'm still only able to get in 3-4oz at best in my 2-3 "meals" per day, 1-2oz with my 2 snacks

Most doctors will advise you to stop because of the blood clot risk, and will recommend waiting a few weeks or month to start again. But do be sure to use a back-up method! Just losing 5-10% of your body weight can increase your fertility like mad

I am 3.5 months out and will say yes. If you want to lose weight and stay healthy, yes. But no it's not going to be "sip, sip, sip" forever. I was able to take pretty normal swigs by 4 weeks out, feels like it always did before.

Veteran Sleevers: How do/did you handle stress post-surgery? I'm 3+ months out and have had the "luxury" of being unemployed since just before surgery. I definitely keep myself busy, exercise every day, and job searching is a job within itself. But today I had a job interview with 12 people over 3.5 hours, with an hour drive there and back. Plus the past two days of frantically searching for interview clothes that fit, I came home freaking exhausted. I mean SCARY exhausted. Just from the interview, not even a full day's work. I also got a bit of a headache part way through, which I think was slight dehydration. I had plenty of Protein and fluids in the morning, but after about hour three of not being able to grab a snack or truly drink enough (they gave me a small cup of water) -- I was hurting. Thankfully I'd packed a kit in the car knowing I'd need something on the way home. The interview wasn't even that daunting or tough, but just sitting for that long was work! But now I'm really worried that I'm not going to be able to keep up with the pace I used to once keep. Long hours, long commute, while trying to stay motivated to hit the gym and prepare healthy meals and Snacks. It's not the first time I've lagged in energy since surgery, but I was hoping it would be better by now. I'm really scared and not sure what to do.

Yeah, it's scary. But it was the 60+ hour per week, 15+ hours of commuting and high stress that made me gain the weight in the first place. So I really don't want to go back there - EVER. But I see people everyday doing the job I once did and they don't gain weight like crazy. After being "let go" from my last job because my old boss' boss did not care for my "physical appearance," I decided I needed to take some time and really evaluate why I wasn't making myself a priority anymore. I've had therapy and taking really big steps to gain a healthy balance back. But now, I'm overqualified for "easier" jobs and I can't go much longer without work. I'm seriously unable to sleep at night with the thought of not being capable to working again. Why do so many employers think this is normal and you should get used to it?

It's the French word for candle...

Yes, it's normal after surgery. But no, it's not normal. Our new diets lack the Fiber we need to keep things moving. Add things like dairy products and pain meds, you get constipation. If it goes on too long you can get other problems like hemorrhoids (believe me). Not sure what stage you are in, but my doctor had me add the dissolvable Benefiber powder to my Protein shakes. Make sure you get the unflavored stuff. By four weeks, he had me munching on Metamucil wafers for added punch. I eat one a day when I feel like I need it. They come in Cinnamon or Apple flavors like Cookies. By six weeks I was adding small amounts of avocado, flax or chia seed, and edamame for their fiber content. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids, exercise helps a lot, and my gastro doc said that taking an occasional stool softener like Colace or Phillips is not harmful -- just don't use it every day.

Depends, what kind of laxative did you use? If you used milk of magnesia, that can cause a chalky white to appear. But it should disappear within a day. I would call your doctor since white and black are two of the worst colors for stool.

Doctors and nurses told me 7-10 days was best, and longer if I could do it. The first few days the CO2 and anesthesia are getting out of your system, as well as any pain meds from the hospital or at home. Then it's more about your abdomen since you actually use some of those muscles to control your legs. You may have delayed reaction times or just end up hurting yourself if you have to brake hard or drive stick.

I have in week 14 and am having a hard time with energy the last week or so. I'm also having a hard time getting my protein, calories, and fluids in. I'm quite sure the low energy came before the slacking food/fluids. I'm working hard to get it back up there, but I am NEVER hungry and where I used to be able to eat "normal" 2-3oz of food, I now fill up on 2 spoonfuls. Even protein shakes make me feel extremely full barely 1/4 through them. I know I should be getting more with my activity level, but barely hit 400-450 calories a day. All my levels came back normal and I take my multi, B12, etc. every day...

I've lost 52 pounds and have dropped 4 pant sizes, 2 bra/top sizes. My family can see my weight loss through the webcam, and I absolutely know it's noticeable. I have the measurements from every two weeks that show I've lost over 10 inches in my waist alone, 8 in my hips. So why aren't more people saying something when they see me? I've run into over a dozen people who knew me at my heaviest, they talk to me for 15 minutes or more and don't say a word. I've literally had ONE friend say something to me and he whispered it in my ear, "Am I crazy or have you lost a substantial amount of weight?" To which he high-fived me, but it was odd he didn't want to say it out loud. Yesterday I ran into a recent former co-worker who sat NEXT two me for over a year and has been friends with me for over five -- and he didn't say a thing!! Am I crazy, or are people ashamed to point it out?

Have you been in bed a lot with the sheets tucked in? If so, this can keep your feet bent down and will tighten your calves/heels until they're sore. I do agree with checking with doctor to rule out clots. But I learned while recovering from knee surgery that something as simple as the sheets being too tight can also do that. Also, when you are sore in the core muscles of your body - the rest of your body can try to compensate. You may just be using those muscles more than you realize when you're on the move.

First off: I am not nor have ever been diabetic, so I would always encourage you to listen to your doctor. That being said, bug him like crazy and ask why that happened. Also, search this forum and others like ObesityHelp to see what others did during the liquid phase. Personally, my doctor would not let me use any of those products. He's not a fan of the ready-made drinks because most are made with whey concentrate which is inferior to whey isolate. Eh, but it's better than nothing - right? Most WL surgeons will encourage you by your second week to be hitting 60-70g of Protein daily. Then in your fourth-fifth week aiming for 70-90g of protein. Which shakes work best with blood sugar levels, will need some research. I personally used Syntrax nectar, unjury, and Healthwise products in the liquid phase. I still use them now to supplement between meals. Also, don't be afraid to get a second opinion. Not all doctors "know it all" and you should be your best advocate for your health.

I have to say it is one of THE most exhilarating feelings to know I will NEVER have to shop in that horrid section of department store's EVER again! It's like being let out of jail, of the time-out-corner -- being let loose on parts of the store I haven't been allowed into for so many years. To stand in the fitting room and try on size small and medium tops that are fashionable and cute, just makes me And it's only going to get better from here. The clerks are getting to know me because I come in a buy a size, keep the tags and receipt until I wear that item. Then two or three weeks later, if I haven't worn it, I find I try it on and already need the next size down. I'm becoming the "exchange queen!" Next step... cutting up that ugly Lane Bryant card!!!