Webchickadee

Sounds like you're falling into the trap that most of us do......comparing ourselves to others! I don't blame you, I catch myself doing it all the time too. The important thing to remember is that you are unique and you will lose the weight at your own pace. 6 lbs a week is AWESOME! And honestly it will probably slow down in the future, and you'll be back wishing it was dropping off this fast! Also, I too was 300+ lbs when I started, and I've been morbidly obese my entire adult life (and most of my teenage years too). So I have A LOT of stretched skin. Personally, though I would love to be down to my goal weight of 135 as soon as possible, I'm concerned that too rapid weight loss won't give my skin a decent chance of "springing back" very well. I'm probably going to have to have some surgery on my abdomen and arms (batwing city!), but the most I can do to help reduce that chance the better! That includes a slower weight loss, working out (especially with weights!), and drinking lots and lots of liquids to nourish my skin. You're doing very very well, and just keep up the good work. It's a long, tough journey, but one where we learns the habits and tools that we'll be maintaining for the rest of our lives! Well worth it, in my opinion!

Catracks makes a good point. He is a man, and probably taller than many of us ladies (how tall is he?). This may mean he has a longer and larger sleeve than the rest of us. Myself, I could barely get a medium sip in for the first 7 days without serious "cramping" pain. Even now, 4 weeks out, I've only just started having more success with mushies and starting regular foods that are quite soft and easy to digest. But keep in mind, I'm only 5'4" (on a "tall" day!). On the other hand, your concern is valid. If he's able to eat so much, so quickly now, it may mean he has a harder time losing the weight as his calorie intake will be "easier" and therefore a bit harder to control. It will mean more self-control on his part. Though again, as Catracks mentioned, this is all liquids right now. The "rubber meets the road" when he starts eating solids! I can only get 3 oz of any solid in right now and even that is a bit more than I am comfortable with afterwards. I could easily finish an 8 oz Soup though (as long as it was mostly liquid and not a cream soup). Just keep an eye on him and be gentle in suggestions that he could benefit from slowing down a bit, even if there is no discomfort. His stomach is still healing and will be for weeks yet. Going a bit more easy and slowly will help optimize his recovery, increase his early weight loss (which will motivate him!) and help ensure better long-term success. Just remember he's in a major adjustment phase right now and your "suggestions" should be worded and delivered with the most supportive tone you can manage. He may take it as criticism otherwise, even if you don't mean it that way! Good luck and let us know how he's doing!

Your stomach is still probably VERY swollen. It took me 7-8 days to get past the "wicked bad pain" whenever I drank anything. Especially if I took more than a tiny little sip. It felt like very bad cramps along with a stabbing pain! I am now 4 weeks post-op and drinking is not a problem (though I've gotten VERY tired of Protein shakes). I'm still dealing with eating (in the mushie stage....supposed to be onto regular food now, but my sleeve doesn't really like that yet). Give yourself time to heal. You'll be back to Powerade Zero and Protein shakes soon.

I was in a bad motorcycle accident in July 1999. Prior to that accident, I had never had a single symptom of gall bladder trouble. The accident was quite severe and left me with a ruptured spleen, broken wrist (surgically repaired with metal plates), three broken ribs that punctured my left lung and collapsed it, a separated shoulder and severe road rash on both knees and both arms/elbows. During the following 3 weeks, I started having serious pain episodes that the doctors kept blaming on gas pain. But I was in hospital and living off an iv! I was discharged to a rehab hospital and the following day experienced the worst pain of my life. Everything from the accident paled in comparison! On return to the trauma hospital, they gave me Fentanyl (usually given to women in labor), but it only works for 30 min and they would only give it to me every 90 min. For the 60 min it had worn off, I was screaming my head off, and the nurses kept telling me I was disturbing the other patients in the ER! I didn't care.....i was dying! They said it was an inflamed gall bladder, but after circling the drain on the ward for 3 days (which I don't remember), the head of trauma surgery told me they were going to take my gall bladder out. The 40 min surgery took 4 hours....my gall bladder had actually ruptured 3 days earlier (no wonder it felt like I was dying!), and now it was all floating around my other organs! Another 12 hours and I would have gone septic and probably died. The theory was that I might have had a small stone that impacted into the wall of my GB from the forced of the crash. Then it festered, caused gangrene and then ruptured the GB. I recovered quickly from the GB surgery (my first laparoscopic surgery) and other than having digestive difficulties after greasy or oily foods, I've had no after effects. But I will never forget the pain. Do not let your GB pain go untreated. A ruptured GB could kill you, and the agony will make you wish you were dead!

Thanks a lot! I seem to have hit the infamous "3rd week stall". Been the same weight for the past 4 days. Hopefully it won't last too long. Now is the time to battle demons of doubt, and "stay the course"!

It feels like a long time, but those 3 days will go by fast. And after the surgery you probably won't feel hungry for quite some time. I'm nearly 1 month post-op and only eat when I remember it's time, or if I'm getting too much acid (despite taking omeprazole). Good luck and let me know how it's going, and if you have any questions!

Simple carbs are the enemy, but complex carbs are "good" carbs that can be very beneficial, especially if you're working out so consistently! The following are some examples of complex carbs. Of course, you need to take into account where you are in terms of food stages and what you can tolerate. At 7 weeks out, some of the examples below may not work for you yet or may be too hard to digest (do some research before you try all of them!). Whole Grains - millet, oats, wheat germ, barley, wild rice, brown rice, buckwheat, oat bran, cornmeal and amaranth. Fruits - apricots, oranges, plums, pears, grapefruits and prunes. Vegetables - Broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, turnip greens, eggplant, potatoes, yams, corn, carrots, onions, all types of lettuce, celery, cucumbers, cabbage, artichokes and asparagus Legumes - lentils, kidney Beans, black beans, peas, garbanzo beans, soy beans and pinto beans

LMFAO! Seriously. Love it! I don't know how we'll all end up "down there"....but we should revisit this post when we're all closer to goal weight and "compare notes"!

I'm at the same post-op time as you are Lisa's Hope and I'm finding that there is very little "mushie" I can eat that sits comfortably right now. I'm temporarily reverting back to full liquids to let things settle down and I'll try again next week. 2-3 ounces is definitely full (and sometimes MORE than full) for me on the "mushies". I'm sure we will both progress well beyond 2 oz in time. I guess I'm just a slower healer (that's okay, just getting really bored with soup!). On the bright side, the longer we stay on liquids and soft foods, the more weight we'll lose in the early stages! Looks like we're at about the same amount of weight loss too! Chin up my dear. We spent many years (for me it was almost my whole life time!) being overweight and/or obese. A few weeks/months now is merely a drop in the bucket on our path to permanent success!

Hey Rootman, I totally agree with your attitude of "all things in moderation". Having anything on the "never again" list will just make it all the more tempting and likely to cause damage when we succumb to our craving/desire. And of course, using caution to see how we tolerate is essential! Also, hearing that you very occasionally still have a "burger and fries" in small quantities just further underscores that we don't have to GIVE UP anything. Just use good sense, adhere to the proper nutritional guidelines 98% of the time, and once in a while, feel free to stray a bit outside the lines and have a small (very small) treat! This is the key to long term success and emotional well-being where our food intake is concerned. We can eat healthy and still indulge a bit occasionally! Just like "regular" people who don't struggle with their weight do...........

The discomfort will most likely be only a week (with acutal pain, which for me was really only a day of minor pain. I took no pain killers after the 1st day). But the adaptation to your new stomach size, figuring out what you can tolerate, when you can move to the next level (your sleeve doesn't always conform to what your doctor's schedule is!), dealing with changes in your bathroom patterns, sleeping patterns, mobility issues in the beginning will be quite a bit longer. I'm about 3 1/2 weeks post-op now (sleeved on May 14, 2012) and I am still adjusting in a BIG BIG way. I'm supposed to be on mushies and desperately want to stop with the liquids and Soups already, but my sleeve just isn't happy with that plan as yet. Fatigue is a battle since my calorie intake is quite low, getting very tired of getting more than 50% of my calories a day from Protein shakes (which started out tasting good and now I have to "choke" them down every morning!). It's a daily struggle right now. That all begin said, I am also exercising (just walking right now, but usually going 3-4 miles each day, which is 3-4 more miles than I did pre-op!) and I've already lost 30 lbs (includes 11 lbs from 2 week pre-op diet). So yeah me! I'm also doing what you're doing.....walking through stores I've never been able to shop in and imaging all the cute outfits I'll be able to buy and wear for the first time EVER in my life. What a great motivator! I just wanted you to be aware that the discomfort will be longer than a week if you factor in the major life change you're about to go through and the length of time it takes to really get into what will probably be fairly close to your new eating pattern, headspace, etc. Keep up the optimism and the excitement though! I'm not raining on your parade.....this is the best decision of my life and it will be for you too! I'm just also excited for the next couple of months to pass so I can get through these early stages and settle into a more normal routine.

Hey, was that the tough mudder? I've been hearing about that race from some colleagues (guys) and I want to blow their minds and enter that race next summer. I want to bet them that I can complete it (bet them now and they don't know about my surgery..........they will bet it in a heartbeat, thinking it's an easy win for them!). I know it's a very difficult race, but I have a year to lose the weight and get super fit........I KNOW i can do it! You look like you had a blast..........I want to do it too!

Wow, there is no way I could have handled soft foods one week out! I'm a bit more than 3 weeks post-op and started mushies a few days ago. Today I'm back to full liquids because I'm just not feeling well with mushies yet. As much as I want to move to the next stage (desperately.....I'm so tired of liquids!), my sleeve isn't too happy and neither is my digestive tract. So one day at a time and I'm sure it will get better for both of us!

How do you know you're dehydrated? Do you have symptoms such as: - Thirst - Dry Skin - Skin Flushing - Dark Colored Urine - Dry Mouth - Fatigue or Weakness - Chills - Head Rushes And if so, how far out are you from surgery? Can you drink a mouthful at a time, or are you still on sipping? Do you have pain when you drink? If you have multiple symptoms from above and can only sip, you may need additional help (such as an IV) to help you rehydrate. If you're able to take a bit more liquid in per mouthful, and can take two mouthfuls every 5 - 10 minutes, you may be able to rehydrate on your own (this would roughly be the equivalent of 20 oz in an hour or more). Also, how did you get dehydrated? Was it from not keeping up with your fluids, or are you having vomiting, diarrhea, etc.? If so, then you may need to get checked out to find out what the causes of those symptoms are and get them treated along with the dehydration so you don't end up on a bad cycle, going back to hospital every few days. Make sure when you are rehydrating that your fluids include electrolytes (such as Gatorade, or Gatorade G2). Dehydration usually comes along with an electrolyte imbalance and that can affect your muscles, the functioning of your brain, eyesight, balance, etc. It can also result in painful cramping and sudden onset of shock if it's really severe! Don't let it get severe! Finally, if you are alone and have no one around, it may be best to go to the hospital. If your dehydration is serious then you may not have the strength or clear-headedness to get help later on, if additional self-help attempts don't work. Good luck and let us know how you make out!

Sending you many many many positive vibes! Our family has been heavily touched by breast cancer. But there's also a good chance that the "mass" is just an area of calcification and it's nothing. So stay positive and wait to see the results and go from there. One day at a time dear. Worry now will only make you feel stress you never needed to go through if it turns out to be nothing. Let us know how things go! And good luck!

Great news! Something positive to look forward to! Make sure you're on top of your pre-op requirements and let us know how things are going pre and post surgery! We're all here rooting for you dear!

Yes! You will! We all started out not knowing how to cook. Some of us were lucky and had family that could teach us....others taught themselves. And you can too! First word of advice....when cooking on the stove, TURN THE HEAT DOWN! This is the first trick to not burning things! Especially on an electric stove, the temperatures are much harder to control. By the time you realize something's burning and you turn the heat down, it's too late. The heating element stays really hot for quite some time and food continues to burn. Either remove the pan/pot from the stove for a minute or two to let the pan and the element cool, or better yet, cook at a lower temperature all the way through. Buy a few beginner recipe books and make some very simple dishes. Don't even try to make a whole meal all at once at the beginning. There's too many ingredients, timing and things to pay attention to. Once you've got some simple things worked out, graduate to doing 2 dishes at the same time and before you know it, you'll be a pro! Another tip is to plan out your meals for a few days in advance when you're first starting to learn to cook. Then make sure you have all the ingredients at home before you start to cook. Nothing more frustrating that getting half-way through a recipe then realizing you don't have a key ingredient! This will also help you to grocery shop more efficiently and probably save you some money and help you stay away from too many spontaneous (and often unhealthy) purchases. Finally, when you do buy those beginner cookbooks, flip through them and look for explanations of common cooking terminology (for example, separating an egg does not mean making two piles! it means separating the yolk from the white!). You need to understand the terminology before you can follow the recipes! And if the cookbook has pictures of the steps along the way through the recipe, even better! Seeing beautiful pictures of finished dishes is great, but knowing how to get there is much more important! Good luck and if you have more questions, just ask!

It's early days yet tbstacks! I know, every day feels like it drags on forever and it doesn't seem to be getting better. But you VERY slowing are improving and healing. And in another week or two, you will probably feel more positive. I am 3 weeks out today and the first 2 weeks were really tough. liquids are boring.....the weird taste in your mouth can drive you insane.....energy is low....changes are happening but not enough that people's jaws are dropping (they will in time though!).....you hubby might be trying not to focus on your weight so much to help you "normalize" (a positive way to look at it, no?).....and OF COURSE you're grieving the loss of food! But in a few months, when you're stable and back on solid foods and have figured out what works and doesn't work for you....how much you can eat in a regular meal...now much Protein and liquid works for you.....how to vary your diet to keep things interesting rather than a chore....it will seem so much better! There's a good chance you don't need meds for anti-depression right now (though if you feel strongly about it, you should see your primary care physician). Your energy is low due to the low calorie intake. Perhaps a B12 (sublingual) supplement daily will help with that, and maybe you need some Iron supplements as well? As soon as you can start doing a bit of exercise (even just walking now is very good!), it should help elevate your mood. The natural endorphins released by your body during exercise can do wonders to help combat depression and really make you feel alive again! Later on, you can try low-impact aerobics such as swimming or water-aerobics. Exercise bike is also good if you're not comfortable getting outside and jogging/running or even fast-walking. And of course, as you start to add "mushies" and find out what your new stomach's actual boundaries are, it will be a daily experiment to find out how your new eating life will be! That should keep you busy for a while. Remember, you've just gone through a MAJOR surgery! It takes time for the body to shake off the after-effects of the anaesthetic, the shock from the surgery, the stomach needs to heal, your metabolism is trying to survive (right now it thinks you're starving with the sudden drop in calories), and the fat you're losing is also releasing alot of hormones into your body in a flood and causing mood changes as well. There's alot going on inside of you! Hang in there. Things will "normalize" in the next couple of months, a little bit at a time. Until one day you'll wake up and it will feel "normal" again. Only a new better, slimmer, healthier "normal"!

I have been having problems tolerating dairy since my surgery (only 3 weeks out so hopefully that will change!). I didn't even TRY my Protein Shake with Water because I KNEW it would be BLECH! I switched from 1% (lactose-free!) to Unsweetened Almond Milk. It's only got 30 calories per cup (vs. about 70 per cup with milk) and no tolerance issues! It does have a slightly nutty flavour to it, but you get used to it. Downside is there is only 1 g of Protein per cup, but upside is there is only 1 g of carb per cup! Could be worth looking at if you're trying to cut calories, as long as you keep the lower protein amount in mind too.

Prayers to you both! Hopefully this part of your journey will be over soon and in a few months, just a distant memory. Replaced by happy new memories of great weight loss, a healthier, happier you and a bright future ahead!

Fantastic! Keep up the amazing work!

A slightly aggressive estimate would be 35 - 45 lbs, assuming no stalls and you doing some walking, with progression to more exercise as you heal further. And of course maintaining a high - Protein, low carb diet with lots of fluids! An estimate only! Based on about 8 weeks between surgery and start of school.

Are you on a PPI (proton pump inhibitor, such as Prilosec (also known as Omeprazole)? The pain could be from reflux. Also, the swelling maybe very severe from the surgery and needs alot more time to calm down. With you not being able to stay hydrated by drinking, you may require IV hydration, possibly over the course of several days until you are finally able to keep some liquids down. Stay in close contact with your MD and if you have any symptoms of dehydration: -Thirst - Dry Skin - Skin Flushing - Dark Colored Urine - Dry Mouth - Fatigue or Weakness - Chills - Head Rushes go the the ER right away and get an IV. We can go a VERY VERY long time without food of any kind, but liquids are critical. If you can't drink, you have to get them the only other way possible, intravenously. Good luck and keep us up to date!

I was also on Levequin in February for pneumonia. It's a powerful antibiotic! I had been on a full 2 week course of Biaxin which did NOTHING for my pneumonia. The Levequin started helping within 2 days and cleared it right up. I didn't really experience any significant side-effects, and was grateful for the improvement! If your fever persists, please let your doctor know right away. You may require a different antibiotic or further investigation!

2BonederfulAgain, do not dispair! Many people experience a "stall" at week three and for some it's a bit earlier (week 2) or later (week 4-5). We're all different! You may have extra waste built up in your colon (when was the last time you had a decent poop?). It could be that your hormone levels are higher than normal at the moment (we have extra estrogen in our systems during rapid weight loss as it is released from our fat cells and floods our bodies), so you could be retaining Water as a result of that, which will up your weight. Are you weighing yourself at the same time of day, same clothing or lack of clothing (I weight myself naked, to reduce any variables!). I always weight myself first thing in the morning, right after I pee and before I eat or drink anything. The time of day is fairly consistent and all other variables are fairly consistent too. That way, I can't blame gains on "too much clothes, I just ate, I haven't pee'd , etc. The main culprit is a lack of a bowel movement and that's not as easily controlled! LOL If you're doing all those things and the weight is still the same, look to some other indicators that things are still progressing.....measurements can change, even when the scale doesn't. You might notice clothes are fitting more comfortably than before, or are getting too big (yeah!). Take a look at what you're eating. At 3 weeks out you're probably still in full liquids, possibly on mushies (each surgeon is different). So, are you getting enough Protein? Enough calories? Try to be as patient as possible (I know, I know.....that SUX). Our bodies have been throw a MAJOR curve ball. First we go on a pre-op diet (not every surgeon requires it, but most do and it varies from a few days to a few weeks!), then we have a major surgery, and then we suddenly STARVE ourselves (as our bodies see it). Your body's fighting back! It thinks your under life-threatening attack and trying to save your life! Give it time to figure out that "it's all good" and it will come 'round and get you back on the losing track. We're here if you have more questions, concerns, frustrations, anger....need to vent. That's what this place is for!