Sassiesmiles

I had surgery March 2012. For the last month or so Im really tired, like I could fall asleep as I'm typing this now tired... Is this common or should I maybe have my blood checked?

I have the sliming/foaming issue if I eat bread. I would say if you are eating anything that has a starch in it to try and cut it out of your diet. Your tummy is rejecting it. If you arent eating bread even things like corn products (taco shells) can do the same thing. If you arent eating these things take a look at your diet and see what you have put back in that isnt working for you.

I made (and still make) they gurgling and croaking sounds similar to what a frog would make. You will also feel physically full up to your throat. I wouldnt go past your recommendations. If you are in doubt, call your doctor.

Hello! I am 13 months post op and have noticed lately that I get some really sharp pains in my ribs. They are similar to growing pains that you would get as a kid.. Normal? How long do they stay?

Hello. Im am a year post op and find myself feeling hungry, like really hungry. Anyone else in the same boat? Its a scary feeling for me because I dont want to put back on weight that Ive worked so hard to take off.

Good Morning! I am nearly four months post-op and have noticed in the last two weeks or so that I am just physically exhausted... Anyone else experience this? Is it normal? Not enough Protein?

I know that for most of us its the normal - breads and pastas but I also can no longer tolerate red meat. Specifically hamburger. Anyone else have this issue or others like it?

I dont handle fried foods well either, they are definitely on my "avoid" list. Im also not a fan of left overs. I dont take them home if I eat out anymore because I know I wont eat them. Leftovers used to be one of my favorite things, not any longer.

I think its important for everyone to remember that even though the procedure is the same, its path afterwards is different for everyone. I did the pre-surgery psych visits, I learned some great things but until I had the surgery I didnt fully understand what it meant to implement them. I was just like you, I tried two bites of cake 10 days post op, I felt awful - physically awful, but I learned that I cant eat cake. In fact, I cant eat anything that is bread related or Pasta related. My body fights it. I am almost four months post op and every now and then try to eat something that I know my body cant handle, its instinctive. Everyone knows that your brain is a very powerful tool but for sleevers you really understand that to a new level, it takes on an entirely new meaning. For most of us, eating was out of habit or was a way to soothe our emotions. I agree with the previous posters you dont want to do anything to hurt your new stomach, its very sensitive right now. The liquid diet isnt any fun, its mundain, repetative and more than anything boring! Try to change your focus to other things that food. I had a really hard time adjusting at first. I knew what I had done to my body but I couldnt fully understand what that was going to do to me emotionally. All at once I felt as though every vice that I had was gone - I couldnt eat, I couldnt drink and while I could shop I didnt want to because it wasnt going to fit for very long. I turned to weekend trips, long walks on the beach, changed my hair, got a massage and have been reading. For what its worth, Im proud of you for having the courage to admit your fault and move forward from it. Thats the best way to learn what works and what doesnt. Remember its not just weight that you will be losing, the losing will have different effects to your body. My doctor told me that as long as I kept my Water and Protein intake at the right levels nothing else mattered. Focus your nourishment on what will have the best impact to your hair, teeth and skin. Those are all important to consider as your body begins to change. Keep your head up, before you now it you will be done with the liquid diet and changing your focus.

I am 6 weeks post op and am having a hard time. This is definitely about more than just food, for me it's affected everything. My relationships, my attitude and my stress levels. Did anyone else have a hard time or can you provide some advice?

I developed an absess that turned into a staph infection. It was on the underside of my breast that was rubbing against the incision line. You will need to see your doctor and be treated with antibiotics. Mine is still not entirely healed and I've had it now for about 4 weeks. Request your medicine by liquid form, its much easier. Take care of yourself!

Thank you all so much for sharing! I feel so much better knowing that Im not alone. I knew this would be hard and that each journey is an individual journey, I just never knew it would be this hard. For me, (and Im sure for a lot of us) food was my friend - one of my best friends. It never judged, it always comforted me and made me feel better, its also how I got to be over 300 lbs and morbidly obese. While I dont regret having the surgery - I have lost my vice and am struggling to find a new one. I can no longer eat, I cant drink (I tried it and I am not a happy drunk anymore) and shopping isnt as much fun because long term it isnt going to fit. I know it sounds like Im complaining and while Id like to think Im not - Im just having a hard time finding something that will help to make me happy. Knowing that the weight is coming off DOES make me happy and is changing my outlook, but losing friends or relationships that I thought I could count on dampens that happiness. Like it was said above, Im still the same me just smaller... I know and knew that the surgery was only going to fix my stomach and not my brain but clearly I need to do some mental work to catch up with the body changes Im going through. I know that I am a good person - often times I care more than I should but I cant change that. Time to find what makes ME happy and really put myself first, we all need to!

Hi! I had the surgery on March 27th. I would have done the exact same thing over again! For me, there have been small bumps in the road but I would do it again. The weight loss hasn't been instant but I appreciate it more that way. It has allowed me to learn and "reprogram" my brain to better choices. You have to be prepared to do the work and I'm so glad to see that you are on the message boards getting other people's opinions, its important to know as much as you can before your surgery. Use this board as a resource for many different things. My best advice - stay in the know, keep learning and don't set unrealistic expectations. Like anything else, this takes time and will require you to relearn about yourself, but its all worth it.. Good luck and keep your head up!

Thank you! I went from drinking nearly a gallon of water a day pre-op to sipping, sipping and sipping. Its a hard transition. Luckily, I've never been one to drink anything other than water and tea so my choices are pretty good for hydration. I will try the oil and I've just started to add avocado to my diet. This is one of those things that no one ever really says anything about.

Morning! Ive noticed in the last few weeks that my skin is very flaky, more so than I ever remember. Its everything from my hands, to my feet, to my ears to my nose... Anyone else experience this?

I was the same way as Wheetsin. I didn't worry about it the first several weeks. My main focus was keeping hydrated. Somethings worked one day but not the next. I will be 6 weeks post-op on Tuesday and am just now working up to the daily protein intake. One thing that I can say that has worked for me with the protein drinks (to me, they are a necessary evil) is to drink them from a straw rather than out of the container. They go back further in your throat and don't immediately hit your taste buds. Weeks 2-4 were tough for me, just do what you can and don't worry so much at this point. You will find what works - until then just stay hydrated and listen to your body. The good thing is, you don't have to eat right now if you don't want to.

Hi! I'm sort of in the same position. I was sleeved on 03/27/12. At my dr. Appt in April I had lost 24 lbs. I don't know how much I have lost since then but i'm just starting to see a difference in my clothing. It will take a while. Just because you aren't seeing it in your clothing doesn't mean you aren't losing weight. Your body will reallocation and then you will notice a big drop. Keep in mind, your body is in a state of shock right now and is try to catch up to what is happening. During my Psych consult, the doctor told me something that stuck with me - She said that the body is constantly trying to get back to where it was. Don't let it bring you down, you are doing a great job. Keep your focus on Protein, supplements and fluids right now, everything else is a bonus.

HI! In my early weeks I would take soups and puree those down to next to nothing. It will allow you to have some of the flavors that will keep pureed foods interesting.

I have been using either Muscle Milk - 12 oz. Chocolate (30 grams of protein) or Myoplex - 17 oz ( 42 grams of protein) - chocolate. I enjoy both as much as you can possibly enjoy a protein drink. They will become monotonous over time. I haven't tried them but Ive heard that the ones at Costco are really good and are a good price.

Apple sauce was good to me in the beginning. I will tell you what my doctor said to me... He said if you don't feel like eating, you don't have to. For the first few weeks, make your focus staying hydrated and getting your protein in. I knowing having said that how hard that is because my brain still told me to eat food, but there is nothing that says you have to. Did you have a hiatal hernia that your Dr had to fix? You might want to talk to your doctor about the heartburn, especially considering how severe it sounds.

I was sleeved on March 27th. The first several weeks were really great. I had tons of energy, no heartburn and in general felt really good. Last week I had horrible heartburn, heartburn so bad that dry heaving was the only thing that relieved it. I'm like you, I take Prilosec everyday and don't miss it. Having the surgery really is like learning how to ride a bike again as far as habits go. Its frustrating because your mind knows how to do it but your body doesn't. Give it some time and have faith in knowing that this is one of the best things you could do for yourself. Don't let the bad days get you down, they get easier and for me have been few and fair between.

Hello! I was sleeved on 03/27. At my last appointment on 04/18 I was down from 292 to 269, a loss of 23 lbs. I also hit a stall between my 3rd and 4th week. I haven't weighed myself since my last Dr. appt but can tell the different in my clothing. I'm almost to that point that I need new clothes, I'm trying to hold off as long as I can. Everything seems to be going really well, I'm still struggling with foods and trying to find what works. I've had a few episodes of sliming but otherwise I feel good. I think protein is going to be a constant battle, I try to have my protein shakes for breakfast to start the day. Good luck to you all!

I'm feeling the same way... I'm 4 weeks post op and the first few weeks i felt great... I had incredible amounts of energy, I was positive and really felt good. This week however has not been nice to me at all. I am having a hard time holding foods down with out frothing/sliming everything. I haven't been able to find a good food combo that I can eat and maintain, truth be told, I'm actually afraid to eat almost anything. I'm at that point in the process where I'm feeling like "what did I do". Everyone keeps saying this will pass but I'm having a hard time seeing it. It does help to know that I'm not alone though.

Hello. I had surgery on March 27th, 2012. I am just beginning to eat again and am realizing that I can no tolerate anything bread based. I instantly have a slime incident. Anyone else have the same issue with bread or other foods? I'm trying to learn what works and what doesn't and I'm open to suggestions. Thanks! Sarah

I struggle with Protein too. For me, a Protein shake in the morning helps. I stick with the Muscle Milk - although they are beginning to become redundant. A "slime incident" is when you eat something that your sleeve doesn't like and you vomit a mucus substance that looks like slime. Generally speaking, its clear in color. I haven't ever vomited anything I've eaten but I've learned to avoid all breads and some meats.