lunabella007

50 pounds later, I have very slender fingers I really hope my butt won't go away entirely, but I've definitely experienced an unevenness in my weight loss. I guess only time will tell when it will all even out!

It wasn't too bad! I was surprised! The day of surgery, after I woke up, I got up and walked around 4 hours after getting operating on. It was great, because it wasn't as bad as I expected. I had to hold my abdomen when I sat up or walked anywhere though. The shots they were giving me for pain the day of surgery didn't make me nauseated at first, but the next morning I couldn't tolerate them anymore, so they switched me to liquid vicodin which I went home on that afternoon. What you've heard is true, at least as far as I'm concerned, the gas pain and the not-being-able-to-fart thing was way worse than any incision or stomach pain I had. The incision I had closer to my left side hurt more than the others because when I'd sit on the toilet and reach for the toilet paper it would pull a little on the wound. Sorry if TMI. To be completely honest, I've had PMS that was worse! (Sorry TMI again! Just being honest!) Oh, and I could pretty much get back to my life as usual after 4-5 days or so.

Oh yes, just to add a little something--ultimately you need to do what your sleeve wants. Even if your diet plan tells you you should be able to eat x, y, and z every hour, if your sleeve isn't up to it yet, then don't push yourself! It will all work out in the end--just stay hydrated!

I agree with made2beme, I think you shouldn't worry about Protein right now. Just worry about sipping clear liquids around the clock. My first two weeks I was on the "clear liquid diet" so that meant decaf iced tea, Water, calorie free Vitamin waters, gatorade, crystal light, low sodium chicken and beef broth, and toward the end of the two weeks I enjoyed a few popsicles. I didn't start with the Protein shakes until 14 days post op. Call your doctor or surgeon's office tomorrow and ask them. Your biggest enemy right now is dehydration, so focus on keeping clear liquids down. Your body will take what it needs right now from your fat reserves while your stomach heals.

I actually did a naughty in my second week post op and sucked on watermelon bits for extra nutrients and hydration (it was 105* that week!) I spat out the pulp. I still could only "drink" two 1" cubes at a sitting It's still my FAVORITE fruit, and I make allowances for it, especially when its in season and its sweet :wub: We have to have some innocent pleasures in our lives! Just don't get it out of hand.

That's so exciting! Congratulations, and good for you! I would LOVE to look like you one day! You rock!

I understand why you're a little nervous about it, but I think unless there's a particular reason not to (if you tend to lose a LOT of blood during your period, such that it would make you dizzy or anemic) I don't think it will be a problem. Just let the pre-op nurses know, and they'll make sure you're taken care of. They're medical professionals, and they've seen it all. Don't be embarrassed! Just call your surgeon's office and ask, if you're concerned. I really don't think it should be an issue, though. I imagine lots of women have had their periods during various surgeries.

Have you tried e-cigs? They make them with and without nicotine in a variety of flavors. You can get a hit of nicotine, and see the Water vapor "smoke" coming out of your mouth. Many people find it a satisfying half-way point between smoking tobacco and going cold turkey. I quit a year and a half before I got my VSG, but I can only imagine how difficult it must be. Lots of people deal with depression after the surgery, and it doesn't make it easier that you're craving a cigarette, and dealing with constipation too. People don't realize that smoking stimulates the bowels so not smoking can leave you blocked up, and surgery and pain medicine has been known to cause constipation too. I hope you get to feeling better very soon. Do look into e-cigs. They're a reasonable alternative to tobacco for someone who doesn't want to wholly quit.

I used to bother, but decided it isn't something I really want to make a daily priority. My husband doesn't mind (he's European) and it saves money on razors, waxing, electrolysis, etc. The only one who is bothered about it is my mom. She always has something to say about my not shaving (I don't shave my armpits either). I've noticed that my legs appear a little hairier since the follicles are closer together because the amount of flesh is somewhat less. It isn't something that bothers me or is going to cause me to change my personal regimen.

I am seriously exhausted, like almost all the time. I started taking huge doses of B Vitamins in addition to my bariatric vitamins in an effort to make myself a little more alert. Caffeine isn't helping very much either. I realize my body is working hard right now to convert my fat into energy. I get that it's hard work, and takes a toll. However, I am still sleeping 11-12 hours a night. It's hard to be active, and exercise when I feel like I'm dragging myself through the day. Add to that, I've hit a stall. I've been just about single-mindedly focusing on getting all my Protein in, and getting enough Fluid. Any advice, or encouragement would be appreciated. Has anyone been through this before?

That's a great point you just made! I never even thought of iron (that's why VST is such an awesome website--we can all work together to remember this stuff!) It kind of makes sense. I'll have my iron checked soon. My husband is always reminding me about my protein, too. It's easy to forget, since in my pre-surgery life, protein wasn't considered a source of energy, but now its pretty much all that's keeping me going! Thanks, LaBelle!

I know it's awful, and SO hard to do, but I had to just put my scale in the back of the walk in closet so I'd have to work to get to it. It's just too easy to weigh yourself too often and get depressed over it if the temptation is right there every time you go to the bathroom! Fingers crossed we break free of this stall soon!

I hit my first stall this week (week 7 - week 8). I'm trying to get past it by eating more Protein, and eating a little more quantity, too. Not weighing yourself often can help too. I haven't seen any movement on the scale (checked five days ago, and today--no change) In the beginning, I was losing a ridiculous pound a day, so we knew that couldn't go on forever!

I'm sure it will get better. I'm still dealing with some pretty serious fatigue, too, at almost two months out. I've been taking supermassive doses of B-12, some chromium, and zinc, along with my bariatric Vitamins. I drink two (non carbonated) calorie free energy/vitamin drinks a day, and drink espresso in the morning but it just hasn't been enough. I'm still waiting for the big burst of energy everyone says will come eventually, but I'm pretty sure my case is unusual. That said, I was and am also dealing with a bit of nausea (in the mornings, no--I'm not pregnant) that made getting all my Protein a bit of a challenge, so that might have something to do with it.

Being able to have kids and being able to breastfeed were a BIG deal for me. I spoke with several nutritionists and two physicians and my surgeon and they all agreed that pregnancy was going to be safer and more comfortable for me and the baby both after I'd lost the weight. Also, I will probably conceive quicker which is always nice Oh, you might be interested to know that most people will not need to take anything more than a Multivitamin and a Calcium supplement when they are breastfeeding with a sleeve.

Thanks guys! Turns out, everything is fine! I just got a little bruised and achy, but my stomach is just fine! I'm SO glad!

Ok, I've been hurting tonight. I was leaning over a puppy gate, but my foot slipped and I fell on the gate (not to the ground). I actually had to take some pain medication because it feels like I've done a thousand situps. It's been just about two months since I had my surgery, and I never had any symptoms of leaks--up to now, everything has been fine. Could it just be achy and bruised from the fall (on top of maybe residual tenderness from the surgery) or should I be worried? I seem to have a good deal of gas for some reason, probably unrelated, but that's about the only other thing wrong with me right now. That, and easy bruising. Lots of bruises lately from the slightest of bumps. I'm afraid to see what my stomach looks like tomorrow!

I have felt this before as well. Its normal to think you want a burger and fries--really! The good news is that soon enough you will be able to eat a few bites of burger patty and fries and the REALLY good news is that those few bites are going to satisfy you like nothing has ever satisfied you before. Believe me! It's normal to want something solid at your stage, anything solid, really. I agree with the other commentators here that what you're experiencing is head hunger. When I get head hunger, I focus on what taste I am craving, and satisfy it in a way that makes sense. If you want a burger, and since you're on a liquid diet, drink some extra beefy broth. It isn't the same thing obviously, but it fits the flavor profile you want. If that fails, distract yourself long enough for the head hunger to pass--good news is, it always does.

It's part of the reason why I LOVE my sleeve--I can eat without pain, but my sleeve helps me to be sensible. My surgeon used the smallest bougie possible, but I was a bit early to "graduate" to soft solids, like you. In fact, after the initial pain was gone, I told my husband "it feels like nothing happened!" Except, the pounds keep falling off, and my stomach tells my brain when I need to stop. Consider yourself fortunate, and continue to listen to your sleeve, and its cues. Also, make sure you aren't drinking and eating at the same time (this can cause you to eat more than you could without the liquid to wash the food out of your sleeve). I'm guilty of drinking and eating at the same time (especially when its 100* outside, and I'm having trouble staying hydrated) and I've noticed that I can eat more than I should.

I was just wondering the same thing. I hope he's doing so well and enjoying the gorgeous weather so much that he forgot to check in!

I'm having the same problem just now. My cat likes to "knead" me and wherever she's kneaded me, I've got bruises! It was really difficult for me to bruise before surgery--I got a hairline fracture in my leg falling down marble steps, but never bruised! That was then! Now I look like an impressionist painting. As long as it isn't a Vitamin deficiency, it's ok by me. I don't care about the cosmetic aspect, just so long as I get to a healthier place. That said, I suspect I'm not getting enough vitamin K (a natural coagulant). I had two shots of heparin in the hospital the day of surgery and the day after (almost two months ago now so I'm pretty sure that's worn off by now). I'm going to ask my doc to order some blood tests soon anyway. I'll let you all know the verdict in case it can help anyone else on here.

I was raised to always take people as they come, and to think about a person's kindness or intelligence before I think about the way they look. We've all encountered people out there who are prejudiced and bigoted against those who are big-bodied, but what happens when those same people all of a sudden fall all over themselves to talk to you, get to know you, hook up with you, etc., just because you're thin? I dislike prejudice of any kind, even when I'm on the "positive" end of someone's prejudice. Those of you who have lost weight, have you noticed a positive difference in the way you've been treated in public? By waiters and waitresses, by shop assistants in clothing shops, by people on the bus, people at school or work? How do you keep yourself from resenting them for it?

It's a huge deal! Nothing in your life will change more fundementally the way you interact with your daily life, and the most basic of human activity--eating. Most of a major part of your body will be gone forever, and that's something to seriously think about so it's no wonder that you're feeling anxious. For lots of large people (myself included) our lives were so preoccupied with what we ate, when we ate, how much we ate, how many calories we ate, etc. that when most of that static is gone from our lives it's a huge adjustment! It can also be extremely liberating! By the way, it's awesome that you're thinking and planning ahead for your recovery! People with the best results tend to be the ones who plan ahead! Go ahead with your planning, but try not to over-plan and be too rigid because you don't know how you'll be feeling post-op and you might have to make a thousand little adjustments. Sounds like you're just going into this full of commitment to make it work, and I think that's the right attitude to have!

Oh my goodness, me too. I'm three weeks out, and I just slept for 12 hours. No lie! Of course, the intense heat probably had something to do with it (makes you sleepier) but otherwise, I just figured its because my body is starving. I'm getting all the recommended Protein, three meals and two Snacks, Vitamins, and fluids so there isn't much danger of my being dangerously deficient. I don't know what else I should be doing to up my energy levels. I've been swimming a little (like 10 minutes a day is all I can handle) maybe that's what's making me zonked? I used to drink two cups of coffee in the morning, but I haven't since surgery. Maybe my body is missing the caffeine?

I'm trying to get a sense of whether my weight loss is normal. I asked my surgeon if the amount I was losing was considered "normal" and I think he thought I was complaining that I wasn't losing weight fast enough (not at all!) I know it varies from person to person, but I'm trying to get a sense of the ballpark range of what most people have achieved by now. Thanks so much for helping!