deb_fox

I go for my first post op blood work in the end of July. I guess I will find out then if I am tired because of the B12. Thanks!

In 3 days it will be a month for me since I am sleeved. I feel so tired still. Is this normal? I do work full time, so I can't take naps. My friends tell me that they think it's because I eat so little. I am averaging between 50-60 grams of protein per day. My meals are very, very small still. After a few bites of anything, I am totally full and need to stop or I get pains. I am walking every night after dinner.

I feel the same way about food. it is simply fuel for my body. I eat because I have to. I think it's because the protein shakes still keep me feeling full all day.

My Doctor told me no gum because it puts air in your stomach I became a huge gum chewer when I gave up smoking 22 years ago. I am also a huge lifesaver gal. Gave it all up, but it is worth it!

gum!

Thank you guys. I did lose more weight pre-op. You are right...weight loss is weight loss. I know, I read that some people were kept on strict liquid diets for many weeks after surgery. My Doctor said one to two weeks of liquid and I was supposed to be making sure 40 - 50 grams of protein were consumed during the first two weeks. Then, I was told in week 2-3 to puree' meat and vegetables and to introduce soft foods as I can handle them. I have not had any problems eating food that wasn't puree'd. I guess I just need to be patient.

I was sleeved on June 11th. Yesterday marked my 3 week Anniversary. I feel as though I am doing everything correctly, but my weight loss seems to be much slower than most people. I have lost 10 pounds in these 3 weeks. Considering that 2 of them were strictly liquid and protein, I would think that more would have come off. I find myself full, almost busting at the seems all the time. I am getting between 50 and 60 grams of protein in a day. I start my day off with my crushed medications in either a fat free yogurt or a small cup of applesauce. For lunch I either have soup (about 1/4 cup) or a chopped egg either with or without mayo. For dinner, I am eating a piece of lean meat and a vegetable. I am also drinking 40-60 grams of protein from Muscle Milk Light. I drink as much water as possible and that pretty much makes up my day of eating. I have also been walking after dinner around my neighborhood at a brisk pace every night. Anyone have advice or does it seem like i just need to be patient? One of the reasons I had the surgery was that I never see much success from weight loss programs. I do have a thyroid problem, maybe that's why it is slower. So frustrated!

My name is Debbie and I had a gastric sleeve procedure done on June 11, 2012 by Dr. Collin Brathwaite at Winthrop Hospital in Mineola, New York. I am 44 years old and had considered this surgery for about a year. At first, I was convinced that I was going to have a lap-band. After researching and attending support groups, I learned of the gastric sleeve procedure. Quickly, my mind was changed. I was a slender person until I had my children. I had 3 children in 5 years and just got heavier and heavier. I also suffered from depression after the loss of my Parent's while I was still in my 20's. Life had never been the same for me once I started to pack on the pounds. The day I signed the papers to have the surgery, I was 5'2" and 252 pounds. Like most of you here, I have been on some form of diet since I put the weight on and have been unsuccessful at losing more than 25 pounds on my own. I do also have hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's disease. I want my outside body to match what I feel on the inside. I am tired of feeling disgusted with myself. I always feel like the biggest lady in the room and it is humiliating. I want to be able to buy clothes that actually look nice on me and that I like, not just buy them because they fit. My husband loves me regardless, but he deserves to have a healthy wife. My children deserve a Mother that will be healthy enough to see their children when they are born. I just feel that If I didn't do this surgery, I wasn't going to live to be a Grandma and that scared me. I did my two weeks of liquid diet before the surgery. Honestly, I think I was just in the right frame of mind because I didn't think it was a big deal. I went in to have the surgery on June 11th, 2012 and wasn't the slightest bit nervous (which I found odd). While in surgery, they found that I had a hiatal hernia, so they repaired that too. I woke up feeling sore, not in agony. I tried to not take any pain killers, but the nurses convinced me there was no reason to be uncomfortable. I stayed in the hospital for two days and went home. I really didn't feel bad at all, still just sore. I only continued to take Percoset for two more days. I did my walking to minimize the gas discomfort and I adhered to the liquid diet that I was told to keep. I am in my 3rd week of recovery and still feel good. I am losing weight. Today, I weighed 217. I am still very tired. I have gone back to work and could easily nap at my desk. I am still taking it easy and trying to get all of the Protein drinks in. My re-introduction to foods has gone smoothly. The only issue I had is when I ate a hard boiled egg too fast. It was hurt to breathe and felt like I was choking (I knew I wasn't because I was breathing and talking). I learned a lesson. EAT SLOW! I have enjoyed this sight and love to hear about everyone's personal journeys. Congratulations to everyone that has done the surgery. Best wishes for those that are considering it. I can tell you that it is by far the best gift I have ever given to myself. Good Luck! Debbie

Alicia, I had the same problem. Just force yourself to drink more and more. I am 3 weeks post op and am able to drink 3 muscle milk lights that have 20 grams of Protein each. I drink the chocolate. I am never hungry and literally drink and eat because I am told to. I also noticed that as soon as I started drinking the full 60 grams of protein a day that my weight loss slowed down I am going to discuss this with my Dr. I haven't lost weight in about 4 days.

Rafter Jones...congratulations, you will be so happy! Best of luck to you!

This is a great site!! I like that I can chat with people who I can relate to and who can relate to me. Some of my best friends think that I did something uncalled for and drastic by opting for a vertical sleeve. They don't get it. They have never walked a mile in my shoes and been judged by society. I do have a question because I have just started to eat meat. Sometimes my stomach hurts for a few seconds after I swallow it and then the pain subsides. Does this mean the meat is not agreeing with me or is it just because I am still healing (I am just about 3 weeks postop). It feels like it takes my breath away, just for a moment. Has anyone ever experienced this?

I am 3 weeks post op. I went and bought the different types and brands of protein shakes and powders that my Doctor's office recommended. I literally was gagging on them. Even the flavorless whey protein tasted nasty when I mixed it with Crystal Light and it was grainy. The Special K clear protein to me was absolutely gross. I was in a panic because I understand that I must have the additional protein. Then I found the chocolate muscle milk light. I actually like it. That is the only one I like. Good luck. It is true that your likes and dislikes change after surgery.

My insurance company required the 6 months of weight loss being monitored by a Professional (My Primary Care Physician). While I was "waiting", I took that opportunity to do all of the things the Surgeon required of me including an Endoscopy, sono of my abdomen, 12 Lead EKG, Psychological Evaluation, Meeting with Nutritionist, Blood Work and attended support group meetings. I was approved immediately by my insurance company once the 6 months was up. Within a few weeks, I was given a Surgery date. My surgery was on June 11, 2012. I had to remain on a liquid diet consisting of Glucerna meal replacement shakes and water for two weeks before my surgery. The purpose of this is to shrink the liver down as much as possible for the safest surgery. Truth...I wasn't the slightest bit hungry!! I even had to attend events 3 times in restaurants and I was okay! Surgery day came. I was not the slightest bit nervous, which is totally not my personality. I think it's because I was more than ready to begin my new life. I started this journey in November of 2011 with my first weigh in being 252. I am only 5'2". June 1, my last weigh in before my surgery, I was 241. Today, I am 218. The weight is just coming off. After surgery, my Doctor required me to be on a liquid diet for 2 weeks. I had to drink very small amounts every 15 minutes while my belly healed. I was told to do the best I could to drink protein. I struggled with that because I found most of the protein drinks I bought to be foul. Actually, by week 2, they instructed me to drink 60 grams of protein. For me, the best protein drink is Muscle Milk Light. They are 20 grams of protein per container. I prefer the chocolate. Not easy to get all of this in, but so important. I want this to be the most successful journey, so I will do it. Now, I am into my 3rd week and have started to introduce food. I found that I didn't have to stick to pureed food. I am able to tolerate very and I mean very small amounts of well chewed food. I learned the hard way not to eat too fast. I had a hard boiled egg and it went down so easily. Then, it hit me. I knew I wasn't choking, but It felt like it was lodged in my chest. I had to stop and breathe. I actually got very nervous. I knew I wasn't "choking" because I could talk and breathe. It was a lesson learned. EAT VERY SLOW! I felt it in my chest for over a half hour. I kept telling my husband that I don't feel any different. I haven't had any side effects from the surgery except not having the urge to ever have a bowel movement. I use glycerin suppositories every few days to help me out. I am never hungry. Eating has become a routine and I am eating only the things required to be healthy at this time. I have absolutely no regrets having had this surgery. I cannot wait to see what I look like next summer!

I am two weeks post op and for some reason was so relaxed when I went to the hospital. I guess I was just "ready". They found a hernia while doing my sleeve and repaired that at the same time. I am happy to tell you that the surgery is pain free because you are asleep. You will rely on pain meds for a day or two, so that won't be bad. Then, it really is just a sore feeling. I was just tired. You will be fine!! It is so worth it! Good Luck!

I am two weeks post op and never feel the need to have a bowel movement. I use glycerin suppositories every 3-4 days and they make me go within an hour.