GoState

I've had a griddler for a few years and LOVE it. You have to be careful not to overcook some foods (med rare steak, for instance) b/c it cooks really fast due to heat source on both sides.

I'm 5 months out and wondering if this is normal for many of you. 2 things are happening periodically after eating: 1) Sometimes after eating, I have a lot of thick liquid "come back up" from my stomach. I mentioned this on my last Dr. visit and to the Nurse and she said it is likely saliva I've produced and swallowed. 2) Sometimes I have a lot of post-nasal discharge after eating and have to go spit. Other than that, things are great although I do get lightheaded at times and my eyes feel strained a good bit.

I am just over 4 months out. As far as liquids go, Water was tough for me for a while. It just seemed "thicker" than some juices and other beverages. Even still at times. I try to drink some coffee before or after Breakfast, a medium Powerade from Sonic mid-afternoon, and a glass (or two) of milk (for Protein per my NUT- whey makes me want to puke). V8 Diet Splash (mango peach) is a fave and pretty low in calories. Also: I passed a kidney stone two nights before I had my surgery. I have two more very very small ones and I think one is moving. Try to get those liquids in. Low cal juices, milk and powerade zero might go down better than water and aren't that high in calories. No more calories than you're getting now it shouldn't hurt. Regarding food, as a sample, I can eat a pack of oatmeal for breakfast, 1/4 to 1/2 of a small chili from Wendy's for lunch and 4 or 5 shrimp for dinner. For a while, I felt very hungry at times (between meals). I sometimes get a little hungry, but not as bad. A triscuit or some almonds do the trick for me. Every doc and nut are different in their reccomendations, diet plan, etc. Re liquids, this is what works for me and I'm down 60 lbs since surgery/75 total. Good Luck!

and can't seem to get warm in my house, and winter hasn't even made it yet! I assume it's because I don't have the padding I once did. Is anyone else experiencing this? Does it get better?? I might have to move to Florida if this doesn't change LOL!

I don't know. I do know that my vision sometimes bothers me a little after exercise (along with jittery feeling) and my physician feels that its related to lower blood pressure.

It doesn't happen that often, but does happen to me. I think it happen more when I have carbs (specifically potatoes, which I do not have very often). I mentioned to my Dr. at my 7 wk visit last week. He said it might be dumping syndrome and didn't seem too concerned. I don't have sweats or diahrea (which I read as being dumping symptoms), I just get tired and it subsides after a half hour or so.

I am 7 wks out and obsessed with the scale, too, but looking at it every day is just going to keep your mind on the negaitves and damper your spirits. STOP IT! All of our bodies are different, and we truly can't compare to one another (although I'm guilty of trying). I, too, hit a 2 week stall where I didn't lose. It sucked!!!! I'm 7 weeks out now and just got back from my surgeons for my periodic review. I've recently had several weeks of 0-2 lbs lost, but today I learned I lost 8 lbs the past 5 days! It comes in spurts and you just have to work through it. I'm now at 30lb lost post surgery / 50lb lost total. In regards to calories, I do not keep up with mine to the tee, but I estimate I'm only getting 600-800 daily. Where do yours come from? One thing I had to do (which I firmly believe helped) is replace juices (use with meds) with V8 Splash Light, which I believe helped. Good luck on hitting the 30 lb mark- you WILL do it!!!!

This is happening to me, too. Began at 3 wks out (I'm now 6 wks out). I talked to my Dr's NP about it (She had the sleeve last year). She asked me about my Fluid and Protein intake. My fluid was fine, but protein was not (I had stopped Protein shakes b/c they repulsed me). She said I need to get 60g of Protein DAILY, and that the only way to do that immediately was with supplements. She said to do my best to get my protein in and see how it works. I'm still not drinking a lot of shakes, but I am eating more and trying to eat Salmon, Shrimp, and other meats that are higher in protein first. When I do this I feel better, although I still get hungry from time to time. Thankfully, it doesn't take much to fill up! Hope this helps, and good luck!!

I would say an 8 immediately after surgery- I felt burning in my belly- I swore I could feel each staple. That went away very quickly and my pain was very, very well managed (3) once I got to the room. I walked within a couple of hours getting to the room, and everything has gone incredibly well ever since.

My Doctor's office said no NSAIDs immediately due to healing, but that I would be able to take them in the future. I can take liquid Tylenol now, and can also take Lortab (which I will likely need as I have kidney stones). QueenofCrop, I enjoy your blog-especially the pics of your meals-- it really helps to see what others are eating.

Rio- The "hunger" is COMPLETELY different than before surgery. COMPLETELY. I don't have a craving for a specific food- I would almost call it an "empty" feeling more than feeling "hungry". I have been eating 4 or 5 Preztel crackers with smoked salmon, crab or tuna. I have to watch myself not to overeat by just a bite. I generally am full for a few hours, but around 3 hours later feel as if I "need" to eat a little something, so I drink some juice, eat a cracker or some apple sauce or something. But I would not call it "grazing". Hope that helps

I'm 18 Days out and notice I actually do seem to get hungry.Generally, about 3 hours after eating. It's not like the sense of hunger I had prior to surgery. I'm not so sure its not stomach acid/emptiness more than anything. Generally, I eat a cracker and it subsides (I'm eating canned tuna and crackers at meals). Does anyone else at 3 weeks or so feel the same way? Does this change some once you're able to eat more? Right now I feel as if I need 4-5 mini meals.

My Doc & Nut had printed in our manual (produced a cople years ago) "never" drink alcohol. In class, they had us turn to that page and scratch through the "Never", and simply write "avoid". They said no harm now and again, but don't make it a habit/new transference/addiction.

For me, the last few nights have been harder to fall asleep than before. That could be due to all the sleep I got a week ago at the hospital. I do notice that when I wake up I feel a little more refreshed, and the "brain fog" isn't as bad as it was pre-surgery. I seem to be more "alert" and yawn less during the day. Have y'all noticed similar things?

Geechee, I hope you get to have some grits really soon!

Grits are a "staple" here in Mississippi! They are even better with sausage crumbled in them (Which I am NOT doing now LOL).

Seriously. I'm on 2nd Week Post-Op Diet, which adds texture, but nothing that you have to chew. Today, I've had 1/2 Pack of Instant grits, 1/3 to 1/2 cup of instant potatoes, about 7 tsp of refried Beans, 20oz Isopure, 6oz Cream of chicken and Herbs Soup, 4oz apple juice and 1 juice popsicle. Tuesday starts the beginning of the 3rd wk post-op diet where we add very soft texture/light chewing, such as fish, canned meat, eggs, and oddly enough, crackers. I

I'm 12 days out. I am eating refried beans, mashed potatoes, grits, fruit popsicles (no sugar added), apple sauce, sugar free yogurt and cream soups. I can have veggy soup, too, if blended up, but haven't tried yet. I feel as if my sleeve is tolerating things very well. I did go out last night and ate 2-3 oz. of frozen yogurt from a local place (25 cal, 5 max carbs/oz). It felt odd at first, but I tolerated it pretty well. Hope you move on from liquids soon!

At lunch today, I ordered an Individual Mashed Potato from KFC (Just started adding soft consistency to the diet). Dr. and Nut. told me to eat slow, and I did. The potatoes literally melted in my mouth (guess b/c they are not "real" but "instant"). Anyway, over 15-20 minutes I ate all of them. The Nutritional Info says 136Grams (so about 4.5 ozs) and 130 Calories. Fast forward 4 hours. I decide to have some Mott's Natural Applesauce. 3.9 ozs. It all went down. I didn't get the Full/Bloated/Don't Eat sensation. I realize these foods are different from protein/meat/beans/etc. But is this what you have expereinced, too? Is my Sleeve toooo big?

Thanks for all the replies. I assumed that, but still couldn't help but wonder. My first 2 days home from surgery I was drinking just over 100 oz of liquids per day, then I did gould to get 40 for a day or two. If I at grits, I know to stop after 5 tsp full. I'm ready for Tuesday- I can have flaky fish then. I'm TRULY learning to appreciate the simple things post-surgery!

So sorry to hear you are having a rough time. I'm 11 days out, and would be lying if I said I haven't had some thoughts of remorse (b/c I'm addicted to food and will miss the old days) but hang in there. Let your body heal and it should get better. Can you walk? Try walking short distances several times a day and see if that helps with the gas. God Bless!

It's odd how different docs have different requirements. I wonder if this has anything to do with technique (i.e. 2 vs 3 rows of staples, preferred bougie size, etc.) I'm 11 days post op and just finished 60% of a KFC Individual side of mashed potatoes for lunch (these seem to dissolve in the mouth- must be instant 'taters LOL). This Tuesday I get to try fish and can't wait (although I feel as if my pouch could handle it now, I'm not getting ahead of myself).

From some posts I've read, I'm feeling fortunate: We are: Wk1: Clear liquids & Protein shakes Wk2: Add puree consistency(no chewing)- nothing thicker than mashed potatoes (can have grits, oatmeal and refried beans!) Wk3: Add soft foods (some chewing)- eggs, fish and some canned meats, cooked or canned fruits Wk4-6: Increase texture- Protein Bars, poultry, most meats except steak and chops, raw fruit as tolerated. Wk7/8: Lifetime Maint Diet

Congrats and good luck! I had mine 7/31. WALK! That's the best advice I can give for gas.

than larger cups. It's all psychological, but mind says the 8oz. cupt "is nothing", whereas a16oz. Bottle makes me think "I'm supposed to drink HOW many of those?!" I feel like I can drink 8 cups through the day and have a bigger variety, too! Anyone else?