LizInTexas

definately have dry mouth and dragon breath... I think it's Ketosis as well... Thank goodness for sugar free breath mints !!!

The primary reason the Doc's tell you no alcohol for 6 months is because alcohol is empty calories (and lots of them !). It offers no nutritional value and can slow your progress significantly. That said, I tested the waters at 8 weeks (was very cautious). Over 3 days I had a couple glasses of wine, a couple of vodka/cranberries, a couple 7 and 7's, and a couple mimosa's (champagne and OJ). I experienced absolutely no problems nor did I become a one drink drunk as many have warned was possible. While my tolerance isn't what it used to be, it was only slightly less. That was my experience and yours may be different, but I can say out of everything I tried, the carbonated beverages were the most uncomfortable and took the longest to drink. Overall, having an alcoholic beverage was no big deal and I still lost a few pounds over those 3 days as well.

I didn't really have any pain to speak of other than being a little sore, which was to be totally expected. The larger hurdles for me are consuming enough liquid (staying hydrated is VERY important !) and fighting the nausea. It makes me not even want to eat at all, but I keep reading that it gets better with time, and it has gotten better, but I think it still happens way too often. Eating is no longer pleasant. It has definately become a stressful chore.

I measure nothing. I can eat so little that I can't imagine I'm even breaking 600 calories a day, on a good day. Some days I'm sure I don't even get that much, but I still do a protein shake every day just to make sure I'm not losing all my muscle. Just taking 2 multi vitamins (liqui-gels), a CoQ10, and iron is as filling as a full meal ! So, for me, it's vitamins and a yogurt for breakfast (12g protein/80 cals), 4-6 bites of shrimp or chicken for lunch, maybe 2 ounces of meat for dinner, and a handful of almonds for a snack. Things just don't go down good or I'm nauseated before I'm even finished eating. Wicked cycle and I'm hoping with a little more time it changes so I can tolerate more just for nutrition sake !

Sleeved Sept. 18th and down 40, all post surgery as well. It's a little slow, but it's steady and I'm SO thankful !!!

I've lost 40 and I was sleeved 6 days after you... I expected more as well, but I'm happy with 40 pounds in 60 days ! I certainly couldn't have lost 40 in 60 without my sleeve

I'm about 2 months out and have experienced the same thing. My taste buds are sloooowwwwly regaining their sanity, though their not completely sane yet. Be patient, try some new flavors along the way and know that things will get better.

I'm 7 weeks out this week and am still having trouble making myself consume enough fluids and calories (but it's getting better !). This surgery isn't all peachy and easy for everyone even if they had no complications, so take those "it's so easy" postings with a grain of salt and hope you get as lucky. I didn't. I was speaking to a dear friend of mine a few days ago about my struggles (she is a nurse) and she told me the story of a 44 year old woman who had wls almost 2 years ago. This woman claims she was never told how to eat post op (which is BS in both of our opinions since insurance paid for her surgery and there are a million insurance hoops to jump through) so she did not consume enough nutrition nor enough fluids and the end result has been tragic. Yes, she's lost weight, but she did it completely the wrong way, by not eating and drinking. As a result, she has lost the ability to hoist her own body weight due to muscle loss, she had kidney stones the size of marbles, is almost bald due to hair loss, and has damaged her liver beyond repair. And by "beyond repair", I mean this woman is now bed ridden (sp?) in a skilled care facility waiting to die. Her liver is failing because she turned her "tool" into a weapon by choosing not to nourish her body. She blames the surgery instead of taking the responsibility herself. "it's all the surgery's fault". Moral of the story: there are worse things than not meeting your weight goal, especially if you allow yourself to become so obsessed that you destroy your body trying to get there. My surgeon is the head of the bariatric program at a center of excellence and, though opinions are widely varied, his opinion is that the weight loss doesn't stop after any set period of time if you're eating proper nutrition, getting proper hydration, exercising moderately (he's a marathon runner HAH !), and stay focused on getting to your goal in a healthy manner. Weight loss may slow down somewhere in between 6 and 18 months (his numbers), but none of us got fat in a couple years time so what's a few more months ? As for me, I plan on following the healthy and steady wins the race method. I can't imagine that I'll give a rats arse what I look like if I'm lying in a box because I've starved myself or exercised myself to death (though I don't think I've ever been in any danger of exercising myself to death ) My best advice is to use your common sense, do research beyond these forums (though these forums are very helpful), make a healthy eating and exercise plan and stick to it, and filter out the extremist postings. This surgery is about living a better, healthier life. It's not about destroying your body just to be as thin as possible as fast as possible. We all want fast results, but rest assured, if you don't do it the right way, your body will pay the price, and this poor woman's story is proof that the price really can be your life if you don't. Just my 2 cents...

It's the most absorbable form, but the taste can be somewhat, uh, disappointing.

Oh, and have hit my first dreaded stall...

I don't do aspartame either, but I've found a Crystal Light that is sweetened with Stevia... Called Crystal Light Pure. Have found fruit punch and lemonade so far and they're very tasty !

I'm at 5 weeks today and still having the same issues also. I'm not enjoying eating at all and drinking isn't much better. I'm hoping for that "switch" to flip soon... Very depressing

I'm down 29 lbs. in 33 days, but still having great difficulty eating protein and drinking enough fluid. It's a constant battle. I suspect my hair will start coming out even more soon. It has been coming out by the handful for a long time because of thyroid issues anyway, so what's a little more ! It grows back... Doc gave me some drug that's supposed to relax the esophagus/stomach so food doesn't feel stuck, but all it really does is make me sleepy (hyscosamine). Vitamins are a full load for my little sleevie so I slide them in with some yogurt just to keep from barfing from vitamin overload. I know I'm losing some muscle so I've ordered some wrist and ankle weights to walk with, even if it's only around the house and yard. Can't hurt... My energy levels have been in the toilet, but seem to be coming back little by little. Thank God I'm self employed and have been able to fit in a little power nap here and there or I don't think I'd have made it. If I had a boss, I'd probably have gotten fired for sleeping on the job !!! I totally respect and give huge kudos to those who have an employer to satisfy after this surgery !!!

I have a Vitamix and a Ninja. If I didn't like the "blender glasses" that came with the Ninja I wouldn't even have purchased it ! I, personally, find the Vitamix easier to clean than the Ninja, but that's just my humble opinion. The Vitamix is hands down, far and away the best thing ever invented for the kitchen. If it wouldn't be so uncomfortable, I could probably ride that thing to the mall !!! Yes, they are expensive, but they will last you at least 25 years with daily use. (My Aunt has had hers for 25 years and still uses it every single day). I say buy the best the first time and never have to worry about it again. If you want to crush rocks for making stone soup, it'll do it ! I made some potato cheese soup right after surgery and put it in the Ninja. It came out kind of grainy after about 4 minutes on high. I wanted total smoothness, so I put it in the Vitamix and it had the consistence of velvet when it came out after 2 minutes. There's a reason that the worlds finest chefs use them.... Their the undisputed best of the best, and worth every single cent !!!

I just recently discovered a RTD called Rockin' Refuel Muscle Builder. It's a little high in calories and carbs (190c /9g), but after trying soooooooo many of the others and thinking they taste like crapola, and besides the fact that I'm hardly consuming any calories through food, I'm good with drinking two of them a day. GNC sells them and they taste exactly like chocolate milk without any funky protein aftertaste. I haven't tried the vanilla yet. Suffice it to say that I was so thrilled when I found them that I immediately went back and bought a two week supply ! My second choice is Muscle Milk, and third is EAS.

Thanks for the clarification, but whether it's name brand or generic, it still never worked for me and several other people I know. I found it to be a total waste of money. Everyone just needs to find what works for them.

I never had any luck with Protonix, even pre op. I was taking generic omeprazole immediately post op, and 4-6 a day didn't work. Switched to Nexium 40mg (pricey) and Aciphex (even pricier) but they both work like a charm. Protonix may be the generic equivalent of Aciphex, but it doesn't come anywhere near working as well as the real thing for me. I don't believe that generics are as effective as the original for most drugs though.

I would not even consider having this surgery as an outpatient. No way, no how ! If, on the slim chance you have a complication (and no one, no matter how young/old, big/small, etc. is exempt from them) if you are not at a facility equipped to handle them you're in deep trouble. A leak, bad complication for sure... A blood clot (like a pulmonary embolism), a deadly complication if help isn't immediately accessible. No amount of money or convenience is worth your life. I'm not judging anyone, so don't anyone get all pissy, but this surgery just isn't a laid back walk in the park. It's something to be taken very, very seriously. I, for one, would run, not walk, if a surgeon even suggested doing it as an outpatient.

I can tell it in my face and no where else ! Very depressing....

Another member of the "will be a dwarf by the time I hit 65 club" here ! 5'0" and sleeved on Sept. 18, 2012. Still having some difficulty eating and drinking and probably losing some muscle, but hey, muscle can be rebuilt right ! Not losing at light speed here, but will take every pound I can get and be so thankful for it !

Hi ! I'm a month out tomorrow and am still having a hard time getting enough fluids too. Not that they won't go down or they hurt, but the problem is WANTING to drink. At 6 days out, the #1 thing is fluids. At 30 days out, fluids are just as important. Without protein, you lose muscle, but without fluid you lose way more so protein is secondary in my book. Muscle can be rebuilt. Dehydration will make you very sick and feel even worse ! A trip to the hospital for an IV isn't something anybody wants. The first couple weeks really were the hardest. Your body is still in "what the hell happened" mode and it's trying to decide how to deal with such a huge change. Most of us were told to never use a straw, but I've found that I take in less air (which makes things a little more comfy) using one. It's all about what works best for you. Please hang in there and try not to get discouraged. It really does get better

4 weeks out here and still having to force myself to drink ! I, too, have learned what it feels like to literally foam at the mouth so I'm very cautious cause it sucks !!! Personally, I think anyone who has NOT had that WTF did I do to myself thought just ain't quite right....

You will do great !!! Sending positive, healing thoughts, and strength your way

Had my gallbladder out at the same time as my sleeve. I had already had many problems with it so it was a no brainer for me. My surgeon described my gallbladder as "a completely non-functioning pathetic little sack of flesh wrapped around stones". Huh, like I didn't already know that ! That said, gallstones inside the gallbladder can remain asymptomatic for many years and never cause a problem. To prevent further formation of gallstones due to rapid weight loss, the doc can prescribe a drug called ursidol (Urso). Most everyone has gallstones. Just because you have stones isn't a reason to have your gallbladder yanked out unless you're experiencing attacks, and believe me, you will definitely know when you're having a gallbladder attack ! Most painful thing ever IMHO. Removal of the gallbladder will necessitate that you know where the nearest restroom is after every meal, and it doesn't change much in the long term, if at all... Had it been an option for me, I'd much rather still have my gallbladder... As others say: "your mileage may vary".

What's up with the constant stomach gurgling, or as someone else put it, constantly sounding like a percolator ! ? What causes it and when does it stop ???