popsicle_20721

First time I've seen someone who started out with the same BMI as I did, about the same weight pre-surgery. I've been wondering if I'm losing the way I should because it's coming off very very slowing (in fact, I think I'm stalled - no weight loss in over a week). I've read that individuals with higher BMI tend to lose more faster, than those who started out with a lower BMI. I don't have enough experience to know one way or the other, but you are the first person I've seen here that had similiar stats as myself and, based on your weight loss I'm not doing all that bad. Surgery Date: 12/26 Day of Surgery: 222 Today's Weight: 195 Total Weight Loss: 27lb

I'm from MD, closer to the city i.e. DC. I had my surgery at Washington Hospital Center.

I experienced major problems with depression post surgery. However like someone already stated, I think most of it was due to all the changes occurring at one time. I was medically diagnosed with depression years before surgery and have had to take medication on and off for years. Immediately prior to surgery, I had not had to take medication for a year or more, then following surgery my depression got so bad that I had to start taking medication again. Again, I think it was a "perfect storm" of events happening all at once. My DIL who also had this surgery put it in perspective for me. She said it's like an addict trying to kick drugs. I was going through withdrawal. I also struggle with more sadness during the holidays anyway, this year was no different. I live alone so I didn't have much support at home either. For those of you with husband's and family, count your blessings. I also had a major fight with my son which was weighing heavy on my mind. So when I said a perfect storm of feelings and emotions, believe me it was quite overwhelming. Before surgery I probably used food to comfort me more than I care to admit; but following surgery I couldn't even do that anymore. There have definitely been times that I've wondered wth was I thinking to do this to myself - because this whole experience has been a shock to my system. Now I'm on the meds and the depression isn't as bad as it was 2 weeks after surgery, but again my improved mood is induced by the medication; which I hope I will be able to discontinue at some point. For now, I need it and I'm better for admitting it and doing something about it. I'm almost 7 weeks post surgery and I still have good days and not so good days. From what I've read I'm probably more on the extreme end of this experience, but that's just how its been for me. I doubt you will experience the same. I just had a lot going on with me. A word about sleeping habits, mine have changed as well. I use to have problems before surgery but now it's a little worse post surgery. All I can do is try and maintain the attitude that it will get better and eventually my body will adjust. Most days, I see progress even though sometimes its a little slow.

Been there, still there. I write this as I sit here trying to keep from vomiting my dinner. Each day seems like a rollercoaster ride for me (now hiccups). Some days I have good eating days, never any where I get all my required protein/fluids in, but days when I can at least keep food down. Then there are days like today, where it starts out badly and ends just as bad. I often feel like I am starving my body. Thankfully I have not had to go to the ER yet, but this is my greatest fear. I too feel like I made a mistake with this surgery - yes I wanted/needed to loose weight badly, I even prayed that my insurance company would approve this surgery. My weight and dieting has been up and down for years. I thought finally there is hope for me, but this experience has been like a nightmare. Everyone says it will get better, and I too wonder WHEN. I feel guilty for being so ungrateful, but I also have to be honest with myself. Now there is nothing that I can do except try and learn to deal with the decision I made. Learn to live with it. Happy to see the scales moving backwards, but at what cost I wonder.

Sometimes this happens to me. Took a stool softner which seemed to help get things moving.

Never heard this, my doc and NUT stressed the importance of taking my vitamins. At first I had to take chewables, but now I do better with pill form. Nevertheless, always listen to you doc.

had to go up on my acid reflux meds. one in the morning and one in the evening

Today I am almost in shock! After not being able to tolerate much more than an egg, soup or 2oz of soft foods at a time, today I was able to eat 6oz of yogurt, a few peanuts, a few clams and one oyster fried very lightly. Of course I didn't eat all this at one time, but throughout the course of the day I was able to eat everything without vomiting. I also walked quite a bit today. Don't want to get use to the fried food thing, but I was out with some friends and we went to the food court. One of my friends ordered some clams and I took a couple of hers. I was so surprised that I was able to eat them (chewed them until the were pureed before swallowing that I actually purchased some for myself. Of course, I could only eat a couple of strips, but I have to tell you I was so happy; after 6 weeks of feeling like an alien LOL.

65lbs lost!! and someone actually had a negative comment - REALLY??? That would be one comment I would completely ignore. Imagine what they were saying before you lost the 65lbs; remember how you felt when you were 65lbs heavier and the joy you feel being 65lbs lighter. Be proud of yourself, I think this is a major accomplishment. I didn't tell anyone about my surgery either, well many people knew I had surgery - quite frankly I lied when asked why I had to have surgery. I guess I was so disappointed about the failure of the band surgery I had several years ago and many knew about that, that I just didn't want to risk the same embarassment if the sleeve surgery didn't produce any noticeable results. So far that hasn't been the case, but this is just the start of my journey.

I can see the weight loss in my face and I'm back to wearing clothes that I was wearing before doc unfilled the band in preparation for revision. It's funny because with the band I seemed to gain weight in my chest area, like a body builder. Now 6 weeks post surgery, I see the weight loss mostly in my chest, neck and face.

heck I still eat very little and I'm 6 weeks out. Have difficulty with protein and water. In fact I pretty much given up on the protein drinks. I hate them so most times the come back up. I'm making myself drink fluid, mostly gatorade. However, I am able to eat about 2oz of food at a time, then 30 mins later another 2oz. I still eat soft foods and try to get my protein in by eating things that are high in protein. I still don't do meat, but I can handle deli meat slices, one at a time and seafood. I worry alot about my health, because I too feel it just can't be normal to eat so little. I've heard about 600-800 cals a day, but I know I don't eat that much on any given day. I will say that things appear to be moving in the right direction, because I can tolerate a little more than I use to. Today I had one egg with cheese sprinkles and a turkey sausage patty. It took me 2 sittings to finish it all, but I did and nothing came back up. This is progress; at least for me it is. I'm still wondering did I make the right decision, but everyone here says it gets better and I will one day view this surgery as the best thing I've ever done in my life - so I try to hold on to those thoughts and look for the day when I will feel this way. The good news is I am definitely losing weight. I can see the changes that my body is making, though I don't want to look llike a skeleton either.

I wonder does having a low BMI at the time of surgery, have any effect on how much you can eat post surgery? I've been noticing that many folks with a higher BMI seem to be able to eat more, but those with lower BMI's seem to be struggling to get their protein and water in. Could be just my imagination. Anybody else have an opinion about this?

Yes, I have/had a serious problem with depression. I had this problem before surgery, but had been able to manage without medication. After surgery, I begin to sink pretty low and had to restart taking medication. I had to stop doing many things cold turkey and like you, food has been my friend for many years. Use the search feature on this site and search for post related to depression. There have been several posts regarding this topic.

I see that you are 4mos out and are just beginning to get all your protein in. I'm only 6 weeks post surgery and I am struggling, STRUGGLING to get even a little protein and water in. What were your eating habits like at 6 weeks. I'm constantly reading post about people who have had their surgeries after me or a few weeks before me and they all say that they are getting their protein and water in and I just keep wondering "HOW??" If I drank that much water or took in that much protein, I would vomit - simple as that.

I'm sorry you are feeling this way, but I can relate. Head hunger or not, it still feels like hunger and I certainly can relate. I was able to eat chicken broth 6 days out, but like others say talk to your surgeon when you seem them on Wednesday. Defintely follow the meal plan you were given, You may want bread, but don't eat it; besides you will feel very sorry if you do. Besides you will probably end up vomiting up anyway. Hang in there, you are not alone.

Wow. I wish I read this post before being sleeved. I went from band to sleeve on 12/26. I did not have much success with the band; I was either always filled to tight or not at all due to constant vomiting Even when I did have some restriction with the band, I would often eat slider foods, because I just got tired of vomiting up everything I ate. Immediately following sleeve, I began to have problems with vomiting; couldn't keep anything down - not even Water. Doc determined that I had stricture and conducted 2nd surgery to address this problem. The vomiting got a little better, but now almost 7 weeks out, its started to come back again. This time with a friend e.g. reflux. I take meds for the reflux which seem to help out seem, but immediately following eating, I spend at least 15-20 minutes fighting to keep what I ate from coming up. Most times I loose the battle. This makes it extremely difficult to get the necessary fluids and Protein in. Overall I continue to feel weak and have begun to look at eating as a chore, cause I know what comes with it e.g. reflux, vomiting, heaving and general sense of being sick. I'm beginning to wonder whether folks who switch from band to sleeve have more complications than those who just start with the sleeve first.

I can definitely relate to the feeling of hunger you described. The knawing uncomfortable feeling, hungry 20-60 minutes after eating depending on what I eat. I started taking my prilosec again, which is what most say is the reason for the "hunger" feeling. I'm also 6 weeks out; although I don't recall not feeling hunger even the first couple of weeks after surgery. It's just that I could not eat. I'm losing, but now my progress seems to be slowing down e.g. not as much as I was initially. Funny I don't see how I could not be losing weight, since I eat so very little - even less than what my doctor advises. This isn't because I don't want to, it's just because I can't, though I continue to try. So far it has been a rollercoaster ride.

It seems like it's been awhile since anyone has posted in this forum, so hopefully somebody will catch this post and reply back. I'm a rider too and was sleeved on 12/26. I live in the Northeast, so the weather is not good for riding anyway. However, I'm an avid rider when the season starts and I have a major ride planned at the end of March, from MD to Alabama and back. I have ridden all over e.g. cross country 2x, Canada etc. and never had a problem with these long hauls. My question is this, how long did it take for those that ride to ride again post sleeve. Riding is my life (or a major part of it) so, I'm really praying that I will be ready to get back on the open road by March.

It's been 5 weeks since my surgery, everyday feels like a rollercoaster ride. I still can't seem to get my Protein amounts in or Fluid. Anything that I eat I can only get about 2oz at a time; and depending on what it is, I'm hungry 20 mins later. Also I still feel hunger!!! I feel weak a lot, but still trying to get back to my normal routine. I have been trying to get back to using my elliptical machine for exercise, but after 15 mins I feel like I'm about to die. I use to be able to do 45 mins, before feeling exhausted. I'm losing weight and inches, but I feel like I'm starving at the same time. My morning routine consist of pill/vit taking, which often comes back up. Then it's on to the Protein Drink, which I hate them all. I've tried to make my own, but the taste of the protein is inescapable. Sometimes I feel twinges of pain, like I can actual feel one or more of my staples. I feel like there is an empty hole in my stomach and I still wonder "what did I do to myself" will my life ever be normal again. So having said all that, when did you start feeling normal again. Is my experience so unlike others at 5 weeks out?

Oh no, not at all. You didn't make me feel like I was being negative - that is just something that was in my head. It seems like I'm always highlighting the difficulties I'm having on this site and rarely focus on the good. The good is that I have lost about 25lbs since the surgery. I know I could never have done that without the surgery. Still this is such a struggle for me and this is where I need all the support I can get; from folks like you. Thank you.

Band revision to sleeve: 12-26 Starting Weight: 222lb Current Weight: 197lb Goal: Get more protein and fluid in, improve my energy levels

Thanks. The staple I do feel, the hole is more like an emptiness. I know that probably sounds crazy, but I've always been pretty in tune with my body. I will call doc on Monday; besides I'm getting concerned about the lack of Protein, Fluid and food I'm able to tolerate. PS. Don't mean to sound so negative about the experience, but I'm posting where "I" am with my journey - everyone's experience is going to be different.

I've been a faithful Starbucks customer for years, almost daily. Haven't had Starbucks since sleeved. Another sacrifice for the cause I guess...

How are you doing MsBriteEyez post surgery? Hope all is well

I definitely can relate to the depression. I didn't think much about being colder than usual, though a friend did remark recently that the thermostat was set higher than my usual settings. I figured it was because of the colder temperatures in my area lately. When I discussed the depressed mood with my DIL (who also had the surgery). She said that I need to think about it in terms of how an addict feels who is detoxing from drugs or some other addiction. Food has been my "addiction" for years. When stressed, I eat; when sad I eat. I am definitely a mood driven "eater." So now, having had the sleeve - I can no longer look for food to comfort me. My body is going through a tremendous change, not only physically but mentally and emotionally as well. I suspect that I will continue to have some highs and lows, until my body begins to adjust to the sleeve. In the meantime, I had to resume taking my depression medication - which I haven't had to take for over a year. I suffered from depression pre-sleeve so I felt it was in my best interest to resume taking the medication; at least until my body heals and has adjusted to this new way of life (change in eating habits.) My PCP agreed.