joatsaint

You might want to call them back and confirm the information they gave you. For the 1st 2 weeks post-op, there was no way I could have eaten any solid food. And even after that, it took a long time for Frankensleeve to tolerate any kind of meat. Your new sleeve is going to be tiny and swollen for at least a month, so I don't see how they expect you to get in enough protein without resorting to supplements.

I like being in a food rut! :-) I'm kinda paranoid about allowing myself to look forward to or crave certain flavors again. I work hard to not care about the flavors I'm eating. I'm never going back to that pre-op lifestyle where food had control over me. I have convinced myself that whether it's Brussel sprouts or pizza, they are equal in how much I like the flavors, so I might as well eat Brussel sprouts. :-) My favorite goto meals are: roasted pork loin/roasted chicken/eggs and Brussel sprouts/cauliflower/broccoli Protein bars: OhYeah! Victory bars - chocolate chip cookie dough/cookies and cream Drinks: Crystal Light lemonade/coffee I know it sounds kinda dull and boring, but I want it that way. :-)

Your weight loss sounds right on track. I was losing, on average, 13lbs a month for the 1st year. Keep up the good work. When I felt my weight loss was too slow, I reminded myself of how fast I was NOT losing weight pre-surgery. :-) http://www.bariatricpal.com/blogs/entry/31257-are-you-a-half-fast-loser/

I have a desk job and I was back at work on day 11. Probably could have gone back at day 9, but I'd already scheduled the days off. I've read about some, who were back at work after 3 days, and some who were off for weeks. But it'd be a safe bet to assume you could be back at work within 14 days.

I am an expert on my own opinion. :-P

Congratulations on doing so well. And Congrats on your 1st NSV!! :-P food losing it's domination over my thoughts was the best part of VSG WLS. Thoughts about what/when I was going to eat ceased the day after surgery. Up until then, I was always planning my next meal because I KNEW I was going to be hungry in 2 hours, no matter how much I had just eaten. So, I feel uneasy when I read questions about "When can I eat _____ again?" or "I am worried I can't eat ______ ever again." When I read things like this, I am worried the person who posted isn't ready for WLS because it does take a commitment on their part to change their eating habits. And they may still be too attached to certain foods. I was soooooooo ready to be DONE! with the control food had over my life. It looks like you are too! I am so happy for you for taking control of your life. 3-C plan for success! Control what you can (your actions and thoughts). Cope with what you can’t (external emergencies and other’s behavior). Concentrate on what counts. Stay positive. Believe in yourself. Focus on your progress, not perfection.

I had 2 friends come to the hospital with me. There was no problem with visitors. But I would call your hospital and find out their policy, I'm sure it varies from hospital to hospital.

I fall prey to head hunger on occassion - even 30 months post-op. I have made a deal with myself. I can have a little of whatever I'm craving, as long as I fill up on Protein first. If I'm still hungry after eating protein, then I eat a bit of whatever I crave, like having (just) 1 donut or cake - 1/2 a coffee cup full (a real coffee cup, no Starbucks Grande cup!) :-) I am slowly retraining my brain to go for protein whenever I get a carb craving. I've started paying attention when I eat and notice the foods that cause me to have head hunger later on, or foods that make me hungrier as I eat them. Not surprisingly, most of them are process foods or foods like rice, Pasta, and potatoes - foods that convert into sugar quickly. As long as I eat real food - vegetables, protein, fruit - my head hunger mostly stays away. It's only when I start eating frozen meals, side dishes that come from a box or bag, or processed meats (lunch meat) that my head hunger returns with a vengeance. You are not a failure for giving into head hunger. It's only a setback, setbacks are not permanent. They only become a failure when you stop trying.

I am with 1SlimmerMe, the choice is yours. But ask yourself these 2 questions: 1. Do I want to be in the same condition or worse a year from now? 2. What am I willing to do to change my situation? I ask myself these 2 questions whenever I have to make a life changing decision.

At 3 weeks, I was allowed soft/pureed foods. You didn't mention what you are allowed to eat, but if you just drank the soup, minus the clams, I think it would work. You can use my "Frankensleeve approved food taste test" to see if you are ready for a new food. 1. Eat 1/2 teaspoon of the food 2. Wait 5 minutes 3. Eat another 1/2 teaspoon of food. 4. Wait 5 minutes. If Frankensleeve did not have a negative reaction after that, it was safe for me to eat. :-P

Just remember, the liquid diet is probably the hardest part of this whole process. If only I could transfer what it feels like to be on the other side to you, you'd look forward to everyone of those shakes! :-P Hang in there, in 6 months, you are going to look back and see that it was so worth it!

As ShrinkingPeach said, be careful with the amounts you drink. I've never been much of a drinker, but post-op, it REALLY doesn't take much to get me hammered! And it hits me fast too. I'm a happy drunk, so I tend to enjoy the effects it has on me. :-P If you are going to have anything with carbonation, try pouring it over ice first. And sip real slow, I can still remember how little I could eat at one time when I was at 2 months... I was only able to eat 1/2 cup of food per meal. Frankensleeve was still swollen and cranky!

Frankensleeve threw a tantrum for the 1st 10 days, over anything I ate. He really didn't like sugar free Jell-O or sugar free popsicles! So what you're feeling is normal. Almost everything will upset your new tummy for the 1st months, then things will settle down. I tried to look at it as a good thing. As long as Frankie was upset, he kept me from eating. And I knew, eventually, I would be eating more and different types of food. Then it would me up to me to make the right choices and right amounts of foods to eat.

My post-op diet was: 1st week clear liquids 2nd week full liquids 3rd week soft/puree foods 4th week full foods But I wasn't able to progress that fast. Frankensleeve did not tolerate food too well. I lived on Cream of Mushroom Soup, sugar free popsicles, sugar free Jell-O, and Peanut Butter for about 6 weeks. Then things got easier, but it took a long time (about 6 months) to fully transition back to full foods like vegetables, fruit, beef, chicken and eggs. I just took it as it came and tried to look at it as a chance to stay away from calories I didn't need to be eating anyway. :-)

Does anyone else feel like me? That going through the pain/trouble/hassle of WLS was a necessary right of passage for personal growth and taking charger of your life?

DOH! So that's why I had such a hard time googling an image to put in my post! :-P

Now comes the part where you get to LIVE! Congratulations on reaching your goal. Just get out there and start experimenting. Think about your life goals, career goals, and what other areas of your life you'd like to change.

Found this today. Don't know how long it will stay live? Or what they will send me? http://www.bariatricchoice.com/samples My sample pack came in the mail:

I never asked for a seat belt extender. I fake clicked my seat belt! :-) My gut covered the seat belt so well that the stewardess could not see if it was secured or not..

Thanks for posting this. I'm a Zombie fan so I'm happy to have lost 56+ pounds of brains. :-p

Feel free to vent, this is the place to do it. :-) Be sure and stay hydrated. It gets easier day by day. 3-C plan for success! Control what you can (your actions and thoughts). Cope with what you can’t (external emergencies and other’s behavior). Concentrate on what counts. Stay positive. Believe in yourself. Focus on your progress, not perfection.

My feet didn't necessarily shrink. I had lots of foot swelling, on and off, when I was overweight. I had to buy a 1/2 size bigger to accommodate the temporary swelling. Since losing 170lbs, my feet went back to my high school size of 10 1/2 and have stayed that size for 2 years now. P.S. My feet are ripped now baby! I have the feet of a bodybuilder! Too bad I don't have the matching six-pack abs! :-(

I call that a major NSV! I feel great when I can just slide into a booth, no worry about if the table is bolted to the floor and can't be pushed far enough away from my gut! No longer living in fear of dreaded booth seat! :-P

I've found the Bragg brand at all 3 grocery stores in my town, including Wal-Mart.

When you say you put it on your vegetables? Does that mean AFTER they've been cooked? You don't cook with ACV do you? Thanks