KellyL

So happy that the stent is out and no leak!! YAYYYYYYYYY Best news ever! :cheer2:

I think that's what a lot of people have to do in the beginning to get their protein in at first. It is very difficult to get all the protein in with food, or would require a lot of grazing. I may need to try Muscle Milk Light again. Or maybe it was the reg I tried? But I didn't like it, it had a strong protein taste. But I LOVE the Atkins and have started using them again to help get my protein in, and for convenience, and they are like treats for me because they actually taste good. I eat a good bit of protein with my food, but sometimes because I am not where i can cook, or nothing sounds good, then I have it as back up. I don't see anything wrong with using them early or, or even later like I am.

You might could blend it up a little? The only thing is, it doesn't probably have much protein, but it certainly shouldn't be a lot of carbs or calories. If I was craving it, then I'd most likely have a little considering it's healthy type food.

Sorry to hear you had some problems, but very happy you are home now and on the road to recovery! Sending prayers up for speedy healing for you!

Oh no, so sorry to hear you are having problems!! Keeping you in my prayers for good news and healing.

Wonderful news on the stent removal!!!! I hope the leak test goes well and all is healed up!!

I think it is normal, but yes, ask the staff or Dr Kelly to be sure. I think I had that too, but it wasn't pure blood, more watery looking diluted blood. And mine wasn't much at all.

It's so sad that you are having issues with your boyfriend on top of everything else. It's difficult to see any good that can come from all this, but I do believe things happen for a reason. You are strong and you will get through this!

I know, I am scared for you, but more hopeful that this nightmare is almost over for you and you can start feeling some relief both physically and emotionally. I know it's draining you in both ways. Ask them for something for your nerves if you need it, and definitely for anti-nausea meds! I know you have a lot on your mind tonight, just relax as much as you can, though I know it's easier said than done. Praying for you and sending you healing vibes. :hug:

Thinking of you sweetie, update us as soon as you can.

I'm sorry you're sick, that must be horrible. I have been pretty luck with staying welll since my sleeve. I did have a little allergy issue a wk or so ago, but it didn't last but a few days. I just drank a lot of warm fluids, but I didn't use honey. I use stevia in most everything to sweeten. I hope you feel better soon and I would check in with your Dr if you aren't better soon. Take Care!

Yikes, that sounds uncomfortable!! I would definitely go at my own pace, even if it's slower than what your surgeon allows. A lot of people also have problems with eggs for some reason when they move to the next stage but I honestly think you're right and it's too soon for anything other than full liquids. Hope that eases up soon, I am surprised you are still feeling discomfort from it this long after you ate it too.

Sorry to hear about being alone when you're feeling a little down. We're here for you girl!! I know it's not exactly the same, but know you're absolutely not alone in your struggles and your journey.

I went with Dr Kelly and had an absolutely wonderful experience. I had a super easy and speedy recovery, I couldn't believe how well I was doing the first couple of days after surgery. I had minimal pain, no nausea, no throwing up. My sister could not believe how good I looked and felt and how easy it was for me to get around. She swore I looked better after surgery than I did before! I have seen a lot of patients that went to different Dr's describe more pain, issues with swallowing and throat pain, trouble getting around and it was shocking how different recovery with Dr Kelly is. I have noticed this is the case with many other Dr Kelly patients. My day by day experience is on my profile if you would like to see it. Having said all that, all of the Surgeons you are asking about have really good reputations and have been on these forums for yrs, except for Dr Garcia. While he has had recent patients report having good experiences, he has only been discussed on the forums for a few months. Please do your research on how long each surgeon has been performing the Sleeve surgery. I think Dr Garcia is pretty new. Everyone has to start somewhere, I understand that, but when a person is paying cash and going to MX, looking at a Surgeons experience is very important. Good luck on your weight loss journey!

Congrats!! Good luck for an easy surgery and speedy recovery!!

P.S. I just read your second post where you said you are a Server and you are going back to work. I think going back to work in a restaurant in your current state of mind is the wrong thing for you right now. Until you get some counseling and your head straight, being around food that much is not going to improve your situation and could be a big mistake. I know everyone has to work and pay bills, but again, this is very serious and you need to view it as a medical issue, not as a dieting issue. See if you can take another couple of wks, so that at least your sleeve will be more healed so if you do cheat, maybe it won't be as dangerous. And if you absolutely cannot avoid temptation or cheating, there are things like runny soups, mashed potatoes, and refried beans with cheese or yogurts that would be a lot less dangerous for you right now than the foods you said you had eaten. Again, I am concerned and trying to help.

If you are feeling that weak right now and out of control, you should keep yourself out of the situations that put the wrong kind of food within your reach. Keep ONLY food that you are allowed and have protein in it. At 2 wks out, most people are just moving from clear to full liquids. I am not sure of your Surgeons post-op diet, but you need to keep it with you and tell yourself constantly that those liquids are your ONLY CHOICES. If we let ourselves think we have options, or put ourselves in situations where we expect safe foods to just be there for us, that's being unrealistic. Don't go to any fast food or restaurants right now, keep your fridge and cupboards filled with allowed stuff, and mute or change the channel off of food commercials. If others are eating junk around you that you can't have, and you feel tempted, leave the room till the junk is gone. Communicate with your friends and family about whats going on and how you can't be around them currently till you move to a different food stage. I don't expect my family to diet with me, but if they bring in something that is especially hard for me to resist, I ask them not to bring in more than they can eat in one sitting. For instance, ice cream. I ask them to get a single pint serving and not a half gallon or gallon to sit in the freezer for a wk or more. Because I don't want it to be a temptation for me in a weak moment. Stay on these forums for support. If you really want some encouragement to stay on track during the first stage of your post op diet, go find the complications threads and read up on what people are going through with complications and leaks. While they did not cheat and cause their complications, it might help you be more realistic about the possibilities of a leak occurring. And it is very dangerous to be cheating at this stage. I figure you know that, but in your post, I notice you are talking more about cheating and being a failure and stretching your sleeve out. I just want you to realize that there is much more at stake here than that you aren't going to continue to lose weight. You could literally cause a leak which is life threatening and could be fatal. I hope you take better care of yourself from here on out. You need to take care of yourself just as you would someone you love, like your child, and work on loving yourself. None of the advice I am giving is coming from a cruel or judgmental place. I am genuinely concerned for you and I hope things get easier for you. I know this isn't easy for any of us, but immediately post-op is the most critical time to be compliant with the rules.

Good luck for an easy surgery and speedy recovery!! Looking forward to your updates.

Wow, congrats!!

I still don't have a lot of hunger I don't think. But I do have a lot more of a "taste" for food. I don't know if it's more of a variety issue than a hunger. That is why I try to constantly try to change up my meals and snacks. I pretty well eat a lot of the same things, but I try to throw in new recipes and meals here and there. I do this by checking out the recipe thread on this forum and others, googling for low carb recipe sites, etc. There are so many low carb recipes on the internet. And even a lot of regular recipes, you can modify and make lower carb. And I am NOT a cook by any means. Most of the ones I find and use aren't complicated or have a huge ingredient list. I try to keep it easy and simple.

I think your weight loss is pretty good. While it would be wonderful to reach goal or lose at least 100 lbs within the first yr, it really depends on so many things, especially how much weight we have to lose. Don't think you can't still get to where you want to be. So you have let some bad habits slip back in, either doing the 5 day pouch test, or just a getting back to basics, the main thing is going a few days with getting the carbs out of your system, because generally it is carb cravings that make us want to eat more and the wrong things. A few days of doing without them should at least get you under control. Then if you're eating protein first/only, you should be able to see where you are on your restriction. I bet you have a smaller sleeve than you think. The bread, crackers, fries, all go down way too easy, aren't filling, and are sliders, meaning you can eat way more of it than you could something like chicken, tuna, or steak. Keep a lot of foods around for protein snacking like almonds, pecans, pistachios, deli meat, string cheese, boiled eggs, deviled eggs, chicken, cottage cheese, ready to drink protein drinks, and protein bars. Keep your meals and snacks planned every day and don't give yourself a moment to think "What sounds good" or "What do I want to eat". That gives our emotions time to step in and say, hey!! you have had a bad day, let's have that hot fudge cake!! Ah, come on, just one cheat won't hurt! Problem is one cheat can turn into many as we all know. Have it planned out and don't give your mind the option to consider anything else. I literally tell myself sometimes "it's not up for negotiation" haha. If something unexpected does come up, like going out to eat or a get together, I make myself choose only protein/low carb/low sugar options. You can still do this, don't give up!! make a few meal/snack changes, get a lot of water/fluid in, and find a way to move everyday. Or even if you only exercise 3-4 times a wk, it's better than nothing at all. You have to prioritize these things, put yourself and your health FIRST above all things. And come to this forum to get the support, encouragement, and inspiration you need to work toward your goals. It's not easy by any means, but we can all work together and meet our goals. We can do it!!

Glad to hear things are going well. I had a drain too and I don't know if I was considered a high BMI, I thought everyone had it. But the great news is, he is very skilled at removing it. Does it very quickly and it's out before you can even feel much of anything. So glad you have had a great experience! Happy healing!

Aww how sweet!! She is a lovely and kind person. That was so very thoughtful.

you're beautiful, congrats on your success!

I would agree that it was probably drinking with your meals that made you feel like you had no restriction, I don't see a need to go back to liquids. Just watch the drinking before during and immediately after meals, waiting 30 min before and 30 min after. Also it depends on what you are eating, so if you are doing the protein first during your meal it should also make a difference.