AdvocateMom

Hi everyone :-) Please bear with me if this post rambles, but I'm emotionally at a low point and need just a little bit of advice. I was sleeved on 1/24, so I am 8 weeks out. Per my doctor's instructions (in a booklet that he gave me) I have moved from soft food/mushies to "food food" as I call it. I have been basically eating what I was eating during my soft foods phase with some additions when I have to eat out (half of a chicken sandwich w/o the bun, etc). I am getting my fluids in everyday (or close to it), watching my portion sizes and I am at the gym at least 4 days a week. I haven't found any Protein mixes (tried Bariatric Advantage and powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury, as well as pre-made shakes) that I can tolerate, so I've been getting my protein from food (so basically VERY low carb). Still, my weight loss has been at a snail's pace. I had my surgery out of state, and have not been able to go back to the doctor since my one week follow-up appointment. I have not been able, obviously, to attend any of my doctor's support group or nutritionist meetings, etc. I am doing this on my own. I feel as if I'm doing everything right, but... I'm so disappointed. Can someone point me toward some sample menus, meal plans, etc. for this stage of the journey?? Give me some advice on good (not carb loaded) smoothies or just generally aim me in the right direction? I hate to say I'm desperate, but I'm wondering if I'm inadvertently doing something wrong and getting more worried/depressed by the day. This was such a huge investment in so many ways and I want to succeed SO badly!! Thank you for taking the time to read this :-)

Lyra - thank you so much! It was a big help :-)

I also believe that we can pay it off early without any penalty.

Self-pay, also. Our insurance covers no WLS at all. None. So it was self-pay or nothing. We set up an 18 month payment plan with Care Credit. I'd do it again, but if you go the Care Credit route please be aware of the interest (around 35%) for late payments. I haven't had any, but that interest rate scares the bejeesus out of me!

Exactly!!

I'm so sorry that you're feeling this way, but I'm so glad that you posted. I was hoping that it wasn't just me! I'm hoping that exercising will help and that I'll quit being so upset and...let's just say "difficult"

Hi everyone :-) I'm so sorry if this sounds dumb, or like I'm overreacting, but I'd like to ask for opinions. I am a little over 4 weeks post-op, and have been on mushies since 3 weeks out (w/ Dr. approval). I've had no issues - I'm weighing and measuring, getting in enough Protein from food, no nausea, no uncomfortable feelings at all, etc. However, the past couple of days I feel uncomfortable and just a small bit of food (foods that I've been having w/no problem) make me feel full to bursting. Even trying to get my liquid in is a struggle. Has this happened to anyone else, and did it pass? I had my surgery out of state, so I email my doctor (PA, actually) with questions, but I feel like if I email her one more time she is going to mark me as spam! Thanks for reading this :-)

Thanks for answering, you guys. I am pretty regular. Not as regular as I was before my vsg, but still going w/no laxatives, etc. I don't feel full or uncomfortable in that part of my abdomen, it's mainly in my sleeve area. As far as a food intolerance or allergy - I'm honestly not sure! It's something that I will be paying attention to, though, going forward. I've been keeping a food journal so maybe that will help narrow things down. It;s just so frustrating to be zipping along and then have this feeling hit me. I'm starting to worry about getting my Protein in again, which was something that I was SOOO glad to put behind me, as I was getting it from food... Thank you all for your help :-)

Oh wow, Bedhead - I never once thought of something like that! Thank you :-)

That's wonderful! I also think that helping others train is an amazing thing to do :-)

Awesome!!! Good for you :-)

That's wonderful :-) I'm asking for a bike for my Mother's Day gift.

I was scheduled for 2 nights, but ended up staying for 3 because of extreme nausea. I left just as soon as I was able to keep some liquid down.

Thank you so much for starting this topic! I've been so inspired by reading through the posts tonight :-) I am 3 weeks out today and have, stupidly it seems, been feeling discouraged because my scale hasn't moved in almost a week. I'm doing everything by the book and getting to the gym, so I need to take a breath and give myself a break. if I just keep on keeping on I will get there :-) "What am I doing to kick fat's ass today?" - my new mantra (and now posted on my desk, lol).

Congratulations, and thanks so much for posting this!! I am 3 weeks out tomorrow, and I may refer back to your post for encouragement when I need it :-)

Dr. Nick performed my sleeve surgery on 1/24. He is incredibly nice and patient, answering all of my questions thoroughly. I've also never met better office staff in my life. Calls and e-mails are returned right away. I even had a patient care coordinator call me back on a Saturday afternoon on her cell phone, and this was just with questions that I had before I had even decided to go forward with my surgery. In a nutshell, I am very happy with my choice. My surgery went well, and even though I live out of state their follow-up has been great. I hope that this helps! If you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask :-)

That is awesome! Good for you :-) I cannot wait for that day!!

We all need to rant from time to time :-) (((((((((( hugs)))))))) to you. I feel the same way, btw... being good, doing what I'm supposed to and my scale hasn't budged in days. I'm heading to the gym soon (as soon as my husband gets home from work and tag-teams with me). I'm telling myself that this is a marathon, not a sprint, but I am frustrated too. We can do this :-)

Just popping in to say what a help this thread has been to me! I will be three weeks post-op on Valentine's Day, and am looking so forward to even mushy foods :-) These recipes and suggestions look great. I'm so glad that so many people share on this site!

Hi everyone :-) I am 13 days post-op. I had my surgery on 1/24/12 in Dallas, TX by Dr. Nick Nicholson. I am really anxious to find some local support and would love to meet new people who have also gone on this journey. I am having kind of a rough time post-op, but I am hopeful that things will be better soon :-) Does anyone know of a support group in Northwest Arkansas? Thanks!

Hi everyone. I have an email and a phone call in to my doctor about this, but haven't heard back yet. I thought that I'd bounce this off all of you... I've had back pain on my left side since I woke up from my surgery 13 days ago. I assume this pain is related to the surgery, but it has not lessened at all. I also still have a great deal of trouble keeping any Protein down - could vomiting be aggravating this pain? I take the pain meds at night (liquid generic hydrocodone) to help me rest, but can't take that during the day. Has anyone else dealt with this? Thanks so much for listening!

Thanks for reading this, guys. Vance - they kept me in the hospital (Forest Park in Dallas) for an extra day because of my nausea and vomiting. They did an upper GI and everything looked fine. I only vomit the protein drinks. Broth, water, etc. stay down okay. This is just puzzling and frustrating. I hope that Dr. Nicholson's office gets back to me today!

I'm so sorry that you're feeling so badly! I'm 8 days post-op, and I questioned myself right after my procedure, too. Like others have said, use your pain meds - that's what they're for. Stay as hydrated as you can - being dehydrated makes everything else feel worse. Sending you big hugs.

Hi! I'm 8 days post-op and I just bought the Special K shakes today. I know that there are more nutritious shakes out there, but these are the first ones that I've been able to keep down for more than 30 minutes. I'll move on to other products when my sleeve is more tolerant, but for now I'm happy to get anything to stay down!

I hear ya - I love that mix!!! Creamy/brothy soup time is now my favorite time of day :-) I am a week out today, also...