My Sleeved Tummy

I found that I can only drink FIJI Water now. It's weird, yes. Not to mention it's pretty expensive, but it's the only kind that goes down good with no issues. After surgery I couldn't stomach the water we had at our house (tap or filtered). It made me want to throw up right away. At first I couldn't tolerate yogurt either. The first time I tried it, I was probably 3 weeks out. My stomach grumbled and grumbled. I could only eat about 2 spoonfuls. Now, 6 weeks out, I'm tolerating yogurt just fine. ...Still have to have the Fiji water though.

I lost 5 lbs from the time I started my appointments until I met with the surgeon (aproximately 3.5 months). They were happy with that. Don't worry about losing too much, just try really hard not to gain. I know it's difficult, believe me...I struggled BIG TIME! You can do this!

awesome job!

I wear compression stockings. I started wearing them shortly before surgery because I noticed I had some funky veins in my ankle. I went to the doctor and had ultrasounds done on all my veins. I was told that because I'm on my feet nearly all day, I should wear them all the time. The doctor said it didn't matter if I was overweight or at a healthy BMI, some people are just more susceptible to spider veins and varicose veins. I bought some over the counter stockings for $30 bucks at the Mayo Clinic store, but the doc told me that to really get any benefit from them prescription grade is the way to go. He wrote me a script--I was measured and given a pair specific to my measurements. They cost $70 bucks, but insurance covered most of it and I ended up paying $6/pair. Next year I'm getting the vein removed, and my insurance requires I wear compression stockings for 6 months prior (probably to see if that helps take care of the symptoms). I definitely notice a difference when I wear the stockings. Especially when I'm at work or at the gym.

I've had my vitamix for nearly 4 years now...I LOVE it, it is seriously my most used/appreciated kitchen tool. I make curries, Soups, smoothies, nut butters...so much with it. In my opinion in those 4 years it has more than paid for itself. Before my vitamix we went through 3 $100 dollar Oster and Hamilton Beach blenders. The motors would wear out and they couldn't even break up ice. I've never had a problem blending ice with my vitamix. I think the best way to decide if you need one is to look at how much you use your blender now. Do you use it everyday? Or only once in a while? If you use it daily, the vitamix may be a great investment!

Very awesome video. It's super inspiring! Congratulations on your success!!!

You really need to talk to your doctor/pharmacist about this. People on a forum, although they've got loads of experience with VSG, cannot give you information about your drug dosage. The dosage can depend on a bunch of different factors, specific to you.

I was very sore for 4 weeks. Incredibly sore, actually. It hurt to move, bend and even sit. My surgeon told me that he felt I had a pulled or "sprained" muscle. I'm 5 weeks out now, and the pain is gone...so I think he was right!

Congratulations on your surgery, Neil! ...and good luck on yours Reality Strikes!

Instead of using crackers, you can use mushrooms and other veggies. I just posted a recipe for Asian Inspired Turkey Meatballs on my food blog---the sauce is not VSG friendly, that was for hubby. http://myfancypantry.com/2012/12/07/saucy-asian-inspired-turkey-meatballs/ There's the link, if you're interested.

I lost nearly 30 lbs. the first 4 weeks. I'm now 4 weeks and 2 days out.

Good luck, Priya!!! All the best!

I've made: chicken curry puree Chana Masala (chickpea curry) puree An Italian Puree (cottage cheese, parmesan, sauce, crumbled soy sausage, spices/herbs) Turkey Meatballs and gravy puree Hummus Indian Yogurt Soup (kadhi) I've found that pureeing foods that I like anyway really helps to keep eating interesting. There is no way I can eat the same thing over and over...and I hate using pre-packaged foods or "diet" foods.

I've had a stabbing pain in the lower right side of my abdomen-- below my largest incision. I was also sleeved Nov. 6. I saw my surgeon yesterday so he could be sure I was okay. He checked me for a hernia, hematoma and infection. Everything looked good! He told me it was probably a muscle spasm. He said that because they have to cut through those strong abdominal muscles it's very, very likely that I'd have pain there. It should go away soon, hopefully!

I decided to have the VSG in part because I can take NSAIDS again. I believe I have to wait approximately a month, then I'm good to start taking them. If you have any questions though, you really should contact your surgeons office--although, I don't really see how one place could say never again and another place would say they were okay.

So far, I'm doing okay with my sleeve. I've had a lot of nausea and ended up with a hematoma in my abdomen---nothing serious though. I'm almost 3 weeks out and have lost about 30 pounds. That just seems so crazy to me!!! I read your profile, and it seems we're about the same age. I just turned 28. We also had similar starting weights. It seems you've been very successful! Congratulations! Are you feeling so much better? How do you deal with all the aunties trying to feed you constantly? I'm a little worried about that one... Although my husband was raised in Pune/Mumbai...he is Bengali and his family now lives outside of Kolkata. Bengalis love their food! Especially lots of rice and sweets. Also, I was wondering what kind of diet the doctors put you on? I'm currently on pureed and I'm craving Indian food like crazy!

Making this tomorrow!!! I love raita! Husband is Indian, and it's all I've been craving lately. I pureed a little rice and chicken curry last night. That hit the spot!

I think that when someone really loves you--and I mean truly and completely--they will accept you at whatever size you are. If he tells you he won't be attracted to you when you are thinner, I would have to say that he doesn't really love you. Not entirely, anyway. It's no different than a skinny girl gaining weight and all the sudden her husband/boyfriend starts cheating or something. It's shallow. I'm not saying this is the case, but have you ever thought that maybe he would like you to stay bigger because he is insecure with himself? If you get thin, you might realize just how much "better" you can do. I, personally, think you should tell him that if he can't accept you for who you are and who you will become...then you both need to move on. You should make that known before you get too involved again, so you're not in so deep. But, at the end of the day...it is your life and your decision. You have to do what you feel is best for you--whether that involves him or not. You're doing something fantastic for your health. You will feel so much better! All the best on your weight-loss!

Hello everyone! I'm not Indian, but I am married to an Indian who grew up in Pune. I love to travel to India, it's probably my favorite place on Earth!---part of the reason I decided to have the surgery. Everything in India is so small!

I've done re-fried beans out of a can with a tiny, tiny bit of bacon grease--for flavor. They went down really well, no problem. I tried adding salsa and a tiny bit of cheese...that didn't go so well. One bite and that was it. It was a no go.

I wish I would have known just how hard the eating stages are. I'm on puree right now, and I thought it'd be simple. I bought all sorts of things that would be simple to puree and eat...but I didn't realize that certain things would make me feel incredibly nauseous--or that my stomach would hate them. I also wish I knew just how hard this surgery actually would be. Before I made up my mind, I watched tons of vids and did a lot of research. It seemed most people had an incredibly easy time. For me, it's been a lot rougher than I expected. But... on a positive note, I wish I would have known that I would succeed. I spent a lot of time pre-surgery worrying that I wouldn't lose anything. But, it's been 2.5 weeks and I've lost 25 pounds!

I've been making mini lasagnas like that for ages. They're so delicious, filling...and kids love them!

My vitamix is my best friend! I loooooooooove it!

I definitely feel that way! I had surgery 2.5 weeks ago and everyone keeps telling me I look like I'm losing weight, but I just don't see it. I don't have a scale at home, so today was the first time I weighed after surgery (at the docs). I was down nearly 25lbs! I seriously expected that I only lost 8 pounds or something. It's funny how our brains work, and how we don't really see what others see.

isn't the baby bel hard? I had a laughing cow wedge...but I can't imagine the baby bels yet.