blewy99

Hello fellow sleevers! I was sleeved 12/17 and have just this past week started ot have issues with constant heartburn/refux (at least this is what I am guessing it is, so many new sensations since surgery!) and nausea when eating or drinking. I have followed up with my nurse and doc on this and it if doesn't resolve they will do a scope. So, my question is in regards to changing eating habits. I have done well with smaller portions, smaller bites, chewing well, etc. I do really struggle with slowing down. I have slowed down a lot, but would love to hear how you all have adjusted with this, what are some tricks you do, etc? I live alone, so I am only fixing meals for myself. Nurse says 1/4 cup of food should easily take me 20 minutes to eat. I can easily eat it in less than 5. How in the world do you essentially eat 6-8 bites of food in 20 min? I can use any advice because I think that is part of what is causing my issues. I am on full foods now. Thanks in advance! Blewy

Thanks everyone, looking foward to watching the thread go on. The baby utensils have been suggested in our program. I am ok with taking little bites, and even do pretty good on chewing food until it is sludge, it's just the speed. Maybe I need to load some new facebook games and try as mentioned above! Of course, then the multiple trips to the microwave to keep warming up the food will add some times between bites as well :) Thanks everyone, please keep up the suggestions!

My "schedule" fell about like yours. I spotted for a few days then it was full with some spotting at the end. I actually for both with the spotting have had it extended for about 4-5 days. Maybe it is just our bodies adjusting to things. This is one area I am praying for the "it gets better" effect.

Hi all!! I posted this on another forum I am part of, but wanted to post it here as well since this is such a larger audience: First, let me note that I *DO* understand the importance of eating and all of that and I have not (or do not plan on) stopped eating, this is more of a question/comment focused on the "mental" aspect of things. Do you ever just feel like eating isn't worth it? As I fix my little mix of food that equals out to 1/4 - 1/3 cup total I do sometimes look at it and think "for this small amount of food, I'd rather just skip this". Or knowing that it's time to eat (my body is saying "feed me") I am like "well, what combination of bite sized morsels can I get excited about tonight?" Maybe I have made a breakthrough (giggling) - eating used to be something I just couldn't wait to do and now I could really care less. It's become more of inconvenience than an enjoyable experience. Thoughts??? Again, I'm not going to quit eating or anything like that, just curios if other VSG'ers have experienced the same or similar? If so, did it seem to be a phase or just how it the new lifestyle is?

Just sending good vibes to our 12/17 sleevers! How is your energy levels??? Physically I am doing good and am down about 20 lbs since surgery but I am SO TIRED!!! It is like I can't get my energy back and my endurance is shot. Trying to workout can be a nightmare cause I'm just dragging. Blood levels are all good and I am sleeping at night and I am taking my vitamins and getting my protien in. Anyone else? People keep saying "oh that is normal, you will get it back" but I'm getting pretty impatient with it! They also did a hiatal hernia repair when they did my surgery, maybe the extra surgical work is adding to my taking longer. Would love to hear how you all are doing at this point with your energy and endurance! Blewy

Afternoon all! I am almost 2 weeks post-op (12/17) and getting ready to go from liquids to puree diet. Was wanting to ask for ideas for transitioning. I have been to the store and bought some things but know as much as I want to "eat" something I need to ease into things. What were some of the things that you all ate as you made the transition between the two diets? When you found something you didn't like, was it the taste or the texture that sent the negative signals? Thanks in advance! Christy

I've been stalled for over two weeks now. Not getting too upset over it. I figure my metabolism is just sitting on rock bottom right now and waiting to get "fired up" again. A friend told me it's like being thirsty and going to the desert to get a drink - there's nothing there to drink. Even though our bodies are looking for something to burn, with the small amount of calories, thre just isn't anything there. I meet with the nutritionist Monday and should get released to start incorporating "real" food into my meals. Oh how fun it will be to eat somthing not liquid or puree - food will actually LOOK like food Have a good weekend everyone!

Swanson's chicken broth is a lifesaver!

I'm on week two of puree and doing good. I have mostly had chicken breast (baked or boiled) and cottage cheese. I incorporated some baked beans and refried bean in after a week. This week have had tilapia also. All has done good. I try to eat only things that are good sources of protien. I have not tried anything spicy or greasy basically cause I couldn't tolerate them prior to surgery, so don't want to take chances now. As well, I still have a protien shake or two during the day. Am able to get in 60+ on protein easily.

Glad to see this topic. Was sleeved on 12/17 and have done really well with sleep. About 4 days ago I really started having trouble sleeping. Could fall asleep with no problems, but was awake and tossing and turning all night long. In 8 hours I would say I am lucky to get 3-4 hours of intermittent sleep. I figured part may have been anxiety as I returned to work this week but it hasn't let up any and I actually didn't make it to work today as I woke up almost ill from not having a good night's sleep. Now, here is the crazy twist - if I were to go in and lay down for a nap, I could sleep 3 hours like a rock. I don't do that as I want to be as tired as I can at night to hopefully sleep better. I don't go back to my surgeon for three weeks still but might go in and see my family doc. Have been on ambien in the past and might need just a bit to get me back on some pattern.

I'm just getting caught up on posts, so I am guessing you are even closer or have broke the under 300 at this point! Congrats!!! I was so excited when I got under 300, especially when I realized just how many years it had been since I had been under 300. Keep it up!!! Great job!

hi 12/17 gang! Can't believe that tomorrow will be 3 weeks out from surgery! Things going well here in central Illinois. I've really been fighting one incision "path" that they actually sewed up from the inside out. Sitting just right above my waistline, it has been very uncomfortable and has kept me from doing a whole lot - even with pain meds (and I have a super high pain tolerance). Yesterday that finally eased up and today it is barely noticible. The weather and holidays have made it hard to get out and exercise but I have been to the gym a few times to hit the treadmill. My "overachiever" issues come and go as I get frustrated that I am not at pre-surgery exercise levels by now. I'd say I am about 85-90% but hoped to be much closer to 100%. Monday brings all the "new" into gear - back to work, back to full time working out, back to hitting the pool! I go see the nutriionist on the 14th and will weigh in then. I'm not losing very fast, but I guess losing so much pre-surgery kind of has my body in limbo or something. I figure once I can get back on routine with everything else, that will follow. I'm ok with the gradual loss as at this point, the numbers are not my focus, just trying to get healither each day through my life choices. Picked up a measuring tape today so can track my loss of inches over the next year. Hope all of you had a good New Years!

For my first meal I took 3 oz of chicken breast and about a 1/2 cup of noodles from the deli at the store (they had chx and mini noodles on the buffet and something warm sounded good), and pureed that together. It was pretty dry so I added some chicken broth to it. Ate 2 oz and have plenty for later this evening. Also had 2 oz cottage cheese (I like the prairie farms low fat - blue container). As much as it was GREAT to have some real food, I quickly realized I still have to learn a few things. Before surgery I was a "big bites and eat fast" person. I've been working on smaller bites but realized pretty quick that I still need to work on my slowing down. I have some 1 and 2 oz containers that I am starting to use to measure out portions. Although I can have 4 oz, if I put 4 oz in a bowl, I will eat it too fast. If I break it up into 1-2 oz servings, then it seems to work better mentally. We were raised "eat what you take" so to have 4 oz sitting there and not eat all of it in one sitting is very hard. It was an odd feeling to "feel" my stomach working when I had more solid food in it. It was kind of like I could tell exactly where the food was as it moved through. A good reminder of the importance of the smaller bites! Happy New Year's everyone. Be safe if you are going out tonight. Blewy

Happy New Year's Eve folks! I found this recipe on another site and look foward to trying it this week. They said it doesn't look real appealing, but it tastes great, especially if you are craving something italian. If anyone tries it before me, let me know your results! I'm guessing instead of egg whites I can use some "no yolk". (I have not mastered separating eggs yet) No-noodle cheese Lasagna (about 28 gm protein) 3/4 cup fat free or 2% cottage cheese 1/4 cup marinara or spaghetti sauce 1/4 tsp oregano 1/4 tsp basil 2 egg whites

Evening everyone. I had my surgery on the 17th as well. Am doing better than what I thought I would be. By day 3 "pain" was pretty much "really sore" and I haven't had to take any of the perscription pain meds since. I go tomorrow for my first follow up which I am looking forward to as I am really about the climb the walls - I live alone and doc said no driving for a week. Weather and the no driving has made it hard for exercise, but hoping to be back in the gym on the 26th. Been doing cream of chicken, protien shakes and wonderslim puddings. Mentally, it's a bit crazy as I feel like I am constantly "eating" and of course, this want to equate to weight gain, but I have to remember I am only eating abt 2-3 oz/hour. Today I am finally feeling like I am getting a good amount of water in. Have felt so thirsty and know I have been dehydrated. Just try to make sure if I am not "eating" I am taking in water or other clear liquids. Good luck to everyone!!!