teach5

It has been awhile since I posted. Just had my 6 month check up. Down to 224 started at 347 when I began the process. Feeling great, so much energy, off of bp meds. My appetite is very strange though. Some days I feel like eating often and some days I have to make myself eat. Anyone else feel this way?

I haven't checked in in awhile. Work has been hectic, like most schools budget cuts, layoffs, etc. I was sleeved on 9/24/12 and am down 75lbs since surgery and 110 since I began the process. Funny thing is when I look in the mirror I look the same to myself. I definitely know I lost weight, none of my pre surgery clothes fit. I get extreme reactions from people I haven't seen in awhile. I wonder when or how long it will take for me to see the new me in the mirror? Did or does anyone else go through this?

I am lucky enough to not be craving the junk food yet. However, I was never a big sweets eater but couldn't lay off the chips. When I started the sleeve process I bought one of those microwave chip makers. The chips come out really good. Granted you probably should not eat them all the time, but if you made them that way they wouldn't be so bad for an occasional treat.

My tastes really have changed also. Some other proteins I eat are hummus, different beans, i like veggie burgers. I also make "sandwiches" with low fat cold cuts and cheeses and use lettuce in place of bread. I am sort of hooked on those right now. I don't know if you like tofu or not, I think it tastes like what ever you cook it in. Shrimp is one of my favorites because you can make it so many ways. I also make cheesburgers on th george forman grill with lean ground beef. A lot of of the extra grease drips out and again I replace buns with lettuce. You can also add some nuts to salads. Just watch serving size. I also have a natural peanut butter that I use with apples or bananas. Just measure it accurately. Greek yogurt is high in protein, not a fan of yogurt since surgery though. Also I tried Quest bars, very high in protein. They have a weird chewy texture, come in tons of flavors, maybe you could find one you like.

Happy day. Surgery date was 9/24. Lost 67 pounds since day of surgery, 97 since starting the process. Down from size 28 to between 18-20.

I have 5. Three of which are very small. Only one still looks bad, but it did rip open. The rest are fading nicely. My doctor said to keep them from the sun for 6-12 months and they will fade greatly.

Tomorrow I will be 3 weeks post up and still not feeling great. I did have some complications and after my two week postop checkup figured out my blood pressure was so low and was causing my excessive dizziness. After adjusting meds I can finally stand on my feet without feeling faint. But now the dry heaves have begun! They can happen in a flash and it is so frustrating not to mention my husband says I am mentally causing all of my symptoms. He was supportive at first, now I feel alone. My closest family is 2000 miles away. Just want to rewind time and take back the surgery and trying so hard not to feel sorry for myself, but no success.

Just wondering if anyone uses quest bars? My NUT recommended them today. Just looking for other people's opinion. Thanks

Today is 2 months out. Just left my post-op appt. I have lost 45lbs since surgery 9/24 and a total of 78 since beginning this journey. Bought my first pair of new pants, size 22 having started as size 28, I am thrilled. Funny thing is they look too small to me when I go to put them on, but they fit with room to spare! The road has not been the easiest, I had many bumps along the way. Surgery complications, anemia, lactose intolerance, nausea, days of dry heaves, and more tears shed in two weeks than anyone should shed in a lifetime. But I pushed through and am now reaping the rewards. For anyone struggling, know it gets better. Take it one day at a time!

Horse back riding, karate lessons, and buying a bra from Victoria's Secret!

I know it has been a while since I made this post, but I wanted to let you all know I am finally feeling much better! Thank you all for your encouragement and support through those rough weeks!

I am almost two months out and have an appointment with my NUT next week to be put on the "regular diet for life," but for some reason I cannot stop worrying about it. I am wondering if anyone can shed some light on the types of things I will be allowed to eat. I am so craving fresh produce, I hope those are on the new list. Are whole grains usually allowed?

I also hope it isn't "Atkins for life." I was given a binder with some info pre-op and it only lists lean meats and their protein values. On this soft food stage I was allowed canned fruits and veggies, but canned fruits are way too sweet. I don't much miss breads, but I would like some brown rice now and then. It is so odd to me that there are so many variations between surgeons and NUTs

It is also normal to feel like you want to cry. Your body is going through a lot of hormonal changes and getting used to the major surgery you went through. I went through the same thing as dis many others I know. Mine urge to cry lasted for about 10 days and was gone as quick as it came on. I am 2 months out now and feeling so much better. It does get better, give yourself time.

I am also struggling with ideas for soft food. I have been on soft food for 2 weeks and still cannot eat 1/2 of food at once. One other thing that I like are the Boca meatless burgers with a slice of low fat cheese melted on it. If u could eat the whole patty it is around 15 grams of protein with the cheese. I still can't eat it all though.

Thank you all for your well wishes and advice. I have a call in to my surgeon. Do you drink the bullet all at once or split it up during the day?

I am 2 weeks post op and it is getting harder to keep the protein shakes down. I switched to lactaid milk. I can keep everything else (not milk based) down. Has anyone else felt line this? How about energy? When advanced to pureed food did you see an increase in energy? I was expecting to feel better by now and just don't.

It is funny that you mention banana as making you sick. I was given strawberry banana jello in the hospital as well as strawberry banana yogurt. All i could taste was a sickening sweet banana taste. Disgusting... I have heard taste can change dramatically

My heaviest weight was 347 back in April when I began the process. When I went in for surgery on Monday 9/24 a week ago, I was down to 300 and feeling much better. Right now only being a week post-op I am having a difficult time. I can easily drink my water but am struggling with the protein shakes and feel like I need more calories but I don't want anything other than water. I hope this feeling goes away soon, so my energy levels come back up. I am looking forward to the day when I feel like I truly made the right choice, somewhere in the back of mind I know I did. I just want to really feel it!!!

Had the sleeve done on Monday and ended up having a complication. I was finally discharged yesterday, 5 days after surgery. My issue is not understanding the feelings in my new stomach and feeling drained...an affect of my complications. Any advice? How long did it take for others to feel like eating? I dont feel like eating anything