partofme!

Oh my gosh. I had to go back and keep looking at the pics-you have taken literally YEARS off your appearance and life, I am sure. Congrats on your success!

Hello, VSG family! I am about 2.5 months post-op and I have some issues with eating. Some days, I am able to consume about 800 calories a day. Sometimes, it is 600-or less. And getting in protein-I hover around 50 Gs a day. It is volume-I just can't seem to get things in. I have tried drinking shakes-they take me forever. My sleeve does seem to agree with fish-that and cream of wheat. It is incredibly frustrating to eat ok one day and the next, it seems nothing sits right, I feel uncomfortably full after a few bites, and my kids are starting to wonder what is wrong with me...they do not know I had the sleeve. A week ago I went out for dinner and ordered tuna-I thought it would be safe to eat. It came on a bed of greens. Well, I had a few bites, all of a sudden I felt incredibly full and uncomfortable, had to lay down immediately in the car and we left the restaurant. This isnt the first time this has happened. Another diet example is even what I ate today. I had an egg mcmuffin with no cheese...and removed part of the bun...so about 200 calories. I had a small lobster tail for lunch, at 80 calories. For dinner, I ate an ounce n a half of beef, with a few bites of salad, and the fullness kicked in. My questions are: Is this normal? How do I change this to take in more protein without being in pain? Any advice on what I can do? When should I go to the doctor? Thanks so much!

I know how tough it is, but you need to be strong for the surgery...there is always a story popping up on here after surgery where someone ate something post-op too soon and were afraid they caused a leak. I can honestly say that my tastebuds have changed....you just dont even think about the food you once loved after awhile. And if you do taste it...ie: ice cream, it is good, but for me, it tastes SOOOO rich. Like, I could eat a few tsps and it seems like I just ate a HUGE bowl! I am so sorry you are having a hard day, I had a few of those myself. Experience it , then move forward and surround yourself with tons of support to get you through the next few months All the best to you

Hello! Its pretty normal-you will be lucky to have a few sips and that's it! The fluid retention is from IV, no worries about that. Don't weigh yourself for a week

I am going absolutely nuts here as I have never, ever missed a period EVER-unless I was pregnant. I have only one fallopian tube, and it was tied ten years ago. My hormone levels are normal, Iron normal-bloodwork PERFECT-just saw my doc yesterday as I had this done post-op just to make sure I was ok. So LMP was December 14th...It is now January 19th and I am typically on a 30-32 day cycle at most. I had a normal period the month of my surgery and also afterwards. I FEEL like I am going to get it...all the bells and whistles...hormones raging, nausea, sore back, headache, some cramping...for the last two weeks. But nothing. So, a: is it normal to not get a period after surgery? b: What are the frigging odds I got pregnant??!!! I am six days late.

great idea-thanks! I love making a parfait out of mine with some chunky homemade applesauce, (a few tsps), cinammon and sprinkle of kashi on top!

I feel your pain! Yesterday I was out at a client brunch, and sitting down with a small group-I looked at the menu and ordered the lightest thing I could find-the egg and toast with yogurt. food comes, and I am SO hungry that I eat a nice bite of egg, then another...wolf down half a piece of toast. Everyone else is eating at the same pace, and I feel like I need to keep pace. But then it hits me-that feeling of a little bit woozy, a little bit not right...I ate too fast. I sometimes forget I need to go slow-and for a function like this, I think there are some VERY good options for you to choose from that are sleeve friendly. If anyone says anything, just say you had a big Breakfast....opps! I would choose the steak and spinach salad and stay away from the asparagus and potatoes all together. More filling...not as easy t omove around a plate and make it look like you ate more than what you did! lol

Please go get a leak test to be safe

That's awful-I have never heard of a story like this-I have already had my surgery, and thank the lord I am ok...but I am so so so sorry for the pain your sister and family have gone through.

Hi all! has anyone experienced a warming sensation after eating? Sometimes when I have a meal, I feel a burning, heating warmth in my back-like I have a gooooood heating pad on my upper back. It goes away after about a half hour-but this happened again tonight so thought I would ask. I am almost 8 weeks out (7.5) from my surgery, and no complications thus far.

No fever, no other pains. I have had the nose run thing happen too... It is the weirdest feeling, to say the least...

Add me!!! Talentjar

My point is, I am never eating more than most likely 1200 calories. Ever. That is doctor recommended for maintenence. I think the poster should know that. I am forcing half of those calories in. My stomach is not at capacity? Well obviously not....I am only 8 weeks from my surgery date. As far as the lapband goes, I just suggested to look in to it. Where did I say it is good for anybody? I am personally not familiar with the failure rates but did do a few searches after your 70% failure rate comment at five years, and couldn't find any medically documented report that substantiates your claim. As we both know, surgery is a scary and permanent process. With her BMI range, maybe there might be another way that isn't permanent, that's all I am saying....I am trying to be helpful. To be honest, I found your post to me to have a tone to it...and I usually enjoy your contributions on this forum. It left me feeling a bit attacked, though....not cool. Here are the facts: The FDA approves the lapband for people with a BMI between 30-40 with a pre-existing health condition. The sleeve is generally approved for patients who have a BMI between 35-40 with a pre-existing health condition. In short, my advice was based on her BMI-US or CAN docs would not aprrove her sleeve surgery, and some in Mexico may not either. Mine was borderline approved, fyi-at a BMI of 38.7 and moderate high blood pressure. Whatever she chooses, I hope the poster the best.

Hi there! Welcome! At 5"2 and 182 lbs, you are technically obese but wanted to just have a quick girl chat with you on the sleeve. I hope you don't mind!!!! I know the frustrations and what you are going through, and yes, I had the sleeve, but I started at a BMI of close to 39 and was still borderline. Now, most docs usually do the procedures if your BMI is over 35, and have a pre-existing health condition. If you go to Mexco, yes, the rules are a bit more lucy goosey, and I saw a girl that height n weight get sleeved while I was in Mexico. However...the one thing I kept telling myself was that "Hey, I will lose the weight, then in a few years, my stomach will stretch a bit and I can take in some normal calories". Now, that was my own stupidity because the reality is, I am currently taking in 600-800 cals a day and will for life...if I can push it up to 1200 that would be ideal but I can tell you now, and almost 8 weeks out, igotta FORCE myself to eat each day. It makes eating difficult, there is a LOT of planning and it is a huge step. I am completely not trying to talk you out of this, but for you, I might personally recommend (I am NOT a doc) doing the lapband....not as fast results but it can be removed and it isnt permanent...also, are you tracking calories on myfitnesspal or using a calorie counter right now? That helps as well. I am sure you have probably tried it all and doing everything isuggested, but just in case..thought I would throw it out there. Good luck with whatever you decide!

The first 2 weeks after mine I couldn't have any mushy foods. Even yogurt felt like a lump in my throat. Istil late it, but stuck to broth mostly. I am eating about 600-800 cals a day right now, consistently, and I am 7 weeks out. So to me, yes, that does sound like a lot of cals...lol

Congrats! I have another 9 pounds to get there!!!

Oh my gosh! 50....FIFTY.......lucky girl! I am still at 28 from last Wed...I am eating no more than 700 cals a day and dont know what else I can do. I am walking every day. I am scared, so scared that I will sit here forever, like every other diet. VERY frustrated

Cool! I cleaned out mine the other day! How many pounds are you down? I am still struggling with drop, then stall. So frustrating.

Hi, I have read that extreme fatigue from not getting enough protein could include dizziness, sleeping a lot, etc...where a leak fatigue happens generally right after a meal-you can have pain or burning in the stomach or back pain, shoulder pain, general feeling of unwell-if you suspect a leak always better safe than sorry.

I am so thrilled and just had to share this because a few days back, I was feeling bummed about being stuck. I started adding up my numbers and getting panicked that my surgery was a waste of money. I know I am not alone in this as I had read similiar trains of thought on here as well. I was doing everything right, I was adjusting from pureed to solids a bit and stalled in week 4. Also, I have lost ten pounds now since I came home from surgery-lost 18 pounds in the first week. Some things I did change was incorporating simple exercize now, and also increased my Protein a bit. And VOILA! off went three pounds in two days. Also, I tried on my wedding dress as I got married in August this year, and wanted to see if it fit differently. It almost fell off of me! I was not at my highest weight...in fact about only ten pounds havier, but the inche are definitely less than when I wore that dress-it felt great! I have dug out all my old clothes and right now have a room full of piles of stuff...my jeans are falling down my butt....it feels great. Yay! Here i a pic of me in the dress that doesn't fit anymore...lol

Welcome! If I may suggest, how about researching percentages? The thing is, every story is different. Just like everyone loses weight differently! With the sleeve, here are the percentages: “An irreversible surgical procedure that forever changes the body’s anatomy removing a portion of the stomach to reduce its size and capacity.” IMPORTANT SAFETY STATISTICS: Mortality rate: 0.39% Total complications: 22% Major complications: 1.9% The lap band offers lower stats but slower weight loss. Your doctor knows you best and will be able to guide you which will be best for you, considering your own personal health history, weight currently, etc. How much weight do you need to lose? What diets have your tried? Chat soon!

Congratulations! Just make sure you track your calories, to make sure you are getting enough calories I plan on TTC in a year out from my surgaversary...and anxious that I wont be able to eat enough as I can only manage 500-600 cals a day at most! SO EXCITING!!!

Thank you, ladies! Now Iwant to go get married all over again next year in my skinny new self (once I get there) lol!!! It feels good to break the stall!!!