mommyradd

Kemo: Good point. I hadn't thought about that. Thanks:)

Less: I'm counting the shakes towards my fluids, but since I'm drinking 2 or 3 shakes daily, I drink them in intervals, so they take up 4 mealtimes, and I still struggle to drink in between. I'm going to keep trying. Sandy: You are not alone. I haven't had any foods other than what's on my list of high protein foods and shakes. I don't really understand why me weight loss is like 10 pounds less than everyone else's:( Especially when I read that a lot have crackers, and toast and other carbs. I guess it's just that I need to work harder on the treadmill. ArcX: I have not tried that. I will check it out. Thank you for the tip.

I was cleared to eat "anything" at 4 weeks. I'm going on 7 weeks out, and started eating jerky this week. I just chew, chew, chew, and it goes down fine. I love it because in a 1 oz. bag, there are 18 grams of protein. So for me, it's good to have once or twice a week. However; I'm sure it's different for some people. For example; I have had moist chicken, but cannot get my two ounces down without getting the slimes, or throwing up...With this surgery, it is learning through trial and error, what you can tolerate. At least that has been my experience.

I eat raw or grilled shrimp. It's really filling. I measure two ozs. but usually can't finish it in one sitting. Raw crab is good with a little lemon so it's not so dry, too.

For me, I wish I would have known how much work it is to get in all the protein and fluids everyday. If I'm not home, I fall behind, and it is very hard to "catch up." I also would have liked a little info. on what the "full" feeling feels like. This was never discussed, so it's taken me a while to recognize. Sometimes I can't finish (pre-measured) food, even if it's 2 ounces. I have gotten the slimes a few times for eating a bite too many, and dumped twice for the same reason. Lastly, the food choices and shakes get boring. That being said, I have no regrets whatsoever, and it has been worth it to me. Also, everyday gets better, and the more experienced sleevers say that as you get further along, you can expand your food choices and everything gets easier, so it's all good to me. Best of luck to you, whatever you decide!

I have a four year old, two year old, and a one year old. The two babies are still in diapers, and need to be lifted onto the changing table. My hubby was able to take 6 days off of work, plus one weekend so I had 8 days of help. Not ideal. Since then, I did everything myself, and my soreness in my incision lasted for 3-4 weeks. If you are in a position to have help, take it until you feel well on your way. Otherwise; change the baby in a safe place on the floor, to avoid lifting. Also, my doctor gave me no lifting restrictions. He said if it felt too heavy, don't lift it! Best of luck to you:)

Way to go! And kuddos to your hubby for not only noticing, but saying it:) Keep it up.

I agree, your skin seems to be recovering well! Thanks for sharing. You should be so proud of your progress!

Thanks for sharing your story. I was never afraid of having surgery, so none of the stories scared me. I guess that's what having four C-Sections (3 in the last 5 Years) does to you! My experience has been good. I am learning what I can tolerate, and I healed quickly. My only complaint is that sometimes it feels like a job. Trying to get in all the fluids and protein in a day. It consumes me! I am bored to death of the foods I can eat, so I rely on shakes mostly. I feel happier than ever, and my diabetes is under control. Best decision I ever made for myself!

My culture eats tamales for Christmas. I'm six weeks out, and my doctor has me on regular food, 2 oz. at a time.. What do you think?

Here's my update...I hadn't had anything to eat all day other than a protein shake, hoping not having a full stomach would help me tolerate a bit of tamale. When I got to my mom's, I ate 3-4 small bites of a pork tamale (not just the inside).It went down fine, no problem. I just felt like I would get full if I took another bite, so I stopped. I did get mild heartburn for about 30 minutes. The next time it was mealtime, I thought I would try it again, since it went fine the first time. This time the tamale was from a neighbor, more spicy than mom's. I ate only the meat this time, a small tamale. When I ate it, I enjoyed it because it was so flavorful in comparrison to my daily shakes and bland proteins. However; immediately after I ate it, I felt that "lead stomach" feeling. I know I probably ate too much of it, like 3 oz. instead of my 2 oz. portions. Either way, it lasted for over an hour and was so uncomfortable that the next day I gave the rest of them to my brother-in-law! I advise against tamales early on. I'm 4 weeks out.

The tamales my family makes are made of Pork Shoulder Roast (or you can use chicken or cheese), Corn Masa (the dough that holds everything together), Lard, Garlic Powder, Chili Powder, Cumin, Paprika,Salt, and Ground Pepper. I believe I can resist, but I wanted to have half of one, if it was okay. I will let you know....

Doxi: Thanks for sharing that. I want to learn from others as much as possible. Valueable information!

Thank you SeriouslyChange. I haven't cheated on my diet and really want to make good decisions.

Wow, my hubby and I agree- you look fantastic! How inspiring:)

I agree that you are moving along at a good pace. I am considered a "lightweight" but I have tried very hard to lose as much weight possible. I take all my vitamins, eat 60 grams of protein daily, and most days I get in all 64 oz. of fluids. I have not cheated on my diet plan once, and I am six weeks out. I have only lost 15 pounds! If I get where you're at in two weeks, I'll be celebrating:) Keep it up, and don't second guess yourself. It took time for us to all get where we were, so it's going to take time to get where we want to be. Best wishes to you friend!

Everyone responds differently. I am in a phase where I want to eat, and then I'm disappointed when I do. Nothing tastes good to me. I would rather have my shakes to make sure I get in all my protein, and I'm trying really hard to get in my liquids. I don't mess with foods that don't give me protein, because it's hard enough to get enough in. I feel for you, and your missing food. I hear it gets better, and with a loss of so many pounds so far, I would be really proud of myself, if I were you. Hang in there, friend.

Haleyj134: I get the feeling that you described, and I consider that to be the "full feeling." It's kind of like feeling like your food hasn't gone all the way down, or like it's just stuck there. Whenever possible, I measure my food to two ounces in a measuring cup so that I don't overeat. Sometimes I will get that feeling anyway, and I stop eating, finishing the rest of it later.Drinking some iced tea or Crystal Light about 45 minutes afterwards, helps me not feel hungry, despite eating so little. I just listen to my body, and the cues it gives me. Hope this helps.

I will be 5 weeks out on Tuesday. Even though it gets a little bit boring, I take two 11 oz. shakes (5.5 oz. at a time) from Costco, and that gets my 60 grams of protein in everyday. I also focus on getting in my 64 ounces of fluids. I do it this way, that way anything else I eat is bonus protein. Right now I enjoy raw shrimp with a little lemon, tuna (no bread or crackers of any kind), canned and cooked chicken, and an over easy egg. The best snack I have found is a cheese stick. It's high in protein and only an ounce of food. I stay away from puddings, jellos, and popsicles, as they have no nutrition. I would rather use up that tummy space on foods that will help promote my weight loss. Plus, to me, those are snacks that make me want more, so I choose to not even go there. Good luck to you!

I had my sleeve on Nov.27th and was told that I have no lifting restrictions, just to do (lifting) what feels comfortable. I have a 1, 2, and 4 year old that all wanted to squeeze me and jump on me, but I showed them my "owies" and have had no problems. I cuddle with them while sitting or laying in bed, and it seems to satisfy them. I lift the two little ones on the changing table for diaper changes, and load them into their carseats with no more discomfort than prior to having my surgery. I'm also adding extra "just because" kisses and praise. I feel your pain:)