bradsgirl007

This is the second time in the last week that this has happened. I start feeling pain directly below my sternum (and behind the lower portion of it). In a matter of one to two minutes, it becomes so severe that it is difficult to breath, I can't get comfortable, I start sweating, and the pain feels like it branches out (like tree limbs) from that area to my abdomen and to my back. It literally feels like someone has stabbed me and is pulling my insides out. There is pressure near the stomach and sternum and feels like my upper back is breaking. I know this sounds dramatic but I am 100% serious. The first time it happened (about a week ago) it went on for over 30 minutes before I had my husband go get some gas x, by the time he got back, I had taken a phenergan (anti-nausea) and a Vicodin I had left from my hand surgey. When he got back, about 30 minutes later, it ha started to ease up (or it could have been the above mentioned meds??). I went ahead and took two gas x and laid down. Tonight, I felt it coming on an in less than 5 minutes it was so severe I had to have him look for the gas x. About 10 minutes went by and the pain continued to get worse so I had him take me to the er, about half way there the pain started easing up so I made him turn around. So, my conclusion is it is gas but from what??? I hadn't eaten in about 4 hours but I had just had a Protein shake. I have two of these a day and never have a problem with them. I don't know if I had had a shake before the incident a week ago, but I do know that I hadn't eaten for at least an hour before, maybe longer. If anyone knows what is going on or has ANY ideas, please let me know. I saw my surgeon last week for my 3 month post op and told him about it and he said it could be that I didn't chew my food well enough, but I didn't have a lot of details to give him and didn't think much about it.

Thanks!!

He did say that could be it, but at the time I had only had one attack. He did order an ultrasound and that was it. As soon as he got the results he said I needed to get it out. He's a really great doctor. It was just difficult because I moved out of state after that first attack. But he answered every email within minutes. He's pretty great.

Soooo....after having two more "attacks" I finally had my gallbladder out. Just thought I would update everyone. Thanks for all your input!

Great job! I can tell a difference!! Keep up the great work!!

I was sleeved on 12/28/12 and went through my one week of clear liquids, two weeks of full liquids, two weeks of soft proteins, and am now on my "new normal". I was wondering if anyone has had nuts post op? I love them but don't know if it will hurt my sleeve?

Thanks for all the replies! I still eat them once a day, maybe twice if I don't have anything else handy on the run. For everyone worried about fat...why? I know we are told different things. But look into low carb. The only restriction I have is no more than 30 net carbs a day. I was literally told (by my surgeon and dietician) DO NOT WORRY about calories and fat anymore. As long as I stay below my carb count I am free to choose what I want. I actually stopped losing when i started worrying about calories. I had read to much about how sleevers were concerned with it and got confused about my own directions. A trip to the dietician got me back in track. Now, when I get to my goal I can up the carbs slowly until I figure out my magic carb number. That's the number I will be able to eat in a day that doesn't make me gain, but stops the weight loss. Anyhow, just thought I would share that. Oh, and for he person concerned with nuts being a slider food...of course this could just be me, because we are all different, but I portion out 1 oz and it fills me up. No need to eat more. Then again, they so taste good so I could see that being an issue for some. Thanks again for all the help!

I LOVE planters deluxe nuts. They are salty and crunchy and one serving does the trick for me. It's only 3-5 net carbs depending on the variety you pick. And they are easy to take along.

For me, the feelings of regret were in the first month post op. I kept thinking "what have I done to myself". It was ALL head hunger or what I lovingly called my "fat brain"! It was only my fat brain that wanted pizza and all of those other delicious carbs that got me in trouble in the first place. I even told my surgeon, about 2-3 weeks post op, "I don't think I can do this low carb thing for the rest of my life." I was just being honest with him. And he told me "you don't have to." He told me that if I did nothing except reduce the amount I ate, which would happen whether I wanted to or not because of the surgery, I would still lose weight. However, if I followed a low carb plan until I got to my goal, I would lose it faster. And my FAVORITE thing he said to me...once I got to my goal, I could slowly increase those carbs until I hit my magic number. Meaning, instead of my limit of 30 net carbs now, when I reach my goal I could steadily increase it until I noticed the weight loss stopping or that I gained weight. Playing with those numbers would get me to my maintenance carb number. His happens to be 60 carbs a day. If he stays between 50-60 carbs a day, he doesn't gain. I personally found that comforting. I know that in general I have to change my habits, but it isn't a life sentence. You will fin things you like and it is really not hard to enjoy eating out with friends and family, I do it all the time. I just chose better options. Like a couple of weeks ago we went to a steak house and I shared a meal with my husband. It had steak, shrimp, a baked potato, and we added asparagus. I ate the shrimp (which I love and he hates) and the asparagus. He ate the potato and the steak...except for the bite or two I stole! I love steak! Just be creative. I use the my fitness pal app and it REALLY helps me find things to eat no matter where I am. And it helps me stay accountable for what I eat. My dietician set it up for me. My only restrictions are no more than 30 net carbs and no less than 90 grams of Protein. All in all, yes, you're relationship with food will change, but only for the better. Oh, and that pizza craving...it didn't go away, but I figured out a way to have some...I use a fajita sized low carb tortilla (carb balance) a tablespoon of pizza sauce, as much mozzarella as I want ( I like a lot!) and about four or five slices of pepperoni. It's great!! My husband and kids eat them too! It kicks my craving and it tastes good. You just have to get creative. And once you get through that first month, those craving change. Your body no longer craves those carbs that it was addicted to and many of your tastes change. At least that's the case for me. And if you want a little something "naughty" every now and again, you can have it, but a bite or two will do. Don't deprive yourself. Feel free to message me if you would like. I would love to help if I can! Btw, my Surg date was 12/28/13 I weighed 250 and I am down 56 lbs to 194. I can tell you I have NEVER been able to say that before!!

That's a really good idea! I will have to try that!

One more thing, when I hit what I call a stall ( not a true stall though) I upped my calories and the weight started coming off again. I temporarily got side tracked with all I had read about low calorie, it screwed me up for about two weeks. That's when the dietician reminded me.... absolutely don't worry about calories.

So, like others have said, every dietician/surgeon has a different plan for eating post op. I want to share what has worked for me. My ONLY restrictions are no more than 30 grams net carbs and at LEAST 90 grams of Protein. I have absolutely no fat or calorie restrictions. Let me tell you why.... Our bodies use two things for energy...carbs and fat. Carbs are the easiest to use and our bodies are lazy. Using fat for energy is a much harder harder process. So, if we don't give our bodies the carbs for energy, it has to use the fat. Now that fat comes from the food we eat and the stored fat in our bodies. If we don't give our bodies the easy fuel ( carbs ) it has no choice but to use the fat as fuel. That's why low carb works so well. Most people, including myself, look at the above info and say, ok so if I reduce the amount of fat I eat then my body will have to use the stored fat, but for some reason, that doesn't work. As far as net carbs, and please forgive me if you already knew this, that is the amount of carbs minus the Fiber. So if you ate something that has 10 carbs and 3 grams of fiber, you subtract the fiber from the carbs and get 7 net carbs. It makes it a lot easier for you to find a nice balance between trying to swear off all carbs and being able to add more foods in for variety. If you are interested in the very lengthy, but very informative study behind the low carb approach, my surgeon emailed it to me and I would be happy to email it to you. So my advice, try only limiting your carbs. Don't worry about the fat and calories. I promise your scale will start making you happy! I was literally told, DO NOT EAT LOW FAT! Low fat translates to "more carbs". Because they have to replace the fat they have taken out with something that will make it taste better. And that is always sugar. Take a look at the low fat labels next time you are at the grocery store next time, if it says low fat, compare it to the full fat version and see which has more sugar. salad dressing is an easy example. People have been brain washed to believe that fat is bad, it's only bad when combined with high carb. Sorry this was so long, it just kills me to see people feeling restricted after this beautiful gift we have been given. Please feel free to message me on here or add me on my fitness pal. My user name there is sleeve2012.

Not sure if you have these or not, but the new packaging for the Premier Protein shakes has a twist top in it. I had trouble with the smell before they came out with the twist top too. Maybe you can try a straw, it will take your nose a little farther from the smell.

I still have my gallbladder. Would gas x help a gallbladder attack?

Hey ladies!! I was sleeved by Dr. Seger too!! He's amazing, their entire practice is. As a matter of fact. Just wanted to say hi and see how your progress is now. I will be three months out on March 28th. I just hit 50 lb loss a few days ago and am happy...just wish it hadn't slowed down quite so much this soon. I'm sure there is a reason though...don't want lots of loose skin. Anyhow, hope you all are doing well!

Ok, I was sleeved on 12/28/12. My surgeons plan post op is one week Clear liquids and then two weeks of full liquids, then two weeks of soft Proteins, and then to the "new normal". I started the soft proteins on 1/18. The first day wasn't too bad. The second and third day I had a hard time. I know saturday was my fault, we went to Sams and i had a sample of smoked sausage. the lady didn't bother telling us it had jalapeños in it. I thought I was going to die!!! Sooo painful! All I seem to be able to handle so far is eggs. I can't seem to find the happy medium between eating the right amount and feeling like I am about to rip my sleeve! I ate 1/4 of a cup of ham salad and couldn't finish it and later, my stomach hurt like I had eaten at a buffet. My other issue is Water. I keep getting dehydrated. I work strange hours and for about 4 hrs of the day I can't drink at all. I am having trouble with the nothing to drink during or after meals and then remembering the rest of the day! What is wrong with me? This is not that difficult! And don't even get me started on my vitamins! I can't remember those things for anything! I am really starting to regret my decision. I can't imagine living the rest of my life like this. I did this to get my life back, to have energy, and to feel better about myself. I can't do anything right now without feeling so tired that I need a nap. I work 10am - 2pm then 6pm - 10pm. When I come home between classes, I can't keep my eyes open and have to take a nap. I am really not happy. I need some advice.

I am so thankful to be losing the weight. I was sleeved on 12/28/12 and am down 47 lbs. I love it, 3 more lbs to my half way point, couldn't ask for better right?? But I still can't get this vitamin and water thing down. I am suppose to take special Bariatric vitamins three times a day. The taste isn't so bad anymore, I just have some sort of block to it. Maybe it's he horrible taste I had from the beginning, maybe forgetfulness, who knows, I just hate to take them. And the water?? I do great some days and terrible the next. Please tell me it gets better? I am starting to lose hair!

Hey there! I was looking through this thread and saw the OU on your cheek!! I'm a sooner too! I was sleeved on 12/28/12. How about you?

I know we all get different instructions from out Dr's and dietitians, but mine say high Protein and low carb. cheese has little to no carbs, so eat all you want. I eat cheese a couple of times a day. I put it on chili, on eggs, roll it with deli meat, and my personal favorite....on a low carb tortilla!! I've been making a mini pizza with the following: 1 fajita sized low carb tortilla 1/4 ( or more if you like, I pile it on) shredded mozzarella cheese about 6 pieces pepperoni 1 tbsp pizza sauce sprinkle of pizza seasoning sometimes I add some real bacon pieces that come prepackaged for salads Bake on 400 until cheese melts!! Yum!! I can only eat 3/4 of it and it kicks my craving for pizza!

I spoke to my dietitian and she said that they were fine for me. Again, I was sleeved on 12/28/12. I bought the ones with the least carb and most fiber. At my local store it happened to be the deluxe mixed nuts by planters with 50% less peanuts. They are salty and crunchy and makes an interesting addition to my diet. I am eating one to two servings of 1 ounce a day.

I was sleeved on 12/28/12. Does anyone know if nuts are ok now? I was on a clear liquid diet for one week, then two weeks of full liquid, two weeks of soft proteins, and started on my "new normal" on Feb1st. I can't find info about nuts and if they are ok foe us anywhere??

Thanks to everyone for their replies. It's getting better.

Sorry to hear about your hospital stay. I hope you are feeling better now. I am doing better now. I am up to about 32 oz of water, 2-3 Vitamins (3 is the goal), and still working on the food. I've noticed that over medium eggs, refried Beans, and cottage are fairly painless. It's really the meats that are causing the discomfort. It's a tight feeling not a burn. But I have also gone back to at least two Protein shakes a day. It's the premium protein from Sam's. One other thing I have noticed is that I am able to drink more at a time than before. That's good, now if I can just remember to drink it!

I am on the soft protein phase. When do you all suggest trying the Wendy's chilli?

Rsmont, that's neat that we are so close on the surgery date. I would love to keep in touch to hear about your progress. Have you started exercising yet?