JudyFL

Drink water and change up your exercise.

I found the first three days to be a real challenge; also suffered headache and nausea. Drink a lot of Water, crystal light or decaf tea. I found chicken broth to be rather satisfying and sugar-free popsicles good too. Don't cheat. It's too important. Besides, you'll start dropping pounds in the next couple of days and that will cheer you up!

I hadn't had my period since a D&C 18 months ago and now I'm spotting every few days (very lightly). Anyone else post-menopausal who experienced bleeding/spotting post surgery? I'm five months since sleeved. Thanks

Forget the red meat for a while; too hard to digest. Even pork is tough. Stick with chicken, fish, eggs and cheese. 1 cup of cottage cheese has 26 grams of protein. Greek yogurt (don't buy the kind with flavors or fruit, even vanilla has sugar) is packed with protein too. Add a little sugar-free jelly or jam for a yummier taste to the cottage cheese and yogurt. Good luck!

Shocked so many are eating potatoes only a few weeks after surgery. A shrimp cocktail should be just enough! Enjoy!

Why do so many of eat you eat carbs like rice and bread after a few weeks or months just because you can tolerate it? I'm of the understanding that sticking to Protein and then introducing healthy carbs like vegetables will get you to your goal faster and healthier. Yes, sometimes I crave a bit of Pasta or even yogurt with fruit but staying in ketosis by avoiding sugar is so successful. And will be a healthier lifestyle down the line. Except for an occassional piece of birthday cake i swear I'll never go back to refined sugar and "white" carbs like rice and potatoes again!

Are you exercising? Walk, ride a stationary bike, dance. My loss has been slow but steady (38 lbs in 3.5 months). But once the swelling in your tummy/midriff goes down you'll see it first in your clothes before you see it on the scale. Stick to the program...it won't fail you!

An easier way to make "String cheese chips" Fold a piece of parchment paper in half and place a piece of string cheese between. Use a wooden spoon to hold down the top of the paper. Place in your microwave for 60-75 seconds (depending on your oven) on high. Make sure it's on a turntable. Let cool for about two minutes. I dip in hummus or salsa or even use as "bread" and put a slice of turkey between to pieces for a sandwich! YUM!

I was sleeved two months ago and have lost 20 lbs post surgery. There was a period of about three weeks when NOTHING came off. I was so upset. But suddenly the lbs started to come off again. Slowly. The body knows it's in starvation mode and is protecting itself. Think about it - do we really expect to lose 5lbs a week? Great in the first couple of pre-op and post-op all-protein shake weeks but health dictates a saner weight loss progression. If i lose another 8-10lbs a month going forward I'll be slim by Thanksgiving and at my goal by the New Year. It's a lot easier to get my head around that kind of goal.

How you lose weight should be monitored by your OB/GYN together with your Bariatric Surgeon. Proper nutrition is probably the most important consideration.

I'm only two months post- op and down two sizes but I LOVe puirging the clothes that are now too big. I've put two pair of pants and a favorite sweater into the corner of the closet and everything else is GOING, GOING, GONE into two big trash bags...One with crappy stuff that can't be resold that goes into the collection box on the highway and the other to the resale shop for cancer patients downtown. Sure, it feels kind of weird tucking away some once-favorite (and expensive) items but it feels even better getting into clothes I haven't been able to wear for years. As I write this I'm wearing a skirt that I know will be making its last appearance! It's an elastic waist Sarah Arizona beauty that I bought six years ago at Nordstrom but the waistband is way too stretched out. I mentioned to my doctor's assistant that it's a shame there's no room at the clinic for a bariatric "closet" where patients can donate and borrow special occassion outfits. I have a wedding coming up and don't want to shell out the $ for a dress I know I'll only be able to wear once.

Yup, Ketosis. I have been using the Listerine Breath Strips (very strong, I cut them in half) whenever in public.

My surgery was Monday and I'm still waiting for the bells and whistles of the paradigm shift that is to be my new life. The reason I am posting is I've read previous posts and some people make light of the surgery itself and how they bounced right back. I'm glad I didn't pay too much attention to what seems like wishful thinking. THIS WAS MAJOR SURGERY AND IT HURT! i woke up an hour or so after surgery in my hospital bed with the requisite IVs, monitors and catheter. Never had a catheter (never had surgery before this!) and it was not painful or even uncomfortable. I was very fortunate that there were no sharp pains but I definitely felt like I went three rounds with a Mack truck and the truck won. I was given glycerin swabs for my dry lips but no thirst (thanks to IV fluid). I know I snoozed a bit throughout the day but HOSPITALS ARE NO PLACE FOR SICK PEOPLE. THEY DON'T LEAVE YOU ALONE!!! This was most annoying throughout the night when my vitals were checked every hour. I could not get a good night sleep. I am a side/belly sleeper. Needless to say, that wouldn't work! If they offer you shots of morphine via the IV, GO FOR IT. I was hesitant night #1 as always debate before even going for a Tylenol, but by Tuesday night that little black button was my best friend! I demanded of the night nurse on Tuesday that unless they could see I was flat-lining from the monitors hooked to my chest to PLEASE leave me alone. We reached a compromise that they would only check me every 3-4 hours. By Tuesday night I was able to rock over to my side a little by using a pillow to brace my stomach (by last night I was totally good with side-sleeping). Use that pillow to brace your stomach when getting in and out of bed The swallow test was awful. I was still weak and a little dizzy when they took me to radiology. They liquid you drink is vile. It was kind of cool, however, to see it travel down your esophagus to your stomach. Here's where I made my biggest mistake: When the tray with my liquid lunch was brought in I opened the bottle of Water for a nice big swig and almost choked to death. Take baby sips. I was spitting up phlegm and coughing for about 10 minutes. It has been a challenge to keep drinking and I know I was not able to get in my requisite 64oz yesterday. You just have to keep sipping all day. Personally, I have to drink sitting up, not even reclining, for it to go down. I find tea and broth easier to manage than plain water. I used to guzzle Crystal Light all day. I was told my palate would change; could this be the first sign? When I got home I slept well through my first night with out pain meds (again, I'm not eager to use narcotics) I had such a hard day yesterday trying to get in my fluids I had no time to nap. Seriously! I also woke up with a cold and sinus headache. I went for a 10 minute walk and got overheated. Will dress in layers this afternoon. (I am in Florida) Today the headcold is better but the sinuses still hurt and I got clearance to take a non-aspirin decongestant. I've been cutting my pills (Prilosec) and mixing with greek yogurt and it goes down well. I actually swallowed the little red decongestant whole with water and had no problem but I don't think I'll press my luck with the Prilosec. That stuff is terrific....I was starting to feel the heartburn late last night. Again, sitting vs. reclining should be better for digestive tract. As I had no problem with the yogurt I'm tempted to eat some more but sticking to the prescribed shakes. I had pains in my stomach from gas but not too bad. Didn't travel to back or shoulders like some patients. It's day five since surgery and my stomach is still a bit distended and the sutures really itch. I am tired and achy and not thinking about going back to work until Monday when I'll be going P/T to my desk job. Very understanding employers who know I’ve had surgery but not what kind. No ones' business. (IMO this stuff is not for public discussion....my family and closest friends know what's going on...no need to tell the world....that's why you, my forum family, will be here to support me and vice versa) Suggestions based on my experience: Bring a pillow from home as the flat ones in the hospital are lousy. I washed mine beforehand. And you may want it for the car ride home. Take one of those paper Listerine breath fresheners to pop in your mouth after the radiology swallow to get that awful taste from your mouth. Or even a tiny squeeze of your toothpaste! The bit of water they gave me did not cut it. Bring an eye mask if you don't have a private room. And one more thing: DON'T GET ON THE scale FOR A FEW DAYS....YOU WILL BE SWOLLEN AND RETAINING IV FLUIDS ETC. I feel my weight loss in the shirt I put on this morning that didn't fit two weeks ago!

I found that chicken broth was satisfying and somewhat filling. It also had sodium that you might be otherwise lacking and causing the light-headedness.

I discovered that I need to be sitting upright completely when drinking or it wouldn't "go down"! I used to guzzle Crystal Light all day, and over ice. Day 5 post surgery and plain Water at room temp works best.

i'm brand new and looking forward to my surgery 3/4/13. The only people who know I'm having the VSG are my closest friends and family. It's no one's business how I lose the weight. And if no one knows there will be no expectations and questions like "how much weight did you lose this weekend." Until I get near my goal weight I will simply tell people "i'm working hard at it" when they ask how I'm losing weight or complimenting me. A few friends have had the surgery and I know they got kind of sick of people commenting all the time but isn't it better that people support and compliment you rather than think you're too fat?