zenandnow

Congrats Pepper Paul, that's quite an achievement! And an inspiration to those of us sleeved after you! Glad to see you looking so happy in your 2nd pic

You have to eat very small bites, and it helps to put the fork down & sit back for a few minutes between bites. I literally push back from my plate. It's a completely different pace than I'm used to. I try to use the time to talk to whomever I'm with, or if I'm alone I read or do something in between. I have to retrain myself to slow down and listen to my body. I've had a few instances where I eat too fast & it just makes me sick. Not worth it. My food does get cold, but I'm getting used to it. I try to choose foods that are ok hot or cold!

Pre-op I was taking gummy Vitamins ( you know, those vitamins that are like gummy bears?). Are these ok to take post-op? I've tried taking the chewable vitamins, but they taste so bad they make me gag. I haven't read or heard anything about the gummy ones, and they're so much easier for me to take. I can get them in multi-Vitamin, Calcium, etc. Thanks!

So, according to my surgeon gummy vitamins are fine with him as long as I chew them well. Since what you consume is absorbed in your intestines, they have plenty of time to break down. I've been eating them for about a week and all is well. For those of you who are allowed to have gummies I recommend them!!

Hi AHM2013! I had surgery in Concord CA with Dr. Cirangle. I would say overall my experience has been good, although I've struggled with a few issues (all self-created). I'm a very impatient person, so making myself go slow - whether it's in my eating or my expectations of progress - is very challenging. The progression from liquids to soft foods has been difficult because I am impatient to get to 'regular' food. I've also had a few instances of the 'foamies' because I'm still learning how to gauge when I'm full or eating too fast. That part has been the hardest, because when it happens it literally takes hours to resolve (at least for me). I've also had to adjust to the fact that although I need to incorporate soft foods into my daily intake, I HAVE to maintain my Protein intake. I had about three days where I missed my protein goals by a LOT, and my energy just plummeted. Thankfully it was over the weekend and I could rest, but I've learned that for me, it is crucial to get my protein in. I also struggled with feeling really depressed the first week post-op. It decreased the second week, and has gotten better in the third week although I still have moments of regret. But they are fleeting and I know I'll feel differently as I progress. I just remind myself that it's normal, many sleevers feel this, and it passes for all but a very few people. Besides - it's not like I can reverse it! Believe it or not, that fact alone helps me get past it. No sense dwelling on what you can't change. As of today I am 23 lbs down from my starting weight (2 lbs pre-op and 21 post-op). I feel that 20+ loss a lot, in my joints, in my comfort level in moving around, and a little bit in my clothes - but it hasn't really become noticeable to the people around me. This is a double-edged sword for me, because I absolutely hate being the center of attention, but I do want some validation that I've lost 23 lbs! I haven't had a loss like that in years, and it took me months to achieve it, so I kind of wish it was noticeable. But again - I have to have patience, it will come. Although I like the idea of being able to wear smaller (and cuter) clothes, I really did make the decision to do this for my health. I'm lucky in that I didn't have any major pre-op health issues, but it was just a matter of time before I did. Nobody dodges that bullet. Minor issues were snoring, joint pain, lower back pain, lack of energy, and my inability to do stuff I wanted to do - either because I physically couldn't do it or because I didn't want to be the fat girl doing it! This forum has helped me a lot with getting past the negatives & focusing on the positives. This surgery isn't easy, and anyone who says it is is either lying or has had a drastically different experience than most people (always possible, and I have read some posts on here from people who breezed through, but I think they're in the minority). But it's not about the 'easy', it's about the 'worth it'. And I definitely think it is. I also think that the negative things I've experienced up to this point will fade (kinda like childbirth!) and I will be glad I took steps to become healthy. Probably more than you wanted to know, but I hope it helps! Best, zen

Hi! I had my surgery on 5/16. I'd be happy to buddy up if you want. I also use My Fitness Pal to track my 'food' (I'm still on liquids and soft foods), exercise and progress. If you'd like to friend me there too my username is Chopperq23. Congrats on getting to this point! It's a tough road, but there's lots to look forward to!

I've struggled with this too. I manage a team of 10 people, and work with a pretty big department, so they all knew I was out for 2&1/2 weeks, but not why. I only told my hubby and my parents. I swore them to secrecy because i have a skinny, bit**y sister who will never let it go & give me merciless grief about it. I do not feel a need to share with anyone else - it's none of their business, and I don't want to hear uninformed commentary. I've lost 20 lbs (pre-op 239) but only one person has commented on it. I think because they think I was on medical leave for an illness & it would be 'rude' to comment on. They just say "you look great!" It is kind of lying by omission, by why do I owe personal details to anyone other than those closest to me? My medical decisions are private. I also feel vindicated in this decision because there's one nasty woman at work who literally looked me up & down and asked me point blank if I had WLS. Before I could even answer she said "you might think you took the easy way out, but it won't last. You end up gaining it all back. Look at Carnie Wilson!" Too bad there is a policy against slapping people at my work!

What is the difference between sliming & foaming? I'm 3wks post-op and I've had the foamies 3 times; they last for HOURS and basically kill all my goals for that day because I'm vomiting foam every 15 minutes for hours on end. Are slimies the same thing? Is it normal to have them that far post-op? Just wondering what to expect. Thanks!

I moved into the soft foods phase yesterday (sleeved 5/16/13), and today I ate too fast, or maybe too much (?) and I had the foamies from 9am to 9pm! I'm exhausted, thirsty, and feeling like I've failed. Any advice or words of encouragement? Am I ever going to get this right? I go back to work on Monday & I'm worried about having the foamies at work. I can't spend the day in the ladies room! Help!

Thank you everyone!! Laura-Ven, that's the first real explanation of what the foamies are that I've read yet, so thank you for that! It sounds like eggs need to be off my personal list for now too, so I'll ignore them for awhile & try at a later stage. While I do like them, they aren't one if my absolute favorites, so I can deal with it. I hadn't heard that about pea-sized bites. I've been taking smaller bites, but I'll try to go even smaller to see how that works. I did decide to go back to liquids for a few days. I read in another post that your stomach is not fully healed for six weeks; I'm only 2 1/2 weeks post-op, so maybe that's why I'm having troubles. At any rate, I want to give my tummy a rest. Thank you all for the advice & support!!

Thanks Laura-Ven. I had two small bites of scrambled egg this morning, which is on my approved list of soft foods, but it happened again! It's been three hours now and I'm still throwing up foam every 15 minutes. I KNOW I didn't eat more than 1/4 cup, and I ate it really slowly. I'm not sure why this is happening. The other thing is, when this happens I can't get in all my Protein and Fluid because I literally spend hours throwing up foam.

Does anyone take fiber while still on liquids?

Hi Janice - I know, kinda gross, but this is the place to ask! I've had the same issue, but I haven't 'gone solid' yet. I've read a couple other posts on VST that say this is normal, but it sure gets old! I'm 2 weeks post-op tomorrow, and don't have my first Dr appt for another 2 weeks, so I can't ask anyone but the folks on here. Even with the gross stuff people seem to be pretty helpful. Looking forward to seeing what more veteran sleepers have to say.....does this issue end eventually and do we get back to normal?

My energy came back slowly but quickly. I think it just takes our bodies a little while to get used to such a drastic reduction in fuel. I do notice that I still get tired sooner than I used to, and when I do, I'm done. No reserves to draw on, I have to stop whatever I'm doing and rest (sometimes even take a nap). Going back to work is going to be hard, but I'm looking at it like this is part of listening to my body more than I used to.

I am also about 2 weeks out (May 16) and today experienced 'foamies' for the first time. Absolute YUCK. I think I ate 2 bites too many, not long after that the pain in my chest started. I tried walking it off, but by the time I got back home I knew I was going to throw up. Oddly, it wasn't as bad as throwing up used to be pre-op. But I have been throwing up foam every 15-20 minutes for about 4 hours now. I'm starting to feel better, but I'm pretty worn out. Also feel incredibly thirsty, but I don't dare drink anything for fear of starting it up again! Definitely not as bad as what you've gone through, but hopefully you won't have to add this to your experience. I hope you feel better soon!!

My surgery was May 16. My doc has me on liquids for 2 weeks, 'soft' foods (greek yogurt, cottage cheese, soft tofu) for week 3 - 5, then if I'm doing well I can progress to regular food. It's interesting to see the different guidelines that people are given - when you can eat, what you can eat, pre-op diets, etc. I've lost 13 lbs post-op. Just started walking, trying to get in 1.5 miles a day to start with. It's getting easier to get liquids down, I can take slightly bigger sips now than in the beginning. No nausea, but am having some 'digestive issues' about 30 minutes after I have my morning shake and sometimes later in the day. Other than that, feeling better every day. My mood has improved too - the first week I was feeling really low. Wondered if I'd done the right thing, was this going to work, etc., etc. The panic has gone now that I'm able to drink a little more, and I'm really looking forward to the next food stage. Good luck to all my fellow May sleevers! I appreciate reading about everyone's experience, it's very encouraging to know that everyone is different and I'm not 'abnormal' in my weight loss pace or how I feel.

I am having this problem too, but it doesn't seem to be related to a particular Protein shake, so I can't cut it out. It happens about 30 minutes after I start my first meal(shake), although I occasionally experience it later in the day also. I am 11 days post-op, so I'm hoping my tummy will settle down soon. I go back to work in a week and I don't want to have to dash to the ladies room unexpectedly...it's a loooong way from my desk! Anyone else experiencing this, not related to a specific protein drink/food? Any suggestions?

I'm a May 16th-er too. I didn't have any drains (I guess not everyone does?), and I had some bloating but not too bad. I haven't gotten a scale yet (my pre-op one died a few weeks before my surgery) so I've only weighed once since surgery. As of yesterday I was down 12 lbs, but since it's not the same scale I weighed on pre-op I'm not sure how accurate that was. Also, I think if I had weighed sooner it wouldn't have shown much of a loss; pretty sure I still had a lot of Fluid retention. I would be interested in keeping in touch with other 5/16 patients to kind of see how I'm doing. I know everyone is different, but I could really use the support. If you're interested, please friend me. I'm also on My Fitness Pal and am looking for friends there too - message me and I will send you my username. KrysMom271 - hope you're doing well and don't get discouraged. You're doing great!!

Hi - I'm looking for a buddy too. My surgery was 5/16. I'm on My Fitness Pal too if you'd like to connect to support there via diet & exercise, let me know!