Girl on the Blvd

Glad you are doing well. My surgery/recovery was remarkably easy. I do remember gas pains which was expected and lasted a very short time. I had trouble drinking even the small amount I was instructed to consume. Follow your doctors instructions and you will do great.

I am 63 and was sleeved in April 2013. I have no regrets and am glad I chose the sleeve over by pass. I have not reached my doctors goal weight but have lost 90 pounds. It was a slow weight loss and I did very little exercise (shame on me). I am able to walk pain free and can really enjoy the things I love; gardening and travel. Prepare yourself for a lifetime commitment. I will never drink soft drinks or caffeinated drinks of any kind. I eat small meals and have to watch out for those sliders like ice cream that go down so easily. My tastes have changed and I no longer like beef of any sort. A picture of a grilled steak makes me queasy. I cannot tolerate bread, pasta or rice which is ok since they were never my favorites. I drink a protein drink at least once a day and have learned to make protein smoothies that are a great substitute for the ice cream I love. If you have a specific question, let me know. Follow your doctors instructions and you will be fine!

I felt down the first few weeks after surgery and still get that way at times. I only lost 3 oinds thenfirst month. I was eating around 600 calories a day and me nutritionist said I had to increase calorie intake. It was very hard to consume so many calories, but I did increase my intake a little and lost 10 pounds the second month. I'm in my third month now and feel a bit discouraged again. I've put my scales out of sight for a while and will only weigh monthly at my doctor's office. I am going to tell the, that I can't force myself to eat. I eat 3 small meals a day and healthy Snacks in between. Still not nearly consuming the 1000 calories they suggested for me. I LOVE Water so that's not a problem. I find the more I drink, the more I want. So try to increase your water intake a little each day. As for carbonated beverages, my doc said I had to make a lifetime commitment to eliminate them. And I did. Hang in there. This is the forum for you. Loosing slowly seems to be the only way for me. One good thing about slow weight loss, people don't notice right away and you don't have to explain or defend your decission to have WLS.

I'm having the same problems. I was sleeved 4/16. Lost 12 lbs on pre-op diet and about 5 pounds first month post-op. My doctor is concerned that I'm not eating enough (400-600 calories and 60 grams Protein per day) and my body is in starvation/survival mode. They told me to increase calories to 1000-1200/day. Now that I'm on soft foods, that's a little easier to do, but still hard. I'm not weighing again until my next appointment (6/21). I'm sure I've lost a few more pounds, but not the rate the doctor would expect. They told me that the majority of weitght is lost during the first months following surgery and it gets much harder after that. I don't know what else i can do - I'm following a good eating plan - three meals a day and two snack - all on approved food list. I could increase exercise, but haven't. I feel great and have gone down one full size in clothes. I too worry that this isn't workling for me like all the other diets I've tried, but staying positive that slowly this will work.

What amount of calories does your doctor recommend? Looks like your weight loss is quite good. Thanks for the reply mad good luck to you as we'll.

I'm a slow looser. Sleeved on 4/16/2013; starting weight 227 and have lost only 6 pounds since surgery. My doctor is concerned with my slow weight loss. I get in at least 60 grams of Protein, but average 600 calories per day. The doctor says if I don't increase my calorie intake, I won't loose weight. He also advised that most weight loss occurs early after surgery and gets much harder after 5-6 months out. It is very difficult to eat more than I am currently eating. This week I started soft foods and eat healthy Snacks between meals. Also, getting more activity now that the weather is so nice. I'm hoping those things will help with weight loss. I've gone down a size in clothes and have never felt better. Have more energy and enthusiasm for life Than I've had in a long time. All positive non weight loss goals. Should I be worried? Anyone else struggling with slow weight loss due to low calorie intake? How many calories do you average daily? Any suggestions? Seems crazy to force myself to eat!

Getting thru the hoops to get to,surgery took me 3 years, but it was worth it. Other than extremely slow weight loss, I have no concerns or regrets. The surgery and recovery were surprisingly easy. I was back at work after one week. Please keep me posted on your next doctor visit.

I stalled after 2 weeks! My surgery was 4/16. I lost approximately 16 pounds but most of that was post diet. I have to force myself to eat; I have no appetite. I probably average 500 calories a day, but I am getting in my Protein. My doctor said that is just not enough calories. I'm going back to two Protein drinks between my 'mushie' meals. Is anyone else having a hard time getting in 1000 calories/day? Very discouraged right now.

Today was my my 2 week post-op visit. I lost 17 pounds on the pre-op liguid diet, but only 4-5 additional at the two week post-op point. The doctor told me that although I am getting in 60 grams of Protein, my calorie intake of 400-600 calories/day is too low. I start on mushies today and have to track my protein and calorie intake to ensure i get in at least 1000 calories/day. I'm not hungry so this is gonna be hard. I was very discouraged that i had lost so little weight in 2 weeks and eating so little food. Am beginning to think this surgery is not working for me. Otherwise, I feel great. Went back to work after one week and have tons of energy. Anyone else experience something similar? I know the weight will come off, it's just discouraging right now. Thanks

I had that too. I think mine was gas. All gone now.

My doctor told me to work up to 60 grams of protein per day. I mix a protein drink in the morning and alternate that with sips of water. Four days post-op, I can only get in 20 grams of protein. How are you getting in your protein? What did your doctor suggest?

I've been preparing for surgery for two years. During that time I've made many adjustments among them: giving up diet sodas and caffiene, limiting carbs and eliminating added artificial sweetners (my choice). When I was fianlly approved for surgery, my doctor quickly scheduled surgery. I immediately went on the full liquid diet; no time to graze my favorite restautants or even have my 'last gorge meal'. On Tuesday, suregry day, I will have been on liquids for two weeks and I haven't had any real hunger or weakness. Did anyone else have this experience? The only issue is all the sweet tastes. I do eat cream of chicken soup and broths to help with that, but would appreciate other suggestions. I had my doctor look over all the potein drinks and found some were not true meal replacements, so I'm making adjustments, but everything else has been fine - no hunger, good energy and sleep very well. All the dread of these 2 weeks was a non-issue for me.

I am in the hospital recovering from sleeve surgery. I'm in some pain and asked for something other than what they were giving me via I'V. The nurse aded toradol l which is helping, but I've read many negative side effects from this medication. It's very harsh on your stomach and can lead to ulcers. Has anyone used this as a pre-op drug while in the hospital. I'll ask my surgeon as soon as I se him. Thanks.

My pre-op liquid diet is drawing to a close. Surgery in a few hours and then on to post-op liquid diet! Pixie Dust - I worried about hunger too, but it wasn't that way for me. I drink a whey isolate drink on the way to work to jump start my day. I normally have a Protein Meal Replacement for lunch and diner. Those normally have casein protein which seems to stick with me longer and keep hunger away. Between meals I have sugar free Jello and sugar free Popsicles. After eating all that sweet tasting stuff all aday, a bowl of low fat cream of chicken soup is delicious! There are numerous brands of protein on the market. I bought what my doctor has in his office. Then I went to the Vitamin Shoppe and GNC. I told them I was having WLS and they were very helpful in educating me and showing me different types. Start now and buy little sample packs to see what you like. If you have trouble when you start the full 2 weeks, we're here for you. Just post. On to surgery for now!!!!!!

After 2 years, I'm finally approved for surgery on April16, 2013. I'm excited and know surgery is the correct option for me, but I'm second guessing my decision on the sleeve. Does anyone regret they didn't get gastric bypass? I choose the sleeve for all the obvious reasons, but now wonder if bypass has better long term success over sleeve. Please share your thoughts and opinions.

Thanks so much for all the comments. I'm sticking with my instincts and knowledge and going with the sleeve. Surgery is Tursday and I'm super excited.

I need to loose 80-100 pounds. I evaluated all the pros and cons and decided on the sleeve. My main concern is regaining weight. I thought there might be more success with RNY...... The most important factor to maintaining weight loss will be attitude and lifestyle changes. Thanks for all the comments.