melody2

i'm only 4 weeks out; however, at the suggestion of someone who answered a question on this forum, i began to use fitnesspal to track everything. it's a great "free" resource. also, i purchased a food scale to measure what i'm eating, keeping it between 2.5 and 3.5 ounces. i have the same fear of stretching my tummy. i can tell that eating more is easier as my tummy heals. other words of wisdom i have received: - let the sleeve manage you vs. you managing the sleeve (i finally realized this meant staying within the recommended guidelines for quantity, Protein, Water, etc.) - set goals that are weight related but not focused exclusively on "scale" related (i.e., what else to you want to accomplish by losing weight vs. just the number on the scale) - failure is not a "throw the baby out with the bathwater" kind of thing....failure is being human and accepting that we're still learning about the sleeve, eating habits and our body during the first year....we don't have to be perfect but just know that we can adjust hope this helps. easy for me to say but difficult when you're living the moment. you can do it. you got this.

the nausea will get better. walking definitely helps you to heal faster (per my doctor). wow...three miles in one day....that's pretty impressive for a week post op. you inspire me to walk a little further tonight. best wishes for continued healing and recovery.

ok, i cheat. i sip a tiny amount of water when i eating. i do not recommended that you keep the glass of water next to your plate. once i forgot and took a very large gulp without thinking. .....sigh....the sleeve said, "are you crazy....you're not supposed to drink that much water at one time and especially during a meal." yep....the sleeve corrected my behavior immediately.

definitely get itchy after taking the B12 vitamin. unfortunately, and to my great dismay (as a former potato lover), my tummy will not tolerate any type of potato in any form....the sleeve says, "no way i'm digesting this stuff.....and the sleeve instantly disposes of the problem...." .....sigh...

definitely had pains in the first couple of weeks....helps to eat slower and actually wait 2 minutes between bites (someone shared this advice with me when i posted a similar question). if the pain is constant, even when you're not eating, definitely call the doctor. and if you're worried, call the doctor's office anyway and ask to speak to his/her nurse. it's better to have peace of mind and they expect to answer such questions in the early stages. i had a problem with an incision....finally called the doctor on a Saturday morning and she asked, "why did you wait so long to call?" duh. she immediately provided a couple of solutions and gave me peace of mind.

definitely still healing. every day is different for me. i have found that the more water i consume throughout the day makes a difference in how much food i can actually hold. for me, it's a challenge to consume 64 ounces of liquid....makes it difficult to think about eating....if i consume 40 ounces of water a day, my ability to actually eat food is better...

i was allowed to eat mushy food from day 1. it's my surgeon's practice to do this for three days and begin to move toward more solid food (we had a list). i stayed on the mushy food plan for a couple of weeks...it was easier on the tummy. i had the same concerns about quantity and purchased a food scale. i weigh everything, trying to keep things in the 2.5 - 3.5 ounce range. it keeps me from being too full and allows me to manage quantity more accurately. if you look at the calorie count for homemade chicken noodle soup you'll find it's not that bad for 4 ounces. i use fitnesspal to track calories and food. however, i was surprised at the amount of salt i was consuming in the mushy food stage. yikes! can we say water weight? i'm now in the habit of asking myself, "self....is the food you're about to eat healthy and will it nourish my body?" i try to let the sleeve guide to me. ...hmmm....others have named their sleeve....maybe it's time I gave mine a name..... let your sleeve guide you.....don't sweat too much the first few weeks out...you're learning....

Take time to mourn what was and even get angry if needed. This will help with closure. For me, this was the unlimited access to food. As you move to acceptance, develop a list of goals that are weight related but not necessarily scale related. When you lose weight what do you want to be able to do? For me, I want to be able to run a 5K, not have to ask for a seat belt extender when traveling by plane, etc. Also, remember that your hormones are adjusting....it's normal to feel this way two weeks out. I know, easy for me to say but hard when you're living the moment. It will pass.....you will begin to feel better. I wish for you hope, encouragement, and strength. You can do this.

Great blog. Thank you for sharing.

Sometimes, I think, you have to mourn what was and say your goodbyes to have closure. Then you can move forward. It's not unreal to be sad or even angry about losing the thing that meant a lot to us all--food. Once, when I was upset about failing another diet, a good friend told me, "You don't have to be perfect....you just have to be." I always strived for perfection on a diet, failed, beat myself up, and started over again. Now, after surgery, I think I finally understand the "being perfect" comment....I dont' have to be perfect....I just have to be...me.

Thank you for inspiring me to develop goals that are not focused exclusively on the scale! I can't wait to make my own list.

I was recovering from a cold the day of surgery and running a low temp. As it was Day 10 of my cold, the doctor couldn't say for sure it was the cold or allergies as I live in the #5 U.S. area for pollen count. Maybe both. They still did the surgery. Just be sure to tell them that you're recovering from a cold. They gave me extra antibotics; although, coughing after the surgery was a challenge due to the incisions. Just hold a pillow to your tummy when you cough. And be sure to use that breathing thing they give you....the one where you inhale to move the little ball up and down. It helped.

I thought it was just me. My sense of smell has increased significantly. Some smells really bother me now.....like bacon cooking or steamed shrimp.

What a great post. I admire your courage and determination. You are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your story. I wish you many blessings in the coming weeks.

This is a little unusual. Ask your surgeon to see someone else.

great job! you look beautiful.

the norm is 2 days; i stayed 3 days due to a fever

congrats and good luck with the surgery.

I'm a slide sleeper and a body pillow helped, along with a pillow between my knees to take the pressure off my tummy. Lots of pillows....it does get better in time.

I didn't have a drain. Be sure to have a pillow with you for the ride home. It helps to hold the pillow to your stomach when traveling.

I'm three weeks post op and received the doctor's green light for regular food. I chose the stuffed salmon from Costco (yum!). I only ate 3 bites of a fillet and I'm stuffed....just like the salmon. The sleeve definitely works and I really dislike that "full to the top feeling." I'm not sure the total amount consumed was even 2 ounces. Using the sleeve is definitely a learning process.

It will be different--but a good different. There will be pain, nausea, bandages and gas. Sometimes you will wonder if it was worth it. Then, one day you will wake up and feel normal but also healthy...and definitely lighter. You find a new optimism.... You will find...well...you.

Great motivating comments and the right approach. Thank you.

just do the best you can until surgery. you have a couple of days to keep it liquid.

You look awesome! Great job.