shelly13

9. Be prepared for intense fatigue for a few weeks. Like, can't lift your head off the couch, mind-numbing, bone-weary exhaustion. It was explained to me like this: if you put 20 year old fuel in your vehicle, it wouldn't run well. Right after surgery, you intake is so low that you're body has to burn it's stored fuel, and its not a high quality fuel. Get those protein drinks in and make sure you stay hydrated, hard as it is and that will help combat some of the fatigue. I promise you this, one day you WILL feel better, stronger, energized.

AGH! I am almost 3 months out and I'm losing my hair!!!! I knew it was possible, but....ACH! I get my 60 grams that my doc and dietician recommended but it still is coming out! Every day there is more and more in the drain after my shower. I'm a natural blonde so I have thin, fine hair anyway and I don't have any to spare! I bought some thickening shampoo today and got it trimmed to make it less noticeable but what can I do to stop this from happening in the first place? And while I'm asking questions, if I have to lose my hair, why can't it be from somewhere useful, like my legs or where I get my eyebrows waxed? What do you guys think? Anyone else have this going on?

Fat girls unite!!! LOVE IT!!!

You look amazing....give yourself some credit girl! I call it "fat-girl mentality" and I totally get where your coming from. I am down 57 pounds and have had to buy some new clothes, and I STILL reach for the biggest size they have on the rack. It's just YEARS of that mentality we have to break down and get over it. My hubby has fat-girl mentality too...he lost 100 pounds and he does the same thing! Good luck!

When I was at the pureed stage I got maybe 300 calories in on a good day. I am almost 3 months out and I struggle to get to 1000 calories a day. Everyone is different though, see how you feel, how your body is responding and losing and personalize what you take in for whatever works for you! Good luck!

Gas is somewhat problematic on and off, and I am nearly 3 months out. I think your immediate issue will "fizzle out" haha! on it's own in a couple weeks. As you heal and your body adjusts to your new eating patterns you'll find triggers and ways to avoid it. I still buy the econo-pack gas relief capsules at Target! Good luck!

I think that's a great idea, feel free to message me anytime!

Are you on Prilosec? Sounds like excess stomach acid. Definitely call your doc!

Well done!!!!

It's your body and you can do with it whatever you please. You don't owe anyone an explanation! You can tell as much or as little as you are comfortable with. I've been very open about WLS it's just easier for me to be honest so I never worry about who I told what to. You'll have to do what ever feels natural to you. I found people to be very supportive when they learn I had surgery. A lot of people have questions about it and how it works, including people who are obese and are afraid to take the step we took. Do what you need to do for your health. Good luck, and there is plenty of support on this site!

Yup. It may be the gas from surgery or you may be swallowing too quickly or too much.

Hola Fellow Sleevers! I am about 10 weeks out from VSG and I started tracking my food on My Fitness Pal again. I am averaging about 800-1000 calories a day and My Fitness Pal keeps telling me I am eating too few calories and could be putting my body into starvation mode and slowing my metabolism. Just wondering if anyone else has had this happen and what I can do about it. I can only eat so much (duh!) and that was the point of surgery, right? I follow the guidelines set by my surgeon and dietician and am losing consistently but much more slowly than right after surgery. Thanks guys!

I think if you are having dumping syndrome you are eating the wrong type of foods. Try going back to the basics and starting over with your immediate post op diet and progress the diet again, but without the foods that cause you to dump. Try mixing MiraLax with your water for constipation, it works and you can't taste it or smell it. Good luck!

Try the Kashi Cereals. I eat the Kashi Go Lean Crunch Honey Nut Flax (or something like that!) and it has as much protein as an egg, and it's nice and crunchy!

I don't think that is normal, please call you doctor! Good luck...keep us posted.

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to get there!!!

The first few weeks back at work were hard for me! I found that increasing my protein really helped with the fatigue. I was just bone tired weary! A couple of days I just lay on the couch and cried, I just did not feel like I could drag my butt into the car and drive in, then work a full day. Hydration and protein were key. I got those levels up and felt a million times better! I hope your return to work goes well! Good luck!

You're headed in the right direction! Best of luck to you!

Call your doctor. Post-op fevers are not good. Your surgeon needs to know.

Swallowing was hard for me for the first couple of weeks, but it has gotten much easier! You'll get there, baby steps!

I went through that, too. I upped my protein and it really, really helped! You'll get through it! Good luck!

HELP! Today is my one month surgery anniversary! YAY! My question is...when does normal digestion return? I take stool softeners every day and I have to take a stimulant laxative every 3-4 days to actually be able to go. The laxative kicks in, I go, then NOTHING until I give in and take more laxatives. This is getting ridiculous. This is definitely NOT a normal pattern for me. Pre-surgery I was a once a day kind of girl. I don't want to get dependent on these things...what has worked for you guys? Sorry to be gross!

The dreaded scale! Give yourself some time to heal! It's gonna take more than a couple weeks to lose all that weight! I know it took me years to put it on! LOL So, hop on if you want to see if/what you've lost but don't let it discourage you! You WILL lose weight and you WILL feel better, just let your body heal and adjust to your new lifestyle. Don't let that scale control you! Just work on healing, getting in your fluids and protein. Avoid the sugar and carbs and the pounds will fall off. I know the fluids/protein don't go down easily right now, but it does get better and a whole lot easier. I too hated those shakes after a couple of weeks. They get nasty quick. There is flavorless protein powder out there that you can add to anything, I found it at GNC. Also, Special K makes a protein water mix that is pretty tasty, you just add it to water like Crystal Light. Good luck! Stay strong!

Totally agree with you ladies! I have three kids and I flat our refuse to let them fall into the same patterns I did and end up like me. My kids are healthy, active and spot on for their appropriate weights for their heights. Since I had surgery, I don't want them poisoning their bodies with that fast food crap. I feel so much better just having cut that out. It took a month or so, but they have stopped even asking for it! I work full time, go to school full time and I cook three meals a day! Where there s a will, there is a way!

This IS a decision only you can make and it is a lifestyle change you have to be committed to. I will say that it took me almost 10 years to finally do it and I wish now that I had done it 10 years ago! I don't regret it for one second! You're going to run into people-friends, family, co-workers-who all have an opinion on the surgery, weight loss, diet, exercise and everything else under the sun,but they are just that-opinions, and EVERYONE had one. The best I advice I ever got was from my dad...everyone is going to give you unwanted advice, ignore it all. This is your body, your life and you can do with it what you will. Do your research, talk to folks who have had it and really evaluate your readiness to change your relationship with food. There are lots of great people on this site with great experience, find a reputable surgeon and nutritionist. Good luck!