Thinner1Day

Jo, When I started this whole journey I was 211. There was a delay in waiting for my surgery to be authorized so I stayed on the pre-surgery diet for almost a month and lost about 20 pounds! By the time I had surgery I was 190. That month of pre-surgery dieting was AWFUL! I'm sure if I hadn't had the surgery as my goal I couldn't have done that. And for sure I couldn't have kept the weight off!

Just checking in! Down to 160 and holding for the last month. I feel great, still taking my Vitamins of course. I started having some hair loss about a month ago. I hear it starts to come back by 8 months. I hope they're right! I would like to lose another 15-20 lbs, but honestly I have not tried. I think my sleeve has stretched a bit and I've been enjoying eating whatever I want. I'll have to put some rules on that! I still can't drink large amounts in one swallow. I use those skinny little coffee stirrer straws to limit the amount I drink at one time. I had gotten so burned out on Protein shakes I haven't been able to touch them for a while. I had my first one in 2 months yesterday and it wasn't bad. I think my plan will be to start back on Protein Shakes for Breakfast (and stop eating anything I want...ya think!) to get some more weight loss going. I'm SO glad I had this surgery though. I have a lot more energy and a much more positive attitude about my looks and increased self confidence! Hope everyone else is doing well =)

Does anyone have some ideas about traveling shortly after the surgery? We will be flying from Houston to Boston staying in that area a week (NH, CT, MA) then flying home to Houston. I'm doing well on full liquids right now and will be in puree/soft foods stage by then. I know I'll take some protein powder, but after that I have no master plan! Has anyone had to travel while still on the post-op diet?

I had odd pains the first week or so. Sometimes burning like too much acid in my stomach, sometimes felt like hunger. That has definitely gone now at 4 weeks. If a pill was stuck it would dissolve after a few hours. My MD made me crush pills the first two weeks. Yuck. Hunger doesn't feel the same to me as it did pre-sleeve, just a mild empty feeling. I have to really watch for it and remind myself to eat!

I was SO sick of sweet protein shakes I started experimenting with "real" food on week 3! So far I've had success with cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, veggie hamburger patties (lots of protein in those), milk and cheerios and even peanut butter on toast! Small amounts of each like half a piece of toast, half the veggie patty, 1/4 c of egg and cottage cheese. NOT so successful: lobster bisque, gelato and a few bites of some particularly rich appetizers! I had 4 sips of wine on my birthday yesterday and did ok. I listen carefully to what my sleeve is saying, if she says stop...I stop! (Mostly because I learned the hard way on the gelato!)

Help! Is this normal? Will it resolve itself?? My main scar (where the stomach was removed) right above my belly button is stuck to the underlying tissue. It looks like a second belly button! Will I have to have another procedure to loosen it up?

Thanks for the feedback! I'm using the topical scar stuff and am not really worried too much about the appearance of the skin. That looks pretty good. Internally the scar is sticking to the fascia underneath and causing an indentation...like a belly button. I'll try massage to see if that helps. It also hurts when I stretch because the skin is sticking to the tissue underneath and not moving.

I've definitely had dumping syndrome even though my MD assured me that doesn't happen with the sleeve. Once on gelato and once on lobster corn chowder. (What was I thinking??) Severe nausea, rapid heart rate, dizziness. Diarrhea didn't happen until a few hours later. I've had milder episodes (increased heart rate, dizziness, mild nausea) with breads and protein bars. My poor sleeve. I keep experimenting but it lets me know when I mess up for sure! It helps to lay on your left side (speeds up gastric emptying) and be still and quiet for at least 30 minutes.

Hello experts! I'm post op day 3 and having trouble with liquids going down. My throat feels tight like there's a pill stuck in there. Of course have not swallowed anything solid. My sleeve cramps when I drink liquids and I feel slightly nauseated. Is this normal?

Very good to know! I'll check out the blender at Target and I think I'll look at some fast food websites to see if they have any nutritional info on their menu items. My plan is taking shape! Thanks so much

I'm almost a week out and I get these cramping waves of burning pain when I haven't put anything in the sleeve for an hour or two. Should I be continuously sipping water or something all the time? Anybody else get these? Will it go away? Help

No...he hasn't prescribed one. Should I be taking over the counter ones?

I woke up in post op with mine on already. Feels nice while indoors. I'm in hot steamy Texas. I'll start back to work on Thursday and plan to wear it for extra support. I don't think it's like a lipo compression garment you HAVE to wear for so many weeks after. Just your personal preference I guess.

Hi July sleevers! I think I'm just now waking up from the anesthesia! I feel much more normal today . My sleeve is teaching me the ropes...she's the boss right now for sure! It hurts if my sips are too big and I get nauseated if I put too much in. I learned a "sip" = appx 1mL for me. Barely wets my tongue! Water both flavored and unflavored makes me nauseous immediately so I'm sipping skim lactose free milk for water. I'll keep trying the water ...I really wasn't much of a water drinker before surgery though. I've had a few episodes of over salivating like before you throw up (is that frothing?) but haven't thrown up yet. I realllllly hate throwing up. As of right now I've lost more on the pre op diet than I have on post op! I started at 223, surgery weight was 190 and today I'm 180. I should mention my surgery was delayed so I was on pre-op almost a month!

Hi Cindy! I'm almost a week out and I was able to get 6 oz in this morning. I'm on full liquids so I can make protein shakes. There are tons of powders out there to make your own shake with. That way you can adjust the amount of liquid you add and still get all the protein. And when everybody says "Sip sip sip" they really mean it...like all day long! My MD says 64 oz per day. That will take me all day to get it down. I also had to learn what a "sip" is. About 1-2 mL's. Teeny amount barely enough to wet your tongue! I get nauseated if I drink too much and it hurts if my sips are too big. Good luck girl...we're on our way!

Thanks M&M! On day 5 now and I've had good days and bad..know exactly what you mean. I've had 3 episodes of the mouth watering frothing? thing. Horrible. I hate throwing up more than anything! So far I've been able to suppress the nausea without vomiting. I'm going to the store first thing in the morning for SF popsicles! That is if I don't have to take pain meds during the night!

Me too! Everything seems so sickly sweet now. I read about this happening before surgery. Sipping chicken broth as we speak. Someone told me on another post about Unjury Protein Chicken broth. I've read some people eat a saltine cracker with the broth. Good luck

Thanks for the encouragement everyone! I read a lot and searched this website before the surgery and never came across the "choking feeling". Glad to hear it's normal but will mention it to my MD on Tuesday. I'll also try the Unjury protein Chicken broth. I've already tried adding sugar free flavorings to the water, still makes me nauseous. I plan on adding SF popsicles to the menu too! Thanks again!

I am on post op day three and every time I take a sip of anything I feel like I'm choking! It goes down my throat ok but when it hits the sleeve it hurts and cramps and I get nauseated. I've also had trouble with headaches. Is this normal??

Thanks SnoChick! I'm sipping verrrrry slowly, barely enough to swallow. It hurts even on the first sip. Esophagus being smaller than the sleeve right now sounds like what I'm feeling. That makes me feel better!

I am also post op day 2 and having trouble getting liquids down. I'm having like stomach cramps and my sleeve hurts when the swallowed liquid hits it. It feels like gastric reflux all the time, like something's stuck in my throat. I've only had a little clear liquid the past two days. I'm afraid to sip anything because I know it's going to hurt! Is this caused by post op swelling in my sleeve?

On my way to the hospital.....SLEEVE DAY!!! yaaaay!!!

I'm going in tomorrow too...7:30! We got this!!

Wednesday is Sleeve day for me! I'm stocked up on Jello, Whey protein powder and SF clear liquids. Packing light for the hospital: toothbrush, chapstick, flip flops and the little pillow for my belly =) It seems like the worst part is the gas! Any last minute advice from you early July sleevers??

Thanks MaddieJ! You're my first VST friend...and we have the same starting weight and goal weight! Good luck, looks like you're on your way!