vsginkc

I put a little bit of sugar free hershey's chocolate syrup in mine with a splenda. It's yummy.

I agree totally with smryan. I'm 11 days post op. If I absolutely had to, I could work and probably could have at one week. That said, I'm still exhausted. I can do about an hour or two of stuff and then I need a nap. I took 2 weeks off work, which will end up being 17 calendar days and I think I'll be more than ready to go back next Monday. Good luck!

I'm 11 days out of surgery. At the "big" incision site where they pulled the stomach out, i have pain and a hard spot underneath. Although I suspect it is normal, just wanting some reassurance that this is normal and not some developing hernia. Anyone else have this?

Great update, Girl! You're doing great!

Thanks Jenny! I feel better!

Hey! What was the outcome on this? I'm having the same issue and wondering if it is normal?? Thanks!!

I'm in the same boat. I am only 11 days post-op and I could eat 8oz no problem if I let myself (and I'd love to let myself - I'm hungry!). A 5.3 oz of greek yogurt is no problem at all. My doctor wasn't worried, but I am... LOL. Interested to see what others say. Best of luck to all of us! -Angela

I've kind of gotten my head around protein shakes for breakfast for the indefinite future. I don't mind them as long as it is only one per day.

I did mine in Kansas City for 12k. I also considered Mexico.

Ha! I'm so glad you are 6 days out and not 6 mos out. I read your initial post and thought, "Oh ****" - this means this doesn't get better"...hahah. I'm 10 days out and I'm hungry. My surgeon promises this will go away when I get to solids. Here's hoping he's right! Good luck! Hang in there!

I had a horrible time with the pre-op diet. I made it "clean" the last four days pre-surgery (and it about killed me). I know that some believes this bodes poorly for after surgery. All I can tell you is that post-surgery, I haven't struggled at all. Just don't feel like eating. Especially crap. GOOD LUCK! You can do it - climb back on the horse!

You did better than I did. I'm 10 days POST-op (which isn't much different than pre-op diet). I decided I'm just not ready for outings like these where there is food and alcohol (and cigarettes). I know I will learn to handle these things, but right now I'm too new to this way of life. Good luck to you! The weekend will be over before you know it!!

I'm horrible about this. I'm still in the soft food stage but, for instance, I just ate 1/2 cup of refried beans and it didn't take me very long. I'd try to wait 20 seconds between bites and even that is a stretch for me. I know I have to work on this...

Thanks for this great info!

For the first year following VSG, what did you shoot for in terms of calories and carbs in order to lose weight? I am only 10 days post op and I'm already getting around 900 cals and about 120-125 carbs per day. Met with my doctor last week and he didn't really talk about calories or carbs and didn't seem concerned about what I am consuming. He gave me the impression that "my body would know." I should probably just trust him and let it rest, but of course I'm a bit panicked about what I am eating. I know that my info packet says 600-800 cal per day post surgery, but is that because that's all most people can handle or is it because that's what it takes post-VSG to lose weight? On one hand, I have to believe the handouts, which say 600-800/day. But at the same time, I know pre-WLS, if I was at 1200 cal/day, I lost pretty consistently. Thoughts appreciated. Thanks, Angela

You're NOT going backwards! Your weight loss has been incredible! To the extent you have been off the wagon, now you gotta get back on the horse!! You know what to do.... Less carbs, more protein, make sure you are getting your water in. Cut out any sugar you're eating. It's just like in the beginning (where I am!!!) - once sugar goes in, cravings start. Once you get the sugar out of the system, the cravings subside. YOU CAN DO THIS! (And, you're doing great! Don't be too hard on yourself!)

My doctor said that if I drink from a straw and it doesn't bother me, go for it. And I do

I only met with my surgeon one time before surgery and it lasted 5-10 minutes. He was an hour late. I gave him crap about it and he responded, "You won't have to see me much. You just need to decide whether I have the credentials to do your surgery and, if so, am I the guy you want." He was right. He came highly recommended and I went with him. On smoking, I was told a minimum of 2 weeks. I quit at exactly 2 weeks, cold turkey. It was easy! Good luck! Angela

Oh sweetpea! I get it! I am now 7 days post-op and I felt like you at Day 3. I really turned a corner yesterday. Just hang in there. Sleep as much as you possibly can. When you can't sleep, do something mindless and let your body rest. Others recommend exercise/walking which helps with some of that gas. For me, I was too tired. But it did get better each day. Again, just hang in there!

I'm a big fan of mind games. Tell yourself you lost 15 lbs in month one and 15 lbs in month two. I know it sounds silly, but when you look at it like that, it's AWESOME weight loss. Give your body time to catch up - it's been through a lot and it is being responsive. Hang in there! You're doing great!

Hi all. I have done a lot of griping and obsessing on this forum. I had my 1 week post-op appt today and it was very reassuring. Here's what I came away with. I share it because I hope it might help reassure some of you: 1. I only lost 6 lbs in one week. Response: That's fine. You're body is adjusting. Don't pay much attention to the scale at this point. Your 2 mos post op will tell the tale. 2. I'm scared I'm stretching my sleeve because I can drink Fluid with no limit. Response: Don't worry to much about that. 3. I seem to do better getting my fluids with a straw. Response: Then use one. 4. I'm scared that I'm stretching my sleeve because I can already eat a 5.5 oz yogurt in one sitting. Response: don't worry about it. But make sure you aren't drinking fluids before or after meals (30 min). Once you get to solids, you won't do that. 5. I'm worried about having to track Protein, calories, carbs for the rest of my life. I can't do it. Does that mean I will fail? Response: Not at all. Everyone is different. Some patients track religiously and that's great. Many patients say that after a few months, they don't need to track because they already know what they can and cannot eat and what it means to get in adequate protein. That is certainly true at 6 mos to a year post-op. You'll be fine. 6. I'm exhausted. I read about people exercising at my stage post-op and I just cannot fathom it. I sleep during the day and then sleep again at night. Is this normal? Response: Yes, totally normal. Everyone is different. You had major surgery. You'll likely turn a corner when you start eating more solid food (starting this week w/ refried Beans, eggs, cottage cheese, tuna, yay!!!) 7. I am weepy. I am prone to depression and I'm worried that surgery has been a trigger. Response: Don't worry yet. Many people report their emotions being all over the place as the hormones stabilize post-surgery. This should subside with time. That said, stay on your medications. That's all I can remember, but the bottom line is that he was very reassuring. I got the impression that there is just a lot of variation among patients and that's ok. Feeling much better, Angela

Hey - not much time to type (trying to get 9 year old to bed) but will try to give more response later. Bottom line: I have a 9-year old too and we went through the EXACT same thing. I cancelled surgery twice b/c of it. Finally went through with reassurance to son and daughter that mommy had done her research and this was going to be very safe and a lot healthier. Had surgery, went great. So glad I did it!

Agree with all that has been said. I met with my surgeon today and he reiterated that this was major surgery. Be gentle with yourself. You'll turn that corner soon.

You'll be absolutely fine and so glad you did it! Good luck!

I am feeling really overwhelmed. If I could have eaten 6 small meals, tracked all Water, Protein, calories, and carbs, I wouldn't have gotten myself in the position of needing WLS. I am frustrated with myself because I don't know what I thought -- I knew the sleeve was just a tool and wasn't a magic wand. I guess I just thought that it would be easier to keep track of stuff in my head without having to worry about looking up nutritional information and writing it all down every day. Any thoughts?