ScottsGirl

From the beginning of my WLS journey, which hasn't been all that long, I've often wondered what the big deal about eating sugar/sweets was after the surgery. From the puree stage on, I have put brown sugar in my Malto Meal and oatmeal, and have eaten foods like ice cream, candy, cake etc.. Mind you, I eat these things in moderation (a bite or two) although I have days when I eat several small pieces of candy - Halloween! and I have still managed to lose weight. I know that it helps that I power-walk everyday, but even if I don't, why is it that sugar is considered the enemy. I see people talking about only using artificial sweeteners and I often wonder if they know that excessive amounts of these chemicals could and probably will cause permanent neurological damage to their brain. When you weigh the options, I'd chose to risk gaining a few ounces rather than damage the few cells that I have left in my brain. What's more, I eat whatever food I want, but again, I like stuff like Trader Joe's tofu nuggets a lot (crisped up in the toaster oven - divine!) and other healthy foods; I'm a huge lentil fan! I don't eat diet foods, I don't eat sugar-free anything anymore, nor do I stay completely away from faster foods. And, yes, I make and eat fried chicken! All the while, I have lost more weight in the last few months than I have in several years, I feel great most days, my diabetic symptoms are gone, and haven't lost my hair... yet! I take my Vitamin everyday, drink my Protein shake, drinks 40+ ounces of Water a day, and make sure I exercise every single day. Please note that I only eat 5 ounces of foods at a time, 3 times a day, and 1-2 Snacks a day - Pirate's Booty, yum! So, is there anyone else out there that has been a food rebel like me that has the same or contradicting experiences as I have, and how far out are you? I would really like to know, especially if you have a year or more. Thanks for reading!

Keep walking (increase distance and/or speed) and you need to make sure that you eat ALL of your meals, if not, you could slow your metabolism and this is probably how you got heavy in the first place. You probably waited until you were overly hungry and then ate too much at one time. Don't let your body store the carbs that you are eating, eat the way your surgeon & nutritionist tells you to. Only you can make this work, and it sounds to me like you already know what you're doing may be the wrong thing to do for you. Everyone is going to have different results, but there are definitely things that you can do to increase your chances of success with the tool that we're given. I prefer to lose slower, but I didn't have that much to lose to begin with. No one ever told me that this was going to be an easy way out of morbid obesity, it's like a marriage, it takes a lot of work, planning and commitment. Take control as only you can! You WILL get there!

Everyone is going to be a little different, but this is totally normal in comparison to me. Most of the weight-loss pre-op was probably just Water, not all, but most. I went through the same thing, didn't lose much right out of the gate, and only about two pounds a week for the first month. I thought I was doing something wrong, but no, it was just my body adjusting. Make sure you take little walks a few times a day or as your surgeon suggests; this helps! I didn't see noticeable weight-loss until about six weeks out; I started losing up to three to five pounds a week (walking everyday & eating what I was supposed to). My surgeon is happy with my progress and suggest that slower weight-loss is better, I might not lose my hair and I will most likely keep it off. Please don't get discouraged, and if possible, don't pay attention to the scale much, you just might shrink inches greatly before the numbers start to show on a scale. As far as NOT feeling full, this is OK too, although, you don't want to feel full, you have to be VERY careful to only consume enough to satisfy without filling your pouch to the max. Stretching it could cause major probs. Only consume the amount of ounces that your surgeon says to. I made the mistake of logging my inches and weight in the beginning and stopped a couple of weeks out. If you can, be consistent with this so that you can track your progress better and you'll see how well you are doing in the near future! Much luck to you!

Psychological perhaps? Are you prone to anxiety attacks?

It's just water gain, stay away from foods high in sodium and don't add salt to anything. Give it a few days you should be fine!

Side note: With sweets (as a snack), I only eat 2 or 3 bites because I'm satisfied at that point, not because it fills me up; it would take more than a few lil bites to do that. I have had a fast food burger once (4 bites and I was good). I don't seem to have a problem stopping eating, and I usually do stop when I am satisfied not full; I take a full 30 minutes to eat most times. If I don't have 30 minutes, I eat much less. My eating habits generally are good, I am just saying that I eat sweets a few times a week and don't see what the big deal is. My surgeon and my PC doctor seem to be very satisfied with my progress. I know that in a year things may be a different, but only if I allow them to be! Will post on this topic in a year to let you know

I read this exact same thing on another site, I chose cliff notes from the obesityhelp.com forum. My surgeon, NUT and nurse all told me that dumping syndrome is not a symptom that is experienced by sleeve patients, and slider foods are only slider foods for others because with the sleeve you don't have a problem getting Proteins down like most GB or LB patients, I have a LB friend that has this issue... but whatever, everyone seems to say something different.

This phrase is usually used for patients that have the Lap Band or Gastric Bypass surgery. It's food that are mushy and high in carbs that go down easily, ie: ice cream, thus the word "slider". Some foods like chips, rice, bread and Cookies are also considered to be slider foods for some reason. This should not be much of a problem for someone that has had the sleeve gastrectomy done. Hope this helps!

Awesome! I'm feeling what you're feeling too!

Think positive thoughts! Call on Tuesday

I'm not your surgeon, so you can take my advice or leave it, but I did it and I am fine. I was really careful to puree the crap out of everything though! Oh, and I only ate 2-3 ounces at a time (about every 2-4 hours), drank liquids opposite meals, and got max protein grams in each day. A couple of days early is not a huge deal, my surgeon was OK with it too. Good luck!

I've never heard anyone speak of such a thing, they may be trying to just keep making money off of you as long as they can! You don't need any of that stuff if you're going to have or have had the GS surgery, although it's up to you and your WLS doc. Maybe this is a question for your surgeon. ?

Dumping is known as a reaction to sugar or other rich foods, and only usually common with ppl that have had gastric bypass surgery; not sleeve gastrectomy . It sounds like you either have mild food poisoning or a stomach virus. Just drink your fluids and eat very little like you are, if it gets worse or doesn't improve in a few days, you should go to your PCP. I hope you feel better quickly

I've been eating them since the 6 week point. Just chew them very well - yum!

If your employer opted to cover the surgery, you shouldn't have any problems. You might want to call your network provider and find out the staus, it couldn't hurt!

Trader Joe's has a chewable multi-Vitamin (about $8 for 3mo supply) that has 100% of daily Thiamin. Here's a picture of it... I've used them for years

The reason people are able to eat more popcorn than anything else is because it breaks down into mush pretty much. You don't want to eat popcorn too early because of the kernals possibly getting stuck. If you miss popcorn that much, there's always the alternative - Pirates Booty (or the generic of it), that's what I eat now as a light snack. It has a little protein in it, but if you need more you can always eat an ounce or so of cheese with it. Just a thought.

Ask your surgeon to do his own tests and clear you himself, that's what my surgeon did... what would they do if you didn't have a PCP? Pay out-of-pocket to see a cardiologist that will clear you if you must! Elevated cholesterol is not a good reason to NOT clear you, that's the whole point of the surgery; to reverse high numbers, your PCP is being ridiculous - power trip! You'll figure it out

I bet if your family or friends needed your egg(s) they would be all for it! Ask yourself this first, "Would I donate my eggs if I didn't need the money?" Do what you got to do, but you could also try to get the PS paid for with a grant... http://www.wlsfa.org/looking-for-help/how-to-apply-for-a-grant/

They probs won't test for drugs, but inhaling the smoke itself could cause ulcers after surgery, so you should consider quitting for life. No pressure! I've heard that even second-hand smoke isn't safe.

Congrats on your sleeve! What you're experiencing is totally normal, your fundus is gone so the liquid/food is in closer contact with the other side of your stomach that wouldn't normally be unless you've absolutely stuffed yourself. I'm not sure that eating soup is a good idea yet unless it's just broth. Follow jatherley's advice, and space your sips apart. I used to set a timer to go off ever five minutes and take a sip. Don't stress out over it, you will adjust and feel semi-normal eventually. Hope this helps!

Without a doubt, I would have Dr. Houman Solomon do my surgery again! He is top in the field and is one of the few prestigious members of the ASMBS (see links below). Let me know if you have any questions (PM me) http://www.southbaysurgeons.com/profiles_hsolomon.php http://asmbs.org/mission-and-purpose/

Welcome to the club - congratulations!

I'm glad to see that you're feeling better! You look great!

It WILL get easier! I am only 4 weeks out and am able to gulp 4-5 oz of water and I eat whatever soft foods I want, I just can't eat a lot of it. You'll see! You did this for all the right reasons. You'll get past the hard part and will be fine. You'll get thin AND be happy that you did it, just give it time! Congrats on the weight loss, I've not lost as much as you! Be grateful