BerryChic

My doc had me on soft foods after one week and regular foods after 2 weeks and it was fine. Just have to take it slow and easy when you switch to a regular diet. No problem going from liquids to softs except I couldn't tolerate eggs (Protein too dense) for several weeks and couldn't eat salads (???) or any Pasta (even in soup) for a couple months. Good luck!

Drinking with meals made me really uncomfortable for a long time. I do sip a little during my meals now but I am almost a year post op and I still am afraid to drink too much with food. I cut the 30 minutes down to about 15 by 6 months post.

I know exactly how you feel. For the first two months I could not have said I was glad I had it done even though my weight loss was great.The first month was just God-awful, much worse than I thought it would be and I thought I had made a huge mistake. I had no energy, hated eating and just didn't feel like me. The good news...most of this is over at about 3 months post op. By that time I had also found a Protein shake that I love and still drink one almost every day for a Meal Replacement and I am almost a year post. Ensure high Protein shakes are awesome! They are only 210 cal., 5g sugar, 26g protein and lots of Vitamins and minerals. There is no aftertaste and it goes down smooth and easy. I like the milk chocolate flavor because it tastes just like chocolate milk (I only drink them cold unless absolutely necessary and they aren't terrible if they are warm) The down side is they are a little pricey at $8.99/4pack on sale. Wish I would have found them when I was on liquids or mushies. They really help with getting protein in which will make you feel a lot better too. Now I have to say I just LOVE my sleeve and the life it has given back to me. I like being limited and I know as soon as I get even slightly uncomfortable, I stop eating and everything is ok. Give yourself a little more time to get to know what all the new feelings mean for you. I finally feel like a "normal" person. I used to be on 3 blood pressure meds, in pain everyday and couldn't walk 5 houses down my street without wanting to collapse. Now I am virtually pain-free, walk 1-2 miles with no problem and I am only on half of one medication. I've gone from a size 26 to a 16 and I haven't seen that number in over 20 years! Total weight loss so far is 110lbs with 80 to go and would not have believed in a million years this could happen for me. It can happen for you too. I know you feel miserable right now, but hang it there, it gets A LOT better!

Absolutely! I think the scariest part is fear of the unknown. 1)What will it feel like? 2)Will I get sick? 3)Will it be very painful? 4)Will I regret it? And after all that...5)WILL IT WORK FOR ME?? Answers: 1)Uncomfortable at first- give yourself time to heal and don't rush it. Be prepared for some rough days when you'll feel awful, but this is very temporary. 2)Maybe, but probably not too much if you follow the doc's instructions and listen to your body. 3)There is going to be some pain and discomfort from time to time, but it is temporary and you will be through most of it within 6-8 weeks with some residual discomfort occasionally for up to 12 weeks. 4)During the first month you may feel like you might regret it, because you feel yucky and hormones are flooding your system making you extremely emotional but that will pass. I can honestly say that I wasn't very excited about it at first even though I was dropping weight, I still felt blah. 5) YES! If you do what your doc says it will work for you too!! Within 6 months you'll probably be telling everyone you should have done it sooner because you'll start looking AND feeling better than you probably have in years. You will feel like you have been given your life back (and you probably didn't even realize you'd lost some of it along the way) Things that may have been impossible for many years will become possible! Just a few things I could do six months out that I hadn't been able to do for 20 years: Buy clothes at regular stores, cross my legs, fit in stadium/theatre/airplane seats comfortably with room to spare, not have to use a seatbelt extender on an airplane, walk 1- 2 miles without getting short of breath or uncomfortable. I never would have thought this could happen for me and now it has! Every day will be like Christmas morning with new surprises and gifts you never knew you wanted until you got them. You'll do great!

1 week post op. Regular foods after 3 weeks.

Yes. I am 7 months out and still have difficulties with it from time to time, but I got over most of that by 3 months. It was explained to me that Water molecules are less permeable than those of diluted beverages such as crystal light, juices or even milk which is what makes it difficult to tolerate or break down in our sleeves. Recommend breaking it up with something like a citrus juice or beverage mixer like crystal light/sugar free kool-aid. Although, I can understand a craving for just plain water. Hang in there and keep trying it, one day you may find it goes down just like it used to pre-op.

I got fits of fatigue for about 3 months. After that, my energy level normalized. It is my understanding that this is pretty common as the healing process runs its course. Remember, although it looks mild on the outside and we can feel OK some days, major work was done on the inside and the body is using a lot of energy to heal. Complete healing takes almost one year.

My daughter worked at Disney for 8 months and we are frequent travelers to MouseWorld. My first trip post-op was at 7 weeks and I could eat the food pretty much anywhere. All above suggestions were good. However, unless they have changed their policy since December 2013, they will not allow adults to eat for the child's prices at the buffets (such as Crystal Palace in MK) even if you have a card from your doctor. This really disappointed me as Disney is usually so accommodating for every other guest issue no matter how obscure. The manager informed me that they used to make accommodations for WLS guests, but no longer do so. We usually eat there every time we visit mostly out of tradition, but I just couldn't justify paying $40 for eating less than a child does even considering the "entertainment" of the character dining experience. We cancelled our reservation and ate at what used to be Pinocchio's Village Haus in Fantasyland. I also found difficulties ordering off the children's menu at Fort Wilderness Resort, although after some arm twisting the manager conceded to allowing it, but advised that Disney no longer does this. You may want to consider renting a wheelchair or electric scooter as the parks are exhausting in the summer heat, even for the most physically fit, particularly if you are less than 3 mos. post-op. It will make the entire experience more enjoyable if you are not lagging behind your party or hurting and worn out from the strenuous walking (which can be as much as 10 miles/day at some parks such as Epcot which is particularly large geographically).

Didn't feel the energy return for 3 months.

All great advice and right on the money. I think 100lbs in 4 months is unrealistic also (unless you have several 100s to lose) just because of all the changes your body goes through (stalls, weight redistributions, etc.) that you can't speed up no matter how much exercise or diet restriction you do because your body will fight back as some have mentioned. I had lost about 65 lbs. at 4 mos. post-op , but it did not come off evenly at 15 lbs/month. More like 22-26/ 10-12 / 16-20 / 10-15. Don't worry, it will come off. Relax and enjoy! Good luck

I only drink Ensure Hi-Protein shakes. The milk chocolate flavor tastes just like chocolate milk. Smooth (no grittiness), no after-taste, pre-mixed, 210 cal., 25g protein, 2.5g fat and only 5g sugar in one bottle. I drink one for breakfast or lunch every day. Wish I would have known about them when I was in the liquid stage. You can get them at most pharmacies and grocery stores. They come in a 4 pack for 8.99-10.99 depending on where you get them. I like them because I just grab and go, no mixing or clean-up required.

My 3-week stall lasted for 2 weeks. I didn't gain anything, but I didn't lose either. I just fluctuated 1-2 pounds either way. I was really challenged with getting Protein in too until I found Ensure High Protein shakes. I chill the milk chocolate flavor and it tastes like a chocolate malt, not gritty and no bad aftertaste. Best of all, each bottle has 25g protein, only 5g sugar and 210 calories as well as a lot of Vitamins and minerals. They also come in vanilla, dark chocolate and strawberry but I haven't tried those so I can't tell you how they taste. The only drawback is they are a bit pricey at $9.99/4-pack, but considering that per bottle it is only one-third the price of the Big Mac value meals I used to buy, it is ok with me. I also like that I can grab it and go, no messing with a blender, multiple ingredients and all of that. Water was really hard to get down and is still my least favorite beverage, so I mix Crystal Light with it or choose light juices or diet sodas (flattened until about 6-8 weeks post-op). Good luck!

I know how hard that first week is! In fact, I felt pretty awful for about a month. I read the forums and found out most people felt pretty much back to "normal" about 3 months post op- I agree! Just take it a day at a time, I promise you will be sooo much better in a few weeks. You will notice that each week gets better. I couldn't stomach the broth either, I made it by on shakes mostly. Now, I substitute one meal a day with an Ensure High Protein shake, milk chocolate flavor. I chill them in the fridge and they taste just like a chocolate malt, they aren't gritty and have no aftertaste. They also have 25g protein, only 5g sugar and 210 calories. Wish I would have found them when I was on liquids only. At 17.5 weeks post op, I can honestly say it was so worth it. I wouldn't have said that 10 weeks ago. I feel so much better already and I am complimented all the time on how great I am doing even though I still have a long way to go. I am already loving this new life and it is getting better every day. You have some great days ahead of you, so just hang in there! You'll do great!

Probably an early period, but I would definitely check with your OB-GYN just to be on the safe side.

I am Italian, so pasta has been a part of my life since birth. But, I must be very careful when I eat it now. I don't eat much and when I do I know I am going to pay for it with some discomfort for 20-30 minutes. I tried it at about 7 weeks and it was a horrible feeling, way too soon. At 14 weeks now and just had some yesterday and it was ok but still felt some pressure in my chest afterward. I certainly avoid it most of the time, it's just not worth it. Also, make sure you are chewing about 30 times before swallowing at this point, it helps just about everything. And definitely no drinking fluids while eating (I really hate that rule, but it's right on the money). Good luck!

Yep. I am not known to be an emotional person, in fact quite the opposite. But after surgery I was an emotional wreck! I felt sad, depressed, isolated, lonley, angry, agitated, you name it. What's worse was I had no reason to feel this way. I have a very loving, supportive family who took good care of me, I didn't have to rush back to work, my weight loss went very well so I couldn't figure out what the heck was going on. Then it made sense when I realized that all of the hormones stored in the fat were being released as I lost weight. That, plus the changes in brain chemistry caused by the surgery/healing process, it was no wonder I was such a mess. It was comforting to know that I wasn't losing my mind along with my weight! The emotional swings should level out about 6-8 weeks post op. Hang in there and good luck!

I can't really speak to #1 or #3 because I didn't have those issues. But having no energy? I can so relate! It was driving me crazy. I was reading the forums and saw many responses telling others who had the same problem to just be patient and give it more time. Many said at 3 months, it is much, much better. And they were right! Each week I felt a little better but still very tired and worn out even though I wasn't doing anything! Then at about 9 weeks I noticed a considerable difference but still not feeling like myself. Finally at 12 weeks I began to feel normal again which was great because I was missing me (not the physical, body weight loss, that was great!). Give yourself 3 months and if the energy comes back sooner, great! If not, just wait it out because it will get A LOT better.

I wish I had known about Ensure High Protein shakes when I was in the liquid phase. Premixed, smooth, not gritty and no aftertaste. 25g protein, 5g sugar, 2.5g fat and 210 calories. I like the milk chocolate flavor. I am about 14 weeks out and drink one almost every day for a Meal Replacement. They also have vanilla, dark chocolate and strawberry flavors. A little pricey at about 2.75/bottle but we used to spend twice that at McDonald's for lunch remember?

I think all of us would love to see a bigger loss at whatever point we are at. But, let's ask ourselves- how did we do on our own before surgery? I know that I have never been this successful in my weight loss. Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint. I had a serious stall at 3 weeks and again at 8 weeks. Now at 12 weeks, I am starting to lose again. I decided early on to just relax and let it happen. I don't obsess about every calorie or fat gram. One thing that helped tremendously was increasing my physical activity. That broke the stall and almost doubled my weekly weight loss. I think the most important thing is to relax and give yourself some more time. You have made great progress! I think you will be surprised at how much better things will be in another few weeks. I know you may be getting sick of hearing this, but- hang in there, it will get better!

I don't think so at all. I supplemented with Peanut Butter at that time too. Above all, listen to your body- it will tell you what you need! When in doubt- call your doc or nutritionist.

Water was difficult for me until about 7 weeks. At 9 weeks I can actually take several large gulps at a time, it's great because I was sooo thirsty and sipping was driving me nuts!

I wish I would have known about Ensure High Protein shakes during my liquid phase. They are very smooth, not gritty or grainy and have no weird aftertaste. 210 calories, 25g protein, 5g sugar, 2.5g fat, lots of vitamins/minerals/probiotics per 14oz bottle. I prefer the milk chocolate flavor chilled, but it is not necessary to refrigerate them. They are a little pricey at 10.99/4 pack but well worth it. I use one per day as a Meal Replacement even though I am on regular food at 9 weeks post-op.

I didn't start to feel better until about six weeks and even then not great. ALmost 9 weeks out now and just starting to feel normal again. I don't know how people go back to work at 2 or 3 weeks. I needed the whole 8 weeks to be feeling up to it. I always eat my protein first, then veggies and then starch (usually just a small bite if that,because there is no more room by then). It seems to work out pretty well and is the most comfortable eating pattern. Today I screwed up and ate some pasta with my meat instead of after and it was not good.

I love the pre-mixed Ensure HIgh Protein shakes, milk chocolate flavor. They are very smooth, like chocolate milk with no aftertaste. I prefer them chilled but it's not necessary to refrigerate them. Each bottle is 210 calories, 25g protein, 5g sugar, 2.5g fat and lots of vitamins/minerals too. Wish I had known about them during my liquid phase. I usually drink one per day.

I get so cold I can't sleep for hours after I go to bed while my husband is sweating. But I am going to get a heated matress pad and keep it on my side! Lol