staceyp

This is in no way meant to taunt or bother those that are struggling with challenges post surgery but... From day one, I have had no problems with drinking and eating post surgery. I am almost 4 weeks post op and from liquids to now soft foods, I have yet to eat or drink anything that didn't agree with me. While I am not hungry, I don't get that FULL feeling either. I have been eating by measurements and weight and not by body cues because I am not sure if I have them and I know I don't trust them. I usually do 1 oz of a food the 1st time to make sure it goes ok. So far everything has and I have done everything from yogurt and cottage cheese to egg whites, Beans and most recently, fish, ground turkey, shredded chicken, broccoli, cauliflower, squash and potato. When I up it to 2oz. I don't feel any different. For my meals, now that I have some variety to work with, I never exceed a total of 3 oz which is usually 1-2 oz of Protein and 1 oz of some side. I really feel like I could eat more and it's making me worry. I don't want to complain about feeling good and I will take the tolerance to foods but I am concerned as to why I feel like I have a larger capacity that I read others describing. I feel crazy saying this, but I have been tempted to keep eating just to see if I will feel something that would tell me "enough". I have no interest in being sick, I just don't know where my limit is. So I continue to weigh and measure and log to stay in check but without the limited capacity of a smaller stomach, this could be me doing another "diet" or "change in eating habits" and I know that my track record with the longevity of this is not good. Has anyone experienced this only to have the full feeling kick in at a later date? I'm afraid if I don't get that signal I will test boundaries especially as the newness of surgery wears off. Long term, the food plan won't keep me where I need to be but I am hopeful that the WLS tool will.

I'm only 31/2 weeks but was told that at 6 weeks - meals should be around 3-4 oz total. (all foods combined, if there is more than one). Based on that and your calorie range...and most important...55 lbs since November...I would say you are doing great

I too have struggled with the Vitamins. I'm no expert and only 31/2 weeks out but the reason I was told no gummies is baca use the sleeve is still healing and until at least 6 weeks post op minimum, very susceptible to complications. Gummies can be very dangerous to a new sleeve. In fact the reason I was told I can't chew gum is primarily the potential of swallowing it (which I haven't done for as long as I can remember). I have tried just about every bariatric brand so that I didn't have to double up but yuck. The one I liked best are the chewables (not gummies, more like starburst) but I was told no on those for now too. What I have been using is the following liquid: http://www.naturesplus.com/products/productdetail.php?productNumber=30601 It's not bariatric so you have to double it (so 2 tablespoons twice a day). It looks and smells gross and it's thick but I take it in a shot glass and it's done quick. It doesn't taste too bad... The other liquid options tend to be mixes for drinks so you have to gag the whole drink down to benefit.

I am 3 weeks post op and on day 2 of soft or what I call real foods. Started yesterday with 1 oz tuna with a little reduced fat mayo. I had to use a tsp for consistency and even then it found it dry. Probably doesn't help that my mouth has been very very dry despite all the liquids. So this morning...giving Morningstar veggie sausage patty a go. Starting with a half. The good news is that I like it even though I disliked them a lot pre surgery. The odd thing is that I am finding them spicy. And these are the regular ones, not special flavor or spicy. I suspect heartburn might result. Anyone have suggestions for what was the best tasting, easiest to digest foods to start with? I know everyone is different. I had such an easy time with yogurts, refried Beans and shakes and I knew more solid food would be different. I laughed when I prepared the 1oz of tuna and the 1/2 of a pretty small veggie sausage patty but it is truly about as much as I can eat. Its what everyone said and advised yet still...It's amazing and shocking.

There is a rec center near me that offers a pretty good variety of Water classes that I am planning to try. I'm only 3 weeks post op so I have to wait a bit more. Funny...that is where I lose first too. Probably TMI but my bras are not getting filled out, so I have a lot of bumpy fabric under my shirts. Although my son (8), held my hand the other day and said..."Wow...your fingers are so skinny. And they look skinny...that's kind of creepy". I am not horribly opposed to losing some up top but fingers??? That wasn't exactly on the top of my list of problem areas Keep up the exercise...good work.

I too have anxiety and have successfully managed it for years with Zoloft. Fortunately, I have not had a full blown panic attack in years. I never stopped taking my medication and was easily able to take it after. (I just have to break the pill in two). My anxiety onset when I was 30 about 6 months after having my 1st child and around the time I was having knee problems leading to surgery. On a side note, my father had his 1st heart attack very young at 30. (granted...other contributing factors there). Anyway, Long story short I have always been convinced that my anxiety stems around my inability to lose weight, keep it off, be at a healthy weight, etc. The more weight I gained the more it affected my health. I am fortunate to say that my co-morbitities prior to surgery were minor but I could put myself into an anxiety attack just thinking about the possibilities of what I was doing to my health. I could visualize being in a hospital from a heart attack and feeling like I deserved it because I chose not to prevent it. My point is that I am optimistic that making this major change (3 weeks post op) and working hard at it will eliminate some of my anxiety. I know that most anxiety is generalized but do you know what triggers it? We cant talk ourselves out of anxiety as we have probably all learned the hard way. In fact sometimes that makes it worse. But if you know your worry spots, you can apply some positive thinking toward that which might affectly reduce anxiety. I have become good at that but in fairness, not sure I would be able to without the medication. When all else fails, for me, its distraction. Favorite TV, movie, book or even video games that keep your attention. I have been in ruts where I became addicted to these distractions but in tough times, they sure do help. And we have heard it over and over but I hate to say its true. Exercise! I am not a big fan but I am learning to adopt the thinking that I dont have to walk 5 miles or workout for an hour to get benefits from moving. The more I move,...the more I move...in a good way. Best of Luck...anxiety is truly one of the most frustrating and scary things I have ever had to deal with...

I just had my 3 week post op. I have lost 27 lbs but they did specifically warn me that weeks 3-6 will not look the same. As body continues to heal and we graduate to more "food". The body goes into adjustment phase. I was told the steady, more consistent weight loss will kick in at 6 weeks.

Ah the subconscious.... Your dream and ones like it seem normal to me... Better to dream about it then do it

I agree with everyone's sentiment. Somewhere in all the emotion, you care about yourself and want a better life. You wouldn't have gone through surgery otherwise. I also think you might reach out to your surgeon. Their job is not "done" just because the surgery is. They should have a vested interest in your complete recovery. Did your mom support the surgery? Just sending positive thoughts your way that she would support your needs in recovery. There are lots of resources out there...you reached out here which is a big step. You can do this!

I'm 3 weeks as of yesterday. Wow. I guess I'm on the low side of calories. I have had a few days around 500 but mostly in the low 400's. I guess it depends on your program and what your doc has you eating when. I just got full clearance to soft foods. The last two weeks I have been on select soft foods only.

Everything everyone said is true but since you are 16...I think peers and the social side of things will be the biggest challenge for you. I assume your family supports you in this journey and hopefully you have a group of friends that will too. As a teenager, I think you will really need to recruit some friends to help. For those that close to you that you feel comfortable with, share with them what you are supposed to be eating at each phase so they can help. The 1st few weeks are the hardest so hopefully you can plan to do the surgery around your school schedule...maybe over a holiday break??? Might be easier for you then trying to rush back to school and deal with falling behind with schoolwork. I think there is a forum either here or on www.obesityhelp.com for teenagers. That will probably be a great source of support as well. You are young and male and if you keep your eye on the prize, you are likely to do very well. I suspect some of the challenges that some of us face will be a little easier for you given your age...especially as you start to lose the weight. That said, I would encourage you to seek professional help too through this journey. You are setting yourself up for a great life but at only 16...it might be too easy not to keep it that way down the road. You are receiving the best tool for success and you want to make sure you develop the tools and personal growth to keep it that way! I think you are brave! I didnt have a weight issue at 16 but that also meant that when I started putting on weight slowly in college, I was used to being able to eat whatever I wanted. I think every age has its challenges but I commend you on taking charge now! I hope you continue to report in!

Count me in...I'm 3 weeks post op and I have experienced the same. As my food options increase, I just keep measuring. I do find that as I combine foods (2oz egg whites with 1oz cottage cheese), I find that as I get closer to finishing, I am starting to feel a little "fuller" and by fuller it doesn't really feel like that. More of like a stuck/blocked feeling in the lower chest/upper ab area. I was getting paranoid though thinking the surgeon made kinetic too big or that after all I went through I would still fail but countless ppl told me that a lot of it has to do healing, swelling internally and decreased nerve response. Some people said the whole full restricting feeling came at about 2 months post op. So I think your pretty normal for those of us who are really lucky to have an easy recovery . Best of luck to you.

Timely post, although my concern is opposite. While I am not hungry or starving considering my limited foods and quantities, I do feel occasional hunger and I do crave foods even though I am following plan perfectly. When I am eating my measured portioned food, I finish it. Not sure I have an obvious full feeling to guide me. I am nervous that as my food selection increases, I won't get that signal. I have read that some ppl didn't get that quickly full feeling under 1-2 months out due to nerves affected by surgery and overall healing. Anyone have any insight on that?

I completely understand how you feel. I am 2 weeks post op and even with the limited increase in foods I miss real food. Of course, when I got some new foods after 1 week, I thought they tasted awesome but a week later, I am sick of them. Especially social settings. I hear stories of ppl that can barely get their Protein shakes down and I have not had any issues with my allowed food and drink. I can judge when I am hungry pretty well but I am afraid I can't determine when I am full versus wanting to continue eating something that tastes good because it's the allowed amount just to eat it. (Eating with my head/ eyes)

I hear you. I have always put off exercise. Over the past few years, the excess weight has just continued to make exercise that much harder, hence, more excuses. I am 2 weeks post op VSG and knowing I have to change my behaviors and habits I was feeling guilty that I hadn't done anything proactive yet in the exercise dept. I have been up and around since the hospital, shopping, grocery store, laundry, etc so I'm moving but that's not the same thing. Plus I live in CO and it's been cold so....excuse. Yesterday...I put on my tennis shoes and walked outside for 20 minutes. Granted, my husband, who has been very supportive...more than any other time, coaxed me a little but I did it and he went with me. I'll take some credit as he has tried to get me to exercise many many times in the past without success. I am really focused on changing behaviors....the eating part will likely be the easiest now in these 1st 6 months to a year but I want to be ready for when the surgery isn't so "new" for me and the complacency can set in. I know that exercise is they key not only to maintenance, once I'm there but will help my energy level and productivity which I need desperately to improve. I have stopped hoping to turn into the person who loves working out and can't live without it. It's not going to happen. But I don't particularly love brushing my teeth or fueling my car but it's just part of my life and I have to do it. I spend more time feeling guilty about not doing it then doing it would actually take. I agree with finding something you love...that's tough for me right now because with so many aches and pains and being uncomfortable around others doing it...I haven't quite found that. But I'll keep pushing through it and maybe something will surprise me.

I just got a fit bit for Christmas. Haven't set it up yet but glad to see others here who use it. I'm subscribing and hope to get on board soon