SlowlybutSurely

I'm getting so discouraged with trying to plan what I will eat each day or for lunch or dinner! This is causing me to just not eat because it's so time consuming and tedious. I buy Healthy Choice meals which are great but I get tired of picking out the Pasta and rice. I have to admit that I don't like a lot of foods and when I find the recipes online for post-op, most don't catch my fancy. I have to eat in order to keep my metabolism rate up but it's getting harder and harder. When I find something that I do like, I eat it until I can't stand it anymore. I like SIMPLE, easy to prepare meals with simple ingredients. As far as meat, I only like chicken and beef, no pork or fish. I'm not into a lot of different veggies and the ones I do like I can barely eat now due to the gas. Last week, I nibbled on some cheese crackers the whole day for 4 or 5 days because I didn't want to even think about trying to plan a decent meal. I was full and STILL had weight loss success but crackers wont' sustain me. It's TOUGH and I haven't come up a solution yet.

Can anyone recommend a brand of reliable scales? I have a digital set made by Thinner that I got from Avon years ago and even though it's gone through several 9-Volt batteries, it still works but if I step on that scale 10 times in the morning, I swear I'll get 7 different readings. A difference of -/+ 2.0 pounds can mean discouragement or encouragement so it actually matters.

This is a forum in cyber space. There is nothing more the original poster can do but apologize. NO! We can do a LOT more! PEOPLE CAN THINK BEFORE THEY SAY THINGS! ISN'T THAT THE EXACT MESSAGE WE'RE TEACHING OUR KIDS WITH ANTI-BULLYING? SAME THING! ADULTHOOD DOESN'T MAKE IT RIGHT OR CORRECT!

Over a year and still burping? That's depressing because I'm 2 months+ post-op and burping like a drunken sailor but I thought it would pass soon. Time to research the "old folks" remedies. and fix myself.

You people are making my point exactly! You see, an "apology" DON'T ERASE THE HURT THAT IT'S CAUSED but now-a-days people seem to think they can say anything and if it causes a big ruckus, just apologize and move on. I don't know, maybe we're taking out cues from politicians or something but while you might move on from after an apology, you can rest assured that the offended individual does not. Maybe they should but it's not always easy. Here's my point: This site is a support group. If someone started at 300/350 pounds and was now 200 lbs and posted before & after pictures of their amazing 100 to 150 weight loss journey and someone posted under their pictures that they were "still fat", what type of support is that? Do you think that person would view this site as a support forum/group? Do you think that person would feel better about themselves if the person that posted that comment posted an apology? Nevertheless, I'm done with this topic and will look for more positive topics in the future since this is my main point of support!

I think I know what you're experiencing because I'm going thru the same thing. I can feel stomach pain even when I take a breath. And like you, I'm not losing much weight because I'm not taking in enough calories which means not enough Protein. Even drinking liquids bother me. When I do manage a little chicken, etc,., I burp for hours on end. I don't know what is causing this but I'm going to a specialist in Atlanta that deals with post-bariatric problems soon.

Lapnicky, what does it feel like when the sleeve narrows? Was it just pain? I'm 2 wks/1 week out and initially I didn't have problems but the last 3 weeks, everything hurts, including liquids. Everything feels like it's trying to get past a knot in my stomach first which is very uncomfortable and this is with small bites, sips and chewing thoroughly.

Yeah, I've had the "vomits" a couple of times but luckily I haven't experienced froathing (the thick saliva) yet and I'm hoping that I get to skip that little bit of bariatric uniqueness. Once I semi-violently burp, I know my pouch has had enough. The funny thing is though that when I barf, it's not because I'm full, it's because something didn't agree with me somehow. I can eat something completely fine today but if I try to eat that same thing tomorrow, my pouch rejects it and send it back toward the light. One time some chicken came back so fast I almost didn't have time to get my hands up to catch it and I was only literally six steps from the bathroom. Needless to say that "eating-out" is off the table for a while. It's definitely a learning curve and one that I'm sure we'll be learning for a few years out.

You might have your opinion, but it's not always the correct thing to state your opinion and if you do, there's a way to state that opinion. What exactly was the point of stating that a bunch of people that were on a weight loss journey were "STILL FAT"? Like I said before, these people could have been down 100 or more pounds not to mention that they could no longer be suffering from co-morbidities which is a successful journey in itself. My point is you don't know their journey, obstacles, experiences, etc. and to make a rash negative observation is unwarranted and unfair. And please know that people are probably looking at you (us) and saying that we would STILL be fat if we hadn't had surgery, which I'm sure feels about as good as someone saying we're still fat!

How was it NICE to get on here and call a bunch of people on a weight loss journey STILL FAT as if the people don't know their weight and how is that constructive in any way shape or form???

To and from the airport, I tipped $5, which of course is a lot in Mexico and there were several of us in the limo that picked us up. When they took up back to the clinic the day after the procedure for an IV, I didn't tip because I figured that was included with the medical cost. I also could have elected to pay $30 to have the IV in my room but it was free to go back to the clinic so that's what most of us did. I only tipped the maids upon checkout and I left $15 total.

I wasn't "looking at everyone's journey" I was making an observation. .. geesh Actually what you said that everyone there was still fat. Like I said, you don't know where they were coming from or started from and that was a very shallow and rather useless observation. Everyone there could have been 100 lbs lighter from where they started. There are comments here that are basically "questioning" those people commitment to their journey, mental state, etc., when those people could have started at 400 lbs and have lost a tremendous amount of weight UNDER A YEAR!!! It's just my personal opinion but I think that we should worry about our own journey and stop the comparisons and definitely stop the negativity because that doesn't help anyone at all. We weight challenged people have dealt with the negativity for a lifetime already and we don't need it while we're working hard on our WL journey. I've lost 40 lbs AND I'M STILL MORBIDLY OBESE but I'm proud of my journey thus far and don't need anyone else to tell me that I'm still fat! I know that! THAT'S WHY I'M ON THE WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY! I apologize if I sound combative but it perturbs me to no end when people think it's okay to call other people names, and especially FAT as if they don't know it and feel bad enough already!

I personally think that that's a very shallow way of looking at someone's journey, especially when you don't know where they've been or started from.

Harringm13, you seem to think that we were so naive that we didn't do our homework BEFORE we elected to have bariatric surgery. I had my surgery in Mexico so I had an extra level of research to conduct. Thanks for your warnings which seem to be based primarily on your own fear related to your personal experience as opposed to anything else, but I personally conducted years (not months) of research. I didn't want bypass and I wouldn't even consider sleeve until it was no longer considered experimental surgery so trust me when I say that I, along with most people, did their due diligence in making an informed decision.

And morbid obesity is a killer as well.....high blood pressure, strokes, diabetes, etc! Did you know that doctor prescribed medicines have SIDE EFFECTS as well? Many of those side effects are MUCH worse than what we originally take the meds to treat and yet, we still and always will take those meds. Nothing is a given in this life and everything is a roll of the dice. You Pray about it and move on.

When I decided to get sleeved, other than having a safe procedure, I had two main concerns: 1) not losing weight or very little weight, and 2) loosing weight too fast. I think we're all kinda worried about whether the procedure will work for us so that was a natural "what if" scenario. But I also didn't want to lose weight too fast. To each his own, but losing 100 pounds in 5 months just wasn't my thing which is one reason why I didn't opt for the bypass surgery. I'm almost 50 and I know I would have had major skin sagging issues at that rate. However, I understand the frustration that you 're feeling with the slow weight loss as well. Stalls are the worse but whenever I stall, I eat MORE and within a day or two, I'm out of the stall. It sounds funny but if you're taking in too few calories, your body will try to hold on to it's "comfort fat". Try an extra Protein shake a day as well. Sometimes it's just easier to drink a few extra calories. Keep us posted on your journey. I think it's interesting how everyone's journey is different. As for me, I'm the burping queen. If I even think about a burp, I end up burping...and I don't think I've burped more than a dozen times in my entire life before the sleeve.

I used Prune juice which was a plus for me since I LOVE prune juice (and prunes)!

I can imagine the frustration and I'm afraid of encountering the same thing. I know someone that had the same problem and actually didn't lose but 40/45 pounds total but she sabotaged her weight loss with her high carb intake. You mentioned fluids…..are we talking Water or juices? Sometimes it's not all about the calories but I would think that if you're exercising, the carbs wouldn't be a huge issue. Are you taking B12 to speed up your metabolism?

I went in January and absolutely do not regret it. It was hassle free and affordable and the medical care was more than sufficient….not on par with American hospitals but definitely not scary or substandard.

What facility are they associated with? Do a search for their names on youtube. They usually have customer testimony on there. I used it to make my decision and it proved to be an invaluable resource.

I'm only two months post-op but I have days like that. It's like today, I can eat okay but the next day, I can't hold anything. Also, if I eat something today and it doesn't bother me, I can eat the same thing tomorrow and it bothers me. I'm finding myself doing more drinking more than eating since it largely just make me only burp. One thing about it is I guess this sleeve will never get boring.

I found this when I was a "newbie" and used it as a general guide….although 1,000 calories are HARD to get post-op (and was so absolutely easy pre-op) LOL! My doctor's time frame was also different from the below and I've seen several different versions so apparently there's not a hard and fast rule as to how many days/weeks each phase last. I also liked how this emphasized "fluids" instead of just "water" because all fluids count as your liquids. Gastric Sleeve Diet Rules: Phase 1 – Clear Liquids Day 1 and day 2 after surgery. Calories to consume: under 1,000 per day. Fluid ounces to drink: 32 or more per day. Phase 2 – Full Liquids Day 3 through day 14 post surgery. Calories to consume: 500 - 1,000 per day. Fluid ounces to drink: 32 or more per day. Grams of Protein per day, minimum: 40 for women, 60 for men. Phase 3 – Soft/Moist Foods Day 15 to the end of month 2 after surgery. Calories to consume: 1,000 - 1,400 per day. Calorie distribution: 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fat. Choose soft/moist foods which can be pureed in your mouth. Avoid raw fruits and vegetables. No crunchy foods: seeds, nuts, popcorn, etc. Phase 4 – Regular Diet Starts on the first day of month 3 post surgery. Calories to consume: 1,000 and 1,600 per day. Calorie distribution: 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fat. 300 – 400 calories maximum per meal. Fiber per day, minimum: 25 grams High in omega-3 and low in omega-6 and fatty acids.

A higher carb (good carbs) diet is fine if you're exercising a LOT! Otherwise, you just might end up sabotaging your weight loss journey. It's possible you need more Protein and make sure you're taking your vitamins….iron, B12, calcium….Also, just make sure you're eating enough!

I like the fact that I can only eat tiny amounts. I just wish that my taste buds would kick in a little more so I could really enjoy the tiny amount of food that I'm able to eat. I'm find that I'm having to make myself eat which of course, I need to do so that I won't further mess with my metabolism. Even my "mental" cravings have practically disappeared. The absolute best part of being post-op though is I no longer crave sodas whereas before I was a sodaholic!

I'm 2 months post-op today (3/10) and it seems that this issue is getting worse with me. It wasn't this bad until about 2 weeks ago and now I feel everything and it's really uncomfortable and this is with thoroughly chewing and small bites. Even slowly sipping liquids bother me. Sometimes it feels like a toddler is kicking me in the chest when I try to eat or drink. Even mashed potatoes bother me and they didn't three weeks ago. I think I'm going back to the soft food stage for a week or two and hope this helps when I return to solids.