squeaker31

Thanks for your feedback. It is unrealistic to expect habits to change overnight. I am averaging 800-1000 calories right now which I think is still good. I'm just so worried to fail at this opportunity. My NUT didn't even give me a calorie limit because she said I would be able to eat so little this early on... So not the case for me lol.

I'm feeling the same way right now at 4 weeks out. I am still in a lot of pain but I am scared that I have not exercised really yet. I am never really satisfied with the portions recommended (maybe that's because I don't know what normal satisfied feels like lol) but overall I'm scared that things won't really change for me. But I knew this wasn't a magic fix and I'm doing my best to deal honestly with my possible roadblocks and still in counseling. I have another tool in my arsenal but certainly the other issues I have had losing weight will not go away overnight. Good luck and be easy with yourself

Good luck on your decision. I think everyone's experience is different. Personally I am only 4 weeks out but I had gotten to the point that my weight was interfering with my life enough that it was willing to risk the negative side effects and commit to the lifestyle changes. I knew I needed help. The recovery has been very painful and I am struggling with sticking to the very low calorie limit even with the sleeve, I know I have hard work in front of me still to let go of my food obsession. But I believe it's worth it for me.

I'm about four weeks post op and I swear I feel hungry every couple hours. But I'm also still pretty laid up from recovery so it might be head hunger/boredom/grazing. I feel a little bummed out how easy it is to get over 800 calories for me already. But it's true the sleeve isn't a miracle and I have a lot of years of bad habits to break. Hopefully once I'm back to work and able to move around again I'll be less "hungry". And I'll keep working on the mindful eating stuff. Even though I got this surgery I am still planning on attending an upcoming mindful eating workshop.

I read that article or a similar one. It is Interesting. And it kind of confirms why simply removing stomach before any weight loss can correct or improve some co-morbidities. They don't understand why yet but there's a lot to learn still in this area.

I am 3 1/2 weeks out from surgery and been on soft/purée for a week and a half. I am happy I haven't really had any food tolerance issues. But i found it easy to get over 1000 calories in also. At my 2 week nutrition appointment they didn't even mention a calorie limit/goal because she said I can expect to get so little in it won't be an issue. But from pre-op education and other sources I think I should not be going above 800. I knew long term that it's possible to over eat still even with limited capacity but I'm surprised it's already an issue. Getting in 60g of Protein and staying under the calorie goal it seems like Greek yogurt is all I should eat lol. Maybe it will be easier and more normal once I can incorporate in more lean meats again. My diet is very dairy heavy at the moment.

It's crazy how emotional this journey is. When I was on liquid only I felt like I looked thinner and now that I'm eating real food again I am convinced I've gained it all back by looking at my face. I also don't have a scale and had dropped 30 at my two week check up. I promised myself I wouldn't obsess lol but it's easier said than done. It's a marathon not a sprint. My goals going in I said i would be happy with moderate loss and more energy (from weight loss and blood sugar improvements). Maybe once I'm not so sore I will feel energetic and better but since I'm still in so much pain the weight is my only "benefit" so I'm worried about it.

I have similar concerns. I can eat a whole serving of Greek yogurt and not feel full. I have seen people saying two bites and that's all. But it's early and I always knew that it's still up to me to follow the plan. I am having a harder time with fluids too that might help me feel fuller longer and not be tempted to graze.

I am 3 weeks out and I still have super sharp pain still on my left side. It's tough to bend over still. I have tried not to overdo but when I feel okay I have been doing things. It's hard not to when I have a one year old. I don't know if I'm sabotaging myself.

That's awesome something I'm very much looking forward to! It's easy to feel like you will never feel normal again. And of course it will be a new normal but at least eat like a person again.

I ended up telling a few people once I was sure the procedure was a go. It felt like too much work to lie. The feedback to my face anyway lol has been positive. I feel nervous about going back because it will be more noticeable and I will probably get more inquiries than the people I initially told. But I have kind of a practice response if I get any surprise or negativity - "it wasn't my first choice but it's something I felt i needed to do for my health" which hopefully shits the door on further "questioning". My co-workers are not pushy so I think that will be enough. Health and weight is such a huge focus for our company there's just no way no one asks how and I just didn't want to lie.

I have to go in and get IV fluids because I'm too dehydrated. I promised to do better drinking but they said I couldn't orally "catch up". I am starting be able to get more in. I also got some Vitamin Water and Powerade zero with electrolytes. I'm feeling like a failure that I needed this though. And they said if I didn't I could end up back in the hospital. Upside is they said it will make me feel better and that will be welcome. I've been sore beyond my belly area and way exhausted.

I got permission to start cottage cheese and Greek yogurt. They said they recommend 2% or lower but all I could find at the local store was 4%. Am I okay to have that until I can go into town to the major grocer? I didn't know if the recommendation was based on calorie/fat diet wise or if more fat will do damage or be hard to digest? It doesn't seem like that big of a difference. And I really don't want to wait Haha I am ready for a Protein besides those friggin shakes.

Thanks! I have never been so excited for cottage cheese haha.

I can totally relate with this fear. I'm just starting on puréed foods and I'm totally freaked out. Even with all the instructions I'm afraid of doing something wrong. And "stretching" sounds scary and reversing what all this pain (and nasty protein shakes haha) was for.

I haven't been there yet but I'm concerned about becoming obsessed with how I look and what I weigh every day. I'm really trying to stay focused on the non scale victories. Some people in my life are weight obsessed and I'm planning on responding about comments on my looks with "thanks. I feel just great". You are going through a major change! Good luck!

I'm struggling too. I got chocolate truffle and kiwi strawberry of Syntrax nectar. Soooo gross. And I tried adding the unflavored to broth. Forget it. Even the smell grosses me out. I'm hoping once it's not the only thing I'm "eating" I can still use them to supplement as needed because .... Yeah I have a ton. I bought them online and 2 pounds was the smallest size. Grrr. I can tolerate them but it's definitely making it harder right now to drink 60g worth of that crap.

Is this normal? I know they said try and meet goals but not to expect to right away. It doesn't hurt to swallow anymore but I'm so scared to drink too much I'm still sipping really slow. I'm getting about 30oz of Water and three 4oz Protein drinks that are 12g each. I was thinking about adding a full scoop instead of half scoop to the 4oz of water for shakes so I could get more protein in less liquid but I didn't know if that would cause any problems. Any tips?

I am also thankful for the job and insurance that made my surgery possible. And the support from my family and friends so far. As soon as I was approved for the surgery I felt weight lift off my shoulders. I know it's not magic and I have a lot of work ahead but for the first time it felt like in had something powerful working for me, not against me. I feel hopeful instead of terrified/doomed to continue to gain.

Thanks for this! I am newly sleeved and trying to stay focused on why I did this really ... To facilitate a long term healthier lifestyle. Some of my friends are obsessed with asking me about how much I've lost and how many pounds can I expect to lose. It's not about the number. If I honor my commitments in recovery and beyond I will see an improvement in many areas! Of course weight loss is the goal but I don't have a "goal weight" in my mind.

I tried ice water today and that has really helped!

Thanks all for confirming it's still normal. I'm not sure how helpful this goal is! Lol. Like give a more realistic goal instated of saying "shoot for this" knowing you'll never get there for months. I feel like I am in worse pain today because I really tried to increase my intake. It may be unrelated as I have been trying to do more as well though.

I'm craving cheese and just the feeling of being satisfied. A piece of string cheese would send me over the moon after a week of shakes lol. It also bugs me the smell of whatever my family cooking. I was talking to a friend about how I used to work at pizza Hut and how I wished I had gotten sick of it lol. I could still happily eat it every day and we were talking about what's good there and how you can make it extra good when you make it yourself and I was like ..... OKAY STOP. I started this convo but I cannot talk about this anymore haha. Too "hungry".

Hello all. I have been lurking for a few days here and found answers to many of my questions (as well as worries i didnt know I had lol. The internet is a double edged sword.) Anyway I decided it would feel good just to post where I'm at on my journey I had my surgery on April 7th so now I'm 6 days post-op, on liquid Protein. I haven't weighed myself and I'm determined not to get a scale for at least a little while since I tend to obsess. Just trying to listen to my body and follow instructions. What got me here. I have always been heavy since about 4th grade. In different periods I was successful for short periods but typically about 20 lbs came off and more than that went back on. The last three years or so I have been doing just the putting on part lol. I have had some pretty major life upheavals and it's no shock that I leaned on food. I've been in counseling for about two years and tried several different work sponsored coaching programs and still gained significantly. I went from 210 to 310 in 3 years. In considering this surgery I felt it was a lifeline. Not a magic cure. But something to turn the dial back in my favor. I am glucose intolerant after my pregnancy so I'm looking forward to my body being a little more back in alignment in that way and avoiding an official type 2 diagnosis. A very caring friend asked if it was worth the risks. She has dealt with digestive issues and knows how it can be painful and disruptive to life. And I honestly told her yes, it's worth it. Because my weight has become a barrier to me enjoying my life. My energy levels are unacceptable and I can't participate the way I want. So while I have had no complications so far and hope for none - I really feel this surgery has opened the door to regaining myself and my life. I know there's lots of hard work ahead! But I'm ready. I don't have a goal weight. Maybe I should to "keep my eye on the prize". But I kind of expect the prizes to be more small wins and subtle. A little more energy. A little more comfortable in chairs. A work wardrobe that won't be outgrown (in the bad way!). This week has been tough and I'm a bit anxious to feel "normal" but even normal will be different in a lot of ways. Nothing particularly interesting an no burning questions but this felt good to get out. Maybe I can sleep now!

Congrats on your success - both physical and mental!! I can so relate. And scarlet letter is exactly right. It has always felt unfair that my biggest issue is right there for everyone to see. And comment on. Helpful intentions or not. It's a very personal issue that is very public.