CdnGirlinNC

Hi Chanale, I have a very similar story. Surgery in July 2014, successful weight loss settling at 147 for 2 years then, recently, a slow creep upwards. I have gained 7 lbs since Christmas. I believe it was started by the Christmas goodies that weren't usually in the house and not part of my normal diet. 7 lbs may not seem like much but it's a gain and it came on fast and I'm taking it seriously. I've started really evaluating what I'm eating and drinking. Answers: 1. Drinking too much wine and snacking along with it. Not good. Also 2) Eating more sweets than normal. 3. Generally eating too many carbs and not enough protein. 4. Having one last (unnecessary) small meal right before bed. So I've started to make changes. For me since my surgery eating dense foods isn't comfortable so I think I've found ways to be eating and drinking that doesn't cause discomfort. Some of those choices haven't been healthy ones. While in my active weight loss phase I used My Fitness Pal to track nutrition and calories to make sure I was getting enough. I have started using it again to get a clear picture of what I'm eating and drinking each day. I think I came to believe that I could eat anything I wanted because the quantities were small so it wouldn't be a problem. Well, if you do that all day long the calories add up. They have for me. I see this as a wake up call to become more engaged with my choices once again. The good news is that my sleeve is there to tell me I've had enough. I know how to do it. You also know how to do it. Let's stay in touch. Trudy

Hi MissLiss - yes it certainly is a ride getting used to the new tummy! All sorts of interesting things happen but it's all normal. My friend and I had our surgeries on the same day (same surgeon) and she has named her tummy Dory because of all the noise it makes - like the sounds Dory makes in the movie Finding Nemo! I named my tummy Princess Tummy because she has been very particular about what she likes and does not like. No messing with the Princess Tummy! I just follow her lead and that's the beauty of it for me anyway. Take care! Trudy

Yes I had VSG in Tijuana by Dr. Sergio Verboonen in July, 2014. I chose to have the surgery done in hospital as opposed to his clinic. Had no problems and have had a very good outcome. My friend also had the same surgery by Dr. Verboonen on the same day at the same hospital and has also had an excellent outcome. I would say that having surgery with Dr. Verboonen was medically an excellent choice. My friend and I felt that we needed to be proactive in learning what we needed to know in regards to life after surgery though as there wasn't much practical follow up after surgery. Having said that though Dr. Verboonen was always available for questions at any time and would respond immediately whenever I would contact him with a question. If I were to do it all over again I would use Dr. Verboonen as my surgeon. He is extremely accomplished and experienced and is also a bariatric patient himself. Using his admin people (specifically Laura) to get the surgery booked and the plans put in place etc was not a great experience and I would try to find a way around that if I could. Best of luck. Trudy

One thing I have learned and that is just how different each person's experience can be. My friend and I had the same surgery on the same day with the same surgeon. She can eat many more things than I can and about double the volume that I can and has been able to since day 1. She can drink in big gulps, I have to take smaller drinks; she can tolerate drinks of any temperature and I have to have my fluids room temperature; she has been able to tolerate solids for a couple weeks and I still need my food mashed up. My point is that even though you've been cleared for solids perhaps your tummy isn't ready. It's okay. Just go really slow and maybe go back to super soft foods for a while. If a food doesn't feel good give yourself another week or so and try it again. For sure, though, make sure you're chewing until the food is liquid in your mouth and take small bites. Eat a couple bites then put your fork down - see how you feel. We all have to be reconditioned to eat slower than we're used to. The most important thing is keeping up your nutritional needs and you can be sure you're doing that by eating foods you can tolerate and tracking on My Fitness Pal. Good luck.

You have had major surgery and there is a physical and emotional aspect to your healing. My surgery was July 7th so I'm just a bit ahead of you. Here are some ideas that may help: 1. Use MY FITNESS PAL.com. It is a super valuable tool and very easy to use. Enter everything you eat and that will tell you at any point in the day how many calories and Protein you've had and how much more you need. 2. At this stage you should only be able to eat a few tablespoons at a time of very soft or pureed foods. EAT SLOWLY and take small bites and chew very well. Feel how your tummy feels after each bite. It is healing after a very big trauma. Be kind and gentle with it. If you feel pressure or discomfort stop eating. Put your plate down and give it a few minutes. Then have another bite if you feel you want more. Remember - only a few tablespoons! 3. If you haven't been given calorie and protein targets perhaps you could use these: 600 to 800 calories per day and 60 to 80 grams of protein per day. Try not to go over 40 grams of carbs. (MY FITNESS PAL will track all of this for you) 4. A reasonable target for liquid is 60 oz at this stage (I struggle to get that even now but am getting closer). 5. Exercise is not your priority right now. You need to heal. If you can get out for a 20 minute walk that's great but if not try again in a few days. It's ok. 6. If you aren't successful with bowel movements perhaps you need a stool softener such as Miralax. Harsh laxatives are perhaps not the best choice right now. Again, your body has had a trauma. Give it time to heal and be gentle with it. Liquids and a stool softener can really help . Be patient and kind to yourself. Rest. One of the best resources that I've found for bariatric surgery information are videos by Dr. Matthew Weiner. Here's a link: http://drmatthewweiner.com/eating-after-bariatric-surgery-2/ Take good care!

Thanks for your post. I enjoyed reading it. I am at the 4 week mark and it's still challenging but not terrible. I'd love to tuck into a tall glass of cold Water and drink it down fast but that apparently is not an option for me at this point. I don't miss the big plates of food (I actually feel freer without that) but I do miss chewing on something as I am still on soft foods and pureed. Everyday is a new day of wondering what will work for me today. It's taken a bit of imagination in the kitchen to find new ways of preparing foods that will give me the Protein I need with a consistency I can tolerate but I know this will be short lived and I'll be able to handle normal foods soon enough. All the best to you as you continue on your journey to wellness.

I'm 15 days post op and managing well with mostly liquids, pudding, yogurt, custard etc. Started very soft, milky scrambled egg a couple days ago and it goes down fine - but only 3 tablespoons or so. Four times in the last 10 days I have experienced a feeling of a lump in my chest, salivating like crazy and after an hour or so of suffering I throw up. Last night and tonight it happened a couple hours after eating when I took a sip of a drink. Since it happened last night I was super careful tonight to be very aware of each spoonful of food, eating slowly and not going one spoon more than what was comfortable and it still happened. I have wondered about the egg as I've heard it can be difficult for some people but I can have a couple tablespoons earlier in the day with no problem. The evenings seem to be the problem time for me. What do you think? Any ideas or advice would be appreciated. Thanks. Trudy

I was way too sore to walk more then 10 minutes at a time and slowly until about 9 days post op but I was up and about often throughout the days - very important for lots of reasons but most important for circulation. I am now 19 days post op and am walking 30 minutes twice per day plus a 20 minute bike ride.

I just had surgery July 7th and had a drain. It was removed prior to discharge. It's really no big deal - the nurses drain it several times a day. Having it removed hurt a bit as they had to remove stitches/staples that held it in place but I've heard others say it didn't hurt them at all. More of a weird feeling than anything else. Of all the things to be thinking about right now, the drain is the least of it! Good luck!

You're right about measuring. I measure out 3 tablespoons of the scrambled egg and use a little spoon. I am so careful!! I think eggs are going to be taken off the menu for now as it is the only thing I can think of that my body may be reacting to. If it was a more immediate reaction I'd be more confident in that but this horrible feeling along with the "sliming" and inevitable vomiting happens hours after I've finished my few tablespoons. Oh well, I'm okay with just setting eggs aside for now. No biggie. Thanks for your help on this. It's great to be able to check in with people who've stood in my shoes. Much appreciated.

Thanks for the responses - yes I think perhaps eggs need to be early in the day only. That'll be the plan moving forward. As far as acid - no I do not have any acid and am taking a PPI.

So sorry to hear that you're having troubles. I also had my surgery two weeks ago. Did your doctor tell you how the leak may have happened? Do you remember having a leak test before you were released from the hospital (contrasting liquid shown on X-ray)? I appreciate knowing the kind of symptoms to be aware of and wish you a speedy recovery.

Forsythia, yes I can have lean meat, eggs and low fat dairy, all the plain, greek yogurt I can eat broth, juices, Water.

Oh and I forgot the greek yogurt that I add to my shake! Having one right now and it's delicious!

I am with you on this. I am also in pre-op diet stage eating what is on the list from my surgeon - sugar free puddings, Jello, Protein drinks etc - and ended up in a mental mess! All those chemicals make me "headachy" and craving carbs like crazy. So yesterday was a write off but today I'm staying away from all fake foods and am making my own Protein shakes with almond milk, ice, unflavoured whey protein isolate (Bulk supplements from Amazon), a couple strawberries and vanilla. Delicious, healthy, good quality protein and I feel sane today. My surgeon also said eating good protein foods such as eggs and lean meats twice per day is fine. Funny how every surgeon has his/her own views on the pre-op diet. I didn't eat chemical sweeteners before and I don't plan on starting now - lesson learned. Good luck. Trudy

Hey All, I'm 54, 5' 6", and 218 lbs. Scheduled for VSG with Dr. Verboonen in Mexico on July 7th. It feels like such a big step - a little (lot!) overwhelming and a little exciting all at the same time. Ready for a change and ready to take on the challenge of improving my health. I'd be happy to be in touch with you as we embark on this new chapter in life. Take care. Trudy