samuelsmom

If not for the sleeve I would have never considered WLS. I don't believe in causing malabsorption and rerouting digestion as in RNY. I respect other people's choices, it was just not for me. As for the band- having a port and the risk of slippage was enough to turn me off!

Good Questions! 1. If you've had the Gastric Sleeve, would you do it again? I would have to say yes. I spent a year gaining and losing the same 15 pounds! It was time. I really did not want to go the surgical route. I also knew that if I could have done it on my own, I would have. I am down 55 pounds and enjoying being lighter. For me it was the right move. 2. What was/were the thing(s) that surprised you the most after you had the surgery? a) Lack of post-op pain-- I took the IV pain meds 3 times to sleep, not for pain. After 2 c-sections, this was nothing! Incredible gas pain-- Had no idea gas pain could be so intense. If I didn't know it was gas, I would have thought I was having a heart attack as I had a band of pain around my entire chest. c) The amazing effect of walking-- it took the gas pain away almost instantly. I knew walking would help- but not that much. d) The ability I still have to eat bad stuff-- for example I can eat chips and not get full. I chew them to dust and then swallow and it was a little scary the first time I did it and found that out. I thought I would feel full quickly but I did not. I don't keep chips in the house and don't eat them when I am out. chocolate also slides down without a problem. I stay away from it as I don't want to eat too much. I do have some dark chocolate as very small amounts are satisfying.

Good Luck! Hope it all works out.

Greek yogurt is always good as are cheese and scrambled eggs. I try to have fish or chicken for dinner as they both have quite a few grams of Protein. I also have a hard time getting in all the protein so I still drink Protein shakes every day or 2.

Checking labels for sodium content may be a good idea. Some broths are loaded with salt. You may also want to make sure your scale is accurate. If none of those, I would recommend calling the doctor's office. It sounds like you may be retaining Fluid as a large weight gain in a very short period of time is indicative of that. Also, may want to clarify if you are actually to have Clear liquids for 10 days; most pre-op diets are full liquids. Clear liquids are common the day or 2 before surgery.

Good Luck tomorrow! For future reference-- Clear liquids refers to any beverage that is transparent- such as broth, Jello, tea, black coffee etc. is considered to meet that standard. The big item that doesn't fit in clear liquids is dairy, as that is not transparent. Full liquids is just as the name implies- beverages, cream Soups, puddings, ice cream, yogurt, etc. Just as a disclaimer-- I have written basic categories above. Some practices excluded certain items and all, to my knowledge require low fat/no fat and no sugar/low sugar/ or no added sugar versions for any of the above.

Tomato soup is fine. Full liquids include fluids that you can't see through and also yogurt.

246 today

I get doggie bags! One thing I try to do is look at the menu online. The chains all have nutrition posted. That way I can find something I like that is not terrible for me. You probably already know this, but a lot of restaurants have dishes that sound healthy but are really bad nutritionally. When I review the menu online I fell prepared. I also enjoy the leftovers for at least 2 more meals.

@@rhayla Thanks for this post. It really encouraged me!

Hi there- I have exactly the same schedule and a teenage daughter! After the 2 weeks you will probably be on puree foods. I kept it simple by using pre-made shakes, greek yogurt, scrambled eggs, and homemade bean or lentil type of Soups that I could smash up really good since I had no desire to puree anything. Considering that I was not hungry at all it was very easy. It has gotten much harder since I have been on solid food. What works best for me is having a shake or egg for Breakfast, Soup from the cafeteria at work, a cheese stick, greek yogurt or Protein bar for a snack, and then dinner after I get home. I just don't have the time or interest to pack a full lunch so this is easy! By 2 weeks out I felt pretty good. I did work a couple of day at home which helped.

I am probably just odd here but I find it almost insulting that striving to improve health requires a psychological evaluation. I know the rationale- I just disagree with it being a blanket requirement. That being said, I had to complete a fairly long questionnaire. The appointment itself was very pleasant. We talked about family support systems and food triggers. The whole thing was about 40-45 minutes. I felt a little bad because I walked in with such a bad attitude and it was a great experience!

I have always been overweight and have tried numerous weight loss plans. Back in the middle of 2013 I was having terrible knee pain and decided to get injections. I also started to eat healthy, keep a weight diary, exercise, etc. After one year, I realized I had lost (and gained) the same 15 pounds! At that moment I realized that it was time to consider WLS. That was in July of 2014. I called for an appointment and had the sleeve on November 19th. At 51 pounds down now, I know it was the right decision for me. I am very glad though, that I took that year. I think I needed that evidence right in my face to understand that I needed to go down this road. Is WLS for you? Maybe! If you do very well pre-op and are able to lose and feel that you can keep the weight off than you can always choose not to have the surgery. Good Luck.

It is certainly possible though not fun! The Protein shakes are a good start- Make sure you get 60+ grams of protein per day. For my pre-op diet I did Protein Shakes and greek yogurt with 64 oz of Water daily. It wasn't bad and the results were impressive. I don't know if you will lose the full amount but you will make a dent at least. I would advise you to let the surgeon and nutritionist know about the prednisone as weight gain is a known side effect. Not to mention they should know what medications you are taking anyway. Good Luck.

I was also instructed not to eat or drink at the same time which I follow most of the time. I also started feeling hunger fairly quickly. I was so happy for the first 3 weeks or so when I had absolutely no interest in any food. Now I feel hunger just as I did pre-op. I am very happy though that just a small amount of food takes care of it!

I didn't puree anything either. I had a scrambled egg (which were allowed by my plan in the puree phase) daily, Protein shakes at least once a day, and greek yogurt every day. Not much variety- but at that point I really didn't care, I was just happy not to have shakes all day long!

Hi there, I'm sorry to hear you've had a rough time. It is never easy is it? Perhaps thinking of what motivated you to start this journey in the first place might help. Was it better health, appearance, a fitness goal? Whatever the motivation is, start thinking about it and get your mind in the right place. Also, a follow-up with your surgeon and NUT might also be a good idea. Good Luck!

@@Annie77 I would call the NUT and get this clarified and find out the rationale. Please don't blindly follow this diet plan without a good reason to do so. Like many others on these forums, I did a lot of research pre-op and have never seen a post-op diet so restrictive. Health care providers are fallible human beings just as all of us are. If there is really a good reason to be so restricted then it will make it easier to follow if you know why. If there is not, then you can get help to get your diet advanced safely. Good Luck!

Hang in there! I am 6 weeks out and I can have both alcohol (a sip or two) and pizza (about 1/2 a slice). It's enough that I feel like part of the group and not enough to be harmful to my daily regimen. Also, pizza is not a bad food in small amounts.

I really enjoy dark chocolate. I buy the 70% cocoa German chocolate from Aldi's. They come in .8 oz bars which is just the right size and less than 100 calories.

MOM works like a charm!

unjury makes a great Protein powder for chicken broth. It tastes good and feels so good not to have something sweet!

Just saw this- what a great idea. I'm at 248 now and would like to be at 238 by challenge end.

Hi Everyone, I was sleeved on November 19th. I have been fortunate to have an uneventful recovery. I have lost 51 pounds total (24 since surgery). I have had some challenges since I have been on solid food and don't always make the best choices but overall, it's been a positive experience. I remind myself that on past diets, I would usually lose around 40 pounds, then go into a stall, then get discouraged, and then gain all the weight back and then some! Having this procedure done has really helped keep me motivated and on the right track most of the time.

I am fortunate that my surgeon has a fitness gym just for bariatric clients staffed with exercise physiologists. After 2 weeks I was able to return to the gym and started out slowly. I am now at 6 weeks and am finding it very beneficial.