LeeRN

I was sleeved 4/6/2015 and have lost 60.9 lbs so far! I had a few "stalls" but thankfully got past them and moved on. I feel SO much better physically. I have a lot more to go but happy with my success so far.

awww..@@proudgrammy (I don't know how to link your names..sorry..i am very message board handicapped ). Thanks for sharing your story! Congrats on you wonderful achievement. I would share my story..but..well, maybe some day. I'm a very private person. I don't even want to put my ticker here. I lost 33 lbs so far (sleeved 4/6/15) and can't wait to lose more and really see a difference.

I was eating a yogurt with strawberries in it (I didn't add them fresh) and I remember reading something about strawberry seeds..should I avoid strawberries (I know i'm not allowed to have them fresh fruit yet..not until 3 months post-op). And please post what brand yogurts you're eating..i'm afraid my choices have too many carbs.

Are you getting enough fluids in? I was told that if you're hungry between meals you're likely thirsty. Try drinking and see if that helps.

Great! I was very anemic pre-op. My hemoglobin was only 8.9 (no wonder I was exhausted all the time!) and my ferritin was low indicating iron-deficiency anemia. I was worrying that I wouldn't get it high enough to have surgery by my scheduled date but I did it! Just squeaked by at 10.6. I saw my hematologist just last week and I thought for sure I would be anemic because there are days I forgot my iron supplement but alas I was 11.1..whew! Good luck and I hope you get the answer to why you're a bit pale.

hang in there..i finally budged and lost 7 lbs!

Where can I find your blog? Whoops found it *chuckles*

Yes.. I was sleeved 4/6/15 and after a couple of weeks post op I was at a stand still for a about 2-3 wks. I stopped weighing my self to avoid disappointment and when I hopped back on the scale i found I lost 6 lbs. There's a post on the boards here about the "dreaded 3 week stall". There is a complex physiological reason behind it having to do with glycogen and water retention. I'm on my iPhone app right now so if someone would be kind enough to post a link (if you can) to the article it would be much appreciated! Good luck and keep following your plan. You'll get past this stall.

If you are paler than before you should ask your PMD to check your hemoglobin and hematocrit along with iron studies (ferritin, etc) to be sure you aren't anemic. Are you taking iron supplements that are easily absorbable after bariatric surgery? Check with you're surgeon or nutritionist to be sure you're taking the right supplements.

Same..I'm 4 weeks post op and haven't lost anything in a couple of weeks. Just hang tough and soon you'll be back to losing. This won't be forever

Aubrey there is such a thing as the "dreaded 3 week stall" where you stoop losing weight for a bit. Supposedly it's completely normal. You just have to wait it out a couple of weeks and if you stick to the plan the pounds will begin dropping off again. I'm at a stall too.. For the past 3 weeks my scale read exactly the same. Glad to know this is a normal process

I had the sleeve on April 6th as well. Doing ok except I'm still learning when to take that last bite. It seems a few times I ate a bite or more than I should have and oh my poor stomach. It's almost 3 pm today and all I had is maybe 10 sips of a banana, yogurt and peanut butter smoothie with soy protein powder and I feel stuffed. I can't even drink. I'm afraid I'll become dehydrated some day because it's hard to get in the amount of water expected of me. Good luck and keep us april sleeves updated on your progress.

I was just wondering because after being on a 3 week strict Optifast liquid diet pre-op and now liquid diet (only broth, optifast shake, sugar free Jello and water/sugar free non-carbonated drinks) I'm having a tough time. Doesn't help (psychologically anyway) that I did the "light" optifast plan before the pre-op diet..so so many days with out much real food. I'm curious how many went to full liquid or pureeds 1 wk post op. Lee

Hello Jana, I'd love to join your support group. I've been an RN for 19 yrs. I've worked in med/surg/tele and also acute physical Rehab. Right now I'm a clinical data coordinator for a national cardiovascular registry. I was sleeved on 4/6/15. Almost 3 weeks out and on a full liquid diet (next week I start puree). I've lost 25 lbs since starting the pre-op liquid diet and 45lbs from my highest weight. I look forward to joining you and the others nurses joining the group.

Hello Cars, sounds like you're doing well. For 2 weeks post op I was allowed only clear liquids and Optifast shakes. Week 3 full liquid .. Which includes clear liquids plus yogurt and milk , unsweetened breakfast drink (carnation instant breakfast) cream soups, cottage cheese. Week 4 I'm allowed purees ( next week). I think you're doing fine with those things.. Just make sure nothing is too thick for your new stomach to handle.

Congrats on making one of the single best decisions of your life! I was sleeved 4/6/15.. Lost about 25 lbs total so far (including 3 wk preop liquid diet) and ALREADY I feel so much better! I was like you.. Because I lost 50+ lbs on my own before I thought I could do it again but frankly...I just can't and I can't risk gaining it all back like I did before. I have chronic health issues that I know will be relieved with weight loss and it can't happen quick enough. I'm ready to be HAPPY again!! There's a light at the end of the tunnel! Good luck .. You can do this!!

I was sleeved April 6th and by God I'm having a terrible time getting in all my supplements and protein rich food. I've been on clear liquids for 2 weeks and supposed to start FULL liquids this Monday, however in a desperate attempt to get protein and calories in, I started it today. I'm feeling weak and afraid to get in the shower because last time I did I almost fainted. This morning when I woke up I noticed my hands were trembling slightly. A few wks preop my hemoglobin was only 8.9. I was severely iron deficient. I took Iron and it went up to 10.6 just pre-op. Wondering if I'm more anemic now or if it's lack of protein, calories or an electrolyte imbalance. Anyone feel this 2 wks post op?

Full liquid or puree and what did you eat? I will be full liquid this Monday...finally!

Thanks for your replies! I was just curious...I'm on full liquids starting week 3 then next week I can have purees. Soooo tired of liquids!

Thanks..my doc had me on clear 2 weeks and full liquid the 3rd. His diet regimen seems to be stricter pre and post op. I was on optifast liquid diet for 3 weeks preop..I'm dying for food...head hungry I guess you all call it

I don't get nauseous, but I really dislike the taste of whey Protein. I bought the unjury unflavored and mixed it with crystal light and Water and t took all I could to get it down. I also bought Syntrax strawberry kwi proten powder (to-go packets) and is is bearable but I still don't like it much. I read somewhere on here cottage cheese is very high in protein and so I will be making a trek to the grocery store to stock up on the nonfat version. Eventually I can mix it with a bit of fruit to make it tastier. I found "Powerful yogurt" in my specialty grocery. It packs 21grams of proten in one cup. It's kind of high in carbs but I may sacrifice that to get the protein in at this point because I'm getting only about 20 gms in a day

It definitely gets better! I was nauseous and vomiting 1st day post op as well. I received anti-nausea meds via IV and also had a scopolamine patch placed behind my ear and that helped a lot. 2nd day is a bit easier. 3rd day is best. My doc gave me anti-nausea meds for home as well..i only took one as a precaution the day after I got home and have been fine since (2 weeks post-op now). Hang in there!

Honestly, I would get a 2nd and 3rd opinion on that. Is it possible that he prefers the more frequent visits (hence more frequent payments) that come with the Lap Band? I hate to think that way but money making is a big motivator for many physicians.

On Monday I will be 2 weeks out...it's been tough (I want to eat REAL food lol) but I have no regrets except what everyone else has said..why did I wait so long? I have lost 25lbs total since my 1st visit pre-op with my surgeon thanks to the 3 wk liquid pre-op Optifast diet and 2 week liquid diet post-op. I know I have only to watch the lbs fall off and enjoy new energy, shopping for clothes, better health (goodbye back pain, knee pain, etc) and spending more time with my kids while they're young and we can do fun active things. Good luck with your decision..it's only one you can make.

Time for a check in! Sorry I have been MIA.I somehow missed this thread. Still trying to orient myself to this message board. Update on me: Pain is very bearable now..mostly incisional but that will improve soon enough with the healing process. I'm struggling with what to eat (read: drink! lol) as I have tired of Optifast (was on it 3 wks pre-op) and all I have left is vanilla..never liked it to begin with. I'm also shocked how my energy level is so poor. I had my 1st post-op apt yesterday and decided to shop a bit afterward and oh my goodness I was pooped and had to sit on the stool in the dressing room to try clothes on (none I picked fit..grrr BTW). I am supposed to be back to work on Monday. Thankfully my job doesn't require to to run my butt off all day like I used to..desk job now.. so hopefully all will go well there though I think I will be exhausted by the end of the week. I have lost 25lbs since my very first visit with the surgeon (many months ago).about 10-15 of it post op. My jeans are literally falling off my butt..which feels awesome! So tell me my fellow April Sleevers..how are you all doing?