OutsideMatchInside

I have only ever had heartburn maybe a couple times before surgery. When I had it post surgery the other day after eating something spicy, it was far more intense.

I think most doctors do it in 2 surgeries, because of issues with the band, they have to give your stomach time to recoup. The band creates scar tissue etc. You are more likely to have issues with your sleeve if you do it all at once.

If you live in or near a major city, call around. You will find a health food store selling them. My fav Syntrax right now is the Cappuccino.

My surgery was on the 15th. I realized yesterday, I can be a bottomless pit for water and anything the same consistence as water. So now I can easily drink an 8oz Syntrax Nectar. I used to have to stop after 2-3 sips but I can keep constantly sipping almost. I haven't tested it too much just because I get too distracted to keep drinking. I do know from watching my swallow test that fluids start emptying into my intestines almost instantly, but it is more like sand through an hourglass. So I think in theory if I take small sips I can drink almost constantly. So now I can finally meet my water goals without counting protein drinks. I am on soft foods. soft scrambled eggs and soft fish. I can't finish an egg. Partially because I remembered I hate scrambled eggs, I like mine poached or over easy. So I eat them very slow, and it gets cold and really disgusting before I finish. I can eat 2-3 oz of fish/crab. I have to be very careful to eat it slow so I don't get too full. I love seafood, and it is too tempting to gobble it. I forget to eat a lot so my calories are 300-500 most of the time. Today I got in 700 because I didn't work at all today and was not at the computer. No sharp pains and I have been basically pain free since day 5 or 6. I was able to sleep on my stomach on day 4. If I measure out 1/2 a cup I never finish it. I think 3 oz is really my max

Crab cakes at bonefish grill. Can only eat 1/2 a crab cake at a time. They are the only place with crab cakes that are basically all crab and almost no fillers

If you read a lot of forums, not just this one, but several you get varying stories. Some people claim they are hungry from day 1, some people say their hunger returns in 2 years. Everyone is different. There is a reason most doctors have you eat foods in stages, not just to heal but they are trying train you on the right way to eat. If you use the time when you don't have hunger to build healthy habits, when you do get hungry later you can make the right choices. salad greens have almost no calories for the large volume you can eat, so if later you make a choice like that when you are hungry, the sleeve and the learning to re-eat has done its job. Ask your doctor what their opinion on this is.

I only have head hunger, which is hard to deal with, but not physical hunger. There have been some times I have missed the comfort of food but for the most part it is fleeting. I am having 2-3 shakes and a seafood item for lunch, that I usually end up splitting up into 2 servings. 1/2 at lunch 1/2 2 hours later. Adding the calories of food makes it harder to keep calories and protein in alignment but tracking everything really helps

Those of us 2 weeks out. How is soft foods going?

@@Highdee215 I was taking care of myself on the 3rd day. I live alone and my friend had to return home. 5 weeks sounds like a lot of complications. It can happen to anyone but the chances are slim.

So I can finally eat something and I am scared to. I am afraid of hurting myself. I have not had any nausea since I left the hospital. I can drink all my fluids since about 5 days. I can take pretty decent size swallows of liquid, not gulps but but almost normal sized swallows. I have no issues drinking my Protein. I feel pretty normal just with no appetite. I am afraid I will hurt myself eating by being able to eat too much. I am afraid I will be able to eat too much. I am afraid of making the right choices. At this point I want to just stick to Protein drinks because the limitation is comforting.

I have a low carb crab cake recipe I make. I can't want to make some. I had the crab stuffed flounder from trader joe's today. I had 1/2 for lunch and half for dinner. It was great. @@Kevbear I can relate to some of what you are saying. I know that I have to get on solid food to get back to a normal schedule. I can't live off 300-500 calories a day forever. I will never have enough energy to do anything. Workout or shop. I'm too young to get tired like that. If you eat slow, you really get full fast off very little. The way I make myself eat slowly is to watch tv or be at the computer. If I am just eating I will eat too fast or I will get bored, my food will get cold and I will just make a shake.

Your examples are not people that are express struggle or resentment. If someone is struggling why add to their struggle? This is her life partner not, some friend. A little compassion goes a long way.

Have you ever purchased from here before? looking at this size chart and comparing it to the measurements at Lane Bryant it looks like their largest size translates to a 14W.

@@Inner Surfer Girl You are right! I made a soft scrambled egg with a slice of cheddar (next time I will use 1/2 a slice) and I was only able to eat 3/4 of it and I was full.

I don't see it as stifling accomplishments but if someone is struggling do you rub your success in their face?

Why not have insurance through the exchange instead of paying the fine each year on your taxes? You might still be able to get a plan through an exception. You have to have insurance, it is the law, so you might as well get one that can help you achieve your goals. No insurance at all. I'm a small business owner.

@doybledinfla make sure you walk all you can, it helps with everything

Maybe don't weigh yourself except for Doctor visits. He is with you every day so he won't notice the weight as much seeing it. Losing weight together and having it feel like a competition is bad for any relationship. When I have tried to lose weight with friends, and you lose more than them, they say all kinds of hurtful things, even if surgery is not involved. "You are losing because you are taller" "You have more free time to work out" "You are heavier so, so you are losing faster" You know your husband best, and I am not married, but it seems like removing the competition aspect and maybe even conceding that yes it is harder to lose without surgery might smooth things over. The writing is on the wall now, and if you want to keep your relationship smooth take some action now, don't let it ride.

They are gross. They are super sweet with almost a syrupy consistency. The ready made have a lot of Fluid ounces for you to get the Protein in them, which makes them bad for after surgery when you can drink less at a time. Look around for higher quality cold processed Proteins. powders are always better than ready mades because they have less junk in them to keep them shelf stable.They have to do a lot to pre-mades to keep them shelf stable. You don't get that many calories, make sure they are the highest quality.

I keep mu handbook on my desk and I look at it at least once a day. The Vitamin schedule is really the hard to remember.

This is what I can start adding this week. I have been looking forward to fish since I am a big seafood lover. I am going to try an egg with cheese in the morning. It is more just gear I don't have my food issues under control than anything physical. My sleeve has been pretty solid. Thanks for the responses, I will try to take it slow.

I live on the second floor and I have never had an issue with going up and down the stairs. Where you incisions are, they are all above your belly button (at least mine were and most people I have seen). So walking, stairs they don't hurt, the thing that hurt are things that bend your abs. The day I came home I had to pause on the stairs only because I was weak after a 10 day liquid diet and 2 day with nothing at all. You might not have the energy for them, but they shouldn't hurt.

I think you can do it. Good luck. I didn't have a solid nights sleep until the 4th night and that made all the difference. My energy went way up

They may see it as preventive. No private rooms sucks. The mother is more of a concern than the doctors, living with her must be hell.

Only you know. How do you feel? How is your engry? Do you have breaks between classes?