ttdish

Yes!!! I get that it can be frustrating to watch people lose 10, 15, 20 pounds in a week, but you can't compare your journey to anyone else. Someone with a BMI of 55 will likely have a faster initial loss than someone with a BMI of 40. Those who lost a bunch on the pre-op diet may lose less their first week post op because that first "easy" 10 pounds or so of Water weight is gone. Someone with a smooth recovery who gets moving early on may lose at a faster pace than someone dealing with constant pain and nausea for the first week. We need to give ourselves a break, do our best and Celebrate every pound that gets us closer to our new, healthier life.

29 lbs since the 31st? Or including pre-op? If that's not including pre-op, that's insane!! Either way, congrats to you!

I'm just curious how many calories on average most consume in the first few weeks pre-op. I know Protein is more important at this point, but I'm logging all of my food, and as a life long dieter, I can't help but notice the number of calories. I'm 8 days post op, and have been averaging about 400 cals/per day since about day 4. I expect that number will go up as I add more food/volume. Soooo... What were your averages in the first few weeks and months after surgery? Note: I don't have a NUT. I'm self pay, so I didn't have the required dietician/nutritionist appointments leading up to surgery. I did a ton of research, and got a basic meal plan from my surgeon, but I don't have a nutritionist to talk to about this kind of stuff. I'm equally concerned about eating too few calories as I am about eating too many. I don't want to starve myself into losing weight... I want to do it right!

I'm not supposed to take them until 4 weeks out. I've got a whole schedule worked out so calcium and iron don't conflict and I'm never taking too many at once.

THANK YOU!

My protein target is 60-80 grams. I get close most days, but haven't quite hit 60 yet. Are you consuming a lot of Protein shakes and powder to get to 100? That seems like so much! My surgeon has me eating three mini meals with soft protein (cottage cheese, eggs, etc) and having protein shakes between meals. I can't usually finish both shakes, and with my mini meals being 1-2 oz, my protein target seems barely attainable. In fact, the only day in which I have met my goal is when I skipped a mini meal in favor of finishing a full shake. I'd definitely be open to hearing some tips on how you get so much protein in every day. 100 g is impressive! Do you mind if I ask, how well are you losing at 4 months out eating 1000-1300 calories? I see so many posts about people eating 600 for months and months, and that doesn't seem healthy or realistic to me, but I don't know if that's the norm or not. I agree that it's unfortunate that I don't have nutritional support, but I'm dealing with the cards I've been dealt, and I know I can be successful! I am a smart person, and not afraid to ask questions from people who are already on this journey

I've been using "waterlogged" to track my fluid intake, and "next bite" to help me slow down while I eat. Using that, it's taking me 15-20 minutes to eat 2 oz of a soft Protein like cottage cheese or eggs. I am only 8 days post op, but have found both of these tremendously helpful!

Ummm... This needs to be pinned! Like a, "come here when you hit the three week stall" post! Great explanation Babbs! This question is posted almost daily. I bet there are hundreds of threads on this very topic on this site, but a large number of people never read them, or must not think it applies to them. You will learn a lot if you read through this site. You can also use the search function to find posts related to specific issues. Oh, I know! I just thought this particular explanation was exceptional. I've been keeping my eye on your posts, since we had our discussion about drinking water and the pyloric valve. You've always got a lot of good things to add to the conversation!

You can actually get the weight loss surgery for dummies cookbook for free in pdf form! http://www.edu12345.com/fujian/shu/jfsssp.pdf

Funny... I haven't ridden an amusement park ride in a long time. I didn't even bother going to the parks for fear I wouldn't fit in the rides, and I'd be humiliated. I can't wait to go next summer, just because I can!! I don't see why your stomach size should impact your ability to ride... Interested to hear if anyone thinks different.

Sleeves 8/31, so just a few days behind you. Had a smooth recovery so far. Very little pain, no nausea or vomiting. My surgeon's plan allows for soft Protein (cottage cheese, eggs, ground meat, etc) starting on day three. So far I have tolerated everything, and I'm so glad I'm not limited to liquids. Having trouble getting all of my liquids in, but REALLY trying. Also struggling getting all of my protein in. It's a work in progress. Eating about 400 cals/day (no idea what is average for this stage), but feeling really good as long as I take it easy and don't exert myself too much. Down 21 pounds in 3 weeks (12 pre-op, 9 post-op). I'm 5'3, started at 245, and I am 32. That's all about me... How are you doing??

i got sleeved 8/27 as well. And only lost 15lbs too! Before my sleeve, it would have taken me months for me to lost 15 pounds! Try to keep in mind how hard your body is working! 15 pounds in a week, two or three weeks is SO GOOD!

Ummm... This needs to be pinned! Like a, "come here when you hit the three week stall" post! Great explanation Babbs!

I'd check with your surgeon.. Everyone's recovery is different, but that doesn't sound normal Better to get it checked out so they can help you, or at least reassure you that it is normal.

Luckily, my plan has allowed for small amounts of food since day three, which I think really has helped me avoided crazy cravings... But, I would say try to stay hydrated. If you know you are going to be around tempting food, fill that tiny tummy up with some broth, so even if you are really craving something, there is no room. I've also heard that reflux can mimic hunger... Are you on anything for reflux? My surgeon puts all of his patients on Prilosec for three months post op. Less acid means better healing as well. Good luck!!

I'm betting your post-op plan is similar to mine.. For my plan at three weeks, it is 3 mini-meals (2-3 oz soft protein), and two "meals" of Protein shakes. So I'm guessing you are eating (or are supposed to be eating) more than three times a day, but two of them are the shakes you can't handle? I agree with InnerSurferGirl, getting the protein is way more important that the form it comes in, especially if you are already tolerating soft foods well and they are allowed on your plan. I went out and bought some Isopure clear Protein drinks to top off my protein intake at the end of the day if I haven't reached my goal. I can tolerate the shakes, but am SO tired of them. Also, I can't imagine having been on clears for a week, then full liquids for a week, and not even touching real food until two weeks or longer. I love my surgeon's more progressive plan, and am tolerating everything really well!

That makes sense, but even still, when the valve opens, well chewed/puréed food that is more watered down would pass through more quickly/easily. So I'll concede that the impact would be less significant with the sleeve, though more so in the early weeks

I'm not a nutritionist, but it seems a bit off base to say this doesn't apply to the sleeve, when nearly every other nutritionist and surgeon other than yours says that it does. It's not about whether you can do it, and not have problems, but about whether you SHOULD do it. I also don't think it's necessarily about having room for your food. I think the video that was posted is right on. Water flushes food out of your stomach faster, so you get hungry again sooner. That's why lots of surgeons say it's ok to drink right up until you eat, but not after. Disclaimer: I'm a newbie, only one week post-op.

Are you itchy all over, or just at your incisions? Do you have a rash? My incisions are itchy, and I think that is normal... Other than that.. Not sure.. If it gets worse, I'd maybe call your surgeon to see if it is something to be concerned about, or if there is something you can take for relief.

The only one I can't get off is from the dang catheter. So.. Following this thread!

Or to be able to wear heels for more than 10 minutes without feeling like I want to cut my feet off! All that extra weight is hard to carry in those dainty shoes!

I don't think someone else can say how you are doing based on pounds lost from time of surgery. We are all going to lose at such different rates. 16 pounds (plus 24) sounds amazing to me. I just try to remember how much of a struggle it has been my whole life to lose even a few pounds and keep it off, and I'm going to Celebrate every pound! I feel you! I finally feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I'm trying to keep the most positive attitude I can. I told my surgeon I'm determined to be his best patient haha. I got my period the second week and gained 5 lbs back and was really upset ... Then I decided I'm only going to weigh myself once a week. The pounds will come off if I stick to the program, so I'm trying to stop putting so much weight in the scale (pun intended! hah) I made my husband hide the scale! I get it back tomorrow morning for my first post-op weigh in. I'm going to do my very best to weigh once a week as well.

I don't think someone else can say how you are doing based on pounds lost from time of surgery. We are all going to lose at such different rates. 16 pounds (plus 24) sounds amazing to me. I just try to remember how much of a struggle it has been my whole life to lose even a few pounds and keep it off, and I'm going to Celebrate every pound!

My bariatric nurse told me in the first few weeks, getting protein and fluids would be a struggle, and if I had to sacrifice one to get the other, sacrifice protein. Protein will help us heal, but water is going to keep us out of the hospital. Made sense to me. ^^ I think I'm going out tomorrow to get some of the clear protein drinks, so I can make sure I don't have to sacrifice protein to get my fluids in.

I was also sleeved on 8/31! So far, so good. My recovery has been very smooth, very little pain and almost no nausea. I've been allowed 3 mini meals per day of 1-2 oz of soft Protein since day 3 post-op, and seem to be tolerating everything fine. Not having much issues with hunger. Struggling getting my Water and protein in, but starting to be able to take bigger sips, so I'm getting there. Now that I can finish a Protein shake (11oz, takes about 30 minutes), I should reach my protein goal today. Water, I just need to remember to sip constantly. I'm feeling very tired today. I'm guessing that comes with eating less than 400 cals/day for a week straight.