leebick

I DID IT!! The first number on the scale isn't a "2" anymore! I haven't weighed this little in 24 years. It's amazing- amazing to feel 'normal' again, but also amazing that I let myself get into such terrible shape/weight. The whole sleeve surgery and diet haven't been easy, but it's certainly ben worth it. The only thing I regret about this surgery is that I didn't do it sooner. I can just imagine how life would have been different if I'd done this when my daughter was 13 instead of 23. Still... I am so psyched that I am where I am now. Eighty pounds down, 40-ish to go!!

You'll get there! We have almost the exact same stats- I am 5'5", high weight was 278, started my program at 268 (Dec. 2105). My surgery date was 9/15/16 and now I weigh less than 200 pounds. It's amazing... I feel the happy tears, but also the sad tears that I wasted so many years of my life being overweight, hating myself, and focused on how bad I looked and felt. Now? I just wish I'd done this when I was 40 or 50, instead of waiting until I turned 60. YOU CAN DO THIS!! And thanks, everyone, for the support, advice, and kind words!

I'll agree with Babbs and LipstickLady. You need more calories from protein and fat, and lower your carbohydrates (if you are eating carbs). Your metabolism has slowed down because when your caloric intake is low enough, your body thinks it's facing a starvation situation. Metabolism slows to prevent you from losing too much weight and potentially starving to death. Feed your body protein and fat and you'll jump start your metabolism and start losing again. If you are already eating a lower-carb diet, look at your carb sources. In addition to eliminating breads, pasta, rice, and potatoes, cut back on/eliminate fruit and veggies such as peas, corn, carrots, onions, winter squashes, and tomatoes. These are all higher-carb veggies that can slow down weight loss. Also drink as much zero-calorie liquid as you can. I'd suggest some of this come from PowerAid Zero to help with electrolyte balance. When I think I can't stomach any more water, I will drink low-cal cranberry juice cut 2:1 or 1:1 with water. That little bit of flavor and tartness makes drinking water much more palatable!

Depends on the shake. Ready-to-drink shakes ARE full of all kinds of stuff, but some of the powders, like Syntrax nectar, are strictly whey protein isolate. No fat, no carbs, just protein.

Every place is different. Immediately post-surgery (once I was in my room), I was given ice chips and a sponge swab in a cup of ice water. I was allowed to swab as frequently as I wanted/needed, just asked not to suck too much water out of the swab. Ice chips were available in whatever quantity wanted. I had the Biotene spray but never used it. Waste of $8.

I am 5 weeks post-op and am cleared to eat anything I want (OK, no alcohol, no carbonation). I have been doing really well all along, didn't have the 3 week stall, feeling pretty good, eating most meats (well-chewed), etc. About a week ago, I started feeling "full" almost immediately when I eat. My full feeling is actually pressure-pain behind my breastbone. I'm beginning to worry about this. I am to the point where about the only Protein I can eat is cheese and cottage cheese. I've been mincing any meat and moistening it with broth, but I still can only get down about 1 tablespoon before I am uncomfortable. I do OK with liquids, so I've resumed drinking my Protein shakes, but have found that the milk-based ones fill me up pretty quickly, too; I am able to drink an entire 8oz of water-based Protein drinks but only about half of the milky ones. Should I be worried? What should I be worried about?I feel like I'm so far post-op that I shouldn't be calling my surgeon with this, but I don't know. I have an appointment with my Nut in a week and am hoping this straightens out by then. I am thinking of going back onto my liquids diet for awhile, to see if my insides smooth out a bit (I have plenty of turkey broth, hahaha, given I cooked a 14 pound turkey yesterday!). It just seems like I'm going backwards in my ability to tolerate different foods. Has anyone had this experience, or have any advice/suggestions?

I brought all kinds of stuff that I never touched. Only things I used/wore were my sleep shorts so my backside was covered when walking around, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, chap stick (although they gave me one), and my crocs. I had my tablet with me and used it once, to let my sister know I was OK. I also brought a throw blanket (the kind you get at Walmart for around $4) to use as a prop for my head, to help me get into a comfortable sitting or sleeping position. I was in the hospital from 5am on a Wed until 2pm on Saturday. I slept a lot, walked as much as possible, watched some TV, and had some visitors. I was given sponge mouth swabs and ice water to keep my mouth moist- otherwise I probably would have used my Biotene spray (which I still have, unused...)

What protein shake are you drinking that has 34g. protein in a 4oz serving?

I am four months out and still could not eat that much Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App I'm 10 weeks out and I can't eat that much, either. I didn't do badly, considering how little I can eat, but I could have made better choices. I had about 2T of turkey with a little gravy (otherwise I can't swallow it, or keep in down without pain) and about 1T of stuffing/mashed potato combined. I also had a smidgen of blueberry pie (a slice about a quarter of an inch wide) from which I only ate the filling, a bite of pumpkin pie (about 1/2 tsp), and some bites of chocolate cake (maybe 1T total). It doesn't seem fair that the Protein, which I enjoy and need more than the sweets, is so hard to eat, but the Desserts seem to slide right down! It's OK, I didn't gain any weight and I'm back "on the wagon," so to speak... the desserts didn't lead me to any slippery slope or anything!

I know exactly what you mean! Over the holiday we saw so many folks who I haven't seen since before I started this journey. Last Thanksgiving, I weighed 278 pounds. I started my program in January 2016 and had surgery on 9/15/16, so THIS Thanksgiving I weigh 204 pounds. People were shocked at my weight loss, and I am AMAZED at how much better I feel and look! CONGRATULATIONS on your weight loss, and keep up the good work!

My surgeon told me that my sleeve is located pretty much directly behind the lower part of my breastbone. Pressure in this area indicates that I'm full or over-full.

I haven't done this with the RTD shakes as I don't like them, but I do it with the Syntrex Nectar powder. I heat unsweetened almond milk until it's 130-135 degrees, then add the protein powder. It tastes great! Just don't let the temp go over 140 degrees, as your protein will change texture (although the RTD shakes are heat processed to make them shelf safe, so not 100% sure how worried you should be...)

What is everyone eating for dinner? Are you really eating a meal, albeit small, or is "dinner" a misnomer? I am 7 weeks post-op and still struggling to hit my Fluid and Protein goals every day. I eat a slice of cheese for Breakfast, then have a Protein shake throughout the morning. I usually cannot finish it before it's time to stop drinking before lunch. I bring 3T of protein for lunch (either leftovers from my husband's dinner the previous evening, or something like tuna or chicken salad) and a couple T of greek yogurt (80 cal Dannon), but I can't finish either of these. More drinking during the afternoon, maybe another protein shake or maybe just liquid. Dinner turns out to be a couple of tablespoons of protein... and then I'm full. TOO full, uncomfortably so. My surgeon and nut both say just keep trying, so I do, but I'm really struggling. Honestly, this isn't what I expected. I want to eat a meal. Not huge, generous portions of high carb, high fat foods, but just a balanced meal. Each evening I make myself a little plate, with a few T of protein and a couple T of something else (veggies mostly, but sometimes mashed or baked white or sweet potato). The problem is, I can't eat it. By the time I eat my protein first, I'm more than done. I am eating protein and nothing else, and it's not making me happy. Does this ever get better, or is having a "real meal" really never happen? I expected it would be hard at the beginning, but thought this would be getting easier with the passing weeks, not harder. I'm really feeling pretty demoralized right now.

That's where i am, too. By the time I can eat a couple of T of Protein, i'm too full to eat anything else. It's sad... I don't miss crap food, I don't miss huge portions, but I sure do miss variety (and salad).

Sleeved Sept. 15, so we are at almost the same point in our journeys! I've had leg cramp problems from the beginning. Nut suggested I drink PowerAde Zero instead of just water, to help with electrolyte balance. If you are still having issues getting all your fluids in, you might try this; it'll help with both fluid intake and electrolytes.

Make sure you check with your nut about what you can eat at that point. I wasn't allowed beans at all at that point because they create gas. Bummed me out... I was looking forward to the beans with cheese! Also I couldn't eat scrambled eggs at all; in fact, I still struggle with eggs 7 weeks post-op.

Ask for an antiemetic to fight the nausea! If they won't prescribe anything (and they should- I can't imagine they'd want you vomiting at this point!), once you are home get some motion sickness medication. My surgeon prescribed 25mg chewable meclizine for me to take at home if I felt nauseous (and I know you can purchase this OTC at Walmart, Target, etc). It worked wonders (and it's chewable)!

I am 7 weeks post-op and still struggle to reach my Fluid and protein goals every day. I just get too full before I can finish my portions! I get strong, pressing pain just under my breastbone when I eat more than a couple of tablespoons of anything. My surgeon said that my sleeve is pretty much right under my breastbone, and so that's where I should feel fullness. Anyhow... hang in there and stick to the liquids for the first 2 weeks. The less digesting your sleeve has to do, the better!

You can get a sample pack from Syntrex online.. www.si03.com. Hover your mouse over the "monthly Special" part of the home page and it'll give you the info for calling. $16.99 for 15 samples (one of each flavor), includes shipping. After that? I signed up at luckyvitamin.com and got a 20% off coupon code, so I ordered from them. I still order from them- they have been very reliable, the cost is pretty decent, often have free shipping, and usually send a surprise gift in the order!

I started weighing myself the first night I got home. I gained 5 pounds in the hospital from all the fluids they pumped into me. I know some programs say don't weigh yourself, but nobody mentioned that to me so I went for it! I weigh almost every day and have been losing steadily. I am 5 weeks post-op and have lost 32 pounds- almost a pound a day, on average. Just remember- that first week or so will be odd, because of the fluids pumped into you from surgery, plus the Fluid you retain as a result of the surgery (it's an insult to your tissues- your body wants to hold on to fluid in sort-of a protection mode). I found I lost a bunch of weight to begin with, and now it's evening out to about a pound a day. We'll see, but so far, I'm happy!!

Sorry, my husband; shorthand from a different forum! Also- I like oregano, but the flavor is VERY pronounced in the ricotta bake recipe- probably because there's not much else there to mellow it! @@KristenLe has good ideas, but make sure your nut/surgeon approves them. Although I didn't have to do purees- "mushies" is good enough- I am not cleared yet for any Beans, avocado, hummus (garbanzo beans), broccoli, cauliflower, onion, whole fruits (unless peeled and cooked, and even that's limited)... a bunch of stuff that they consider too fibrous or too gassy. I am still waiting for refried beans with cheese, sour cream, and salsa!!!

I am 5 weeks post-op and it's finally getting easier to eat and drink. I'm still not hitting my Fluid and Protein goals, but I'm coming close and am down 32 pounds since surgery. I teach school so my free/lunch time is limited, and it's hard to drink all the time while teaching, LOL! Here's what my "meal" plan looks like: Breakfast- a slice of cheese and a cup of coffee (with about 1T 2% milk). I don't have time to cook and eat slowly in the morning, so I grab a slice of cheese and break off little pieces of it to eat while I am getting ready for work. An alternate to the cheese is a protein shake; I use Syntrax nectar and mix it with either Water or unsweetened almond milk (Almond Breeze). Morning fluids- If I had cheese for b'fast, I take a Protein shake with me to work to drink during the morning. I also drink Powerade Zero, because I need the electrolytes. If I don't bring the protein shake, I try to drink more liquid (clear, sugar-free, non-carbonated stuff). Lunch- I measure out all my food, aiming for 4T total. I never can eat all of it. Some things I've had success with: tuna salad, chicken salad, egg salad (all homemade, finely chopped and using low-cal mayo), cottage cheese, ricotta cheese (both low fat), apple sauce, Fruitocracy squeezable fruit (i like the strawberry banana), minced meat with broth from the prior evening's dinner, thinly sliced ham to wrap around cheese (1 slice of thin, pre-packed ham with about 1/4 slice cheese, I'll make 2 of these), Peanut Butter (eaten off a spoon- actually I lick at it, not really eat it). IF I take veggies, it's usually canned veg, mushed up pretty finely. I've had success with canned green Beans, carrots, beets, zucchini, baked squash. Mid-afternoon fluids- I just keep drinking. I have a cup of homemade broth (from roasted chicken carcass or roasted beef bones- yes, I get them from the butcher section labeled "pet bones" but only the FRESH ones, not the prepackaged ones!) during this time- love the savory flavor and as we eat dinner fairly late, it helps tide me over. Dinner- I eat whatever meat DH is having, chopped up with some broth or cooking liquid. I really enjoy stuffing thinned out with broth, but am trying to avoid the carbs so it's a treat- something I can eat on a day when nothing else has gone down well and I'm way short on calories. It's not protein, but it's food. I've also had luck with mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potato, baked potato, etc., but once again there's that carb thing. Hmmm... that ricotta bake recipe that's going around is OK, but has too much oregano flavor for me to really enjoy. LOVED pizza night on Friday- I ate about half the cheese from one slice and it was delicious!! NO crust or bread product, though! No Pasta, which killed me when I made homemade mac-and-cheese for dinner last week, but I was happy to have about 1/4 cup of the sauce for my dinner! Higher fat than I'd normally choose to eat, but it was amazingly overwhelmingly delicious and it made me feel like I could get through this! Evening fluids... more Clear liquids, maybe a sugar-free popsicle. So that's where I am right now.

Go to http://www.si03.com. This is their home page. Hover your mouse over the right hand side of the page where it says "Monthly Special" and the information for ordering will appear. You have to call them and have a credit card, but it's easy to do and the package arrives pretty quickly. This protein got me through a solid month of liquids-only, and more. I ended up ordering the 2.2lb containers from luckyvitamin.com; it wasn't cheap, but I ordered a container a month until I had plenty of variety to get me through all the diets (surgery was postponed twice, so I did full liquids for 13 days the first time, 10 days the second time, and finally 14 days pre-op and another 14 days post-op) and beyond.

My surgical group recommended having 4-6 months of proton pump inhibitor antacids on hand for post-surgery. I am glad I didn't sink that kind of money into this, as nobody has ever recommended that I take any antacid. I don't think I've been experiencing any kind of reflux or heartburn but I do feel hunger pangs. I didn't expect this, as the cells that produce ghrelin are located in the part of my stomach that was removed. Will taking a PPI help with this? I don't think this is head hunger; I really do feel hungry periodically during the day!

Proton pump inhibitor- it's the way the medication works to prohibit acid production in your system.