OzRoo

I used to add Vaalia plain, natural low fat yoghurt to my Soups, and to tomato juice/V8. Stirred it really well, either in Nutri Bullet or with a fork. Had to ease off tomato/V8 though as it gave me bad acid reflux. I also was advised to add extra Protein powder to my liquids. Somehow it helped, as that stage went quickly for me, thank goodness ..... Good luck @@staceyatw3 PS. In my nutritional post op instructions, it states that if I get really hungry, it may also suggest a quicker move onto the next stage. I managed the liquid stage for 2 weeks, by adding stuff I mentioned above ....

Hi March Sleevers 2016, I finally had my Sleeve done on March 8th 2016. Had to wait 8 months for it, as my surgeon and his team found out in July 2015 that I had Graves Disease (Hyper thyroid), so I had to stabilise my thyroid first ..... I had rapid weight gain between 2014 and February 2016 of 41 kg ( 90.2 pounds ) ! Awful time in my life. I was so disappointed that I had to have a long delay, but it had to be done. My surgeon was very concerned re possible thyroid storm doing the op, that possibly could be fatal ..... Anyway, it is great to connect with March 2016 Sleevers. I am in my 6th week post op, and had my first stall, still on soft foods at this stage, and keep going slowly forward. Best wishes to everyone

@@Lisa_85, yes, thank you. I needed to be reminded of that

After the initial weight loss post op, I experienced the first stall. I think it started in week 3, so for 2 weeks plus, there was nothing. I didn't gain any weight, and I didn't lose any weight. I actually refused to step on my scales, as my look in the mirror showed me no change. During the past 2 weeks I was able to do some exercise, mainly some walking and dancing (at home ) I was also getting very hungry (puree and then soft food phase). Was told by NUT to increase my Proteins. Still was hungry ... ! Every 2 hours or so ... I also had a couple of bad days, physically and emotionally. I caved in and had some chocolate and ice-cream, and I paid for it by an attack of horrible Acid Reflux. Did not exercise for few days, slept badly. Today, I finally had the courage to weigh myself ...... And, I lost some weight, YAY! OK, little loss, from 93.1 kg to 92.5 kg ..... however I haven't gained, thank goodness ! I have been reading up on stall information, and watching YouTube videos on WLS, stalls, weight issues post op, etc Found some fantastic videos from Dr. Matthew Weiner, and I have saved many of them. So, slow but steady ..... Who else has experienced Weight Stalls post surgery? I know these stalls can keep happening, so I am interested in hearing from others, whether recent or past Stalls. Thank you. PS. I am stepping up my proteins, and lowering carbs for now, as per my NUT's instructions.

I am grateful for my very first stall (post 3 weeks), as it made me educate myself more on the WLS journey and process. I am grateful for @@Inner Surfer Girl support and showing me new boards on this huge site. I am grateful for the long term members sharing their experiences and support. I am grateful that I am laughing again I am grateful that I am not alone in this!

@@Inner Surfer Girl Thank you for starting this fantastic thread. Your very first post on the topic is priceless !!! Thank you for steering me here, for support. Also, I too wish This Thread would become a STICKY! And thank you everyone who posted here. So helpful and full of great info and suggestions.

I will check the Embrace the Stall, thank you @@Inner Surfer Girl This is why I don't weigh myself every day, sometimes not every week either. Yes, it is frustrating @@tony031469 Goodluck to us all, and I will now, with baby steps Embrace the Stall ......

Fair enough. Good luck with your insomnia, from another insomnia sufferer ..... It is getting bit better for me.

@@breezy25 I am just curious re your being sent home with Phenergan, as well. I have really bad hay fever and runny nose at times (curtesy of my thyroid), plus I read somewhere that WLS can also aggravate the runny nose post op I get this anti-histamine over the counter, ever since my thyroid issues started. It also helps me with sleep, as it is very sedating. I remember bracing my stomach when I felt a sneeze or cough coming on, early post op. Is this why Phenergan was given to you? Sorry for being bit nosey, just anything to do with runny nose is very interesting to me, as I still battle it daily ...... My prescribed nose sprays don't help at all.

Yes, anaesthetic drugs plus the trauma of surgery can temporarily affect the bowels. As well as pain meds. With Gastric surgery, there is additional challenge of being on liquids only, and this does not help either. Providing there is no massive pain, gas is being expelled OK, this condition is a natural healing symptom. Just need to observe if it gets worse. As mentioned above, Obstruction is a very serious condition. Read up on surgical post op symptoms and signs to pay attention to. Read up on possible complications. Some need ER admission ASAP.

I top up my Water with flat diet sprite. I developed an almost diabolical sugar cravings 2 years ago, as it turned out, my Thyroid was to blame. I craved anything sweet, mostly chocolate, ice cream, cheese cakes. I actually lost these cravings post op. First 10 days I had my chocolate Optifast, now 5 weeks post op, I don't even think about it. I had a couple of teaspoons of ice cream once, and don't need it anymore. I now love my jelly with custard for desert, like 2 hrs after my "dinner". And I can't finish it .... @@biglady904, I don't know if you are Pre-op right now, or in a later stage. All I know is that the hormone Ghrelin is massively reduced with Gastric Sleeve op. This hormone is responsible for hunger. My unhealthy cravings are gone post op. Good luck and best wishes.

@@FocusOnMeNow I can so relate to your experience! That Barium Meal in the hospital ..... definitely atomic! Tiny marbles much later on, yes! Nothing for a long time, especially on the liquid stage. I was advised to add Benefibre to my shakes and juices. Did not help. Finally, someone suggested Osmolax to me (very gentle, powder, mainly for children), this worked almost too well, so I don't take it often. Purees and Soft food stages are finally waking my bowels up .... still very small amounts, but at least soft! What are "FUPAs" ?

I was Sleeved 8th March 2016. Clear liquids first 2 days in hospital, then full liquids in increasing amounts for 14 days. Found out 10-14 days post op, that very acidic juices such as tomato and V8 gave me nasty Acid Reflux. Even on my PPI. Had to give that up, even though I loved tomato juice. My program changes every 2 weeks. Towards the end of the liquid phase, I was really getting bored with it, but persevered. Purees were heaven for a while, then had enough of "baby food" also, but persevered. On Soft food now for 2 weeks. Really learning to eat very slowly, as I get reflux if I eat too fast. I was always a slow eater, but now I am experiencing hunger pangs, hence need to be mindful of eating my mushies slowly. Wishing everyone a great Recovery

I was sent home with Zofran wafers. They helped!

Gosh, some people love to judge, offer unwanted advice, trombone their own opinions ..... To hell with them. Opinions are Not facts, and I usually stay clear from super judgemental people as they really annoy me. "Thank you", "Thanks for sharing", "I do not wish to discuss it", even "so you think you are God?" are some of my answers. I mainly copped few judgements (not from friends or family) when I had a rapid weight gain due to my thyroid disease. Such as " OMG, you need to get back to your size, need to go to Gym, need to diet" etc .... Consequently, I do not see these people anymore. Now, I look forward to get back to health and slimmer me. Frankly, this is my business, and if anyone would keep on annoying me, I'd quickly nip it in the bud. "What you think of me is None of My business", is a title of a book. I've even said it to some people, and watched their brains doing cartwheels, trying to process it .....

About 80g or so. I am in 5th week post op. My Proteins had to increase due to my hunger. My NUT (Dietician in Australia) advised me to get extra proteins in powder form. This is helping my hunger pangs and energy levels. Of course with more proteins than other food stuff, more Water is needed to flush it out through the kidneys. I also need to take extra fibre, in powder form as well, at this stage. I am now on Soft Food phase.

@@brookriver2014 I was taking capsules on my last day in the hospital, however, they were painkillers. Supplement wise, been taking vit B12 spray, and BN Multi Chewable soon after coming home from the Sleeve op. I started my vit D3 small capsules in week 3, larger Calcium/Magnesium at the same time. I can obviously only speak for myself. I haven't had any issues. Also, I was advised re Omega 3s, Krill oil, vit E, and anything that thins out the blood, to hold off until after 30 days. I was however on nightly self injections of an anti-coagulant ..... for at least 5-7 days post op .... I would ask my Surgeon, Dietician, and also test it slowly what agrees/doesn't agree with me. I also have to take my Thyroid med, it is a tablet, but it is very small. I am on so many supplements for my thyroid disease, as well as the Sleeve supplements. Good luck with your recovery

@@breezy25 Only on my last day in the hospital, I had bad runs .... Had my Leak Test day before, barium meal can cause diarrhoea ..... Then nothing for 10 days. My NUT put me on Benefibre. Didn't work for me. Finally I was advised to try Osmolax (very gentle powder, used for children, and post surgery). This finally worked for me. The combo of Benefibre plus Osmolax. Now, I don't take Osmolax too often. With more textured diet, my bowels are waking up. First 2 weeks post op are fluids only, (if on a strict regime of change/progression to another stage every 2 weeks) With the fluids, there is not much there for the bowels to work. Passing farty gas is good, this means there is no blockage. Good Luck

@@ssflbelle Yay, great news re more weight loss, and that you got over this stall hump! Good luck with losing more, and getting your other surgery done. The waiting can be frustrating. I had to put off my WLS for 8 months due to my thyroid issues .... Fingers crossed for you.

@@Lacey09 Great to hear! I makes sense what you said re swelling, food getting through faster .... Great that your sugar cravings are gone! Like my chocs! Yes, the surgery removes the portion of the stomach that produces a hormone Ghrelin. This hormone can make us feel hungry, so we won’t want to eat as much later down the track I'm still waiting for the normal food progression, heavier texture, etc Softies are better than purees, however I am looking forward to eating non mashed food. 2 more weeks ..... I ate my little lunch way too fast yesterday ...... Acid Reflux afterwards reminded me that this is one of my consequences of eating too fast ....... Just keep swimming ....

@@frannydee there is nothing wrong with you !!! Sounds like you need more Proteins, and perhaps more Water. Check with your NUT. Add Protein powder, (whichever is recommended to you) to your drinks. I had to do that, in order to get through the liquid stage. I was told not to count calories, just measure everything to ensure it was within the guidelines. I also added runny yoghurt to my Soups.

I don't know how my "Protein Powder" somehow changed to "Protein Shakes" in my earlier post. Anyway, I was advised to add Protein Powder to my yoghurt, or to a non-acidic drink. Great advice re: Not stocking up Prior surgery. Getting smaller containers is a much better idea. I still have a massive Sustagen container, almost full ......

@@JamieLogical Thank you! Fantastic answer. I forgot re post op nerve damage. I too went through little burps, hiccoughs, weird feelings, funny oesophagus etc The whole healing process is a complete new experience for me .....

Early post op I sipped and sipped, was more thirsty than hungry. In the past 2 weeks I have been experiencing real hunger, hunger pangs. Every 2-3 hours. I am in 5th week post op. NUT advised to up my Proteins, and ensure I eat Snacks in between. So, the real hunger for me is like a feeling that I could eat a whole cow, bit painful and strong sensation. I had a couple of head hungers, these were thoughts "gee, it would be nice to have some ice cream" or "I wouldn't mind munching on something" Feeling full for me is: "I can't finish it, I've had enough" type of feeling. If I push it, I then feel tired and uncomfortable. Hence, I don't push it. Tried it twice and paid for it. As for my pills, mainly chewable BN Multi, bit B12 spray, small capsules etc I tried once crushing a Multivit, tasted horrible and was uncomfortable to swallow, even crushed. Gonsky! I have to take my thyroid med each morning, but it is very small, oblong shape and slippery, so no problem with it. @@autymn Glad your chest pains are the normal variety! As for Calcium chewable, have you googled it, or is there a liquid Calcium ? I take my calcium Capsules, they are bigger in size. I now can take them. I didn't in my first 2 weeks post op. Good luck!