Butch Luce

Well, I finally dropped below 300. I've been close for about a month and a half and today my scale showed 298! Maybe I've started losing again. It has been very slow since February but maybe progress is being made and I was just in one of those infamous stalls. We'll see. Will keep y'all posted.

I was sleeved Sept. 16, 2016. Weight consistently dropped until late February when I seemed to stall. I started at 370 and am now around 300. I fluctuate between 305-301. I weigh every Monday. My goal weight is 225-250 so I still have a lot to lose. While my blood pressure has dropped and I'm able to physically move around much better I still need to get down to my goal weight. I'm still obese. I turned 70 this year so I hope my twilight years can be easier for me to move around, etc, even with my advancing age. Anyway, I will continue to try to lose, am careful what I eat, and not give up. I think I need to be better at monitoring my protein and water intake. Any suggestions?

Heather it may have to do with people (especially) men being hesitant to say anything about a woman's weight. Or, they may think you are ill. Have you let it be known that you had Bariatric surgery? I put a post on Facebook the day after surgery so my friends would know about it. It's saved a million questions and I get so many positive remarks from my friends. They are very supportive! Also it helped to explain why I'm not taking part in the meals at Masonic and Lions Club meetings. No one had to ask they just knew I would not be taking part in the buffets! Hang it there gal! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Heather I am experiencing pretty much what you are. I am coming to realize that 1.5 -2 pounds per week will probably be all I can hope far. I was getting too impatient I guess. Keep it up surgery buddy! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I get 70 grams of Protein per day by consuming a Premier Protein (30gr) and an Isopure drink (40gr.) Good protein adds to it, tuna, chicken etc. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Heather, I have not experienced a surge in energy, in fact, I get tired fairly easily, but then I'm 70 years old! As I stated I have started back with my cardiac re-hab, which is treadmill, recumbent bicycle, stationary bicycle, upper arm machine. I have not started lifting dumbells again yet. I did back off on my exercise times and resistance levels but am slowly increasing each. I sleep pretty well, my wife says I don't snore as much. I can eat 1/2 -1 cup of food. Anymore than that I feel stuffed. Overall, I'm very pleased and am motivated to keep it going. I started at 370lbs and my goal is 250 pounds. I'm not sure if that is realistic but it is my goal. I am 6'3" so I can carry 250 fine. I, like you need food/protein shake or water/Isopure every 2-3 hours or I do get hungry. My only hard time was when I strained my back-it kept me out of commission for a week. It was very hard to get my liquids and nutrition lying flat on my back. I'm past that now so things are good! Stay in touch Surgery Pal! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

. Well 24 hours from now my surgery should be in progress. It's been a 1 1/2 year effort to get to this point mostly because of a coronary stent procedure a little over a year ago. Today is the last day of the liquid diet, only Clear liquids, --lookout chicken broth! After the first few days I fell into a routine which I described in a previous post. Basically, I stayed away from prepared food, my wife usually ate by herself, and my new best friends are Greek yogurt, Isopure and Premier Protein drinks, and broth. Watching football games yesterday, the double meat and cheese hamburger commercials were almost too much! Anyway, I've lost about 16 pounds and hope that's enough. Starting weight was 360 and today's weight is 344. You guys just beginning the journey hang in there. If I can do it without cheating you can too! I know the next few weeks will be rough too but it will be worth it if my last years on earth will not be the struggle it has in recent years (I will be 70 in December). I'll give a post surgery report when I can but in the meantime, say a little prayer for me and the others who will be sleeved tomorrow! God bless! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Great. One month out. Had a check up with my surgeon today and she was pleased. I'm still on soft foods but I'm satisfied! No complaints. Pounds are slowly coming off. Down 40 pounds since first day of liquid diet 2 weeks prior to surgery. Am exercising at cardiac rehab (had a stent over a year ago) I "graduated" but my hospital lets you continue if you want to so I do! Have NOT regretted any of this for even a moment! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I've discovered a new snack for me: Bumblebee Brand chicken salad Snacks. 2.9 oz, 140 cal, 8 gr. Protein. It's in a small can with its own opener and. Few crackers. Handy when you're traveling, etc. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Angela I've started inching down again but very slowly. Mainly I'm trying to keep up with the Protein and Fluid goals and continue eating high protein foods. I seem to get hungry about mid afternoon so I ordered some high protein Soups from Bariatric Pal for that time. They help me make it to the evening "meal" (such as it is) Good luck. Give reports on your progress! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am 3 1/2 weeks post op. Things progressing fine. No problem with liquid or Protein requirement. Am able to eat soft foods prepared in the blender. Even turkey meat loaf and tuna. Cannot eat much or I feel stuffed. About 1/2 cup is my limit. Ground chicken chili with soft white Beans has been my latest. I was losing pounds fairly steadily until this week. I've lost 35 pounds since beginning the two week liquid diet on Sept 5. Now I seemed to have stalled. I've heard of the three week stall so has anyone else experienced it? My Doc says to stay away from the scales for a while because I'm replacing fat with lean muscle tissue. I just can't resist stepping on those scales every morning. Any of you sleevers experience the stall? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Trekker, you might try Tillamook Beef Sticks. 160 calories, 8 grams Protein. They also have jerky. You can order online. Just Google it. Might ask your nutritionist first. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you so much Inner Surfer Girl. I read your article and it pretty much reinforces what I had been thinking but I guess I was being impatient! Thanks again! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks Heather-surgery buddy! How are you doing? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am 3 1/2 weeks post op. Can eat puréed chicken and ground turkey and veggies. About 1/2 cup I feel stuffed. I ate too much one time and it seemed to "get stuck" in my throat. So, I stick to 1/2 cup of whatever it is and quit. I agree that yogurt passes through pretty quickly but again, I try to eat no more than 1/2 cup. I also bought a variety of Bariatric Pal Protein Soups and they are pretty good much they pass on through pretty quickly and it's not long before you think you need to eat again. Good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

A couple of you asked about bm's. I'm two weeks post op and finally had a "solid" bm. I only had two in the previous week and they were mostly Fluid like with s lot of gas. I had bought some stool softener anticipating getting constipated but didn't need it after all. Generally, things are progressing quite well. I'm having meat loaf (turkey) and mashed potatoes for supper. That will be my first real food in over a month! I'm anxious to see how I react to it. Hang in there, it does get better! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I've only had 2 bms since surgery. I expelled a lot of gas with them but no pain. They were mostly Fluid and didn't seem to be much in volume. No solid bms yet but I assume that will change on the puréed food diet. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

2 weeks post op report. I feel fortunate that I did not have the problems that some are reporting. I was sore in my abdomen for about 3 days but that subsided. Did not need pain meds. Had some discomfort in my thorax but I think that was due to the gas used in surgery but it was not severe. I did have a lot of gas in my lower bowels for about 10 days. (My grandsons would have been proud!) The gas usually occurred after consuming a shake or broth. No gas issues now. On day 4 post op I bent over to look out a window and my lower back seized up. Nothing new. Usually happens about once a year. I stayed in bed for 3 days with lists of pain so I couldn't walk and it was difficult to get the fluids I but I did it. I talked to my surgeon and she suggested I go to ER. I did, it was muscular as I expected, they gave me a shot of muscle relaxer in my lower back plus a hydrocodone pill and by the next morning the pain was almost gone. Since then I have been taking muscle relaxers. Actually the back problem were much much worse than the post surgery issues. My orthopedic doc always tells me to lose a hundred pounds and I probably will not have such issues with my back. Well, since Sept 5 when I started the pre-op liquid diet, I have lost 32 pounds. So 32 pounds in almost 30 days is fine with me. I know all this is probably more than you wanted to know but I read about some of you that have medical problems not related to the surgery and I guess my message to you is hang in there, deal with it as best you can, keep your doctor advised then it should get better in time. I start the soft foods diet tomorrow and I am ready. I plan on having some cream of wheat then meat loaf and mashed potatoes as my meals tomorrow. I can say this, when in the pre surgery mode I could have a bowl and a half (maybe 2 bowls) of broth before feeling full. Now, about 2/3 of a bowl and I am stuffed so I guess the "sleeve" is working as intended. I'm looking forward to regaining some strength overall but I'm not complying. Will try to resume walking tomorrow. Well, this is probably more than you wanted to know but it's been my experience. I'll be happy to answer questions if you have any! God bless all of you. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So glad to hear from you Heather. I was worried when you didn't check in. Sounds like you were miserable for a couple of days. I seemed to have smoothed out Ok by yesterday getting in the Protein and liquid. Walked some to the mailbox and back but that's only about 100 yards. About an hour ago I reached for something and got a catch in my back. That's bad for me if it gets worse and my back begins to spasm. I got to bed immediately and laid flat on my back. My experience with these if I can keep it from spasming and stay on my back it should be better in a couple of days, but I have to resist getting up and moving around. I have pain meds the Dr. gave me but haven't used them yet. If I get spasms then I will. This is a bummer. Thought I was going to make it through without much problem then this. I'll just have to ride it out. So glad you're home and doing better. Let's stay in touch. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Day 3 post surgery report. Much better day! Bowel gas is subsiding although I still have some. Slept better last night mainly because I didn't have to urinate so often. I've been conscientious about getting my fluids in. Not much Protein yesterday but today will have about 80 grams. Consumed a Premier Protein this morning and now have been consuming Water and Isopure. Hope to try a little chicken broth tonight. Walked to the mailbox and back a couple of times today. Am still tired (weak) but nap when I feel like it. Just trying to follow my doctors orders. Oh, pain in my abdomen is almost completely gone. Only feel it getting in and out of bed. I guess the main advice I can give is to be patient, follow the plan, and each day will get a little better! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Well, two days post surgery and this has probably been the roughest. During the night Last night it seemed I had to urinate every 30 minutes or so. Really irritating. Getting in and out of bed was no fun because of the soreness in my abdomen. Made it through the night then this morning had in my lower bowels hit. Has been off and on all day. A little diarrhea this morning but not much because there's not much in my colon except Water. Drove home from Dallas, a two hour trip with no complications but I sipped water all the way while my wife drove. Was exhausted when we got home and I did nothing but ride! Fell into bed and napped. Back up now and sipping again. Gas has kicked back up but soreness seems to be better. The past 24 hours have been the toughest. Being at home in my own bed will help I'm sure. Oh well, just part of the journey. As the old saying goes: "no pain, no gain" Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

To continue..the nurse came in. My Water sipping is no problem. No gagging or pain associated with it as I had expected from the classes. I think overall I'm doing quite well which is a blessing for a 70 year old man. I don't know how much time I have I have left on this earth, is up to the good lord, but whatever it is I hope is much lighter and easier to just get around in my daily activities. Even walking around the grocery store is a struggle . Maybe not when I get the pounds off. Feel free to ask questions if your surgery date is coming up. Finally, Heather you need to report in. How did your day go yesterday. I'm worried about you and don't even know you. Y'all have a great day! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Well, 1 day post surgery and I guess I'm doing well. Very little pain, usually only when I'm getting out of bed, it's around the incisions. Not much gas either, just a feeling of fullness. Walked laps around the nurses station two times yesterday. Doing the breathing treatments. Had some broth last night and I was hungry, sort of. No the bad hunger tough more like I knew I needed something. This morning is the leak test. My surgeon said last night that she might release me today if all continues to go well. Not sure if I'm all in favor of that because I live about 2 1/2 hours away from the doc. and hospital. I guess the only source of confusion I have concerns which meds I can crush and which ones I can't evidently crushing some meds changes their properties. Going to have to get that cleared up before I leave. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey Heather. I hope your procedure went well. I am walking a little and so far swallowing melted ice has not been a problem. The Doc. said everything looked good and she even repaired a hiatal hernia at the same time. Not much pain except when I stand up. I hope you are doing good.. I've been thinking about you sleeve Buddy.! I'm from Texas, how about you? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It's 4:30 am and headed to the hospital. Ready to get this on! By the way, good luck and prayers for you Heather! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App