Berry78

Everyone is shocked when the scale first jumps up by a pound or three. It's a normal part of the weight loss adventure. It is not fat weight. And there is nothing you have done wrong or could do to prevent it. Watching the scale for me is like watching the ball in a basketball game (except each basket scored is a pound lost)... there is a lot more dribbling and passing that occurs than successful baskets! (And that breathless pause as the ball circles the rim is spot on too!)

Congrats on getting the monster inside you..out!!!! (The sleeve usually doesn't affect bowel habits long term, but that's a discussion for another day). It's celebration time! Here's to a quick recovery!!!

Weight loss now will be as hard as it was before surgery. Since your daily calories are already so low, there isn't much room for change there. You could try going full keto. You didn't mention exercise.. if it's possible to increase that... At some point, I think you'll do well to just shed the few extra pounds that are making your clothes tight, and not worry about the rest. Focus on, say, 20lbs. Get that off, then re-evaluate. You do NOT want to get back on the yo-yo wagon. It would be better to buy bigger clothes and STAY PUT, rather than boarding that train! In other words, whatever you do to change things up, you'll need to keep doing for good. Make sure you are sleeping enough. (which might mean 9 hours a night). It really will make a difference.

The Mexican doctors can't replace their testing with any done in the States, but that doesn't mean pre-testing isn't helpful. Anything that shows up amiss in pretesting can be shared with your surgeon before making the trip.. in any medical procedure...

You might get tested for bacteria.. totally drawing a blank on the type.. but there is a type that can take over after the antibiotics given after surgery kill off the good bugs.

If you click on the user's name, it takes you to their profile. There is an envelope picture, labelled "message". Click on that and you can send them a PM.

I seem to be special. My hair started falling out during the preop diet, and has been consistent since (10 weeks out now). It is visibly thin around the part/bangs area. If it continues or gets worse during the normal 3-7 month period, I'll have bald patches. There is a Duodenal Switch patient on youtube that experienced severe hair loss. Whole patches, gone. The good news is it should grow back! I have noticed the texture of my hair has changed somewhat postop. It was always curly, but now it's at least 50% curlier! It looks good for that, and the volume helps mask the thinning. WIN!

Could you describe it more? Is it a new pain? Where does it hurt? Dull or sharp? Does it change with activity? Eating? Drinking?

You may want to visit a urologist to see if there is an underlying cause. I once read an account from someone that had a kind of pouch form on her urethra. The pouch held onto infected liquid, and so the infection never really would clear. Thus, recurrent infections. I have no idea how common such a thing could be, but just thought I'd mention it. And, of course, cranberry juice, orange juice, lots of water, etc. Personally, I've only ever had two (touch wood), and they both happened after TMI... anal sex... despite a shower right after. Be sure to empty your bladder after any sex. (I know it is tempting to go right to sleep). There are supplements that are supposed to help, but I'm not that versed in them. Good luck, and let us know if you figure anything out!

I'm glad you are going to get some help. {Hugs}

Yes, I had a sleeve done in Mexico 10 weeks ago. I'm fortunate that I didn't have post op depression, but I have had post partum depression, and it sucks. I actually found a homeopathic remedy that helped with that. It is called Depressequel, though I'm not sure how easy it is to find anymore. It is nasty drops that you put under the tongue. You aren't alone in this, and things WILL get better. Get out a piece of paper and pencil, and write down all the happy things you have done in your past, and all your hopes and dreams for the future. Focus your mind on the positive.

Would you buy a Porsche car, if no mechanic in your area would work on one? The band, and likely the balloon will have maintenance issues. Make sure you have someone within a reasonable distance that can help you unless you have the resources to travel at a moment's notice... Do research the possible complications with the band. Even though you don't want something permanent, some of the band complications can be pretty permanent (such as band eroding into the stomach or liver, scar tissue, etc.). I don't know how often those things happen, but we hear about them ALL. THE. TIME. here on the board. Congrats on deciding to change your life! No matter what you choose to do, I'm rooting for ya!

500 for 8 days out is fine. You'll get it up to 800 at 3 weeks, and 1000+ at 8-10 weeks out (if you want to).. some people are still under 1000cal at a year, so it's up to you.

800 calories for 3 weeks out is perfect. If the lack of scale changes is the question.. it's called the 3 week stall for a reason Between 2 and 4 weeks out, most patients have a couple weeks that the scale doesn't move. It isn't a problem, and doesn't mean anything is wrong. It's just the body adjusting after a major operation. These stalls will happen throughout your weight loss journey, so it's just as well that it happens so soon so you can get used to it In fact, OutsideMatchesInside mentioned having a month where her scale never moved, but she lost 2 dress sizes. It is her experience that the greatest diameter losses occur during the stalls. It's interesting! Also, don't panic if you see a pound or 3 pop back up on that scale. Again, it's just part of the process, and doesn't mean you gained 3 pounds of fat.

I've been out a few times. The first was during the full liquids phase. I ordered a hot tea and glass of milk. Took all meal to almost finish both. Didn't notice not having food. The 2nd time was to a steakhouse. I was on soft foods. Ordered a sweet potato and had an ounce of my hubby's rare steak. He was finished eating by time I got through the steak and an ounce of sweet potato. Now, at 10 weeks, I can eat a cup of soup. No problem.

Full liquids.. I was so busy trying to meet my goals, didn't have time to get frustrated I did find the protein kefir to be useful. Homemade broth was excellent. Lots of herbal teas gave variety. A couple cups of milk and liquid yogurt, and that was my day (couldn't tolerate protein shakes, so worked around that). The refer to the new sleeve or pouch as a "baby". Babies drink milk! Lol. I was lucky to tolerate dairy.

I think this article is interesting: http://bayesianbodybuilding.com/the-myth-of-1glb-optimal-protein-intake-for-bodybuilders/ I'm 5'7, so if I sit on my butt all day I can eat 55g protein.. if I'm athletically inclined, it goes up to 88g. My current consumption is 70g, which is good for now. As I get to exercising more, I'll increase it a tad. I'm a sleeve patient, if I were a bypass patient I'd increase all those #s.

If you scroll down the page and see the thing that says "together we have lost 4m pounds".. you put your starting weight and current weight there and it automatically updates.

Sandy, it's great that you are evaluating what is happening and the why. Since you like to munch on something at your desk.. instead of m&ms, bring carrot sticks, celery, bell pepper strips, etc. Be a good way to get some veggies in mindlessly.

Everyone loses differently, but just think..in a year, at this rate, you'll be down over 100lbs! Not everyone will see 150lbs on the scale at the end. Make sure you are ok with that reality. 180 or 200lbs is a heck of a lot healthier than 300+... this is what I tell myself every day. The more "ok" with your journey you are, the more "ok" your journey will be to you. (By which I mean, if you aren't stressing, you'll lose more weight.. within reason. Sitting on the couch eating pringles won't help either.). Motivation, determination, drive... these are all good weight loss terms...

Try to get in with your primary care physician too. They can run some tests (bloodwork) to make sure there isn't a physical cause. Hope you start feeling better soon!

Congrats!! After an almost 50lb loss, I feel great! But I don't think people can really tell until you get down to size 14 or smaller. For me, that'll be another 60+ lbs. I feel like Batman, hiding in plain sight. One day people will just SEE the loss... probably after I buy a new fancy set of *skinny* duds.

"Out of the house" can mean so many things. Assuming you are in your car a lot, you could get an insulated lunch box with a cold pack inside. Hard boiled/deviled eggs Cottage cheese Salad in a jar (watch youtube videos on this) Cold, cooked salmon (had this yesterday, so good!) Cans of tuna or chicken.. bring condiments and veggies in little containers/baggies Nuts and seeds (I portion out 1 oz into little containers and keep in my purse) Cheese sticks Fruit Quiche or meatballs precooked in little-muffin pan (I love my little-muffin pan.. great for small-portion control.. easy grab and go size..). I picked up some little 2oz clear plastic disposable covered containers from the grocery store. They are very handy. Good luck!

Just putting it out there, but there are a ton of remedies that you can try. Just do a google search, and there are lists. Flat ginger drinks, accupressure on your ears, etc. I also had lots of morning sickness. 19 weeks of it with my last. (Although you have me beat in severity). Hope you find something that works! Oh, and congratulations!

The diet I recommended is a general one for generally healthy people. If you're diabetic, particularly if you're on insulin, the carb count has to be flexible based on your own needs. (Remember, this is an internet forum, and even though I know what I'm talking about in general.. I don't know the specifics as to how anything I say pertains to you as an individual.. so take my advice for what it's worth, but not more than that ).