MBird

My doctor said no cream soups as they lack protein and have a large caloric intake, and carbs. He calls them a slider food.

I weigh in every morning as soon as I wake, same time. It lets me know where I'm at. I don't think much of it really. I'm already seeing changes in how clothes fit and energy levels. I'm also losing steady now, but soon I'll hit a plateau. I take weighing in everyday as just letting me know where I am and what I need to do different, if anything at all.

1. Scan food packages. 2. Custom Food Recipes 3. Keeps track of macros (protein, carbs, fat, calories) 4. Water intake in oz 5. Goals for water and protein intake. Restaurant food really ought to be up to individuals. It's hard to input that info, unless it's a chain and I avoid those like the plague unless I know I'm going to screw my diet and eating up for the day. I love Fitbit. I used My Fitness Pal but it lacks. The Fitbit has exactly what I need for food tracking, water tracking, exercise, plus challenges between my friends and I, as well as goals I can set for myself and awards (silly little trophies I win if I achieve my goals) these things make the app fun.

People are trying to connect. And some do. You've met person you get on well with. I think that's great. As for the validation, some people have issues, doubt they deserve to be treated like crap. My life doesn't have more value than theirs. As far as the one seeking validation, and those supporting bad habits or degrading the poster, that's their bit, have a nice day. I agree about the questions, nothing is new. I think the point is to feel people have a safe place to connect and maybe make friends within the context of bariatric surgery . I've a few great people who email me with questions. Maybe they're afraid, shy, tired of assholes who can't keep their yaps shut because they're perfect and have all the answers, their opinions are better than others. So they message. They seek connection, and answers or advice. Nothing wrong with that. I'm more than glad to share what I can. I think BigViffer is spot on, for the most part. I've no morbid curiosity about anyone personally, seems mercenary and cruel to disregard that there are human beings behind the screen, but one also can't help but notice whose screwing the pooch from the get go. It's a shame. I think the trick is to be compassionate. Kind. I personally don't form attachments with people online, have no expectations of them, don't know them, but care a bit. If I get to know them better, great. I can't say what the future holds. I don't need that much control. If someone does something stupid, I'm going to help by sharing what I know. It wouldn't matter if I were religious or not, it seems the right thing to do. Otherwise you just turn a blind eye and I'm not that way. I think people who are, are weak, cowardly, and selfish. Just MO. Some people have no friends, lack social skills, live online because they can't make friends offline or they may even have a health issue preventing them from being out and about more, a handicap, some enjoy judging others, make a game of the lives of the lives of strangers, some lack empathy, view people online as if they are only a moniker. Forget that. I can look at myself in the mirror, I'm good with it.

Are you getting protein?! This concerns me. Please be sure and add protein to the water. You can damage your heart very bad by not having protein needs met.

Yes.

Being tired is normal, absolutely. Keep up with your body, and don't push it. Pushing it may hurt you, and dehydrate you. Be gentle and don't bother with what others do Listen to your own body, sleep if you must and shave some time off the elliptical, or dump it until you've more energy. You are pushing your body when you don't have the protein or carb to sustain that level. This can be hell on your heart. Take it easy. You're only 12 days out ~

Yes. I know it's hard, try a powder protein and add to the water. It's helping me to get in 64oz of water and also the scoop accounts for 30-30 grams of protein. You can do it. Add a scoop to 33oz of water and then when done, repeat. Kill two birds with one stone. If that tastes too bland, add a little crystal light or a tiny bit of jell-O to the water/protein. Otherwise the energy will come from your heart muscle and you don't want that. Small, tiny sips, all day long. You got this.

Had mine the 23, this is normal, about 3 days from now it will be less. The area you describe is where they made 4 or 5 incisions and on the left is where they pulled your stomach out. It's normal for it to feel tight. It will take weeks until you feel no tightness in your trunk but the pain will be much less very soon.

It's too soon for me to tell, no soft food yet. I did realize a taste in the popsicle they gave me in the hospital - it was like a salted ice block with flavor *gag* I can no longer stomach chicken broth. The V8 juice I hated prior to surgery is like a delight now. Small changes. There is some small change in smells as well. Beef smells like wet dog lol. But some things remain the same for me, too.

I had glue, was told to keep them dry for a week and now I can soon let water run down them. They're healing fast, one is nearly gone already. I would call your doctor and ask.

No way to move a post. You're ok.

I agree with you, and also understand we are all different. There are so many people who come in here and their doctors haven't provided them with much information at all, they ask a question such as the example you provided, and someone "criticizes" by telling them why they would be better off without it. I agree tact goes a long way in these discussions, but also feel we need to try and be honest for those who don't know, rather than allow bad information, untrue facts, or bad habits to rule the forums. Many people want to do the best they can with regard to their surgery. My doctor, the NA and Nurse were amazed by my fast recovery in the hospital and wanted me to speak. One asked if I had seen the bariatric support groups and she was appalled regarding them. I explained I've seen it but try to be factual and kind at the same time. Some people just don't know. It's not always their fault, some don't even know where to start looking! I feel when someone is pissy and snarky it does no good. Being factual in a compassionate and kind way does. It's a fine line to walk. Also about addictions and head hunger, etc., etc. I find that people have gained weight and become addicted to food in a myriad of ways, others eat out of boredom and even happiness. Some just eat because they love food - one thing is true though, something went wrong to compromise their health, me included, and finding out what it is is really the best weapon against gaining and repeating bad health. It's not wrong to point out when someone obviously has an issue, it's helpful. What they decide to do with that information is up to them, and one should always be kind when trying to confront someone about such a sensitive issue. We cannot possibly understand the intent to which people are replying, I certainly do not know how sorry someone is or isn't when they try to be honest to the OP, I don't know the intent of the OP. Some people are not grammatically up to par either. All I can do is share my little bit of knowledge -having a degree doesn't make someone the only one capable of sharing a fact that may help someone. I can understand where you come from, completely. If we are just kinder to people, a little more validating of their emotional standpoint, we would probably quibble a lot less and misunderstand intent a bit less. It's online though, so much gets lost in text, sadly.

I'm 5 days out and the weight started dropping off yesterday. I'm doing 64 ounces of water and 87 grams of protein. I sleep a lot. Don't panic, when your body is ready, it will shed the weight, it takes time. Everybody is different. While I may lose 5 days after surgery, someone else may take longer.

The comment about scar tissue from infancy came from my doctor who said some of what you said, that it depends on size and positioning but that yes, the scar tissue was formed so long ago it's thickness is akin to normal skin now. My scar is like you said, huge, maybe almost five to six inches across, if not more. I'm not sure larger means tougher skin, when I showed him mine, it wasn't an issue and mine is pretty wide across. I met two others who had pyloric stenosis and it wasn't an issue for them to have WLS - one had the sleeve, the other Roux En Y. Wishing you the best! I hope you can have it done.

And I'm high as a frickin' kite lol. Thank goodness for Dilaudid No nausea, none! I walk every three hours, breathe into a tool once an hour, breathing exercises in between. Pee pretty good, and then I feel like I was kicked by a ninja on my solar plexus. Gotta love the gas they pump into ya! But the staff have has been so so incredibly amazing. Everybody is so kind at the Desert Springs Medical Center. They look after me and think I'm pretty amazing due to my high spirits, though I ache like a mofo. My head hurts from the drugs too. I've managed all my chicken broth, lots of water, half a Jell-O cup. Not bad. I can't wait to go home tomorrow and sleep in my own bed. I can't wait to start losing more weight. So many "I can't waits." This will be the hardest and easiest thing I've ever done on my life, funny how that works. Update: Feeling really strong now, was able to make my bed, do two laps around hospital floor, bathe myself with towelettes effortlessly. I feel very energetic, wondering how normal that is, to feel so happy and active when I see others looking so glum and miserable. Poor things, I can understand it though. Not tired at all, even when taking dilaudid. When the drug wears off, minimal pain. I was so concerned I worried he didn't give me the sleeve, but found out he indeed did lol Signing off, Mbird

Yes!!! I slept all day today lol. Sweet relief! Thank you for sharing that, I was beginning to feel down about my constitution, glad I'm not the only one whose had to sleep tons.

Your sleeve processes it too fast causing dumping syndrome initially, plus it's unhealthy. Sugar will cause you to crave sugar and that adds pounds. I don't think it messes up your sleeve but it definitely defeats the purpose of having one.

I finally struck a decent balance with my liquids and protein today. I was panicked I'd not be able to get the full 64 ounces of water in. They only asked me to do 4oz every hour. I thought to myself where would I sneak protein in? And where I live is dry and hot, I need all the liquid I can get in or I face high risk of dehydration. 48oz wouldn't cut it. So far today I've managed : 7% carbs, 6% fat, 87% protein. I've totaled 320 calories. I started off with 24oz of water this morning, which took several hours. Then switched to 2 cups (16oz) of free range organic chicken broth from Trader Joe's and and added 1 scoop of Bio Chem Natural flavor to it. Now I'm back to 24 more ounces of water with 2 scoops of Bio Chem Natural flavor, which hasn't much taste and is giving me what I need protein and liquid wise. Once I finish this, which will take several hours, I can do more clear water or jell-O if I choose. For anyone wondering how to achieve the same, I hope this helps. As for soreness, I managed three hours of sleep the evening of day 1 post/op before the aches wouldn't let me rest, so pulled an all nighter awake with toothpicks holding my eyelids up, and looking like some drugged out doper staring into my computer monitor lol I still haven't slept but walked a bit, and I noticed while my gas went away thirteen hours post op, leaving me with a raw and sore abdomen, the walking helps get the abdomen muscles loosened up and does lessen the pain two days in - and that's hugely important as that's when the pain is most severe. There is no longer any drip to sooth and manage the pain. For anyone reading who hasn't had the surgery yet WALK, and as much as you can. Also try and sleep if you can, but don't be surprised if you can't, even with heavy drugs in you.

I'm not so sure that's cheating! I mean you've got to do what you've got to do, and if you get the liquid and protein through that method, and it's safe and approved, then why not?! If you have gas and can't walk, take a very slow long deep breath in through your mouth, hold it in a few seconds, and exhale as slow as you can. If you repeat this every 15 minutes or so, your gas should go away sooner than later. But you've got to force walking, even if the gas hurts. The abdominal pain will probably be worse than the gas – we are all different so it's hard to say, but the walking is the thing that gets me through, so try if you can. Congratulations on getting your sleeve! It sounds like you're working hard and I hope it goes really well for you ~!

Please do! You got this, you can do it!

You got it lol. I'm ok though, walking helps oddly. It's tender where they made the incisions. This is normal. Feels like I had the workout of my life lol Lawdy.

Two days post op, I'm serious fricking pain now lol. Can't sleep much, just very sore.

That doesn't seem right! I can't believe they did that! Yikes. You needed fluids more than just ice! I guess though it all ends up as water anyway, just seems odd they wouldn't acclimate you to sipping sooner. I'm super happy you had a fantastic experience otherwise now though, that's wonderful! It's been exciting for me, I feel so fortunate this has been my experience. The initial pain was the cost of having a wonderful rest of my life. I know I'll face hurdles but you know, I have this to remind me how good it can be. I wish you nothing but the absolute best on your journey!

Thank you Melena!