gwoodgm

I've met with Christopher Patronella MD in Houston. He was highly recommended. I'm scheduled with him this fall for bilateral arm lift.

Hello! I haven't been on this board for a few months. Just saw your post. I'm 62 and it'll be 2 yrs in Nov that I had my sleeve. It has changed my life. I'm my old self again! Just wanted to encourage you....go to your surgical team/physician/nutritionist for ANY questions or concerns. I did/have followed my surgeons recommendations closely. I'll have to update my profile, but I'm down 105 lbs. Discontined Cpap, passed sleep study, D/C BP pill, water pill and gout rx. Can move around with friends again, not short of breath any longer. Grateful for my surgical team. Good luck. Let us know if we can help you. Take care! Gloria

Hi November sleevers! Going on 3 months 2/4. It’s been like a 2nd job, but feeling a little bit better. I’ve also experienced a lot of weakness and low energy. Rest on the weekends. Through this course of bariatric it was discovered that I have a condition called Hereditary Hemochromotosis. Surgeon did liver biopsy during sleeve and I was dx with iron overload Scale of 0–4 my liver iron overload was at 3. Good news no cirrhosis. Along with dropping about 2.4 lbs per week I just started aggressive phlebotomies to pull iron off my organs. It’s been tough, but I rest on the weekends and pace self to be able to make it through the work week. I’m down almost 40 lbs. Trying to increase my calories to 700, like others I’m just not able to eat much and I’m full. When I look back at where I was in May when I went to the seminar... I’d have to say even through I’m weak, mentally I’m gaining strength. Regaining my old self. Thank you everyone on this thread and site for encouragement. It’s great to read about others, struggles, challenges and know we’re all here to lift one another up. Gloria

Hi Unclechaz-- This just turned on light bulb! I had a hard work out on Saturday--the last 2 Sat in fact. Perhaps this is partially the problem? Good insight. Think I'll back off on exercise until I can get more calories in. Like you can't get much more than maybe 650 a day. Take care! Gloria

Hello November sleevers! 11/4/19 I'm following Dr and RD as close as possible. My biggest struggle is weakness which has been ongoing. Im down 37 lbs and averaging 2.3 a week. Getting protein in at 65 -75 a day along with water. Adding small portions of food as directed. Weakness affects energy etc etc. See Dr. again 2/18. Do any of you have similar symptoms? Thanks! Gloria

Be kind to yourself! You can do it Rebecca! Come to the board for support. Take care-- Gloria

Agree with Brent 701. Unjury is not as sickening sweet as others. Their Protein Chicken broth is decent and they also carry a unflavored protein powder. I use some of the ready to drink chocolate and vanilla, and flavored powders mix with Fairlife per RD. Hope this helps. Unjury.com

Hi Libby63, I just had my surgery 11/4. Yesterday on Thanksgiving....I stayed home---just as self care, mentally and physically. I'm not to soft foods yet, and yes, it was tough--but as the others mentioned above, its just this year. I'll be able to enjoy foods again in the future. My goal is to restore my health and enjoy my 3 little granddaughters for the next hopefully 20+ years. My weight problem started when I was late 30's, working night shift as RN and then developed depression. Medications added 30 lbs immediately, and working off shifts escalated weight gain. Through the years, shifts in medications, divorce etc etc and I can't believe it happened to me--the weight gain. I did a lot of research on bariatric/metabolic surgery and the positive changes it will bring. I made the decision in June 2019 and went ahead with strong mind. No regrets. You're right, it's not easy. Being 250 lbs and 5/4" wasn't easy and I didn't want to live that way any longer. I felt myself retreating and isolating from social gathers. Working all week, and isolating on the weekends. My mother died at age 48 of ovarian ca. I don't want my health to deteriorate any more to not be able to travel to my daughters home and play a major role in her life and her family. Obesity is a pile on disease...the co-morbidities pile on and underlying it all is the disease of obesity. I wish you the very best in your decision. You can do it, and the health changes it will bring will be worth it. God Bless! Gloria

Hi @jack Wood, I started by educating myself on bariatric / metabolic surgery. If you're on twitter, start following bariatric surgeons and bariatric advocates on twitter. They post a lot of recent research and information that's excellent. There are so many new theories and data on obesity. Check out @Jeanine M Sherman/iamabariatricpatient and Dr. Neil Floch MD to begin with. Take care! Gloria

Exactly the same thing I'm thinking this evening! I'm 3 wks post op tomorrow. Slept all afternoon today, only left my home once over the weekend. Getting water and approx 60 of protein in as well and similar calorie count. Not much appetite, but eat probably every couple of hours. I'm just guessing? that its the shock to the system and mix up of metabolism? Thanks for the above feedback from others further post surgery. It's encouraging!

At this point I'm up to 60+ protein a day.

Hi InterceptorNYC---initial first days (2-5) post-op my surgeon wanted me to focus on water and then protein. Post-op day 4 his nurse called to check in. I told her I was getting my 64 oz of water in--but not much more than 40 protein. She said to focus on water and if I could get 40 protein and advance it through the next few days not to worry. Keep in mind this is my Doc recommendation....others might be different. I was also taught that protein is a dehydrator like etoh. I wasn't aware of this! Thus the need for water. When Dr. was teaching me pre-op he used the empire state building as an analogy. The antennas at the top are the most important=water, next is the initial tower=protein, next is viewer landing=fiber, (benefiber etc) everything below i.e.: applesauce, yogurt etc etc ="sewer food". lol! It's been a great analogy for me to focus on. Post-op in the hospital I had a bottle of Isopure clear protein drink, it was grape flavored, zero carb. Comes in a clear 20 oz bottle and 40 gm protein. It was something different to mix it up a bit instead of shake after shake. I've also like the powdered Unjury with Fairlife milk. Not too sweet. Sorry to be so long winded! Just sharing whats worked/trial and error. See my surgeon this coming Tuesday and get to move forward in diet.

InterceptorNYC--I guess it's seek and find what works to get through these 2 weeks and get yourself a "system" everyday. I've had good luck with UNJURY. Must order from their direct website. I ordered some ready to serve shakes, powders-- vanilla and chocolate and protein chicken broth, along with unflavored protein to put in foods in the future when I have more options. No shipping with the quantity I ordered. I don't find it as sweet as Premier. I'm 10 days out and can't wait to change it up a bit. See my surgeon on Tuesday for 2 week check up.

CindyLouWho hope you are turning the corner! You're only post-op a few days, but it's behind you! Shoot us a note when you feel up to it. G

InterceptorNYC--- I hope your surgery is behind you and you're coming out of the fog. One day at a time. Let us know how you're doing when you feel up to it! Take care! G