S@ssen@ch

I was sleeved 4/10. I just started soft foods this week. So far, I'm able to tolerate everything I've tried, even though my tummy reminds me to eat a little slower or smaller bites. I can't say that I'm scared of trying new things, but I am cautious. I approach all new things VERY slowly to give my body time to tell me if it's going to revolt. So far, nothing has. I just keep reminding myself to chew very well and go slow! At first, I had absolutely no appetite and was very ambivalent to foods. In the last 2 or 3 days I've noticed that I do get a little hungry if I go too long between meals, we're talking at least 4 or 5 hours. But, it's not the same hunger that I had before, that voracious "I'm starving and I have to eat NOW" hunger. More like an empty nagging sensation that gets my attention when I've forgotten to eat. Yes, you heard that right. I FORGET to eat and have to make a concerted effort to get my fluids and proteins in. I have no cravings and I can't really say that my taste buds have changed. I can say that after the long liquid diet and pureed stage that had a lot of sweet protein shakes/puddings/jello/etc, my sweet tooth is hanging up her hat. I'm super tired of sweet and I enjoy savory food much more at this point.

I had surgery same day as you. I'm still on pureed food and looking forward to soft foods. I've made an attempt at advancing with tuna salad today for lunch, but could only get in about 3 small bites before feeling full. Even with the pureed consistency, I consider myself fortunate to be able to get 4 ounces in at one setting. I eat slow and take breaks between bites because if I get overzealous, my tummy reminds me that I'm eating too much or too fast. Even a drink of water that is larger than a sip goes down really slowly. I tracked my calories for yesterday and I'm only getting in about 500 calories. I'm not sure how I'd get in 1000 at this point without resorting to full sugar items. I actually had some full sugar pudding about an hour after the tuna and the sugar rush made me feel sick. Lesson learned on that...get rid of all full sugar items from my pantry. I doubt you stretched anything this early out. Maybe I just have lingering post operative swelling?

OMG! Thank you so much for posting this. I was absolutely heartbroken when Teavana announced they were closing their stores. I am a huge fan of tea. I drink hot tea every day, most of the day. I got my loose teas online or in Chinese markets for years until I came across a few types I liked from Teavana. My current favorite has been Teavana's Dragonfruit devotion, an herbal/fruit mix. I was so crushed about the closing that every time I was in the vicinity, I bought as much of the Dragonfruit Devotion as I could afford. I'm officially a tea hoarder and have several sealed bags of it in my pantry. Was so glad to hear of David's got on their website and they have some interesting herbal mixes and carry the standards for green tea. They even have pu'erh, which can be a challenge to find as a loose tea. I'll definitely be trying David's!

I'm only 2 weeks post op, but for the last 2 days have noticed that my clothes for work are just too big to look professional. Started digging in that section of my closet that I've been saving because "one day I'll be able to wear it again." It's so nice re-discovering your clothes again. Also nice when your clothes aren't so tight that it's hard to sit/breath. Today had someone in my office go out of their way to come tell me how great I'm looking.

I totally agree with Creekimp. I lost a sum total of 6 pounds on the pre-surgical "liquid" diet. I was allowed 3 protein shakes and 1 sensible (low carb) meal/day. I was faithful to that routine, although I did allow 1 cheat day because my pre-op diet was during Easter. So, I allowed myself to have Easter meal with my family and was careful not to overindulge. That carb withdrawal was he// at the start of the pre-op diet and I certainly didn't want to endure days of headaches and foggy head again. Because I wasn't losing, I was a little worried that I was "broken", that I had somehow messed up my metabolism so badly that even this strict diet wouldn't help. But, I came here and found out that limited to no loss on the pre-op diet is not terribly uncommon and I felt a lot better. Stick with it. The primary purpose of the pre-op diet is to reduce a fatty liver and make your surgery less risky to perform. Any weight loss during it, would be considered bonus. You'll soon be on the losers bench with the rest of us. Hang in there!

jbraney, all of your symptoms sound like you might be a little dehydrated: muscle cramps, thirst, and low energy/exhaustion are signs of dehydration. Do your best to get your fluids in. If the symptoms don't improve, contact your doctor.

Day 8 here too. I'm actually pretty surprised at how much I improve every day. I've had trouble getting protein but not because I can't tolerate it. I am just not interested. Eating and drinking to me have become secondary thoughts and something I HAVE to do. I tried the clear Isopure, but it leaves a weird film in my mouth and I just can't tolerate it. If I need clear proteins, I add to broth, use Unjury Chicken flavor, or make Unjury Protein Jell-o. But, I was able to move on to full liquids. Was proud that I got 1 Premier Protein shake in today, even if it took over 3 hours to get 11 oz in. I pureed a banana and added it to a vanilla shake. It takes like an old fashioned banana milkshake to me and is very satisfying. I agree that all the back sleeping is getting old. I still can't do side sleeping. It's not painful, but it kind of feels like my guts are shifting when I do. It might be imagined, but I just can't sleep that way yet. You might want to ask your doctor about not having a BM in that long. Granted, we're on a liquid diet. But even liquids have some residue and need to come out.

When I had lap band years ago, I tried to keep it secret but eventually it just seemed useless to try to keep it private. When I had it taken out, I could have shouted that off the roof tops I was so happy to be out of misery. Now with the sleeve, I have chosen to be ultra private. Only my husband, 3 of my close friends, and my boss know. I haven't told my parents or my children and I plan to keep it that way, at least for a while. If at some point I start getting questions, I'll probably fess up. I'm not one to purposely misdirect or lie, but for now it's my secret and my journey.

Had surgery April 10th. My recovery has been slow. They gave me A LOT of medication in the recovery room before I got to my hospital room. I essentially lost a whole day. I have the same thing nia24 describes, but I didn't think to be alarmed about it. The stomach is still swollen from being manipulated. I just took it as a sign that I might have swallowed too quickly or too much air. I'm not taking any pain meds other than Tylenol. It seems to manage it well. No nausea and no constipation. Same boat as Marissa37. Things don't smell the same. I recognize food that my husband is eating as something I enjoyed, but the smell is kind of off-putting. No physical appetite, but the commercials of food on television keep reminding me what I'm missing. Anyone else notice that every other commercial is food?

Thank you for this. I have been on the pre op liquid diet since 3/27 and have only lost a couple of pounds. I feel like I'm starving even so many days into it and noticed fatigue today. I was worried that I have messed up my metabolism from all the yo yo dieting I've done over my lifetime and my prior history of having the lap band.

Wow! I'm impressed with your handbook. I would sincerely like a copy of THAT. I have a few pages printed, but am envious of that book with the nice tabs and clear directions.

Congrats! That looks like a great way to start your day!

Curvy, I'm also on day 5 of my pre op liquid diet. I went into some major carb withdrawals on Thurs and Friday. Not that I had irresistible cravings or anything, just a massive headache and low energy. I added a little fat to the one sensible, low carb meal I'm allowed to have and that seemed to take care of the headache almost immediately. The one scary thing I noticed, hair loss already. This morning in the shower I had a very large hair ball in the drain. If this is the start of the hair loss, I think I'm facing baldness. I've been living on protein, so it's not lack of protein. Maybe I'll invest in a wig.

Thanks Fluffy! I'm on 4th day of preop liquid diet and feel like crap. Headache, just the start. I feel like I should have known but even my brain seems foggy. Sent from my SM-G935V using BariatricPal mobile app

I just watched this today. Very eye opening. Made me glad I'm doing something about it now before any more long term effects of obesity get me. Sent from my SM-G935V using BariatricPal mobile app

When is tarted making inquiries into having surgery in Mexico the coordinator that I started working for felt that she could get my surgery approved by insurance. So, that's where we are. I'm actually having surgery in Las Vegas. I still have to fly there from my home, but at least I'm not forking out over $10k to have it in Mexico (which my PCP really frowned upon anyway).

Tropical, You're doing this for you, not for them. I'm not telling my family because it's nobody's business but mine and when I was banded, I felt all kinds of judgement coming my way. Only my husband and 2 of my best friends know. I told my boss, but really only to help justify my being out of the office. You can't choose your family, but you can certainly choose how you react to them. I wish you luck!

Sherlocked, I've been feeling the same way. Actually, kind of a roller coaster. Logically, I know that I need this tool and am willing to endure. But, the irreversibility has me afraid and every once in a while I think about how much I enjoy food and how much comfort it brings me. What am I going to do? Where am I going to turn for that kind of comfort? Having been banded in the past, the only answers to those questions is that I managed it before and if the band hadn't made me so physically uncomfortable, I'd still be living that life. So, I go on telling myself that I am more than my addiction to food and am absolutely worth the effort.

Tropical,, I had a very similar experience with my psych. This psych's entire practice is for bariatrics, but that didn't stop her from telling me that she wasn't sure that having half my stomach cut out and risking intractable GERD was worth it. She criticized my every lifestyle habit, cast doubt in my ability to succeed, and by the end had me feeling like my 27 year marriage was completely dysfunctional. I left the office completely dejected and after having issues with my surgeon's office staff for failing to refer me to a dietician, I took it as a sign that it just wasn't meant to be for me. I absolutely wrote my surgeon to tell her about this horrific experience, but received no response. A few months later, when I hit my bottom (you know....rock bottom), I decided that I was finished with this red tape and was planning on going self-pay in Mexico. It was then that I ran into my current patient coordinator who has really done a marvelous job and my surgery is scheduled for 4/10. I guess I tell you this is because there are good and bad practitioners in all specialties. Unfortunately, we got a couple of doozies. I strongly urge you to let your surgeon know so that they can reconsider using that psych again.

Definitely! You'll have to post to let us know how it goes!

OMG! I was thinking the exact same thing this morning. So glad to see your post. I had the band in 2005, out in 2010. My sleeve surgery is scheduled for 4/10 and the reality of my decision is hitting me hard today. Logically, I know this is for the best. Emotionally, I feel like a wreck today. It could be a combination of having to start that 14d pre-op liquid diet and the fact I'm less than 2 weeks away now.

Logic, I just ordered the PatchMD Vitamins in prep for my upcoming surgery. I worry a little about swallowing pills post operatively and thought I'd give them a try. Besides, I'm really tired of swallowing the horse pills and burping up vitamin taste. Are they working well for you? Notice any difference in energy?

I was given a surgery date weeks in advance of even completing some of the pre-surgical requirements. I wondered about that myself, but my patient rep said that she does that when she's confident that approval will go through. Totally understand how you feel. I was a little stunned and afraid to be too excited because I don't have the approval yet.

I haven't been given all pre-op instructions, but I would anticipate a pre-op liquid diet. Not sure how long it will be, but I can reasonably expect the 14 days.

I got my surgery date yesterday. I'm April 10th, too! Sent from my SM-G935V using BariatricPal mobile app