Monique1123

I’m 11 days post op, had my sleeve on July 14th and I’m starting to feel a little sad and question my decision even though I’m trying very hard not to. So everything has gone great as far as my recovery , I’m in absolutely no pain, incisions healing great, I’ve already been cleared for soft foods and I was SOOO excited. I have tried eating ground beef with tomato sauce , eggs , mashed potato’s , and meatballs. I chew them all until it’s an applesauce consistency which honestly disgust me, I try to take dime size bites , I eat at the table and put my fork down after every bite and yet…. When I’m done I still get severe chest pain as if the food is stuck. Which I’ve researched means you didn’t chew enough or your eating too fast… I guess I’m asking all of this to say does it eventually get better? Once you heal, are you able to eat without chest pain? Are you going to be able to take normal bites vs dime size ? At this point , the excitement that I had to be able to eat soft foods have now be turned into a daily challenge of forcing myself to eat. Without realizing until today, I noticed that I’ve gone 2 days without food because I’m so afraid of the pain that it will bring . Does it ever get better ?

You're doing great!! I had surgery around the same time on 7/14 and I've only lost 20 pounds since surgery. The same exact situation, I lost a ton of weight the first week and 1/2, and then my stall hit the 2nd week up until week 4. I went to the gym and somehow I started losing again but veryyyy veryyyy slowly. I even got as low at 179 on Sunday, all for me to check again this morning and see that I gained 2 pounds. The process is so frustrating but like you said, knowing this is normal and seeing that a lot of successful people have gone through this stall/slow start really puts me at ease! I completely feel you in the heat. I'm not the biggest fan of exercise and definitely not in the burning sun so the first couple of weeks I started walking in the evening around 7:30/8 PM. Now, I'm doing the treadmills at the gym which is even better since they have the fans and I find myself actually enjoy it! Good luck on your journey, we got this!!

I can honestly say that I am SLACKING on my vitamins. I don't even have a good excuse. I have reminders on my phone and everything but for whatever reason, I forget to take them! Also water, I used to get in 64 oz + every day and since surgery, I'm somewhere in between 32- 48 daily. I have been working out more now that I got the green light so I hope to see more improvements with my body over the next couple of weeks. However, you're right. I've heard that those who didn't start out on the high end of weight tend to lose at a slower pace.

Thank you! It's mentally challenging for sure because up until my post-op yesterday I felt so depressed thinking I haven't lost enough. Exactly 20 pounds, in 1 month, and everyone around me has lost so much more.

Surgery Status: 6 weeks post-op tomorrow. Sx 7.14.2021 VSG Phase: Regular foods Highest known weight: 218 Surgery weight: 200 even. Current Weight: 182 This morning. I gained 3 pounds 😭 Inch loss: 3 inches off waist, 4 inches off lower belly (Fupa), 1 in off arms, 1 in off neck, NSV: Went from a size 18 to 14 in pants and XXL to XL in shirts !

Agreed! I had surgery 7.14.21, Surgery Weight was 200 and I'm juggling between 179 -182. I had my 1 month post-op appointment yesterday and my doctor seemed to think that's great!! As Eholmes said, we just need to trust the process as challenging as that could be.

Yup, it's normal. The same thing happened to me around the 2-week mark after losing 25 lbs (Surgery was on 7/14/21). After that my scale stayed the same for almost 2 weeks :-( However, I got approved to start working out and lifting under 20 pounds and I noticed that it broke my stall. Only by a few pounds but anything is better than nothing! I also made a post on another FB support group super frustrated at the time and thinking that I was doing something wrong and many people stated this was a normal part of their journey and usually after this stall and our bodies are fully healed then the weight should start slowly melting off. I'm excited about that part lol, good luck!

Hi! I’m also 3 weeks post op ! I had surgery on July 14th. However , my doctor transitioned me over to soft foods . I never had to go through the puréed stage . To my knowledge though you can have creamier thicker soups , puréed meats and chili’s , some do Mashed Potato’s if it’s okay with your program. Puréed vegetables , tuna . ETC.

Hi Everyone! I was hoping I could get some guidance! I feel like ever since I've been told that I can eat soft foods my weight has stayed the same!! My surgery was on July 14th and 1 week later my dr approved me to start soft foods since I was recovering well. Now, one week later I got on the scale only to see that my weight is the exact same!! Now, i've already been told about the dreaded 3-week stall but mine is happening at 2 weekss 😭 Nothing has changed besides eating soft foods and usually, I can only squeeze in dinner. For 2 weeks post op, my eating schedule has been AM Protein shake which takes hours for me to finish. Water Gatorade W/ Protein Water or Crystal light with unflavored protein water. Dinner, eating my protein first then vegetables, and usually ONLY last a couple of bites because I'm not hungry, to begin with. Any suggestions as to what could be going on?

Thank you! This was very helpful!!

Thank you so much for your response! When I saw that I was losing weight daily, it kind of got addictive. Now it has completely backfired since I'm staying at the same weight and completely discouraged me. However, I can agree with CKmommy since this is the lowest I've been in 4 years and I've never lost 20 pounds in a month before. I think I will try a new approach of weighing every Wednesday or just feeling how my clothes fit me.

*Crosses fingers!* Hopefully our bodies will be back to losing in no time!

Yes! I lost 12 pounds on liquid and then 13 the first week after surgery. Now I’m just stuck here 😩. It’s so frustrating cause it’s like I want to work out or do something to assist but I can’t ! It’s just discouraging when you are losing so much and then come to a stop despite doing everything right! Thanks for your response :-)!!

Hi Billy, Honestly, everything you're going through is completely normal. My incisions were super sore for the first week. It was hard for me to get up, bend over, turn and even walk because my stomach jiggling would hurt lol. It also took me about 8 days to have my first BM, my surgeon said that it was completely normal. I didn't have a stiff neck but based on other posts I read prior to surgery, it's from the gas and also is normal after surgery. Of course, you know the solution to that is to WALK WALK WALK!! Ughhhh, the spasms yeah I hated those. It was very hard for me to get my fluids in because everything would hurt so bad going down. It honestly gets so much better after the first week, trust me! Last, I would hear my stomach gurgling when I would take a sip of something during those first couple of days. However, now at 2 weeks post-op, I can't tell you that last time my stomach grumbled lol. Don't worry, it will all get better! Wishing you a speedy recovery!!

I completely agree! I think my body was just going through a transition of having food go down because as of lately I’ve been doing okay with getting things down without the pain. I will say that even though I was practicing before , the one thing that’s super hard is not drinking while eating . Sometimes it just feels so dry going down that I want a sip but have to wait 30 minutes :-(

I’ve actually noticed that everyone was going through a puréed stage after full liquids but my doctor gave me the green light on “soft foods” just 8 days after surgery. After I got the green light , eating has seemed more like a chore. Yeah, I literally chew so much that I don’t even want to swallow sometimes lol . To be honest, I’m not sure about portion sizes. I’ve only been able to have about 4-5 bites and then i stop. I take pics of the food before and after and it barely looks as if I put a dent in it . I just really wanted to make sure that this pain after eating was a permanent issue and that ONE DAY I will be able to actually enjoy food. For the first time this evening, I was able to take numerous large sips of water and that was a great accomplishment! So your right , I need to give my tummy some time ! Thank you!

I’m almost there in that case . 1 more week to go! Thank you !!

thank you! I will try to gradually add in foods . Tonight I had chicken and puréed beans and I had no issues after . I just got really frustrating wondering if this was going to last forever and I’m glad to hear that it gets better . Thank you!

I agree with the previous post. I would contact your doctor only because you mentioned the wetness near the incision. I had severe pain at the same exact incision and during my first post op visit my surgeon said that it was completely normal as that it where they do the most work and also because there are also stitches located on the inside of only that incision as well so that causes it to be extra sore . I had my SX on the 14th and the pain just started going away. With certain movements, I still feel some pain but nowhere as bad for that first week. The one thing that really really helped for me was putting an ice bag over it . I hope you feel better!

Surgery Status: Post Op - surgery July 14th, 2021 Phase: 1 week post op as of yesterday! Recovering well so Dr said I could move on to soft foods 😊 Highest known weight: 218 Starting weight: 214 Current Weight: 193.2 Inch loss: I’m actually waiting for a new tape measurer because somehow the current one is telling me I gained more than when I was 218. Makes no sense . NSV: It’s only been a week so I haven’t noticed much yet. I will say on FaceTime calls and photos my face looks much slimmer and family has asked if I’m losing weight cause I look slimmer. Good luck Everyone!!

I had surgery on the same day . The pain is in the same exact spot and in the mornings are the worse assuming it’s cause I haven’t moved all night . I’m having my first Pre-op appointment tomorrow and planned on asking if this level of pain is normal from that incision but I guess it is . The incision is super sore and that exact location feels super hard when I touch around it . I hope it goes away soon because it’s affecting literally everything move i make .Especially when caring for my 4 year old 😞

I was allowed cream soups as well. So originally , I stocked up on a bunch of “sipping Bone broths” they had them in all different flavors like a chicken, rosemary and lemon , Chinese 5 spice or something like that. I also bought miso broth to switch it up a bit . I did end up getting tired of those and so I reached out to my nutritionist and tried to get a better idea on if it had to be clear liquids or as long as it’s liquid then it’s fine and threw out a few examples for approval . She pretty much said it’s fine , as long as it’s liquid and as long as you “LOSE WEIGHT” just like that in caps lol . From that point on, I puréed my own vegetable soups and lentil soup , I bought different Tomato soups , a butternut squash and sweet potato soup. It was a game changer at that point so i would definitely find out more info as you get closer to see how strict the liquid diet for you will be .I know you mainly sound like you want soups to make at home but if interested here are a few other suggestions ! I bought sugar free popsicles the different colorful flavored ones lol AND the SF fudge pops! Those came in super handy when I was craving chocolate (which I NEVER do). I also got sugar free apple sauce , SF chocolate/vanilla puddings , SF Jello and oatmeal, non fat low sugar yogurt with honey and cinnamon . Of course , I bought all kind of premier protein shakes to test out my favorite flavors. I found these premeir protein clear drinks , quest (cookies N cream) protein shake soooo good!!! Then for water alternatives because trust me, you WILL get tired of water when it’s the only thing you can drink… I bought a bunch of different flavored crystal light packets such as a peach mango green tea and lemon Iced tea and they even had a large packets for pitchers and I got that in strawberry watermelon . I hope this helps!!!

Hi Everyone , I just had my surgery yesterday and I’m going through a wave of emotions. I’m relieved and glad that it’s over BUT this reflux pain is out of this world . Every time I take the smallest sip of water , it goes down my chest fine but once I gets to my stomach then it feels like it’s on FIRE. Therefore, I haven’t been able to eat at all. Honestly, without drinking, it burns in general just sitting here typing . I’ve been walking yesterday evening , through the night and this morning so I’m not even sure if this is just gas. I’m going to pick up my meds but is there any other supplement you all recommend? All answers are appreciated, thank you!

Yes, they gave me a PPI medication but it still isn’t working . When I explained the level of pain from the reflux, they told me it was normal . I already had GERD prior to my surgery where I would get this pain once every 2-3 months but my surgeon said he didn’t think it was often enough to switch to bypass. However, I’ve read that Gerd can worsen on some sleeve patients so I’m paranoid .

Hey Maribelle ! I had my surgery today too. Do you have any gas pains ? That’s my main issue right now . I read about some people having issues when they swallow but that was more so in their chest. For me, when I swallow it goes down fine and like 10 seconds later I get this burning sensation in my stomach and leg out this super tiny burp . I got up to my rom around 4:30/5 and have done about 6-7 laps up to now . That’s my only issue right now .