Soonlee_W

It's been a year and a month --I've lost 27 pounds. I know I'm not getting enough protein. I started swimming with my sister and lost 3 pounds pretty quickly. But, school is back in session now. I won't be able to swim.

IT ABSOLUTELY DOES NOT MATHEMATICALLY MAKE SENSE! I have only been in the July 2021 Gastric Sleeve Thread. I just happened to see this. I am 56, 55 at the time of surgery and my highest weight was 196. To be honest, it was 196 because I binged before the surgery knowing life would change. It's been 7 months now. I have lost 20 pounds. I'm thinking, "there is no way! I'm eating about an eighth of what I used to eat and all I've lost is 20 pounds!" First of all --this was a relief and proof to me that after all these years no amount of dieting or exercising was going to help if even gastric bypass can only give me a 20 pound loss! No, I'm not eating sweets. I've lost my appetite for anything sweet. I absolutely cannot drink anything carbonated, so I drink water and tea sweetened with stevia. I've had enough protein shakes to last me a lifetime. I can only eat about 4 or 5 bites at any meal. So what am I doing wrong? And get this.......the dr put me on Adipex! All I know is, I'm 16 pounds away from my goal. I have no idea if I will get there. The dr called year 1 the "honeymoon" and basically stated that if I'm going to lose, it will be done within year one. He said he doesn't usually see a loss in year two. So, I've got 5 months to lose 16 pounds. If you are thinking you are the only one with this issue --you are not.

Hi Everyone, So....it's been 7 months for us. I've lost 20 pounds. I was very depressed for a while because I wholeheartedly expected to lose more and more quickly. As long as I keep losing, it will be ok. Maybe it's good that's its been so slow. IDK So, get this, the new dr put me on Adipex. I told her that I had taken Adipex for my entire adult life (I'm 56). But she prescribed it anyway. She told me to eat every 3 to 4 hours. And she told me that I wasn't getting enough protein. I know that's true. Most days I don't even get half of what I'm supposed to have. I know this, I've had enough protein shakes and eggs to last a lifetime. Why aren't there scientists out there figuring out a way to make a protein patch or a capsule. LOL I did get some JRobb protein powder to add to soups and yogurts. I haven't tried it yet. I'm wearing clothes I haven't worn in a long time --and that's nice. I still have 16 pounds to go to reach my goal. The surgeon made it sound like I would lose all I would lose in year one. In other words, he doesn't see patients losing in year two very often. This leaves me 5 months to try to lose the 16. I'd like to know if any of you guys heard the same thing. Can I really expect NOT to lose after a year? Or possibly even gain back? On an unrelated note -- I've been reading about alcohol. I'm trying to cut back on that too, hoping maybe that will help with the weight loss. I've lost some hair. The new dr is super nice and she explained why we lose hair --that's why I've got to figure out a way to get the proteins in. I'm very happy for all of you who have lost really big amounts of weight. That's got to be life-changing. Congratulations. Baby sister had gastric bypass in Tijuana in October and has lost nearly 80 pounds.

He says to "wait and see." I'm not positive --but I get the feeling he thinks I'm not following the rules. He's very nice, but to be honest, he did his part and he got paid for it. Now, basically, it's all on me. Have you heard of anyone else like me? Anyone who had the sleeve and didn't lose?

In two days

In two says it will be 4 months since the surgery. I have lost 10 pounds. Super depressed.

My surgery was July 22. I lost 8 pounds within the first two weeks. I still have only lost 8 pounds. I'm drinking protein shakes. Taking all the vitamins. I'm eating scrambled eggs --anything else-- I can only take maybe 4 bites. I feel like I am eating 1/8th of what I used to eat and I do not understand why I am not losing. I started walking and was proud that I was walking 2 miles (On the treadmill.) Dr. said that "walking is not an exercise. That is why we were born with two legs --we are supposed to walk." Well wishers have questioned --"maybe you're not eating enough." "Maybe you're not getting enough water." "Maybe you're not getting enough protein." "You did not have that much to lose, so maybe it will go slower." "Maybe you're still healing." "Maybe its your thyroid." I don't understand --my brother in law had a two week bout of pancreatitis and lost 25 pounds --believe me, he wasn't worried about protein or water, he just didn't eat much. I am extremely worried that I might be in the 10% who this surgery doesn't work on. Incidentally, baby sister leaves tonight for Gastric Bypass in Tijuana.

Today makes a month since the surgery. I've been struggling with acid reflux during the night, it wakes me up--otherwise, I'm feeling fine. I cannot eat more than 4 bites of anything. I'm living on protein shakes, soup, and scrambled eggs. When I get to school I make the Jimmy Dean egg bowl that also has small bits of sausage and it takes me nearly the whole day to eat it. I take small bites here and there. I don't think I've ever eaten a whole one. But it has 19 grams of protein. I can do that forever if I need to. I'm not the type that needs variety. Yesterday hubby cooked for the kids (they are 31 and 32). I had one fried shrimp, I had to eat it in 3 small bites. Maybe two fries. I've read that my weight loss might be slower since I started out at less than 200. In my mind, that shouldn't matter. If a person goes to eating about 1/8th of what they used to eat --there should be more than a 4 pound loss in a month. This really seals it for me that without the surgery I certainly would have never lost anything. They are delivering my Nordic Track Treadmill Tuesday. I will see if walking helps TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS SINCE SURGERY 4 POUNDS. I am extremely discouraged.

Had my surgery on July 22. Very little pain, only stayed in the hospital one night. Incisions are almost all the way healed now. I've only lost 4 pounds. I am very discouraged. Very This was my last hope. 4 Pounds in 3 weeks!!! ??? What am I doing wrong?

Today is 9 days since my surgery. "Head Hunger" is a real thing because I am not hungry physically but I want to eat. I'm keeping up with the protein. I feel fully recovered, just some tenderness where the incisions are. I've only lost 4 pounds. Maybe this isn't going to work for me.

I feel so fortunate that I did not need anything for pain. I've been uncomfortable trying to sleep as I sleep on my side --the abdominal binder is amazing!!! Once I put that on, I could sleep in any position I wanted. I got the NyOrtho one from Amazon. It does not roll down -it stays in position. Today is day 3. I made an egg since I figured I should have something other than the protein water. I could barely eat it all. I didn't get sick, I took small bites, but I couldn't eat the whole thing. It's sad --before surgery, I could have eaten 3 eggs with no problems. I did eat about 1/4 of Split Pea Soup. The Protein Water is Tropical Punch Flavor --it's really sweet. I added some lemon juice and that helped a lot. My weight the day of Surgery was 184. I'm 180 now. When I see the 170's!!!!! I'm gonna be so excited. Guess what -- something else has happened. Baby sister needs bariatric surgery but doesn't have insurance. She needs it way more than I did. I felt so bad the day of surgery going in knowing she was rooting for me but at the same time, feeling a little jealous. She always puts everyone before herself. After my surgery, her husband felt badly for her. He has decided she can have it and is being supportive! Hooray

I got home from VSG surgery yesterday. Here's my story: July 22nd I arrived for my surgery. They told me that Dr. Selim was running about two hours behind -not his fault, it had something to do with the way the people scheduled things. They put the IV which pinched a bit and gave me a shot in my stomach to prevent blood clots. I'm pretty sure they also took some blood. Around 2:30 I had my surgery. The pain was at most at a 3. The pain was in my upper chest right in the center. They said it was the gas. Around 7:00 I was able to suck on ice with no problems. Later they brought me the best lemonade I ever had! LOL I was able to sip the lemonade with no problems. After reading all these posts here, I knew I'd have to take tiny sips. I never got nauseous. I never threw up. I walked around at about 8:00. I was able to urinate on my own. I didn't sleep well - I was uncomfortable but not in pain. Every time I had to urinate they had to unhook me from the oxygen thing and the IV. At some point in the night they gave me a GasX to chew and a few hours later something for Acid Reflux. Around 4:00 a.m. she asked if I wanted something for pain and although I wasn't in any pain, I had hoped it would put me to sleep. I slept in 30 minute increments. Each time I woke up --I was able to walk with no problems. Around 6 in the morning, they brought me half a cup of broth. I walked to the door 5 times, took a sip, walked to the door 5 times, took a sip...and so on till it was all gone. I was able to have the broth and still work on that yummy lemonade with no problems. Hubby came to bring me home around noon. We live about 45 minutes from the hospital. It was a hot Louisiana day. I could feel the warmth on my face and it was nice. It had been so cold in the hospital room. We got home and he made some soup. It was so good --I strained it so I didn't even get the little specks of spices he put in it. It was hot n spicy like I like it. I weighed myself, I had gained 3 pounds!!!! But then.....I realized my face was hot. I was running a fever. 99.9 I got scared. The papers say to call the Dr's office if you have a fever over 101.5, so I took some Tylenol and fell asleep. Today (2 days after surgery) I'm fine. No pain at all but still uncomfortable in certain positions. I normally sleep on my left side and I am unable to that right now. Still feeling a bit feverish off and on but never as high as 101.5. I cannot begin to write all the crazy things that have gone through my head. Maybe I can write about that later. I haven't worn the abdominal binder yet -- when do people normally start wearing it? Also --would love to hear about those other two on here who had theirs the same day as me.

Tomorrow is my day. I'm not nervous AT ALL. I've always looked for "signs." Like if there were bumps in the road as I was trying to do something, I tend to think it was God warning me not to do it. There have been no bumps -- so, I'm thinking God's got this. LOL Today was all the phone calls from the people wanting their money, anesthesia and hospital. My debit card was declined even though I've got the amount needed. At first I thought it might be a sign --but guess what, the girl on the phone had VGS back in 2013. She just so happened to be my same weight and height at the time of her surgery. We talked and talked. So --I took that as a good sign. It turns out my bank puts a cap on how much you can debit in one day as a safety measure. I had to call the bank and tell them what was going on. Then they had to get approval. So it has taken all day to pay the hospital --but I'm expected there at 10:30 tomorrow. School starts on the 9th of August. I'm hoping I will have had enough down time to teach without complications.

Today is day 6 on the pre-op diet and I'm feeling lightheaded -no energy. I'm drinking the protein shakes and sipping just the liquids from soup, also a sugar free pudding. Like brightly --I'm not really a sweets person. So it seems like a lot of sweet stuff is on the list of pre-op options. Starting Monday it will be clear liquids only, surgery is Thursday.

BRIGHTLY! You preach it! That post should be printed and sent to every dietician who works for a Bariatric Surgeon!!! Thank you for doing the research for us. I'm an English teacher and I tell you, that is one very well written essay! Thank you for writing it and saying what many of us may not have had been able to say quite so eloquently. My surgery on July 22. I think that's 3 of us on the same day.

Thank you, Thank you, Brightly! You are so right. This isn't normal -- it's starvation. I feel like I'm starving ... I was hoping it would get better as the days go on, but so far, it's still very very hard. Let me know if you get clarification about your diet.

Barely slept that night after reading this. It's all good --

Dear Brightly, This pre-op diet is so so hard. I failed at it for almost 4 days till I got it down. Be careful what you say....people can be brutal. They'll make you feel like if you can't do the diet then maybe you shouldn't have the surgery. I was not given specific instructions either or any why's other than the fact that they said it would make my liver shrink. Also, they didn't tell me how much -- I mean, can I have 6 pudding cups if I'm hungry? Some people were told to only have liquids, some people were allowed to have eggs. People will tell you to do exactly what your surgeon says, and I guess that's the best advice ... but I'm with you ---this is so hard. If it were easy for me to stay on something like this, maybe I wouldn't be so fat. It feels weird to have gone this many days without anything solid. They said, "Jello, sherbet, pudding, and protein shakes. Strained soups." that's all my papers say. That's a lot of sweet stuff. I've been straining all the chunks out of the soup and just drinking the soup-juice. 4 days before my surgery (so, this Monday) it will only be clear liquids.

Today was a bit easier for the pre-op diet. I'm taking a course online and that has kept me busy and my mind off the fact that I can't eat anything. There was a very brief moment when I thought about the fact that if I can stay on this diet, why get the surgery. Yes. That passed quickly because I know I wouldn't be able to maintain this forever. No diet has ever helped me keep any weight off. My husband is being supportive. He's making soup and eating his dinner (I'm sure it's Popeyes) before he gets home. I'm trying to stay focused on the fact that I'll be able to tie my shoes and breathe at the same time. That at some point everything in my closet might fit me. That I might actually experience a time when I'm not embarrassed of my weight. Today I got my "SouperCubes" in the mail.

@Eholmes89 I hope this passes soon. Your post was 3 hours ago --are you feeling any better at all?

Are you a teacher?

Well, it took the response kind of hard. I barely slept last night thinking I shouldn't have the surgery because it is too hard to do this liquid thing. I woke up this morning and had lost 4 pounds. It's early, but today and days moving forward, I will stick exactly to the plan my surgeon laid out.

So, today is a new day. So far I had a cup of coffee (stevia and non dairy creamer), a boiled egg, and a protein shake. Is that ok? The paper from the dr literally says, "Protein shakes, strained soups, sugar free sherbet, and sugar free pudding." That's all. Online, I've looked at some of the pre-op diets and they include boiled eggs, tuna, and more. Even as I'm typing this, I feel like I sound like a brat who refuses to do what is being asked of her to be able to have this life-changing surgery. I looked back through my texts to my sister: You think I can have one of those little cups of guacamole? How many protein shakes you think I can have? Isn't EVERYTHING basically liquified after you've chewed and swallowed? Ok, what about wine? This is hard If I can't even do this, how is it going to be afterwards? LOL -- I've got the best sister.

Thanks for welcoming me. What kind of things have you been buying? Last night I watched a you tube video I found on Pinterest. She was talking about the top Ten things she's loving since her surgery. One was an Ice cube tray called "Supercubes." She also talked about her air fryer since she often has to reheat foods she could not eat all of. Then she talked about a "Habit Tracker." Any of you think this is important? I feel like I'm finally talking to people who get it. I'm so happy I found this place -- I saw that another member has the same surgery date as me.

Hi, I'm new here. My surgery is July 22. Things have gone pretty quickly. I saw the Dr. in April, did the colonoscopy and EGD in June and my surgery is on July 22. I have seen the Dr. a total of 3 times. There was no "approval" process since my insurance will not cover the surgery. I was supposed to start the Liver Reducing diet Friday - but failed. I tried again today -- failed. I'm afraid I'm going to ruin everything. I went online to look for a place where I could talk to others in similar situations. The last time I was involved in a forum was 2008 after reading "The Shack." lol