LAN2k

I will!

Thanks I have not been able to drink Protein shakes since the surgery I lost my desire, but I just might try this one thanks again.

I'm 5.5 months out. The sipping gets better in time so does the eating but you must be patient and not let it get to you...I know it's easier said than done. I needed to get on some anti-anxiety medication, (Klonopin) to help ease my fears. It took around 2 months before I was able to drink more fluidly and 4 months to eat a bit more. I still need to be careful, take it slow and not drink too fast or eat too much. But it's much better now than it was in the initial stages. Not every one's experience is identical. Try to stay calm and realize that in time you will have more capacity for intake and skill in accepting the limitations.

Love ya Tiff... leelee, Don't be afraid to ask those hard questions. I did not ask my surgeon about his sleeve history. I was uncomfortable to put him on the spot so desperate to find a surgeon that was in the vicinity of where I live. I suffered with so much anxiety and fear after the surgery that something was or might go wrong and some of that was because I really didn't know enough about my surgeon's history.

Flaxseed peanut butter shake? Can you post the recipe for that? It sure must be healthy!

Tiff if I could start my life over I think I'd want to have you for my mother!

Thanks for that Tiff I just printed off my coupon. I love this brand and especially with the fruit on the bottom. I've been buying this brand but already premixed. I hope I can find it with the fruit on the bottom.

Daisy this is something I just can not wrap my head around.The math doesn't work. I ask myself how is it possible that one candy or sliver of cake would cause my body to gain or plateau when the entire day's calories don't even amount to 1000? So there must be more to becoming obese then the simple caloric/energy equation. It is the reason why some people are able to eat seemingly whatever they want whenever and in large quantity without becoming over weight while others (such as myself) must near starve (by comparison) to lose and/or maintain. I can already see this now that my appetite is healthy. My body really needs severe restriction in order for it to release the energy to burn up the stored calories, (fat). I think that obesity is the result of some sort of brain/bodily malfunction and when I realize this it makes good sense to have had this surgery.

Congrats you look great!

Thanks Lee----It was easy to drop weight at first because I was so turned off by mostly every food and beverage...since the antidepressant medication has helped me to not be repulsed by nearly every food I set my eyes on, I've got to be vigilant about what I eat and how fast I shovel it in! My appetite is back full force, but my sleeve restricts me and I'm finally appreciating having it...if I eat too fast or a bite too much ...ouch, it hurts and then I have to wait it out. Thinoneday, now is the time, your spot on! And so I know this last 30 will probably be the most challenging, since I discovered that I like food again. I'm glad we have each other to bounce things off of...thanks.

My hair was shedding about as much as my two cats! When I washed my hair that's when I was grabbing fist fulls of hair and shocked at how much I was shedding. I have been taking bioitin and Evening Primrose oil once or twice a day and I noticed the last time I shampoo'd the amount of loss was decreased significantly. I now have (no bald patches) but a very thin sparse looking head of hair. I still dye the roots back to brown, since I've had gray/silvers since age 21! I too resigned myself to buying a wig if necessary. But, I am confident that it's slowing down as my ability to eat Protein increases...I think after a while my system will adjust and hopefully soon I'll see some new growth. Summer is coming and my hair usually grows faster during the summer. I think I'll try using the shampoo and conditioner that Tiff is using I bet it will help. Thanks Tiff.

I'm right there with you Lee same size 40f. My surgeon told me he was using a 38f but after the surgery he said he went with 40f (maybe he left a little more space between the 38 bougie and the actual staple line. I've lost approx. 70lbs in 5.5 months...give or take 3lbs...I've got to get my excercise in, I've plenty of restriction but I want to lose another 30lbs and I'll be at goal finally for the first time since I was a young teenager. It's still hard to believe it can happen.

Wow you are so determined! I was too oh boy when my surgeon gave me a check list of doctors to see with all the test requirements for insurance submission I ripped through that list and got my test results within 2 week or 3 weeks. I really do hope you come through with flying colors but realize that the surgery is major and with that rib healing you must be prepared to endure and be very good to yourself during your recovery. Best wishes. -Lis

I saw a commercial for the Zumba and after reading your "review" I've registered to start classes next week one hour one night a week. I sure hope I will be able to keep up and get some benefit from it.

Way to go Cajun.

My doctor went with a 40 (originally he told me he was going to use a 38 bougie) I'm now 5 months out. I've lost approx. 70lbs. I can't eat much during one sitting. After the surgery I thought maybe he used a smaller bougie than the 38 he'd told me he would use. When he told me he went with 40, I was relieved. I don't know if in the long run it will have any significance. I do know that our sleeved stomachs are not able to stretch too much since what's left is the stronger muscular portion of the stomach. Best wishes to you on your WL journey.

Congratulations,and thank you for posting. I hope you will continue to touch base and keep us posted as you are progressing.

Salmon goes down so well for me, it's so moist and soft. I taste tested some already seasoned salmon at costco and it was so good. This was btw, when I first started to eat solid food. I bought a box of the salmon which came in already portioned individually wrapped frozen packages. It worked out great I just took one piece out let it thaw and broiled it. For a while I could only eat half and so I put the rest in the fridge and had it the next day. I also find shrimp, (boiled) and then seasoned to taste are very easy to eat, also high in Protein.

Cottage cheese didn't go over well with me either or ricotta!! Two cheeses that are soft. I tried both at about 4 weeks out. I kept it down though. I suggest you try Cream of Wheat, Uncle Ben Instant Healthy Grain, as per instructions. I use about half packet after it's cooked I add some milk and then I wisk a scoop of Solgar's vanilla whey protein powder into the mix, I add a tablespoon of pure maple syrup but you can use whatever sweetner you prefer. It's creamy, warm, and full of protein. Your kind of early out so don't be too hard on yourself. It took me a very long time before I could get eating. I hope things get better for you soon.

Stacie I am so sorry and I too will be praying for you.

Ditto for me and now at 5 months out I still use caution. It's a gradual learning process. You might want to start with yogurts and cooked warm cereals like cream of wheat or oatmeal, (if you haven't already). I do best with broiled fish, and boiled shrimp. Tuna was difficult for me early out and I haven't tried to eat it since. Like the previous posts, just take it slow and easy and you will find what works for you.

I had a catheter and when they took it out it was just a slight sensation nothing alarming or painful. After so many hours of me not being able to "pee" on my own 2 nurses put a pan under me in the bed and used something (I couldn't see) to force the urine out of me! That also didn't hurt just felt weird feeling them poking around looking for the spot to insert some tube or what ever they used! Once they found it they were very happy with the results and so was I because I had a bladder full. Hours later a wonderful overnight nurse took me into the bathroom (because I had to go again) and she brought me a warm sort of Water bottle to place on my pelvis while I sat on the toilet bowl. She also ran the sink water slightly and I was able to pee on my own then and there after. I'm pretty sure the tube you mentioned was used on me decades ago when I had emergency gallbladder surgery back in 1976. I know things have changed alot since then but when they yanked that tube out of my nose although rather quick, it was, to put it mildly, disturbing. I like many others also had a drain in the larger incision and when the surgeon removed it I felt no pain at all. Great questions by the way.

Best wishes for a smooth transition. Congratulations, prayers for an uneventful surgery and recovery.

One reason I am scared of getting this is the weight loss...the older we get the more nutrients our body needs, and what if this prevents it from happening.... CANCER and its treatments (lord forbid) Cancer treatments really mess you up...will We be able to recover with a sleeve??? You reminded me of my concerns initially, after surgery. I was in a literal state of shock at how little I could take in and was worried sick about getting sick with all the implications as you indicated! Seriously ill, that is, and what would happen having hardly any room for nutrients, food, drink, etc. While in that state I was scared. I'm 5 months out now and my Protein capacity has increased significantly. I'm probably getting at least 70-100 grams a day. Mind you I'm still not fully adapted, yet I have a much better capacity to eat and drink. That said, your argument is a good one and I will follow this thread to read the replys you receive.

Hang in there Pumpkin. I had that same full feeling high up in my esophagus...I thought that the feeling of satiation or fullness would never again feel normal and that lasted several weeks out. I was really frustrated and now at 5 months (and only for the last 3 weeks) the things I eat (providing I take my time and not swallow things without chewing well enough), I feel full in my tummy and FINALLY, it feels great...like it feels like I ate a whole lot of food even though I didn't eat much at all. I am just beginning to appreciate having the sleeve. It really took a while for me, longer than most. I was encouraged and supported here and I only hoped things would improve and it has so have patience and be encouraged it definately does get better and you will be able to enjoy food again only in smaller amounts. By the time you graduate to that point you will be somewhat conditioned to eat slower and appreciate the food you can eat. I still have to be careful with certain foods, I tried a pork chop a couple of days ago and the meat got stuck in the middle of my chest even though I thought I chewed it well. Sometimes chicken can get stuck there as well but I am not worried there are so many other foods I now can enjoy.