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My name is Kristen. I am a 33 year old single mom in KS. I just had the gastric sleeve done on 1-5-15. They injured my spleen while in there so my recovery has been rough. I am lucky that my insurance covers the surgery and I have options in my area. A lot of people don't have insurance coverage and they have to drive far away just to find a surgeon. With that said, today is day three and I am pretty miserable.

Hi All! I am having my VSG on 2/26/15 (Yay!). I began my liquid diet on the 12th. Do you have any tips!? Especially on Protein shakes. Thanks!!!

Well I guess im going to be a slow losser Tuesday will make 1 week since being sleeved and i'ved lost 4 pounds. Yesterday I started my vitamins and protein shakes please give me a run down of what you eat from the time you wake up till the time you go to bed plus any actvities that you do, I'm a big girl I weigh 230 pounds on a 5ft1 inch frame I should be a fast loser right?

How many of you still use a lot of sugar free products daily? I know it's the best option for weight loss but I worry about the chemicals and fake sugar. About 6 months ago I stopped eating frozen meals,reduced fat foods or processed foods. I felt great but I realize now my portions were way too big. I am 14 days in so I still have a long way before I can eat solid food. My goal is to be able to lose weight but not rely on "diet" food. I love to cook and don't mind putting the effort in for meal prep. But is that realistic? What plan have you found success?

Ha, we are in the same boat. 2 weeks post op. One more week of full liquids. I'm hungry! I spoke to Nut today and she said to stay on track for another week and increase my protein as much as I want. i hate sf, ff stuff. I dont find it real food. Frankenfood. Only sf I do is crystal light. So, I make fresh soups and fruit infused waters and teas. ina garten's roasted tomato basil soup is awesome. Easy, puréed and strain through a fine strainer. Love it. I made this before surgery. Adding plain yogurt to bump protein and make it creamier. I made a Thai carrot soup which had peanut butter sauce in it. Amazingly! Epicurous.com has a fantastic black bean cumin jalapeño soups. This ne needed about 1 more cup of water to thin. Add a very small amount of liquid cheese (Campbell's cheese soup). Sour cream. Yummy. i make my own bone broth. No chemicals, good protein and healing collagen. Easy and cheap. I can make a gallon for about 9 bucks. I drink my protein shakes to hit my goal, then have fun. The soups are pretty low carb and fat because I'm only eating 1/2 Cup over 20-30 minutes. Good fiber also, which we need. Frankenfood had no fiber. Obviously I enjoy cooking, so I'm keeping busy tring to be creative. Hang in there.

I'm just over 2 months out and I've been stalled for almost 3 weeks. I think this is a pretty normal thing so don't let it get into your head. Up your protein and water, take your vitamins, and soon you should see the scale move. Like others have mentioned, my clothes are still getting looser and I can see my face slimming down. Also - get off that scale! Best thing I ever did...I weighed every day for a month and a half and the stress of a stalled scale was really affecting me.

I am not sure whats going on but i have been getting dizzy/light headed ALOT! I thought maybe i was not getting enough calories but after tracking everything i eat i don't think thats is it. I have been taking my multi vitamin, calcium and doing at least two protein shakes a day......WHAT UP? I am starting to get worried!:tongue_smilie:

I started driving about a week and a half post op. after surgery because of the lack of protein and food I felt a little weak and was afraid of driving, I did not feel safe to drive until then. Good luck!

So im going into my 2wk and already have trouble with my Protein intake, and im getting sick of the Clear liquids... so I thought maybe I could juice my fruit and veggies....have anyone juiced their Meals this soon??? Will it harm me if I do??? Please help Sent from my SGH-M919 using VST

Good job getting in all your liquids I'm 5 weeks out and yet to get in a full 64 oz in one day!! I've stopped weighing myself everyday, I know as long as I'm doing the right things the weight has to come off. And I have always been addicted to the scale. Today was my day to weigh and I got my period yesterday so I'm doing myself a favor and not getting on until its over! Because without even getting on I know I gained some water weight, retaining fluid. I've had a day here and there when I had that queasy yucky feeling trying to drink my morning protein, I think I know what you mean. But I did my best with the rest of the day and on average I hit 70-80g of protein so I don't sweat the occassional morning that my tummy doesn't want to cooperate.

Welcome!! Stay out of the complications section as it is a nerve wrecking emotional ride for the prebander. The support section and the general questions and information has put my mind to ease. Even the chat room has been a great help!! This board is a godsend!! Everyone is VERY helpful and informative!! You have come to a great support. THere are even local face to face supports. Check by state in the lower half of the posting section. Anything you want to know use the tool bar search option you can always "bump" (post on it) a thread to bring it current to get more information. PM me if you need help or have other questions!!

Hi all I was banded 5/15/12. Today was my first fill and I must say it went better than I thought. I was given barium to swallow as my band was filled. He put 3-4 ccs in there. I say 3-4 because he said that's where he usually starts, either way, I can definitely feel the difference. I'm on liquids for 2 days. Yay more Protein shakes, oh how I've missed you... NOT! Lol 6 weeks til next fill not sure if I'll need it. It took me forever to finish a cup of decaf. We will see. Just updating those who have supported me and who cares thanks for all the support, it's greatly appreciated. Lala

Post op day 3 today. Got in my 60 oz of fluid and 60 gram protein. That is a million tiny sips. Still having slight pain and burping. I found standing up and drinking kinda helps.

Well, I don't have a whole lot of advice on what to ask. I kind of just went with the flow of what my dr was telling me about my surgery options..I of course chose the VSG. As he was explaining things, I had some questions pop into my head..I'm sure you will too. But as for what all was done on my first visit, I spoke to the nurse about everything, told her the type of work I do, etc. Then I spoke with the dr and he explained my options and drew pictures. Then went for labwork, and setup my appointments for psych eval & nutrition class. That was all done on my first visit. hope this helped a little! Good luck!

Hello! I am new to this website and blogging. There is a lot of new in my life at this time. I was banded on February 3, 2012 and I am a little over three weeks post-op. I have listed below what I have experienced over the last month. Prior to surgery my doctor, Dr. Fox, had me on the South Beach Super-Charge diet phase 1. He doesn't believe in the liquid diet because you will be on liquids after the surgery. I lost 11 lbs. prior to surgery. The couple of days before surgery the center called, a nurse called and the anesthesiologist, Dr. Wong, called. I was surprised and relieved. The day of surgery I had to be at the surgery center at 7:00am and my surgery was scheduled at 8:00am. The staff was very nice and considerate in every way possible. After signing off on all the paperwork I was brought back to change into a hospital gown and some nice warm grippy socks. I was brought back into the pre-surgery room where I was hooked up to an IV and given a shot in my stomach which was a blood thinner. Dr. Wong came and asked me a bunch of questions and answered any questions I had for him. My surgery nurse came in and introduced herself to me and said I would be brought back soon. Within the next 10 minutes my Dr. Fox came by and asked me if I was ready and from here is was a whirlwind. My surgery nurse and Dr. Wong came back. Dr. Wong gave me some sleepy drugs in my IV and I was wheeled back into the operating room. My head was already flying high and people were everywhere. The last thing I remember was this handsome guy at my right side strapping my arm down and I said "Hello". LOL it is funny now thinking about it. Well the next thing I know I was woken out of a deep sleep to "Melodie please take a deep breath" and this happened for the next 10 minutes I guess. I couldn't keep my eyes open but I kept taking the deep breathes as directed. I slowly began to wake up and they took the oxygen off and told me I would be getting up in a few minutes for a short walk. I was moved into the next room where I was able to sit and they gave me a warm blanket and the nurse brought my husband back. The nurse (I didn’t get his name) kept checking on me and asking me how I was doing. He brought me water and told me to take small sips. I was still very sleepy and kept dozing off on my husband. The nurse came by and took to me restroom and I walked myself back. The nurse stated I was faster than he was. He asked me if I needed anything else right now and I told him I felt sick to my stomach and he said I can fix that. He came back and put something in my IV and within seconds I felt better. The nurse then came back and brought some post-op paperwork we went over and brought me some plastic thing to help with breathing. It was very difficult. I had to use this thing every hour and use it 10 times. I also had to get up and walk around every hour. Dr. Fox came by and asked me how I was doing and asked if I was ready to head home. YES by this time I was ready to head home and crawl into my own bed. The nurse removed my IV and I was released about 11:30am. When I got home my husband went into the house first and put our dogs outside. He didn’t want them to jump on me. We have a two story and he helped me up the stairs and I crawled into my bed. My husband was a very good care taker bringing me water, making sure I used the breath thing and walking around. Also he made sure I took my medicine as needed. After I was settled my husband went to fill my prescriptions. Once he got back I took the pain killer which I highly recommend. I took my every four hours and took Advil two hours into the four hours. Dr. Fox recommended this, which I would do the same. I did this until Sunday and then went straight to Advil alone expect for bedtime. I thought I would be able to go back to work on Monday but was still sore so I called in sick. I did go to work on Tuesday and it was very uncomfortable driving. I was still very gassy at and took gas-x chewable which helped. I have been following my doctor’s post-op instructions to the T. I had a follow up with him on February 15 and he said everything is healing and looks good. At my weigh in I had lost a total of 18 lbs. J He gave me my meal plans for the next two weeks and told me to stay away from pork and beef (except hamburger) until 3 months after surgery. I have to say I did have some pork-lion the other night for dinner and it went down fine. One thing I must tell you if you sneeze you will feel like you are dying! I sneezed on the way to my last doctor’s appointment and thought I was going to die, it hurt so badly. It has gradually has gotten better. It still hurts a little but is bearable. The insides take longer to heal the outside. I still get gassy after drinking my protein but it passes and I can count on one hand how many times I have had a bowl movement (gross I know). Weird… I have my first aftercare appointment today. We will see how that goes and if I get my first fill today. I hope this way helpful information for someone. If you have any questions please ask. Melodie

I'm 4 days post-op too, and I'm super hungry! I want everything I can't have, of course, but my protein shakes/pudding etc. make me nauseated. A lot of times hunger gets confused with reflux-they can feel about the same. I've started paying closer attention to my reflux, making sure to take my prescribed meds and add over-the-counter ones as needed in order to stop myself from advancing my diet prematurely just because I'm refluxing more. Of course the day I came home from the hospital my Mom came over with McDonalds for her lunch. I swear those fries smelled so good...! Food comercials look really good to me too right now. I wonder, is this the "head hunger" everyone talks about? I don't think I really have a good sense of what exactly I'm feeling since I'm only 4 days out, most likely still swollen, still sore, and used to taking a different medication for reflux (my surgeon switched me post-op). Maybe I'm just not used to it yet... I had some soup this evening, and I thought I felt "full" after about 3/4 cup, but I was still "hungry." I waited about an hour and went back and had some more. This doesn't bode well since I'm on liquids for another 3 weeks...

I'm 7 weeks out and I log all my food and yes, I stick to a set amount of calories/protein grams etc.. but OMG it's SO MUCH EASIER than in the pre-sleeve world..

Things went well! Pretty sore today but not as much as yesterday. I bought some of the Unjury chicken soup and it is awesome! Tastes great and one serving has as much protein as 3 eggs! It's definitely going to be a favorite!! My biggest issue is trying to sleep. Only got maybe 3 hours. Any ideas on that?

I got a card when I was banded but honestly 99% of what is on the kids menu is CRAP! Chicken nuggets, mac & cheese, pizza... the portions are smaller but the options are not what you need. I get a healthy appetizer and eat half of it. Same price, same size, but healthier options.

I found a specific type of Think Thin bar that I can tolerate--peanut butter. It has a lot of calories (250?), but it also has 20 grams of protein. I don't like any of the other flavors besides peanut butter, though. The chocolate brownie flavor was gagful. I only eat them when I'm running behind on protein and need a big dose to catch up. Because of calories, carbs, and price, I only use them occasionally.

Atkins brand is good with high protein and low carbs.

Mashed potatoes are mushy. Chicken can be a mushy if you're able to get it wet - e.g. remove the skin, shred the chicken, and stir in some mayo for instant chicken salad. If that's not an option, then can you find a way out of it? You have a meeting, you aren't feeling well, you have an errand to run... ? If you're still in the mushy stage, then this is a little beyond cheating and into disregarding medical recovery orders. Trust me - that's somewhere you don't want to go. Lots of badness can happen. You need to make sure your tummy has time to heal.

I am currently 23 days post VSG and down almost 27lbs. I was a complete rockstar with my liquid diet protein, and water goals, but I started the pureed portion last Wed, I was shocked that I had absolutely zero pleasure or “this tastes good” after eating. I’ve been highly surprised by this and have looked up quite a few studies how Bariatric surgery alters hormones in the gut and brain that cause this satisfaction from meals. I was never a large overeater, but I did consider myself a Foodie. My tastebuds have also completely changed and things that I used to love such as coffee and certain protein shakes all taste horrible to me. Has anyone else experienced this? I know some of my meals would normally taste good to me, but everything is completely unappealing and I force myself to eat. Has anyone experienced their tastes coming back to once they once were, or feeling satisfied with a meal? On another note, it appears that some of the studies show that patients that had these taste changes were more successful in the long run keeping the weight off and the total amount lost was higher.

Bring your scale... makes ure you makeup how much you can eat and then but away in To-go container so you do not overeat. Check menu before to find option As for the family things... I have discussed I need to take a year off. I too come from big Italian family and I just am not ready. So, we decided on a no holiday this year with family -instead husband kid and I are heading to a little vacation. I am sad to say - I can eat out at a restaurant better than when I go to family (since they are always pushing food my way).

Welcome. Enjoy the journey it's not always easy but it gets better as time goes, stay positive as much as possible. It's great to try the protein products before hand, but I don't recommend buying a bunch of anything before surgery because most people (myself included) experience changes in there tastes after the surgery. I have seen many posts on here about people who bough a bunch of a certain protein they liked preop and then couldn't stand it post op. Good Luck.