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I have experimented with all types of protein drinks, muscle milk, isopure, etc, and all turn my stomach or the volume to much to drink. I found the new wave protein shots, they come in a container much like a test tube. They have over 40 grams in less than 4 oz. I pour about 1 oz into a medicine cup and am able to slam in down and chase with some water. Do this about 4 times during the day and you have most of your requirement for the day. Now I have energy that did not exist 1 week ago. It was a lifesaver for me.

2 weeks after VSG. Week 1 went well, no real issues other than hard to swallow and take in enough H2O. Week 2 was hell. Nausea, vomiting, Fever, shakes , high uncontrolled heart rate, . Had to go to ER, had infection and mildly dehydrated. Got 1 bag IV solution and liquid antibiotic. Started week three today eating soft food, have to eat really small portions. Unforeseen side effects, highly increased sense of smell, and mouth tastes rotten within 2 hours of teeth brushing, and mouthwash. Dr says thats normal as toxins purge from body??? Anyway have lost 20lbs since may 14. Anyone have similar issues?

Hello all, I was sleeved this past Wednesday 10/29 in St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn, NY. Everything went so smoothly and quickly I am still in shock. I thought there would be a series of blood testing and everything like the pre surgical appointment a week prior but it was quick. Appointment was 8am so I was there by 730, by 8 I was already in a stretcher with blood drawn and answering questions. The anesthesiolgist came to see me and I can't remember much after that, I didn't even see the inside of the OR. I was already knocked out. Woke up and was a little taken aback by how I felt, thought I would be in agonizing pain and I wasn't. They woke me up to go walking and I did, next thing you know I am in a room with a button in my hand for dilaudid. I wasn't really in pain but I kept pressing it because I was afraid the pain would hit me hard but it didn't. I felt fine, worst part was my room mate and I were saying how much we would pay for some Water, just a sip, or ice chips. That was hard! ChapStick and mouth swabs got me thru that day. Other than that, I felt great, I even did double laps when walking because I felt so good. Next morning I was given some tea and ProStat to drink and just the 3 medicine cups had me feeling so stuffed. The staff was great, Doctor, NP and PA were all wonderful. But that morning I tried not to take any of the pain meds since I was going home and after that walk I could feel the rawness around the incisions and it hurt so I took 2 more hits before I had to go home LOL. PA said we can take tylenol also so I didn't fill the Percocet prescription. I take generic Tylenol I brought from costco that is extended release and in a capsule and I am fine with the pain. When I came home, my family was a little shocked at how well I looked and seemed. My mother thought she would be here to help me do everything but I did for myself. Even washed my own dishes without an issue. I thought it would be worse than c-section pain but it really isn't at all to me. I wouldn't call it pain honestly, it's more of a discomfort, feels like a raw abrasion you might get on your knee or elbow. Since being home I make sure to walk, I also thought that going up and down the stairs would be a problem for me but it wasn't, I was able to go up and down and much as I needed to without an issue and while I am walking around sometime I walk from the basement to the second floor 2-3 times for the exercise.funny thing is hardest part is getting the Protein and water in. I'm on pureed for 4-6 weeks and it's so hard. I get full so quickly it amazes me. 3 teaspoons and I feel stuffed. I haven't eaten to the point of fullness out of fear of vomiting but I feel good, I feel lighter and the funniest to me is prior to surgery I was always hot, now even in the house I always have an oversized hoodie over my clothes and my Uggs on. I am so cold which is welcomed since I hated sweating all the time. Not weighing myself yet but I feel great and know this was the best decision I have made for myself ever. I am wearing a comfy girdle that isn't too constricting along with moisturizing my skin constantly. I was also able to sleep in my bed the first night home with the help of a body pillow since I'm a stomach sleeper, I was able to sleep on my side and comfortably. Getting here seems like forever then it comes and I realized it was all worth it. It is amazing to me that my perception of food has changed immediately. On the way home I passed a Wendy's and Checkers and normally love to stop there but the thought alone hurt my new pouch, lol. I can't even imaging being able to swallow a bite of a burger without being in pain. I'll pass. I cannot wait to see what lies beneath all these layers. Thanks for reading!

Almost 2 weeks out, my nut said a cup of coffee is OK as long as getting water in. I tried decaf today and have awful heartburn. Won't be doing that again anytime soon!!

I am 4 weeks out and I split it up through out the day. Wake up Protein shake Midmorning at work, greek yogurt lunch bare burito or baked potatoe or I'll have about 3 oz of deli meat and cheese Midafternoon shake or greek yogurt dinner 3oz of what ever meat hubby is making Evening protein shake My issue before was that I ate until I was over full and I am finding that I do the same a little bit now. Not to the point of getting sick but being really full. I still only get in about 3 oz when actually eating food. Gotta work on that.

Finally got my blood thinner injections approved by insurance. Almost a week later ughhhhh. 10 more days till surgery.

Hi mikee, I read your profile, you and I are very close in age and height. Im almost 56 and im 5' 3, and 160 lbs. As I calmly explained to my lap band surgeon 2 weeks ago during a 6 mo checkup," I think im done losing weight as ive been at this weight for a year now. I would love to get to 140 lbs, but im 55, had a child and at the end of menopause, so im not expecting to have my teenage body back, because things have changed !" He calmly looked at me and said " You can do this if you really want to, just cut back a few more calories and exersize a bit more! " I love him to death, but seriously ? Did you not hear my reasons ? Anyhooooooo.......... I think you have to listen to your Dr, but just as important, listen to YOUR body ! You' ll know when your weight is "right"!

Lots of people (most people?) don't lose once they go back on solid food, until they get their first fill. I was banded 10/10 and lost 15 pounds over the next three weeks, then went on solids and didn't lose anything more until my first fill November 29. I've lost 7 pounds since then, in less than 2 weeks. Even when I am losing weight, I don't do it steadily. I stay at a weight for a week, then drop 5 pounds overnight. Don't get discouraged; just stay on track and it will come off.

I'll add a vote for the couch to 5k. I'm on my third week (well I'm doing each week twice, so I'm on the "second" week of the program). If you have an ipod or mp3 player, I suggest downloading one of the many podcasts for couch to 5k. There are a number of different ones. The music changes (or someone tells you) so you know when to run or walk or whatnot. Helped me a lot because I sure wasn't going to check my watch every 20 seconds to see if it was time to start or stop again.

Your not crazy. I felt the same way when I was just walking. I HAD to start jogging. If you have already been walking, then you have already started the road to jogging. The 1 most important thing is to get a good set of running shoes( if you don't have a pair already). They don't have to be the most expensive you can find( mine were on sale for $30). Just a pair designed for running and that is the only time you use them. Good fitting and designed shoes will do wonders to keep away injuries. The 2nd most important thing is stretch before and after you jog. This will also prevent injuries as well as make you fill better. The third is start out slow. Don't feel like you have to start to run 5 miles on your first week. you should start out walking maybe 15 minutes, then start to jog for 5-10. After that walk for 10 and jog for 5-10. Finish up your running with a cool down walk of 10 minutes. You don't have to be exact,but you get my point of jogging and walking the first week or so. You want a pace that you can keep for a extended period of time. It does not have to be fast. The jogging is alittle faster than walking with one foot on the ground at a time. Don't have a stride that is so long your heel touched before the balls of your feet. Arms at 90* at your side in rhythm with your stride. Just get out and try it. I played football in High school and College and absolutely hated to run, but now I really enjoy getting out and jogging. Its fun and great exercise. Just listen to your body and don't over do it.

I'm struggling the same as you. Banded May 24th, eating what I should be right now which is just starting soft foods but I struggle with hunger. I think it's probably 'head hunger' and eating just mushy food (now soft), but it is hard! My band is empty as well and is the 14 cc one. I haven't got an appt. yet for a fill. I wouldn't be able to get a fill for another 3 weeks. I am not sure what I should be feeling. After I eat I experience burping to some extent, a tight feeling in my throat and sometimes I sound like I am getting a cold when I talk which clears after about half an hour. Not sure if that means the cup of food is too much or if it is the way it is after eating for me. These feelings makes me think I shouldn't get a fill but then I am hungry! I'm glad to hear there is someone else feeling similar.

I was banded on 10/3 and lost quickly right after surgery. I just had my second fill on 12/13 and each time I feel restriction for a few days and then somewhat back to the way I felt before the fill. I have just decided if I want to see weight loss I have to act as if the band is working for me. I have been working through the hunger and getting results. My trick .... protein protein protein. It helps to get full faster and stay full longer.

I have never been a water drinker, but since surgery, it has gotten worse! I drink about 16fl ounces of water a day!!! I just seem to drink when I’m thirsty, and I’m not thirsty too often. How is water going for everyone else? Tomorrow I will be 17 weeks post op.

I know what ya mean, I lost the first 20# so fast then it slowed down . I am at the 6 week mark right now and have lost 27# it is slow but at least it is still coming off! I haven't been this small for at least 10 years and it feels great! I was afraid at first when it was dropping off so fast that it couldn't be healthy, so kind of glad it slowed down but sure wish it didn't slow down to a snails pace! I had my first fill and it seems I can eat more now than I did before I had it, so now I'm ready for fill #2! Just hang in there girl, it will come off and we are gonna be feelin SO FINE! LOL

Six weeks out, started with less than half a quest bar.

Cardio and weight training are a perfect combo but they don't have much impact on skin. They do make you look awesome in clothes though! To the OP, I did strength training 3 days a week and cardio 2 (jogging ) days a week the first year. Now I still do the weights 3 days a week but mix it up the other days with yoga, bootcamp, etc.

I don't do a lot of weight training, but I do a lot of running and cross training. So I will run 3-4 days/week, then on the other days I do some form of cross training. Anything from a group exercise class to the elliptical or stationary bike, etc. The cross training helps with endurance and flexibility which in turn helps my running. :-) With all that said, my biggest recommendation is just find something you LOVE. I don't think it matters as much what it is, as much as it matters that you find something that you enjoy that you can commit to.

I hAve been waiting for this week since this journey Began 2 months ago! I am one pound from my first big scale victory. I can not wait to work my butt off this week to see that 1 on Sunday. Loving my sleeve and all the great things it is doing for me!!

Congratulations on your success! I am wondering if you might tell me how much you lost in the first year and then after the year mark. I am nearing the year mark with at least 70 more that I want to lose (and my secret goal of losing another 90 lol) but I guess I am just worried that after I reach that dreaded year mark this may be unattainable. I am incorporating more exercise now and making sure I stick to a low-carb lifestyle. I just want to know there is hope after I got so discouraged here recently during a 2 1/2 month stall. Again, congratulations...you have done wonderful!!!

I had Lap-Band removal on November 27th and hernia repair. For 2 weeks I followed the the hernia repair diet which was mushy foods no citrus no spices. I am scheduled for Vertical Sleeve on February 23rd.

I am 6 days out. I am struggling with getting moving, I feel couch bound. And definitely having trouble with getting all my fluids in. Tomorrow is my one week check in with the Nurse Practitioner, I am hoping that I'll be cleared to return to light duty work.

I'm over 4 weeks post op and I'm struggling with protein. I'm unable to drink the shakes because they make me nauseous so I try to get my protein in with the food I eat. I really miss hamburgers, french fries, pizza and sweets. But I have learned that the only good thing about that food was the taste because it was far from healthy for me. I also struggle with exercising, because I'm lazy. Trying my best to get better.

I guess I'll start. Hydrating is tough for me. I've never done well with hydrating, even before the surgery. It always seems like such a chore. I push myself daily to at least meet the minimum, but I know I need to do better. I've always been one of those people who doesn't eat until she absolutely has too (and by then I am starving). I do my best to remember to bring small, light, healthy Snacks, but in the hustle and bustle I often forget... Since my surgery, all things Protein seem to turn me off. I'm finding ways (I am only 7.5 weeks out) to trick my mind and tastebuds, but it is definitely a challenge. I'm sure as time goes on I'll get the hang of it. I feel like I am overly critical of my every move when it comes to food. I feel guilty I had to get the surgery to help me weight loss and other medical issues...but I know I ultimately saved my own life. Anyway, just wanted to hear the experiences of others. My SO and kids have been so incredibly supportive, but I feel very lonely in this journey sometimes. Thanks! Monique

I was in a stall and I upped my calories significantly for one day and ate things I probably shouldn't have. Then the next day dropped 4lbs and went back to losing. I went back to lowering my calories after.

Great suggestions here. I would also suggest you search this forum for a thread titles "Is it really a stall?" It's the synopsis of an article about how to identify if you're really in a stall and tips on how to break it. Good luck!