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I'm almost 8 months out and still have at least one Protein drink a day. My surgeon doesn't think I should still need them, but I told him I wouldn't get in a decent amount of protein otherwise. My sleeve is undergoing what seems to be another size adjustment in the last couple of weeks and I'm eating a little more than I could at 6 months. Even by the 6 month mark, there was NO WAY I could eat enough food to get in 60 gm of protein. Sometimes, I don't even get in 60 with a Protein Drink included. This is mostly due to a small capacity in my sleeve, but also due to the fact that I am determined to eat like a normal person sometimes. I want a few bites of a potato with my steak, a few bites of crackers with my tuna, and a few bites of bread with my burger. (When it comes to bread, it's literally like 2 bites.) But, at least I feel like a normal person when I eat. In exchange for that normalcy, I drink a protein drink - usually for breakfast since my sleeve doesn't tolerate food well in the morning. I'm slowly reaching the point where I can see that I will be able to get enough protein through natural food sources, but I intend to keep some type of drink at the ready at all times for when I have a low protein-eating day. I talked to an insurance case manager recently who was 4 years out from the sleeve. She said she still uses Protein drinks occasionally for when she doesn't get enough protein on a particular day. Athletes and bodybuilders use protein supplements all the time - who's to say we can't use them as long as we want to?

Ok, today was a bit harder for me. I've been on pain pills since the surgery and I decided to try and go without them today. WOW! All my incisions are fine except the one for my port which is still swollen and really painful. I hope nothing is wrong with it because I went to Mexico for my procedure so it's not like I can just make a follow up appointment if it doesn't get better. Also, today is the first time I've had hunger pains and they were super intense. I rushed home and had a protein shake which helped but it doesn't seem to tide me over for very long. Maybe I should be drinking more water, which is something I will try doing tomorrow. I don't know how everything else is going since I've decided to weigh myself only once a week and I did it yesterday, so I guess every Tuesday will be my big "weigh in" day. Let's hope I can make it that long without doing it since I am super anxious to know if this is going to be worth it. Guess we will find out, huh?:smile2:

At 12 weeks I still have one shake three or four times a week. I just don't like eating breakfast, and it helps me get in my fluids. I would say do it until you can eat enough other foods to get in 60-80 grams of protein. Everyone heals differently, and our sleeves are different sizes. I can eat way more than many at 12 weeks. I was getting 40-60 grams of protein from food at 6 weeks. I don't like when docs/nuts/good intentioned friends try to make me fit in their boxes. I listen and then do what is right for me.

Sorry about this but my knowledge of Protein shakes is pretty limited as neither my doctor or nut suggested Protein Shakes for my liquid diet- i was just suggested slim fast and Soups. Most of my research has been from here and I'm now purchasing the optimum nutrition 100% whey in chocolate. I am 6 weeks out and wondering if people, past the liquid stage, still continue with their shakes? My main motivation for doing this now is finding my food alone is giving me little protein, even with eating mainly ham, tuna, cheese etc. it's maximum 30gprotien as I'm eating tiny morsels of food. I'm hoping to take 1-2 of these servings per day. Does that sound about right?

I had a DEXA scan 3 days ago. It only measured my bone density? I did just read about it, and my body fat info should be part of the report. I guess my dr was only interested in bone density. I'll find out if they'll tell me my BF %. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Woo Hoo!! Yes, it is hard work, but you will see the results and know you made the best decision for you. I am out 4 weeks with my revision and down 12 pounds (after a 6 month stall with the band, LOL) Just got back to the gym and doing my RIPPED classes with modifications.

The only thing I would change is that I would have done the Optifast pre-operatively for two months, not just two weeks. I lost over 22lb in those 2 weeks and, had i known the huge advantage I would have gained by fasting longer, I would have done it. Starting from a higher weight, I would say it should be a necessity, as my weight loss slowed down after the first 3 months when I began to be able to eat more. I tried exercise but couldn't stick to much more than a long walk once or twice a day, so weight loss slowed down and finally plateaued.

So you are now at week 17! Congrats!!! Can you tell us how things have gone for you so far? By all means dont be shy with the details! lol

Thank you so much Mami! DC I've been thinking about just that since it happened. I'm so frustrated with constantly telling me to take Motrin. I have to tell them over and over, I can't. I'm so tired almost a week out of being in so much pain! Sighs :'(

Hey everybody! I'm almost 6 weeks post op at this point and for the past few days I've been finding that I've been super hungry all the time. I can normally eat a small snack like a cheesestring or some deli meat to make the hunger feeling subside for a bit but then an hour or two later I find myself getting really hungry again and experience that gnawing stomach sensation. This hasn't really happened before and I've only noticed it being a problem in the last few days. The last few days I've been really good at hitting my Protein goals, and I'm always at about 70-80 grams, whereas before I could only hit 50-60. I'm wondering if that has something to do with it? I'm still measuring out all my food, tracking my food on myfitnesspal (food diary: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/diary/avatarkorraa) keeping my calories at around 600-800 a day, and I can't eat more than 4oz in one sitting for sure, but I'm just worried that if this continues I'll eventually start eating too much and not sustaining my weight loss. My weight loss has also been quite slow, I've only lost about 20 pounds so far and I had my surgery on September 19th. :/ Any advice? Thanks!

Hi I am on my 3rd week of liquid diet this week. My stage 2 phase (soft foods) starts next Monday!!! I too felt like i wanted to eat a horse 6 days post-op its normal and will pass. If the Vitamins are huge get a pill crusher or maybe you can divide the Vitamin. Reach out to your surgeons office before you crush or divide vitamin. Best of luck to you and try maybe some broth(chicken,beef) for the hunger. I was told the pains are not really hunger pains but head hunger so you think/feel hunger but it will get better. TD41

I have the same issue and I'm only a week and a half post op...I would like to start getting my fills!

I was sleeved 06/13. I had my 1 week post op yesterday... For the stats fans: 5'3" SW: 234 CW: 222 GW: 135 This last week has been utter hell! I have been in a severe amount of pain. I'm so jealous of the people who feel nothing afterward! My left incision is TIGHT and I have a huge bulge because it's so tight. It's swollen and hurts like a SOB. Especially when I go from sitting to standing. YOWZA! But the worst part is the pain with swallowing. Ever since my first baby sip of water on surgery day, I've had pain when I swallow. It is so much pressure and feels like a weight is sitting on my chest. Because of that, I'm not meeting my fluid or protein goals. The most fluid I have had in a day was 46 oz and protein was 32... And that was on my best day. My surgeon said she wasn't surprised I'm having issues because she thought the opening between my stomach & esophagus looked tighter/smaller than it should have been while she was in there. So that pain is because things are getting stuck. The plan is to go back in and have my esophagus dilated, but she wants to wait 4 weeks to give me time to heal. 4 weeks of this pain and exhaustion! Meanwhile, I have a standing order for IV fluids at my local hospital for any day I don't reach my fluid goals and anytime I'm feeling exhausted or just not feeling great. Which is all the time since I'm dehydrated and not getting enough protein! They also said I should wait to go back to work until at least a month or until after this issue has been fixed! I don't know what to tell my boss because I am not telling anyone about my surgery. Even worse... It's a brand new job! My first one after 6 years as a SAHM! I told them during my interview that I was having surgery (not what kind) and that I would need at least 2 or 3 weeks off. They said for the right person, they would make anything work and offered me the job on the spot. They said it was their first time ever hiring someone immediately, but they knew I was perfect for the job and team. That made me feel amazing! But fast forward a month into the job when it was surgery time, they only gave me 12 days off and put me back on the schedule. I told them I wasn't sure if I could come back that early, but that I would keep them posted. They sort of agreed to that... But a month? Now I don't know what to say! My doc provided me a note, but it says 'bariatric surgery' in the company letterhead. I can't use it... I only told 2 people about this surgery... My husband and my mom. And I am not comfortable telling anyone else. I'm sad it didn't go as planned... frustrated that my doc didn't fix it during surgery when she clearly saw it wasn't right, exhausted, and real tired of being in pain! Is anyone else going through this? I feel so alone! Please do NOT comment just to say "I never had any pain or issues!" Or "I'm going back to work 5 days post-op!" Yeah... Congrats. 😏😜😂 I can't tell you how disheartening it is to read all the stories like that. I'm glad for you, truly, but super jealous it didn't go like that for me! So, please don't be salty! Lol!

I'm doing ok! Still struggling to get fluid/protein in, but I'm doing my best and that's all I can do! I'm supposed to go in for fluids on Monday's and Friday's, but I think once a week will do fine if I can just get my fluid up a bit. I was really down on myself thinking I was failing at this... No one else seems to be in pain or struggling 2 weeks in. But ya know what, that's ok! That is their journey, and this is mine! We all heal differently and our surgeons are different, our bodies our different, and our experiences are unique. I'm down 17 lbs in 16 days!! I sure as heck can't complain about that! ☺️🙌 Where are you at in your journey? Thanks so much, Nettie! I know I'll get through this bumpy part and then it will be smooth sailing. So appreciate your support! 5'3" SW: 234 CW: 217 GW: 135

I'm almost 11 months out and was very slow for the first month or two. I had a huge drop of weight over a two week span around 9 months. Everyone is different. Just stick to it and I KNOW it is soooo hard, but stay patient. Love yourself and don't allow yourself to get discouraged. This is kinda cheesy and I've never told anyone this until now, but the song "I won't give up" by Jason mraz- I used to sing it to myself, sometimes looking in the mirror. Read the words and think about it ????

I'm 6 weeks out and eat doubles what u eat. 6 meals and been losing concstently. Aren't you starving? I could not do it eating so little. I don't care what any doctor says.

I also have blue cross/blue shield of GA. Been to my psych..going to nutritionist this week. My insurance requires a 3 month multi-discipline program (including PCP, Nutritionist, and weight loss). Does anyone know exactly what this means that I need to do for the insurance approval? Thanks in advance

New Device Approval Address:http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/mda/docs/p000008.html Changed:4:12 AM on Friday, March 4, 2005 This states the average loss after three yrs is 35% so 100 pds overweight would be 35 pounds after three yrs. Have the numbers changed?? Where is there new stats on average loss? Rene

Connie, GET OUT OF THE HOUSE!!!! I cant stress that enough. Get away from the comfort zone where you keep your food. You have to change your routine and you can beat this. Truthfully it doesnt go away but it gets a little easier as the days go by. Remember you are basicaly starving your body from the thousands of calories you used to eat so its going through withdrawels. If I am occupied its not really that bad and I can eat a cow at every sitting believe me. Drink water, drink water, drink water!! I have been drinking powder mixes with water to offset my cravings for sugar. I am on my second week and have 3 days left before surgery and can honestly say I havent cheated. I have come very close but keep telling myself I can do this and this is the right thing for me to be here longer for my family.

Hi, I haven't been revised yet but if you go look at the responses to my previous posts you'll get a lot of answers to these questions. 1. 500 cal??? Maybe in the beginning but not forever. 2. Nope - not recommended with any surgery - its just one of the things you need to accept 3. The part of the stomach left is very muscular and less likely to stretch (unless you really push it) 4. I can't attest to that as I'm not revised yet 5. For some the reduced Ghrelin does suppress appetite 6. hair loss is common after general anesthesia and if you are low on Protein so expect some around 3 months post op (happened with the band to) as long as you keep your protein up though it should grow back and be fine. Good luck!

Hello... I'm 25 also & started at 380 and last I checked was down to 360. Sorry to hear that you're struggling with your band but on the bright side you're still very early in the game I wouldn't be so hard on yourself. 30lbs is an awesome weight loss for 4 or 5wks! Its not uncommon to have mini stalls in wt loss this is all so new to your body. I'm very recently banded (4/14) but I have a lot of issues with food & I know it will be a day by day process to change my relationship with food. I'm busy & I've never been an excercise addict also so I can see this being a difficult journey without support so maybe we can encourage each other along the way. Sometimes accountability & encouragement from someone who knows how you're feeling goes a long way. Feel free to pm me. =) best wishes! ~Shay

Hi, I am contemplating Gastic Sleeve using the DaVinci Robotic process. Have been for 2 years. I play a lot of Golf, 105, and 90 times per year(2016, 2017). Just don't walk the course often. I do this with a couple of medical issues. Lower Back, Apnea, Slightly high blood pressure. No Diabetes, or other issues. I am curious on the (typical) recovery process from a work/travel perspective, Sex and/Or Golf). Will I be able to travel for week, within two weeks? Should I wait until I get to Solid foods, etc.. How long will it be until I recover internally, versus external incisions? Do they use staples, Stiches, Glue on the external incisions? Has anyone had their incisions open up due to activity?

So I’m on my 2 week preop liquid diet and we decided to go camping this weekend. (Which was its own brand of hell in itself). I decided to freeze a couple bottles of Premier so they could naturally thaw in the cooler Saturday and be cold for today (Sun). Oh man, it did some weird separation in the thawing process and ended up being chunky. So not only did I have to endure my family enjoying grilled hamburgers, corn on the cob, and s’mores around the campfire, I had to choke down chunky peach premier.

I've been having a similar pain all week after going back to work. I was off yesterday and today, so I've just been resting up and taking it nice and easy. It's helping! Let yourself relax for a day or two and see if you have any improvement