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Thank you, Jaye. I am taking the acid reducer. I’m hoping that my appetite will sort itself out soon. Two-week post-op check up today. Fingers crossed.

In my program (MGH in Boston), the pre-op period was less about weight loss and more about building healthy habits. They told me to focus on protein and fiber with every meal and snack, make sure I didn't go more than 5 hours without eating, and sip on water all day long. I'll say it was very helpful to me. And once I filled up on the protein and fiber, a lot of the foods I thought I was going to miss just weren't an issue. Until the 2 week pre-op liver shrinking diet started. Then everyone looked like a walking breadstick or slice of pizza to me.

I have a similar experience with water. After the first couple days I can pretty much drink water at will, any amount I want without any restriction or pain. I too thought WTF is going on and wondered what the point of the surgery was. Then, I tried solid food. If I eat too fast, eat something that is dry or take too big of a bite I feel it in the middle of my chest. It is pain and feels obstructed but I think in reality it is the esophagus constricting to get the food down. I am now eating very slowly...chew 30-40 times, small bites and I am able to get down about 4 ounces of food at a time. It seems to be working well for me as over the two weeks since surgery I have lost 17 pounds after I lost all the fluid weight from surgery. I am hardly hungry at all and even if I feel hungry, the excitement of the weight loss makes me move on from eating if I am over say 700 calories for the day.

You are 5 weeks post op so I imagine you should be able to get more down than that. Are you holding off on drinking water before you sit to eat? Are you taking very, very small bites of food? Maybe if you are on soft or regular diet you should step back to puree and it may help a little. You may just not be healed as much as you should.

I’m a week away from surgery and this liquid diet is rough!!!

I am 2 weeks post surgery and I just have not focused on food at all. I don't think about what I cannot have or what I miss. I am laser focused on drinking my required amount of water, doing my walking of atleast an hour a day even if I have to break it up over 2 sessions and finally, focusing on the good...the weight that is lost. It is motivating to me to see the weight falling off. I am losing about 8 pounds a week since the surgery after I lost almost 20 in the pre surgery diet. I don't want to ruin that so I focus on anything and everything I can except food. Besides, I cannot eat hardly anything without restriction, so it all works out. Focus on the FUTURE and get away from the past food etc.

I had ds surgery on 8/17/21 and i lost a total of 27 lbs so far but i hit a 3 week stall and it is soooooo depressing ,., idk what to do… and yes i can eat more than i thought i should be able too.. my doctor did tell me that they didn’t touch my sleeve either … So understand you… i feel like i lost with this surgery but i’m trying my hardest to stay positive

i had ds surgery on 8/17/21 and i lost a total of 27 lbs so far but i hit a 3 week stall and it is soooooo depressing ,., idk what to do

How did the surgery go @Jinxavier? I felt the same way right before. I think it was just cold feet. I'm 1 week post op and SO GLAD I did it!!

With the liquid after surgery I felt nothing. No hungar no full. Started soft foods. Again didnt feel full nor hungrary. It wasnt until I started eating chicken and eggs that I started filling restriction or full. I had my sleeve surgery July 8th. So fast forward to 2 months I get full very fast and I dont really feel hungrary. This week I fill like I want more calories and thats happened before. Trust me you feel full and uncomfrtable full if u eat more then u should

A couple of weeks back we were discussing quiches. My s-in-l gave me a recipe for a quiche with sweet potato for the base & beetroot & feta. Yum. Decided to make it but ended up in emergency, then surgery to graft the chunk of my thumb I sliced off with the mandolin while slicing the sweet potato. (Blood everywhere. Sigh.) Anyway my niece cooked it for me when I get home (had all the ingredients so…) but decided to dice the sweet potato & make it more like a frittata. Upped the vegetables as I always do (mushrooms, asparagus, celery, capsicum) & threw in an extra egg but this is the original recipe: https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/recipes/beetroot-and-feta-quiche-with-sweet-potato-crust And my thumb post surgery. Such a silly thing to do but the effects are so restrictive cause can’t use my hand - & it’s my dominant hand too. Waaah!!

My surgery is 9/20 only 5 days left Of 2 week liquids 4.5 slim fasts a day and sugar free jello and water only and slim fasts the high protein ones strawberry are filling me up. Cleveland clinics hospitals are discussing sitting non essential surgeries down again so I’m Praying they wait Till After mine 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼….

I lost 9 lbs on my pre-op diet and gained exactly 9 lbs from the fluids in the hospital when I went home the next day. I lost 6 of it the first week and another 6 the next week so I was actually -3 in 2 weeks. I didn't think that was fair at the time either. Next month I'll be 3 yrs post op and have had no problem maintaining well below my original goal.

FLUID!! Try to not weigh for 3 weeks post-op. I know it’s hard to stay away from the scale, but we all gain right after the surgery. The weight loss WILL happen.

It took 75 lbs before I really had my first comment. Then it was non stop. It has luckily slowed down a bit at this point, only because most of the people who felt the need to comment on it have already done so. Thank goodness people are finally getting used to it. But I do still get a few mentions a week, and when I see people for the first time in a few years I will always get comments. I’m currently 163 lbs down. My favorite is the few comments I’ve gotten from people who will say “have you always been so tall”. I didn’t have a growth spurt in my 40s, guys. But 5’10 looks different at 176 vs 339. Figure it out.

Not the first few months, but I'm almost 20 months out and currently going through that. I have to take benadryl 50mg 3x a day because if I don't I get hives on my arms, legs, back, neck, etc. We don't really know exactly what's causing it, but I developed two allergies that we know of after surgery. 1. Wheat allergy 2. NSAID allergy. I got a gluten free pizza a week and a half ago and they weren't careful when they made it so I got hives and other issues from the wheat contaminated pizza so maybe that's part of the reason I'm currently having issues with the hives. A month ago I tried the third and LAST NSAID that made my doctor put me down for an NSAID allergy because I ended up getting a giant hives rash on my back that is STILL there, but is mostly healed. So my doctor thinks the hives are in part my allergies, but also part stress (which, yep, I agree with). So your allergies may be a new food or medication allergy OR it could be stress. Or a combo of both. Maybe narrow down when they started and if you started eating or taking anything new around that time.

I’m exactly 1 week post op. I do not feel full at all, ever. I catch myself gulping water and remember that I’m supposed to carefully sip. Instructions are to sip my protein shakes slowly. 1 once over 15 minutes… but why? from the moment I woke up in recovery, I had pain on my incision marks but I do not feel like my stomach is any different at All. I do follow the portion sizes for the full liquid diet, but I almost suspect that my stomach was not operated on at all. Is this normal?

It has only been a week and sometimes the fluids they give you in hospital need to work their way out before you start to see any progress Promise, exciting changes are coming soon! ❤️

Hi Paul - Going to "sort of" agree with some of the other posters - 10 ounces would make a lot of us sleevers pretty miserable so I am definitely going to suggest a couple of apps for you - I use "Baritastic" and "Lose It" (both free). They are super convenient and allow you track your food. What I would suggest trying is to do NOTHING different for about a week or two. Weigh yourself and if no loss, try and reduce the caloric intake by 100 calories per day for another week. Since you'll be tracking, it may be as simple as cutting out an ounce from the 10oz per meal. 1200 calories per day doesn't sound like a lot for a man, but as you noted, we're all different and you may aborb calories differently and require less. Substituting "heavy" foods that stick in your stomach may also help with keeping you fuller for longer. I also try and make sure that whenever I'm feeling snacky, I drink water first.

One of the things that contributed to my stress about this surgery was not knowing what was going to happen. (What can I say, I'm a control freak.) So here is the play-by-play as it pertains to me of my surgery. Your mileage may vary! I'll try to come back and update it. Hopefully it'll be of use to someone—"and knowing is half the battle." Day before surgery Liquid-only diet; two bowls of phở broth, some Protein2O, apple juice, and sugar-free lemon jello. Got about 830 calories in. Had to take a shower with a special CHG (chlorhexidine gluconate) anti-septic body wash. It made my skin a bit "slippery". Packed my bag with my CPAP hose, a book, a spare shirt, some chanclas for walking, my cell phone charger, and my reading glasses. Put out the two pills I was supposed to take (no losartan because it interferes with anesthesia). Day of surgery Took another shower with CHG as required. Reported to the hospital at 0630 as requested. Was checked in and taken to pre-surgery holding. My fiancé was allowed to go with me as an exception, because I'm hard of hearing and rely on lip-reading which is impossible with so many masks and partitions in the way. A surgical RN came and told me to wipe my abdomen with CHG wipes, then put on my surgical gown (which was HUGE on me—I understand I'm a bariatric patient but I literally couldn't keep it on my shoulders). Then he put an IV in the back of my hand, took my vitals (I lost 10 lbs in the two weeks between my surgeon's consultation and surgery day), went through all my medications, put an anti-nausea patch behind my ear, and gave me a blood thinner in my IV. My surgeon came in and asked if I was ready, went over a few things, then went to scrub up. My anesthesiologist came in and asked if I had had anesthesia before (yes), and if I had any questions. I asked him to give me a TAP block at the end of surgery, which is a localized nerve block, like an epidural for your abdomen. It lasts 12-18 hours. I was whisked away and the next thing I knew I was in the recovery room, where I was given cognitive tests (what is your name, what hospital are you at, who's the president, etc.) and given ice chips. Once that all proved satisfactory, I was wheeled to my room. I don't remember it, because I fell asleep. Once in the room they put leg compression stockings on me and gave me water, Crystal Light made way too sweet, chicken broth that tasted like a salt lick, and a thicker vegetable purée soup. I couldn't get the vegetable soup down. I forced the chicken broth, Crystal Light, and water. I felt very, very hungry and it was frustrating not to be able to just eat something. I took 3 or 4 laps of the surgical unit floor in my fetching anti-slip socks, and kept falling asleep. The pain from the gas was pretty bad and I spent a good 30 minutes just burping, much to the chagrin of the man in the other bed in the room (though he was moaning so he doesn't get to say anything). Around 1730 the nurse came in, saw that I had drunk what I could and had peed sufficiently (you pee into a graduated container), and that I could walk. She asked my surgeon's permission to discharge me, and I was in the wheelchair going out the door at 1830, exactly 12 hours after I arrived. When we got home, I pretty much washed my hands and face and went straight to bed. I got up probably every 2 hours or so, would have a couple of sips of protein shake or water, along with Gas-X (simethicone) or, as needed, Tylenol. I did get about 7 hours of sleep, in various chunks. I was able to lie, carefully, on my side, which is how I prefer to sleep. My CPAP did increase the gas pressure inside a bit but it was tolerable. Day 1 post-op My first bout of the 'foamies'. I tried to drink a CorePower protein milk way too fast and spent an hour and a half wandering around whimpering. It was actively painful and it felt enough like I needed to vomit that I had a lined bucket at the ready. Eventually, though, it subsided. Gas pain is still here and very real, but better. We went for a walk which absolutely tired me out—and it was barely 500 meters! Right now I am using the timer on my cell phone to remind me to drink 1/3 oz. of fluid every 5 minutes, and I feel full but it's manageable. I am alternating full ounces of regular water and protein water. I also made some Jell-O with extra protein powder but the thought of eating it leaves me cold. If I can get these bottles down plus the shake I had earlier, I'll be pretty close to 48 oz. of fluid which is my surgeon's requirement for the first week (bumps up to 64 oz. after that) and 41 g of protein which will have to do for the first day unless I manage to get some of the Jell-O down me. I have been taking Tylenol, Gas-X, and my ondansetron—the nausea is there but it's in the background, like when you step off a ship onto land at the end of a cruise. I haven't had enough pain to necessitate anything stronger than Extra Strength Tylenol. My incisions are clean (I took a shower).

Has anyone else had issues breaking out in hives in the first few months following surgery? The first time it happened was about 3 weeks after surgery. It's very random, but probably 10 times or so in the last four months. I've never had any sort of allergies before (skin, seasonal or food). Nothing has changed in my skin care or laundry. I'm creature of habit so all the same soaps, etc. My primary care doc says its likely a new food allergy or something I'm eating, but I cant find any sort of a pattern. Thoughts anyone?

I had surgery a couple weeks after you, and I noticed this week my hair loss has really sped up. I know its normal, but my hair was thin to begin with. I've been stuggling a lot with it. I dont want to try rogaine or nioxin because they are all dependent upon your continual use of them. However, I am making sure to really stay on top of my vitamins. I also added a sublingual folic acid. I'm also using the Vital Proteins Collegen Peptide powder that you can get at costco. My wife puts it in her coffee every morning. I usually just add it to a protein shake. It came at the recommendation of many friends, two of which also had the sleeve surgery. It helped them with the hair loss. One of them swears by taking the bariatric multivitamin one day and then a prenatal the next day. Dont forget to stay on top of your protein. If you dont, it will make your hair loss worse.

I stopped inhaling about a week before surgery (vape, joints, etc). I continued with edibles up until 48 hours before surgery. After surgery, I used a liquid syrup starting about 10 days after surgery. I only took painkillers for about two days after surgery. I used the syrup because it was gentle, didn't need to be chewed, etc. However, I would strongly suggest trying it before surgery so you know how well it works etc. Not all tinctures and syrups are created equal. Some that say they are 30mg a dose I might not feel, but take 10mg dose of another and it hits me hard. I personally made the decision to avoid inhaling anything until after the stomach suture line is fully healed. It wasn't worth the risk to me to get into a coughing fit. (Even though I am a long time smoker and don't cough) And I understand what you are saying about the munchie concern... once you have used marijuana enough you know what gives you munchies, what doesn't etc. I avoid the strains I know will do that to me, or I only have healthy munchies close by. Dont forget that your tolerance and the way you absorb things has changed.

After surgery, I used some THC syrups for the first couple weeks. I smoked my first joint about a month after. Ironically, I passed out after smoking but it had nothing to do with the smoking. I thought I was just panicking because I was high, but it was actually dehydration and i went kerplunk walking from the front porch back into the house. We tested my blood sugar because I thought maybe it was low, but it was fine. I realized I should check my blood pressure and it was very low! Half a bottle of gatorade zero and I was getting back to normal. I saw my doc the next day who confirmed it wasnt the smoking but dehydration. I personally waited a month before smoking just because it takes at least that long for the stomach and staples to heal. I didn't want to take a chance with the coughing.

What are you actually eating? My weight loss stalled for quite a while and I was worried I was just done but then I became more careful with watching what I eat and making sure I get protein and the scale moved again. I'm also really confused that your GP apparently diagnosed you with something but you don't know the name of it. If you do actually have a condition that causes you to gain weight then you need to seek treatment for that.