I Don't Regret The Sleeve Surgery, But....

[Willow216 91]

Hi Fellow Sleevers and Sleevers to Be!

I pray all of you and yours are Happy, Healthy and Enjoying Life!

To start with I am 8 weeks Post Op, I have lost 30lbs so far (Yay ) and I do wish I could done this sooner, but, I didn't know how much I was going to start hating to eat. LOL! I guess my brain has not caught up to my sleeve and I know my dietician states 4to 8 oz of food per meal but it seems that after 3 bites of food and right when I'm really enjoying what I'm eating I can't eat another bite or I start spitting up, I think I need to go back to the baby spoon .. (Yes, I know that was the whole point of having surgery) I just can't get in all the Protein in I am supposed to and the only protein I can digest with no issues are eggs which I am getting tired of, I am taking a break from the shakes for a while and any other food (even mashed potatoes) feels like rocks in my stomach. And my weight loss has went down to only about a pound a week now, I guess its either I am not getting enough calories or just the way I am losing it, thats okay I guess cause at least I lose something every week I just thought that I could lose at least 40 the first 3 months as I see others lose amazing amount of weight but I'm good with it.

Please know I am not complaining I'm just venting a bit and wondering if anyone else is having any of these issues and if they did does it get better I don't want to eat alot I am just concerned that I can't eat enough to stay healthy. I will confess though I do eat two hershey kisses every day cause I am still a chocoholic, this surgery did not change that but me only eating one or two and being good with that is a miracle for me.

God Bless you All! And Thanks for all your testimonies!

[clk 3,519]

Normal!

I couldn't hit my Protein and liquid intake goals for several months. Everyone is different but I went through exactly the same experience as you. I hated to eat for months, actually. It was a chore, which was a huge turnaround! My favorite food was cottage cheese...but then I developed lactose intolerance and spent day after day eating scrambled eggs. Trust me, I feel your pain.

I wouldn't drop the shakes. I'd try to find either a new way to prepare them or find a new shake that doesn't bore you. I'm nearly two years out and I still drink a shake each day! If I want to eat 90+ grams of Protein but still get in plenty of carbs I need one. They are just about the only source of real protein in the beginning. You need protein!

So my advice is to relax about eating enough protein in your actual food for a little while. Eat what you can but don't beat yourself up too much. Get back on shakes! One a day - mix it with coffee or tea or juice or whatever it takes to make it palatable for you.

It does get a lot easier. Hang in there.

Oh, and don't worry about ups and downs and slowdowns on the scale. We don't get to lose at a consistent (or even fast!) rate but we do lose.

~Cheri

[PdxMan 4,292]

Well, my first thought when I am reading this is ... why are you eating mashed potatoes? Assumming you are not eating them for Breakfast ... you should only be eating them once you have eaten your Protein, so, seeing you are not getting enough Protein, mashed potatoes shouldn't even be touching your lips. Mashed potatoes are, for us, basically nutritionally void.

For me, if a food felt like a rock in my stomach, it told me I was not ready for it or for its consistancy. You may need to take a step back in your food progression. Why the break on shakes? Try another brand. I use Premier, which are great. Give them another try.

Congrats on your weight loss so far and thanks for sharing your experience.

[Mab 44]

Same here. I would rather just not eat. I know I need to because I feel like crap when I don't. I am hoping that it will get better once I'm on full solids. I had to spend extra time on full liquids due to some un-fun issues.

I did go get some Chick-Fil-A chicken Soup and it was DIVINE. I didn't eat the noodles or chicken, but the carrots just melted in my mouth. It's a nice, thick, broth. YUMMY.

I still want Taco Bell so damn bad, though.

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

Pdxman hit it right on the nail! I only put the most nutritious food in my stomach. I eat Protein first, protein second, veggies, and maybe a bit of potato if I have room. I can barely get a few bites in at 7 months post op. Oh and I love my Premier Protein drink. It's so easy on my stomach and when I'm full, I'm full. My whole family drinks them including my extended family.

Stay with the basics.

[tristywobie728 0]

Yes stay on shakes. I'm a lil over a year out and still do them. I use Optim nutrition from GNC and mix flavors to make it taste better. I also double up on scoops to get like 50g of Protein in 8 oz. I use skim milk with mine too. Even if it takes you all say to drink do it! Also crab sticks are awesome. Plus in the first few stages I would grill chicken breast purée it and put a lil quacamole with it. So good and you get some protein in. Te others are right about mashed potatoes. But I know how you feel bc I did eat some in the beginning. If you do limit your self to maybe once a week. That could be the reason your seeing such slow loss. I lost about 20 a month for the first few months. Now I've been the same weight since dec but I have gone down 3 pants sizes so keep un mind your body maybe redistributing your weight. I have always been like that. I would see it in my clothes then see it on the scale. Good luck!

[Willow216 91]

Well, my first thought when I am reading this is ... why are you eating mashed potatoes? Assumming you are not eating them for Breakfast ... you should only be eating them once you have eaten your Protein, so, seeing you are not getting enough Protein, mashed potatoes shouldn't even be touching your lips. Mashed potatoes are, for us, basically nutritionally void.

For me, if a food felt like a rock in my stomach, it told me I was not ready for it or for its consistancy. You may need to take a step back in your food progression. Why the break on shakes? Try another brand. I use Premier, which are great. Give them another try.

Congrats on your weight loss so far and thanks for sharing your experience.

I was told by my dietician I could eat mashed foods like potatoes, turnip, etc (in fact I was giving mashed potatoes in the hospital after my surgery, though I did not eat them) along with whatever protein I'm not talking a bowl full but maybe two tablespoons, I have been seeing on this forum that different specialist are giving different recommendations to patients who have been sleeved. Like I said most foods, except for eggs, were really bothering my stomach with a rock like feeling. I was doing the Protein Shakes for a while but at this time 'cause I'm just sick of them and I have tried many brands of Protein Shakes but once I am tired of something I have to leave it alone for awhile, I'll probably start back by next week.

Thanks for your input.

[Willow216 91]

Normal!

I couldn't hit my Protein and liquid intake goals for several months. Everyone is different but I went through exactly the same experience as you. I hated to eat for months, actually. It was a chore, which was a huge turnaround! My favorite food was cottage cheese...but then I developed lactose intolerance and spent day after day eating scrambled eggs. Trust me, I feel your pain.

I wouldn't drop the shakes. I'd try to find either a new way to prepare them or find a new shake that doesn't bore you. I'm nearly two years out and I still drink a shake each day! If I want to eat 90+ grams of Protein but still get in plenty of carbs I need one. They are just about the only source of real protein in the beginning. You need protein!

So my advice is to relax about eating enough protein in your actual food for a little while. Eat what you can but don't beat yourself up too much. Get back on shakes! One a day - mix it with coffee or tea or juice or whatever it takes to make it palatable for you.

It does get a lot easier. Hang in there.

Oh, and don't worry about ups and downs and slowdowns on the scale. We don't get to lose at a consistent (or even fast!) rate but we do lose.

~Cheri

Thank you Sooo Much, Your words helped and made me feel a lot better!

I was told by another sleever to try the Protein powder along with a Carnation instant breakfast drink or a Nutramint and add Skim Plus Milk (which is very good for skim milk) to put in a change of flavor and add to the protein grams. They may have a few sugar grams but she has had no problems and reportedly losing weight very well. She was having problems with the food issue like I was and started improvising, I may start that next week.

[Willow216 91]

Same here. I would rather just not eat. I know I need to because I feel like crap when I don't. I am hoping that it will get better once I'm on full solids. I had to spend extra time on full liquids due to some un-fun issues.

I did go get some Chick-Fil-A chicken Soup and it was DIVINE. I didn't eat the noodles or chicken, but the carrots just melted in my mouth. It's a nice, thick, broth. YUMMY.

I still want Taco Bell so damn bad, though.

I soo miss Taco Bell also! I'm going back on liquids for a while too, too much work to eat now..

Thank you

[Willow216 91]

Yes stay on shakes. I'm a lil over a year out and still do them. I use Optim nutrition from GNC and mix flavors to make it taste better. I also double up on scoops to get like 50g of Protein in 8 oz. I use skim milk with mine too. Even if it takes you all say to drink do it! Also crab sticks are awesome. Plus in the first few stages I would grill chicken breast purée it and put a lil quacamole with it. So good and you get some Protein in. Te others are right about mashed potatoes. But I know how you feel bc I did eat some in the beginning. If you do limit your self to maybe once a week. That could be the reason your seeing such slow loss. I lost about 20 a month for the first few months. Now I've been the same weight since dec but I have gone down 3 pants sizes so keep un mind your body maybe redistributing your weight. I have always been like that. I would see it in my clothes then see it on the scale. Good luck!

Thank you for your comment I'm going to try to get back on my liquids (shakes) and just try a few new tricks to make them better. I was doing imitation crab and crab sticks (took off the breading though). I love crab sticks prior to surgery and is one of the foods I kept but only a bit and shredded cause unfortunately they give me a little rock feeling in my stomach too, I can't figure out why since they are so soft.

Thanks again!!

[Willow216 91]

Pdxman hit it right on the nail! I only put the most nutritious food in my stomach. I eat Protein first, Protein second, veggies, and maybe a bit of potato if I have room. I can barely get a few bites in at 7 months post op. Oh and I love my Premier Protein Drink. It's so easy on my stomach and when I'm full, I'm full. My whole family drinks them including my extended family.

Stay with the basics.

I am following the most nutritious foods first, but eggs were the only foods that were working for me, the potatoes was advisement from my doctor/dietician, made with skim plus milk (this skim milk taste so much better than skim milk with no extra calories and 9grms of protein per 8 oz) my dietician told me if food was giving me a problem to keep with the shakes and try and eat a lil of runny mashed potatoes or mashed turnip (two tablespoons not a whole bowl) the turnips actually worked pretty well and are very good for you. I was doing shakes religously but after 6 wks I just couldn't do it anymore so that is why I needed to break from them for awhile.

Thanks for your input!

[anniew 13]

shakes can get a bit "old" so here are some combos I found pretty yummy.

BANANAS FOSTER shake

1 scoop vanilla protien

8oz skim milk or soy milk

1/2 banana

1 tbs of sugar free caramel sauce

4 ice cubes

chocolate RASBERRY shake

1 scoop of chocolate protien

8oz skim milk or soy milk

2tbs sugar free Torani rasberry flavor

4 ice cubes

CHOCOLATE Peanut Butter SHAKE

1 scoop of chocolate protien

8oz skim milk or soy milk

1tbs reduced fat Peanut Butter

1 packet of Splenda

4 ice cubes

Be creative. Adding fruit and Torani sugar free flavors gives you endless possibilities.

Good luck!

[Willow216 91]

shakes can get a bit "old" so here are some combos I found pretty yummy.

BANANAS FOSTER shake

1 scoop vanilla protien

8oz skim milk or soy milk

1/2 banana

1 tbs of sugar free caramel sauce

4 ice cubes

chocolate RASBERRY shake

1 scoop of chocolate protien

8oz skim milk or soy milk

2tbs sugar free Torani rasberry flavor

4 ice cubes

CHOCOLATE Peanut Butter SHAKE

1 scoop of chocolate protien

8oz skim milk or soy milk

1tbs reduced fat Peanut Butter

1 packet of Splenda

4 ice cubes

Be creative. Adding fruit and Torani sugar free flavors gives you endless possibilities.

Good luck!

These sound really good! I have never heard of Torani Sugar Free flavors but I will look for them and give them a shot!

Much Appreciated!

[aggiegirlie2006 10]

Okay, I have to ask this... I'm 4 months post surgery, 70 lbs down, and I haven't had a single Protein Shake since those miserable pre-surgery liquid diet days. Are these essential? Why are they so highly regarded? Is this something I'm totally missing out on? Please excuse my stupidity here!

[Willow216 91]

Okay, I have to ask this... I'm 4 months post surgery, 70 lbs down, and I haven't had a single Protein shake since those miserable pre-surgery liquid diet days. Are these essential? Why are they so highly regarded? Is this something I'm totally missing out on? Please excuse my stupidity here!

The Protein shakes are supposed to subsitute for the Protein your not getting in your meals, since our food intake is far less than it was prior to "sleeve" surgery. If you don't get enough protein you start losing muscle instead of the fat which is not good and will cause problems. I'm guessing if your able to get your protein grams in (60 to 80 grms) with just your eating than you won't need the shakes.< /p>

Take Care and Congrats on your weight loss your doing great!