The Ghost Sleeve

[BladeFox 235]

I used to wonder why people would ask it they were sleeved or not because they are able to eat more or drink Water normally. I am beginning to question my sleeve as well. I am 12 days post surgery and on the full liquid stage. I can eat the puddings, Jello's, yogurts, cream of wheats easily and faster than I have read that I should, plus drink 64 oz in a day. Why is this? I am a bit concerned by this and wonder if I'm sleeved appropriately. I thought I would have these feelings and restrictions from taking in large quantities. Just need to learn from others that this happened to or some wise counsel.

[briely 10]

Don't worry this is normal. (It happened to me anyway). In my experience they tell you to eat like that to start new habits and to prevent any discomfort. liquids and soft foods travel pretty quickly through your sleeve which is why you aren't feeling any restriction. Also they say you may still be numb in that area so eating slow and measuring is important so you don't hurt yourself and not be aware of it. You will definitely feel more restriction with regular foods. This is definitely where you want to practice eating slower. I was always a fast eater and even into my maintenance stage would catch myself eating too fast. This can be extremely painful if you eat too much/fast and it gets stuck.

[Sassy Pants1 186]

Yep, totally normal. You will feel the restriction once you're able to have dense Protein.

[BladeFox 235]

Woo, I am so glad that you posted this. I'm a fast eater too, yep gone in 15 minutes flat, so even though the liquid foods are sliding down my throat, I have not felt a restriction. I move to the puréed stage on Thursday. Will I realize the heaviness then?

[briely 10]

Not really. Maybe a little. Once you eat food that you actually have to chew you will notice. Make sure you chew, chew, chew!! ????

[briely 10]

That last part was supposed to be a smiley face. Lol

[BladeFox 235]

Makes sense, even the healing of the stomach and numbness. I thought something was wrong with me because others that were sleeved around the same time were experiencing not eating enough but I was flying right on through. Thanks big time!

[StephanieRR 131]

I personally did notice it when I hit the pureed stage. The more dense or thicker the puree, the more you will notice it. Be sure to listen to your body after every bite. If you even start to think, "Hmm am I getting full?", you probablly are. That next bite will make you feel a little uncomfortable. At least that's how it worked for me.

[angiem1973 11]

Thank you for asking this!!! I'm 4 days out and I have no problem drinking and the shakes - I can get about 9 oz in at a time. So happy to know it will start restricting!!

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I was the same way. I worried too, because I could drink so much and so much more quickly than everyone else.

It's a different story when you get to dense Protein. I'll be 5 years out soon and I still have very good restriction.

[BladeFox 235]

I was the same way. I worried too, because I could drink so much and so much more quickly than everyone else.

It's a different story when you get to dense Protein. I'll be 5 years out soon and I still have very good restriction.

Kudos to your tenure with the sleeve!!! This liquid stage is killing me, I swear the only sweet thing I will have after stage 2 will be puréed fruit. That taste in my mouth is making me gag. Yep, thought I wasn't sleeved properly because I am getting everything in. Thanks for this reinforcement.

[belunos 93]

If it's anything like my experience, you'll get more and more restriction after solids. At 1 month I could eat a good portion of solids. At 2 1/2 months I can eat about half of 1st month solids. I have no idea why but I'm happy about it

[DeniseNCC1701 306]

I'm agreeing with all the posts! I too was concerned that when I was able to take in more than I thought what appropriate during my full liquid stage. But once I moved to pureed foods, that all changed. My surgeon allows white flaky fish at this stage, and I definitely feel the restriction!

Be well…