August 2018 sleeve surgery!!

[susunorm 95]

I get a pain when I am eating yogurt. It’s the oikos strawberry yogurt. I was eating a spoonful , so decided to take tiny little bites and it didn’t hurt. I tend to forget I should be going really slow. I had surgery on the 21 of August. I was 294 that day. Today I’m 285. Not even a week yet and I’m seeing some loss. I don’t see a difference, but it’s good to see scale go down.

[MizzNewLife 32]

Yeah I think I need to slow down. I’m still used to eating fast. Ugh. It’s definitely a learning curve.

[sassysleever76 97]

The first couple days post op I woke up and chugged ice cold Water, which I’ve done for decades. Oh. My. Gosh. My chest killed! I thought I was having a heart attack! It hurt SO bad!
But .... it’s all about finding the new normal.

[Frustr8 7,886]

You have got to stop chugg8ng that Chilled Cactus juice unless you remember to remove the thorns first. LOL. Just waiting for the day I too become post-surgical and have to find my own normal. Just 10 days or so to go!😷

[Sadie24304 32]

On 8/21/2018 at 2:38 PM, theresahyatt19 said:

Thank you good to know

Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

My doctor and surgeon just cleared me to use the herbalife shakes as my Protein Drink thank god.

[theresahyatt19 142]

My doctor and surgeon just cleared me to use the herbalife shakes as my Protein Drink thank god.

That is awesome maybe my dr will let me keep them as well. Fingers crossed

Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

[AZTina 3]

Ok who makes that pillow I want one

Sent from my Z982 using BariatricPal mobile app

[Marisol Unda 43]

Hello friends I am 3 days out from surgery and feeling a bit better. Thank you guys for the support. I’m so glad that I have ya’ll.
@AZTina we’re you talking about the cute gastric sleeve pillow? If you were I got it from Amazon. It was only $13. 😀

[theresahyatt19 142]

My doctor and surgeon just cleared me to use the herbalife shakes as my Protein Drink thank god.

Hey girl saw my surgeon today and he told I can use Herbalife shakes. I am happy..

Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

[Littel_Urchin 24]

Got sleeved on Aug 15, 1 day shy of 5 weeks post-op now. Just want to update everyone on the highlights of my progress and experiences post-op.

1. I've been able to tolerate carbs surprisingly well. --> Once during pms (about 3 weeks post-op), I ate about 1/3 bowl of rice with broth and had no adverse reaction. My body was craving carbs so bad, I read it's something to do with serotonin drop during pms.

2. I don't experience that aversion to sweet stuff that so many people have spoken of. --> I still crave them, I still eat them, I still enjoy them.

3. eggs feel uncomfortable, which is a bummer.

4. Salmon and sauteed onions cause that stuck feeling so now I avoid them like the plague.

5. I didn't lose a drastic amount of weight in the early weeks post-op. -> I lost the bulk of my weight during the pre-op liquid diet.

6. I haven't been losing as much as some people post-op but I'm definitely losing weight albeit slower than my pre-op phase.

7. I still have big appetite which often causes me to ponder whether the surgery has failed, but then I order something and the appetite goes away quickly after a few bites. The surgery works!

8. You literally can still eat anything but you learn how to be smart about them. --> I had Mexican and Greek food last week. I had fajitas meat and allowed myself a small amount of the guilty stuff (chips and tortilla). For Greek food, they actually have lots of healthy stuff (bean and eggplant dips, grilled skewered meats, etc). I steamed some cauliflower to eat with the dips and allowed myself a small amount of pita bread.

9. Sometimes there's no rhyme or reason to how much weight I lose daily. --> I was losing around 300-500g daily during my pre-op liquid stage. It was quite steady and reliable. Then with reintroduction of new foods, PMS, or exercise, I either stalled, went back up a little bit, or the wackiest of all, I was losing 2 pounds, 100g, and 2 pounds, 3 days in a row.

10. Once, I was craving this particularly unhealthy food. I gave in and had the entire thing but I only chewed and didn't swallow. It was a low point but you do what you gotta do.

Edited September 18, 2018 by Littel_Urchin

[MargoCL 677]

5 hours ago, Littel_Urchin said:

Got sleeved on Aug 15, 1 day shy of 5 weeks post-op now. Just want to update everyone on the highlights of my progress and experiences post-op.

1. I've been able to tolerate carbs surprisingly well. --> Once during pms (about 3 weeks post-op), I ate about 1/3 bowl of rice with broth and had no adverse reaction. My body was craving carbs so bad, I read it's something to do with serotonin drop during pms.

2. I don't experience that aversion to sweet stuff that so many people have spoken of. --> I still crave them, I still eat them, I still enjoy them.

3. eggs feel uncomfortable, which is a bummer.

4. Salmon and sauteed onions cause that stuck feeling so now I avoid them like the plague.

5. I didn't lose a drastic amount of weight in the early weeks post-op. -> I lost the bulk of my weight during the pre-op liquid diet.

6. I haven't been losing as much as some people post-op but I'm definitely losing weight albeit slower than my pre-op phase.

7. I still have big appetite which often causes me to ponder whether the surgery has failed, but then I order something and the appetite goes away quickly after a few bites. The surgery works!

8. You literally can still eat anything but you learn how to be smart about them. --> I had Mexican and Greek food last week. I had fajitas meat and allowed myself a small amount of the guilty stuff (chips and tortilla). For Greek food, they actually have lots of healthy stuff (bean and eggplant dips, grilled skewered meats, etc). I steamed some cauliflower to eat with the dips and allowed myself a small amount of pita bread.

9. Sometimes there's no rhyme or reason to how much weight I lose daily. --> I was losing around 300-500g daily during my pre-op liquid stage. It was quite steady and reliable. Then with reintroduction of new foods, PMS, or exercise, I either stalled, went back up a little bit, or the wackiest of all, I was losing 2 pounds, 100g, and 2 pounds, 3 days in a row.

10. Once, I was craving this particularly unhealthy food. I gave in and had the entire thing but I only chewed and didn't swallow. It was a low point but you do what you gotta do.

I am now 4 weeks post op and according to my plan, carbs (rice, Pasta, breads) are a definite no-no. To the point my plan states to keep them at bay for at least 6-months. The only carbs I take in are yogurts, Peanut Butter, flax.

My diet sticks with healthy fats, soft foods like tuna, cottage cheese, ricotta bake, etc. I won't say that I haven't slipped, but my slipping involves eating not to soft meats (chicken, turkey breast, pork roast and deli roast beefs).

I've noticed if my Fiber is not enough I don't lose weight as quickly. And when my Water intake is greater than 80oz I lose quicker. But the restriction is definitely there. My body ALWAYS lets me know if I'm eating too fast or have eaten too much.

[Littel_Urchin 24]

4 hours ago, MargoCL said:

I am now 4 weeks post op and according to my plan, carbs (rice, Pasta, breads) are a definite no-no. To the point my plan states to keep them at bay for at least 6-months.

My nut's approach is a little different. I was cleared for soft foods right after the 2-weeks liquid phase post-op (where most people usually graduate to puree). Her reasoning was that we still have teeth. She just told me to chew really well and choose softer foods in the beginning, so it's basically like a puree stage without actually pureeing.

My nut is not so strict once I'm out of the 2 weeks liquid post op. She gave me a rough guide on the average progression (2 weeks 'puree' stage then 2 weeks soft solids, then solids, etc) but said I could start earlier / later on those stages, depending on my new stomach's tolerance.

As for carbs, my plan doesn't specify a certain period of time to avoid it, it just says to give priority to Protein, and more nutrient dense but low calorie foods such as fruits and veg, and carbs should be the last one you eat. The explanation for this is that they want you to meet your protein and other macros goals, and if you load up on carbs first, you won't be able to get them in because you'll be full.

I think with plans such as yours (carbs to be avoided for quite long period of time), the nut wants to maximize the honeymoon period and ensure you're used to the new eating habit before re-introducing carbs into your diet.

It's weird but that especially one rough day during PMS (where I was able to stomach quite a lot of carbs) was an anomaly because I haven't been able to repeat that ever since. As I mentioned, I suspect I was low on serotonin, which apparently can only be made after starchy, non-fruit carbs are eaten (you can google it).

Edited September 18, 2018 by Littel_Urchin

[RecreatingTraci 7]

Hi everyone!

I had my surgery on 8/23, and I just came back to work today. Honestly, I could have come back a while ago, but decided to take my time and enjoy some extra time at home with my kiddos.

The pain was MUCH less than I anticipated. Recovery room was hell - I was so nauseated and my back was hurting so bad. A few hours later, I really felt pretty good. The only problem I had was getting out of and back into the bed. That was a bit of a struggle. Walking made me feel like a million bucks. The first night home was a little rough - I couldn't get comfortable and slept sitting up in a recliner. That was the only night I took a pain pill, and that was just to help me get to sleep.

I'm on soft foods now, and I haven't really found anything that my tummy has rejected other than the time I tried to follow my Bariatric Fusion Vitamin with a swig of Water. Big mistake - it came right back up. I feel really good, and I'm down almost 30 pounds from my last weight before my pre-op liquid diet. I'm definitely stalling right now -been hovering around the same number for about 9 days. But I knew it would happen right about this time so I'm dealing.

Anyone else hit the "3 weeks out stall", and when did it finally let go again?

[MargoCL 677]

1 hour ago, Littel_Urchin said:

My nut's approach is a little different. I was cleared for soft foods right after the 2-weeks liquid phase post-op (where most people usually graduate to puree). Her reasoning was that we still have teeth. She just told me to chew really well and choose softer foods in the beginning, so it's basically like a puree stage without actually pureeing.

The reason for the puree stage is not because we can't use our teeth, it's to allow our new pouches time to heal properly. Every thing I've read on this states chewing does not equal pureed.

As for carbs, my plan doesn't specify a certain period of time to avoid it, it just says to give priority to Protein, and more nutrient dense but low calorie foods such as fruits and veg, and carbs should be the last one you eat. The explanation for this is that they want you to meet your Protein and other macros goals, and if you load up on carbs first, you won't be able to get them in because you'll be full.

I've been a low-carb person long before WLS primarily for the health benefits associated with it. I prefer to eat what was created before man genetically modified it. Living a low carb / carb free (at close to it as possible) lifestyle has proven to improve mental awareness (google: magic pill documentary) and lowering the chance of diabetes and other ailments.

I think with plans such as yours (carbs to be avoided for quite long period of time), the nut wants to maximize the honeymoon period and ensure you're used to the new eating habit before re-introducing carbs into your diet.

Maximize the honeymoon stage? It's more about focusing on Proteins to ensure wls patient is getting adequate nutrition versus empty calories. Most carbs are sliders and allow you to overeat. Protein fills you up with nutrition first. My NUT focuses on eating healthy first, there is nothing healthy about high carb foods such as rice (which like in birds, expands inside your belly causing you to feel full and hungry shortly thereafter) and tortillas and chips - both are highly processed foods.

" I haven't been losing as much as some people post-op but I'm definitely losing weight albeit slower than my pre-op phase."

It's quite possible the reason you are losing weight slower is because of your diet plan. I personally do not want my new pouch to get accustomed to eating unhealthy processed foods. I'm perfectly happy with following the plan my NUT gave me, (which btw matches nearly every plan I've researched on the internet - minor variations, but overall they all state the same thing and match the plan given to me).

[MargoCL 677]

40 minutes ago, RecreatingTraci said:

Hi everyone!

I had my surgery on 8/23, and I just came back to work today. Honestly, I could have come back a while ago, but decided to take my time and enjoy some extra time at home with my kiddos.

The pain was MUCH less than I anticipated. Recovery room was hell - I was so nauseated and my back was hurting so bad. A few hours later, I really felt pretty good. The only problem I had was getting out of and back into the bed. That was a bit of a struggle. Walking made me feel like a million bucks. The first night home was a little rough - I couldn't get comfortable and slept sitting up in a recliner. That was the only night I took a pain pill, and that was just to help me get to sleep.

I'm on soft foods now, and I haven't really found anything that my tummy has rejected other than the time I tried to follow my Bariatric Fusion Vitamin with a swig of Water. Big mistake - it came right back up. I feel really good, and I'm down almost 30 pounds from my last weight before my pre-op liquid diet. I'm definitely stalling right now -been hovering around the same number for about 9 days. But I knew it would happen right about this time so I'm dealing.

Anyone else hit the "3 weeks out stall", and when did it finally let go again?

It's perfectly natural to stall out. It's often around the time that we adjust our diets. I had a minor stall going from early week 2 into late 3 and it broke dropped 3 lbs and now it's kind of steady right there again. Just keep following your plan and the pounds will shed away.