Leaderboard

Hi, I know this is strange but im really nervous about trying softfoods in a couple of weeks.... I am on a 3 week post-op liquid diet per my physician. I have 2 weeks left and I dont know how i will deal with vomiting/sliming/chest pains and whatever else comes along with my new tummy mishaps. Yes i know i decided to have the sleeve and im not regretting my decisions but i dont want the discomfort or the ugly side of the sleeve to become a daily part of my life.... The first day i start soft foods i also return to work . I havent shared with coworkers/ family i had the surgery because i felt they honestly did not need to know and i will share if./when i choose to share. I have struggled with my weight for years and finally had the courage to do something about it but its been very painful, emotional, and extremely difficult. I know i am not the only one that has felt this way and im glad that this forum allows us to express the pain of weight issues/struggles/disappointments. I would greatly appreciate any tips, recipes, ideas on how to start soft foods also how to handle lunch at work!!! Thanks Blessings, TD

if only the newly banded and pre bandies would read this and let it sink in...

I did tell people about my surgery. I had to go back to work after two weeks. I took soup and small yogurt cups in the beginning. I don't know where you live, but the excuse of a good cup of soup in the winter to warm you, should fly under the radar

Wow... all the goodies in one post. Yay Cheryl!

Karen thx ssssssoo much for the tips.... I work in a school district with pre-k. I asked to be off 2 additional weeks just to recover from the surgery alone and then i realized OMG i have no idea of how im going to get thru breakfast and lunch at work daily. I dont want to be at work vomiting and having ppl asking whats wrong are u ok etc etc. I am a very private person have been all my life even when i was small. I really appreciate your advice. I had in my mind that i had to take a high protein lunch low carb and pray i dont vomit daily or if i eat to fast. This is allll soooo new to me and im trying to learn as i go!!! Congrats on whatever success you had with your sleeve! Hugs TD

I'm now 6 weeks post-op and feeling great. My surgery date was November 20th, but it seems like years ago. I'm Down 30 lbs which I think is pretty much on track with what my Doc says I should be losing. I think lower BMIs tend to not lose as quick, and I'm OK with that. I'm trying not to be a slave to the bathroom scale, and I said before surgery I never would. But man it's tough to stay away from it! I said I was only going to weigh myself once a week, but I'm finding myself sneaking into the bathroom for a quick weight check. I'll do measurements again a the 2-month mark. I'm getting used to life with my new stomach, or stomach size rather. There have been a couple hiccups along the way (pun intended), but nothing that makes me regret this life-changing decision. Some of the things that I read on this website and others from my Doc are making sense to me now. My doc used to say that the sleeve is only a tool that is one of many that need to be used to achieve and maintain weight loss. I get that now; Even though I'm restricted by the amount I can eat at any one time, it's still entirely possible to make bad food choices and eat *almost* continuously throughout the day. Sure portion size is limited, but I'm hungry in about 2 hours. I use the word "hungry" here not as head hunger, but as my body really needing food. this is something new for me - and weird. But it's as if my body is getting used to using food as a source of nutrition, rather than my brain using it as a source of comfort or stress reliever. Yes, I have had head hunger twice in the past few weeks and it didn't work out very well. the problem was not in the quantity of food I ate, but the speed with which I ate it. I just can't eat fast anymore! So the feeling of overeating, I mean really overeating, is not pleasant. I'm ok for about 5 -10 minutes, but then it starts - light sweat accross the forehead, heart races a little, dizzy. I don't know exactly what dumping is, but maybe that's what happened to me. Now I have to eat very slowly in small bites and pay attention to the small signals my body gives me telling me to stop (I read this on this forum and didn't believe it). I might have the occassional burp which generally clears the way for a little more food to enter, or the occassional hiccup, but I notice a very slight tingling sensation and a VERY light sweat on the forehead. Nothing major, but similar to the very, very, first stages when you're about to be sick (vomit sick, although I never have). I need to pay attention and wait a couple minutes to continue eating. Usually it goes pretty well, but I'm eating small portions of food almost continually during the day. Yes, I've followed the Doc's plan about 98%. I've determined that I can take 4 swallows of water before I get the light sweat feeling. I've got that one down and never drink more than 4 straight gulps from my water jug. No problem. Other than that, I've had no issues at all with salad, some veggies I've tried, any type of meat as long as its moist and cut into small pieces. I did have a little cheat last week and ate a good handful of toasted plantain chips...maybe not the smartest move, but they went down fine. But I saw the Doc for a followup visit yesterday and he said to be very careful and limit carbs to 30 - 40 grams a day. He said anything over that would slow my weight loss. I didn't have my whole wheat toast with cream cheese this morning. I'm going to the gym around the corner from my apartment 4-5 times per week and walking about 40 minutes on the treadmill. I think its a good time to start exercising (sp?) because even though the gym is full with all of the "This is the Year I'm finally going to lose weight" promise makers, I feel comfortable there because most have a bit to lose. But I feel great, and even though I'm already cleared by my Doc for any physical exercise, I'm going to wait a couple more weeks before getting into some strength training. I'm on my way! More later, Joe P.S. My libido has returned full strength, yeah! (and stamina is much better too

Good Luck! You can do it. To drop those pounds, try just eating protein. It will also help you for the future when your life will be all about protein. Im post op 3 days and have severe sleep apnea (58) too. I resisted my CPAP at first but after I got used to it, I loved it and slept sooo good. Youll have more energy and that alone will help you drop a few pounds. Keep your eye on the prize!