Soon2BMiniMommy

myfitnesspal! all the way. There are dozens of us on here that use it on their computers, I also use it on my smartphone. I would get all signed up and customized on myfitnesspal.com, then download the app to your phone after it's all set up. My user name there is shadowdlady....come look me and friend me. Like I said, there are tons of us on there!!

Hey, Browndoesall....you can put Protein in your oatmeal, you just have to add it after you cook it and it cools off a bit. If you add protein to anything over 130 degrees, or try to put it in prior to cooking it, it will solidify into an icky mass I learned the hard way when I tried to add unjury chicken protein to a cup of hot Water, then nuke it in the microwave....wow, what a gross explosion! So now, I will nuke my oatmeal with water and/or oatmeal, stir it, let it cool for a little bit, or add a dash of cold milk to cool it down, then put in a scoop of unflavored protein. I also love oatmeal!!

Oh, honey....you and I are SO much alike! We had our surgeries a day apart and we struggle with the same things! Please, please, please don't beat yourself up and just realize this is just a bump. You WON'T do this forever, trust me. I find myself being 'bad' for about a week, topping off, eating when I'm not hungry, etc, especially after a stall, which I have definitely had (!), but then a week or so later, it just seems to taper off and I'm okay for a while, then another week, I'll eat 1/2 a donut and two chocolate chip cookies! As for measuring inches, that can be true for some, but my measuring tape doesn't show many inches lost! Only about 3 inches off the waist, an inch here and there, but overall not much, so that just makes me feel worse. The inches lost doesn't change much, either. But what did help is that I started a weight loss chart, which compares what I have lost to what a pound or two pounds per week would be and it shows that I am really ahead. AND I average my whole weight loss over how many weeks sleeved...so for you, I am calculating about 4 lbs a week on average since you're surgery, right?? That is incredible! There is no way that you would have EVER done that on any other diet. Do you use myfitnesspal.com? If not, try it. You will see that even with your 'extra' eating, you are probably still below what calories you need to lose weight. When I indulge, I find that I am still in the safe zone, so feel much less guilty about it!! I also think that we need to get away from thinking about 'bad' food and feeling bad for just eating. It's just that....eating! We're not killing anyone, we're just eating! And your three Oreo Cookies is what a normal person would eat as a treat. We used to eat half a bag!! And your shaved chicken, your wedge, and egg was a GOOD choice, not bad. So what if you weren't technically hungry? You didn't eat a maple bar! I can guarantee you are still eating less calories than before, and can probably guarantee that you are not eating enough to stop weight loss. You're stall is just because your body is adjusting. You will lose, you will see. It's almost impossible to screw this up. I stall a lot, also, but overall my average has been good! Don't beat yourself up, honey. It's just food. The more you get away from 'bad' and 'good', the more healthy your outlook with food will become. I had this surgery to be normal, to be able to eat some cookies once in a while, God forbid! So what if I sometimes eat when I'm not really hungry? There will be some days when you're not that hungry and you don't eat much at all...some days you want more food for whatever reason. Normal ups and downs, just like anyone else! We love you, and we are all in the same boat, to varying degrees. We are here for you, and if you aren't on myfitnesspal, come and find me...I'm shadowdlady there. Love and hugs, sunshine....you will do this, and you will not fail this time

Yeah, I was on here too posting about the same thing around week one or two, as I couldn't feel if I was full in the beginning. I was worried about it and would use a little bit of food feeling in my upper tummy/esophagus as my guide since my tummy couldn't feel it. Then feedyoureye, bless her heart, told me that my stomach had been cut (duh!) and that it was most likely all numb and the feeling wouldn't come back for a while! Well, lo and behold, she was right. I didn't wake up one morning and think, oh, NOW I feel it! It was more gradual and didn't really start to hit until about the fourth week out. I was worried cause in all of my reading/research, I had never read that you DON"T feel full...everyone was saying they feel full all the time! But, obviously, my tummy healed, figured it's little self out, and now I have normal signals again, at seven weeks! Gosh, that sounds like so little time...feel like I have been sleeved for months and months! Shesh...sorry, that was kind of weird....just kind of hit me it's only been 7 weeks! Good luck, honey...it will get better and it's almost kind of fun learning about your new self and your new tummy. Just take it slow and it will all work itself out!!

Mine was really swollen, too, at the top like that for about 4-5 days and just slowly released over time. It wasn't like one morning I got up and it was gone, it was so gradual I hardly noticed it. Now I can drink just fine....not quite gulping, but can get down four or five big swallows! Your new tummy is really tight, especially at the top, and each day it will lessen a bit more....the burping will continue, though, but will also get better. I still burp....I think it's because when the food/liquid goes down, it has to displace the air, and since our tummies are long and skinny, the air has to come up the same little tunnel the food/liquid goes down, so sometimes there is a little battle in there until they sort out who gets to go first and/or take turns!! Hang in there....it SO gets better and you'll look back and go "Wow, that wasn't so bad".

I did mine under BCBSIL, and just like Sleeved Realtor above, I was going to do the band, then they changed from a 3-month to a 6-month program in my second month, then found out my first surgeon wasn't preferred. Went to another doc who does all three (Center of Excellence) and through that process, 'found' the sleeve. I have never looked back and have never one complained about my husband's insurance. My insurance through my work, and most everybody else's, doesn't cover bariatric surgery at all, so I am very, very, very blessed and I am grateful every day that my 'mishap' happened, or I would currently be suffering with a band AND having to pay 40% for it! I have many friends who are so jealous and upset they can't go on this wonderful journey with me.... BCBSIL does want you to use a Center of Excellence exactly for the reasons stated above...those surgeons have to pass rigorous reviews and qualifications so you know they are VERY experienced and have to continually prove low, low, low complication rates. I know, very well, how frustrating it is to have to jump through hoops, have things changed, have to change surgeons when you like the one you had and got attached to, and just generally have to wait when you want this major life change just to START, already. But this is a major decision, and sometimes it's good when fate puts on the brakes for you. I am THE most impatient, impulsive person I know (check out my blog!) but now I am glad I had to wait and had to experience what I did...it allowed me more time to research, and to learn, and to be on this site, and get to where I am at now. It will come, just have patience and be grateful you're covered at all Then come on here to vent and have us help you through it and bring you down to earth with support, love and understanding!

Sounds like dehydration....classic symptoms. Like they say after surgery, sip, sip, sip, walk, repeat. I know it's tough at first, and you don't need to worry about getting in ALL your Protein at first, it's almost impossible, and you probably can't get in your minimum 64 oz of Water, but do the best you can! And by walking, just slowly around the house will help. Hang in there, guys...really this is just TEMPORARY. It will, and does, get better. You just had surgery, your body is trying to recover....know that this is temporary only and you will feel much better later on! Can't wait to see you on here in a month or two talking about how much more energy you have and that you're glad you're on the other side. We're all here for you!! Sip, sip, sip, walk, repeat!

Yah, this one cracks me up. I also used a straw in the hospital and my doctor/nut never said to not use a straw. I have used a straw faithfully since day one with my Tervis Tumbler and it's the only way I can get in enough water! I drink both ways and notice no more air either way. Think it's one of the silly guidelines myself. Most I can behind, but not this one!!

Here's something that will blow your minds.....SB will ADD a Protein scoop (or 2) to your coffee if you request it!!!! I get it in all my drinks....stats are: A single shot will add 30 calories, about 6 grams of protein, 1 gram of soluble Fiber, and zero sugar or artificial sweeteners. So drink up, all, and add even more protein!!!!

Yay, Kris! Thank you soooooooo much!! I need to look for those! I am right up the road from you, so hopefully I can find them up here. I was reading your post thinking you're probably in Ohio or something and my Costco wouldn't have them, but then I saw where you are from!! I'm SOOOO excited now,....I love jerky and meaty snacks....these will be perfect!!!!! Thanks for the tip!

It's so great to see how everyone is doing! I've lost 8.8 lbs so far and I just started on 11/8. Like Shae, I'm not sure if I should revise? I'm only 4 wks from surgery and this is my first goal, so I'm not sure what to guess.....I'm afraid to overestimate then be all mad at myself for not reaching my goal What if I hit a big stall? My old weightloss failure demons are still haunting me.....I think I'm overthinking it, lol! I guess I'll just trend what I have been doing....so I'll change my ticker and goal to lose 20 more lbs by Christmas. Man, that seems like a lot, 30 lbs in 6 weeks. Oh, well......we'll see! What have I to lose but weight!! Keep up the hard work, everyone! So excited to see where we will all end up! CW - 284 275 GW - 265 254 NEW lbs to goal - 19 30 total 11/8 - 284 11/14 - 281 11/21 - 275

My surgeon said that if a leak occurs, it's almost immediate, although you can create one by not following guidelines for up to two or three weeks. He says the staple line is pretty well sealed by end of week three. He also says most that are found after that (6 weeks - months out) have been there all along and were so small it took that long for them to be discovered (build up of fluid, abscess, etc). Most who have leaks and they are found months out, look back and see symptoms they weren't aware of (constant shoulder pain, weakness) but not the usual strong symptoms of high fever, pain, etc,.

Hey, Veda....I'm 4.5 weeks out and I was, and am, the same. I can't down fluids all at once, but I could handle what you're describing. My surgeon used a 32 Fr bougie, one of the smallest, and now I can eat two scrambled eggs for Breakfast. I could also sleep on my side right away, go shopping on day three, cook for my family, went back to work fairly quickly. I did pull my tummy muscles a couple of times, but nothing serious, healed in a day or two, just like I overdid it while working out or something. I too felt (and feel) odd since I don' seem to have the same challenges everyone else has. I feel like it's 'not right' since my recovery has been so different, I figure I am either extremely blessed, or maybe I will have restriction problems later and maybe not lose as fast. That doesn't seem to be the case....I've lost 28 lbs since 10/20 - surgery- and I have tons of restriction now when I eat, can't do more than the standard 1/2 cup, so I guess I'll be thankful! I honestly do sometimes forget I have even had this done.....weird. But again, I am probably one of the lucky ones. I have experienced no pain, have not vomited or slimed once, have not overeaten to the point of discomfort, no issues with weakness or fatigue - I had more energy almost from the first. Hopefully it will always be this way! Only time will tell. Keep up the good work, do be careful, don't overdo it, and just enjoy the ride!

Ah, Shae. You are SO wonderful and I love reading your posts. You could have written the above about me!! All of that is so true! It's amazing the stages of change, grief over food, etc, I have gone through in just 4 weeks! Even more amazing I truly feel I already have a pretty good handle on it - like you said, I will always have food issues,but now I know I'll be okay! It was touch and go for a couple of weeks there I am going to mark your post as a favorite and read it quite a bit for a while. Thank you so very much... But I do have to admit, since you mentioned it....I am missing my Doritos!!! I may have to have a few in a couple of weeks. Like I said before, I had this surgery to be normal and not feel guilty about every morsel that goes in my mouth. I love your quote "I am no longer controlled by my addiction because I control what I eat and my sleeve controls how much." I know I can have four of five Doritos and be satisfied now where before it would have been the whole bag. That is a VERY empowering feeling of freedom :dance:

MIne's a 32. My surgeon said that at the infancy of the sleeve surgery advent, most docs used 40-46, but quickly found that was too large for most to keep the weight off for years (based on research done for DS conversion pts and other country's stats, since ours are too new to tell long-term). Since your stomach eventually loosens (don't want to say stretch, but that can also be used), the 40-46 was allowed too much room and not enough restriction years out and patients started gaining their weight back. They started dropping the bougie size to see what was the 'best' size for restriction, overall complications, and long-term restriction (over 5 years). Much of the research at the beginning showed that the 32 size can have issues with complications, but that is based on the surgeon and is now very rare as they have all have more experience and the sleeve is becoming much more common. In the beginning, using a thinner 32 Fr bougie tube could create a somewhat 'hourglass' shape in the middle of the new stomach, where the inner curve lies. But he also said that most surgeons know that now, and avoid that complication by leaving extra room at the opposite side of the curvature, which will prevent the possible stricture issue. And using a smaller Fr size, it keeps the stomach from stretching too much, or reaching a higher level of fill capacity years down the road. So, hope that helps....he really explained this to me thoroughly and it makes so much sense! I'm so happy with my 32. I am 4 weeks out and can eat two scrambled eggs for breakfast! But that's not the bougie size, as everyone is soooo different in what they can eat and tolerate. Some after a year can't even eat a whole scrambled egg! But to be completely honest? I think the 15cc size is way too small - that's only 3 teaspoons, or a tablespoon!. Most sleeves, after surgery and after the swelling goes down, can hold up to two-four ounces. Later on, maybe 6 ounces once you hit your year mark and your own 'normal'. I would ask your surgeon some more questions, just to be on the safe side and to be sure the size you need and want are adequate to live with :hug:

Oh, Sandy......stay strong and get healthy! Just a setback...in a month you'll look back and be grateful you're on the other side of this!! Sending tons of healing hugs your way...

I am laughing so hard....I don't think it's TMI. My hubby is a little overweight, and I am a lot...we figure he can gain about 1-2" of 'closeness' and I can gain quite a bit more....so we'll be a lot 'closer' very soon! Funny how there is so much fat there on our little 'fat pads'......thanks for sharing!!

Wow. Wow, Trixie. You have been through many, many trials in such a short time. I am very sorry about your Mother. I am so glad you are here with us and we are waiting for you with open arms on the Loser's Bench! :grouphug: Look at this way......you have gone through so much this past year, most of it negative, you have used up all your negative karma and now only have good karma coming, which means you will SAIL through this surgery with no complications and you will be a star patient! I look forward to hearing about your experience and your progress! Good luck and keep us posted!

I'm four weeks out, and I pretty much just ate or drank when I felt like it. I was (and am) also like you where I could tolerate pretty much anything. Now, at four weeks, I can eat two scrambled eggs comfortably....many on here still can't do one and they're 4 or 6 months out! And, yes, my surgeon used a 32 Fr bougie, a little one But, I have to tell you, I eventually got into trouble just eating whenever I felt it was time. I eventually starting grazing, bad. But I called it 'topping off'. Because I can only eat 1/3-1/2 cup of whatever at a time, I would wait a while till it settled and started to move through my little tummy, then would go back and have a couple more bites out of the fridge, or whatever. Mostly with seafood or egg salad. I'd heat up some pureed Soup, drink/eat it, have some more an hour later. I was getting into trouble since the main reason people fail at bariatric surgery is because they graze, or eat constantly, to overcome the loss of binging, or eating large amounts at a time. We still want our food till we mentally adjust!! And then, because of this constant topping off I was doing, my stomach never really emptied so I couldn't drink my fluids like I was supposed to. Vicious cycle. Didn't help that I was eating fine and not having any issues....felt almost normal. So, needless to say, I had to pull myself together and at about 2 and a half weeks out, I started a routine. Breakfast around 8, drink lots, snack around 10, drink lots, lunch around 12, drink, snack at 2 or 3, drink, dinner around 6. Drink lots more, maybe an evening snack. Now sounds like a lot of eating, but I'm almost always under 800 calories a day...snacks are a Laughing Cow soft cheese wedge or a string cheese, meals are a little under 1/2 cup of something soft. It was a lot easier when I was back at work with a regular routine and schedule. So, I guess to answer your question, right now it's important to hydrate and nourish yourself as much as you can, so I wouldn't worry too much about three square meals a day, etc, but be aware that you will need to probably set a schedule for yourself as you advance and are able to take in more volume and calories. You don't want the "I'll eat whenever" to become a habit, or you may regret it later and find it really hard to break. I had a hard time breaking it just after a couple weeks!! Good luck!!

I am only 4 weeks out, but my hardest is eating slow, and to not graze after a while to get in more food. The mental part of being done with so little food has hard for me - getting much easier lately, though. But I am lucky (unlucky?) that everything I eat goes down just fine. I can eat two scrambled eggs for Breakfast just fine, I can eat 1/2 cup of food in 15 minutes. I did not have any struggles like a lot of others have, so I think it's harder because I feel so normal, if that makes sense. I don't have to baby my sleeve (oh, I did at first, and I am still following the rules with soft foods) but I don't have any pain or discomfort. The only way I know I've eaten too much is if I feel food in my upper tummy/esophagus juncture so I've learned to stop way before I feel full. No pain or pressure, though, just a weird feeling for a while. I almost wish I had some kind of physical thing to remind me (shock collar, lol!!) So, yeah...eating slow, and not going back for more. Getting over the portion adjustment.....

I don't do fat-free, either. I figure we don't eat near enough to worry about a teaspoon of real butter or real mayo in our tuna salad. And all the cheese I eat is full fat. I did this so I could be normal and eat normal and not count every calorie or carb or gram of sugar that I ingest. Honestly, I think all of would lose weight no matter what we ate at this point (unless you survive on Doritos, cheeseburgers, nachos, and slider foods!). I think after a year with maintenance it matters more, but not to the point of cutting out all fat and sugar...just doing what you are doing, eating Protein first, veggies, etc, and if you want to, have a few bites of chocolate! I also don't do sugar free, but I'm not a 'sweet' person, so I'm lucky that way, but I do use sugared creamers in my coffee, sometimes I'll have a few bites of cookie. I DON'T FEEL GUILTY ANYMORE AND I NEVER WILL AGAIN! At least not for what I put in my mouth That is my mantra. I've spent too many years punishing myself for my eating habits and now I don't have to. I can enjoy a piece of pie (or a few bites) or some fish and chips without gaining any weight. Anything in moderation, right? I also know I do lose faster when I eat more calories - it takes by body out of homeostasis, or starvation/store/stay-the-same mode.

Welcome, Ian! So glad you're here with us. Keep us posted...we will be here when you need us :grouphug:

Hey, Sleevie...I am almost four weeks out, too. I tolerate scrambled eggs really well, especially with cheese melted in it (laughing cow wedges make it even more soft). I also do egg salad, chicken salad (costco has a fantastic canned breast which is tender, but any store carries it next to the tuna). Do you like tuna? Tuna salad has a ton of Protein....I mix tuna and egg together for my salad with mayo. Cottage cheese if you like it...but being lactose intolerant....hmmm...maybe not. I love to mix cottage cheese with some cheddar and ranch seasoning, or in a blender with canned peaches. There is a wonderful recipe for ricotta bake from Egg Face on this link...she has many, many wonderful recipes! http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2007/08/pureed-foods.html Have you tried blending your wonderful chicken soup? So the chunks aren't so prominent? I know we're tired of pureeds/mushies, but if you can't do chunks, your body may not be ready to progress yet. Oh, Foster Farms turkey meatballs. They are wonderful if you can tolerate/swallow them. And for fish, tilapia is extremely mild and soft if cooked right...never stringy. Salted cod is very tough due to the salt, and strong too. Place some tilapia fillets (or just one) in a small baking dish, cover with some butter, maybe lemon, seasoning salt, and cover with foil and bake for about 15 minutes at 375 (if thawed). So easy and soft....throw some tartar sauce with it and you are good to go!! Or dredge the tilapia in a bit of flour and seasoning and pan fry in a little bit of butter or olive oil. Oh, I know...really soft meatloaf! I made some just two nights ago with extra moisture with my breadcrumbs...can use ground turkey or ground beef. I made a half loaf and made the rest into meatballs and baked them. Have lots of meatloaf and balls ready to go! Refried Beans with cheese? More carbs and not really high protein, but oh so good!! Hope some of these ideas help! I know I can't stand protein shakes or powder either....liked them before, not after!! Good luck, sweets.....

Oh, that was WONDERFUL! I would keep that and pull it out and look at it again and again while on your journey.....there may be times you need it Good luck and can't wait to have you on the Loser's Bench beside us!!