mandems mom

My husband and children eat all the bad things that I desperately want to eat, but you know what, I'm okay with it. My husband apologized at first, but I told him it wasn't necessary. I have to learn willpower and forcing the other members of my family to deprive themselves of things they regularly eat, hardly seems fair. My weight is my issue not theirs and it's up to me to control what I put in my mouth whether I'm at a restaurant, a social event, or at home.

Can we get this sticky'd? Sooo many people post about stalls and I think if this info was readily available it would really help put things in perspective for them.

I'm just under 2 weeks and can take some pretty normal size gulps of my ice cold water. However, I am finding it difficult to remember to drink constantly and have found that I'm starting to get dehydrated these past few days. That's my own issue though and nothing to do with the sleeve.

Yep many have said that using or increasing an acid reducer helps with the hunger, but there are also those who never lose the hunger. Everyone's experience with this sleeve is very different so I wouldn't be banking on the hunger to go away. You're still going to need some self control to succeed with this. Good luck!

16 days and you got a bite of a hotdog down??? Why can't you have chicken salad? If you're on mushies, I would think that would qualify....egg salad does on my diet as well as baked or boiled chicken or turkey.

If it makes you feel any better, you're doing phenomenal compared to me. I'm 13 days post-op and have only lost 5 pounds since surgery. I'm only getting in about 300 calories a day so I know I'm not overeating. I'm not going to stress about it yet because I think my body is just in shock and I'm hopeful that things will balance out once I get beyond 1 month.

I only have 4 incisions, no staples (they used dissolving sutures) and I don't have an incision by the breastbone area that a lot of people seem to have. I also have the worst pain by the largest incision...from what I understand, that's the one that the stomach comes out through. I'm almost 2 weeks out and the pain gets better everyday. I haven't taken any pain meds since day 5. Good luck!

Jen Jen, what kind of complications did you have? Was it something the original surgeon did or just a normal complication that could occur for anyone? I'm not quite 2 weeks out, but I'm constantly worrying about complications since I had surgery in Mexico.

My doctor said that Tylenol is safe for any stage after surgery and the cold/flu version is available in liquid form which may be easier for you to get down. Good luck!

I tried sugar free jello from the box which my wonderful husband made for me, but it's really nasty! I can't stand the artificial sweetness. Looking at my post op diet, everything says sugar free juice, popsicles, pudding, etc...is it really necessary or is it because they don't want us consuming the extra calories that are in the full flavor stuff? With the small amounts that we're eating this early out, I can't imagine overdoing it on those types of foods so I'm wondering if the sugar does something to the sleeve which is why the post op diets say that. Any input would be great.

Tons of people on this board have had their surgery in Mexico, myself included. I went to Monterrey for my lap band 5 1/2 years ago and now 2 weeks ago went to Tijuana to get that removed and have the sleeve performed by Dr. Jose Rodriguez (Dr. Rod). I haven't heard much about Dr. Joya on this board, mostly on Obesity Help, but he does seem to have a good reputation. To be honest with you, if you're willing to spend that much money to have your surgery in Mexico, I'd check out Dr. Aceves. He's seen by many as the gold standard and has a phenomenal reputation. I think he's around $9000. You'd be responsible for your own airfare, however I highly doubt that would cost $1,000 to make up the difference between the $10,000 you'd pay for Dr. Joya. Dr. Aceves practices out of Mexicali which is a very nice city and also safe. You would fly into San Diego and transporation to/from the airport is provided. If you have surgery in May, you'll definitely be able to enjoy a meal with your husband. Your portions will just be much smaller!

I think it would be pretty impossible to be a good chef or baker or have any other culinary profession without tasting the food. You have to know what you're feeding the customers right? I don't think that doing the finger test to check the batter and icings for the cupcakes is going to hurt you, but you obviously need to have self control when tasting the final product. As long as you can limit yourself to a tiny sliver to make sure it's a quality product, I think you'll be just fine. Your livelihood and reputation are on the line so you have to be confident with what you're putting out.

I've done both electrolysis and laser hair removal for about 6 years now...for various areas of my body. Electrolysis is a slower process (1 year or longer) and best for small areas, but much less expensive and can be used for all skin and hair types. For electrolysis, you can't shave in between sessions so you'd have to bleach the hair if it's really bothersome. Having the hair intact lets the technician know if the hair follicle has been treated by how easy or difficult it is for them to tweeze the hair out. I used it for my upper lip, chin, breasts (thanks to pregnancy) and eyebrows. I'm not going to say it's a walk in the park, but the pain is tolerable and most places will have a numbing medication that can be used, especially for the upper lip where the skin in thinner. Most places will charge by the minute so that if you have new growth within a week or two, you can go in just to have that growth treated. I typically paid $15-$25 per treatment depending on how much time I wanted. I've done laser for my underarms and bikini area and will be starting my legs. For laser, you can and should shave prior to your session because the energy of the laser would be wasted on the hair instead of completely going to the follicle. The pain is tolerable and since the laser works the larger areas faster, it tends to be over before you know it. It's similar to a rubber band snapping on your skin. The lasers tend to have a cooling element to them which helps to numb the skin and then most places will also apply a cold pack after the treatment as well. Laser is a lot more expensive and doesn't work for everyone. It's especially not a good fit for dark skin and light hair. Hopefully your consult is with an honest company that has a good reputation so that if you're not a fit, they'll turn you away. I have some friends who were taken in by the sales pitch and $5,000 later they still have the same amount of hair. Laser is pretty pricey especially for the large areas. You tend to need anywhere from 6-12 sessions at equal intervals to see the best results. Hope that helps and good luck!

If you truly have to do an all liquid diet, you have more options than just Optifast or Medifast which can be very expensive. There are lots of Meal Replacement Protein powders that you can pick up at your local grocery store or even GNC which would accomplish the same thing. Did they say why you had to do a liquid diet to lost the weight? I was on a high protein, low carb diet for 5 days before my surgery and lost 8 pounds easy and my starting weight was 245.

Hi, I'm wondering if people have any difficulty getting large pills to go down. I know when I was banded they would get stuck, so I'm wondering if the same happens with the sleeve. Thanks!!

Hey fellow Wisconsinite!! You'll have to share your recipe for the pumpkin soup. I had an amazing pumpkin bisque at a restaurant in Mequon last year and I have yet to taste anything as good, but I'm a die hard pumpkin fan. I had some cheese soup last night which seemed really heavy in my stomach. I was only able to eat about 3 tablespoons before I became nauseous and had to lay down. Luckily nothing came up, but with Wisconsin weather, healthy, warm comfort food is a must so please share!!

I typically get a massage every week, but have cancelled all my appointments until May 18 when I'll be 1 month out. Do you think that's enough time for me to heal and feel comfortable laying on my tummy for a massage?

I was told to have 1 shake per day and split it in half between 2 meals; so you may have overdone it. Our little tummies are only meant to take 2-4 oz right now and although liquids pass through quickly, the shakes are more substantial than juice or water. Try splitting it in half next time and see if you feel better.

Keep your eye on the prize and know that this is just temporary. We're only being forced to eat like this until we're healed and can then eat more normally (or at least a new normal for us). If you're like me, you were miserable when you were fat, but that wasn't temporary...that was more like a permanent and recurring hell. This shall pass; just take it one day at a time.

Isopure is the only clear liquid protein drink that I'm aware of other than the unjury chicken soup/broth powder.

Hey TJP, can I ask what you ate to get 100grams of protein on mushies? I can't imagine being able to consume that with the serving sizes being 2-3 ounces. Appreciate the help!

I don't drink regular milk and can only tolerate chocolate milk. Is this safe to have on the full liquid portion of the diet (I start tomorrow). Please let me know your thoughts. I'm already aware of the sugar/carbs concern so just want to know if it's well tolerated. Thank you!

Yeah, I'm 8 days out and just started full liquids today. I was given specific things to avoid on the full liquid phase and potato soup was one of them..even strained. Gotta love how the diets are so different!

hmmm....I was told no potato soup. Did your doctor give you clearance for that?

Your bump is adorable and you're positively glowing!!! Unfortunately, I was banded with my most recent pregnancy and also had nasty reflux. I, too, had to limit how much I ate before bedtime and take a Zantac twice a day. I didn't have any acid with my first, non-banded pregnancy so I do attribute it to the change in my stomach. Hopefully you'll get some relief soon. Take care!