GreginMI

I'm going to try to do something that I couldn't do as a kid. Learn from YOUR mistakes. Thanks for the reply.

So I'm almost at 3 weeks post op and feeling good but have mostly been drinking my 3 protein shakes for 63 grams of protein a day and taking vitamins. I do get my water amounts in and I manage an applesauce, yogurt, or pudding now and then on top of that. Yet I haven't felt restriction up until today. And hard to believe but it was WATER that I learned it on. I was watching TV and apparently not thinking about how fast I was drinking. I guess I started gulping it like the old days pre-op and before I know it I had a 16.9 oz bottle down in a matter of minutes. All of a sudden I felt this tightness in my chest and almost a pain in my gut. I was like, what is this? I grabbed my music and headphones and headed out the door. A mile later I felt fine. So yeah, I think I ballooned my belly up really fast. I'm glad I didn't do that on food or it would have taken longer to recede. All I know is from now on I'm taking longer to drink/eat and not going to race to get anything down. At least I know how it feels when full so when I go to solid foods I'll be able to stop before it gets THAT bad. This sleeve doesn't hold much!!

I'm with you on that. I get my water and my protein shakes in fine (although I hate the shakes now that I'm post op), and that's about it. I'm supposed to have 6 small meals a day, including the 3 protein shakes and 3 of the soft foods stage, but I can only get in the 3 protein shakes. Nothing sounds good to me. I've tried pureeing chili and beef stew and the texture just grosses me out. I am not hungry at ALL. I hope I get a little of my appetite back eventually. I do love the taste of food and would like to enjoy the little I do get to eat. In the mean time, I guess since I'm getting my protein in and my water in and taking my vitamins, I'm okay for now. Hope it gets better for both of us someday!

That goes right up there with why do some doctors have such a rigid pre-op diet and some don't? And why are the timelines different for different surgeons as to what you can and can not eat? Who knows! You should just follow what your surgeon says because you need to trust him. He should know what is best for YOU and it's what has worked best for his patients in his own experience. As for me, I had to keep a drain in for a week before I got it out where a lot of people either had no drain or got it out before they left the hospital. It was annoying to me but not that big of a deal. My surgeon told me that the drain is there to monitor the blood in your surgery cavity and if a weird color comes out it may indicate a leak. Let me tell you, when he pulled that thing out after a week it was the strangest feeling ever as it was coming out!

It's going to be bad whether you do that or not. The liquid stage sucks!

I had someone who had WLS tell me to just keep eating as usual up until the pre-op diet for the surgery. She said your body will have a whole reset after surgery anyway so enjoy it while you can. Not to eat any more than usual, but just keep your routine. I followed her advice and I didn't gain anymore weight than I was and was able to enjoy my regular food until the surgery. I was happy I did it.

I remember being where you're at. I'm a little over 2 weeks post op and I have to tell you that this period sucks because of all the liquids, purees, etc. but in 3 weeks I'll be eating regular food and I can't' wait! It was no cake walk after surgery but I can tell you that you'll make it fine and that it's totally worth it. It's normal to be nervous, but don't be scared. The pain is not unbearable and all the drinking Water and Protein shakes are really just minor inconveniences next to the new you that will emerge when it's all said and done. Be strong and good luck! See you on the other side. P.S. You're most definitely doing the right thing!

I told only a few select friends and family BEFORE I had the surgery. I didn't want to have to answer a million questions or have someone make me second guess myself because of stuff they said. Now AFTER the surgery it's a different story. I'm not going around with a bull horn announcing it, but if someone asks me how I've lost weight or about my time off work in the hospital, I tell them. It won't take long for it to get around by word of mouth and eventually everything will settle back into normality. The problem I would have with not telling is having to lie every time someone asks me about my weight loss. Sure you can say stuff like "diet and exercise" and it would be a half truth, but a lie is a lie. I wouldn't feel too good about myself doing that and this change is all about feeling good about myself! Plus if I can answer any questions or help anyone from my experience I want to be able to do that. I mean really, the people that really count are the ones that truly care about you and the others can just kiss your ass, right? My thoughts anyway. I will continue to tell people and I've had nothing but a positive response from people since I started. The best to you on your decision.

My surgeon said that full liquids is defined as anything that will go through a strainer. And V8 juice was on my full liquids menu and I've been drinking it all the time. I think you're fine with that.

At the full liquid stage all liquids have to be thin enough to pass through a strainer. So maybe if you stuck some cottage cheese in the blender it would work, but not sure how good it would taste.

I'm a guy and I can't wait until i can see my "bone" too. Bahahahahahaha

They say taste changes after surgery and I have to agree. I used to drink coffee all the time but I've tried a few decafs and not really enjoyed them all that much. Probably my favorite decaf is Tim Horton's.Yes, the restaurant version. And it makes me feel more like who I was when I go through the drive through and get my coffee.

My surgeon said I can have cream of tomato soup. Actually any of the cream soups (potato, mushroom, etc) but they all must be mixed in a blender first to get out any chunks. He said the rule is it would have to be able to go through a strainer to be appropriate for the full liquids phase. I've been drinking a lot of V8 juice lately. I love that stuff!

I read the title of this post "Wow! Tai Chi nearly killed me!" and the first thing I thought was, "well you shouldn't be eating such spicy foods!" Bahahahahahahaha

I'm now 2 weeks post op and I'm telling everyone that asks what I got done. When I get back to work I won't have a bullhorn out announcing it, but if someone asks how I'm losing so much weight, I'll tell them. I don't want them to find out later that I lied and also I want to be able to help other people that need it and ask me about it at work.

Well as part of my pre-op tests I had to have a gall bladder ultrasound. I told my boss that I had to have it because I was having some symptoms and my doctor wanted it checked. Then before I went for surgery I told him I was having to take a medical leave of absence to have my gall bladder removed. After my surgery I told everyone because I didn't care if they knew, I just didn't want a million questions to answer or people trying to put doubt in my mind before the surgery.

In my nutritional class they told us we weren't supposed to have sex for 30 days. They must be talking about jungle sex because I don't see how performing oral sex on your partner or receiving it can cause a problem. Same goes for pleasuring yourself. You're just laying or sitting there. Maybe they mean just no humping/riding.

Actually my surgeon told me that the statistics are that only 3% of the people that are at least 100 lbs overweight are able to lose the weight AND keep it off without surgery. That's pretty grim.

I started full liquids today and was told I can incorporate cream soups (i.e. potato, tomato, mushroom). If the soup has chunks in it then it has to be blended. The rule of thumb is it has to be able to pass through a strainer. I've found the warm soups feel to me like real nourishment and give me a warm feeling in my tummy. They're a nice alternative to all the sweet stuff. Hope this helps.

I agree that people's experiences vary with this. Before my surgery I read a lot of people's posts about having no pain after surgery and yet that wasn't my experience. I woke up in recovery in pain (about a 9 on a 1-10 scale) and they had to sock the medicine to me to get it to subside. Now I'm home and 7 days out and I still have trouble getting out of chairs, the bed, etc. The incision spots are where my pain is. I even went to see my surgeon and he says it's normal. It does seem to get a little better each day, but I had hoped I would have bounced back quicker than this. I admit to taking no pain meds since the hospital because I hate the way they make me feel. I thought I'd just tough it out. I an a former marine and police officer. I do not have a low pain tolerance. I hope yours goes better than that. I know mine will heal soon, I am just an active person and I hate being tied down to something like this. Good luck to you! Note: I've never had any kind of surgery before and it surprised me that it took me down like that. I also want to say I have no remorse about my surgery and would do it again!I'm 34 lbs down from pre-op diet weight!

As for the drain, I'm 6 days post-op and I STILL have a drain in. I have to empty it 2 times a day and record the amount I get. It's sore most of the time where it comes out of my belly. It SUCKS! I have to keep it in until my appointment Thursday. So be happy you had yours out. I would say a soreness is completely normal.

Thanks I don't plan on doing it anytime soon. Just looking down the road a few months. I also don't plan on drinking a lot. Too many empty calories. for that. It's good to know that carbonation shouldn't be a problem. Thanks for your reply.

I've been curious of how the carbonation of beer works on our new stomachs. Any sleever out there an occasional beer drinker?

My surgeon said the protein powder I use should have at least 20 grams of protein per 8 ounce serving size and less than 12 grams of sugar per 8 ounce serving. I use BSN Lean Dessert. You can find it in many flavors on the Amazon site. I think it tastes pretty good.

I had my sleeve done Monday and I'm still in the hospital but supposed to get released today. I don't want to discourage you but right after surgery was pretty rough. Pain was managed through IV medicine. I had a catheter. It was an uncomfortae experience but not so bad that I woukdn't do it again. Major surgery is tough on your body but you can get through it. I feel much better after the 3rd day. Good luck.