mnbsleeve

I really loved your post! It wa moving an inspiring! Congratulations to you and Happy New Birth Day!!! Thanks for posting!

I need help from the pros out there! I'm feeling a bit discouraged and, frankly a bit concernd! I was sleeved 6/6 and will be four weeks out this monday. I have been stalled in my weight since week two! I lost about 1 1/2 earlier this week, but it came back!!! My total loss has been 25 lbs. , 10 pre-surgery and 15 since my surgery. I drink all my fluids (about 64oz. +), I am on mushies and, while I stuggle with my liquid Proteins, I am getting at 70 per day. My total calories are between 500 and 600 max. Carbs are below 20, generally closer to 10 to 12. I was very active before the surgery but now doc want's me to only walk. I am cleared for more strenuous work outs (i.e, spin, and my bike) at minimum of 4 to 6 weeks out - which is coming up. Woo hoo!!! How can this be happening? I expected to work for my weightloss and knew that at some point, like many of you, I'd have to move much more to get my one lbs. or so loss per week. But this soon? It seems many are are still loosing a bit more this early on. I know everybody is different but, like I said, I'm a little scarred because this is a lot to go through and I still have a good 90 lbs. to go!!!! Any help, suggestions, ideas and encouragement are sooooo welcomed and appreciated! Thanks inadvance guys!!! MNB

HI Cathi, I had a lot of second thoughts before surgery. I would fluctuate between feeling confident and freaking out. People on this board helped me to see that just about everyone goes throught the sampe process. Like the other person that posted, I don't feel intense hunger or craving, but I have had some hunger. The thing is, it tends to resolve quickly. I'm just out 4 weeks on monday and I am in the mushies stage. I am ready for more "real" food BUT, I don't have that experience of gnawing hunger that won't let you think. I also don't get that super full feeling since, if you get clos,e it becomes more of a discomfort than a comfort. So I eat slowly and pay attention to my body. I'm starting to feel so normal that I noticed at times a tendency to take off eating much faster, but I stop mysel. I would have to describe this phase for me as more of "using my head" to take in nutrition. From others I know things really normalize much more as time goes on. It is a process though. I hope this somewhat helpfull to you! I can tell you that your fears and concerns are totatlly normal and very much like lots of people here. Good luck to you. We will all be rooting for you!!! PS: I hope you're checking out YouTube. There are lots of great videos from folks who describe their experiences and talk about what and how much they are eating as they progress throught the stages. Everyone is different!!! and it gives you a sense of the types of things you may experience.

This is a great idea. I'm having a really hard time with the shakes and getting my protein in. I'm just about 3 1/2 weeks out. I actually was doing better early on and now I am just disgusted. Every day is a struggle. The only problem I see is that I would have to get down an entire cup of penut butter for one scoop of protein. Do you use a particular protein powder with a higher content of protein? The best I could find is Nectar and it has 23 grams of protein per scoop. Sometimes I will put a scoop and a half into 8 oz of wanter so that I can get more protein in in a single "torture session" :-)

I have no idea about this. Back when the dinosaurs roamed the earth, I wore a size 6. But I haven't been out of size 20+ since.... well, since the dinosaurs roamed the earth. I'll let you know my experience with new sizing when I get there!

WOOOWWWW!!! You're looking awesome!!! 50 lbs gone is no small thing!!! and it's showing beautifully. Keep it up!!!!!! Thanks for posting, very inspiring!!!!!

LOL!!!!! Amen to that!!!!!! :-)

All I can say is VA VA VOOM!!!! You look amazing!!!!!!!!

I'm so glad your family is being supportive. I know what a difference that makes. I love the way you listed all your thoughts/experiences!!! I felt better just reading them LOL They are many of the same things I felt!!! I will be three weeks tomorrow. Each little phase has its challenges but it really does get better. For me there was this "magical" turning point around day 6ish where I made a huge jump in wellness. I know it's different for everyone. Sending you all my best and lots of well wishes that this stinky phase is over soon!!!!!!

Hi Tex! I also wanted to chime in to wish you luck. It's already been said, but most of us have the same fears. The morning of my surgery I could not believe I was actually doing it. I am three weeks out tomorrow! I still can't believe I did it! The first day or two are the hardest because you are under medication and things are settling. It's expected. But nothing insurmountable. I'm sure you've checked out youtube as well. There are lots of folks who record their journey. Something that helped me immensely. I think of this option as a blessing, a technological advance not unlike say IVF for infertilily without which many would not have their families. We are among the lucky ones that this new science is available to help us - It just wasnt here for those before us a few years back. In the begining these things do seem scarrier because they are not as well known to the general public so the reactions tend to be crappy LOL. Anyway, I know lots of good people have already posted some wonderful things that I am sure have inspired you. So, I will just say once again, best of luck. I look forward to hearing more about your progress and, like I was told at my begining, we'll save you a place on the looser's bench!!!!!

WOW!!!!! How great is that!!!! And you know what? with 100 lbs. gone you COULD climb on the roof to yell! :-) CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!

Hi Karelia, So much has already been said that I don't have much more to add. However, it occured to me, could the IE therapist help you sort out some of these issues and figure out if the sleeve would fit with your lifestyle around food? Perhaps she could be a good resource for understanding the role this surgery would play in your life and if it really is something that would benefit you or set you back - which I'm understanding in essence is a concern for you. I know how difficult it is to make such an irreversible, life altering decision. Regardless of your path, I wish you all the luck in the world and hope you can get some clarity and resolve this struggle! All my best!

Hey guys! I did NOT start this post... but THANK YOU TO ALL!!! Great ideas and suggestions!!!! What a great thread!!! Thanks to the topic starter and to all who commented!!!

LOL!!!!!! Glad someone said somthing!!!! I had the same experience!!! LOL Thanks for the laugh! :-)

There are a lot of great suggestions posted here already. I just wanted to add what has been working for me. I had similar experiences with the chewables. I take liquid vitamines. I use a brand called Blue Bonnet. They also make calcium. Now that I am on mushies (I'm just three weeks out) I have also introduced the gummies everyone is talking about. I'm having some trouble with taste, proteins and such so I found that mixing it up between the two helps me get them in. I'm going to be looking at some of the ideas posted here as well. This forum is just a wealth of support and suggstions!

What a great experience!!! Yay for you!!!! Your post is so helpfull. It's nice to know we can get to this point! Thanks for posting and congratulations on a great success!!!

Sending positive thoughts and prayers that you heal quickly. You will get through this!!!!

Me too!!! I'm almost three weeks out next monday. The first week I WAS HUNGRY! lol I was really worried they didn't sleeve me!!! It did get better. Now I am on mushies and I get hungry but it subsides quite quickly when I eat or have my shake... even when I don't eat. I have to watch that. I was kind of glad to have some hunger because now I know I will still enjoy food and the act of eating. At times it feels like I'm just putting in nourishment but not really "eating". I feel like the astronauts might feel eating out of tubes LOL

I just read all of these posts and I was so happy to read that things are working out!!! sounds like you really set your mind to it and you DID IT!!! Congratulations on your efforts. I also wanted to wish you luck and let you know we will all be here rooting for you and looking forward to hearing how things are going post op!

Hi Tina! Welcome to this board and congratulations on having the procedure done! Yes, there are some very amazing, wonderful people on this board. It is an incredibly supportive community. I've also just been sleeved three weeks this coming Monday. I also can't believe I did it!!!! I am looking forward thought to getting past this phase of mushies and then soft foods where everything tastes kind strange... and mostly tiring! :-) I feel very encourged by all the people here. Glad you're here! Looking forward to reading more about your progress!

Sounds like you're right on target!!! I'm just three weeks out on Monday and it does get easier. Feels like each phase has its challenges. But on this board I've learned that things get better and life gets back to normal... only better! :-) Congratulations!

That's awesome!!! I saw your pics too! What amazing changes in just two months!!!! Congratulations!!!!!

I can't say for certain if I can make it at this point. I have a HUGE deadline I am behind on. But I am certainly going to try! I'd love to mee you wonderful ladies in person. Thanks for organizing!

Amanda! That is fantastic!!! Congratulations!!! and thank you for your post!!!!

Yes, I had to pay ahead of time, at registration. Good luck with your surgery!!!!