cynthiap05

I look at it this way. You ever go to a restaurant for one of those fancy tasting menus or multiple course meals where they start you off with an amuse bouche? I view my food like that. So when I go out and there's something I really want, I take that one bite and savour it. I don't wolf it down and allow myself to be sad that's all I can have.
I eat chocolate. Most times I like the fancy stuff, Godiva, Vosges, Perugina Baci, etc..... but sometimes I just want a Hershey's kiss or a Reeces. I pop that one piece in my mouth and slooooowly let it sit on my tongue and melt. It's not an every day thing for me, so when I have it I want to make it special.

no regrets at all.it feels great to get off the yoyo dieting for good!!

Gosh let me go into detail about what my surgery was like. EASY.
I went in on Thursday. When I woke up in recovery I had to pee. I was given the option of bedpan or toilet. I choose toilet. I was able to sit up unassisted and get into the wheelchair. I was surprised at how little it hurt. My abs felt like I done a really vigorous workout the day before. When I got to the bathroom, I darn near ran inside! I really had to go from all the IV fluids. I spent quite a bit of time in recovery because the room I was assigned to wasn't ready. My mother was there and we chatted and watched tv. I went to the bathroom 2 more times in recovery. The nurses were impressed I could get out of the bed on my own and allowed me to walk to the bathroom instead of using the wheelchair. I was given a cup of ice chips to suck on.
After about 2 hours in recovery I was finally taken up to my room. Since I was walking they didn't use the compression things for my legs. They offered me the morphine pump and I explained I didn't really have any pain. I turned on the tv chilled. Later that evening my sister came by. She had my iPhone and iPad. I had her plug in the charger. The evening was spent talking on the phone to friends, playing candy crush on the iPad and watching tv. Later the nurse brought in colace (stool softener) and omeprazole (antacid). I was given Jello, broth, tea and Prosource no carb liquid Protein. I sipped on the Liquid Protein and ice chips. Meanwhile I was still peeing like crazy. I had an overactive bladder prior to surgery and since they were still running IV fluids it was coming out as fast as it came in. The nurse thought it was funny that I was in the bathroom every time she came in. They checked the drain and took my vitals. I was offered the morphine pump but I explained I didn't have any pain. (I also didn't have any nausea). I ate too large a piece of ice and vomited a little. The next day was more of the same. Since I was drinking well they disconnected the IV, but left the PICC line in. Friday afternoon I asked if I could go home early. They said probably not, they preferred to watch me for another day. Again with meds, broth, Liquid Protein, ice chips. I was careful to keep the ice piece small and take slow, sips of the liquid Protein and Water. The nurse asked who would be taking care of me and offered to arrange a visiting nurse. They finally took the morphine pump out since I wasn't using it.
Saturday I was told I could go home. I was happy to finally get that PICC line taken out. The drain being pulled felt odd, but didn't really hurt.
Home was easy. I was on all liquids to start and gradually added back in foods. I have tolerated everything I eat. I can and have eaten out many times. IHop, my favorite diner, a Japanese rest. I don't eat much. Everything ends up being a doggy bag, but I eat more than 5 bite. Probably a ¼ - ½ cup. I was allowed to drive after 2 weeks. I was back in the gym at 3 weeks. I had a bit of discomfort with acid and the doctor increased my omeprazole to 40 mgs a day and now its fine. I had my first BM on Monday, 2 days after discharge. I have been regular every since. I go at least once a day. Occasionally 2 -3 times a day depending on what I eat/drink.
Meanwhile I am losing steadily. I don't weigh more than monthly but as of 2 weeks ago, I am down 55lb since my surgery on 9/18/14. I tolerate every food I have tried so far. I have zero regrets.

I am almost 7 months out and down 106 pounds since surgery, 180 pounds from my highest weight. I still regret having the sleeve done. There are so many foods I can't eat, my stomach hates everything except a couple bites of steak (then I'm really full) or king crab leg. I can't eat ground beef, ground veal, chicken of any kind, eggs, Pasta, gosh I can't tell you what all it doesn't like, but I know within two bites. The things it hates it really hates and occasionally I can have something that I know is "off" but the next time it's fine. I would love to be able to eat a real meal. More than two bites of meat, one bite of a vegetable and then set my timer and wait for my half hour to pass so I can drink something or have a popsicle. I still can't eat anymore than somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 cup of food at a sitting. When I was told I'd be able to eat 1/2 a sandwich ... I don't know when that will ever happen cause it sure isn't today.
I still have to carry something to drink in the vehicle, and things to snack on. It's not as bad as early on, but just last night hubby and I went shopping and I had to stop at a gas station to get unsweetened tea and sweet and low to be able to drink something. That was poor planning on my part though. Hubby misses going out for dinner or lunch. I'm having lunch with my sister on Monday and I know it will be 5 spoons of some kind of Soup at a local restaurant and then I'll be taking the rest home.
I hate taking +20 different OTC Vitamins and supplements as well as some regular prescription drugs. I hate the constant Constipation. I have had a regular "poop" less than I have fingers on one hand. Everything else has been done with lots of blood in the toilet (hemorrhoids) and laxatives. The span can be anywhere from 5 days to 13 days and when the day comes that I have to go ... I can't leave the house, just wait for the laxative to take effect.
That said, I love being in a size 18 jean and large top. I love the look on friends faces when they see the "new" me and know my voice but not the body. I'm even enjoying the exercise. I do hate the excess skin. I discovered today I won't be able to wear short sleeved clothing this spring/summer, it'll have to be elbow length blouses because all the skin fell and is hanging around my elbows, looking like elephant skin. The same this goes for my knees. I have a powder prescribed by my doctor for the lap that's hanging and suffocating my front bottom part, where the skin is infected all the time ... two showers a day.
I had surgery to save my life (literally) the cardiologist said I would be dead in 7 years (5 years now) and I wanted to live longer and not leave my husband ... in that regard, it is working. Sorry this is so long, just pouring out my heart.
Good luck and I hope you did this for the right reasons, it'll come back to you if you did and you'll be happy.

What you are going through is totally and completely normal. You just had major surgery, you can't eat and you feel like crap. I think someone who didn't think to themselves "What the hell did I do to myself!?" even for a split second wouldn't be normal. It gets better, I promise. Once you find your way, establish your new "normal", and see the weight coming off, you will feel much better. You will be probably be giving the same advice to a newbie in 5 months or so Hang in there and welcome to the losers bench!

It gets so much easier, I promise. At 2.5 weeks, I was miserable and tired and had so much trouble even just drinking my Water. I wondered if I would ever feel "normal" again. I was feeling pretty normal by maybe 1.5 months post op. Now I'm almost 5 months post-op and definitely back to normal. Hang in there!

Glad to hear it isn't just me that gets that way!!
⛵️♌️

Once a cheater always a cheater. Two days post, I couldn't take the broth anymore, so I went to Sonic and ordered a Jr. Cheeseburger with mustard, ketchup and onions. I chewed each bite about 20 times and spit it all back into the bag. Pretty nasty, but the taste, woooo weee. I felt like a fat kid in a candy shop. Awesome. But to actually eat, 5 days out, went to this great seafood place to Celebrate a major event in our family and had oysters on a half shell. Went down smooth of course and sat well. That was the same fat kid in the candy shop, but actually eating the candy.

I bought medical grade gene pro unflavored Protein. One table spoon if it is 30g or Protein. I use 2 tablespoons in a coffee mug, add a splash of milk, hold my nose and chug it down in 2-3 swallows. That's 60g of protein first thing in the morning. Then I don't have to stress. Then before bed, I take 1 tablespoon with a swig of milk. So I'm getting well over 100g a day (including diet). I too was struggling hard getting my protein because I couldn't stand the smell, let alone the taste. With that being said, the unflavored still has a smell which is why I hold my nose.
You can order GENEPRO on Amazon or get it at GNC. It really was a lifesaver for me
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I sure hope your reading all this because it took me forever to type that up!

I would venture to say the majority of us felt ready to eat solids earlier than what our Drs said. Going against their plan is a whole other ball game I didn't want to chance.
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Hi All,
Couldn't find another thread so will just ask...
I'm exactly 1 week post op and since yesterday (day 6) I've started trying a few 'solid foods' in the UK we're told after a sleeve to have liquids for 3 weeks, then puree for 3 then move to more solid food. But I've always been a quick healer, and for some reason I just knew in my head I felt ok to try something, I've had a thin slice of cheese, a strawberry, a mousse dessert (yogurt) and a small piece of soft potato. All of these I chewed until they basically didn't exist in my mouth before swallowing, but I've experienced no nausea, sickness or cramping.
I understand I couldn't eat a proper meal as I could over stretch whilst still healing, and I am literally nibbling tiny mouthfuls and chewing until I can't even notice the food in my mouth anymore but is this normal? It's becoming really hard to stomach just Soup and milk etc when I feel ready to eat more solid food. I completely understand the risk of rushing the process and I will allow myself time to heal fully but would like to know id this has happened to anyone else?

Are you taking an acid reducer? It's more likely acid or head hunger. If you're "hungry" - have something from your plan.

This is kind of a gross analogy, but picture finding your stomach lying in the street all beat up with a bat and needing 30 stitches. Would you expect that stomach to handle meat and veggies and apple pie? Nope. Not even hamburgers or fig bars. It is going to need fluids and pureed foods for a minute until it gets some functionality back.
Go easy on your new tummy. It has been through a lot. Your new stomach is your new boss now. You will find out soon enough. The hamburgers and Wendy's chili will still be there next month. Tell your taste buds to scram for a while. This is not pleasure time. It is muddle through the first month, then regular foods will be on the near horizon.
From what I know about my own instructions and what I have seen others post, the process varies - a lot. Mine was full liquids at day three. Purees at week 1 1/2, soft foods at 2 1/2 weeks and whole foods at 4 1/2 weeks. Not ashamed to say that my first stop on the way home from that visit, was Wendy's - and yes, I got the chili.

How big are your bites, and are you giving yourself 30 minutes with no drinking, before you start eating? I'm just over two weeks out (9/23 surgery) and I'm on mushy foods, I can eat meatballs, eggs, and chili with no problem...but my bites are very, very small and I make sure they are pureed consistency before I swallow them. Then I wait a minute or so before I take another bite. I'd say my bites are around the size of a pencil's eraser, or just a little bit bigger. You gotta remember, your stomach is now basically the size of an egg or so and it's still probably inflamed from the surgery, still healing. You can also cause it to swell by stressing the staple line, so you may have some more swelling that is causing it trouble. My surgeon suggests that if you have trouble like this when you haven't been before, to go back to a clear liquid diet for a day or two and see if that helps. It may allow the inflammation to subside. Grab some of the clear Protein drinks like Isopure (40g Protein per bottle) and drink two of those a day, plus another 25-30 oz of Water. You'll have met both your protein and your Water requirements on those days.
More important, don't FORCE anything. If you're not able to do three meals, do two meals and focus on Protein Drinks the rest of the time. It's just a process and you don't have to be perfect, but you DO want to make sure you get your protein and water needs met. If that means holding off on mushy foods a bit while you heal, then do that. It takes about six weeks for your stomach to heal up, so we are still in the middle of that. Right now, eating stuff is basically just to train your stomach and get it processing food again, it's not really for nutrition - you still have to get most of the Proteins from drinks. So if your stomach is just not dealing with it right now, don't try to make it. Give it a break.

I am 6 days post op, and I have had that same feeling. Especially the first three days after surgery. It hurts and feels like a spasm. I think like suzzzz said it is caused by swelling. When we swallow it is so narrow at the stomach opening that it hurts until it gets into the stomach. I'm no doctor but that's what I have thought, and now 6 days past surgery that feeling is getting a lot better and way less frequent.

I had it. I called my surgeon and they prescribed a mouth wash. The worse part was how bad the thrush made my breath smell. It was awful! I also invested in a tongue brush/scraper...I found it at Target with the toothbrushes.
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Getting the Fluid is is very challenging. Not sure when to eat or sip or what not. I try my hardest to get it in but if I don't I'm not going to beat myself up over it.
@@toli all you can do is try!! Good luck

I was sleeved last Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday night, Thursday, and Friday were awful. But on Saturday, things started to improve and have steadily gotten better every day. Now, at Day 8 post-op, I am feeling pretty good. I have to remember that my body is still in a fragile state and that I can't overdo things (or pick up things -- that is the one that is killing me), but overall, I am comfortable.
Just keep powering through this bad part. Good things and good times are on the horizon.

I'm doing the hiatal hernia story too. I plan to tell people I had complications and have a hard time eating then I will Segway into getting a trainer and stuff. I work in a hospital, it's gossip city. I'm usually open and honest but they'll resent me for taking time off for this so I choose to remain private. To each his own.
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I'm not planning to tell anyone about my personal medical decisions. It has nothing to do with shame. It has to do with people thinking they have the right to get up in your business and offer unwelcome judgement and advice. No thanks. Sent from my LGLS992 using the BariatricPal App

I got a food saver and I love it. It's impossible to cook our sized meals so now I make an entire roast or pork tenderloin and divvy it into small portions and vacuum seal them for the freezer. They keep forever and I have lots of variety cuz I don't have to eat what I cook for a whole week now.
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I only quit for several weeks after surgery.


Now.....I'd rip a fool's arm off an beat 'em with it if they tried to take my coffee.< br />

Java is serious bidness.

My husband had most of his stomach removed in 2004 due to cancer. He is very thin but never big to begin with. He is anemic and needs Vitamins. His surgeon told us then that people can live without any stomach,, the intestines will do the work. The doctor has never worried about his weight.

Anyone notice they have to pee less after surgery even though drinking more?
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