Ian

5!

Hello, I am officially onto solids and a full unrestricted diet. I've noticed over the last week that my fullness doesn't seem to be triggered by pain under my ribs any longer. Seems I am fully healed up now and I am able to consume a lot more, the fullness is now much less noticeable and I worry if I'm eating too much as so many seem to have such tiny capacities. I know the rule was to chew your food to a mushy consistency but I'm wondering if I should chew a bit less now to keep solids more solid and let my new stomach do what its supposed to do and break down food? What do you all think?

I didn't even use my laptop, spent most of my time sleeping.

I've made it to the other side! Still in the hospital and in lots of pain, but I made, hoping for a speedy recovery

I hear you about the comments from the wait staff... I ordered a cup of chili for lunch the other day and got through maybe 1/2-3/4 of it, and when she came back and took it away it was obvious there was some left and she was like " Did you not like it?" and like you I had to assure her that I just couldn't eat much.. to which I'm sure she was like 'ya right fat guy' under her breath, but oh well.

I have lost 20lbs since surgery 3 weeks ago! I'd sure have loved for it to be more, but it did take almost a week to rid myself of the weight (water) I gained while in the hospital and going through surgery. So we are right about in the same boat, I'm thinking we're moving along just fine!

It's exactly what I expected, wanted and hoped for. I can eat, and make my own choices, I just cannot physically eat very much, so it forces portion control on you which is what my biggest problem was pre-sleeve

I'd say go for it.. I'm 3 weeks out today, and feel great, I spent the afternoon hiking some pretty intense woods today, no issues. My surgeon said wait 3 weeks, which is today, and then i can resume any activity I wish.

I had one, but it was gone before I awoke

Hello, I'm on day 4 of soft foods and just want to get some input, since some of you report very small stomach capacity. I know there is a bit of a learning curve here. For Breakfast the last couple days I have been having egg salad. 1 - 1/2 eggs (1 yoke) and 1 ts of light mayo. It makes about 3.5 ounces of egg salad. When I finish, I'm just starting to get the "Pressure" just under my ribcage that was described to me as full. for lunch and dinner I have been having about 2 ounces of lean hamburg meat, a little broccoli (maybe 4-5 small pieces) , and maybe a bite or two of re-fried Beans. There was one time where I had that constant pressure under my ribcage, it disapated after about 10-15 minutes when the food started moving. I just want to know from everybody whom as been through the mush stage what they think cause I really don't want to start any bad habits.. I am feeling hunger, but it's quickly gone as soon as I eat something. I am sticking to 3 small meals a day, no Snacks. When I drink fluids I can pretty much drink unrestricted.

Congrats! I'm only 2 weeks out now, but in the last month I'm down over 50lbs.. incredible! The cravings are still there, but I think in time I will learn to move on.. I get to go see Dr. Papasavas tomorrow.

I went to GNC recently cause I was having trouble with the protein shakes post surgery (lactose intolerance) and while it's mild, and I'm not really having issues with the whey (made with milk) the people at GNC suggested a soy protein powder line that they had.. Maybe give it a shot?

Hello All, I get to start the mushies tomorrow and I am very excited. It's been a long time coming and I am definitely ready. I do have a few questions however since i don't know what to expect. First, I have heard it mentioned on here many times, but what are the "slimes"? I can drink with very little restriction, the only negative effect from the surgery so far is that I do believe I am now lactose intolerant. I am 2 weeks out tomorrow, and have zero pain, zero issues drinking (almost able to gulp it seems). Not that I do gulp, but it feels like I might be able too. When I read through the post op diet I got from the surgeon there is a pretty wide variety of foods I am able to eat over the next 4 weeks. My question is that there are sample menu's for week 3-6 and week what is allowed during week 3 is vastly different then week 6 according to the sample menus, however the list for the whole mushie period doesn't specify when one can have them.. I'm wondering if I feel able, and my sleeve tolerates it ok, if it's ok to have what's on the week 4,5, or 6 menus during week 3??? I do plan on asking the surgeon, but I don't see him til Wednesday afternoon. Just thought I'd get some opinions here first.

Well I started day one by scrambling 1 egg. It was delicious! I only ate about 3/4 of it with about 5-6 bites, but probably could have eaten the whole thing, is this normal? I mean 5-6 bites before feeling anything from my stomach? I hear on here that most start eating and can only fit 2-3 bites at a time. After my last bite I only stopped out of fear to push the envelope so i didn't. opinions?

I gained 20lbs pre surgury, when I went for my pre-op appt, my surgeon was pissed.. Said lose what I gained or else. I started my pre-op diet a week early and lost 32lbs pre-op. So it worked out, but I dunno what would have happened if I had not. How much weight are you talking about, the liquid diet is pretty restrictive, it's easy to lose some weight.

I start mushies on tuesday (Cannot Wait), so my experience as of yet is little. But the point for eating so slowly from what I gather is mostly from a personal "fullness/satisfaction" from your meal stand point, and retaining that feeling until the next meal. If your content with your meals at this point and aren't found wanting, then I'm not sure what the big deal is?

Have you tried the Atkins ones? I have found that I am a bit lactose intolerant now, so they don't treat me well, but they are quite tasty. Available at BJ's by the case in chocolate, forget about the vanilla though, if you can find them, the Mocha is good too. I was ordering them from Amazon. Even the fruit Juice Shots arn't awful if you cut them with Crystal Light.

I hear you, I'm 9 days out today, and it was hard. My family is so social and it always revolves around food and booze.. There was such an amazing spread as my mother is a phenomenal cook, and all I wanted was to eat but I am still on full liquids as well. I took two "penny" size bites of turkey, but dared nothing else.. we are human anyway, and today is as tough a day as any you encounter all year, good news is, we'll be able to participate a bit more when it comes around next year.

With today's Hippa laws and such it is illegal for your employer to inquire about an absence. Ask your PCP if he/she would write a doctors note to get you out of work for your procedure in MX. Then when/If people at work ask about it, be discreet and don't say much. That's what I did, and nobody has had the balls to push the issue. a simple, "I'm not dying, just having a little operation" and be done with it. Of course you could come out with an outlandish story just for fun, like your getting a boob job ... A good story was on my list.

I was told upon discharge no pills larger then a pencil eraser.. I was also told to take a med just about that size and have been taking it since I got discharged 6 days ago with no problems.

I've been taking one 3 times a day as instructed by the nurses at the hospital. i'm 6 days out, and gas hasn't been too bad.

I was sleeved on Tuesday, and everything seems to be going very well. I am still sore, but overall, I am starting to feel like myself again. the lack of eating is a bit weird, but I am not feeling any hunger, just the normal gurgling from gas and your abdominal cavity figuring out what the hell has happened. My question is, how active have you guys become after surgery? My surgeon told me 2 weeks, and I can resume heavy lifting and full activity, and with the progression of my recovery that doesn't seem too far fetched, however I ski alot, and the season is beginning shortly. I'm curious if 2 weeks is long enough to take a good fall on the slopes and not mess anything up internally. I plan on asking these questions of my surgeon anyway when I see him for my 2 week post op appointment, but just thought I'd pose the question here to see what my new "peers" think.

I was sleeved on Tuesday and what you are describing sounds spot on to my self, the sharp pain from the gas seems less intense today then it was yesterday. I'm very happy that I am pretty much able to tolerate anything I put in so far.. seems like most sips create a bit of pain but it goes away quickly, I'm sure its just pressure building in your "new" stomach and pushing out on the incision line.. I was also told by the PA's and nurses that it is worse in the morning then in the evening.

I just arrived home, feels great to be laying on my own couch... over all things are not too bad i can get and walk on my own, roll from side to side in bed, and pretty much do a full sit-up to get up. still in a little pain, but right now its the spasms and gas that suck... i'm afraid to put anything in, although fluids are working ok... slow, but ok.

I think I am ready, but very nervous, I will be in tomorrow, surgery time 2:45 pm . Wish me luck!! In the last 3 weeks as Pre-op I've dropped 30lbs.. Let's hope it keeps melting off. I will update when I can!