PdxMan

So then, help those of us who don't get it, because this is where I struggle with understanding. You knew you had a bad relationship with food and knew you wanted to change that. You knew you had obesity related health issues which were doing you harm and wanted to be healthier. You knew that your eating habits were going to change and you would most likely need to start an exercise regimen to be successful. You knew this was not going to be easy. You knew all of this prior to surgery and all of this has come true. It sounds like you set your expectations correctly. So, then, what is your regrets? Early on, I mourned the loss of food as a comfort item, which, after going through it, made me realize how sick my addiction to food was. But I find that a blessing, not a regret.

Well ... to me, this begs the bigger question of just what we are willing to do to be successful in our journey. So, let me start off by saying, I'm not judging anybody, we all have our own journeys and our reasons for following that path. OK, that being said, the foods that you talk about are the processed, out of the box variety where you don't have much control over the content. It has been these types of products which attributed to my obesity. Bottom line for me, is I prepare pretty much all of my foods from scratch. Just started making my own yogurt after I took a long look at the ingredients. HOLY COW! When did yogurt become junk food? I missed that one. I'll have the occasional Protein shake (Premier), which I approve of the ingredient list. I do have salad dressings which are higher in fat than I would like, but I gotta have my blue cheese. I didn't get the sleeve to restrict my menu, just my portions. When I prepare all of my food, I know what is going in and I can control the amounts. I know a lot of people are going to jump up and down saying, "It takes too long ... I don't know how to cook healthy meals ... It's only me eating and I don't want it to go to waste." Here is what I say to that ... I am a parent of two young kids who is a Scout leader and work well over 50 hours a week. I also have other side projects which take my time. All of the recipes I cook with are available on the internet with instructions. I cook huge portions and toss the leftovers into jelly jars which I take out on my way to work or pull out for dinner. You can have total control over what you put into your body. If you do this, then you don't really need to worry about eating the one-off packaged meal.

I assume you are pre-surgery. The purpose of the sleeve for me, is a tool which restricts the portion sizes. That's it. Nothing more. Nothing less. I can eat any and every food. It is up to me to make healthy decisions and my success with the sleeve is based on those decisions. Not everyone gets WLS to become skinny. They may just want to lose enough weight to get off of their myriad of medications. They are not wanting to make dietary changes ... just eat less of the crap they currently eat. The sleeve will help them do that. Other people are looking to change their relationship with food. Not just eating less, but eating well balanced, nutritious meals and maybe even start exercising. That is the journey I choose. My stomach has a capacity of about 8 oz, so I must choose the best bang for my buck nutritionally. I have a salad with all sort of good stuff in it every couple days. I love them. But know that you have to progress slowly up to having something like a spinach and kale salad. Lettuces are very fibrous and difficult to digest. Even with a normal stomach, so, with having 85% of the stomach removed, it's mechanical ability is impaired for a while, so don't push it.

Uh, sorry ... there are many types of stents. Could you be more specific?

I have noticed this, too, and I have been a member here now for almost two years. I think Amanda is spot on. The surgery is becoming more popular and people are getting it done because, "I know a friend who had it done and they look great," so, they jump in without really doing the proper research. They don't realize the recovery time from a surgery alone is difficult, then add in the whole eating component, and they are like, "WTF!!" Sad news is, it's is only going to get worse as more and more people jump in without looking. All they know is that their friend is skinny now and they want to be skinny, too. Like some folks out there who criticize WLS, these folks think this is an easy answer to obesity. When they learn it isn't, they have regrets.

I always repeatedly post to new sleevers to focus first on water before protein. Dehydration will land you back in the hospital faster than anything. The first week or so is difficult, for sure. But, I knew it was going to be.

My apologies to the OP, but has anyone reflected on as to the OP's use of punctuation?

Huh? An egg scrambled and placed between two slices of toast? Regular bread? And when you say omelette, I think of a couple eggs, cheese, onions, peppers ... So, if you are eating my definition of what you are talking about, then yes, that seems like an awful lot one month out.

I'm curious about this, too. I am almost 21 months out and I can eat half of a 6" Subway Tuna sub with the bread.

As long as your incision scars are healed over, you are fine for the pool.

Take a second on your mortgage (interest is deductible) tap an IRA (needs to be re-paid within 60 days so a penalty is not incurred) talk to friends and family or get a loan. How's your credit? I was self-pay and did the 2nd on my mortgage. Had it paid off 13 months later.

I understand these feelings, too. In the first month or two, it was like, "OMG, what the heck have I done to myself?!" I used (abused) food as a comfort, and it no longer fit the bill. I had to confront some things in my life and confront my relationship with food. I knew it would happen, I just wasn't fully prepared for the depth and scope of the reality of how I used food. I would sit and watch people with huge plates of food and be jealous. Buuuut ... after some time, that, too, changes. I got over this period and now when I see people with huge plates of food, I am thankful that I don't have to do that anymore. My blood work is perfect and I feel great. I've been told that I look pretty good now, too, but that is merely icing on the cake. I know that I most likely will not be damaging my body with obesity related issues. It is important to note that the first couple months are the hardest and I think it would be tough to find anyone who, at some point during this phase, didn't at least once say, "OMG, what did I do?" Just know that after some time, everything does return to normal, except being limited to smaller portions. The feelings of not being able to go out anymore or function in social settings has nothing to do with the sleeve. These are issues going on between your ears. I just got back from a lunch at an Italian restaurant with 6 other men. Myself and another got to-go boxes and everyone else cleaned their plates. I ate about 1/3 of a grilled chicken Caesar salad. Nobody said a word about what I ate. Other people's actions and behaviors have no bearing on my actions and behaviors. As the old saying goes ... This too, shall pass. I believe for a gross majority of us, it does and I pray it will for you, too, Lucky. (And everyone else struggling early on) BTW, I'm 21 months out, been at goal for a year and maintaining fine. I follow the guidelines of Protein first, then good carbs after. I don't drink with my meals unless I need to increase my calories. I just returned to a little exercise since having 2 back surgeries in the past 7 months. I enjoy bowls of ice cream and love chocolate chip Peanut Butter Cookies. I struggled early on, but now I would do it again in a heartbeat. I think hearing from sleevers early in the process is important, but I would ask that you return to this thread in 8 months and tell us if you feel the same way. I'm guessing you might sing a different tune.

Woo Hoo! Perfect. I love hearing this. Don't let what other people say get you down. The next time someone asks why you don't look smaller, just say, "No, I'm doing great. By the way, I can get you my surgeon's information if you'd like it." That will shut them up. Like Traci says, stalls can last for awhile. It is a natural part of this journey. Just keep doing the right things and it will happen.

Just to echo SouthernSoul, find out if bariatric procedures are covered under your insurance. I found a local surgeon, went to the seminar and started jumping through the hoops only to find out later my insurance didn't cover WLS. I had to restart everything as the self-pay route for this surgeon was $35K for a sleeve. Not an option. I ended up quite happy going to Dr Thomas Umbach in Las Vegas (baby!) for $10,400, outpatient. So, find out your coverage first, then procedure from there.

Track everything in MyFitnessPal. I know ... it's a pain in the butt, but do it. Get into the habit now, it will pay dividends later. When you exercise, are you working up a big sweat or just going through the motions? You gotta get your heart rate up for exercise to count, IMO. Don't use the scale. Give yourself a one month break. It can only provide discouragement which can lead to cheating. Get your liquids up. Just keep doing the right thing and it will happen. This is one of the reasons why I think it does us no good to share that we are having the surgery. Other people just don't understand the process.

Hmmm ... just over 2 months out from surgery ... obviously your expectations where FAR larger than your reality. Perhaps some more research prior to surgery may have helped to right-size your expectations, but alas, here we are. Let's take a look at your "complaints": Sip, Sip, sip.... This is true. You are not going to be able to chug liquids like you may have been accustomed to, but as time progresses, you will move out of the sip stage What can I eat? will it hurt my tummy? yes it hurts my tummy? Everything hurts! 9 out of 10 days are bad food days! 2 months out, you should be out of puree stage and eating real foods. If it hurts, this is your body's way of letting you know that you are doing something wrong. Either: taking too big of bites, not chewing well enough, eating too quickly, or a combination of all three. Yes, you are going to have to change that. We can no longer shovel food down our throat. Take a small bite, put your utensil down, chew well and evaluate how your stomach feels before taking another bite. Just because there is food on your plate in front of you doesn't mean you have to eat it. When you put your portion on your plate, start putting half of the amount on it. You can always go back and get another bit. Invited to eat lunch with a friend... Oh what can I eat.. oh yeah, I can't eat anything in a social setting! Invited to dinner with friends... I'll order food just move it around my plate... get a to go box.... order Water just so I don't look silly! Remember I can't eat in a social setting! It is amazing to read so many threads with this similar theme. Trust me, people really aren't watching what and how much you eat. You and your eating habits really aren't the focus of everyone else's life. I know it feels that way now since food and its consumption is the focus of our lives, but everybody else really doesn't care. If someone does mention something, just say you just really aren't that hungry right now. I always ordered soup early on when out with friends and co-workers. Went out several times and people never really mentioned anything about my eating. Must eat alone so I can concentrate on how big of a bite, how I must chew, chew, chew! Uh ... it does take practice to learn new habits, but this isn't as difficult as riding a bike, so, yes, you can practice this in public. Constant bloating and gas! Gas X goes every where with me! Waking up every single night since surgery at 3 am ish so nauseous.... must keep water by my bed... helps the nausea What are you eating? Are you eating late night? Do you eat prior to laying down? Seeing that you say eating is painful, try eating less more often. Talk to your Dr about getting a PPI. Invited for drinks with friends... Oh what can I drink? No beer.... nothing too sweet! Oh crap! What I did drink hurts my stomach... Sorry friends to break up the party I must go home.... I am sick... AGAIN! There are far more non-fizzy drinks out there than not. You can figure this out. If you really can't, let me know. I bar-tended for years through college. Sex? What is that? Non exsistant is what it is! Weak, tired, eating, drinking, bloating, gas is what I think about not sex! What do they say ... 75% of sex happens between the ears? Looking at your current state of mind, this is not surprising. Once you right-size your expectations, put on your big-girl pants and start embracing your new life, this will change. My hair is falling out by the handfulls! Yup. Good to know you are normal in this area. It will continue for the next couple months and then it will start growing back. A year from now you will never know it happened. And no, your co-workers are not gathering at the water cooler discussing your hair. I know we would all like to think we are the center of everyone else's life, but I have bad news for you ... you're not.

Uh ... screaming in pain when they removed the catheter? Really? Well, I suppose if they didn't deflate it or deflate it completely, but that is highly unlikely. It is a funky sensation and I can see where you would be caught off guard if you weren't aware it was being done, but screaming in pain? Hmmm ... I would say this is the 1% case. Pain meds shut down my urinary system. Just can't go. Tried all the tricks. Nope. So, anytime I am on them for an extended period of time, it's time to take out my little buddy. I've had two back surgeries in the past 6 months, so, you gotta do what you gotta do. As I said, it really isn't that painful. Granted, for myself, I use a straight cath versus a Foley catheter, which has a little balloon on the end which gets inflated once in the bladder so it stays. You then deflate it and pull it out. Funky as all get out, yes, but pain? I really don't think we have that many nerves on the surface of our urethra. Especially for a woman. I mean come on, your bladder is only like 3 inches in. How much pain can you be in for 3 inches of a tube being pulled out? Passing a watermelon through a garden hose, yes, I can understand where that is painful, but a catheter? Like I said, they must not have deflated it all the way, so, yes, mention this to the Dr when you see them so they can tell the staff to ensure they have completely deflated the balloon prior to removal.

From WebMD: What kind of calcium supplement should you take? "I tell my patients to take the kind that they tolerate best and is least expensive," Bolster says. She says she recommends calcium carbonate because "it's inexpensive, won't cause discomfort, and is a good source of calcium." Some people may have problems producing sufficient stomach acid, or may be taking medications that suppress acid production. For them, says Puzas, a calcium citrate supplement might be better because it "dissolves a little better than calcium carbonate for these people." I bolded the part the relates to us sleevers. Remember, we had 85% of our stomachs removed. We are not going to produce the amount of stomach acid *normal* people do.

No catheter here.

I just re-read my post from your quote and realized what I wanted to say at the end was, " ... and before you know it, you don't know the other person well enough to share the most basic details of your life." Meaning you barely acknowledge the other person's existence. We get so comfortable that we get too comfortable. There may be something going on in his life and he just doesn't feel he can share this with you. Here you are doing something great in your life and he is left behind in his same old rut. Grant you, he is not handling it well, but not everyone does. How about having him read this thread? It would be a great ice breaker for starting a conversation you two obviously need to have if this marriage is to survive, assuming you want it to.

I wouldn't base anything on your hunger level. The mind is a pretty tricky thing. But I am surprised you are able to eat the kinds of foods you are able to without pain at even 6 weeks. I would talk to your PCP about getting an endoscopy or get a referral to a gastrointernist to have one done. I know it is hard to fight that hunger gorilla. It used to scream in my ear. I hated it and is one of the reasons I had the surgery. I am sorry to hear it is screaming in your ear, still, but try to fight it. Continue to follow the guidelines rigorously. It may just take some time. Be sure to eat well balanced meals and avoid drinking with your meals. Just stop. Talk to your PCP or your surgeon and see if you can get scoped. BTW, I tried beef at about 12 weeks and couldn't do more than one bite it was so uncomfortable. 6 months I tried again and was fine.

WOW! Hmmm ... I don't know what to say except I am absolutely amazed that you are able to eat steak 5 weeks out? Actually ... it should be causing you a great deal of pain ... and you have pain, right? And this was on your approved list at 5 weeks out? And eating a breast of chicken 5 weeks out? I think I might know the source of your pain ... you have this pain and you go back to eating the same foods again? Uh, I think you may be dealing with some head hunger, here. There is no way you should be eating these foods 5 weeks out. Laura (or anyone else), am I off based here? Another thing ... TV dinners ... ditch them. No more of those. Oye.

At 5 weeks out, what are you eating that is dry? What does your day look like, food-wise?

Just to confirm ... you do NOT drink 15 minutes prior to eating, while you're eating or for half an hour AFTER you eat? When you eat, you start with LEAN Protein first. And again, not processed out of a box kind of thing with breading or any other junk? You are chewing well and wait in between bites evaluating how you feel, putting your utensil down after each bite? NOT eating chips and all the other gunk we used to eat?