PdxMan

A bezoar is the word to search for on Google and the WLS sites. Raw coconut is fiberous. The skin of the corn nibblet falls into the same category. That is why you can see it, well ... after your body processes it ... sorry for the visual there, but ... http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/1550-obstructed-by-a-bezoar-has-anyone-else-heard-of-this/

Looks like some good stuff. Just make sure you are taking the correct amount for your purposes. According to the nutritional information, 3 scoops is 79 grams which contains 60 grams of Protein. Unless you are doing some serious weight lifting, your body cannot process that amount like you may be wanting. You cannot make a shake with three scoops and believe you have satisfied your WLS protein requirements for the day. There are a lot of articles out in the Googleverse that talk about the max amount of protein your body can actually absorb in a single sitting. It varies based on your activity level, but you will see 30 grams as an average. Depending on your story, your requirements may be higher or lower than 30, but as I mentioned, to be able to absorb 60, you have to be a serious lifter requiring serious muscle repair.

Yeah, I'm sorry to hear that you went through this, but I think it is one of those things most of us have to experience to have that understanding that things are different now. We can't drink and/or eat at the pace we used to. We have to slow things down which, for some of us, can only be learned by having an experience such as yours. I know I had to cross the line, but I didn't do it again!!

I have told co-workers that I am taking my wife out for a special evening later and I don't want to fill up on this food ... especially mexican!! If they continue to question, ask them in a non-confrontational way, "I'm just curious. Why are you so concerned about what I am ordering?" That will be the end of it.

Well, the good news is ... never. You have to find your new normal. By the time your stomach heals (~6 weeks) and you are able to eat solids, you begin to figure out what you can and cannot eat. This is a huge adjustment for some while others have been preparing for it. What do you mean I can't eat a plate of gooey nachos and a bag of Cheetos!! Yeah, well, those days are over for me ... I'm not returning to that 'normal' So, if you mean normal as not feeling like you just had surgery, I would say a couple weeks, but again, so much is going on with our bodies even then ... I never have felt the same way as I did before surgery, so ... again, you have to find your new normal. A month out, I was down a large amount of weight, my energy was rock bottom and I was still figuring out what to eat. A few calls to my NUT and increasing my carbs brought my energy up and I felt great ... but by no means did I feel like I did before, and at this point in my journey, I didn't want to go back to feeling the way I did. So, bottom line, you will be feeling better soon, but you have to do what your medical team advised you to do as far as eating properly though your stages (liquids, puree, mushy, solids). Take the Vitamins, drink the liquids and get your exercise. If you start cutting corners, you will not feel as good as you potentially could. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Follow up here real quick ... I made a post which summarized some research I had done regarding the mis-interpretation surrounding emails ... I link to my post, but the whole thread may be a good read and reminder for all ... but even still, I struggle ... http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/28313-can-we-get-back-to-support-and-stop-attacking-each-other-please/page__view__findpost__p__241161

Forensikchic, I totally hear what you are saying. I have taken a break from the board recently for this reason. A few people have messaged me and I have conversations with them, but that is about it.

I've tried several RTD and powders. Premier from Costco by far are the best for me. Chocolate or vanilla. I see they make a strawberry, too, but haven't seen them around.

At this point you are soooo early in with your sleeve, I would get rid of the scale. Seriously. What is it going to tell you? You are still healing. Your body is going to be retaining fluids ... letting them go ... retaining again ... it is in a very confused state. If you get on tomorrow and it is higher, what does that mean? That you actually gained fat? REALLY? How many calories are you eating in a day ... and you think you are going to gain fat? Sorry ... I don't think so. What does it mean if you drop a pound or two? Did you really lose fat? Are those two pounds going to come back again? What if they do? Do you see my point here? You could spin your head around this so bad you won't know which way is up. And for what good? Think about it ... you just had 85% of your stomach removed. Do yourself a favor and focus on doing the right thing with your eating and drinking. The scale WILL take care of itself.

Hey Lissa, yes, it made such a huge difference for me. There is just so much to learn and adapt with our new bodies, isn't there? I am amazed at how quickly we can deplete our glycogen stores and how long it takes to refill them with our (relative) meager intake. Glad to hear you found a solution! Keep up the good work! ps I read your post about your date the other night. NICE!!

IMO, overeating and being overweight is the result of something deeper for a majority of people ... not all ... but a majority. So, those issues won't go away just because you eat less. Part of the pre-screen process is supposed to be a psychological analysis into some of our eating issues. Do I have a grip on mine? By no means, but I am working on them, but they're not so far out as to have prevented me from getting sleeved. The sleeve is not a cure all and not a magic bullet. Those who think it is can be severely disappointed.

I do the same thing that 2bsmall wrote. I reduced my portions and increased my exercise. I had told a couple people early on and received so much critism I just decided not to say anything. I didn't need it at that time. But now that I am where I am at, with time, weight and experience behind me, I may change my approach. I've been working on a blog and if I am going to direct friends to it, I am going to have to be honest about my journey.

Well, my definition of what a meal is has changed. When I go out with co-workers or friends that don't know my story, I can eat a whole meal. Now, what does that consist of? A side salad and a cup of soup! Now, if I am out with my wife or her family, who know my story, I usually don't order anything at all. Everybody cuts off a bite and throws it on a salad plate. That is eating a whole meal to me. Everything changes with the sleeve and what we call a meal needs to change, too, otherwise we lament the days of overeating, which can do us no good.

I was in the same boat. Ate Soups mainly as anything solid hurt and didn't feel good at all. It does take time, but it will be better. Like Dorrie, it was at least 3 months before more solid foods were comfortable. Red meat, breads and Pasta ... 6 months. At 8 months, there isn't anything that I can't eat. I still feel restriction, so if I eat too much of just about anything, it is uncomfortables, so ... It will get better.

I agree that trying to quit two addictions at the same time is not advisable, but it is not like we decide to have the surgery and go in the next day and have it done. As an ex-smoker, I know it is difficult to quit. I stumbled more than once. IMO, the day you make the decision to have the surgery is the day you have decided to change your life to a healthier direction. That is the day to begin the process of quitting smoking. I'm guessing we have all kidded ourselves with our eating issues but there comes a times when we say enough is enough. If you really think smoking is OK and not a negative thing while you are healing from major surgery, then ... God bless you and good luck.

Running in the morning is difficult for me. I know it has to do with my glycogen stores ... the amount of energy my body has quick access to for exercise. I run a lot and do races, too. On race day, I usually will wake up 2 hours before and start eating. The day before is ridiculous ... the amount of food I eat ... But, I need it if I am going to be able to exercise at any descent level. I have a blog where I post about my experiences with nutrition and exercise. There is a link in my signature below.

Yeah, I've kinda taken a break from the site lately. Been working on my blog.

I love these stories. Congrats! Having the surgery has changed my life in so many ways, too. It's been great!

I made Lentil/Ham soup with carrots. Let it cook a bit longer than usual to ensure everything was soft and then put it in a blender. Has a great flavor, great Protein and even some good carbs. I think any recipe would do. I also made chicken veggie (no celery) and turkey chili, throwing them into the blender. I basically lived on pureed Soups in this stage. Find any recipe you like and throw it in a blender. Worked for me.

Thanks, all. If you have a smart phone, you can find a C25K app for it. I have an iPhone, so there are several out there, but I don't think it is required. There are many others out there. If you go to runnersworld.com, they have some programs. Just do a Google search and follow the routine closely. Don't do more than what is recommended as that can lead to injury. Before starting any running (or serious walking) I recommend going to your local running store and get fitted for the right shoes. They can recommend the shoe that will work for your gait. You don't have to buy their shoes, just find out if you pronate, supinate or have a neutral gait. Google those terms to find out what they mean. Having the wrong shoe can cause injuries which will take you out of exercising completely, so I HIGHLY recommend doing this first.

Been there, done that and highly recommend it. Especially if you are pre-sleeve. It will help your endurance which will translate into an easier healing experience. I ran my 5K in December and since then I ran an 8K in Feb and a 10K the weekend before last. I am doing the Shamrock run (8K) this Sunday. I am signed up for another 10K April 1st and a half marathon on the 4th of July. I have replaced my eating addiction with running and it has been GREAT! I am building a blog about my experience over here, but it is still under construction: http://vsgrunner.wordpress.com/

Oy, Irene, I'm sorry to hear all of this. Let me know if I can help in any way or just need to 'chat'.

It was about 6 weeks before I dropped a pant size and that was around 50# down. But then it was rapid after that. I think I was in the next size for only 2 weeks. Don't worry, it will happen. Just think about it. It has to. You can't lose this kind of weight and not change size.

It took me about 6 weeks and 50 pounds before my jeans started loosening up. And then woosh!! I was shrinking fast. I was in 38s for about two weeks. It was crazy.

I, as well, went from a wide to medium.