HopeThruFaith

So I've been a hermit since surgery 3/20/12 because so much of my former life was surrounded by food I've been afraid of going out without being able to eat. The girls have convinced me to go out for a girls night and I'm really excited about it...mainly b/c it's a movie. I LOVE popcorn and have never really seen any movie without stuffing it in my face. I'm worried that I'll go through withdrawals so I've been thinking what can I take instead that will satisfy that desire but not leave me feeling guilty and possibly in the hospital...any suggestions?

I had my 3 week post op Thursday and was told that my protein intake was way to low. She told me that I needed to drink 3 shakes per day in order to get in enough protein. Without it my body would stay in a stall and not shed the weight. She says that protein is essential to losing the weight and recovering after surgery. I've been in a two week stall but the minute I started drinking my shakes and increasing my water I started to see the pounds come off again. Try playing around with the shakes perhaps try something new. Maybe even a soy or hemp protein that's easier to digest then whey. At this early stage it's gonna be near impossible to get all our protein from food alone. Hang in there and keep us posted.

I was told before getting sleeved that a person may experience some VERY strong emotions after surgery. I'm almost 4 wks post op and I will admit that I've had those "what have I done" feelings. A lot of yours may be associated with having such a rough recovery. Once you physically start to feel better you'll emotionally feel better as well. I know it may not seem like it but every day does get better and better. Hang in there!!!!

I thought I was the only one having it this bad. It was especially hard when I started feeling better. I never anticipated the "grief" process to have such a debilitating hold on me. I had gone through therapy for months prior to surgery do maybe I had a false sense confidence in how I would handle the head hunger. Keeping busy has been my saving grace. I'm also working out which takes up time and help with the head hunger. All I can say is just focus on the fact that this is a "tool" to help us lose weight but we gotta utilize the tool in the right capacity.

I had my 3 week post op visit yesterday and was told to go ahead and try eating lettuce.

I had my three week follow up yesterday and was told that while it is in fact normal to stall that my protein intake was way too low and my body was holding on to everything for dear life. She told me I need to get in 3 protein shakes per day and a total of 80 oz (including shakes) of water per day. I have no idea how I'm gonna pull that off but she said that the first 6 months will produce the most weight loss and I'm gonna need that protein to shed as much as I can during that timeframe. I've already lost two pounds since bumping up the protein so apparently she was right. Keep hanging in there ladies!!!!

I've been a massage therapist for 9 years and I'm sorry to tell you this but no...a massage does not break up fat. It does help release toxins, helps to improve circulation, and helps improve skin tone. I love the visual you created though...I wish it was that easy.

I lost 23 my first week of being sleeved and 47 counting my 3 week pre op diet

Have you tried taking your second pill an hour BEFORE bedtime so that it had time to work before falling asleep?

I am in the same boat. I'll be three weeks post op tomorrow. I lost 23 lbs week one and not a single pound since then. I would had thought this was way too soon to stall. I do think there's something with the whole protein and water thing though so I started really pushing myself today. I got in my first full protein shake today and have been sipping my water so I hope it all makes a difference. Hang in there ladies...we are going to make this thing work for us!!!

I'll keep you in my thoughts. I'm sure it will all go well. Keep us posted.

You look great, way to go!!!

Denise I had my sleeve done March 20. It has been a harder adjustment then I ever anticipated. I am down 23 (47 including pre-op diet) but I lost that all the first week. I have yet to lose another pound and I am so frustrated. I would think it would be way too soon for a stall. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong. I find encouragement in reading stories like yours. I just hope I am successful like you ;0)

Congratulations. I'm just starting out and hearing your story gives me hope.

My body could not tolerate whey protein so my nutritionist recommended soy protein and it was great. I use the GNC brand protein with light soy milk and it actually taste really good. Have you tried something other than a whey based protein?

I'm glad I'm not alone. I just can't get anything down b/c of the gas ;0(

I'll be three weeks post op on Tuesday. I am on the soft foods stage (soft fish, finely grounded beef, tuna, eggs etc). EVERY time I eat I'm only getting in very small amounts, maybe one or two bites. I don't feel like its "restriction" per say because it feels more like gas. I go into these burping episodes. I've been taking my Prilosec religiously but I'm still burping like crazy. Anybody else experience this?

My son and mother do me the same way. They had pizza the third day I was sleeved and eat out just about every night. I've tried talking to them and I think my mom gets it. My 14 year old son however couldn't care less about my agony. Fortunate for him he's to young for me to sucker punch.

I am glad you posted this. I am two weeks post op today as well and experiencing the same thing. It got me nervous b/c I figured it was too soon for a stall. I've lost 23 lbs since surgery but nothing the past week. I am just starting mushee food but having trouble getting in my grams of protein and water. I'm also having episodes of getting stuck so I'm trying to do a few more days on full liquids. How have you been doing with "head hunger"? Are you feeling full after you eat?

O yeah, I forgot to mention that I'm taking 20 mg of Prilosec daily but I may actually increase my dose b/c I do A LOT of burping when I eat.

Yes I know I shouldn't weigh everyday but who can resist? It's the first time in FOREVER that I've lost any weight so I was jumping out of bed every morning to see the scale show a loss. I am taking everyone's advice and weening myself from the scale. I came home from the hospital on full liquids: broths/soups, shakes, sf puddings Jello, and popsicles, diluted juice, and Water. I have just started trying to incorporate soft foods into my diet. I've tried some tuna salad, eggs with a sprinkle of cheese, some finely ground beef with cheese reduced fat sour cream and salsa. I also had some cheese and two wheat thins. I have also been working out since the second day being home. I'm hoping my body is trying to adjust to the change in calories and that the loss will kick back soon. I do think once I get acclimated to "eating real food" that I will feel fuller because I noticed some fullness today. So...I'll try and relax and not freak out and let "Big Red" do her thing. Thanks for the responses...

I am 12 days post op and I am STARVING and it's not just head hunger. I can eat and 2-3 hours later I want to eat again. I've lost 21 pounds so far but the scale hasn't budged for the past 3 days. I'm freaking out....does this mean the sleeve is not gonna work for me?

I had "heard" about head hunger but had no idea it would hit me as hard as it did. I jumped off the stretcher on the way from the recovery room to my room in the hospital. Aside from a few bouts of nausea I felt great. First day home I had an incredible amount of energy and it seemed to get better and better as time went on. So when I couldn't eat anything aside from fluids I practically went nuts. I am 11 days out and was supposed to move to food (no mushie stage, just soft foods like fish and finely grounded chicken or beef) on day 14 but I broke down and had two spoonfuls of Tuna salad today. I couldn't help it, I've been doing an hour of cardio since day two at home, feeling really great, and starving. I will also be very honest and admit that I'm not sure the two spoonfuls made me full. I mean immediately yes but it feels like the hunger came back shortly. Does this mean my sleeve won't work?

It sounds like you still have your out of pocket that has not been met yet. Once you've met your deductible you will be covered at your benefit amount until you've met your out of pocket. I have Cigna and my deductible was $1950 but my out of pocket was $3300. I met my deductble but I had to pay my surgeon $1083 to satisfy the remaining out of pocket. I hope it works out for you. Do you have a 401k plan you can take it out of?

I live in Greensboro NC. I was just sleeved March 20 and still in the very early stages of trying to adjust to living with my new sleeve. When were you guys banded?