Lissa

throwing up isn't normal, IMO. Are you trying to eat red meat? Some folks have a hard time with that for awhile. I haven't tried steak yet, just chicken, pork and seafood. Are you sure you're chewing enough? If it's not totally mushy, like applesauce, it could be that the meat isn't fitting into your sleeve. Are you sure you're ready for the meat you're eating? If something is too spicy, Rex (my sleeve) lets me know quick that he doesn't like it. For me, spicy can be defined as too much pepper on something. Also, I'm lactose intolerant these days. Are you putting cheese or sour cream on the meat or in your meal? If so, your body could be rejecting the dairy product and not the meat. Maybe give yourself a few days, then try meat again. My surgeon's guide says that anytime we throw up, it's time to regress a stage for a few days. If waiting a few days doesn't make it easier to keep meat down, then a call to the doctor might be in order. Since you can eat seafood, maybe you should stick to that for a bit until your sleeve gets a little more healed? Good luck on your journey!!

I haven't lost any hair yet. I started Biotin at 2 months out and I'm religious (now) about getting my protein in daily.

Gee, The 3 week stall is VERY real. I don't know the scientific explanation either, but I truly believe it's related to your body going into starvation mode. Once your body accepts that you won't be giving it the tons of food we were giving it before, then the stall will break. And, you'll stall every now and again because you're eating too much, or not eating enough, or not moving enough, or moving so much that your body is converting fat to muscle. However, overall, you (we) will lose weight. I'm stuck just under the 300 mark right now and have been here for a week or so. However, I'm exercising more than ever, just added treadmill tonight, yay me! I can feel my clothes getting loser and I'm betting things are shifting for you as well. I broke my 3 week stall by ADDING food to my diet, instead of subtracting. I added in a few carbs and added more Water. TMI, then I started going regularly. I happen to love the days I go, because I immediately see the results in the scale. Many years ago, a friend of mine told me that the weight we lose doesn't magically evaporate...it has to go somewhere. So, every bodily function uses up some of that: sweating, breathing, and potty times all rid the body of it's excesses. It was a DUH moment for me. Good luck on your journey!! You are going to get there...and I can't wait to see your pictures!!

I agree with the other posters. Moving helps to get your insides moving again...not to mention it takes your mind off the pain(s). It also helps your body move Water and food through. Have you gone #2 yet? If not, maybe the pain is related to that. If you have, then it's probably a combination of gas and incision pain. I had some sharp, deep pains that I thought were related to a stent I had installed before and removed after surgery. Also, I'm assuming you're a girl. TOM is much more painful now than it has been in years for me. Could that be the cause of the problem? The pain will pass quickly and you'll be amazed at how well you can move and how fast you lose weight. Good luck on your journey!

What is the source of the Protein in these shots? I looked the one up that I bought from Walgreens and it's protein source was collagen. If I remember correctly, Tiffykins had a post and links to weight lifting boards about how collagen protein is not available to our bodies. So, we could be putting this stuff down, but it's not doing us any good and is actually causing a protein shortage. I may be thinking of the wrong protein shots and, if I am, I would be thrilled to be able to get half my protein for the day from one small bottle! Would one of the better informed people chime in here?

I could sleep on my right side pretty much right away. My left side and hip hurt for about a month. Not sure if it's truly surgery related, though. I do know that my left shoulder hurt from gas and being over-full much more than my right shoulder did. At 2.5 months post-op, I can sleep on either side and on my back (which I could not do before). My biggest problem is that my Bipap mask doesn't fit as well since I've lost a bunch of volume in my face. I'm constantly readjusting it. I suggest a body pillow if you don't already have one. For some reason, having it up against my tummy/back makes me feel more comfortable when I sleep.

If you like the taste, then it sounds pretty good. You should really check with your nutritionist for specific guidelines...and the broccolli in the soup might cause gas issues after surgery. You will have to experiment and see once you have the surgery what your sleeve will tolerate. Good luck with your journey!

Nomore, Good luck with your sleeve! You will do great and you won't regain the weight because you have the right attitude! Good luck on your journey!!

Laura Ann, I gave up my diet coke addiction when I started the liquid diet. It might be easier to give up the soda before you start the diet, though. You don't want to be dealing with caffeine withdrawal at the same time as hunger! Good luck!!

Baby spoon, small bowl to eat from, chicken and beef broth, decaf coffee (if you drink coffee), Water, small glass(es), SF popsicles and SF Jello if you are allowed. eggs were my main food once I started mushies. I also bought potted meat, tuna, and a couple of cans of chicken breast for purees. I used the tuna and the potted meat. Make sure you have a heating pad and some ice packs available if you are prone to pain. I agree with the poster who said large nightgowns and I suggest that you have a slightly large sports bra. The top incision can get itchy from a regular lacy bra...and the room in the sports bra allows you to stow the drain bottle in there if you have one. My chest is too big for me to be comfy without the bra, but I had three well-worn cotton sports bras that were perfect. They've since been retired because they are way too big. A food scale is a great tool. As for food, whatever your doc allows: greek yogurt, milk/soy milk/almond milk, a blender for Protein shakes. At least two flavors of Protein Powder you like (vanilla and espresso for me). A nice mug that can go in the microwave is helpful for drinking broth and shakes. You will find that your tastes change after surgery, especially if you've been on liquids for several days. Sweet stuff just did not sit well with me after surgery. YMMV. Good luck on your journey!!

Khy, Tell that man that he should appreciate that you are better looking than before and that you are much more energetic... or you would be if he'd stop his litany of complaints! Maybe he's jealous and hopes that you won't notice that other men will be looking at you. Or, maybe he's insecure and afraid you'll leave him when you lose the weight. And, I agree, sex is WAY better now than it was before. I need a smile avatar for drooling! LOL

Oh, and are your nerves just on edge? That might explain the vomiting. If so, diet or not, make yourself a nice cup of hot decaf tea and take a warm bath and relax. You will get through this and you will be FINE!! And, I mean that in both ways!

Are you also withdrawing from caffeine or artificial sweeteners? If so, the first three days are somewhat tough. I suggest you call the nutritionist back and ask if you can drink broth. I could/can handle broth even on days when the Protein shakes just make me want to gag. Also ask her if you can use other kinds of shakes and/or crystal light (for the artificial sweetener). I was also allowed Kelloggs K2O Protein drinks both pre and post op. I got really sick of sweet stuff really fast, which I think is one of the points of the liquid diet. It creates an aversion to sweets, IMO. Some Protein Shakes are much better than others. Also, Protein shake has a lot of definitions, unless they are making you drink one particular kind. Do you have a Vitamin Shoppe nearby? If so, you can buy single protein shakes and try them to see if one or another is easier for you to drink. Try heating or cooling the shake. Sometimes it's easier to eat if you can pretend it's hot chocolate or pudding. The texture change helps some people. Click Espresso flavor (available through Amazon) is one of my favorites and I add it to decaf coffee. Walmart sells a couple of different brands of whey isolate protein that are decent. I don't have any here or I'd give you the brand names. Look in the HBA section near the pharmacy. Good luck on your journey!!

Jane, I had/have severe sleep apnea. My dx during the original sleep study was that I had 1000 incidents an hour. No wonder I felt tired all the time. I started using the bi-pap two weeks before surgery and came through with flying colors. So, set you mind at ease on that one. You'll do great! Secondly, I was totally convinced I'd die during surgery, but I was dying anyway, so I went ahead and did it. Boy, am I glad that I did!! My co-morbidities are improving rapidly, and I have a long laundry list of them. Every time you start thinking about it and getting nervous, just remind yourself that God is in charge and He will watch over you. You have researched your surgeon, your hospital and everything else you possibly can research. Now, the next time your nerves start bugging you, make a list of what the thoughts are, then do what you can to handle those issues. If your worry is that your family will fall apart without you, then make sure your estate planning is up to date and that you have told everyone you love them. If you worry about saying good-bye to food, don't worry. You will be able to eat anything you want after the sleeve, just in smaller portions. If you're worried about the work required to lose weight, don't. You will want to do it, especially after that sleeve starts helping you lose weight in a hurry. Whatever your worry is, just write it down, handle what you can, and give the rest to God. Oh, and there may be a reason that your insurance is changing now. It will definitely MAKE you decide to move forward. Maybe God is saying that the time is now! Good luck on your journey!!

Doreykn, Where you the one asking about lovenox and coumadin before surgery? I'm glad you didn't have to take the injections! It sounds like you are doing GREAT!!

I was done laproscopically (sp?) and I have six small scars. One just under my left breast, then 5 running across at just about my waistline. The one farthest left on my waist had the drain tube in it for 8 days after surgery, and that's the only one that I'm concerned about seeing at all. I think it will look like the smallpox vaccination they used to give. The others are about an inch long and each had at least one stitch pop up that I had to pull. My doc says that is normal.

Probably the surgeon's preference determines which s/he uses. Mine uses internal stitches and steri strips on the outside. I can still find all of my scars, but they won't be noticable for long, I'm sure. Don't worry about the small stuff, like what closure they will use. Just concentrate on the big stuff, getting in your liquids, Protein and following your diet. If you're like me, you'll just fill your head up with noise and lose sight of what you're trying to accomplish. When I pulled my eye off the big goal of health and losing weight is when the doubts started creeping into my head. It took a lot of mental acrobatics to get my brain back in line; I don't like to see other people having to do that, although I realize it's normal. Good luck!!

Great victories for both of you!!! I'll add some to the list: 1. Got up this morning to do my Saturday chores (laundry, vacuum, sweep, mop, etc) that usually take me all day to do. When I finished, after going non-stop, I looked at the clock... it was only noon! So, not only did I go non-stop with full energy for 3 hours, but I get extra play time this weekend! 2. Put on a pair of pants yesterday that fit before surgery. They fell right off!! I'm thinking this one should have been listed first! 3. Had to tighten my bi-pap mask AGAIN last night. As my face gets smaller, I have issues with it not staying on my face. 4. Doc lowered dose of two meds on Thursday, with labs required again next week to see if I am able to come off them. That's enough for now, except that I am every day I am enjoying my new ability to walk, my higher energy level, and the knowledge that this weight WILL come off of me. That's an NSV that is priceless!

Miss Tx, Even if you have surgery in Feb, you'll be between 4 and 5 months post op by July. I think you'll be fine and have a good handle on your eating, not to mention many pounds lighter, which will makes traveling SO much easier. I'm 2.5 months post-op and I wouldn't hesitate to take a vacation. Oh, wait, I DID take a quick vacation last month. I drove nearly 3,000 miles to see family and had no issues with finding foods I could eat. I even ate "normal" food at their house, which is back in the boonies. You'll be fine for your vacation. Good luck on your journey!!

I just looked up the nutrition facts on their website and it says that the small chili has six grams of fat, 17 Protein and 21 carbs with 210 calories. It does look like 60, though, because of how they wrote it. Lots of other sleevers and WLS folks recommend Wendy's chili as an acceptable protein source and I wondered how they could do that if it was that high in fat. But, six isn't too bad. Did you find it listed somewhere else? I'm curious now.

Steve, Sorry to hear you had problems!! I hope they get you healthy enough to have surgery very soon! Who is your surgeon? I'm still looking for someone who has actually had surgery through Strax in Lauderhill and wondered if that might be your doctor? Good luck with your journey!! Hopefully you'll be on the loser's bench soon!!

That IS a big ol' NSV!!! You're doing great!

Oh, one more thing. Someone posted elsewhere that they liked to chew ice. I can't do that because I have sensitive teeth, but it might help with the desire to chew...and it's basically water. Maybe that's a solution for the desire to eat right now?

Oh, one more comment. Hubby can eat what he likes, but buying fresh bread for himself is just CRUEL! LOL Why not make up one big batch of things like pancakes and store the extras in the freezer? If you make them the right size, he can toast a few up for a meal at a time and you don't have to stand there drooling over pancakes every morning!

it WILL get easier. The 3rd day seems to be the worst for everyone. Try doing some "creative cheating" . Have the broth from a cup of egg drop Soup...it's essentially chicken broth, right? I drank gallons of chicken and beef broth pre and post-op. Pre-op, sometimes the problem is texture. Try freezing your Protein shakes into pudding or freeze longer for an ice cream texture. If it feels like you're cheating, it might be easier to get them down. I was allowed SF popsicles, any flavor, so I ate a bunch of them. If you are allowed juices, they freeze well, also. I wanted things that didn't taste sweet, so I did lots of the broth. But, you can run almost any kind of broth-containing soup through the blender. Maybe having pureed chicken noodle doesn't sound good now, but it might just hit the spot further into the diet. Also, I liked the one cup of pureed Wendy's chili I had pre-op. I sipped it like a drink, but it was definitely different flavors! I also ate broccoli and cheese soup post-op, avoiding the chunks of broccoli. For me, the cheese filled me up very quickly. I'm not sure if your doc would approve the soup for you pre-op, since it is high in fat. I avoided anything containing tomatoes and citrus juices until a week ago. They are still a little tart for my tummy. Good luck on your journey!! No matter how hard this part seems, it WILL be worth it.