Lissa

I picked the weight I was when I graduated high school. It's also what I weighed when I got pregnant with my first child. However, I'll drop until I feel like it's "enough", then reevaluate what the number is at that point!

Lifting 3 pounds of weights isn't really vigorous, but it does make my arm muscles a little tired after all the reps I do. My doc said no weights until I was six weeks out, to make sure I didn't injure my new sleeve. Ask your doc for his recommendation. Mine is helping a bit. I can see some definition starting. Of course, I think anything would help me since I was so heavy before!

Your hubby's diet doesn't sound that bad to me, except for the part about getting in 80 grams of Protein in one shake. I have also heard that we can only absorb up to 25 g of protein at one time. However, it looks like he's adding other Proteins in throughout the day and that he is taking his Vitamins. If you or he are really worried about his intake, you can always ask the doctor to do labs and make sure hubby's nutrition goals are being met. That's the proof as to whether he's eating well enough. I will just add that our diets after the sleeve look very different to outsiders. My son is always commenting on how little I eat at one time. We had wings the other night and 3 filled me up completely! The waitress even asked if there was a problem with the food. This is why many of us learn to push food around our plates and cut things up very tiny, to make it look like we've eaten more than we have when we are in social situations. Yes, your hubby isn't eating a lot of variety, but it looks like he's meeting his protein and Water goals. SF popsicles are liquid and, as long as he's staying hydrated, aren't a problem. As he gets further out from surgery, he may add in other things, but he may not. Good luck to him and to you as you start your own journey!!

Afro Cyster, I looked up your Protein shots and they have collagen in them. Ingredients: Purified Water, Proprietary Protein Blend (Hydrolyzed Collagenic Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Isolate, Casein Protein Isolate), Malic Acid, Branched Chain Amino Acids (Leucine, Isoleucine, Valine), Natural Flavors, FD&C Red 40, Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose. Contains Milk Ingredients. Protein from Collagen is not available to our bodies. Since it's the first protein source listed, I assume that more of the protein comes from that than from the others. I did some research on the weight lifters boards (since they're the ones who are REALLY into nutrition and body-building), and they all say that collage is NOT good protein for the human body. What I'm saying is please don't rely on those shots for your protein needs. We need to get our protein from sources that make it available for our bodies to use for rebuilding and protecting muscles, especially the heart muscle. I believe that Tiffykins posted about collagen protein as well. She's the uber-researcher here, from what I've seen. You might want to look for that post by her and get more information. I'm an amateur when it comes to the research compared to her!

I agree with dogzz about not drinking with meals. Yes, it is forever. However, there are some other things you can do to compensate. Egg Face (check out her blog if you haven't already seen it) says that the key to eating dry foods is having some kind of dipping sauce for them. She makes tons of different, WLS friendly, dips for her food. She also is good about using alternatives to breads, Pasta, etc. I loved cucumbers pre-op and Egg Face uses them as crackers. I've tried it and really like a nice juicy cucumber along with a slice of cheese and deli meat. Many veggies can puree to make a nice dip for a drier cut of meat, and anything dairy will cut the heat of spicy food. I personally can't do much dairy and my sleeve doesn't like spicy food, but it worked for me pre-op. Instead of sour cream, try some yogurt or cottage cheese along with the spicy stuff. It cuts the heat and gives you a little extra Protein. Unfortunately, we can't drink with meals, but there are alternatives that will help us to get in our protein without having to give up our favorite foods!

Count your lucky stars!!! As long as you aren't having problems going to the bathroom and you have had a BM, you should be okay. You must be doing exactly what you're supposed to do, walking, sipping, and generally healing fine! Good job! My surgeon warms the CO2 he uses to help minimize the gas pain, perhaps yours does as well. Good luck and welcome to the loser's bench!!!

I'm happy-dancing for you as well!! I think I might even have a celebratory Protein bar in your honor!!! Congrats!!! I'll be there soon!!

My drain didn't hurt, but I'm starting to realize I'm one of the lucky ones. I'm very sorry that you had to go back to the ER already. I'd take the advice of the doctor who actually saw me and leave the drain alone. Mine was stitched in as well, and I was a little worried that I would pull it out accidently. It stayed just fine, though. I wonder, does your doctor have you "stripping" your drain when you empty it? Mine specifically said not to do that, but the folks who seem to have bad pain from the line seem to have been told TO do it. I wonder if that makes it more painful for them. Good luck!! Welcome to the loser's bench and this part will be over soon!

I'm another one that VSG saved my life. I'm not totally out of the woods yet, but I am making fast progress! I can walk now, which I could barely do before. Old me couldn't walk from the car to the front door without wheezing and sweating. New me goes and walks around in the mall without a second thought. I don't mind trying on clothes now, where before I would buy stuff I thought was big enough, bring it home and, if it didn't fit, I'd just pass it along to someone else. I was ashamed to return clothes! Now, if it doesn't fit, I go back and get a SMALLER size! Yay!! In general, I'm happier and I'm more assertive than I was before. That's def a side effect of the surgery. Pre-op, if someone hurt my feelings or was nasty to me, I'd go buy a bag of chips or candy and sneak off to eat it. Now, I can't do that, so I've had to learn to say "You cannot talk to me that way." It's very freeing. I'm not talking about being rude, just being able to hold my head up and say "I deserve better". Good luck to us all!

I'd love to, but I don't Skype, nor do I have a camera attached to any of my computers. It sounds like a great idea and another level of support, though!

(((doglover))) I totally understand where you're coming from! Most of us don't know anyone IRL who has had this procedure unless we're really outgoing in support groups!! This will get better and you'll get past the "buyer's remorse" stage. It will happen fast, too! I'm amazed that you're able to get in all your Water AND three Protein shakes. That's phenomenal for this early post-op!!! Are you taking any Vitamins and/or acid reducers? Many people find that taking the acid reducer stops the hungry feeling. I know that it did for me. It's sad that your surgeon has bad manners around his patients. You should never feel that you have to beg him for info or answers. I suggest that you write down your list of questions and let him and his nurse know that you have lots of questions at your next visit. But, please do call them and ask about the acid reducer if you're not on one already. Welcome to the loser's bench! Good luck on your journey!!

LOL, Afro Cyster!!! I'm doing very basic arm exercises (and I still have flaps, btw). I do two sets of 15 reps MWF and I do bicep curls, skull crushers, straight arm lifts, and triceps curls. I googled exercises for obese beginners and came up with a couple of good youtube videos that helped me get my form right. I'm using baby weights, 3 pounds, because I want to firm and tone, so more sets of higher reps rather than increasing the weight. I'm probably still gonna end up looking like a flying squirrel, but I'll have some muscle in my arms.

Amanda, You're in the right place to get lots of support. Perhaps you could take some of the info here back to your doctors and it will help the next 1,000 patients they sleeve! GNC will take back any product that you don't like, FYI. Even if you've opened it. I take a Centrum chewable every day (two while I was on liquids and mushies). I buy mine at the Walgreens here because they have B1G1 sales regularly. Good luck on your journey!!

Bcole, it's definitely normal to have second (and third and fourth) thoughts before doing this surgery, or any surgery for that matter! I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I'm sure you've done your research and have talked this over with those that matter to you, parents, siblings, and you have talked it all over with your surgeon. I agree with the other posters that doing this while you're young and don't have co-morbidities is the way to go! I was extremely "healthy but fat" until May of 2011, then pneumonia kicked my butt over the moon and back again. I'm twice your age and then some, but it only took one round of pneumonia to change my entire life expectancy. I certainly wish the sleeve had been an option for me way back when. Good luck, whatever you decide, but we're keeping a spot on the loser's bench warm for you!!

Just said a prayer for you ladies! I am looking forward to seeing both of you progress quickly on this journey!!!

I try not to eat high fat foods, but I don't worry about the amount in cheese. I probably eat 2-3 ounces of cheese per day. I avoid fried foods, "cream of" Soups (unless it's clam chowder, yum) and I avoid milk because it doesn't like me right now. I know nothing about vegetarian eating except that I'm not sure how I'd get complete Proteins in my body that way. Good luck!! I'm reading this section to see what other alternatives there are for Protein.

Most of us don't really start feeling "full" until we start solid foods again. Despite being on mushies, they don't really stay in the tummy for long. However, it is very easy to hit that one bite too full spot and be either in pain or sliming! I wasn't looking for "full" because I am not sure I ever felt that before surgery, or if I did, I had eaten so much I should have rolled away from the table. After surgery, my enough signal is a burp. When I burp while I'm eating, I know to put down the fork and push away the plate. I don't care if I've eaten 1 bite or 10, that burp says "No more!" If I don't stop right then, I'm in for a painful hour or so after the meal. Most of the long-timers who have hit goal say they don't eat until they are full, they eat until they are satisfied. Good luck!! You will get there!!

I took my own robe, my iPhone, my Bipap machine, a book, my nook reader, and a brush. I didn't pick up the Nook, fought the bi-pap all night long, so didn't really use it, never opened the book. I used the hospital's gown, my phone and my robe. I also took a cape because I was always cold anyway, and it worked better for me than the hospital blankets. I was ticked at myself that I had to lug all that stuff back home. I spent my first day in pain and not quite with it, quit taking pain meds that night, and spent most of the next day doing laps in the hospital. I don't remember turning on the television, although it was on most of the time I was there. I didn't watch it, though.

I started regular food at 5 weeks out, but the nut does caution that we should start slowly and try softer foods before graduating to harder to digest foods like salad and steak. I know 8 weeks seems like a longgg lonnnnggggg time, but once your'e through it, you will forget most of the hassles that were associated with mushies and clear/full liquids. It's kind of like childbirth, otherwise no one would ever have a second child! Good luck with your journey!!

It really sounds like you might be over-filling your sleeve, but gas might cause the same feeling. Are you taking a PPI (Nexium, Prilosec)? If not, a call to your doctor's office will tell you which one they want you to take and it will help with the icky feeling. But, like the others said, you should be sure you are being very careful to chew your food to applesauce consistency and that you are not drinking to soon after you eat. Technically, I get full very fast if I don't stop drinking liquids about 30 minutes before I eat as well. Good luck!!

I'm taking the 5,000 mcg Biotin I bought at Walgreens B1G1. My friend the hairdresser said my hair is thinning, but when I went for a trim yesterday, the hairdress said she doesn't see any. I even told her the tip wouldn't increase just cause she lied to me! LOL So, I don't know if the biotin is working or if I just haven't hit the full hair loss stage yet. We shall see.

Vickie, are you drinking milk or eating dairy products? I had diarrhea issues really bad until I figured out my tummy can't handle milk right now. My doc's office told me to add cheese to my diet when I had a bad round of it two weeks ago, but I used Beans and bananas instead. I do eat cheese and it doesn't bother Rex (my sleeve), but I don't push it with milk when my tummy is upset. Good luck!!

Amber, I'm on coumadin FOR blood clots. My surgeon didn't give me any guidelines for walking except "walk as much as you can". However, at 5 weeks post-op I drove 3,000 miles for a trip to Kentucky and South Carolina. My pulmonary doc told me to stop and walk once every hour, even if all I did was walk around my car and get back inside it. So, I try to walk a little bit every hour, even now. His other guideline is that I MUST get 30 minutes of cardio exercise in every day, on top of the tiny walks every hour. It's not hard to do 30 minutes in spells. If I walk to the car for something, I walk around my building while I'm doing it. That takes two or three minutes. If I'm taking trash to the dumpster, then I walk the long way around. I also have access to a treadmill so I try to walk 30 minutes on that 3 times a week. I don't know if that all lines up with what your doc wants, but it should be sufficient. BTW, even while I was on my trip, my pulmonologist did NOT require me to get up while I was sleeping to walk. That's an interesting instruction to me. Do you have blood clot problems already? Good luck on your journey!!

I definitely sympathize! I just bought two bras today at Lame Bryant. They have a 50% off everything sale going (except spanx, darn it) and I needed new bras desperately. I had them fit me, then I tried on bras until I found two that worked for me. Surprisingly to me, I'm only down 1 band size from what I was wearing, and my cup size actually went up to DDD. @@ I guess those arm exercises are doing some good! LOL

coffee always seems to work pretty quickly when I'm not going well. I don't know about adding it to yogurt and vinegar, though. I'm sorry you're feeling so bad! Let us know how it goes. I'm wincing in pain just thinking about how you must feel right now!!!