gettingtohappy

Hi Texas girl!
I did the same thing. I had a low bmi and I only have about 50-60 to loose. I went to Dr. Garcia in Tijuana. I am one month out and feeling ok. Still struggling to get my Water and Protein quotas daily...but other than that...no problems at all. It has been difficult to go through the holidays and eat when I can't have what my family is having but I will get over it. I am down 20lbs this month so that is good. I can now have some soft solids from what my doctor told me and the things I couldn't wait to have don't taste right. Ughh...I've tried to cheat and eat pizza topping, and ice cream...amongst other things...but they taste like crap! All food tastes bad except for baked fish and soft cooked leafy veggies like spinach...what the what?!?!? I didn't realize that my tastebuds would change too!
I know this sounds cool...but it is a big mental and emotional adjustment. I am realizing how much I relied on food to make me feel ok. I have found that now I have to stay busy just to keep my mind off of eating. So I'm working on getting some hobbies going. I have to replace the solace that I used to receive through food. I kind of wish I had have prepared myself a bit more mentally for this change. I didn't search this board like I should have before I had my surgery. But I will adjust and overcome. As everyone will tell you...time makes everything better. You will see healing milestones everyday. That's the awesome thing about this surgery.
Whatever the case we are making room for you on the loser's bench over here...come on girl!!! Get ready for some loose hanging clothes and renewed confidence. I swear I look 10 years younger...not sure why but even my husband noticed. He loved me before...but he doesn't notice how much more loving he is now. He loves to cuddle and pick me up now...so come on over to the "light" side!!!

Hi Texas girl!
I did the same thing. I had a low bmi and I only have about 50-60 to loose. I went to Dr. Garcia in Tijuana. I am one month out and feeling ok. Still struggling to get my Water and Protein quotas daily...but other than that...no problems at all. It has been difficult to go through the holidays and eat when I can't have what my family is having but I will get over it. I am down 20lbs this month so that is good. I can now have some soft solids from what my doctor told me and the things I couldn't wait to have don't taste right. Ughh...I've tried to cheat and eat pizza topping, and ice cream...amongst other things...but they taste like crap! All food tastes bad except for baked fish and soft cooked leafy veggies like spinach...what the what?!?!? I didn't realize that my tastebuds would change too!
I know this sounds cool...but it is a big mental and emotional adjustment. I am realizing how much I relied on food to make me feel ok. I have found that now I have to stay busy just to keep my mind off of eating. So I'm working on getting some hobbies going. I have to replace the solace that I used to receive through food. I kind of wish I had have prepared myself a bit more mentally for this change. I didn't search this board like I should have before I had my surgery. But I will adjust and overcome. As everyone will tell you...time makes everything better. You will see healing milestones everyday. That's the awesome thing about this surgery.
Whatever the case we are making room for you on the loser's bench over here...come on girl!!! Get ready for some loose hanging clothes and renewed confidence. I swear I look 10 years younger...not sure why but even my husband noticed. He loved me before...but he doesn't notice how much more loving he is now. He loves to cuddle and pick me up now...so come on over to the "light" side!!!

Hi Texas girl!
I did the same thing. I had a low bmi and I only have about 50-60 to loose. I went to Dr. Garcia in Tijuana. I am one month out and feeling ok. Still struggling to get my Water and Protein quotas daily...but other than that...no problems at all. It has been difficult to go through the holidays and eat when I can't have what my family is having but I will get over it. I am down 20lbs this month so that is good. I can now have some soft solids from what my doctor told me and the things I couldn't wait to have don't taste right. Ughh...I've tried to cheat and eat pizza topping, and ice cream...amongst other things...but they taste like crap! All food tastes bad except for baked fish and soft cooked leafy veggies like spinach...what the what?!?!? I didn't realize that my tastebuds would change too!
I know this sounds cool...but it is a big mental and emotional adjustment. I am realizing how much I relied on food to make me feel ok. I have found that now I have to stay busy just to keep my mind off of eating. So I'm working on getting some hobbies going. I have to replace the solace that I used to receive through food. I kind of wish I had have prepared myself a bit more mentally for this change. I didn't search this board like I should have before I had my surgery. But I will adjust and overcome. As everyone will tell you...time makes everything better. You will see healing milestones everyday. That's the awesome thing about this surgery.
Whatever the case we are making room for you on the loser's bench over here...come on girl!!! Get ready for some loose hanging clothes and renewed confidence. I swear I look 10 years younger...not sure why but even my husband noticed. He loved me before...but he doesn't notice how much more loving he is now. He loves to cuddle and pick me up now...so come on over to the "light" side!!!

Hi Texas girl!
I did the same thing. I had a low bmi and I only have about 50-60 to loose. I went to Dr. Garcia in Tijuana. I am one month out and feeling ok. Still struggling to get my Water and Protein quotas daily...but other than that...no problems at all. It has been difficult to go through the holidays and eat when I can't have what my family is having but I will get over it. I am down 20lbs this month so that is good. I can now have some soft solids from what my doctor told me and the things I couldn't wait to have don't taste right. Ughh...I've tried to cheat and eat pizza topping, and ice cream...amongst other things...but they taste like crap! All food tastes bad except for baked fish and soft cooked leafy veggies like spinach...what the what?!?!? I didn't realize that my tastebuds would change too!
I know this sounds cool...but it is a big mental and emotional adjustment. I am realizing how much I relied on food to make me feel ok. I have found that now I have to stay busy just to keep my mind off of eating. So I'm working on getting some hobbies going. I have to replace the solace that I used to receive through food. I kind of wish I had have prepared myself a bit more mentally for this change. I didn't search this board like I should have before I had my surgery. But I will adjust and overcome. As everyone will tell you...time makes everything better. You will see healing milestones everyday. That's the awesome thing about this surgery.
Whatever the case we are making room for you on the loser's bench over here...come on girl!!! Get ready for some loose hanging clothes and renewed confidence. I swear I look 10 years younger...not sure why but even my husband noticed. He loved me before...but he doesn't notice how much more loving he is now. He loves to cuddle and pick me up now...so come on over to the "light" side!!!

Hi Texas girl!
I did the same thing. I had a low bmi and I only have about 50-60 to loose. I went to Dr. Garcia in Tijuana. I am one month out and feeling ok. Still struggling to get my Water and Protein quotas daily...but other than that...no problems at all. It has been difficult to go through the holidays and eat when I can't have what my family is having but I will get over it. I am down 20lbs this month so that is good. I can now have some soft solids from what my doctor told me and the things I couldn't wait to have don't taste right. Ughh...I've tried to cheat and eat pizza topping, and ice cream...amongst other things...but they taste like crap! All food tastes bad except for baked fish and soft cooked leafy veggies like spinach...what the what?!?!? I didn't realize that my tastebuds would change too!
I know this sounds cool...but it is a big mental and emotional adjustment. I am realizing how much I relied on food to make me feel ok. I have found that now I have to stay busy just to keep my mind off of eating. So I'm working on getting some hobbies going. I have to replace the solace that I used to receive through food. I kind of wish I had have prepared myself a bit more mentally for this change. I didn't search this board like I should have before I had my surgery. But I will adjust and overcome. As everyone will tell you...time makes everything better. You will see healing milestones everyday. That's the awesome thing about this surgery.
Whatever the case we are making room for you on the loser's bench over here...come on girl!!! Get ready for some loose hanging clothes and renewed confidence. I swear I look 10 years younger...not sure why but even my husband noticed. He loved me before...but he doesn't notice how much more loving he is now. He loves to cuddle and pick me up now...so come on over to the "light" side!!!

Hi Texas girl!
I did the same thing. I had a low bmi and I only have about 50-60 to loose. I went to Dr. Garcia in Tijuana. I am one month out and feeling ok. Still struggling to get my Water and Protein quotas daily...but other than that...no problems at all. It has been difficult to go through the holidays and eat when I can't have what my family is having but I will get over it. I am down 20lbs this month so that is good. I can now have some soft solids from what my doctor told me and the things I couldn't wait to have don't taste right. Ughh...I've tried to cheat and eat pizza topping, and ice cream...amongst other things...but they taste like crap! All food tastes bad except for baked fish and soft cooked leafy veggies like spinach...what the what?!?!? I didn't realize that my tastebuds would change too!
I know this sounds cool...but it is a big mental and emotional adjustment. I am realizing how much I relied on food to make me feel ok. I have found that now I have to stay busy just to keep my mind off of eating. So I'm working on getting some hobbies going. I have to replace the solace that I used to receive through food. I kind of wish I had have prepared myself a bit more mentally for this change. I didn't search this board like I should have before I had my surgery. But I will adjust and overcome. As everyone will tell you...time makes everything better. You will see healing milestones everyday. That's the awesome thing about this surgery.
Whatever the case we are making room for you on the loser's bench over here...come on girl!!! Get ready for some loose hanging clothes and renewed confidence. I swear I look 10 years younger...not sure why but even my husband noticed. He loved me before...but he doesn't notice how much more loving he is now. He loves to cuddle and pick me up now...so come on over to the "light" side!!!

I posted this topic when I was about 3 weeks out. I'm now 3 months out and can drink alot larger gulp of Fluid at one time! It does get better and you won't even notice that you are getting better...one day you will wake up and realize you are feeling more normal. I'm still not used to eating such small amounts for every meal or not drinking when I eat. Everyday gets better and better though.

Hi Emlefe;
Sad that this has not been an easy recovery thus far. Good news is that you are reaching out at all. Remember you are not alone. I too had a lactose intolerance (I love cheese) but grew out of it at about month four. Looking back, I can tell you that those first couple of weeks, I thought - "Did I know VSG was going to be this difficult? Was I really prepared for the changes?"
Things you need to understand - things are different now. Your taste buds have changed, what you can eat has changed, what you can tolerate has changed, your body has changed - in reality you are searching for a new normal. Total assurance that you will find a new normal. Most likely this will take several months which is why we call this a journey. Have you ever had a horrid vacation and now you can look back and see the humor or at least laugh at how you survived? Equate this with the VSG journey. Some bad days or weeks and some good days. You are still healing, so you are eating to survive. You are eating to allow your stomach time to heal. I used the lactose free milk in my Decaf tea.
In time slowly a new normal will emerge. You will be able to eat non sickingly sweet foods. You will be able to have tuna, vinegar, tomatoes and all else your brain is screaming for now.
Call your doctor in the morning and see if you can move to the mushy phase. If yes, puree the (*^% out of some tuna with a little plain greek yogurt - if your diet plan allows to satisfy your tastebuds. Also - have you tried just eating some plain chicken broth? I used Lipton chicken Soup - the dried kind and threw out the noodles. Added in roasted chicken for addl flavor and then pulled it out. NUMMY after all that fake sugary thick shakes. If you like Starbucks and surgeon okay's - try a Decaf Latte, soy milk...or if too costly make your own version at home. There are some good online replacement foods besides sugary stuff. Google Barriatric foods. Expensive, but a lot cheaper than groceries.
Lastly, do you have any VSG diet plan from your doctor? Google VSG diet plan and a whole bunch will come up. Read those for tips before talking to your doc tomorrow and see what you can have that is not on your diet plan. In a few months, try adding back in a food like dairy.
The sun will come out soon. At 6 months it was as if I almost never had surgery minus the totally new body. Give yourself time to heal and don't think what is happening now is forever.
Hugs to being willing to open up. Hope my words have comforted you in some small way.

Hi, It was a year ago when I started my dr supervised weight watchers program for 6 months, then my surgery was July 21, 11. I started at 440lbs and today I weigh 330lbs. I just wanted to share my NSV's
1) I'm wearing jeans for the first time in 25 years!
2) I can walk everywhere with my kids!
3) I enjoyed shopping for the first time in a LONG time!
4) I wore my honey moon nightie for the first time in 7yrs!
5) I've decided to go back to school to change my career..big decision!
6) My hubby had surgery in Aug and wow the whoopie is sooo much better! TMI!
I am so happy I did this, I have so much further to go and I hope to loose another 100 this year and with the sleeve and faith and persistence I will get there.
Thanks for listening and this past years support! Tracy

I forced the clear liquid Isopure down for most of the two weeks. On the last day I just couldn't stand them anymore. Too SWEET! i cheated here and there and found that cottage cheese is my favorite thing and milk and other flavoring mixed with the Protein powder was far more preferable. I was and am still bless not to feel the ravenous hunger I used to feel.
Like everyone says, it will get better with more solid food and more time. Just don't do what I did last night. I was trying to get some more Protein down and scarfed just 2 oz of lean hamburger. DON'T DO IT! When you eat to much too fast, your sleeve will send the offending food right back up.
Just stay on your surgeon's ordered phases. It won't be long before this is all behind you. What I seem to be hearing from everybody is that you will be able to eat normal food, just small amounts and S-L-O-W-E-R. Choosing the best lean Proteins will be all you have to do.
You know what I did that seemed to help? Once a day I had a pea sized bite of Peanut Butter. It's just enough to get a good taste in you mouth. Of course we all all different and your milage will vary

They say the whey Protein is the best, and at this point, you don't want to short yourself too much on the carbs. That is the mainstay of where you will be getting your energy. I was at around 30-50g carbs and was listless. Upped to to around 80 and that really helped. Now that I am more active, I try to get in around 120 or so, but I don't count it that closely.

This is absolutely correct. I'm willing to bet just about anything we were all probably getting almost double the amount of Protein pre-surgery. An area which we are really falling short on is liquids. Be sure to get lots of liquids in you as your intestines are removing all the liquids from the food leaving it, well ...
More liquids, more ...

http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/benefits-Protein
This link provides a good explination, but is far from all inclusive. Hope it helps.

It helps with the healing process and also allows for full restriction of our sleeves.

Stool softeners saved me! I don't like MOM (milk of magnesia) and I don't like laxatives. Drink alot of Water, exercise, and try a stool softner.< /p>

Hello,
I was sleeved last weekend by Dr. Garcia and his staff! They were amazing! I must admit I was a little scared to go to TJ to have a surgery and still smile at the fact that I'm bold enough to do what I did. I am now one week post op and feeling great. I am still having a bit of the burpys when I eat and drink, but have to mention that this gets better daily. I have a low bmi and I truly felt remorseful the night after surgery. Feeling much better now and am looking forward to a better life. Dr. Garcia is still answering all of my questions through the awesome alma and I don't feel like just because the surgery is over that I am no longer someone that he knows. Dr. Garcia takes the time to send long, wordy responses to any question I have and welcomes all post-op comments. Hmmm....never had an American doctor that cared to spend that kind of time without a $35 co-pay! Whatever the case here is my breakdown:
Dr. Garcia - Sweet and soft spoken. Very knowledgable and caring! My sis asked for a less "tight" sleeve because she didn't have as much weight to loose and he took off less of her stomach during surgery. In the states you have a one fold surgery...there is no customizing. So if you feel you don't need to loose as much speak with him about getting less cut off.
His Anesthesiologist: Not only was he amazing but he is hot!!...meaning attractive!!...whew...ok...I'm back....: He comes to meet you before surgery and takes his time and answers any questions you have pre-op. When you come in he totally takes your mind off of surgery and I was so interested in our conversation...I didn't realize that I had stopped talking and had surgery! lol...next thing you know I'm waking up with oxygen on. Really? That was amazing.
His Internal Medicine doc: She is very sweet and attentive. Took all pre-op information and answered any questions I had as well.
His on-call doc: I can never remember names but I know it was Dr. V. She was amazing at making sure I was comfortable and the nurses knew exactly what to do for me.
His nurses: They were sweet, attentive and nothing like any nurse I've experienced! There was one who wore a red jacket, older lady, didn't speak a lick of English, but the best nurse I've ever had. She constantly checked on me and would rub my had on her cheek or rub my back to comfort me. I felt like she was my mother! She was the next best thing...I can definately say that!
His driver: Hector is awesome! He should be a comedian, but I don't think he knows it! He was sweet, funny, and caring. He always sang Dr. Garcia's praises and was ALWAYS punctual and very attentive. You won't lift anything in his presence. I tipped him reaaaly well on my last ride with him.
Hmmm...that's all I can remember for now...ask me any questions.
His

Wow...this is strange...and I'm not sure if it has anything to do with the surgery. I can say that sometimes our immunity is down after surgery and we are more vulnerable to illness during this time of weakness. We as gastric patients are struggling to drink and eat enough so that makes it worse on our system. I do hope you get well soon!!!

Yes, I used Alma! I was sleeved by Dr. Garcia last weekend. Alma took care of everything and is still answering any questions that I have. She sends them straight to them and then forwards his answer back to me instantly! I was very impressed by their staff!

Hi Texas girl!
I did the same thing. I had a low bmi and I only have about 50-60 to loose. I went to Dr. Garcia in Tijuana. I am one month out and feeling ok. Still struggling to get my Water and Protein quotas daily...but other than that...no problems at all. It has been difficult to go through the holidays and eat when I can't have what my family is having but I will get over it. I am down 20lbs this month so that is good. I can now have some soft solids from what my doctor told me and the things I couldn't wait to have don't taste right. Ughh...I've tried to cheat and eat pizza topping, and ice cream...amongst other things...but they taste like crap! All food tastes bad except for baked fish and soft cooked leafy veggies like spinach...what the what?!?!? I didn't realize that my tastebuds would change too!
I know this sounds cool...but it is a big mental and emotional adjustment. I am realizing how much I relied on food to make me feel ok. I have found that now I have to stay busy just to keep my mind off of eating. So I'm working on getting some hobbies going. I have to replace the solace that I used to receive through food. I kind of wish I had have prepared myself a bit more mentally for this change. I didn't search this board like I should have before I had my surgery. But I will adjust and overcome. As everyone will tell you...time makes everything better. You will see healing milestones everyday. That's the awesome thing about this surgery.
Whatever the case we are making room for you on the loser's bench over here...come on girl!!! Get ready for some loose hanging clothes and renewed confidence. I swear I look 10 years younger...not sure why but even my husband noticed. He loved me before...but he doesn't notice how much more loving he is now. He loves to cuddle and pick me up now...so come on over to the "light" side!!!

Hi Texas girl!
I did the same thing. I had a low bmi and I only have about 50-60 to loose. I went to Dr. Garcia in Tijuana. I am one month out and feeling ok. Still struggling to get my Water and Protein quotas daily...but other than that...no problems at all. It has been difficult to go through the holidays and eat when I can't have what my family is having but I will get over it. I am down 20lbs this month so that is good. I can now have some soft solids from what my doctor told me and the things I couldn't wait to have don't taste right. Ughh...I've tried to cheat and eat pizza topping, and ice cream...amongst other things...but they taste like crap! All food tastes bad except for baked fish and soft cooked leafy veggies like spinach...what the what?!?!? I didn't realize that my tastebuds would change too!
I know this sounds cool...but it is a big mental and emotional adjustment. I am realizing how much I relied on food to make me feel ok. I have found that now I have to stay busy just to keep my mind off of eating. So I'm working on getting some hobbies going. I have to replace the solace that I used to receive through food. I kind of wish I had have prepared myself a bit more mentally for this change. I didn't search this board like I should have before I had my surgery. But I will adjust and overcome. As everyone will tell you...time makes everything better. You will see healing milestones everyday. That's the awesome thing about this surgery.
Whatever the case we are making room for you on the loser's bench over here...come on girl!!! Get ready for some loose hanging clothes and renewed confidence. I swear I look 10 years younger...not sure why but even my husband noticed. He loved me before...but he doesn't notice how much more loving he is now. He loves to cuddle and pick me up now...so come on over to the "light" side!!!

lol no worries.. and actually congrats to you as well on your nsv! i can't wait to see what i get down to.. im so excited for this journey

Congrats on the date. Sounds like fun! I'm married but I know one thing...I wouldn't tell him about my surgery...none of his biz until you have formed a solid bond (engaged to be married or solid relationship)! But that's just my opinion....I had a similar situation...office Christmas luncheon! We all had to pre-order our dish.
I'm only 3 weeks post op so I ordered the fresh mushrooms and Pasta. I was thinking something soft. I gave most of my mushrooms to an admiring co-worker and took a few bites of pasta...then I started cutting it all up into little bits on my plate...wow...that looked like I'd put a dent in the dish! I think read somewhere that's how anorexic sufferers used to fake eating. So I tried it and it looked pretty good.
One thing I do know is that I'm not going to continue to eat and damage myself so that people won't question me. I'm not saying this is your thought process...it was just what was going through my mind at the luncheon.
I think you have the best idea though...just let him know you are not that hungry...and that's the truth!

OK....it's day 16 and I REALLY can drink more now!!! Yessss!!!! I'm feeling much better today. I can tell my sleeve is expanding some!
Thanks for the motivation guys...

My sleeve loves...soup.
My sleeve hates....everything else!
But then again I am one week post op...hurry up regular diet and save me!

My sleeve loves...soup.
My sleeve hates....everything else!
But then again I am one week post op...hurry up regular diet and save me!