Mrs.Newme

MsHappy and LML, I too was told to start Protein, in fact mine was on day 4, BUT, I was told to use only Water or low-fat milk. I am now on pureed and get to transition to soft. One thing I have added to my Protein drinks is the SF Toroni Caramel flavored syrup. I got SF raspberry too, and both add a nice flavor to the protein. I tried making it only 4 ounces, but gagged because it was too thick. In my diet classes I had to go to I was told to not buy all kinds initially as I may not like the taste. I found a decent whey protein with 27 grams of protein per serving and it is not too bad tasting. With the pureed, I am allowed Peanut Butter which does have more protein than the Soups. I have found however that my hunger feeling does subside with the Protein Drink. I also found the heartburn settled also. It is very logical to have both sensations as gastric acids are only the necessary ingredients to aid digestion. I also find laying flat at night tends to aggravate it. I even have added low-fat plain yogurt to my protein drink. It does help. Good luck on your journeys.

Wow...You look fantastic. I know you are frustrated, but look at how well you have done and how far you have come. I read the bootcamp basics too and plan on practicing them if I get stalled. Keep your chin up, you really do look great! I didn't take pre-pics either, but mostly because I am not photogenic at all and don't like pictures of me. Keep trying and don't give up.

Wow...I wondered about this very concern last night. I had noticed as I had gained weight that my feet seemed to get bigger, but it did cross my mind lst night about this. I was always a 6.5, and went up to a 7.5 or 8 depending on the shoe. I have noticed definitely bra size, and pants are now very loose, and I still have a way to go.

Just a thought on this topic, could it be maybe one reason we are restricted form alcohol is known to cause dehydration? Also I think I would be worried if I did erronously ended up inebriated and risked vomitting, but not sure if that would be a risk. I rarely drink myself and if I have a glass of wine, it is typically with dinner.. It will be interesting to see the effects

Dear CC, I have received the same feedback from my surgeon as well...6 months, and I do love a quality glass of wine. I would believe the rationale is probably because the risk of the inebriation and also irritation to the staple line. I miss having a good glass of wine here and there. I look forward to having a glass again in the future, until then, I will stick with watered down juice.

Great points Mrs Bionic Broad...love the name btw. I also feel that sometimes I have not gotten enough of the right foods in. It is really a balancing act. I haven't tried the isopure. But I may try the almond milk. Rice milk is pretty good too. In the past (prior to the sleeve), my most successful weight loss attempts were with high protein intake also and less carbs. The Proteins take much longer to burn off and helps delay the hunger. As a kid I had severe hypoglycemia, and I had to learn to eat enough protein to help my body maintain the energy. I have learned already with the weight loss I have had so far that hypoglycemia is again an issue for me. So I am back to ensuring I am getting enough protein in. Thanks for your insights, I am sure they will be helpful.

MsKendra, I have had this also, and have used the water. Before my sleeve also. I find that with the acidreflux, even the water doesn't always help. What I have found however is a sugar free mint tends to sooth it. Just something I found that works with me. Good luck. I hope it gets better.

Hi there, I have read about this happening on this forum and others. One thing I have observed and thought about is comparison of myself and others, and I realize that one thing I absolutely must keep in mind is that not everyone is the same. While we have all either had the sleeve, or had the sleeve and other surgeries or weight loss options, we are still all unique. One thing I have seen often echoed is that you may not be losing pounds but are losing inches. I had this similar concern earlier this week and end of last week, and I listened to some of that wisdom and I am losing again. But while I was in that little slump, I felt terrible. I can completely empathize with you regarding that. Hang in there, don't compare yourself to others. Look at how good you are doing with your own progress. Be happy with your accomplishments. Be proud of yourself to have made such a hard decision to commit to this major change in lifestyle. This is not an easy decision for someone to make. Come on...you have had the majority of your stomach removed, spent a few days in the hospital, went through the frustration of liquid diet hell, and you are losing weight. I also read somewhere to pull out an old pair of pants and try them on. Keep positive. You can and will do this. Hang in there.

Ug...I hate stomach bugs. Nothing worse than vomiting, and especially post op. I hope you avoid it. I have three children myself and one thing I found with them getting anything is I will avoid it if I super clean items they touch and handwashing, handwashing, handwashing. I will do anything to avoid those kind of sick bugs. Hope you avoid it. I agree with the hydration issues. That would seem like a larger concern being your body should probably be healed? It would be good to hear from other sleevers though who have had more time in to see how they handled it. I have worried about this myself, especially as the Norovirus is making its annual rounds in Michigan again....hope I can avoid that one like crazy. Had it once...never want it again.

I am so sorry to read you are going through this. I had cellulitis once, but completely unrelated to this surgery. It was from problems with my joints and an injection. Very painful and bought me a 5 day stay in the hospital as my entire leg was inflamed. I do recall the nurses putting a moist pack on my leg to help reduce the swelling and restore circulation to the leg. Good luck. Sorry your are having that happen, I hope you get well soon.

Really Rosy.... Are you kidding me? Prior to your surgery, did you try medication for weight loss? They feel the same. The only time I have excess salivation is when I want to vomit. They are very similar for many. Heartburn does NOT always include belching or gas. Don't knock what other people percieve as a similar sensation. There is no need for sarcasm on this forum. Obviously other people have had the same sensation. Thanks for your medical knowledge though on the interpretation I have on my own body.

My doc has his patients go on a week of pureed after the full liquids, then the soft. I found there are pouches of pureed mixed flavors. These are newer types of baby foods. They are quite tasty. They are easy to digest and flavorful. They look like a juice pouch that can be drank. Mashed potatos are allowed too and one package of instant mashed potatoes= 4-5 meals for me. Regular jar baby food has no appeal to me. Especially for meats. I did read however, ground meat (lean ground meats of course) are not a bad option. Baby food has no flavor.

Hi...I too have felt what i thought is hunger, but I believe it is more heartburn. I am nearing 3 weeks and about to switch to soft foods. I don't like the heartburn and I am 100% sure that is what it is. Especially in the am. What I have found that has helped me is this: I go to the mall and walk and walk. I look at the clothes I know I am going to eventually buy and it keeps my mind off of wanting to eat. Then when I go to eat, I make sure it is what I am allowed. I think the largest challenge of this type of surgery is the mental challenge of eating more than necessary. I know that I really miss eating pizza, and it is very tempting, but I don't want to risk what I have been through for a moment of indulgence followed by pain. I will wait until I am safely allowed to eat such a treat, and even then, I know I will have to read my bodies cues and not over indulge. I am happy that I will be able to eventually eat a slice of pizza again or a hamburger, but I am even happier that I am learning to moderate better and making better choices over all. The nice thing is I no longer have any craving for sweets. One thing I did find that helps with the heart burn is a sugar free mint. The mint helps decrease the heartburn sensation which does mimic hunger. Good luck.

I am 2 weeks post op and have pain on the left and the right and somtimes at the belly button. I find if I overdo things i hurt a bit more. My left side is pain in the rib. The right I am not sure and the belly button, well after watching a video of the process, I can see why. There are some good vids on youtube which help understand why.

Whew....I was getting nervous. I was doing great and now I gained back a pound. Not sure how that happened, but I know I have lost weight. My pants are baggy on me now. Frustrating. I suppose a day of liquids will not hurt.

I have had more pain in my left lowest rib and my right side. I am quite sure my rib got bruised during the surgery. I can't help but think the fact that i am short made it more difficult. My right side incision seems to hurt more, but not sure why. I used ice packs the first week. Now I use a heating blanket and that seems to subside the muscle pain. On the Protein drink side. I know the feeling. It feels like swallowing liquid slime. I use low-fat, skim milk or 1%. I did find these sugar free syrups that I added to the drink. It flavored it up a bit. One of them is raspberry, so I added some to my chocolate protein and the taste wasn't so bad. Keep working at the protein. I have been reading alot that hair loss will follow if you do not take in the protein. You went through alot to have the surgery, keep at it to spare yourself the added grief of possible hair loss. Good luck.

I find my gurgles mean something entirely different than my sleeve being full. It seems like it is more like....get ready to go to the bathroom and for heavens sake...do NOT TRUST ANY FART.

Ugg...my doc said wait until 30 days post op. Why on earth do they not want us to have sex? Are all of lifes pleasures to be denied for the time being? I understand why no strenuous exercise and such, because of risk of hernia, but I don't see how abdominal pressure can be increased from sex?

Your post made me laugh. Thank you. I have the opposite end of weight loss. I am 14 days post-op and I freaked when I realized how much my boobs shrunk. For the last two years I have been a 42 D and my bras were closed on the last hooks. Now I have to have them closed on the most inner hooks and I think I am starting to lose a cup size. I was hoping my thighs would go first...but no...the only part of my chunkiness that I actually liked....the ta tas. I am happy for you!