Bubbaloo10

I've got it too and I thought I was the only one. I've been told it happens when I don't get enough liquids in. There may be some truth to it, but once I get it, it doesn't go away right away when I drink liquids. Sometimes lasts a few hours after. Irritating!!

For shakes, I like the Body Fortress brand sold at Walmart. Less than 200 calories and 26 grams of protein per serving. I boost this by 9 grams by mixing it with 1 cup of skim milk instead of water. I also like the Pure Protein brand bars, also sold at Walmart. Less than 200 calories and 18 to 20 grams of protein, depending on what flavor you choose.

I think men lose more than women because of the different biological makeup. Women, by nature, are more prone to holding on to weight because of their child bearing capacity. Lactose intolerant? No. Spicy foods? Absolutely! Chili and salsa go down better than most things. I have trouble eating eggs and most meats, including hamburger. I think it is because of the density of these things. I can get them down, and still enjoy the taste, but I fill up very quickly when eating them and that sometimes lead to a feeling of overstuffed and mild pain for 15 minutes or so. . As for things I liked before, but don't like now, the only thing that fell into that category was a certain brand of fruit shakes that I could hardly stomach after surgery. I gave my oversupply away. For that reason, don't stock up more than a week or so supply before surgery because you may find out you don't like it after. I watch carbs closely, keeping in mind that some carbs are necessary especially if you exercise heavily. I hold to less than 70 carbs per day and burn about 430 calories in exercise (treadmill). I know if I overdue the carbs, I will not lose weight. This surgery was the best decision I ever made and I would do it again, despite the minor changes it has brought in my diet.

People used to tell me all the time that I was not fat, just big. This was, in part to my barrel chest. I knew I was morbidly obese but still wondered if I looked ok and didn't need the surgery. My questions were answered when I began to feel really lousy and began to bust out of a size 48 levis. I couldn't bend over to tie my shoes without getting out of breath. The least bit of exercise (like dancing) would make me sweat like a pig. My knees started breaking down due to the weight and that's what really scared me into getting the surgery. Almost from the start of the two week pre-op liquid diet I began to feel better, even though I only lost 11 lbs in that two weeks. I have no regrets, no compications, and feel better than I have in years. Weight-wise, I have rolled the clock back to 1979 and if I reach my goal weight, I will be back to 1971. Now, people compliment me on the weight I've lost and how good I look since losing the weight. Never heard that before and it feels great!

I agree with the previous posts....if you're hooked on Doritos and Hot Cheetos, try to seriously limit your intake of these. They're bad news for your progress. Surprisingly, hot and spicy food goes down like water for me and has since about 2 weeks out. Chili, salsa and Tapatio sause are some of my favorites. Moderation on the junk food is the key.

Assuming you stick to the nutritional program, there are two factors that control how fast you lose. The first one, you have no control over, and that is your starting weight. The heavier you are, the faster you will lose. The second, you are in complete control of, and that is exercise. Walking is, for me, the easiest. I started out slow and short: 20 minutes at 2mph on the treadmill two days after surgery. I increased time and speed each time I felt I had it well enough to progress. Now, at almost 3 months out, I'm doing 4 miles a day, 6 days a week at 3.5mph. I'm starting to do strenght training to firm up now. There are some who have only lost 30 lbs or so at 3 months out, but I don't think that's the norm. If you do the program with exercise, imho you should be able to drop about 40-50 lbs, maybe more. Since you're going in on 8/18, you might want to try a modified liquid diet, perhaps replacing one or two meals per day with a protein shake. If you can stand it (and some can't until they have to) it will give you a head start. Good luck

I got a knot on the back of my had at the wrist, just above where the IV was inserted. I hurt for about 2 weeks, but cured itself.

Er, Congratulations? You can be proud of that......

My breaking point was a combination of things: zero energy, no flexibility and I would sweat like a pig at the least exertion. My appetite was over the top. When you've got a stomach the size of a football, it's hard to eat just a few ounces and convince yourself that you're not starving to death. About throwing up: I was sleeved on April 16 and have thrown up only once and that was my fault. I ate stewed chicken before my doctor OK'd it and to top that, I ate it too fast. I consider it a part of the learning process and I learned it well with that one lesson. On the brighter side, throwing up after surgery, at least for me was less traumatic than throwing up with the flu or some other malady. Since the food has not yet hit your stomach, there is very little stomach acid involved and you don't feel like you're going all the way down to your socks. For me, it was a quick upchuck and I felt better immediately. Hope this info was not too disgusting to read, but I wanted to allay your fears. This surgery was the best thing I've ever done and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Goodluck.....

We've been concerned. Glad to hear he's doing well. He'll be home soon and will soon be melting away. He's got a long way to go, but this is a great start for him. Good luck Patrick!

I started situps and leg lifts at 6 weeks. My doc said the same thing....if it hurts, don't do it.

For the past 3 days, when I click View New Content, it results in New Content Not Found. I know people are posting. Is this feature now down? Will it be coming back? Seems like a hassle to go through each subforum looking for new content.

Sleeved 4/16/12. My ticker tells the story....I'm feeling great. Went from XXL shirts to XL, 48 waist down to 40. I did 5 miles on the treadmill at 3.5 mph for the first time today. Getting all my calories and proteins in every day. Still have trouble eating some things so I eat what I can with the limits. Congrats to all for your success.

I would suggest buying the sample pack. I think it was 13 pack for $13.00 plus shipping. I liked them fine before surgery, but I couldn't stand them after surgery. Not their fault....almost everyone's tastes change after surgery.

I second Chicagochick's advice, but be careful when you find one you like. Only buy enough of your favorite one to get you to your surgery date. Tastes change for many of us after surgery and you don't want to get stuck with something you used to like but cannot stand now.

Hi Dave, Your story is very much like mine. I was 105 lbs overweight at 285 and could not lose more than a couple lbs no matter how hard I tried. It's difficult to eat like a bird when you've got a stomach the size of a football and convince yourself that you feel fully nourished. Like you, every time I went to the doctor and they took my vitals and blood work, he would state that I have good numbers for a fat boy. Problem was, I felt like crap....no energy, no flexibility and unable to do alot of things I should have been able to do. When my left knee started breaking down, I said enough is enough. I started looking at WLS and made my decision to go with the sleeve after talking with a bariatric surgeon. I began the two week all liquid diet on April 2 (the hardest part of the whole thing) and had my surgery on April 16. Since then, my appetite is under control and I have done all the work that was required by the doctor. Now, ten weeks post surgery, I am down 60 lbs and 6 inches on my waist. I feel great, do 4 miles a day on the treadmill about 6 days a week, can do 120 situps and am very glad I had the surgery. I know some people have had post-op problems but they were resolved. Some people don't lose as fast, but then, those same people admit that they aren't following the program 100%...same old denial of habits that got us here. My advice is that since you are basically healthy now, you have the best chance of being successful with this program with no complications. I won't say it has been easy, but I will tell you it has been worth it. Go for it...and good luck.

I don't know about the left side pain, but the nausea hit me pretty good when I got off of liquids and went to mushies. I think it was just a sign that the sleeve is still tender. I never upchucked but felt nauseated for 20 or 30 minutes after eating. My guess is that it is your sleeve's way of telling you "enough".

Good for you....go for it. The treadmill will get your cardio going and that will equal more weight loss. The nice thing about the treadmill is that you can measure your speed and endurance. Don't push yourself to the point of exhaustion, but every few days, try to increase either your speed by .1 mph OR increase your time by five minutes or more. You'll be doing more than you thought you could in just a few weeks. Try not to miss out on resistance training, either by pumping light weights or working with exercise bands. I'll admit to being lax on that but I keep trying.

I left the hospital the day after surgery and went out for a walk around the block that evening. Slow, to be sure, but made it all the way and felt I could have done more. The next day, I went to the exercise room and began my treadmill routine. 20 minutes at 2 mph at first, then 30 at 2, etc, until I got up to 60 minutes at 2, then 30 minutes at 3, 40 minutes at 3 and again up till 60 minutes. After that, I increased speed every so often when I felt I was ready. Now, 10 weeks after surgery, I am up to 4 miles at 3.5 mph, which takes me about an hour and 9 minutes. I haven't had a stall yet and I'm down 59 lbs. Ya gotta exercise. It's kinda like banging your head up against the wall cause you feel so good when you stop.

I had, and still have occasionally that feeling you describe. It does get better with time (I'm 9 wks out and it's getting better). I have found that when I take Omeprazol (Prilosec) I don't get as much problems as without. I never had acid reflux or acid problems of any kind, but the Omeprazol seems to ease that feeling.

This is no problem at all for me because I don't mind telling anyone and everyone about this miracle surgery I just had. My wife and I usually share a meal and even then, we sometimes wind up taking some if it home with us. When I order something small for myself and don't eat more than 3 ounces, I am sure to tell the wait staff that it was very good but I can only eat 3 or 4 ounces at a time.

At only two days out, you don't need to worry too much about getting your protein. Yes it is important, but hydration is more important. Keeping drinking water. As for the pain, if your doctor prescribed a pain med, be sure to take it, especially if it is in liquid form. My doctor gave me liquid Lortab and it was great. Being liquid it went straight to the source of the discomfort and stopped the pain right a way. I only had to use it for about 3 nights and not at all in the daytime. It does get better. Just give yourself a little more time and get the protein when you can.

Ah yes, Obesity, the death that keep on killing.......

Before surgery, I would sweat like a pig a the drop of a hat. People would often ask me if I was feeling OK. I was always fighting the thermostat wars with my wife. Now, at 7 weeks post op, the only time I sweat is when I go to the gym and even then, not nearly as heavy as pre-op. This is a NSV you can look forward to.

The biggest part of her comments is jealousy. The rest may be genuine concern for your wellbeing. Point her to this website and let he read the success stories. Of course there are also stories about complications, but they are far outnumbered by success stories. Maybe she'll feel better about it.