Wow - okay - first thing you need to do is pull yourself up out of the pity party. And I apologize, I hate to be mean and don't want to be insensitive. But you need to get a hold of yourself sweetie! This is a TOOL to help you loose the weight. Everyone looses at a different pace - and keeping yourself positive goes a long way in helping with that. All that being said, are you getting in the required liquids, Protein, etc? If you are and you are getting some good walking in, etc. The weight will start to come off. And 17 pounds is nothing to cry about!! Your attitude right now may be part of the problem. I'm so sorry you are having such a horrible time with this - but try to get yourself together and follow your eating plan to the tea - exercise and you will start to see the weight drop off.
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I had this happen to me Monday evening. I am on 3 shakes a day and as I was turning in bed, my stomach grumbled and luckily I had the covers off and I was on my stomach. I literally shot out of bed, ran to the restroom, and I had to take a quick shower and I was so upset I threw away my pj bottoms and then I slept with two towels underneath me. I was exhausted. I decided chocolate with Fiber for my evening shake is not a good thing and started having it for Breakfast.
I was really embarrassed and the next day when I told my husband, who was oblivious (thank goodness) I said hey I guess night Sharts happen!
I am here in Mexico now!!! I feel really safe here!!!
Before I selected my doctor, I researched, researched and researched some more!!! It's definitely a personal decision that you have to make!
I am actually sitting in a hotel in Mexico recovering from my sleeve surgery. I chose to come here because of price. I am sel pay. For 6 months prior I have researched everything I possibly could and was lucky enough to know many people who had gone through the same medical group as me. If I had to do this "blindly" I dont know if I would have. Word of mouth is extremely important when you are considering going out of country.
In 9 hrs I will be driving to the airport and 5.5 hrs later I will be sitting in the hospital in Mexico. It seemed like it took forever to get here but now I cant believe its happening so quick!
In 9 hrs I will be driving to the airport and 5.5 hrs later I will be sitting in the hospital in Mexico. It seemed like it took forever to get here but now I cant believe its happening so quick!
In 9 hrs I will be driving to the airport and 5.5 hrs later I will be sitting in the hospital in Mexico. It seemed like it took forever to get here but now I cant believe its happening so quick!
wow, I need to pay attention. I saw Grand Prairie and .... no really I meant not that far away as in...ummm...planetary distances...yeah, that's it. We're still in the same galaxy and all....
DISCLAIMER: This FAQ is in no way intended to replace or undermine the advice of your physician. Every person is different, every surgeon has different guidelines, and no two situations are identical. Therefore if any of the answers below are unclear or contradict your physicians’ instructions, always follow your physicians’ instructions. The responses given are a compilation from multiple sources and references.
How do I embed the weight loss ticker? Click on the liquid stage? During your clear liquid stage you can have anything that you can sip through a straw that is translucent, meaning see through. For instance: Water, juice, broth, sugar free popsicles, sugar free Jello, Isopure Protein Drinks, Gatorade, Powerade, Decaf tea just to name a few. Once you move on to full liquids you may add liquids that are not translucent. For instance: creamed Soups, soups with the chunks strained out, milk, Protein shakes etc…
When do I start mushies/purees? Every surgeon has different guidelines for the progression of your post-op diet. The majority of post-op diets progress as follows:
Day 1-7 Clear Liquids
Day 8-14 Full liquids
Day 15-21 Purees
Day 22-50 Mushies
What’s the difference between mushies and purees? The major difference is that purees are anything that has been blenderized/pureed to a baby food consistency and has no chunks. These should not be watery, but instead a thicker pudding like consistency. Mushies are soft foods that have not been pureed.< /p>
Should I be counting calories or carbs or both? Both. Again, every surgeon is different, but the majority of sleevers will be on a 600-1000 calorie/day diet with carbs kept at 60-80g or less. The general guideline is this: When eating, protein is always first, veggies are second, and if you have room carbs/starch last. The majority will rarely have room for the carbs.
How much protein should I be getting per day? The recommended protein intake may vary from 55 to 100g per day, depending on your individual needs and the bariatric diet provided by your surgeon or dietitian. The generally accepted minimum protein requirement for women is about 50 to 60g per day and men need at least 60 to 70g of protein per day.
How much liquid do i need for the day? About 60-80oz
When can I eat salad? Once you reach the point where you’re on normal solids you can try salad. Start with a small amount and see how your sleeve tolerates it as it can be difficult to digest.
Best Protein Shakes? This one depends on your particular tastes, however most seem to enjoy powders? utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury.
What else counts as a liquid? Anything that can be sipped through a straw or that will reduce back to a liquid. For example: Jello, sugar free popsicles, frozen yogurt/ice cream (these are generally no no foods)
How long will my surgery last? Typically about 45mins assuming there are no complications or other procedures (ie: hernia repairs) being done at the time of your surgery. Every surgeon is different so for a more accurate answer you should consult your respective surgeon.
Why can't I tolerate plain water, is this normal? It’s called water nausea and it is completely normal. This is very common during the first few weeks following surgery and should eventually subside.
What is sliming/slimes? Sliming or slimes occur when you eat or drink something and then regurgitate a slimy, foamy, saliva like substance, usually when belching.
What is grazing? Grazing is when instead of consuming your standard 3 small meals and 2 small Snacks per day, you simply munch all day grabbing a handful here or a bite there. The rule is that your meals should take you 20-30 minutes to eat and should be about 3 hours apart with only fluids in between.
What do all these acronyms mean?
In no particular order:
WLS – Weight Loss Surgery
NSV – Non scale Victory (ie: smaller clothes, compliments, climbing a flight of stairs etc…)
NUT – Nutritionist
PCP – Primary Care Physician
VSG – Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
TOM – Time of the Month
SF – Sugar Free
WFL/WFD – What’s for Lunch/Dinner
How much did you lose at 1 month etc.? How much can I expect to lose in what time frame? Everyone’s body is different and so is everyone’s journey. There is no set amount you should expect lose in a set amount of time, and you should never compare your journey or your progress to someone elses. As long as you’re sticking with the program and following your surgeons guidelines, the weight will come off.
What is a stall? How long does it last and how do I break it? A stall is a point at which the scale stops moving for a period of time. The length of the stall varies from a few days to a few weeks and sometimes a few months. Non VSG’ers typically call it a plateau. Stalls are perfectly normal and to be expected. As we lose weight so dramatically, our bodies need time to catch up physically - this typically happens during a stall. While the scale may not be moving, you may notice an increase in compliments. This is because while the number on the scale isn’t getting any smaller, you are physically getting smaller. There are many tips and tricks for breaking a stall (increase your fluids and protein, increase your activity, up your calories…) but the reality is it will break on its own.
When can I have sex? When you’re ready. Keep it simple for the first few weeks post-op and don’t attempt any tricky positions. Be careful until you’ve been cleared by your surgeon for strenuous activity.
When can I start exercising? Typically right away, though the types of exercises you can do will be limited. Most surgeons restrict weight training/resistance training for about 3-4 weeks after surgery, but you should be walking/speed walking at least 30-45min daily starting from the day you get home.
What do I do with flabby skin? What's the best exercise etc.? The severity of the flab will vary based on many different factors. While there’s no way to tell how bad it will be or whether it will even be bad, there are a couple of proactive measures you can take. Make sure you’re using a moisturizing lotion with Vitamin E and Keratin several times daily. The vitamin E will help add elasticity back to your skin and the keratin will add moisture, both of which may help your skin bounce back as the weight falls off. The best exercises to target your problem areas are resistance and strength training in order to tone and build muscle to replace the fat. Lastly, be patient. Just as your weight stalls while your waist catches up to it, your skin will sag until it gets the signal to shrink. While it probably won’t ever be as tight as you’d like, it will shrink.
Will I lose hair? How much? What causes it? When does it return? Do Vitamins help? The truth is, yes, you probably will lose hair. Because of the drastic changes going on that are caused by the extreme reduction in protein and vitamins coming in as well as the hormonal fluctuations caused by the rapid weight loss, it takes our bodies a while to adjust. Don’t worry, as our hormones level out and our bodies get used to the new us, it will come back. There is no set time frame for it to do so however.
I’m constipated - what is it okay to take, especially in the beginning when newly sleeved? Will it get better? Worse? In the beginning a simple stool softener like Colace should do the trick. You don’t want to take a laxative or anything that may irritate your new sleeve. While you’re in the liquid/puree stage, Constipation shouldn’t be an issue, but as you reintroduce solids you may have to go back to your stool softeners. If you do find that stool softners are only offering temporary relief, try increasing your fluids and Fiber and decreasing your cheeses.
I’m having very loose bowel movements, is this normal? Totally. You do need to monitor stools of this consistency to ensure they contain no blood, but very loose stools, even watery stools, are completely normal for a few weeks post-op. When in doubt – ask your surgeon.
Will I feel fatigue? Will fatigue go away? Yes and yes. Your body has just undergone major surgery and it needs to heal. While it’s healing you will feel more fatigued than normal. Subsequent to having such a large portion of your stomach removed is the fact that you can no longer take in as much food (read: fuel) and therefore your body has to adjust and find a new fuel source. Your body will eventually begin to burn fat for fuel and some of the fatigue will subside. Your surgeon should also prescribe a B12 supplement which will also help with energy.
When can I go back to work? How much time should I take off? That will be entirely up to your surgeon. Most return to work within 2-3 weeks.
How many days in the hospital? Your hospital stay will depend on your recovery. When you are able to keep down liquids, are up and about and walking as directed, and your surgeon and nursing staff are confident there are no complications, you’ll be released. Your surgeon should be able to give you an expectation of the length of your stay.
Do the staples dissolve? No. The staples used to close the stomach are titanium and do not dissolve. The stomach tissue will eventually grow over the staple line. Your staples do not make metal detectors go off or make you ineligible for an MRI. They are completely benign.
Why am I always hungry? The most likely culprit is either head hunger or reflux/heartburn. Head hunger is a false sense of hunger triggered by boredom/emotions/the clock or any number of things which make you think you’re hungry when you’re really not. Heartburn is the most common culprit of constant hunger. Even though you may not feel as though you have heartburn, you may find that a simple antacid will eliminate that constant hungry feeling.
What is a stricture? A stricture is what happens when scar tissue builds up in your esophagus (sometimes caused by reflux) that causes your esophagus to narrow and makes swallowing difficult.
What is a leak and what are the symptoms? A leak is an opening along the suture line of your sleeve that allows bile and other digestive fluids to leak into your abdominal cavity. The symptoms of a leak vary but the most common symptoms are pain radiating across the abdomen, fever, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, and abdominal cramping. It is important to note that leaks are rare and only occur in about 1 out of every 100 cases.
Can you get a leak any time after surgery? Or is it just immediate? Most leaks happen very soon after surgery, but there is still a risk for about 4-6 weeks after. Again, it is important to note that leaks are rare and only occur in about 1 out of every 100 cases.
Some of my incisions are oozing - is this normal? If they’re oozing a green or yellowish Fluid, absolutely not. Green and yellow are the colors of infection and should be reported to your surgeon immediately. If your incisions are oozing a pinkish or clear watery fluid it’s your body’s way of keeping your incisions clean and isn’t usually a concern. When in doubt, ask your surgeon.
I having surgery may 21 and have the same thoughts going through my head.... but I know I will lose the weight as I have yet to see anyone on here not lose anything... it seems each person loses at different rates. I just hope I'm not on the slow side of weightloss.
OMG I totally get where you are coming from. Ive been asking myself the same questions! My surgery is May 21 in Mexico. In the end I am 99% sure this is a good choice for me. I am almost 6 feet tall and have a bmi of 40. Ive lost weight before only to gain it back and the some. It is scary but so is being obese with health issues and having to deal with kids.
I told my daughter that if anything is going to take me off this earth it will be from something I couldnt control, like getting hit by a bus. Not from something I could have done something about, with that said I quit smoking in February and am now focused on a healthy me.... yea surgery seems like a drastic step but research as much as you can and this forum is great for support and information. Only you can make the decision.
Day 1 thru 5 ( Clear liquids Only )
fruit juice ( apple, grape, cranberry )
Propel
broth
Jello-O
Water
Tea
Protein Water by Kellogg?s
Water popsicles
Clear Protein drinks only ( example Isopure, unjury )
Day 6-10 ( thin liquids )
All of the above and:
Natural Vegetable Juices ( example Carrot, V-8 juice )
Protein drinks mixed with water ( example Matrix )
Whey nectar Protein Mix
Day 11 thru 20 ( full liquids )
Cream Soups
Yogurt
Jello-O
Boiled pureed fruit ( example apple, pear) applesauce
Watermelon, papaya or melon in small pieces
Low fat milk 1 or 2%
Water, Propel, tea
Soy beverages
sugar free pudding
Protein shakes and protein powders mixed with milk
Day 21 thru 30 ( soft food )
Soft food should be the consistency of a thick liquid ( no chunks or solid material ) and it should be chewed very well before swallowing until it is a liquid consistency )
Tofu
Low fat cottage cheese
Cereal
oatmeal
Precooked pureed rice
Low fat Yogurt
Yogurt mixed with fruit very well blended
Cream soups
eggs
Boiled pureed fruit ( example pear, apple )
Watermelon, papaya or melon in small pieces
Boiled pureed vegetables
Beans
Day 31st and beyond ( solid food )
Fish,
Chiken
meat
Turkey
Vegetables
Fruit
A diet consisting of 800 calories and 70 grams of protein should be your goal.
There is a book called " Weight loss Surgery for Dummies"
Authors: Kurian, Thompson and Davidson
You might find it helpful.
I contains several recipes and ideas on what to eat after surgery
Please do not forget to take your Nexium .
Patients who fail to take the Nexium may experience nausea, reflux and swelling which may lead to difficulty in eating. We recommend you avoid complications that are very easily preventable and plan on taking the Nexium for at least 3 months.
We recommend you have your first check up 3 months after surgery. It will consist of an upper GI and some blood work.
The upper GI is an x-ray examination of the pharynx, esophagus,
stomach and first part of the small intestine (also
known as the duodenum) that uses a special form
of x-ray called fluoroscopy and a contrast material
called barium.
Blood work could include checking the following...
CBC ( to check anemia and lack of Vitamin B12 ) and
SMAC 24 (sugar, cholesterol, Calcium and hepatic
functioning )
I will also copy paste some information that can help you during these first weeks after surgery.
A diet consisting of 600-800 calories and about 70 grams of protein should be the goal
Protein will not only help you heal and build muscle mass but acts as a
natural appetite suppressant.
Concerning protein supplements here are a few ideas:
Isopure Protein Drinks - 40 grams of protein per bottle.
Isopure you mix with water - 50 grams of protein.
You can find them at GNC.
"Protein Water" by Kellogg?s - 5 grams of protein per drink.
You can find it at WallMart
Unjury clear protein drinks - UNJURY Medical Quality Whey Protein Isolate. Great Tasting Whey Protein supplements for Everyday Health! High Protein and High Quality.
Not so good tasting.
New Whey nectar Protein mix is very good but it is kind of expensive.
It is said to be one of the best tasting protein products in the market today.
You can get it at GNC or on line
www.google.com/products?client=safari&rls=en&q=whey+nectar+protein&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title
Some patients enjoy making popsicles and Jell-O Jigglers out of protein liquid.
Others enjoy Swanson Clear broth that comes in a can .
But most enjoy delicious homemade broth using chayote squash for flavor
( they strain the broth to make it clear)
CHICKEN AND FRESH VEGETABLE BROTH
2-3 pieces of chicken for every 2 bowls of broth 1 celery stalk
1 chayote (hispanic grocery stores) 1 carrot
2 zucchini 2 small tomatoes
2 small onions cilantro (optional)
salt to taste
- BOIL chicken pieces for approx. 20 minutes
- ADD celery, chayote, and carrot
- SIMMER 30 minutes
- ADD zucchini,m tomatoes and onions
- SIMMER15 more minutes (cilantro is optional)
- STRAIN and serve.
You can also buy powder chicken broth that contains 10 grams protein per serving.
You can find it on Amazon.com, it is called ProCel
When you start on full liquids try Matrix 5.0 protein drinks.
Protein shakes and mixes are very good tasking. You will need to wait until they are allowed in you food stage.
Advocare high protein drinks called ?Meal Replacement shakes ? have Vitamins added to them and are a great option too
FOLLOWING THE POST OP DIET IS VERY IMPORTANT
REMEMBER WE ARE TRYING TO PROTECT THE STAPLE LINE
THE SCAR TISSUE IS STILL FORMING AROUND IT
DO NOT OVERFILL YOUR STOMACH AND DO NOT JUMP ANY FOOD STAGES
Hello fellow canadian! I know how you feel! I am patiently waiting for my scope now(which takes forever here in BC) and am hoping to have the surgery in september
Good luck with your journey!
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