peatie

No second guessing for me. In fact, there are many times now that I *know* I made the right decision, because if I didn't have the surgery, I'd have finished the whole plate of food and then some. Restriction was a BIG key for me to lose weight and get it under control once and for all. No regrets. My hair did not fall out, no acid problems, no depression.

Thanks for the info! I did start my pureed stage today and was only able to get in 1-2oz of chicken. Def a different process from liquids. And i have to remember to take it s-l-o-w.

stop drinking 10 minutes before eating and wait for 30 min after. The liquid will 'liquefy' the food you just ate and process it quicker, meaning it would spend less time in your stomach digesting ultimately leaving you hungry again. There's a video on youtube about the whole theory. it's demonstrated by a cup of applesauce. Pretty interesting.

I'm in my second week and stalled. I understand what you're saying about 'looking noticeably slimmer' for your mom, as i'm off from school for 3 weeks and feel when i return, those who know i've had the surgery are expecting me to look slimmer...and i don't. I weigh myself everyday, and my weight in the evening is always a couple of pounds heavier than i was in the morning. The day-day weighing is not accurate...there are patterns and fluctuations. Likewise, you could 'miraculously' lose 5 lbs overnight by 'not doing anything.' It's how our body responds...and we all have a different response system. We need to be realistic. This was never intended to be a quick fix. This is a lifestyle change, and this is a TOOL, not the answer. The sleeve works. You need to trust the process and let it help you. I am holding tight that it will work for me. Hang in there. I feel what you're going thru. You need to stand up for your sleeve rather than feel it's let you down. You need to rid those unrealistic demons in your head!! Good Luck!!

I'm in the liquids stage, and I have no problems getting in 70oz of liquid a day. I can drink 3oz immediately at once, and drink my 11oz premiere Protein shake within 20 min easily. When i move onto soft and then dense food/protein, will I really feel the restriction everyone keeps talking about?? Will i only be able to eat 3-4oz at a time max? I have never felt the foamies or needed to vomit. I get an uneasy feeling in my breastbone and stop, and it goes away within a minute. I'm just trying to figure out if what i'm feeling is normal for my stage (full liquids). Thanks for any input! april

If your PCP is not diligent in note-keeping, then chances are you will be denied. There are some Doc's who document well and the person is still denied. What are the requirements for your 3mo deal?

I am 12 days post op and am able to drink my 11oz protein shake over the course of 20-30 min.

I am 12 days post op and so SICK of the liquid diet. I had some miso Soup yesterday and it was THE BEST tasting thing ever. My taste buds are being starved! haha. If I never see another tomato, cream of chicken, clam chowder, chicken broth can again, it will be too soon. I used to LOVE Soups, now it might take me over a year to eat another one again. bleh! Good luck to you and keep up the good work. Each day that passes is another one closer to real food AND goal!

I am 12 days post op and still have a hard time sitting in a chair, much less be on the computer. It will get better with each day. Also to remember, never trust a fart this early out. Keep up the good work and in no time we'll all be at goal!

I'm 12 days out an in a stall right now. SO FRUSTRATING. But glad to read the other stories in the post and I feel better *knowing* if I stick to the plan, it will come off! I'm just afraid that I'll start my pureed stage in 2 days and i'll GAIN weight. ugh....

wait. let me get this straight. you were going fine before, or as you think you were. Were you feeling any discomfort or bloatedness in your intestines tho? And now you have cramping in your intestines and are going often? And your stomach is bloated too now? When you go to the bathroom, is it the same kind of pooh, or more? Or what? Do you FEEL the laxatives are getting out more than you were getting out before? Are you able to take a gas X? Sounds like your stomach is sorta gassy from the laxative? Can you try gasX to see if it helps? Other than going so often now, is the laxative REALLY working (like getting out a ton more than you were normally)? Sorry for the TMI questions, but just trying to understand more of the whole picture and rationale. And sorry you're feeling the pains... laxatives will give cramps b/c it's stimulating the bowels to get rid of what's in there..

If you feel you will need the restriction to keep the weight off for your entire life, I honestly believe the sleeve is the better option. Sure, you can have a 'no-fail' band until 90, but why have to deal with all the filling/unfilling, etc..., not to mention something FOREIGN in your body that can cause issue like SCAR TISSUE which closes the opening of your stomach? Yes, there are many more years of research on the band, but in 13 years, there will be just as much on the sleeve. lol The sleeve wasn't 'invented' yesterday. It was used for many years prior as either a first stage to weight loss for RNY or for those with stomach cancer. Maybe you should do research on the life long outcome of those with stomach cancer who had gastrectomies. Aside from cancer returning, I doubt you'd find much in the way of the same type of complications that the band gives.

I think you're right on target. I'm 6 days post op and get between 50-55 grams a day so far. I do have to work at it, but it happens. As long as you're getting in the liquids and don't feel dehydrated, I think you're doing a fabulous job!

As we age, we also lose some subcutaneous fat (fat just under the skin), and our skin thins out a bit, so we are able to see bones where we didn't before (face, chest). That's why those who are a little 'plumper' appear to be younger. Guess i'd rather look my age and be healthy than look younger. hee hee!

I think it would be neat. I wonder if there's one up on youtube?

yes, this pain! Ok, it started when i overdid it, and not surprised it's still around. Thanks for the info...

even when we chew and spit out, our saliva already has begun the digestive stage and some does enter into your system. Because we are back to almost a 'clean diet' so to speak, i think any change in fats/calories/preservatives will be a shock to our system. Sounds like you may have some slight adjusting to do when you begin the soft or mushies stage and can eat "real" food again. Take it slowly. I understand the need to taste stuff, tho. While in the hospital I salivated over the food commercials. Pre-op, I couldn't give a rip on them... now it all looks so good when the few 5 things i'm eating aren't so satisfying anymore. I can't wait to get my sleeve healed up so I can eat normal, but in super tiny quantities!

Upon discharge from the hospital, my dr said It's not uncommon to have a sharp pain coming from that largest incision for another 4-6 wks when i moved wrong or did something to 'upset' it. It would be a feeling that could bring me to my knees, and I would think that i ripped something, my intestines is about to fall out or something drastic.. but it's ok and normal. So with that, I 'assume' what i'm feeling is normal, esp b/c my dr called yesterday for a follow-up and i explained how i overdid things on Sunday and now what i was feeling.. She reminded me i just had major surgery, and in fact one of my organs is half missing and trying to heal as well. That i need to take it easy and rest. So i'm assuming what i'm feeling is on par for what i did. I have no other issues with anything (stoma, other incisions, internal organ pain...). There has GOT to be someone out there with tenderness as well?? I mean, not everyone can be feeling like they're on top of the world at 6 days post-op, right??

What is a reasonable amount of time I need to deal with all the tenderness? I overdid things on Post-op day 4 and am paying dearly for it. I was feeling good, but now my largest incision is giving me sharp pains and hates me. I am back to taking the pain meds every 4 hours to keep comfortable. This is the largest incision and otherwise doing ok (no redness, swelling, drainage). I just can't stand the sharp pains like I keep pulling something inside. So how long did the tenderness last all together for your incision(s)? Thanks!

Interesting! I suppose i too will begin religiously taking all my vites again too! Thanks for posting this!

I had no gas pains either. And the Dr does try to remove as much of it as possible before closing you up to minimize the effects (if any). Gas X will also only help if you are gassy in your STOMACH, not the CO2 they pump in your ab cavity. Does this make sense? Good Luck to you and hope you have an 'uneventful' surgery and recovery!

Anyway, to keep this post RELEVANT in this post-op section, I understand that the question lisabug might be asking was "Is it normal to feel the need to chew while in the early post-op liquid stages?" Why yes, i do think it IS normal. Although i am only 6 days post-op, I can say that I have had to take minuscule bites of crumbled things (toast) just to get a 'chew' going. And i am craving gum like there is no tomorrow! aargh. Soon this will all be a distant memory.. Oh, and NO Girl Scout Cookies will enter this house. I just can't pass up the Thin Mints and watching the rest of the family eat them will drive me insane! boo!

You know, it's only appropriate to 'point out' lisabug's ill-placed post if she is a constant abuser of the post-op forum. But no need to jump on anyone's back for a slight error. Is there no room for leniency? You're being a bully. It might behoove you to return to just 'reading posts' rather than participating if this is the attitude you bring to the community.

I also heard you do not want to take your Vitamins w/minerals...about the absorption thing. I have liquid calcium and liquid vitamins from the Vitamin Shoppe. They're ok, but I hate taking horse pills. My Dr just said to make sure you don't get the gummy vites b/c they could get stuck in your stomach opening. yeowtch! Good luck!

Ugh! I seriously had brain damage when i went in for my sleeve. I don't recall ANYTHING i'm supposed to do or the reason for it. OF COURSE it's to prevent DVT's...duh! I can't believe It didn't occur to me and I'm a nursing student who takes care of patients POST OP and have then up and walking asap. Seriously, I feel like an idiot! lol Thanks for all the info!