4ALongerLife

Dang it, now I want sweet potato mash And no, I haven't yet had that experience, love Lyra's response - def con 1, lol.

I don't chug, on purpose. My dr. scared me pre op with a story of someone who caused a leak due to chugging. Then again, I got a leak anyways, so what do I know.

Good lawd, I'm so sorry you've had such an experience. Work stress doesn't help alleviate anything Please get your rest and take care of yourself as best as you can. Call the dr. or ask his nurse what they suggest on the reflux. Good luck and hope that with each day it's getting easier for you!

My favorite clear Protein drink is now called Whey Isolate at Vitamin Shoppe. I like the green (tropical) and the orange (tangerine). It's a 16 oz. bottle with 32 g of protein (it's whey protein isolate). They are 3.79 a bottle. Maybe get off of the shakes for a few days, then try them again. Don't give up on them forever, your body is changing. But call your dr. They get paid good money and you have the right to "pester" them ok? Do NOT feel bad on asking about YOUR HEALTH. Good luck!

I'd like to ask you to remember this: You are going through alot of changes. It's not easy. Handle yourself with care and don't beat yourself up. For most of us who used food as a tool to cope, it's like losing a love relationship. I hate to describe it in such maladaptive terminology, but it's true. I have many emotions inside of me on this change. It's not easy, emotionally making this change, the surgery was the easy part. And I say that after 20 some odd days of complications! Are you going to any support groups or have you seen a counselor before? Not saying you are crazy, but rather I'm suggesting talking it out with someone on all that you are feeling. I think you pegged it... the everyday satisfaction has been taken away, so now what? It's like grieving the death of a friend. You aren't alone. But let your husband in on how you're feeling if you can and close friends. Support helps! Best to you mama. xoxo

IDK what a leak first presents as, mine didn't feel like anything, until I had an abscess. I bet the ladies are correct and you have a bug or something... pls check with your dr. or his nurse and hope you get well soon!

Since I don't know and am not sure, I'd ask that you speak to your dr., nutritionist, bariatric consultant or someone in the medical field to be certain on those guidelines and when you can go beyond 4 oz.s. There are guidelines to follow to help you make a lifestyle change. And you can stretch your sleeve out. I'm not sure how leaks happen, what all causes each of them, but I had one and believe me ---- I'd rather make an extra call to pester my dr. or his office or a medical professional than wish a leak or it's effects on anyone else.

Checking in on you..... hoping that they've figured out the root cause of your issues.... but hope you are ok!

Are you a sadist? Girl.... hang in there. You're still funny - and gawgeous as eva. Puffy faced or not, your soul shines through the pc screen via your posts. I love reading them. Oh and a snocone sounds decent maybe? I love the SF blue bell bullet popsicles too

I didn't have vomiting (they put a sticker behind my earlobe, like a dramamine or something to combat that). But for my "L" word (leak) I had pain in my left side - severe pain. It was an abscess of Fluid that went into my diaphragm. Are you running a fever? What did the CAT scan show? Anything? If you get to feeling worse, I say go to the ER (esply if you are running a temp ok?). Hang in there and pls keep us updated. Best to you... and am praying for you for that as well!

I've experienced a few bumps in my WLS journey road. Whenever I was diagnosed with a leak/abscess, they also saw something abnormal in my xray. It turned out to be nothing. Please relax and get that CT done asap.... and know you have one more person here praying for you as a good friend, even though we've just met online. xoxo

Um..... I had a leak and asked this question in one of my last office visits. It can happen for longer than you think, I am not sure when you are "out of the woods." Mine happened right after my surgery as my tummy didn't like the staples and had necrosis away from the suture line, making an opening. I found it as it was extremely painful in my left arm and left flank/side and I was spiking a temp. For a while, I said I was stupid for doing this surgery. I paid out of pocket for it all and I'm worried to say the least on the bills for my pneumonia stay in the hospital after surgery and for the leak/abscess. However, it's like 1% that this happens to. Please know it's rare to have complications from all that I've read. It DOES happen, but it's rare. Would I do it again? Yes. Yes. Yes...... I've struggled for almost all of my lifetime with my weight (it started young) and I've always been larger than average, but not huge. I just want to be normal, to go into any store and buy something off of the rack to wear and feel ok about what it is and how it looks, to be in pictures with my family again....but more than anything, more than any money in the world, I want to be healthy so I can live as long as possible for my son. So would I do it again? YES, YES, YES. Feel free to write me/inbox if you have any questions or want any input from me. I wish you the best of luck - to all of you!

Sweetsusie, come move in with me! (she's a certified chef, hellllloooo) A great site is "the world according to eggface" just google it and you'll find it! She's got soft food ideas and Protein ice cream recipes. Susie, you ought to end up doing something like her site!

What about reverse fit jeans? I had a friend who had an hourglass shape and she got 10R's whenever she bought britches. Yep I said britches.

Ok I retracted my go for it. Stick to your phase 1 diet. And I'm still working on my cues myself hon. It's not easy so far (or hasn't been for me). But in time, it gets easier. Call your dr. and see if you can add in protein. I just wonder, they cut out the gherlin but when does it 'kick back in'? Or is it just head hunger?

Congratulations on your decision! I didn't tell anyone at first, but then slowly I told one, then another and I was surprised how accepting most were - even my in laws (who are in their 60s and I assumed they would be against it), they were very supportive. But my decision was made much like yours. Good luck to you in your WLS journey! Oh and 'come out, come out where ever you are!' (don't be a stranger ok?)

Ponyup, do you have a whole foods there? My dr's nurse suggested cioppino Soup from whole foods and it's FULL of flavor. I'm in soft/pureed and it's like real food! lol... it is real food, but with some flavor and consistency. And mmoral, yes I did get hungry in b/w those phases, it started back then but I'm having some head hunger too sometimes. Handling it all is a struggle, but we will get there.

Girl, I'm there with you. I feel like I'm eating all day but how am I supposed to only eat 3 meals a day and one snack minimum???? AND I am not getting enough calories. I'm soooo there with you! Wait will you still lose weight having that few calories though Forensikchic? Well I guess so, you've done it... I thought I would go into starvation mode and just stay there, holding onto every lb.? Glad to know that's not the case, phew.

Soft food stage.... and pureed if you want to puree it! (yuck)

I just love you Lissa. You are awesome! Thanks for sending out more positive vibes in the world. (I sound like a hippie huh? I'm not but.. there's so much negative around us, thanks for giving something different and btw, glad you are ok!)

Great question! I'd love to hear the answers too on this as I'm trying to progress from my paper into the next stages and struggling on when to eat what! Hollirose, congrats on the intake on fluids! You have me beat by a long shot, wtg girl! Now I wanna be like you!

I've been wondering about this as well. myfitnesspal.com is telling me I'm not getting enough. But as soon as I have a few days where I have gotten enough calories, bam I lose weight. How many calories is enough? How do you do that and stay on 3 meals a day whenever I can't get that much into my pouch at one time. This is hard right? Any advices?

Well I DID regret it for a minute. I told my husband, at my worst, please take me home and leave me in a field to die. Ok that's a bit meladramatic right? I was really at my wits end (durn hospital wanted to put me in a nursing home for a half a second grrrr). But yes Artsy, I had a second surgery on 3/20 to restitch my pouch as a staple came loose due to my stomach skin not liking the staple in that place (essentially). (side note, where you been artsy???) I'm watching my progression back through the foods - I'm on a soft diet right now. Last week I did pureed and I was having some feelings that weren't good in my tummy whenever I would eat. Best description that I can give you is that it felt like my tummy was a wash rag being rung out whenever I would eat. The good news? I don't feel that way this week. Mind you, I've been eating a lot of cioppino Soup from whole foods (it's supposed to be fullll of Protein and lowfat as it's tomato based, also is very tasty/full of flavor) and alot of other soft foods still ... but I had chicken breast (about 3 oz) at lunch for my second time in the last few days and no issues. So whomever prayed and got it to God, thank you. My tummy's making some weird sounds and it worries me, but I've decided I'm just going to use my energy to remain positive instead of worrying. Sorry that was longer than intended btw, brittcherry, you are doing wonderfully! congrats, you loser!

Go to the dr., go to the dr., go to the doctor - or at LEAST call pls. Better to ask and be sure than be sorry later on. Good luck!

i didn't realize that 3 oz of chicken had 30 g of protein. i'm living via myfitnesspal.com and let me tell you, i am loving it. thanks for posting these tho!