AliveAgain

Depends, what kind of laxative did you use? If you used milk of magnesia, that can cause a chalky white to appear. But it should disappear within a day. I would call your doctor since white and black are two of the worst colors for stool.

Doctors and nurses told me 7-10 days was best, and longer if I could do it. The first few days the CO2 and anesthesia are getting out of your system, as well as any pain meds from the hospital or at home. Then it's more about your abdomen since you actually use some of those muscles to control your legs. You may have delayed reaction times or just end up hurting yourself if you have to brake hard or drive stick.

I have in week 14 and am having a hard time with energy the last week or so. I'm also having a hard time getting my protein, calories, and fluids in. I'm quite sure the low energy came before the slacking food/fluids. I'm working hard to get it back up there, but I am NEVER hungry and where I used to be able to eat "normal" 2-3oz of food, I now fill up on 2 spoonfuls. Even protein shakes make me feel extremely full barely 1/4 through them. I know I should be getting more with my activity level, but barely hit 400-450 calories a day. All my levels came back normal and I take my multi, B12, etc. every day...

Have you been in bed a lot with the sheets tucked in? If so, this can keep your feet bent down and will tighten your calves/heels until they're sore. I do agree with checking with doctor to rule out clots. But I learned while recovering from knee surgery that something as simple as the sheets being too tight can also do that. Also, when you are sore in the core muscles of your body - the rest of your body can try to compensate. You may just be using those muscles more than you realize when you're on the move.

First off: I am not nor have ever been diabetic, so I would always encourage you to listen to your doctor. That being said, bug him like crazy and ask why that happened. Also, search this forum and others like ObesityHelp to see what others did during the liquid phase. Personally, my doctor would not let me use any of those products. He's not a fan of the ready-made drinks because most are made with whey concentrate which is inferior to whey isolate. Eh, but it's better than nothing - right? Most WL surgeons will encourage you by your second week to be hitting 60-70g of Protein daily. Then in your fourth-fifth week aiming for 70-90g of protein. Which shakes work best with blood sugar levels, will need some research. I personally used Syntrax nectar,

I'm from NC, too, so I know there's no chance you'll be pulling anything out for the next 4-5 months. I agree with Pennie, maybe set aside the key items you would like to keep and put the other stuff stowed away. You'll have a better chance of selling them or finding someone who can use them when the weather gets cooler. Chances are, you won't be able to wear any of it! Good luck!

Funny how all the medical dramas on TV (Grey's Anatomy) the surgeons are all decked out with mascara, gloss, so much hair product! You go to a real hospital and it's nothing like that!

I used a thermometer as well and found letting the soup get up to 140-150, then bringing it down to 130 with some cold water for some reason made it stay warmer longer. Maybe it was all in my head. The protein still clumped a little even at 129, but I could always break it up and mix it with a spoon until it was creamy and dissolved. Sometimes I'd also try getting it nice and hot, eating some of it at the temperature I liked, then added the protein as it cooled. That way I at least half enjoyed my meals! Good news is that this stage passes in a flash, then you're on to getting normal hot meals again!

I am 3 months out and my PCP ordered some labs for me. My cholesterol is a funky one. I have thankfully gone down in my total cholesterol from 203 to 185. The bad one (LDL) went down from 147 to 134, but unfortunately my good (HDL) is also lower - from 42 to 34. The HDL was already low to begin with, given you want more than 46mg/dL. This makes my ratio worse from 4.8 to 5.4 putting me in a cardiac risk area. Has anyone heard of this happening after surgery? Most of my Protein is whey isolate shakes, made with Water. I occasionally make them with 3-4oz of unflavored soy milk, but the "creamy" taste doesn't always agree with me. I eat lean meats like chicken breast, shrimp, scallops, halibut, some turkey. I rarely have eggs, they also don't agree with me. If I have one or two a week, that's it. I also have FF Greek yogurt and cottage cheese, with a Babybel snack as my main cheese. The rest of my food is a soup/broth, green veggie, some fruit, and a little bit of hummus. I cook with EV olive oil and anytime I have a dressing on my veggies, it's my homemade balsamic vinaigrette made with that olive oil -- all good for the heart. I do eat avocado (against doctor's orders) for the same heart healthy HDL and Fiber. I exercise very regularly, 5-6 days per week with light walks on my "rest" days. I'm worried about this and not sure what to do. I can't take cholesterol medication b/c we still plan to have children. I know most of the time it's genetic, but I'm just curious if anyone else had this after the sleeve?

Ideally, you should take your calcium at least 2 hours apart from any other vitamins, including your multi. Calcium can prevent other vitamins, especially iron, from absorbing properly. I usually take my multi in the morning and at night with breakfast/dinner. I take my calcium around lunch and late afternoon with lunch, some days I only take one. If you're younger, you don't need as much calcium as you might think. My calcium levels came in just fine on my last labs and I am 36.

I haven't had to use my card, yet. I never want the kid's menu b/c it's usually a bunch of fried foods or heavy on carbs only. I order a la carte, from the appetizer menu, or just share with my husband. It still cracks me up how wait staff treat me when I order. When we split an entree that comes with Soup or salad, they always ask if we want to order an extra and I decline. Sometimes they'll still bring me something for free, like they're doing me a favor. I get it, I used to wait a long time ago. It's sweet but so hard to let them know that when I say "no thank you" I really mean it. I ordered the fresh spring roll appetizer off a Thai menu b/c it had tofu listed as the main ingredient. They brought them out and (1) there were six (2) each was the size of a kid's burrito (3) they were 90% lettuce and cucumber. I broke them open to search for the tofu and found less than 1/4 of an ounce in them. So sad. The waitress asked if I didn't like them because my plate looked like a salad. I told her I expected 75% tofu with some lettuce and cucumber. She apologized and brought me a plate with about 4oz of seared tofu to make up for it. It's amazing how our perspectives of serving size change with the sleeve.

Only my husband and one good friend know. And of course any doctors who need to know. I haven't told my family yet because I'm not sure how they would react. I know they love me, but I'm the only one who's ever struggled with weight so I don't know if they'd truly empathize with me. I will most likely tell them once I've reached goal and I can show them how it's been a success. As for other friends or coworkers -- its none of their business. Most of the people I know are extremely healthy and athletic, never above a size 6/8. But that's just me....

I have to say it is one of THE most exhilarating feelings to know I will NEVER have to shop in that horrid section of department store's EVER again! It's like being let out of jail, of the time-out-corner -- being let loose on parts of the store I haven't been allowed into for so many years. To stand in the fitting room and try on size small and medium tops that are fashionable and cute, just makes me And it's only going to get better from here. The clerks are getting to know me because I come in a buy a size, keep the tags and receipt until I wear that item. Then two or three weeks later, if I haven't worn it, I find I try it on and already need the next size down. I'm becoming the "exchange queen!" Next step... cutting up that ugly Lane Bryant card!!!

I keep asking myself "Why did I ever need a stomach that could hold 6-6.5 cups of food EVER?!" Weight loss is not easy. But has anything really worth it been easy to come by?

I've been a migraine sufferer for 20 years. While I'm not having any related to the surgery, I can try to help. Did you ever have any tests done previous to surgery to know their source? Are they true migraines (one-side only) or just really bad headaches? They can seem like the same things, but there is a clinical difference. For me, it was a bevvy of things. I am predisposed genetically, I have horrible hormone problems, large breasts that cause horrific back and neck pain, and some food allergies. I also have to keep a schedule. If my sleep, eating, stress, etc. get out of whack it's like a perfect storm. It has been a huge help to change my diet and stick to it. I always knew refined sugars and carbohydrates could be a culprit, not having them (much) now has made a difference with everything from weight loss, headaches, energy, sleeping. I would also want to look at your magnesium, Iron and B12 levels. I have a hard time keeping those in check and find that when I'm low in one or more of them, the headaches become more frequent. That's why the two days before menstruating are my time to get headaches when those are lowest. Are you staying hydrated with 60oz or more of fluids per day? Dehydration can cause wicked headaches. Remember: If you find yourself thirsty and needing a drink, you're already dehydrated. Stay ahead of it.

EXACTLY! My doctor said it's a slippery slope when you try a Protein bar and get the taste for "candy" bar or more sugar in general. Granted, most of us have more restraint than that -- but if you're prone to grazing or cheats, Protein Bars could be a gateway food. As for protein guidelines, my doctor gave me a 32-page "manifesto" that says aim for 60grams daily for the first two weeks, of course most people only get 30-40 in the first few days. Whey protein ISOLATE is ideal, though there are great soy alternatives if you're vegetarian or lactose intolerant. That's why I like Syntrax nectar and unjury, they have 20-24g per servings and like I said, if you get them in tubs you can do more than one scoop. Syntrax also has sample packs that are great for on-the-go in your purse or car. Just keep a Blender Bottle, find some Water and voila - protein drink! Once you hit mushies in week three, they encourage you to aim for 70-90g of protein. This is easier to hit once you get to solid foods in month two. Oh, and these numbers are for women. Men sometimes need 15-20% more protein simply for having higher metabolisms. Carbs should be below 40g and come from healthy vegetables and a minimum amount of fruits. Juices are not recommended for the first 3 months because of trying to kick the sugar-taste habit. Even with veggies, avoid high sugar ones like carrots, peas, beets and try for more greens (they have Fiber, to boot!) Also, watch your fats. My doc/nut want me to keep below 12g per day, but I do best when I stay under 20g (personally).

My husband tried a bunch of different shampoos and treatments, decided they were all useless. His loss is genetic, so it's a losing battle. My cousin is a colorist/stylist and she agrees - it's nutritional, not much you can do with what you put ON your hair. She does advise being more gentle, less styling when it's not needed and not washing it every day unless you get really sweaty or dirty.

My doctor and nutritionist strongly advise to stay away from bars. As mentioned, they can be higher in carbs and sugars than is beneficial for the amount of protein you get. Unless you're doing some major exercise (like CrossFit, etc.) you just don't need it. For shakes, I love the Syntrax nectar flavors - it's about all I use because they mix well with Water and you can make them the strength that you like (1 scoop, 1.5 or even 2). Then again, I am home not working. Once I go back to work, I'll need to find more ready-made options. I am not a fan of the milk-based drinks (dairy, soy, almond, etc.) It's something about the flavor. Plus, most are vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry flavored -- just too sickly sweet for me. But I was also never much of an ice cream, candy bar, etc. person before surgery

I'm in NorCal/Central Coast and can't find a store that will take clothes over 16 or XL. They consider 14/16 to be "plus size" - best of luck to you!

Starting at 265, my 22/24 and 1 or 2X clothes were fitting me "tightly" in places. Then I lost 15 pounds on the pre-op diet, which I could always lose in the past but never get past on the scale. By then my clothes were fitting me the way they should have fit me. I remember cleaning out my closet 6 weeks after surgery and got rid of half my closet. I still have a pile of nice clothes I need to take pictures of and sell, including a nice black interview suit worn once. I was about 235-240 then and was wearing some 18's a little snug. By 8 weeks out, the 18's fit like they should and I went down in bra size. By 11 weeks out, the 18's were sad and people I barely knew told me to stop wearing the 1X tops because it looked like I was "wearing another person's wardrobe." Now, at almost 13 weeks I'm wearing a solid 16 pants (even some 14 stretch work pants) and either a size M-L top. The first 6 weeks seeing the weight come off but not truly dropping in clothes was frustrating, it just take a little longer to catch up. It's funny now how I'll buy a pair of pants and remember them as "tighter than I'd like" to only find two weeks later already becoming looser than I'd like!!!

Everyone is different so to say we all have it at weeks X and Y is not realistic. The initial stall is when the body goes from depleting the energy (glycemic) stores in our liver, pancreas and muscles -- and the water that it's stored in. Plenty of fluids, increasing your protein towards 70-90g per day, keeping the carbs down and exercising when you can (even simple walks) will help.

Way to go! It is funny how it takes a while for our brains to catch up to our bodies, isn't it? I remember going through boxes of clothes I'd saved on my way up the scale from a 4/6 to a 22/24. Staring at jeans thinking, "I will NEVER fit in these again!" - yet every month I visit my little treasure box and start pulling out the next size. I still look at them and think, "nope" then start sliding them on and holy cow I can zip and button! Good luck with your goals, I think the best healers are those who were once ill themselves....

Don't worry, you'll gulp again. Yes, the sleeve only like sips in the beginning, but once the swelling and healing is done 4-6 weeks out -- you'll be back to normal. I had that a little in the first week or so, it's just everything settling in around the swollen areas. I found drinking hot or warm tea was easier, relaxed everything. Decaffeinated of course - green, herbals, etc.

My doctor doesn't want me eating it at all due to the fat/sugar/calorie/sodium content. Says it's not the best source of protein. But I still like it as a treat (like a single spoonful) every 3-4 days. Since I'm not eating any desserts, candy, ice cream, etc. anymore, I think it's acceptable. I tried it at about a month out and went down fine. Definitely go "au natural" if you can from Whole Foods or Trader Joe's to avoid the palm or hydrogenated oil and added sugar. It tastes different and you have to stir the natural peanut oil which is gross to some, but it's so much better for you! Or try almond or cashew butter! YUM!

All I can say is that it gets a little bit better every day. The first week is by far the hardest. Your body is in shock, recovering, coming off pain meds, the CO2 - it's overwhelming. Just be focused on liquids and what Protein you can get in right now, walk when you can, take long showers, sleep, just take care of you. The week will be gone before you know it and your energy will start coming back in the second week. I broke down around day 7-8, if it happens to you, just let it happen and then move on. By the end of the second week you're feeling so much more like yourself and things like applesauce will happen. A few more weeks of getting full really fast and some incision sensitivity, and by the end of the first month you'll feel quite normal. Congratulations! You're on the best journey of your LIFE!