girlnamedNikki

Mishy,
While I know there is cause for alarm, I and I am sure everyone relates to how hard this is for you. I am going on my 5th day after surgery and to be frank, I feel no change. It's actually easy. Which I am kind of mad at, I want this to be hard, a constant reminder that I can't eat things. But it's not and my doctor has progressed me to puréed foods already cause I am having such an easy go and in all honestly - I don't want an easy go! - I want to eat a piece of cake and instantly throw up, that to me seems so much easier. I have lived my entire life eating whatever I want and admittedly I chose this surgery to help me not do that, or at least dramatically help with that and maybe it will, but 5 days out and it seems like all I did yesterday was eat, just doesn't seem right. I posted on another thread about that and got great support and feedback and today is a new day. But I want you to know you're not alone, this forum is going to be a life saver for me, and I'm here if you want to email me directly ever just to vent cause no matter how supportive friends and family are they don't understand like I know these people on here do. Btw my surgery was July 9 so we are similar it may be neat to be each others helping hand. Just know I'm just an email away, cake wont kill you today but it has been one of the negatives that has gotten you to this point, so it's not helping you. You are worth more than a piece of cake. :-)

Mishy,
While I know there is cause for alarm, I and I am sure everyone relates to how hard this is for you. I am going on my 5th day after surgery and to be frank, I feel no change. It's actually easy. Which I am kind of mad at, I want this to be hard, a constant reminder that I can't eat things. But it's not and my doctor has progressed me to puréed foods already cause I am having such an easy go and in all honestly - I don't want an easy go! - I want to eat a piece of cake and instantly throw up, that to me seems so much easier. I have lived my entire life eating whatever I want and admittedly I chose this surgery to help me not do that, or at least dramatically help with that and maybe it will, but 5 days out and it seems like all I did yesterday was eat, just doesn't seem right. I posted on another thread about that and got great support and feedback and today is a new day. But I want you to know you're not alone, this forum is going to be a life saver for me, and I'm here if you want to email me directly ever just to vent cause no matter how supportive friends and family are they don't understand like I know these people on here do. Btw my surgery was July 9 so we are similar it may be neat to be each others helping hand. Just know I'm just an email away, cake wont kill you today but it has been one of the negatives that has gotten you to this point, so it's not helping you. You are worth more than a piece of cake. :-)

Hello Hello!
LoDo (Downtown Denver here) I'm 7 days post-op today! Would love to chat with you all.
Say hi anytime.
Nikki
xoxo

How far out are you? I found myself so hungry in the weeks after surgery and part of that is because of mind hunger and boredm cause you're recovering and not working.
I personally tried to side track myself, sugar free gum worked well also.
Good luck hun, it gets easier.

I had sashimi a month out and it was so amazing, I was only able to get down 3 pieces tho so I suggest sharing

Went good, I definitely rushed thru it though. Somewhat wish I had more will power. I had a few complications all of which I'm sure are my own fault. (if you want to know ill tell you)
One thing that was hard is I was really hungry after surgery and am still dealing with the mental hunger issues. The biggest problem I've had is I didn't do a PRE-opp diet or learn how to be healthier. I also have a bigger sleeve, doctor told me mine is the size of a medium banana vs. small one, not sure why, going to ask next doctors appointment. Anyway I've kind of taken the diet into my own hands in regards to liquid to puréed to soft foods to regular. I did what felt right and have been fine with it so far except my nutritionist isnt thrilled cause I am not sticking to the portion size of 1/4 cup, I actually got bumped to 1/8 cause of my sleeve size and lack of energy. I take small portions and usually rarely finish the whole thing. But I have noticed lately I can do 2 soft tacos, but I do wrip off all the access tortilla. It's all very weird cause I don't really feel the "full" pains. I stop myself when I feel anything pressure wise but I was really excepting and hoping for like a major pain or red alert or dumping cause I honestly think that would be easier. It's all very new. I'm calorie counting and even that is new for me and the hard part is making the Protein the biggest portion of my meals. One other thing I also do is constantly question my nutritionist, the reason I say this is because my sister is a natural path and very organic. While she supports what I am doing she also firmly believes my diet needs to be more of a lifestyle food change, which I agree with. But I travel a lot and am a creature of habit. So just trying to figure it all out myself. I'm not a fan of chemicals so other than some of the sugar free stuff like Jello and the Popsicles I'm avoiding the fat free and fake sugars. Stevia is good tho. What's funny is a friend of mine who had the bypass just stopped with all the sweeteners and fat free, his metabolism kicked into high gear, he had been stalled for 8 months and no weight loss. Now he is eating organic and has started losing weight again. Crazy.
I'm rambling and I want you to know the thing I've walked away from this you know your body best.

LET'S CHAT/SUPPORT and be merry haha
I'll start - Hello, I'm Nikki, 37, live in downtown. Surgery date was July 9, 2012.
Excited to meet fellow Coloradians!
xoxo

Had VSG on the 23rd. But I'm scared, I've always been the adventurous type, and one to test my limits.
5 days post op I had egg drop Soup & yesterday I tried a bit of retried Beans (primarily for protein). I've had no discomfort or pain from either. I'm concerned this may be too easy, and thus end up being a fail for me.

Oh and I haven't experienced the vomiting or rejection. I have pushed my sleeve too the point I had to lay down cause it hurt. That was no fun.

Mishy,
While I know there is cause for alarm, I and I am sure everyone relates to how hard this is for you. I am going on my 5th day after surgery and to be frank, I feel no change. It's actually easy. Which I am kind of mad at, I want this to be hard, a constant reminder that I can't eat things. But it's not and my doctor has progressed me to puréed foods already cause I am having such an easy go and in all honestly - I don't want an easy go! - I want to eat a piece of cake and instantly throw up, that to me seems so much easier. I have lived my entire life eating whatever I want and admittedly I chose this surgery to help me not do that, or at least dramatically help with that and maybe it will, but 5 days out and it seems like all I did yesterday was eat, just doesn't seem right. I posted on another thread about that and got great support and feedback and today is a new day. But I want you to know you're not alone, this forum is going to be a life saver for me, and I'm here if you want to email me directly ever just to vent cause no matter how supportive friends and family are they don't understand like I know these people on here do. Btw my surgery was July 9 so we are similar it may be neat to be each others helping hand. Just know I'm just an email away, cake wont kill you today but it has been one of the negatives that has gotten you to this point, so it's not helping you. You are worth more than a piece of cake. :-)

Mishy,
While I know there is cause for alarm, I and I am sure everyone relates to how hard this is for you. I am going on my 5th day after surgery and to be frank, I feel no change. It's actually easy. Which I am kind of mad at, I want this to be hard, a constant reminder that I can't eat things. But it's not and my doctor has progressed me to puréed foods already cause I am having such an easy go and in all honestly - I don't want an easy go! - I want to eat a piece of cake and instantly throw up, that to me seems so much easier. I have lived my entire life eating whatever I want and admittedly I chose this surgery to help me not do that, or at least dramatically help with that and maybe it will, but 5 days out and it seems like all I did yesterday was eat, just doesn't seem right. I posted on another thread about that and got great support and feedback and today is a new day. But I want you to know you're not alone, this forum is going to be a life saver for me, and I'm here if you want to email me directly ever just to vent cause no matter how supportive friends and family are they don't understand like I know these people on here do. Btw my surgery was July 9 so we are similar it may be neat to be each others helping hand. Just know I'm just an email away, cake wont kill you today but it has been one of the negatives that has gotten you to this point, so it's not helping you. You are worth more than a piece of cake. :-)

Oh sweetie I can relate! I felt what you are feeling leading up to my surgery and truly felt no one could relate and what's worse is the month prior, I had to travel every weekend for work. Arrgh. Traveling on planes is the worse, nothing worse than being asked if I purchased 2 seats or if the person next to me minds that I am spilling into their seat. (could have stabbed a b***h flight attendant for saying that) But the one thing you have to give yourself credit for is although you may have tried other things or not tried other things - you are tying this! And this is the next step to the rest of your life. Be proud that you are making this step. I'm only 1 week from post-op in a ton of pain and haven't lost any weight yet (altho I didn't weigh myself on my scale before surgery - and if I went by my doctors scale I've lost 15 pounds but I'm only going by my scale for consistency) anyway the point is I am trying! I have made this the thing I am giving my all to. I even started to cheat 4 days out and then 6 days out realized I'm only cheating myself and how horrible is that so I cut myself off and went back to my liquid diet. You have to give yourself a break. Be confident that you can be successful and you are worth this life change and worth success. I do think you will need therapy because you don't want to live your life beating yourself up every time you slip up. We are all human and no where near perfect. I hope you take what I'm saying to you to heart, applaud yourself for taking this step, it's not a small one - it's a huge life change and you are doing it!

Oh sweetie I can relate! I felt what you are feeling leading up to my surgery and truly felt no one could relate and what's worse is the month prior, I had to travel every weekend for work. Arrgh. Traveling on planes is the worse, nothing worse than being asked if I purchased 2 seats or if the person next to me minds that I am spilling into their seat. (could have stabbed a b***h flight attendant for saying that) But the one thing you have to give yourself credit for is although you may have tried other things or not tried other things - you are tying this! And this is the next step to the rest of your life. Be proud that you are making this step. I'm only 1 week from post-op in a ton of pain and haven't lost any weight yet (altho I didn't weigh myself on my scale before surgery - and if I went by my doctors scale I've lost 15 pounds but I'm only going by my scale for consistency) anyway the point is I am trying! I have made this the thing I am giving my all to. I even started to cheat 4 days out and then 6 days out realized I'm only cheating myself and how horrible is that so I cut myself off and went back to my liquid diet. You have to give yourself a break. Be confident that you can be successful and you are worth this life change and worth success. I do think you will need therapy because you don't want to live your life beating yourself up every time you slip up. We are all human and no where near perfect. I hope you take what I'm saying to you to heart, applaud yourself for taking this step, it's not a small one - it's a huge life change and you are doing it!

Hello! I'm in downtown Denver and would love to be your buddy haha. Trust me I didn't know how bad I wanted someone else who had gone thru this until I went to pay for my surgery and the accounting lady told me she had had it done! It was like she was exactly what I needed. She got me so excited just by the fact that we could chat openly and not be embarrassed. And then again when I found this site, no one truly understands unless they are going thru it or have gone thru it. Everyone is unique but we also need to relate to someone. So guess what - you have a new friend!!
Oh btw I'm Nikki, I am 1 week post op!
Looking forward to getting to know you. :-)

I have discovered that one of the reasons I'm so hungry (post op day 6 and like you on liquids) was because I am not getting enough Protein. I unfortunately started to cheat and have actually put myself back on liquid diet. One thing I am trying is Protein Powder mixed in so I am getting enough protein intake in a day. However one thing you can do is take a stew Soup or chicken noodle and blend it, it will have a cream consistency which makes me feel fuller. I also drink Protein Drinks, Isopure protein drinks, can't get enough of the sugar free popsicles and Jello. If you're able to get down the 32 ounces of Water without difficulty, call your doctor he may bump you to puréed foods.

Hi Lissa,
Great advice and I shall. Being a self pay I feel like I kind of have missed all the PRE-Op requirements of therapy, classes etc. which I now know are so important. Knowledge is power.
Thanks for the advice and I will call first thing.
Nikki xoxo

Hi Lissa,
Great advice and I shall. Being a self pay I feel like I kind of have missed all the PRE-Op requirements of therapy, classes etc. which I now know are so important. Knowledge is power.
Thanks for the advice and I will call first thing.
Nikki xoxo

Melissa - what you are saying makes so much sense and definitely going to try it. My brain scares me most the time.

Mishy,
While I know there is cause for alarm, I and I am sure everyone relates to how hard this is for you. I am going on my 5th day after surgery and to be frank, I feel no change. It's actually easy. Which I am kind of mad at, I want this to be hard, a constant reminder that I can't eat things. But it's not and my doctor has progressed me to puréed foods already cause I am having such an easy go and in all honestly - I don't want an easy go! - I want to eat a piece of cake and instantly throw up, that to me seems so much easier. I have lived my entire life eating whatever I want and admittedly I chose this surgery to help me not do that, or at least dramatically help with that and maybe it will, but 5 days out and it seems like all I did yesterday was eat, just doesn't seem right. I posted on another thread about that and got great support and feedback and today is a new day. But I want you to know you're not alone, this forum is going to be a life saver for me, and I'm here if you want to email me directly ever just to vent cause no matter how supportive friends and family are they don't understand like I know these people on here do. Btw my surgery was July 9 so we are similar it may be neat to be each others helping hand. Just know I'm just an email away, cake wont kill you today but it has been one of the negatives that has gotten you to this point, so it's not helping you. You are worth more than a piece of cake. :-)

Mishy,
While I know there is cause for alarm, I and I am sure everyone relates to how hard this is for you. I am going on my 5th day after surgery and to be frank, I feel no change. It's actually easy. Which I am kind of mad at, I want this to be hard, a constant reminder that I can't eat things. But it's not and my doctor has progressed me to puréed foods already cause I am having such an easy go and in all honestly - I don't want an easy go! - I want to eat a piece of cake and instantly throw up, that to me seems so much easier. I have lived my entire life eating whatever I want and admittedly I chose this surgery to help me not do that, or at least dramatically help with that and maybe it will, but 5 days out and it seems like all I did yesterday was eat, just doesn't seem right. I posted on another thread about that and got great support and feedback and today is a new day. But I want you to know you're not alone, this forum is going to be a life saver for me, and I'm here if you want to email me directly ever just to vent cause no matter how supportive friends and family are they don't understand like I know these people on here do. Btw my surgery was July 9 so we are similar it may be neat to be each others helping hand. Just know I'm just an email away, cake wont kill you today but it has been one of the negatives that has gotten you to this point, so it's not helping you. You are worth more than a piece of cake. :-)

I also wonder if it isn't a little psychological - at the moment, you're probably so mentally focused on feeling full and you've risked so much for this change, it could be your 'lil ole brain wanting to play silly-buggers Try a little distraction if you're up to it and maybe have a chat about it to a close friend or family member who understands. If you like go "go it alone" perhaps you could just journal a little? Start with all of the thoughts you're having, and how it's making you feel. Then consider what is happening to your behaviour.
Once you've done that, go back to the thoughts and ask yourself if they are helping you or hurting you? How can you slightly change those thoughts so that the feelings are less intense (or if you're really good at this, eliminated) and if that is having a change in your behaviour.
An example might be:
Original Thought - If I don't have something to eat I am going to be sick.
Original feelings - worried, hungry, sick, frustrated, annoyed
Behaviour - to have something to eat or drink that perhaps I don't really need
Modified Thought - If I am feeling sick, maybe I need to move around and have a little to drink. If I am still hungry in half an hour or so, I can consider trying something light to eat.
Modified Feelings - still worried, but maybe a little less. Still probably feeling sick, frustrated and annoyed but again I would expect it to be a little less intense a feeling.
Modified behavioural options - I still might have something to eat, but it's something I've considered and given myself time to try something different
Maybe I will have a drink and see how I feel in half an hour
Go for a little walk or phone a friend/ watch TV/ read etc (distraction).
This may or may not work for you but it might just help analyse why this is happening to you if it's not a physiological thing. If you have a psychologist involved they will be able to help you with this (it's a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy approach).
I hope that this helps in some small way!
Good luck and I look forward to hearing about your many successes and new adventures post-surgery!
Cheers, Melissa

Copied from an old thread:
"Symptoms can include rapid heart rate, dizziness, shortness of breath, fever, worsening abdominal pain, left chest or shoulder pain, abdominal distention, the appearance of illness and a general feeling that something is very wrong. If you are concerned, I would check with a doctor."

That feeling in your chest IS the new full feeling. Hunger hangs around until you're on solid foods AND the ghrelin works it's way out of your system.
You should not be pushing your sleeve waiting for a reaction. Be very careful - it takes weeks to heal and months for the swelling to go down. You could cause serious damage to your newly sleeved stomach if you eat or drink too much.
I'd be thankful you aren't having a terrible recovery but be sensible about how you eat. Sip, don't gulp. Don't eat anything unless it was specifically okay'd by your surgeon. We do not want to see you on the complications board in a week!
Congrats on your new sleeve. Sounds like you had an easy time of surgery. Take it easy on your new stomach, you're giving me a heart attack over here.
~Cheri