MyssJones

My mouth was so dry it was disgusting.

During phase 1, week one, post op- I mostly ate broth, regular pudding, regular Gatorade, Water with lime or lemon, regular Popsicles, and luigi Italian ice.
During phase 2, week 2 (full liquids)- I'm eating creamed Soup, 2% milk, soy milk, etc. and the same as week one. I try to aim for 30 g of Protein minimum. My goal is 40-60g.
Things will be much better during week 3/4 (Purée foods). I can have Greek yogurt, fish, eggs, etc. So I should have no problem getting 50-60g of Protein a day with REAL FOOD!!!!

@@ELI.p.m I know it can be difficult to make any sort of lifestyle change. I for one will not talk down to you or shun you. We were/are all food addicts and that's what got us in this position in the first place. Each of us will have big and small battles with food as we continue on this journey.
However, I think on a daily basis you have to remind yourself of why you went through all the trouble in the first place. To be healthier, to look better, and to feel better. None of those will be accomplished if you don't put forth a good faith effort.
I'm not saying you can never have junk again, anything you can tolerate is okay occasionally. But, you should really focus on finding healthy foods that taste good and provide you with the nutrients you need to be holistically successful on this journey.
Best of luck to you!

@@ELI.p.m I know it can be difficult to make any sort of lifestyle change. I for one will not talk down to you or shun you. We were/are all food addicts and that's what got us in this position in the first place. Each of us will have big and small battles with food as we continue on this journey.
However, I think on a daily basis you have to remind yourself of why you went through all the trouble in the first place. To be healthier, to look better, and to feel better. None of those will be accomplished if you don't put forth a good faith effort.
I'm not saying you can never have junk again, anything you can tolerate is okay occasionally. But, you should really focus on finding healthy foods that taste good and provide you with the nutrients you need to be holistically successful on this journey.
Best of luck to you!

@@ELI.p.m I know it can be difficult to make any sort of lifestyle change. I for one will not talk down to you or shun you. We were/are all food addicts and that's what got us in this position in the first place. Each of us will have big and small battles with food as we continue on this journey.
However, I think on a daily basis you have to remind yourself of why you went through all the trouble in the first place. To be healthier, to look better, and to feel better. None of those will be accomplished if you don't put forth a good faith effort.
I'm not saying you can never have junk again, anything you can tolerate is okay occasionally. But, you should really focus on finding healthy foods that taste good and provide you with the nutrients you need to be holistically successful on this journey.
Best of luck to you!

@@ELI.p.m I know it can be difficult to make any sort of lifestyle change. I for one will not talk down to you or shun you. We were/are all food addicts and that's what got us in this position in the first place. Each of us will have big and small battles with food as we continue on this journey.
However, I think on a daily basis you have to remind yourself of why you went through all the trouble in the first place. To be healthier, to look better, and to feel better. None of those will be accomplished if you don't put forth a good faith effort.
I'm not saying you can never have junk again, anything you can tolerate is okay occasionally. But, you should really focus on finding healthy foods that taste good and provide you with the nutrients you need to be holistically successful on this journey.
Best of luck to you!

@@ELI.p.m I know it can be difficult to make any sort of lifestyle change. I for one will not talk down to you or shun you. We were/are all food addicts and that's what got us in this position in the first place. Each of us will have big and small battles with food as we continue on this journey.
However, I think on a daily basis you have to remind yourself of why you went through all the trouble in the first place. To be healthier, to look better, and to feel better. None of those will be accomplished if you don't put forth a good faith effort.
I'm not saying you can never have junk again, anything you can tolerate is okay occasionally. But, you should really focus on finding healthy foods that taste good and provide you with the nutrients you need to be holistically successful on this journey.
Best of luck to you!

Hello All. Thanks for starting this thread. I just recently got sleeved on December 15th. I'm 10 days post op and things are getting better. After several days of gas and nausea, I decided to do a little research and discovered that the artificial sweeteners can increase the gas. So I stopped consuming artificial sweeteners (crystal light, sugar free Popsicle, sugar free everything). I never thought fake sugar was good for you anyway, I'm more of a naturalista though. Anyway, I've felt so much better since I stopped.
Also, I am adamantly against Protein shakes. I can even smell them without getting nauseous. So my Protein intake has been low. Hopefully, that will change once I'm able to eat fish and yogurt in a few days. I'm holding out until then.
I have my first post op appointment tomorrow, so I will see how much I've actually lost then. My home scale is a bit off. But I estimate around 16 lbs since surgery.
I have been reading some of the stories about insurance reqs and approvals. I pray that each of you get approved and are able to have your surgery. Although, I almost regretted it the first two days after, it was the best decision I've made for my health and longevity.
Peace and Blessings to all that are on this journey to a healthier life!

Hi Michelle - How are you doing? we are almost at 2wks - did you get your appt made?

I was sleeved on 12/3/14 and dinner was a CRUEL event, as I LOVE the smell of roasting poultry! Can't get it out of my head! Or is it my nose?! Since it is just my husband and myself, I made him a Cornish game hen, vertically roasted, and tiny new potatoes roasted in olive oil with S and P - his request since I really can't partake yet. However, I did take a thigh of the bird and pureed it-oh yum! Just the taste of the lemon pepper seasoning in the puree was enough to satisfy my need for that bird! No potatoes, no room. So sad, but it was good to have that little taste, and I am sated for now!

Good afternoon, yes, every NUT advises differently. I know that the min intake for me is 60g and the max is 80 as your body really does not absorb much more than that per daily basis(or so my NUT says) lol I also take Gummy Vitamins and sublingual B12 in addition to vit d3 2000 IU daily. I was fortunate not to lose my hair, was obsessing abut it and so I made sure to hit the Protein mark daily tin efforts to maintain.
How are you feeling now?

Hello
Congratulations to all on your new journey. Keep up the great work. I began on May 30, and i have lost a total of 75lbs so far but i have a long way to go before i reach my goal weight, which is 155.
Good luck everyone!

It's nice to hear everyone's story. I received my approval today and I will know my date on Friday. They also told me to be ready to start my 2 week liquid diet on Friday. I am so ready for this. I too had to do the 6 month nutrition classes, didn't want to but I knew it was protocol. Anyway I'll keep you all posted on the happening......I'm in NC.

@@Unbesleeveable, my NUT said I should get in a minimum of 65g a day. I started lifting weights and was advised to take at least 100g on days I weight lift.

Hello Everyone,
I am reading all of your posts/messages and responses... I would like to say congratulations to each and everyone of you on the courageous decision to have surgery. I was sleeved back on 2/27/2014 (under extreme duress) I went through a few hospital stays 4 (dehydration and subsequently learned that I am allergic to artificial sweeteners) I wanted to tell you all to be encouraged and truly work the process, give yourselves a chance, go at your own pace and watch the results! You will hit quite a few stalls and some will last for a few weeks at a time, but do not get discouraged, your body is simply trying to react to the rapid changes that it is going through. I was able to reach my goal in 8 months and 29 days after surgery 104 lbs lost!!!! what!!! yes!!!! Now, I am 5lbs past my goal !!!! I deal with the extreme physical changes that I see, some days are good and some are different, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. My quality of life and the ability to experience it at this size is priceless...I am still me, same woman...different size, I love it!
Many blessings too all of you

Hello AA sleevers! Congratulations to everyone.
Monday is my last weigh in before everything gets submitted to my insurance company. I'm so excited I can't even sleep at night . Lol I'm hoping for a date around Christmas break.

Hello All. I just wanted to say I love reading all the posts. Im going thru all the insurance requirements. I have to do 6 months of weigh ins I'm in my 3rd month I'm looking at surgery sometime in April. I am so glad we have this site so we can follow everyone process.

Two Protein Shakes, 1 Protein snack and one sensible meal. Everything has to be less than 1000 calories total. I'm so accustomed to eating A LOT more....lol. I'm keeping my eyes on the prize...this time next week (God willing), I'll be sleeved!!!!

Hey All. I was sleeved on August 26th. I will have my 4 week checkup on Monday. So far I am down 23 pounds between pre and post op. It is a long journey and we have to learn our new tummies. It is definitely easier now to drink liquids but I can only eat about a tablespoon of food at a time. So, every two hours I have something in my mouth, lol. Nice to meet you. Later losers!

Hello my Fellow Afro American Sleevers!!
I sleep, eat, and drink having this sleeve done!!!! Omg!! Well I've gone thru all the necc steps and have approval, my Surgery date is 10/10 and I start my 2wk pre op 09/26/14...im excited and freaking out at the same time, but all in all im ready for this change. My current fear is skin sagging and butt deflating. I have a large body frame so me being my current weight im still in a size 18 so I just hope and pray that ill just deflate the excess and keep my curvy figure LOL!!
I do wish you all the best on your journey to a better you!!

Honestly it's a lot easier than I thought it would be. I never meet my Protein and fluid goals but I get pretty close.
But a little over 60 pounds lost so far. I still can't believe it.
I can't work out like most people do due to a stroke and some brain damage issues. But if I stay on track I should have lost 100 pounds at six months. It's nice to have a waist again. But a pain that my pants are always falling down.
I still won't buy any new clothes because I know that they won't fit after a few weeks.
I haven't had a lot of hair shedding but I need to deep condition more since my hair seems drier than it did before.
And before surgery invest in a good scar cream and gas x strips. Lol

Hey guys I saw a thread from 2011 that I wanted to continue. I love all of my vsgers but as we know african american women tend to carry weight differently. I would love to follow you ladies on your journey and for us all to support each other.
I was sleeved on September 5th so I'm a week out. I'm doing good so far and feeling better everyday. I stayed at the hospital 3 days mostly because they discovered my allergy to morphine while I was on the pump with a fever and my entire body on fire. But I'm home now and much better. I was just moved to the full liquids stage so I'm pretty happy considering that the liquids stage made me nauseous. I've lost 24 lbs since my surgery so any pain I have is over shadowed by my joy.
Looking forward to hearing from you ladies and seeing some progress pics!

@@GenaW828 - since you can eat the greek yogurt why not mix 1 scoop of Protein Powder with greek yogurt and a bit of fruit? Depending on your brand of greek yogurt and Protein powder that should give you at least 30gms of protein. That's half you daily requirement. Do that once in the morning and once in the evening and you've hit your protein goals. You can then drink your Water in between.

I'm almost 3 weeks out.. and Protein shakes make my ill. I can't drink them anymore. My doctor suggested that I get some powder and put it in everything I eat. Which I do but I still don't know how much I'm getting in. I actually cried last night because I feel like I made a mistake and I'm not doing right. I was so happy I ate an 5 oz thing of greek yogurt the other day and it took me 3 1/2 hours to do so. I understand @@April4 feeling bad reading the post here. I felt/feel awful that I still can't drink a freaking Protein shake lol and people that are around the same time post I'm get that in...I struggle just to eat in general. but I have to tell myself if will get better soon. I will be able to get in my Protein some how some way!!

@@April4
1) some foods that are bad for you are easier to eat e.g chocolate
You are still healing. As you continue to heal and go through your stages, you will find many foods will be easier to eat, including the dense Protein that will help you lose weight and build muscle mass. chocolate doesn't do that.
2) I'm still hungry and I still crave all the food I did before
Hunger is all relative. It could be head hunger, or it really could be true hunger. Many sleevers still feel it, and I am one of them. I am glad I still feel the cravings and the hunger after surgery. It has taught me the self discipline I needed to resolve the issues with food I've had my whole life.
3) you get bored or the same food choices very quickly
You're only a little over 6 weeks out. Soon, you will be able to eat a wide variety of foods as you continue to heal. Boredom gone.
4) protein shakes, Protein bars are disgusting
They may be "disgusting", but you have to look at it almost as a prescription you have to take (like your vitamins). They are needed right now as your tummy heals and they are giving you the much needed protein you can't possibly get right now from just food. You won't be drinking Protein Shakes forever.

5) your breath stinks and you have a taste of metal/metallic in your mouth
Hallelujah! This means you're going through ketosis, and you're burning fat! Isn't this the reason you had the surgery? There's a reason they invented breath mints....
6) you don't lose the weight as quickly as you might think/hope... but you do lose
Some of us lose faster than others. Don't compare. As long as you're still losing, the surgery is working! It didn't take a few weeks to put on all the weight, did it? Losing weight the right and healthy way takes time.
7) the novelty of only being able to eat soft tiny portions wears off and sometimes you wish you could join the rest of the family for a big old dirty Chinese
When a few months go by, and you are sitting there many pounds down, feeling wonderful and in control of your own food choices, it's not going to matter what everyone else is eating. You may even feel disgusted at the sheer amounts of food others can eat, and be happy you don't eat like that anymore.