MyssJones

My first waking thought was immense pain. My lungs were heavy, my throat hurt, the oxygen mask made me feel claustrophobic and my entire body was in pain. Because no one around me spoke English I just kept saying "PAIN" over and over and ripping my oxygen mask off until they gave me something that knocked me out again. My husband said they brought me back to the room and told me I needed to stand up and move to my bed and I simply said, "No." Eventually I complied with some coaxing. I don't recall anything until the next morning when I felt no pain, just soreness, but I could tell my lungs had a lot of mucous in them so I walked every chance I got. When I had my leak test the day after surgery I had to drink some liquid and I was so nervous to drink anything but surprisingly there was no pain or issue at all. However, drinking became a little more difficult the next few days because of gas. Every sip felt like it was sitting behind my breastbone. So I sipped as well as I could. The gas pains were somewhat painful but were completely gone by day 7. After that the anesthesia completely wore off and I felt how sore my incisions truly were but it wasn't so bad it limited me from doing anything.

Help! I started replacing one of my meals with a Protein Shake per NUT's recommendations and I gagged through 1/2 it before I called it good. Anyone else have this problem? Any advise? The taste wasn't bad ... It was the after taste and the consistency I think. <> I know I need to learn to like it/tolerate it ... Please help. I have time to sort it out and find a good rhythm. Surgery isn't until mid February. I've pinterested ideas - anyone else done this?

Yesterday I took off my shirt, left on my jeans and belt and stepped in front of the mirror half naked for the first time in a long time. Although I've come across quite a few women that haven't scarred, my incisions are a dark brown, darker than my skin. I can see them without my glasses. All of the places where my stomach was full and round have started to ripple where the fat is gone and skin is there. I stared at my grandmother's breasts when I was younger, thinking thank god that isn't me. My breasts are slack in their cups. My arms don't look like they have floaty devices on under my shirt, but if I hold my arms out I hear Bette Midler singing Wind Beneath My Wings. For some reason, I thought I'd feel different.
I thought I'd have loose skin, but not like this. I thought I might lose hair, but not this thin up top. I thought I'd go down clothing sizes, but not mismatched (shirt size down, waist down, Buns and thighs and golden girdle stagnate). For some reason, I thought I'd be the person in the videos or online forums or tv and when I wasn't (which was yesterday) I was dreadfully sad.
I looked at my body and saw all of the same things that I saw before, if not worse. But what magnified it was having interactions with friends I hadn't seen in a long time. Specifically, old flames. To them I have done a drastic change, I am literally the same weight now that I was in high school, only the weight isn't focused in my midsection so I am more curvaceous. And it's a mixed bag of nuts when it comes to compliments or being asked out, because for some psycho crazy reason I find compliments or being asked out as an insult. Every week I go outside I am hit on. Before the surgery my male admires were as numbered as fruit stands in the middle of the salt flats. I literally say no to men (even if I find them attractive) out of some weird vindictive thing. Then I get home and eat Peanut Butter (then feel bad about eating Peanut Butter and then start counting the calories, breaking out a calculator and making sure I don't go over my fat for the day). Next thing I know, I'm at home watching Bridget Jones Diary, jealous that Bridget at least had a fling. Also kind of jealous because she could drink vodka without dying.
Then it dawned on me. I had reverted entirely to my old way of living. Being ashamed of my body, not exercising, not feeling like I was good enough for men, feeling sorry for myself, and getting stuck in a resentment for a life that has already gone by. Not focusing on the life that is still moving forward. So, I called my old male friend and we met up.
I know men shouldn't validate me...but men do validate me. And when he saw me and I saw him and he gave me that look, it made me feel a certain kind of way. And I told him everything, literally down to the wind beneath my wings, and he listened. And he said, "So."
And I was confused. I asked him so what.
He said, "So. Who cares?"
I thought that was awfully mean.
Then he added, "No one cares about what you see when you see yourself in the mirror. All that matters is what they see on the outside. I don't even mean just your body though. I mean, like, people can see what kind of person you are. You know the reason why I wanted to be your friend?"
I thought it was because I was funny and nerdy and he was too (which now he is hot).
He said he wanted to be my friend because he thought I was attractive but was too afraid to ask me out. So, he approached me as a friend. And he said what made him like me the most was how I was with other people. When he was around me, he said that everything else would disappear when I laughed. He said my voice was soft. The way I touched his arm all playful made him mush in the knees. He said he knew I was overweight, knew I was frumpy, but for some reason none of that bothered him because it didn't matter. He says attraction is attraction just as confidence is confidence. He says some people just have it and I have it, I just choose to ignore it because I listen to everyone else but myself (as I listened to him).
And I thought about it...I must've had confidence. Enough confidence to have half my stomach chopped off. I must've had enough confidence to take off my shirt and look in the mirror. I must've had confidence to know when to put the peanut butter down. I was confident enough to turn someone down, confident that I didn't need to be validated by a man (even though, I repeat, this is still a contradiction). I'm confident enough to learn to be more confident?
I just wanted to say confidence one more time. Such a confident word, that is.
I'm not perfect. I shouldn't strive to be imperfect. I should work towards being confident and not content. I'm still working on these things, you know.
Anyone else struggling?

I have PCOS and I keep my carbs under 40. I was sleeved on 10/31/14 I've lost over 55 lbs

This is the one thing I worry about! BUT my booty has been big all my life. Can't imagine it really going away. My surgery date is 10 Feb and the moment my doc clears me I'll be right back to square...sumo squats with kettle a bell.....leg lifts.....all of that!! I might even squat my eat out of his office

So how long did you wait to start doing squats, lunges, etc after surgery? I have a nice size tush and I want to maintain/tone it as much as I can. The hope is to only lose some of it but mostly tone.

@@MyssJones - If you can get to a pool, Water aerobics is the best thing for bad back.

@@babelfish5 Only a 20-30 minutes of cardio every other day. I do plan to increase that this week. I had a back injury a couple months prior to surgery and since I can't take any anti-inflammatory meds, I have to be careful not to agitate my injury or I'm really in big trouble.
@@BLERDgirl Yes I fully plan to stay away from the scale for a couple weeks!

Don't rush into this. Do your research first. I started out wanting the band. A small amount of research made me realize that the band was the worst choice for me. I chose the sleeve for a number of reasons including, you have a normal stomach not any re-routing. There are also fewer intolerances. I feel like I eat closer to a normal meal now than I did before surgery. I'd rather have most of a 6oz filet and a couple bites of potato and veggie when I go out to dinner than have to order an app., the biggest steak, seafood on the side, potato, veggie, Soup, and a half load of bread

This is a good topic. I have just had surgery on December 17th and am on purees right now and was wondering the same thing. I am only able to eat about 2-3 tablespoons comfortably. With Soups (mostly broth based, almost entirely strained) I can eat about a cup. But that's just because it's just like drinking, haha. I haven't tried chunky soups at all yet.

@@emp409 ...
For sleevers, how much you can eat depends on two things -- well, three things actually:
1. How long ago you had VSG surgery --
The longer you are post-op, the more you can eat, up to a point. And not everyone has the same point. Some are never able to eat more than 3-4 ounces. Some can eat 8 ounces. A few can eat more than that.
2. WHAT you are eating --
If you always eat Protein first (and we are told to do that to avoid regaining weight), that really kicks in your new, smaller tummy's restriction and always will. But if instead you eat what's called "slider foods" -- high-carb, highly processed foods that have less nutritional value (think crackers, Cookies, ice cream, other Desserts, pastas) and drinks with lots of calories (think sodas, sweet tea, sweet cocktails, lots of juices, etc.) you'll experience a lot less restriction and the food / drink will just slide right on down, leaving more room for more food.
3. Whether you violate the Rx to "Never drink with your meals" --
By drinking with your meals, you speed up the food's movement down out of the stomach into the intestine -- leaving more room in your smaller tummy for more food. (See #2 above.)
By not eating Protein first, Indulging in lots of slider foods and drinking with your meals you can eat more. These behaviors will also enable you to regain the weight you've lost.
Best wishes to you.

I went out for the first time yesterday for a friends bday. they got pizza and beer..I got an appetizer of crab stuffed mushrooms. there was only 4 and it took me about an hour lol but I was able to get them all in without a problem. you'll be able to eat again, just slowly and a lot less! presurgery I would have had all the chicken wings, pizza and the cannoli dessert everyone else was enjoying.

Little over 5 months...mine depends on what I am eating...thin (soup not heavy with stuff) about 1/2 cup. Thicker or chunkyier closer to 1/4 cup. Solid (meat) about two ounces. As for ever eating normally... I hope I never do it again, cause my normal let me become 258+ pds. I go out and order usually off the appetizer menu.... Eat what I want slowly and talk a lot...then get a go box and your left overs will be about three meals and some to throw away. My biggest issue is throwing away food.... I learned it is ok to throw away food, I don't have to clean my plate thinking about some starving people. I Love my sleeve and the only regret is I did not have it done 10 years ago.

Welcome to the site! I had the same thoughts before surgery, but so far my fears have been for nothing. I am 2 months post op, and I eat about 3 ounces of food per meal. I still eat with friends and family. It takes me as long to eat my 3 ounces as it does for them to eat whatever they are having. It's just really not a big deal. They know why I am doing what I am doing and it does not become a topic of conversation. Do I occasionally think how great it would be to scarf down a giant sub or a big steak and potato? Of course! But the reality is that doing those things never truly made me happy. It is just my brain trying to stop me from breaking old habits. My "food victories" (eating something new or especially amazing) have been replaced with "health victories" (losing weight, dropping clothing sizes, running up stairs instead of waiting for an elevator, receiving compliments, a much improved sex life, a desire to get out and do something, etc etc etc.) In time your eating will return to a more normal state, though hopefully nothing like what got you to this point in the first place. You just have to decide what is more important to you, food or literally EVERYTHING ELSE in life! I won't say it was an easy choice for me, but I know now that I made the correct decision!

You will develop a new normal and even better you will learn to socialize with food and not overeat. I eat anywhere from a ¼ to a cup at most but I am completely satisfied. I've been out to eat several times since being sleeved. The only things that changed is I no longer drink with my meals and I always have a doggy bag. Believe it or not we never ate like a normal person. We overate. For me the sleeve helps me manage on a much smaller portion. I can't speak for lap band, but sleever and bypass all aim for Protein first then veg.

Someone explained this earlier I wish I had saved the post. Basically the first 2 weeks your're losing Water weight and you're body is in shock from the surgery. By week 3 you're body is settled into your new eating routine. I'll echo what everyone else is saying, stay off the scales. I actually don't weight myself more than once a month. The scale will make you crazy. Look for other NSV(non-scale victories). For example now would be a good time take your measurements. I just did mine today and I'm down 3 - 4 inches all over.If you must weight yourself only weigh once a week at the same time of day and in the same location.

@@Elode I drink at a minimum 6-8 cups of Water a day. My yogurt is regular flavored greek yogurt, so I know it has sugar and fat in it (but it's like 4oz a day). My bowels are very regular (1-2 per day). Which is actually quite low for me since pre-op I was like 3-4 times per day.
@@Babbs I will take your advice and stay off the scale. I almost teared up when I saw that gain. Lol. I'm going to save myself the anxiety and put it away for a few weeks. Lol

@@Elode I drink at a minimum 6-8 cups of Water a day. My yogurt is regular flavored greek yogurt, so I know it has sugar and fat in it (but it's like 4oz a day). My bowels are very regular (1-2 per day). Which is actually quite low for me since pre-op I was like 3-4 times per day.
@@Babbs I will take your advice and stay off the scale. I almost teared up when I saw that gain. Lol. I'm going to save myself the anxiety and put it away for a few weeks. Lol

@@MyssJones - Thank you sister for the encouragement. I truly appreciate your position and stance on this scenario. And I am no stranger to the benefits of being patient and seeing things through. However..... If I were not in PAIN, I think the circumstance would be a little different. I have had Hives, acidity and inflammation for nearly a year. I am TIRED and would love to be cured/relieved of this problem ASAP. When the solution is within reach..... but someone comes along, grabs the solution and keeps it dangling just out of my reach until THEY are ready to give it to me...... it can be a little nerve-wracking .... and in the meantime, guess who is left to deal with the pain, medication, insomnia, anxiety and Pruitus??? .... Yes. ME..... not them. ME. And although I applaud your patience in your situation, you were waiting on your SURGERY..... mine is being blocked. Very different..... :-(

@@Elode I drink at a minimum 6-8 cups of Water a day. My yogurt is regular flavored greek yogurt, so I know it has sugar and fat in it (but it's like 4oz a day). My bowels are very regular (1-2 per day). Which is actually quite low for me since pre-op I was like 3-4 times per day.
@@Babbs I will take your advice and stay off the scale. I almost teared up when I saw that gain. Lol. I'm going to save myself the anxiety and put it away for a few weeks. Lol

I had the same issue and had even gained a pound around the 3rd week but now that I've passed into my 4th I've lost 3-4 more. It is very normal for it to be happening. Be patient and you will see that the weight will start coming off, all our bodies are different even if we all got the same surgery..some will lose way more than others and that's ok because as long as you are losing weight or ounces each day is what counts. Good luck to you!

I am in the middle of the slump with you, I actually lost four pounds after a week of not losing anything and gained it right back that same night in Water weight. SO COMMON. I was freaking out like you, tormenting myself by weighing every day and just assume this - My body isn't going to manufacture its own calories so what I put in the tank is what I put in the tank. That unfortunately includes Water and the statements above about glycogen storage and gain / loss are spot on. Hold my hand while we get through this time, but know that we will.

I stalled around the 3rd week too. It lasted more than a week. Google it. It is really common. I read an article about it. I am not sure that it is accurate or anything but it made sense to me. It said something about how when you start to restrict calories your body assumes this is a temporary thing and burns glycogen at first. For every pound of glycogen burned your body burns 4 lbs of Water. Around that third week your body realizes that this isn't a temporary thing and wants to store glycogen for emergency use again. So, for every pound of glycogen it stores you also store 4lbs of Water. That is why some people stall or even gain around the third week.

I am 5 weeks out. I hit a stall at 3 weeks. Lasted1.5 weeks. I've lost 2 pounds since then. So it will get better

I'm a month out and have been stalled for a little over two weeks. I can tell my clothes are fitting differently but the scale doesn't budge. Anyone else experience this?