kathp

I was sleeved May 13. I did OK the first week, and hit the Fluid and Protein within 7 days. I was so bored a week out. But then I had a setback and was sick in bed for a day from a medication interaction (my own fault). But stamina came back quickly after that first week was over. I didn't go back to work until June 3, because I wanted to get the next diet phase started before I faced the stress of work. Last week was so stressful, I almost wish I had taken the full 6 weeks off (until I was at regular food again). Talk to your surgeon and NUT. They'll tell you they've seen it all, and that they give you targets but expect them to be harder for some people. I started on puree foods at 2 oz (on day 18), but could move up to a half cup (4 oz) pretty soon after that. It does get better! But it's not for sissies - tha't my new mantra!

I've finally figured it out, as I start soft tomorrow... Mine is: Clear liquids day 1 and 2 Full liquids for two weeks Puree for two weeks (applesauce consistency) Soft food for two weeks introduce a new food every day after that. The liquid stage is about hitting the Protein and Fluid goals. The puree is about separating eating from drinking The soft food stage is about learning to chew into small enough bites. So it doesn't have to start out in the blender, but you have to chew it to applesauce consistency before you swallow it. And it's soft food so if you screw that up, you don't hurt yourself (would be my guess) So for my surgeon, the first 6 weeks is about healing and learning what to do differently.

I'm down 80-90 lbs (official weigh in tomorrow). I lost a half shoe size at about 40-50 pounds lost. I had a high arch, and as I got heavier it collapsed a bit. I'm back to the size I was in high school - at least the shoe size! So my foot didn't actually grow longer, it just spread out more and is now not being as crushed down. I didn't find out it was smaller until I got fitted for tennis shoes at the mall. And I no longer need wides! Now, to find someone who can modify my custom orthotics so I'm not out another $400...

Sleeved May 13. No pre-op liquid diet, but during the 6 months monitored pre-diet I lost 60 lbs. I'm down another 25-30 since surgery. According to the surgeon, I lost 22% of my excess weight by two weeks after surgery. I go in tomorrow for the 4 week numbers. I'm glad to know I was not alone in the stall after the 2 week liquid post-op diet. The scale just edged down a bit more in the last day or so. I'm not watching calories (they're always below 1000) but I'm counting my Protein pretty dilligently. I'm using myfitnesspal and have added the recipes they gave me at the office for pureed foods to my database. I start soft foods tomorrow. Two weeks after that, REAL food again! (that even still looks like food). I was so happy to get from liquid to puree. I walked the first two weeks, and went back to the gym last week. I am definitely not at full strength. I also went back to work, and that's a bigger pain in the rear due to trying to eat on a schedule and dealing with the pulling demands of the manufacturing plant.

You're just on full liquids, not clear? The ISOPURE ready to drink 20 oz bottles were on my post-op full liquid list. They have mostly sweet flavors but aren't too bad - beware, the Black Tea really has caffeine! I like the coconut and blue raspberry the best. Apparantly the grape and the fruit punch are the popular flavors - they also come in 8 oz sampler size. I had some Cytosport ones that were TOO sweet (watermelon and tangerine flavors) but they were something different and I just watered them down. Good luck!

I'm in Ephrata, PA (Lancaster County) and having my sleeve on May 13, 2013 (three more days, finally!) with Dr. Brader of BMI of Lancaster. I went back and forth between Sleeve and RNY and am very pleased with my decision. I love Dr. B and his group (dieticians, exercise physiologist, insurance coordinator, support group, facebook group, etc). I have Highmark Blue Shield and only had a slight hiccup with the insurance. All of the clearances were scheduled through the BMI office and mostly painless. I can't wait to be permanently on the losers bench!

Mine is May 13, too. I know this is right. I'm freaked out, but that's normal. The nurse case manager says those that don't freak out are the ones they worry about! Think about living longer and healthier and more active for those kids and being there to see their kids! You can do it!

I have a date before approval, but they are sure I will be approved. May 13th. And May 21 I turn 40!

Someone posted that RNY is 40 years old. It's actually been around a lot longer than that, over a hundred years, according to my surgeon. It's just that prior to the more recent past, it was used to treat other illnesses. I feel the most comfortable with all those years of data, and the fact that they're not taking any parts out. (I'm one week into the pre-op 6month process, so I'm learning a lot, very rapidly)