jennyn73

I agree...1/2 cup is about all I can do...if I eat more than that...I am too full. Don't do too much too soon...or you will definitely regret it. I have never been one to throw up...but I've thrown up 4 times since surgery...I have officially learned my lesson.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Mama...do not get down...and remember...we can't change the past...we can only move forward. You are regretting the surgery right now...but think how healthy you are going to be in a few short months...AND you will be able to enjoy your children and your husband even more with less weight. Keep your chin up...and be thankful you found this site so we can all support you as well.

Also...I was pretty sick in the hospital as well...my surgeon told me...not to even think about the Protein when I got home...to focus on my fluids and if I can add a Protein shake then great. I think you will find if you just keep trudging forward...you'll eventually be able to get your Protein in!!!

Good Luck!!!

Personally, I wasn't willing to do anything to risk complications. And, I knew from all my research that if I "cheated" during my losing stage, changing those habits were going to be more difficult once I was healed, and able to consume more.

I know it's kind of hard to believe that you will be able to eat more food further out, but believe me at 18 months I can put away a lot of junk food if I choose to do so. The decision-making process gets more difficult the further out you get, and the more relaxed your sleeve gets. I can eat 2-3 times as much as I could at 2-3 months out. I really had to focus on making new habits to ensure I will be successful long term. Gaining weight with the sleeve is very easy. We can eat around the sleeve, cheat it, and honestly we can fail it. I don't want to sound like I'm harping, but believe me, sticking to the prescribed post-op guidelines will serve you well in the future. I know liquids suck.

Enjoy the "honeymoon phase" of restriction, realize that making the best decision will have to be a lifetime effort, but you can live a life of moderation on most foods. It doesn't have to be a "diet", but making the best choices on food definitely gives us the best chance for long term success.

YOU ARE SOOOOO RIGHT....I just need to be strong and follow the restrictions more carefully. I threw the candy away...so that is gone from the house!!!

I completely undersatnd how you are feeling. The liquid stage is hard. I think grits are a NO NO. Try a Protein shake or cream Soup strained. It's probably better to advace to the next phase of post op diet than to try something that is not allowed. Try chewing sugar free gum. Hang in there. I know....I know. It's soooo hard for me too.

I have grits listed on my page as an okay food...I'm interested to hear from others...about grits? I am going to try Tomato Soup today. I thought I was advancing to the next step...THICK LIQUIDS is my next step. And oatmeal and Grits is on that list...along with sugar free pudding and thick Soups. I agree that I can't do anything to harm myself...AND I need to make changes now regarding my eating habits...so thank you all for the words of wisdom and advice!!! I need to be reminded.

Have you tried SF Popsicles? I can kind of chew on those which seems to make me happy. Altough I did not know that the sugar free would cause gas? That could explain a lot!

Yeah I have been eating SF popsicles like they were the last known thing on earth. I guess I will stop with the candy...I am feeling very bad about it...like I'm cheating. I just want to be eating normal...but patience is a virtue...and good things come to those who wait!!! Thanks for the advice...and support. I NEED IT!!!

WOW...is all I can say...I am a little under 1 week behind you and I can't even begin to drink 70 oz a day. Nor can I get down my full Protein shake (11oz) that fast. I have to sip it and I only try to drink 4 oz at a time anyway. I definitely feel restriction. I feel very full most of the time. I would like to hear some input as well...

I'm in the liquids stage, and I have no problems getting in 70oz of liquid a day. I can drink 3oz immediately at once, and drink my 11oz premiere Protein Shake within 20 min easily.

When i move onto soft and then dense food/protein, will I really feel the restriction everyone keeps talking about?? Will i only be able to eat 3-4oz at a time max?

I have never felt the foamies or needed to vomit. I get an uneasy feeling in my breastbone and stop, and it goes away within a minute.

I'm just trying to figure out if what i'm feeling is normal for my stage (full liquids).

Thanks for any input!

april

I need some advice and someone to keep me in line...I am exactly 1 week post-op and doing fine. HOWEVER...I hate liquids. I can't stand doing the liquid thing anymore. I advanced my diet to the THICK LIQUID stage myself in order to satisfy my mind. I ate some grits today...it was a pleasant change. The problem is...I bought some hard candy to suck on and crunch up to help me through this stage. I did not buy sugar-free...because I know it can cause a lot of gas and I don't need that. Am I really cheating or is the hard candy really gonna matter that much? I am really struggling right now cause I want to eat. I continue to lose weight. I have lost almost 40lbs since my pre-op diet and about 15 since surgery. Please let me know what ya'll think. THANKS!!!

I think it must be individual...because I do have the "gas pains" and it does hurt...HOWEVER...it doesn't hurt bad enough I wish I didn't have surgery. I also had them when my gall bladder was removed a few years ago. You'll know if you have them...because it's a pain in your shoulder or neck...etc and it feels like something needs to get out (I know that sounds weird...lol) Walking is DEFINITELY the best medicine...I just walk around my house for a few minutes every so often. I also found if you have a rocking chair or a recliner that rocks...sit in it and rocks and that moves the gas as well. Good Luck with your surgery!!!

I've been cold too...probably from the blood thinners...and lack of calories. Must be something you are eating...cause I am freezing...

Misty...I had my surgery on Monday...so I am one day ahead of you. I am also on Loratab Elixir. I do not think the pain meds are making you have blurred vision...that doesn't sound normal. I would definitely ask the DR about that. My bandages itch too...I keep telling myself their healing and ignore as much as possible. As far as how much I am getting down me...NO WAY NEAR 60 oz or 33oz...and I carry Water or crystal light with me all the time. HOWEVER...Today...I have been able to drink a lot more. Prior to today I felt full all the time and probably was getting around 30 oz total down me including my broth and popsicles.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Misty,

I've been pretty lucky in that I've been able to get my 60 oz of fluids in but I always have a cup handy and sip, sip sip throughout the day.

Best,

Max

I am 6 days post-op...and I FEEL YOUR PAIN...I don't want this food anymore...I want something salty and I want something crunchy. It got so bad last night I finally got up and took a sip of pickle juice. (I love pickles---so this might not work for you) I couldn't see that it would hurt...I am on a THIN liquid diet...and that's thin...but more importantly it helped!!! It took the salty craving away and I could go on. I hope you find something to work for you...cause I know you are miserable!!!

GOOD LUCK

I think the most important thing to remember is-- the only thing we all have in common FOR SURE is the fact that we all had the same surgery. Other than that...we are all uniquely different. That means I might lose 10 lbs in a week and then stall, while the next person continues to lose steadily. Don't get hung up on the numbers...we have ALL abused our bodies with food for a long time. Our bodies are now thinking what the hell??? 4 oz of a Protein shake...are you kidding??? Where's the fries??? Where's the Cookies??? So I think the best plan of attack is to have patience and to follow the plan. If you follow the plan...IT WILL WORK...it's proven. So keep your chin up...and keep doing what you are supposed to and you will reach your goal with flying colors. AND if it takes you 2 months longer than someone else...WHO CARES...you still made it to the finish line!!!

Hi,

I'm 17 days out from my surgery and I have only lost 1 lb. I weighed myself the day I arrived home and I had put on 5 lbs. Of course this was from the IV fluids. It took a few friendly reminders, from the other board members, that my body was healing and that I was retaining fluids. Knowing that still doesn't take away the frustration of not losing any weight, especially when others have lost during the same time frame. Today I had to let myself CRY. After I wiped my tears away, I logged onto the boards to get my daily dose of encouragement.

Just know that there are others fighting the same battle you are and with time we too will be on our way to success. I wish you the very best. Keep your spirits up and know success is just around the corner.

WOW...your surgeon MUST BE STRICT...6 months out from surgery is a VERY LONG TIME...Good Luck on that!!!

My doctor must be really strict, sleeved on Monday, was in hospital two days because of nausea. I will be on clear liquids for two weeks then a month of full liquids, two weeks on pureed and then on soft foods until I reach 6 months post-op. The clear liquids are killing me, the only thing I have been able to drink is Water with flavoring in it. Tried chicken broth and added ProCel which was disgusting so just ate plain chicken broth. nectar should be in today so I'm praying that it taste good or getting Protein in isn't going to be easy...would love mexican food about now! On the gum issue my NUT said if you accidentally swallowed it then it would have to be surgically removed...I'm staying far away from gum.