BeachWithMyBabies

I'm 18 days post op today. I've gone from 214 at the time of surgery down to 201.1. And there I sit... all week. I know that is remarkable weight loss for just 3 weeks, but I was expecting to be in the "honeymoon" period a bit longer. I feel like I'm in a bad relationship - he's good to me for a few weeks and ignores me for one. It just seems cruel to teeter me at the precipice of Onederland. I want in that land really damn bad. I need some reality checks and pep talks. I've been battling dehydration for the past three days and really focusing on getting in my 8 glasses of water a day (64 oz). I also find that I eat an average of 800 calories a day - 60-70 grams of protein, 18 grams of fat, and about 35-50 carbs a day. Ideas?

If you are feeling overly tired, light headed, naucous, weak, dizzy, headache, dry mouth, dark yellow urine and/or vomiting, you are probably dehydrated. This is the list my nurse gave me and told me to call if I had ANY of these symptoms. Dehydration is the #1 complication at my doctors and they IV someone with fluids EVERY DAY. Right now I'm battling dehydration and I've been getting in 6 cups of water a day. I have 2 more days to get my lightheaded symptoms under control or I'm off to the office for an IV. Also, do your employers know about your surgery? You have a right to have water breaks - I'm sure if you had a doctor's note, you would be allowed to take a water break every hour. No one - not even your company - wants you in the hospital.

Another challenge is that our fat cells never go away - they just shrink. Our bodies are now programed to be able to store much more fat than someone who was not obese. This is why surgeons tell us that the average weight loss for sleeve is 60-70% of the total weight above normal to our highest weight. This is also why surgery was the final resort for most of us. Our bodies are good fat storage facilities. Just cause we're skinny now doesn't mean we can eat like someone who's been skinny their whole lives. That is why we need to maintain a much lower daily calorie threshold than someone who was not obese as well.

I can eat a 1/4 cup of pureed chicken veg soup in about 10-15 minutes. I know I need to slow down and work on it. It just seems like such small bites to be stretching it to 30 min to eat! I think a lot of this phase is learning what full feels like and not overeating. I had an overeating disorder, so I think my body doesn't get all the cues that it should. Compared to me, it sounds like you are doing picture perfect! Keep up the good work. And maybe share some of your secrets with me!!

I told my husband first, then my parents. I also told my co-worker that shares a classroom with me. I built up the courage to tell my trainer. Then I waited a few weeks and emailed all my other local family. I still haven't told my family out of town. I have had some negative responses, but it's been empowering telling those people why it was the best decision for me. I teach high school and all my students know I went out "for surgery" and know it was outpatient (because I didn't want to scare them). I don't know if I'll be going into much more detail than that. I'm a pretty transparent person, so if someone asks, I'll tell them. The day before my surgery I started a YouTube channel to document my progress and I decided to post it on my Facebook. I have had the most wonderful notes of love and encouragement. All in all - very positive experience so far! It's nothing to be ashamed of, but it's also very personal and you need to do what will be best for your happiness.

I need some info and I'm in. It would be great to finally meet you face to face!

Thank you all for indulging my paranoia. It's so much more comforting knowing that other patients from other doctors are experiencing the same thing. I desperately want this to work, so I think that desperation is making me a little crazy. Guess my next YouTube video will be addressing that! lol "Post-Op Insanity" Happy Easter to everyone. May we all have strong will-power amongst the gluttons of the day!

I'm 10 days post op and my restriction seems to be really low. When I first left the hospital, it was work to try and get in all my liquid Protein and Water. I was hitting my protein minimum (paranoid about losing my hair later on, so I'm very anal about drinking it) and sometimes my water. However, now that I'm 10 days post op and my stomach swelling is down, I'm able to drink 1 cup of liquid fairly easily over 30-45 minutes. Is that too quick?? I feel like I should have much more restriction. I'm able to get in all my protein and water consistently now. I know that's good, but it seems like so many others are still struggling at my point. Sample of my daily food: whey shake (15 pro) + 1/2 cup 1% milk (5 pro) + 1/2 c. water = 20 grams sf pudding + 1/4 cup 1% milk to dilute + nasty gall bladder meds = avg 5 grams Whey shake (15 pro) + 1/2 cup 1% milk (5 pro) + 1/2 c. water + 2' slice of banana + 2 t. Peanut Butter = 22 grams sf pudding + 1/4 cup 1% milk to dilute + gall bladder meds = avg 5 grams 1 cup cream of broccoli (insert Soup here) soup = no pro, but tired of sweet by this point sf pudding + 1/4 cup 1% milk to dilute + gall bladder meds = avg 5 grams And then I try and squeeze in 6 cups of water in throughout the day BTW - my shakes all have less than 5 carbs in the pack and minimal fat. Does this diet look about right, or am I getting too much milk/carbs? I'm able to get this all in every day to hit my goals. I've lost about 9 pounds. Thoughts? Or am I just paranoid? I am so used to diets failing, I'm a little worried about it. Thanks for all your help!

I know this will have a large range, but I'm trying to get an idea of how much weight people lost about 7 weeks post op. I just completed my first week and I'm down about 9 pounds (yay!) I am a bridesmaid in a wedding on June 4th and I need to buy my dress... and I don't know what size I'll be!! On average, what was your weight loss? Did your feet change at all as you lost fluids and bloat? Below are my specs just in case anyone is similar in body to me: Start Weight: 222 PreOp Weigh: 213 Height: 5'4" Thanks for all your advice in advance!

I have barely had an appetite since surgery. I've been getting in my water and protein goals. Suddenly today I am VERY hungry. Tummy is growling and everything. And the left over pizza my family ate for dinner last night is causing me MAJOR cravings. So far, only protein and thinned down pudding for me, but my restriction seems to be much less today than yesterday. Is this normal? I was kinda hoping I'd never feel this hunger again. Trying my best to stick to liquids, but OMG I want pizza so bad. Oh... and I started my period. Perhaps Aunt Flo has something to do with this new craving??

My doc has put me on Gall Stone medicine immediately after the sleeve surgery. It's to prevent them from forming. I'm sure you can inquire with your doc. I need to take it with every meal - I think for 6 months or so. I guess rapid weight loss can cause gall stones, so this is a preventative measure.

I had my surgery almost a week ago and I've figured out a way to kinda sleep on my side. I also have lower back pain and I just couldn't get sleep on my back. I use the breast-feeding pillow "The Boppy". I put one of the ends underneath my stomach (I find the side of my tummy where my stomach is is much more comfortable than the side where I had the drainage tube - that is still a bit too sore). I put the other end between my legs. The pillow seems to relieve a lot of pressure enough for me to tip towards that side. Then I sleep on the couch so my back is towards the pillows. I'm also inclined a tiny bit with help from the couch. Once you get the right positioning, it's very comfortable and I've slept much better. I hope that helps you!!

I had the same feelings right before mine. This quote helped me figure out the right thing to do: "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result." If you are like me, you've already tried dieting for many years. You can lose, but you can't maintain. The surgery is a totally new angle and it works. There are thousands of people proving that on this site every day. I am less than a week post op (had my surgery April 14th in the morning) and I feel great (already down 2 pounds in 4 days). I was super nervous going in, but once I came to in recovery, I was so happy. This feeling of relief and excitement overwhelmed me and I don't question it at all any more. It's my wish you get there too! Don't give up on yourself - your doctors have referred you to this for a reason. Trust your instincts and just keep chanting that mantra! You'll do great.

I had my drain in the entire time I was in the hospital (2 nights). I think it helped with the gas because I never got those horrible gas pains in the shoulders a lot of people talk about. However, on the last day, it was really hard to walk and talk with it in. It really started to hurt. once they took it out, I was good to go! Even though it was annoying, i think I'd have it again if I ever had the option. Gas pains SUCK.

I have some wicked bloat going on in my belly. Any suggestions on how to get this gas gone?

LOL! I made one. I just need to get it posted. My drive is full so I need to sort my computer before I can upload. I'll probably make another one today.

Call the doctor's office ASAP and speak to a nurse or doctor on call. Don't wait for Monday if you're blood pressure is dropping and going hay-wire. I don't want to be an alarmist, but my lead nurse told me about a woman who felt sick on a Friday night and didn't want to have to go to the ER, so she waited till Monday to come in. Well, she was septic by that point and she died that day because she had a major leak. She told us this story to stress how important it is to listen to your body and alert the medical professionals if you have any doubts. So if you are feeling off, better safe than sorry and talk to health professionals and not this bulletin board. We're here to help and chat and share, but we can't give you medical advice. It's your doctor's job to listen to you. You won't be bothering them! You're worth the attention!

I was totally freaking out before I went into surgery. I had to relax and "white light" every negative thought until I got the anesthesia. However, once I woke up (and then fell asleep for another 6 hours) and then woke up again, I was so thrilled! I am so excited to start this journey. My experience was wonderful, my roommates were amazing women with insight and kindness and my nurses were 100% caring and fun. Not a bad way to start, I might say!

Just started my video blog on youtube. You can check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/user/BeachWithMyBabies

I am also being sleeved Thursday morning! We can be sleeve twins. We should stay in touch - we might be good support to one another!

I have my surgery in less than a week and I'm still a bit concerned about how I'm supposed to sip 60-80 grams of Protein and my 6-8 cups of Water a day. Did anyone create a schedule to get it all in? My doctor doesn't want me to drink more than an ounce over 15 minutes, EVERY 15 minutes for 12 hours a day. Sounds like hell, but I'll do it. I just want to know what to do if I want to take a nap. Any tips or keys to success that worked for you?

Please drink your protein. Like feedyoureye said, you have to think of it like medicine. It's important to get your 60-80 grams in a day - otherwise you can lose your hair! And I'm sure skinny and bald was not your ultimate goal. My nurse was talking with me about how some women come in looking like they have been through chemotherapy because they aren't getting in their protein and chunks of hair started falling out. So - just hunker down and sip it down. This phase is just temporary and it too will pass!

April 14th here. Bought some comfy nightgowns today and looking into some good TV series to rent while I'm home on the mend. Looking forward to doing this for myself and enjoying a few weeks of me-time while I recover and learn how to eat again. Excited and nervous all rolled into one!

That's why I joined to lose the initial weight before surgery! I figured it would be an amazing support tool throughout my process and maintenance. I was feeling guilty about having surgery and going. Sounds like you are doing the same thing, but able to get past the guilt. Do you weigh in every week? I'm so glad you mentioned this, because this is something that I've been worried about.

Yes - that's what I think I'm doing right now. With my weight loss, I tend to get cocky and then I sabotage myself by thinking I can eat *anything*. Clearly, if that was the case, I wouldn't be at the weight I am today. I was at a bridal shower today and caught a glimpse of myself in mirrors and thought maybe not... then I caught myself in pictures and quickly reminded myself that THIS is the reason I'm doing it. I HATE MYSELF in pictures - and because of this, I have two little kids who have no pictures with their mommy. I want to enjoy pictures. I want my kids to have me in their pictures. I want to focus 100% on my kids when we play at the pool this summer (and not keep distracting myself with negative self talk) and I want to be around until I'm good and old and see them become the amazing adults that I know they will be. And I want to be a good role model for them and not teach them to bury their issues in food. So, yes, I'm doing this surgery. Just needed that reminder! Thanks, guys! This time is going to be different - cause it's going to be forever.