DanaInNewOrleans

This is exactly how I feel --- empty deeper down. I had done a Google search with the words "post op gastric sleeve empty deep" and your post came up! Even when I'm full from 3 bites of food I still feel it so I know it's not hunger but it feels like hunger but just much deeper and acute.... I'm on Prilosec 2x day and it's not helping...

Hey Kelly, My doc did not give a specific calorie number so I have no idea where I'm supposed be. Some people here on VST are only getting 300-400 at this stage, while others were told 600-800 and others 1000-1200. Everything is so ambiguous....it's frustrating because I have no idea what's the right amount of carbs or calories at this stage. I'm averaging about 800 right now. I do have a tough time getting in enough Water but since I switched to plain water with just lots of lemon and some Splenda I'm doing much better getting it down. I'm not a much of a fan of Crystal Light or MIO... I sometimes do the nectar Fuzzy Navel Protein powder with water during the day and that give me a two-fer --- water and protein and it kind of taste like an Orange Julius.

I just want to say thanks again to everyone who took the time to buck me up, encourage and remind me .... all greatly appreciated! I feel better today and I really believe it was due to reading your posts. HUGS! ~Dana

Yes, it does look like we're on the same type of track....we've got to keep the faith...

I'm in Mandeville! I would love to get together....lets try to plan something...we can try to find other New Orleanians ( or anywhere around here).

A Baton Rouge VST group or a BR support group in BR??

Hi Sunny! I haven't seen you in a while. Thanks for taking the time to write.... I think you're right. It's seems like the majority of people lose huge amounts the first month, but maybe it's just that the slow losers aren't posting and whining much! I'm probably getting a distorted perception of reality... Hugs! ~Dana

Guess what? Dallas is like my second home! After Katrina my best friends, Jay's (husband) best friends and some of my family ended up in Dallas. We're there a bunch throughout the year. In fact, our friend Richard from Dallas is here now visiting us for a few days . What part of Dallas are you in? Hey Mardi Gras is next month -- that's a great time visit New Orleans!

Hi Kristie, You look awesome! Congratulations! I guess I was thinking that the at least first few weeks would be more like a jump start..but I do feel better today about this. I have to remind myself that even if it's slow it's better than the direction I was heading before. I think my main fear is not that the weight loss is slow -- it's that it won't work at all. Slow I can handle.. ~Dana

Thanks for writing! 10 miles a day on your bike? That is awesome. I love bike riding but I haven't done it in a few years since I gained over the last 3 years. Love your Saints jersey! I'm sitting here watching the Falcons game --- of course I was pulling for them to bomb...no such luck this year! Go Saints! Thanks again for the encouragement and support.... everybody's posts really did help me. HUGS!!

Black beans and salsa and a little sour cream is a great idea! I will try that today! I use to love Greek yogurt but maybe because I ate so much of it I just don't want it. I do like cottage cheese ( and I add 1 or 2 tablespoons of frozen cottage cheese to my shakes). Thanks for the black bean idea!!

Where in New Orleans are you? And by the way, this weather is miserable!

Thank you everyone for all the encouraging words. The support is so appreciated. Could ya'll do me a favor and share what you are/were eating at about 4-6 weeks and how many calories and carbs? . My plan has me eating Cream of Wheat, oatmeal, sweet potato, Protein shakes.... I'll use today as an example Breakfast: Protein shake -- 200 calories 28g protein Lunch: Protein shake 200 calories 28g protein Snack: 2 tablespoons of sweet potato w/ pat of butter 100 calories Dinner: 1 packet Cream of Wheat made with 1 cup Water and 1/2 cup low carb milk, w/ pat of butter and 1 tablespoon shredded cheese. I ate about 2/3 -- I didn't finish it. Probably 200 calories The rest of my calories came from coffee -- I use a couple tablespoons of half half 2x day. Maybe 100 calories I'm finding it difficult to get enough protein in while eating mushy foods. The only thing I can think of to get protein is shakes or soft boiled eggs. I can't graduate to tuna or fish for another 2 weeks. This week I can add scrambled eggs. Sometimes I add Protein powder ( nectar ) to my water but it's hard to get it down that way. I mostly drink water w/ lemon and Splenda. Thanks for any input ~Dana

3 Weeks post-op and I have lost a grand total of 11 pounds. Whoopee Doo.... Yes, I know, some are slow losers, don't compare yourself to others, are you getting enough Protein, are you drinking enough Water, up your calories, reduce your calories, reduce carbs/up carbs then reduce them again to trick your body, exercising enough? , throw the scale away, have the moon and stars aligned correctly??? I have not lost a pound since Day 10. So yes, it looks like I may be the only gastric sleeve failure....wonderful. So now what... just keep plugging along eating freaking mush, drinking Protein shakes and hope and pray.... One positive thing.. I had a psychotic scale...step on and it just goes up and down -- never getting a definitive number. I bought a scale called EatSmart Precision. It locks on immediately -- it's awesome. I just don't like what it is telling me. http://www.amazon.com/Eatsmart-Precision-Bathroom-Technology-440-Pounds/dp/B0032TNPOE/ref=cm_sw_em_r_dp_TLl8qb1QQP8A9_tt Please excuse my rant. I have been trying to stay optimistic but I really can't fake it anymore. Is there anyone who started out this slow and ended up succeeding? If so, can you share your story...I need it desperately. ~Dana

That is a long time -- can you talk to her again and tell her you really want/need it to be in March?

What is your insurance? Are you going through a 3 or 6 month diet program? Does your pre-op requirement end on Feb 15th (if you have one that is)? I have Aetna -- they required a 3 month diet program which I completed on 11/14. I think they submitted the paperwork on 11/15 and got the approval on 11/30.

I believe it's the patient advocate. She gave me a few dates to choose from.

Thanks so much for taking the time to write this Suzanne! Great tips and reminders!

Hi Fellow Slow Users Well, looks like I'm a slow loser. This is so demoralizing. I'm 3 weeks post op - as of couple days ago I had lost 16-18lbs (depending on the day). I was frustrated with my scale because it would never give the same number--while standing on it it would bobble up and down and never really lock on. I was so frustrated I bought a new scale-- it came today. It was the highest rated /most reviews on Amazon. My husband got on and it was dead on. We put both scales side by side... both scales got his weight right. I get on the scale and it immediately locked on ( yea for that at least!) but it read 260. I thought I was seeing wrong -- got on again -- immediately locked on 260! That means I have only lost 11 pounds since surgery 3 weeks ago. How is this possible???? I knew I would be a slow user but my God, now I'm thinking I really will be a failure at this too. My calories are between 600-800 and 50-70g Protein. Now, I know I am not getting enough Water. Not near enough. But come on, that can't be the full answer?????? I knew I'd be a slow loser and so did my nutritionist. But this slow?? I was having trouble maintaining my weight for the couple of years and I averaged 1200-1400 daily. I gained weight on Weight Watchers. I was so desperate -- that is why I decided to have the sleeve. The only good thing is now I have a scale that I can rely on -- even if it makes me miserable at least I know it's right. Very depressed.... If I can lose 2lbs a week I'd be happy (ok, not happy happy but relieved that it's no zero) Can the rest of the slow users give updates? ~Dana

I'd be thrilled with 28 pounds in 3 weeks! I was on the 21st too and I'm only down 18. What does your daily menu look it? How many calories? I'm worried I'm eating too much ( 600-800 calories daily). Congratulations! ~Dana

You're right. One day I'm 2 pounds higher, the next back down 2 pounds, then the next 1 pound lighter, then 2 pounds higher...if you graphed it it would be zig zaggy but at a definite downward motion....

Marking the spot is great idea! I'm going to do it!!! ~Dana

We went to Kauai a couple of years ago in February. It is so beautiful! Have a great time! ~Dana

I've lost almost 20 (13 days post op) and I can tell I've lost weight everywhere but in the waist area. Jeans are looser in the legs and my tops are more roomy but my waist feels the same. Now, 20 pounds isn't that much where I'd see a huge difference anyway though...I think 40lbs (God willing! I'm still scared I'll be the only VST failure) is where I'll really start seeing a difference. Measuring is a good idea....I'm going to do that tonight. ~Dana

I haven't started on solid food yet but I'm not sure I will be able to eat the amount of solid protein a day to get me to 80 grams. Maybe I'm missing something but the math doesn't add up. Lets say you have an egg or two for Breakfast, thats 12g. For lunch you have 2 or 3oz of chicken, that's 21g. For dinner you have 3oz of steak, that's another 21g. That is only 54g, which I don't believe is enough. Down the road I'm guessing I will HAVE to rely on at least one Protein shake a day to ensure that I get enough. ~Dana