newat52

Hang in there! It's going to get better. The first 6-8 weeks are not a walk in the park. Our bodies need time to recovery from such a major surgery. I didn't feel back to my energy level till about 8 weeks. It's normal and it will get better. In relation to what sits well and what doesn't, for some folks it takes a bit longer.

One thing I used to do before I could get all my Protein from solid foods, I would spike my sugar free pudding with Protein powder. I would take a small pudding and mix it with about 12 oz of milk, a scoop of Protein powder( I use powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury at 21 grams of protein per scoop and blend it. Divide into two servings. It helped a great deal get in some calories and protein.

As you are able to get more protein and calories, your energy will come back you will will feel great!

Good luck and hang in there!

I posted here previously singing Dr. Nick's praises. Those of you who are happy with the staff are you self pay?? I have insurance and it takes days (literally) to get a return phone call. Does cash talk faster ??? I am thinking of finding someone else because of this. All input is welcome!!

Yes, cash does talk faster. You go right to the front of the line due to no insurance hassles. I was very happy with the office except for one PA on follow up visits.

Dr. Nicholson is one of the best surgeons but there are a lot of top surgeons in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

My response would have simply been. Don't be crushed, Be happy for me. It's not for sissies! Ask me sometime before you berate me.

Probably think if I wanted this person in my life after that. If she was not in the inner circle to begin with, probably not a big loss.

Actually, I'm hoping she didn't have WLS and was just eating less. It would make my response to others sound less like I'm lying when I say I'm watching what I eat while not mentioning the WLS aspect.

What makes for a minute you think you are lying. You are eating less, you are exercising. You don't have to go into detail if you don't wish to It's not lying. Its just private. Remember you don't owe anyone an explanation for anything.

My rule for the questions? Them: How much weight have you lost? Me: a bunch. Them: how are you doing it? Me: one pound at a time. Questions stop by then. If you want to keep your medical information to yourself, you have every right. This is your journey and you can keep it wherever is right for you!

Getting on an airplane and having a lot of seatbelt leftover! Crossing my legs on the plane AND having the tray table down!

Learning how much better designer jeans fit! Who know jean were comfortable? BTW: Have been getting great designer jean at Clothes Mentor, a resale shop, got a pair of NYDJ, Jag, Jennifer Lopez jeans for $18-22 each. They are like brand new and it's been great shopping resale as I "pass through" a size!

Jogging.

The whole leg crossing thing STILL amazes me each and every day! I don't think I will never take it for granted!

Giving away my larger sized clothing to my sister! (who ALWAYS had a snarky comment)

Ok, yeah the above one might be the biggest "little thing"

I think to ask would have been extremely rude. If she wanted to talk about it, she would have. I would suggest you talk first and you will find out fast if she wants to talk.

While everyone is different, some people are just very private and don't want to discuss personal things. She may be one of them.

Congrats on you success! Your stats are wonderful! The sleeved life is a great life, isn't it?

This is one of those things that you will get a different answer to. For me, my surgeon was fine with it. About the only thing I DON"T drink from a straw is coffee and wine.

Some will say never, ever. coffee, alcohol and carbonation are other things that is debated. There are lots of folks that are banned forever from all the above. My only no no is carbonation. I can live with that.

I'm a year out now and I can safely say my sleeve has not exploded, stretched or any other bad thing from using a straw since a couple weeks post op.

That is me, though, I will always say follow your surgeons direction.

Good luck to you! You are gonna love your sleeve!

Only my husband and youngest son know. The son knows because he lives with us. Our oldest and daughter in law have not been informed. No family, no friends. Its just personal and it is not anyone's business besides mine and who I choose to share with.

You don't owe anyone any kind of explanation. Period.

Do what is right for you.

String cheese. You can get it through security and it really doesn't need to be refrigerated. I took some with me at 6 weeks out. I also took nectar Protein mix. It was a great way to make sure I kept up with my Protein. You are probably to early out to be able to handle beef Jerky. I travel a lot and I always take some. The sodium is high but sometimes you gotta pick the lesser of the evils. Also a big edemame fan! It's packed with protein. You can get it roasted. It's a still a go to for me!

Good luck!

What you are feeling is perfectly normal. Its a scary and life change thing, to get sleeved.

If I can offer a few word from a veteran (as of March 6th, I'm a year out so I qualify) It will be the best health decision you could ever make. life is back to normal now. A new Normal? Yes. And I love it! There is nothing I can not eat. The only taboo thing for me per my surgeon is carbonation. I can eat and drink anything and everything. Not a single thing disagrees with me. That said, yes I can eat or drink anything, most of the time I just don't. The success I have achieved encourages me to eat healthy. I do eat very healthy 80% of the time. I eat better 15% of the time and I eat GOOD meaning anything goes 5% of the time, on average. Some days and weeks are perfect some days are not so much. I have succumbed to chips and salsa. I have eaten a few bites of the most decadent Desserts (only a few bites) but mostly because there is no more room I have wine every weekend. We are big wine lovers. I go to parties and social events where food is the focus and am just fine. I enjoy a few bites of this or that but always try to stay Protein focused.

You will too. Life is not over after the sleeve, its just better. Way better. I still have 13 pound to go to my realistic goal and 23 to my ultimate goal. Although the last few months I don't think 130 is best for me. I don't think I would look or feel my best there. I think 140 is real for me.

What I can tell you is, if I do not lose another pound, ever, I will consider this surgery as the best health decision I could have ever made. Where I am now is healthy, well, energetic and full of energy. I may not be a size 2 and that is fine with me. I am currently wear a loose 10 and snug 8. I I were 20 years younger I'd probably not bother with the 10. Med tops. It's not about the size but the health and all the amazing things that go along with new found health and energy!

Your fears are real and normal. Take the step, it won't be easy. This is in no way "the easy way out". You will struggle, we all do, it's not all unicorns and rainbows. It is SO worth the journey and the end result is priceless.

That's my 2 cents.

Best of luck to you!

Nope. I can eat anything. I have tried it all. Only thing my surgeon bans is carbonation. Have not tried that and don't intend to.

That said, after you are recovered, that is when the real work begins. I am actually a year out as of today! I have not barfed, slimed, dumped or had any adverse reactions whatsoever to anything. Just because I can eat it doesn't mean I should. I eat very healthy 80 % of the time. I eat better 15% of the time and I eat good about 5% and by good its anything goes.

Each surgeon has their own idea of what their patients can and can not consume post op. There are lots of folks who are told, no coffee, no bread, no alcohol, no this and no that. For me, it was just carbonation. I can live with that.

I am still a work in progress, I have realistically about 13 pounds to go. Even though my goal is 130, I don't think I will look good or feel my best at that weight. Progress has been very slow the last few months but that was to be expected.

I know you have heard that the sleeve is a tool and it is. It is a wonderful tool but it still takes a lot of hard work and permanent changes overall.

You can do and If you love your sleeve half as much a I do, it will be the best thing for your health you have ever made!

Best of luck to you!

I was cleared at 6 weeks for all food and drinks (except carbonation) My husband and I are wine lovers. I highly suggest you try it at home first. Because it had been almost 3 months without a beverage it hit me fast. A few sips was all I could do. Keep in mind I am a top tier sleever. A year out next week and not a slime, barf or any adverse reaction whatsoever. We share a nice bottle each weekend with a fab meal. Now, the effects are the same as before my sleeve.

It hits some people fast and others not so much. I fall in the latter. Please try it at home first. Some people it goes right through them so you don't want to be running to the rest room.

Please get help. You can overcome this! Keep us updated.

The fact is, he lost 100 pound in a year. How on earth could that be considered a failure? He may not be at a normal BMI yet but he is far from the BMI he started at.

Doesn't matter why he did it, he took that step and no matter what one thinks of his politics, I'm sure he feeling much better. He has greatly increased the odds that he will be there longer for his wife and children.

Time will tell if he loses more or just keeps it off.

That statement applies to all of us.

Good luck to us ALL! Lord knows its not easy!

Why tell them anything? If someone asks simply tell them you were tending to a medical issue but I'm feeling much better, thanks! Leave it at that.

Just because someone asks, doesn't obligate you to answer. Keeping ones medical issues to oneself is your right and your choice and you are under no obligation to share it.

For me personally, the only people that know are my husband and one of my two sons. When people ask how much weight I've lost, I smile and say "a bunch." When they ask how I'm doing it, I tell them "I'm working really hard at it." That pretty much lets people know that this is not a topic up for discussion.

Your decision to improve your health will be the best gift you can give yourself! Congrats to you for taking that step!

Best of luck to you. You will love the new you!

Damn! I was really hoping #7 was true!

I had the same thing. I had to delay my surgery for two weeks to get the clearance. My routine EKG showed an abnormality. They sent me to the cardiologist and it showed the same abnormality. I had to do a full stress test. Ended up that its normal for me and nothing to be concerned about. I was really frustrated as I was prepared mentally and emotionally for the surgery and then the delay took the wind out of my sails.

I was sleeved two weeks later and have not looked back.

A lot of people present with an abnormality but its perfectly normal for them. This may very well be the case for you too. Best to have it checked out and know for sure.

Good luck to you! You will love your sleeve!

Congrats!

Speedy recovery to you.

Walk. Walk. Walk.

Sip. Sip. Sip.

You're going to love your sleeve!

I do! But it was March 6, 2013!

Best wishes to you! You will love your sleeve! Life is great!

You can do it Nancy! If I can, I know you can. Diet Pepsi is crack! That and Pelligrino Water. OMG!

It's been a year now and I am living proof it can be done. Have to say in the last year I have learned how awful diet soda is.

Great luck to you!

You got this!

If your insurance excludes the surgery they typically will not cover any costs due to complications. The affordable health care act has nothing to do with this. Every policy is different. Check with your insurance company. If a major complication arose, you would be stuck there till you are well enough to travel.

You raise great questions. All of self pay due to insurance exclusions had to make the choice. I did not have complication insurance. I had my surgery done state side. Believe me, I thought long and hard about the what ifs. I eventually decided to do and pray for a favorable outcome. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut.

Good luck to you. You will be well informed with whatever decision you make.

Freezing. All. The. Time.

I wear my cuddle duds all the time and when I sit at home I sit under my electric throw. At night we have an electric blanket on our bed.

This winter in Texas has been very cold and windy. Never in my life have I muttered H**y S**t so much. Every time I go outside when the cold wind hits me.

I will never, ever complain about the hot Texas summers again. Ever!

Till at least July.

I am lucky. My GYN has been my biggest cheerleader. She has seen me up and down weight wise for almost 10 years since she has been treating me. I went in last year 7 weeks post op. First thing she said to me after greeting me was congratulations! Tell me about your experience. Told me she was proud of me and want to talk with me this year. Of her several patients that have done it, she has seen nothing but success and said she can't wait to see me this year.

I'm actually excited about going to the GYN this year! Now thats a first!

Sending hugs (from far away) that is awful. Your main job needs to be keep hydrated.

Hope you feel better very soon.

I suppose it's possible but not likely. It makes me hurt just reading your post. Thank goodness I went about 2 weeks without sneezing and I remember how much it hurt then. 4 days out, can't even imagine! I managed to go almost a week without coughing so I was lucky.

I'm sure you are ok but if you still feel a localized pain after a while, you may want to give your surgeon a call and ask.

Good luck to you. I know things suck right now, especially the first week post op but it will get better and better as time goes and you will LOVE your sleeve and your life post sleeve!