thebabycakes

I was sleeved on 5/17. I am feeling good so I decided to invite family over for a BBQ. They were all afraid to come because they didn't want to eat in front of me. I wanted to break everyone from that, so I encouraged them to come. I am perfectly fine with people eating and enjoying their food in front of me. It doesn't bother me. They all feel guilty. I don't want to be isolated. I want to be with everyone because in my opinion, it's not about the food, it's about family being together. I made a huge Pasta salad and my hubby BBQ'd burgers and dogs. I'm not gonna lie, it all looked and smelled great, but I was truly ok with it all. My way of dealing with all of this I guess. The family relaxed when it came time to eat and didn't make a huge deal about it. It was a great day. Btw, my son in law is serving in the Army. This was also to pay tribute to him, as well!

Avoided it . . .

I didnt deal with any,....SInce I am so new post op and still really sore, we didnt attend any, But the food that my fiance cooked last night smelled really good...

Hello,
Here is my experience. I was sleeved on Monday 5/20/2013. Leak tested on 5/21/13 with no leaks and cleared for release. I came home on Tuesday afternon after I could keep down ice chiips, popcicles etc. The rest of the day I slept. Wednesday night I couldn't sleep all night, I couldn't get confortable. I take meds for anxiety and thught that was the problem. At 4 am, the pain became sudden and severe and I woke my husband and told him we need to go to the hospital, and that is what we did. They did a CT Scan to make sure I didn''t have an pulmmonary embolism. Then they did a leak test, and that came out positive. So off to the OR I went. Regarding the pain it is fine. Thank you so mucfh.
Terri

I lost 10 lbs in the last 2 days, but I'm sure it's just my body getting used to the lack of IV hydration. I've just been out of the hospital since Saturday. Trying to weigh just once a week might help the up and down weight not drive me crazy. I just have to know that over the next 18 months or so I will lose weight.
In the hospital someone came by that hadn't lost all of her weight in 18 months. But she kept at it and after 4 years she was at goal. It was an inspiration to see that not losing all my weight in a year isn't a fail. Consistency and Persistance will win the day :-).

Hi everyone. I am 5 months post op and am not one of the lucky ones who lost my hunger. Sadly I've been hungry since I woke up from surgery. For the most part I can usually stay between 800-1000 calories a day. I'm considering taking an appetite suppressant to help with the hunger to get me down to my goal weight. I am still losing weight right now, but I know I could lose SO much more if I wasn't constantly hungry all the time. So, thoughts? Anyone else do this? I have emailed my dietician but have not heard back yet.

Once I made up my mind about having WLS I told my husband I was not telling a soul and if they asked I would simply say I had a hernia repaired.
Once I went to my seminar we spoke very openly to our children about me wanting to be healthy so I can have a long life and be there for them. Well my sweet son of mine spilled the Beans to the one person I did not want to know ( sister n law). He didn't mean to I think he was truly excited for me plus he's only 8 haha!
Once he told her I decided you know if I'm going to be successful I can't be ashamed and scared what people think. As long as my husband is supportive that's all that matters. There will always be someone that won't agree and sees it as an easy way out. Then I think what if I can be that one person that can help someone take that first step and become healthy!! Even though I may not lose all my weight by myself and I will having WLS my goal is to be healthy and active and I want to be an inspiration to someone!! I won't have it printed in the news paper but I will be up front if they ask me...I figure if they care for me they will support me!

Hang in there it does get better.. I have not had any complications at all.. Im post op dec 20th.. its rough the first few weeks.. any surgery is.. but oh the rewards that are yet to come.. I cant tell you how much better I feel.. mentally and physically.. I got the thrill of my life when I went on a flight recently..and took my extra belt.. my hubby said you dont need that..but im like yes I might.. but he was right.. I wanted to cry right there on the plane.. there was even belt left over hanging 4-6in depending the plane.. I couldnt believe it even tho i was seeing with my own eyes.. and to shop for new clothes in the department im suppose to be in? priceless.. I still have some issues with some foods that my tummy doesnt like.. but oh well..its better than being fat and over weight and being laughed at or ridiculed because you cant fit on rides at the amusement park.. I wont ever go back to the person ever again.. Im having to much fun with people calling me skinny and that im gonna blow away if I dont stop losing.. but they are making me feel good.. Im not that skinny at all.. I have 53lbs to hit my goal wt for my ht.. but its been a great experience.. Ive learned how to eat better and not eat so much..and its ok not to finish whats on the plate.. so hang in there.. great things to come.. once that wt starts falling off you will see.. just make sure you are drinking enough and get that Protein and take your vitamins... best of luck to all of you.. Im having the time of my life

I reached goal at 6 months, I was getting between 650 and 800 calories. In the beginning, the first 4 or 5 weeks, I was getting 350 - 450. I was healthy, felt good and had to make myself eat. I did get all the Protein that I needed to, most days anyway.

I would love adds to heather.lemke09@comcast.net

Going to add u if that's ok

Good morning, lovelies! I have a question for the veterans. I was sleeved on May 16, just over a week out, and am still on liquid phase. I am not having any problem sipping (with the exception of forgetting that swallowing a mouthful is not longer an option causing a little back up in the works) and I like my Premier or EAS shakes just fine, especially for Breakfast. I pour the entire thing over a cup of ice, it takes me about 2 hours to finish it, including the excess Fluid from the melting ice.
For lunch, I am having a Dannon Fit and Light Greek 2x the Protein and 1/2 cup of milked down cream Soup. (I am going to start adding Protein powder to the Soup to help there.)
For dinner, I might have a little broth and MAYBE a pudding cup or a popsicle.
My calorie intake is about 350-400, my Protein is at about 45 and I am drinking about 36 ounces of Fluid over the day.
I know I am supposed to get in 60 grams of protein and my diet calls for three Protein Shakes a day but I just CAN'T do it. Again, it's not the taste, it's simply the thought of putting a straw in my face as another meal. (Yes, I got permission for a straw. I have far less air intake with a straw, no more pain and a lot less gas. My NUT wasn't happy, but the discomfort overrules the "rule".)
I will call the NUT on Tuesday about my unwillingness to drink more than one shake a day right now. It's not inability, I just dread the thought of holding that much more fluid. I feel heavy, bloated and it honestly makes me so tired even contemplating walking to the fridge to open one.
My energy is ok (I wont' say great), I don't feel deprived, I am not having any stress or depression over cooking my family yummy foods, and while the thought of a little taste/lick/chew is there, I know it's in my head only.
Do I force the shake or just try adding in unflavored protein into my soup or yogurt? I just can't imagine more volume of food in my day.
OH MY GAWD, did this chubbette just say that???

I'm sorry, I guess just drink ad much Water as you can and Protein drinks.
Also, everyday you should feel better and stronger, hang in there.

Knowing and feeling are two different things, huh? For example, I KNOW this will get easier, I KNOW I need to be patient, I KNOW I'm only 9 days post op (it feels longer) and this is normal, I (mostly) KNOW that this will work...but what I'm feeling is just worried and a bit discouraged.
It's definitely harder in some ways to be home. Once I'm back in my normal routine, I also want to eat normally. Plus, being around family when they're eating is harder. Yesterday, my husband came home and asked what was wrong. I walked up to him, put my head on his chest, and said "I have so much work to do, I want to ride my horse, I'm tired and sore, and I just want to eat a CHEESEBURGER!" LOL Imagine that said in a very whiney voice.
I'm just venting here! I'm hungry, I have no trouble at all drinking anything (warm, cold, Water, drinkable yogurt, pureed Soups, etc). I tend to be too much of a perfectionist and when I drink something to help with not EATING something, I feel guilty. For example, I had some chocolate milk yesterday and even though the rest of the day was things like watered down juice, a Protein shake, and pureed Soup, I beat myself up over that milk. :\
So yes, I'm feeling whiney...I KNOW it'll get easier, but well...I just need to whine for a bit.

Okay, yes you will. Now onto your regret. I was 260 when I was sleeved on March 4. Wore 44" pants and XXL shirts. I am now in 32" True Religion jeans and a Lucky Brand size large shirt. My weight is teetering around 199. Now, I don't care how delicious the sandwiches at Panera are, NOTHING tastes as good as these jeans and this shirt.

First off, this is normal at your time. Second, it's not like you can go backwards. The great thing about the sleeve is that it can't be reverse.
I'm about 2.5 years out. I can eat about half a panini slowly now, even the bread. And save the rest for later. It takes time to learn how your sleeve works, but after just a few months, you won't really notice it.
And after a couple of years like me, your new eating arrangement will seem normal, and you won't be able to understand how regular folks eat such absurd portions and meals. This way is way better, it just takes some time.
Keep your head up!

I had to reply to this because I felt the same way. I had my sleeve done on 5/15. The first night was horrific pain, intractable nausea, dry heaving and painful hiccups. Night 2 was loss of ability to pee followed by straight catching for urine and then loss of my bowels w horrible, liquid battery acid diarrhea. I ended up staying for 5 days total. They thought I had c diff. Gave me antibiotics that made me even more nauseated. It was horrid. I am on day 6 now and I finally feel a bit better. My issues have resolved. Please don't regret it. I spent days crying in the hospital. We will get through this. Each at our own pace.

I am almost 4 months out now. I woke up out of surgery and the first thing I said to my mom and brother was... Why did I do this. I felt like crap. first week was ok then I start regreting it was see food ads on t.v. and friends werent helping by sending me pictures of food. They were be funny but it sucked for me. That first month month was bad for me.
After that I figured out was to eat what I like but in a healthy way and it was wonderful that I wasnt hungry and didnt need to eat a whole pizza and a sub to feel that way.
It will get better butyou will have bad moments. You have to adjust to a new life style and a new way of eating. Its a tool and will only work if you work with it. You work harder the better the out come.
In 4 months I have lost 103lbs down 50% of my extra weight. I am at the gym 4 days a week and out running on trails on the other days. I make sure I get in my Protein and Water. Because I want to be healthy and not the fat guy in the group any more.
Stay strong it will get better trust me.

I was about that far out when I went through the "OMG, WHAT did I just DO????" phase. It didn't last long but it sure took me by surprise... I mean after months and months of preparation and planning, I didn't expect to feel that way post op. All I kept thinking was, "OMG, what have I done? This can't be undone now.. and the vast majority of my perfectly healthy stomach is now rotting away in some Mexican biodump"
I'm now exactly two months post op and extremely happy with my surgery. Portion sizes are finally starting to feel normal and I'm used to the vsg eating habits now (like not eating/drinking at the same time, chewing food well, etc)

Thats a very good question.. My doc and nurse and nut were very clear on what was what.. only thing I can think of is more of a psych thing.. Im post op since dec 20th and have lost 93lbs. Im having a hard time with the fact ive lost so much weight and that I cant believe what size I do wear now.. which is normal not in the plus size like I was used to. I hold clothes up and Im like.. I cant fit in that.. but reality is.. I can fit in that.. I hold up my jeans now.. and yes I can wear pants that dont have elastic in them lol. which was a goal of mine anyways.. but I guess mentally I dont see what others see.. they see weight loss.. huge weight loss..and I dont see it.. I still see me.. maybe if they did more on the psych level.. to help deal with the fact.. hey im not fat anymore. for me thats been the hardest thing.. Im happy with it and all.. but I guess I dont see it yet.. prolly not until I hit my goal.. which isnt very far off really.. 50 something more lbs to go.. so Im doing really well for the short 5 months its been. so best of luck to you.. great things ahead.. regrets? none what so ever.. I would do it again... just wish I had done it sooner.. . I love this site as well.. great advice from all.. Im on my way to onederland

I wanted to start a thread because I am pre op and wanted to ask the veterans what they wish they knew before they were sleeved. I love this site and find it much more informative because it is people's experiences, not just what your surgeon tells you.

I started my pre-op diet on May 7th, which consist of up to 5 Protein Shakes a day. 5 oz of lean Protein and 2 cups of vegetables a day. I have lost 14 pounds! Surgery on Tuesday...

I am on my 6th day of the preop diet and have lost about 11lbs. I'm on straight liquid protien shakes.< /p>