sparker

Ok. I can already imagine some of the answers this question could prompt. After the sleeve are we on a strict diet for life or as long as our protein is met and our calories are in range are we free to eat as we choose? I'm going to assume that a person is going to make the healthiest choice available most of the time. I'm undecided about this and will talk it over with my surgeon when I have my 3 month appt. There are two very definite sides of this issue and those sides have strong opinions. I'd just like to know where some of you stand on this. As I said, undecided here, but one of the reasons I chose the sleeve was because I just couldn't face the chicken breast and green bean rodeo anymore.

Since the 17th of July I've had clearance to begin alternating real foods with soft foods. I am a bit uneasy about this move. So far there have been no problems with anything I've tried. This includes canned chicken ham and shrimp. But now that I can actually sit down with a piece of real food I'm a little afraid to try. Right now in my crock pot is a turkey roast that is falling apart and some baby carrots cooked to very soft state. I'm starving and just too chicken to give it a try. My surgery was June 18th. Is there any reason to expect problems now since I have not had any so far? Reassurance please. Not asking for promises cause I know that isn't possible, but if you guys could tell me about your move to solids and how it went I would grateful.

Does anyone feel that we just over think things? We all have instructions from our individual surgeons and program that we've been given to follow as different as they all are. Do you think that maybe listening to other people's fears and doubts gets in the way? As it was explained to me pre op the only difference is that our stomach is smaller and we have to relearn how to treat it. I guess what I mean is that just just because one person has a good/bad experience doesn't mean you will too. I know that personally I let some of the things I've read on here quite nearly cause me to cancel my surgery at the last minute. But I went ahead and did it. That was nearly 3 weeks ago and while I really wish I didn't have to make this journey after 40 years of fighting this battle and not getting anywhere, I did not feel I had a choice. My sleeve is a bit bigger than some. Done with a 38 bougie and only 80% of the stomach removed. My doctor has done wls exclusively for 12 years and finds that in his patients that it caused fewer complications and better quality of life. Since I started soft foods at 2 weeks I definitely have good restriction and nothing I've tried has given me any problems no throwing up, no nausea. I have had ravioli and corned beef hash (they told me as long as it could be mashed with a fork I could try it.) I know some people have issues but I don't really understand why a food you have eaten all your life would suddenly make you sick-provided that you chew well and don't eat too fast. Too fast is my problem. Have always been a very fast eater. Anyway, I know that this is long and rambling but I was just wondering if anyone that had similar thoughts.

Actually, MFP makes calorie counting ALMOST effortless. Predictive text sucks!

I just had my 2 week post op on July 2nd. My doctor gave me my calorie range and exercise requirements to lose 3 lbs each week. Use My Fitness Pal like others have said. It makes calorie counting all poo st effortless. You can also track your exercise and water. Easy to use and you always have it handy. I'm down 20 lbs since June 11 when I started pro op diet. I like it. Good luck.

Just curious, but with all the bad things on here, are there any of you out there who have had no problems of any kind? Zero, nada, zilch. I'm new to this and still ,I suppose tying to make sure I haven't made a mistake? What those who have been sleeved for several years?

Thanks to all who have given feedback. I worry too much I know and I do agree that most of the time people who don't have issues don't post. And to Brand-new, I fully understand about your Mom. My Mom died at 73 and all of the things that led her there were connected to her weight. I didn't want that for myself. So I did go ahead and do it. Or as my brother said "Quit walking to the edge. Jump or shut up." Frustrated advice from him but I took it all the same.

Ok. In response to a couple of other posters as to what I consider problems and what negatives I've seen on this board: the answer to both questions is really the same. People who throw up every time they eat, having to go back to the hospital for dehydration, feeling sad, depressed, and like they have ruined their lives. There was even one woman who posted that not only did she regret it but she also had a deep sense of shame for having done it. Personally I was sleeved on June 18 and counting my one week pre op diet am down around 25 pounds. I have no problems other than gas. But ,I've seen posts here about storybook results becoming nightmares of puking, sleeves twisting, becoming suddenly unable to eat at all. Even though things are good today, I guess I'm j u st looking for assurance that they be good tomorrow. And like Cait12, I tend to think too much.

I started reading this board probably back in March and yes there are quite a few threads that talk about regret. This is one of the things that has caused some doubt among those of us new here. Not doubtful enough not to have surgery, but reassurance is what we are really looking for I guess.

I was sleeved on 6/18 and except for the gas pains and soreness at incision sites I don't have much pain. Still though I'm kind of iffy on taking a shower even though I was told I could start today and remove the bandage and band aids beneath just leave the sterile strips alone. Think maybe a bit afraid of what is under there!

I am incredibly sore. Not real pain, just very, get sore. I asked everyone who came in contact with but nobody ever gave me an answer. Also how long do you have to wear the band? I was sleeved yesterday and came home today.

I was given a compression band to wear over the bandage.

My surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning and I am still not sure that I am doing the right thing. I'm afraid. Not of death but of never being able to enjoy meal again. Never being able to be a part of family get togethers, eat a cookie at Christmas, or drink a soda at a ball game. Even more I'm afraid of being one of the horror stories I've seen on this site. Unable to eat or drink, thinner but sick all the time. I've prayed and prayed about this to find peace about my decision but so far I haven't found this peace. Last night I dreamed about it all night long. In this dream my brother (who has been very supportive) and even my late mother both expressed concern that this wasn't really what I wanted and they didn't want me to go through this just because everything was all approved and ready to go. I don't know what to do. I only have 24 1/2 hours to decide.

I wanted to thank everyone for the feedback. I am still feeling somewhat nervous and shaky but I am going to go ahead with surgery. God does come to us in many ways and I believe that He is with me here. When this first began back on April 5th I w a s praying for a sign that thus was the right thing for me. The sign came in the following ways: I found a hospital in a very convenient location for me, it is a Center of Excellence, The surgeon I wanted is on staff and my insurance has a short list to qualify and both my family and my own doctor support me. Everything fell into place quickly and I felt that this was a sign that yes this wad right. Had it been difficult, I would have felt that it was not meant to be. I think I was a bit freaked out by my dream. My Mom has been gone nearly 10 years, and here she was telling me that I didn't really want this. I woke up terrified and unsure. I h ad to go to the hospital today for some pre op business and when I got into the car the radio was playing Let Your Love Flow. This was my Mom's favorite song. I felt she was with me. I shed a few more tears but began to feel more positive throughout the day. But I do appreciate the comments and good wishes from you guys. Wish me luck.

Scheduled for surgery June 18th. I'm curious to know if once everything is healed and you are comfortable with the sleeve are there any foods that you cannot eat. Even if you choose nit to eat something could you eat if you chose?

Thanks. I know there will be things I won't want to eat to get the most out of my . Sleeve but I think it would bother me to be unable to. At least it seems that way now.

I'm considering having sleeve surgery. I am supported in this by family, friends and my doctor. I don't fear dying but I do worry about complications. While every person is different and every surgery has risks - I'd just like some feedback about whether complications are a sure thing or if they are rare? Help please?