jensjoy28

As town976 said, many times it is due to acid that you feel hungry...does your surgeon prescribe acid blockers? Mine has me take them every day for first three months....

Awesome. Great inspiration. Keep working that sleeve!

I say whenever it is comfortable for you...haven't heard anything specific that you would need to be aware of or concerned about.

Hmmm...I'm not especially precise in quantities...depends on how many ounces of juice I am making...I figure out how many ounces if veggies I need and juice those until the container is at "right" level and then add the fruit in same manner. As for unflavored protein, I, personally haven't bought any if that, but I say definitely add it!!

I haven't looked at your ticker, so I'm not sure where you started at...but 29 pounds doesn't seem slow for most starting weights...I take it you were so surprised at his response that you didn't ask him a follow-up question like, "really, how much would you have expected me to lose?!" I started at 310 and am down 25 pounds in 3 weeks...if I am like many others and have the 3 week stall, then I will be down 25 pounds in the first month.

...oh, and today is my first day on soft foods (although I did have some mashed potatoes the other night)...I know that everyone told me that I would definitely feel the restriction, but I just couldn't believe it (kind of like I didn't believe I wouldn't be hungry), but I just tried my first scrambled egg and what do ya know...full after very little. Yahoo!!!!

3 weeks out and 25 pounds down...feeling great! Have been very fortunate so far on my recovery...haven't had trouble getting liquids or protein in, and have been virtually pain-free since about 4 days post-op. I would love to be down 30 pounds by week 4 because it would be 20% of my overall goal....but I think today starts the 'dreaded 3-week stall' that I have heard so much about...will see.

I juice and was cleared by my surgeon to start doing so (as long as it was juiced and not blended) a week post-op. my personal favorite is spinach, celery, cucumber, orange and pineapple. I aim for a 70% veggie 30%fruit ratio. I use a Breville

Another of those times that a "sarcasm" font would be helpful...

For those that feel hunger after surgery, And have ruled out head hunger, I wonder if your doctor prescribes an acid reducer?? You can Google How extra stomach acid can make you feel hungry...maybe that is what you are experiencing??

I had one for a week...no big deal, but was happy to have it out...removal was a non-event, like previous poster said, it was a slightly odd sensation, but not painful.

I JUST asked my surgeon this question this afternoon...he is a board certified surgeon with over 1,200 sleeve and bypass surgeries with no leaks amongst his patients and he is fine with "moderate alcohol starting 4 weeks post-op"...now, every surgeon is different and every patient is different, and that is from a post-op medical perspective...has nothing to do with the empty calories or the change in the way your body likely metabolizes alcohol after bariatric surgery.

I was able to get a personal loan through my credit union for 8% apr...have you thought about that? Mine offered up to a 5-year term to repay w no prepayment penalty.

Oh, and their "all-in" cost included surgeon, anesthesiologist, 2 days in hospital, all pre-op and post-op appointments for a year. Didn't include blood work, upper GI or EKG, but I was able to run those through my PCP and have insurance cover them.

I just had mine done in Orange County as a self-pay and the "all-in" cost was $19,500. I also happened to see an online ad for a center in Northridge that offers self-pay for $12,500 and they say they are the lowest cost in So. Cal. Personally, since there are multiple pre-op and post-op appointments, I wasn't willing to drive to Northridge...but, a $7,000 savings is certainly noteworthy. Dr. Oliak was my surgeon....he is board certified in bariatrics and he does his surgeries at a bariatric center if excellence in Placentia.

humans are FAMOUS for doing things they know they shouldn't...the "that only happens to other people" phenomenon is well documented...and, if it was just as simple as following doctor's orders, most of us wouldn't have needed surgery in the first place.

Thanks for posting the pics...it is helpful. What size do they anticipate you being after healing from reduction?

When I went to my first consultation, I didn't even know about the sleeve, but as soon as I heard about it, it was an easy decision...this oversimplifies it a bit, but in my opinion, the only thing the band has that this doesn't is that it can be "undone"...and the only thing bypass has is slightly better weight loss outcomes...but both of those come with a much longer list of potential issues. Additionally, getting to maintain the body's natural digestion while removing the majority if the hunger-inducing hormone is the sleeve's "ace in the hole". My surgeon (who, admittedly, was a slow adopter of the sleeve), now days he can only recommend the other options with reservations.

Thanks...I know I just need to be patient, but I'm not!! I was sleeved May 8, so I'm only 10 days post-op (and thrilled with the loss, don't get me wrong!)

...the clothes don't seem to fit any different. Did anyone else experience this early after surgery? In my pre-surgery world, 20 lbs would be a new size...

The rumblings are your intestines "waking up" after surgery and working to move that gas pain through your system. Very likely the cause of the pain you are experiencing...I had virtually no pain from the surgery, but the gas pain could stop me short for the first couple of days...for me, once I started passing gas (about 2 days post-op) it helped and was gone when I had first BM (4 days post-op)

My surgeon also has a 3 week liquid post-op before allowing soft foods, but I talked to him yesterday and asked if he would be willing to allow me to move to smooth purée after 2 weeks and he said yes...I would encourage you to check with your doctor prior to deciding to craft your own post op plan...is hard, I know, since so many on here have doctors that follow what appears to be a more lenient plan...but ESPECIALLY as our bodies are healing, we need to ask permission instead of forgiveness :-)

Good morning May sleevers! Just a quick update from a May 8th sleever. Doing great, haven't been on pain meds during the day since May 10 and took my last bedtime dose on May 11. Virtually pain free except when adjusting position in bed, didn't have the gas pain in the shoulder, but do still have twinges of it in my lower abdomen. Had first BM yesterday (4 days post op). Had my first attempt at nf milk yesterday when I had a Starbucks latte, and accidentally also had caffeine since i am not accustomed to ordering decaf...went through me pretty Quickly...not sure if it was the lactose or the caffeine, but will try the milk again today. Haven't had any hunger yet, but did have my first glimpse of head hunger yesterday when I found myself wishing I could have a slice of pizza, or enjoy the Mother's Day meal my family was eating. In the past, I would have tied those feelings to physical hunger, but yesterday I was able to tell there was no physical hunger there, so it was in my head...good to be able to make the clear distinction...wasn't overwhelming, but it also wasn't possible for me to give in to it since I am on liquids...hope my resolve holds once I am eating foods again! Weighed myself on May 11 (3 days post op) and was down 10 pounds since right before surgery. Incisions are doing well...starting to itch a bit which is always a good sign of healing, and I don't have any in position that make waistband or bra uncomfortable. WooHoo!! Okay...enough rambling, turned out not to be the quickest of updates.

Had my sleeve done yesterday. Really a piece of cake so far...hardest part is that my surgeon doesn't allow anything for first 24 hours...not even ice chips...oh, and not being in a private room has been the pits...it is like The Shining on the other side if the curtain!!! The nurses are so pleased with my progress they are calling me a model patient :-)...think I will be discharged today instead of needing to wait until Friday

Thank you...appreciate the well wishes...my surgery is in less than 12 hours :-)