Indigo1991

I am in the UK and I haven't drunk a single Protein shake to supplement my diet. Couldn't stomach them from day 1 so I used fortified milk, drank it and added it to my Soups etc. It's helped me not to rely on shakes. Now just over a month out from surgery, I am on soft foods and getting in most of my protein from eating. But I know that's not possible for everyone... Hope you find something you can drink - and good luck :-)

Yup and yup! I had sore throat/roof of mouth ( there was a tube down throat whilst I was asleep) but it passed after around 10days. I couldn't lie down until I was 14 days post op. Some people have no problems lying down straight away but the rest of us do - perhaps you need to sleep propped up or in a recliner until the discomfort passes? I slept propped on sofa, then in bed with pillows so that I was almost upright and I did get to sleep. Even when I could lie down, it was only on one side for a week before I could move around and sleep on other side. Poor you, it won't help to hear it will pass - but it does. However, as with all pain, if you are unsure that it is getting any better, speak to your doc. Good luck x

That's amazing, both the weight loss and the way your feelings have changed. I know that for someone to love me, I have to love myself - and I am starting to be believe I am worthy of that. Thanks for sharing, hope the coffee date is the first of many - or maybe the start of something special :-)))))) Keep in touch, will let you know how things go at this end!

Looking for inspiration - did you find love post sleeve? Split up from husband almost 3 years ago after 30 years together (i was a child bride, ha ha) and have made no effort with the opposite sex - forgotten how to, lack of confidence, lots of reasons. But even at this early stage, am now getting some male attention and it's all positive. So that gives me hope - but would love to hear your stories.... Thanks

Meredit, I am with you (although I am probably old enough to be your mother!), it is a strange new world when you lose weight. I completely get the whole fighting for attention thing and a friend sent me these words that might help: "if he wants you in his life, he'll put you there. You shouldn't have to fight for a spot..." I am now trying to follow this myself (30 year relationship ended 3 years ago and I have managed to hide from men since) and remember my own worth in the face of increased attention, some welcome, some less so, at this early stage of my weight loss. There is man out there who will like you for you, just relax, you have time to make good choices. Good luck x

How about "Learning to listen to your body" ? This could look at hunger versus head hunger versus no hunger; understanding want full feels like; and reading the signals around your new stomach. It might also cover the topic of constipation....

Read this site! Yes, there are stories where people have had problems but it would be a surprise if everyone sailed through. But look at the stories of people further down the track and the majority are leading lives that are healthier and happier than before. I had a bad reaction to the anaesthetic - but that was more than weeks ago and all the good stuff that has happened since far outweighs a few bad days to start with. Keep yourself informed using the site so u have answers to all the negative naysayers and to any concerns u may have yourself. Alternatively smile at them, make all of sorts of noises that sound as if u r listening but tune them out while all the time thinking that this is your life to be lived as you see fit and that the only point of view that matters when making the decision is yours. Good luck!!! X

Thanks for all the posts, I appreciate every one of them because there's something for me to think about in each one. OTR, you are right, I value honesty and that's why I can't lie. But I am a pretty private person and therein lies my dilemma. Taradawn15, I am the boss, so my co-workers will all have opinions about what has been happening and there will be talk depending on what I say because I usually keep professional life separate from personal stuff. Am cool about that but I am not sure how much they need to know versus them being concerned that something awful has happened to me (as some will think as we have worked together for years). Kulita, like your thinking! Everyone knows I had diabetes and know that I have severe arthritis - the first has now gone and I have stopped the chemotherapy drug for my arthritis, just down to a weekly jab. So beyond weight, my health has altered beyond recognition. And maybe that's something I also need to factor in..... My mind is now turning over, so will re-read the posts and start to form what I am going to say. You are all stars for speaking up, thanks again x

Surgery not survey, lol!!!!!

I have a great support network of my son, sister and group of close friends. They have been rock solid behind me since my survey three and a half weeks ago. Next week I go back to work and will see colleagues who haven't seen me for over a month. And I look pretty different! I am down 2-3 clothes sizes since they saw me last (my ticker gets updated after next weigh in on June 5). I am torn between not wanting to discuss my sleeve and not wanting to lie. I will be on soft foods so that will also be noticed... How have you handled questions about your weight loss, whether from work colleagues or from acquaintances?

Benefiber is great. But not getting enough Water can be a big factor in constipation. Keeping moving, either walking or exercising, encourages your insides to keep moving too. Before sleeve, fruit juice did it for me - but not any more! Poor you, been there and don't want it to happen again either....

Bedtime coming up where I am - and have just had some more mushed tuna so I don't wake up hungry !!!

Me too! If I am not eating or drinking, I am planning how to fit it all in. But small price to pay :-)

I am only 3 weeks out past Thursday and I remember sitting on the Saturday night crying and asking myself what had I done? I was sore, had had a bad reaction to the anaesthetic, couldn't lie down and couldn't get enough Water in. But here I am, only a short time later, and the memory of that awful weekend has faded a little every day as everything has healed, my emotions are more settled and eating/drinking/ moving has got easier. You are not alone and this will pass. You will get lots of support on this site, so keep posting - and hang in there. Jac x

I was 3 weeks out a couple of days ago. Lost 18lbs up to two week weigh in, then nothing when weighed on Thursday this week. But my body shape is changing and yesterday I bought a dress 2 sizes smaller than before! As VSGKirk says, our bodies have had a bit of a trauma and are coming to terms with all sorts of new stuff. All we can do is not to panic, stick to what we should be doing and only stand on the scales once a week Oh and read all the posts on this site about the three week stall, then relax. Others who have been trhough this say it will pass.... Good luck!

Quick update. Another week and just done my second jab - and still no need for Methotrexate. And I have cold hands and feet!!! I have lived for years with hot hands and feet because of my arthritis - had forgotten what it was like :-))) Still emotional about all of this. I got sleeved to change my life and I will never be able to explain how grateful I am for what is happening. Life is good.

Good luck - and welcome to the club! Hope it all goes well for you today.

You look great! I am 3 weeks out tomorrow and even I can now see the difference in myself - have gone down two sizes in clothes (weight loss is more than on ticker but no idea how much - my dietician asks that we don't weigh ourselves in the first few weeks after the two week check, so due to get weighed next on 5th June. Strangely enough, I can wait because of the shrinking clothes thing). Good luck...

Thanks for sharing this - checked out the new post on your blog and wow! I had large breasts even when I wasn't overweight. I had said that when I lost weight I would get a reduction and lift, even seen a surgeon. But post sleeve, I couldn't contemplate more surgery and thought I would just have to live with saggy boobs. However, even three weeks out from the sleeve, I can see already that that's not going to be an option. But I didn't know anyone who'd done this post sleeve. Then up you pop! So thank you, thank you, thank you for the inspiration. You look great and sound so happy with life. That'll do for me :-)))) Jac x

I am day 18 too and in last couple of days have noticed it is much easier to get all my liquids in. Was also a bit concerned but maybe that's the stomach swelling going down? Beyond that, there's not really any "normal" from what I can see. I am trying to get some shape back in my day by having meal times again. Yesterday, i had 3 tbspn of milky porridge (I am Scottish!) for breakfast, 2 tbspn blended fish and 2 tbspn mash for lunch, similar amounts of blended chicken and veggies for dinner. Have one shake that I split and use as Snacks, a small yog mid evening and lots of baby tea that is pretty much hot milk. No probs with any of it, just trying out something new to eat every day. Appreciate I may still need more Protein but I am doing the best I can - as are you. Good luck, hope your good recovery continues! Jac

Glad you are ok! My doc doesn't allow it because it stimulates saliva, which in turn makes your stomach think food is coming and it produces more acid. Tooth brush and paste in future :-)))))))

Don't beat yourself up - how many French fries would it have been in the past - just one??? And how many sweets in the "old" days??? 36lbs in 7 weeks is great, focus on how well you're doing, that you are eating well and forgive yourself minor blips. Too soon to give up on yourself, anyhow no-one here will let you :-))))

Ps ... Good luck to u too Lawrence for Thursday!

Think we are all scared when we do this, whether we admit it publicly or not. When I arrived at hospital to have my surgery, I couldn't quite believe I was there and what I was going to do to my body. And that was despite me having spent around 18 months considering every aspect of the sleeve. But I went through with it two and a half weeks ago. Has it been easy having this surgery? Not really, there were moments when it was physically hard. But as Lawrence says, you get meds to get through. There have also been times when my emotions kicked in and I seriously questioned what the heck I had done. But I kept reminding myself of the prize - better health, longer life. Was it worth it? After only two and a half weeks, for me, yes. My diabetes is no more and in an amazing twist, the arthritis I have suffered for many years has gone into remission meaning I am off the chemotherapy drug used to control it and am now only injecting. A miracle. We all experience this surgery differently. But we all do it for reasons that matter to us - keep that to the front of your mind cos your life is going to change. Good luck, stay strong on Tuesday and use this site for as much help and support as you need. Jac

Thank you all so much, very grateful for the positive comments. It is exciting and terrifying all at once but I will be happy with any respite, no matter how long.