Like everyone else..I am 8 weeks out & I can eat anything..I concentrate on my Protein first...then my water..I just can't eat much..I don't eat any kind of bread, rolls, bagels...I haven't had any fruit at all & only carrots, mashed pot, & mashed butternut squash as a veggie..only because fruit is loaded with (natural sugar) that I just don't want & my NUT only told me to have carrots. Today I have had: my tea with skim milk, egg with lite swiss melted, Protein Shake & a protein bar..Lunch, I had a cheese stick with a pickle all wrapped in a piece of baked ham. I will maybe have a yogurt or almonds later, then dinner...what ever that may be..
I drink with my meals. Not a ton, but I do have a few sips throughout and drink normally afterwards. Doesn't seem to affect me. I can eat the same portion with or without drinking with it. If for some reason this changes and I start gaining weight or eat too much, I will stop. For now, it doesn't seem to matter much.
Hangramom, why don't you try this (just a suggestion) before going back to your surgeon. I recommend it only because I have seen it work for other vets. I fear I will be in your shoes at a year, too, so I pay attention to this stuff.
Go back to tracking everything if you have stopped.
Set yourself a calorie limit that you know works for you (i.e. enough food but that you can still lose on)
Set yourself a nutritional limit for grams of Protein, carbs, fats that you know works.
Start out with 3 days of just Protein shakes - I found it really affected my intake amount and how much I could eat. Seemed to jumpstart the sleeve and reduced how much I could eat at a time. I discovered this by accident.
On day 4 start back to basics: go on regular foods but focus on firm Protein (4 oz meat) first before eating anything else
Eat vegs second.
Avoid carbs - they are such slider foods and it's so easy to get too much in. Try to avoid Pasta, rice, bread, tortillas, potatoes, corn, crackers, popcorn, chips, candy.< /li>
Get back to getting 64 oz of Water in and don't drink 30 min before or 60 min after meals. It does make a difference, especially if you are eating carbs. They just melt down with the liquid and you can get way too many down.
Good luck and let us know how you do
It's been a long time since I've been on here so hete I go...
This has been the most amazing journey over the last year. I have started to live again and love again.
I was a food addict. I still am but im in recovery... I ALWAYS will be.when I was 353lbs I would wake up and think about food. I would eat and eat and eat. I reached the point that I could barely tie my own shoes bc i could barely bend over. I had to roll off of my couch to get up.. I could barely wipe my own ass. I was always uncomfortable.
Miserable.. I was completely miserable.
When I would pull thru the drive thru I would act like I was ordering for 2 bc i was ordering so much food. When I was cashing out at the convenient store I was act like I was buying all that chips and candy for my kids.. not me.
Embarrassed. .. that's what I was.
I would constantly compare myself to everyone... I would look at other women and actually be mad at her bc she looked better than me.. she had a better body than me.. my man probably wanted her bc i was so fat and ugly.
Ashamed is what I had become.
Finally I decided after years of dieting enough was enough.... I had the gastric sleeve 02/26/2013.BEST DECISION I MADE.
It's now been a year and here are my stats. 32 years old and 5-7'.I was 353 and now I'm 183lbs. Went from a bmi of 55.5 to 28.7. I wore a size 26 pants and now I'm in 10/12.
Over the last year I have stayed active. For the first 6 months I was VERY strict.on what I ate. Now I'm more lenient. I eat every 3 hours making Protein #1. That isn't hard for me bc I'm a hard
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core carnivore. As far as exercise I life weights 2xs a week at home.. 2 10 lb weights.. I walk 3 miles 4xs a week also. I've never busted my ass at the gym and do what works for me!!
Until I reached goal, I didn't snack, eat bread, nothing sweet or fried. It was like the most important diet of my life. Now, almost four years out, I have been maintaining for over three years. Take full advantage of your honeymoon period. I log all my food, I weigh every morning and I still weigh or measure all my food when I am home.
There is a fine line for me, between maintaining, gaining or losing. I MUST be diligent, this is my new life, as natural to me as breathing.
You can do this, enjoy every pound you lose. You're life will be so different a year from now! I dieted off and on for 30 years, for the first time in my adult life, I eat and feel no guilt. My life feels like that of a naturally thin person. It's very liberating!!!
good luck!
I had to quit smoking or they wouldn't even look at me...I've been smoke free since June 15th & my surgery is Nov 19th...I was blood tested twice for nicotine...so you can't even use the patch or e-cigs..no nicotine....something to do with blood clots...its bad for you anyways & expensive...I smoked for 43 years...And yes to no soda either...carbonation will stretch your belly..Good Luck
I was 207 the day of my surgery Nov. 19th its almost been 3 months now..I have only lost 27 lbs since my surgery (10 before surgery)...but I have gone from a size 18 to a size 12 pants..& a 2X top to a L..I lost more inches than weight. I am a Fitness Pal freak..I measure everything & do everything right..I am just a slow loser..I went to my NUT & surgeon last week...they recommended me going from 900 calories to 1200 calories a day..I had a Metabolic Test done (which is just breathing into a machine) to rate what I should be doing, well that said I should be eating more calories & that my body was in a starvation mode (hmm). I am trying this new calorie change for a month to see if I can lose more weight..they did suggest that the more calories should come from Protein only..
My husband and I had that conversation this morning - about the body hanging on. It could be. It was also interesting - I could see a different in his legs, they are more muscular. So, it could be I built some muscle.
I agree on the scale - I need to put it away again. I have been weighing every day and that's not healthy for me.
I started trying salad after a few months, I had some gurgles initially, but no ill effects after that. I don't really have that many, but I've never had an issue.
Same with alcohol. I'll have a glass of wine on a rare occasion - and I did wait until about month 8 or so. I limit partly because it does effect me much quicker than before and I most times I just want to get the most out of my weight loss efforts until I reach goal. But it is a personal choice
I was 207 the day of my surgery Nov. 19th its almost been 3 months now..I have only lost 27 lbs since my surgery (10 before surgery)...but I have gone from a size 18 to a size 12 pants..& a 2X top to a L..I lost more inches than weight. I am a Fitness Pal freak..I measure everything & do everything right..I am just a slow loser..I went to my NUT & surgeon last week...they recommended me going from 900 calories to 1200 calories a day..I had a Metabolic Test done (which is just breathing into a machine) to rate what I should be doing, well that said I should be eating more calories & that my body was in a starvation mode (hmm). I am trying this new calorie change for a month to see if I can lose more weight..they did suggest that the more calories should come from Protein only..
my follow up appt was yesterday and I told the P.A that most ppl on here eat anywhere from 600-800 cals a day and she said... no good... maybe right out the gate but she said you should be working toward 1000-1200 cals cuz 600-800 calories puts you in starvation mode. That is probably what is happening. What is this breathing tool? I want to use it!
Yep, I'm in a stall. It sucks. It's lasted 12 days so far.
I just got back from a week's vacation in San Francisco where I walked, walked and walked some more. Up and down those steep hills. I logged over 37 miles up and down those fu&^%ing hills. I was confident I would come home and be in Onderland, but it was not to be...202 the scale read again this morning, the same as it did on February 1st.
I shall carry on, though. This is just another bump in the road. Today I will focus on my Water and Protein and will go to the gym. I will also say a prayer to the Scale Gods and ask for a nicer reading in the near future.
Have a great day, guys!
Our friend Sally is 5days from her surgery date ( never strong in math so I might be off a day or so) let's all wish her the best. Sally please keep in touch and tell us everything about your experience.
I stalled right after my first week. For 12days I didn't lose anything and then boom 10lbs gone.. Then on the 4th week again and in 2 days lost 3lbs. Just relax you will lose
I am not a doc or nut but i would try to eat 900-1200 calories a day. Cut your sugars and carbs. Stop eating fruit way to much sugar. And stop eating your grain way to much carbs. Stick to veggies and Proteins.
Thank you! I have enjoyed this forum. Before I had surgery, I thought I was too old! Not so! I am feeling better now than I have in 20 years! Being off most of the meds I was taking for diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol is wonderful!
DISCLAIMER: This FAQ is in no way intended to replace or undermine the advice of your physician. Every person is different, every surgeon has different guidelines, and no two situations are identical. Therefore if any of the answers below are unclear or contradict your physicians’ instructions, always follow your physicians’ instructions. The responses given are a compilation from multiple sources and references.
How do I embed the weight loss ticker? There are many ticker generators you can use, but the majority of us use TickerFactory.com or MyFitnessPal.com – Once you create your ticker, embed the code into your signature via your “Settings”
*Adding* liquid stage? During your clear liquid stage you can have anything that you can sip through a straw that is translucent, meaning see through. For instance: Water, juice, broth, sugar free popsicles, sugar free Jello, Isopure Protein Drinks, Gatorade, Powerade, decaf tea just to name a few. Once you move on to full liquids you may add liquids that are not translucent. For instance: creamed Soups, soups with the chunks strained out, milk, Protein shakes etc… NOTHING CAFFEINATED
When can I have coffee/soda/tea? Decaf coffee is typically OK about 30days post-op. Decaf tea is OK starting with your clear liquid diet. Soda is typically never OK, with the reasons varying from the carbonation causing painful gas to the carbonation stretching your sleeve. Regardless of the reasoning, it's generally a good idea to avoid sodas entirely, or to consume them in extreme moderation.
When do I start mushies/purees? Every surgeon has different guidelines for the progression of your post-op diet. The majority of post-op diets progress as follows:
Day 1-7 Clear Liquids
Day 8-14 Full liquids
Day 15-21 Purees
Day 22-50 Mushies
What’s the difference between mushies and purees? The major difference is that purees are anything that has been blenderized/pureed to a baby food consistency and has no chunks. These should not be watery, but instead a thicker pudding like consistency. Mushies are soft foods that have not been pureed.< /p>
I'm on liquids/purees and I feel no restriction, should I be concerned that my surgery didn't work? Nope! You'll feel your restriction as you start to take in denser foods. In reality, you never want to experience that over stuffed feeling again because that means you've over stuffed your sleeve. There's much debate over whether or not you can stretch your stomach by over stuffing your sleeve, I for one am not trying to prove or disprove the theory. Best to play it safe - when you start to feel full, stop eating.
Should I be counting calories or carbs or both? Both. Again, every surgeon is different, but the majority of sleevers will be on a 600-1000 calorie/day diet with carbs kept at 60-80g or less. The general guideline is this: When eating, protein is always first, veggies are second, and if you have room carbs/starch last. The majority will rarely have room for the carbs.
How much protein should I be getting per day? The recommended protein intake may vary from 55 to 100g per day, depending on your individual needs and the bariatric diet provided by your surgeon or dietitian. The generally accepted minimum protein requirement for women is about 50 to 60g per day and men need at least 60 to 70g of protein per day.
How much liquid do i need for the day? About 60-80oz
When can I eat salad? Once you reach the point where you’re on normal solids you can try salad. Start with a small amount and see how your sleeve tolerates it as it can be difficult to digest.
Best Protein Shakes? This one depends on your particular tastes, however most seem to enjoy powders? utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury.
What else counts as a liquid? Anything that can be sipped through a straw or that will reduce back to a liquid. For example: Jello, sugar free popsicles, frozen yogurt/ice cream (these are generally no no foods)
Why can't I tolerate plain water, is this normal? It’s called water nausea and it is completely normal. This is very common during the first few weeks following surgery and should eventually subside.
What is sliming/slimes? Sliming or slimes occur when you eat or drink something and then regurgitate a slimy, foamy, saliva like substance, usually when belching.
What is grazing? Grazing is when instead of consuming your standard 3 small meals and 2 small Snacks per day, you simply munch all day grabbing a handful here or a bite there. The rule is that your meals should take you 20-30 minutes to eat and should be about 3 hours apart with only fluids in between.
What do all these acronyms mean?
In no particular order:
WLS – Weight Loss Surgery
NSV – Non scale Victory (ie: smaller clothes, compliments, climbing a flight of stairs etc…)
NUT – Nutritionist
PCP – Primary Care Physician
VSG – Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
TOM – Time of the Month
SF – Sugar Free
WFL/WFD – What’s for Lunch/Dinner
How much did you lose at 1 month etc.? How much can I expect to lose in what time frame? Everyone’s body is different and so is everyone’s journey. There is no set amount you should expect lose in a set amount of time, and you should never compare your journey or your progress to someone elses. As long as you’re sticking with the program and following your surgeons guidelines, the weight will come off.
What is a stall? How long does it last and how do I break it? A stall is a point at which the scale stops moving for a period of time. The length of the stall varies from a few days to a few weeks and sometimes a few months. Non VSG’ers typically call it a plateau. Stalls are perfectly normal and to be expected. As we lose weight so dramatically, our bodies need time to catch up physically - this typically happens during a stall. While the scale may not be moving, you may notice an increase in compliments. This is because while the number on the scale isn’t getting any smaller, you are physically getting smaller. There are many tips and tricks for breaking a stall (increase your fluids and protein, increase your activity, up your calories…) but the reality is it will break on its own.
When can I have sex? When you’re ready. Keep it simple for the first few weeks post-op and don’t attempt any tricky positions. Be careful until you’ve been cleared by your surgeon for strenuous activity.
When can I start exercising? Typically right away, though the types of exercises you can do will be limited. Most surgeons restrict weight training/resistance training for about 3-4 weeks after surgery, but you should be walking/speed walking at least 30-45min daily starting from the day you get home.
What do I do with flabby skin? What's the best exercise etc.? The severity of the flab will vary based on many different factors. While there’s no way to tell how bad it will be or whether it will even be bad, there are a couple of proactive measures you can take. Make sure you’re using a moisturizing lotion with Vitamin E and Keratin several times daily. The vitamin E will help add elasticity back to your skin and the keratin will add moisture, both of which may help your skin bounce back as the weight falls off. The best exercises to target your problem areas are resistance and strength training in order to tone and build muscle to replace the fat. Lastly, be patient. Just as your weight stalls while your waist catches up to it, your skin will sag until it gets the signal to shrink. While it probably won’t ever be as tight as you’d like, it will shrink.
Will I lose hair? How much? What causes it? When does it return? Do Vitamins help? The truth is, yes, you probably will lose hair. Because of the drastic changes going on that are caused by the extreme reduction in protein and vitamins coming in as well as the hormonal fluctuations caused by the rapid weight loss, it takes our bodies a while to adjust. Don’t worry, as our hormones level out and our bodies get used to the new us, it will come back. There is no set time frame for it to do so however.
I’m constipated - what is it okay to take, especially in the beginning when newly sleeved? Will it get better? Worse? In the beginning a simple stool softener like Colace should do the trick. You don’t want to take a laxative or anything that may irritate your new sleeve. While you’re in the liquid/puree stage, Constipation shouldn’t be an issue, but as you reintroduce solids you may have to go back to your stool softeners. If you do find that stool softners are only offering temporary relief, try increasing your fluids and Fiber and decreasing your cheeses.
I’m having very loose bowel movements, is this normal? Totally. You do need to monitor stools of this consistency to ensure they contain no blood, but very loose stools, even watery stools, are completely normal for a few weeks post-op. When in doubt – ask your surgeon.
Will I feel fatigue? Will fatigue go away? Yes and yes. Your body has just undergone major surgery and it needs to heal. While it’s healing you will feel more fatigued than normal. Subsequent to having such a large portion of your stomach removed is the fact that you can no longer take in as much food (read: fuel) and therefore your body has to adjust and find a new fuel source. Your body will eventually begin to burn fat for fuel and some of the fatigue will subside. Your surgeon should also prescribe a B12 supplement which will also help with energy.
When can I go back to work? How much time should I take off? That will be entirely up to your surgeon. Most return to work within 2-3 weeks.
How many days in the hospital? Your hospital stay will depend on your recovery. When you are able to keep down liquids, are up and about and walking as directed, and your surgeon and nursing staff are confident there are no complications, you’ll be released. Your surgeon should be able to give you an expectation of the length of your stay.
Do the staples dissolve? No. The staples used to close the stomach are titanium and do not dissolve. The stomach tissue will eventually grow over the staple line. Your staples do not make metal detectors go off or make you ineligible for an MRI. They are completely benign.
Why am I always hungry? The most likely culprit is either head hunger or reflux/heartburn. Head hunger is a false sense of hunger triggered by boredom/emotions/the clock or any number of things which make you think you’re hungry when you’re really not. Heartburn is the most common culprit of constant hunger. Even though you may not feel as though you have heartburn, you may find that a simple antacid will eliminate that constant hungry feeling.
What is dumping syndrome? Dumping syndrome is what happens when the contents of your stomach are rapidly dumped into your small intestine. It is characterized by cramps, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Most people that complain of dumping syndrome associate the attacks with eating a certain type of food IE sweets, carbs etc.. It generally resolves on it's own once the offending food has left the system.
What is a stricture? A stricture is what happens when scar tissue builds up in your esophagus (sometimes caused by reflux) that causes your esophagus to narrow and makes swallowing difficult.
What is a leak and what are the symptoms? A leak is an opening along the suture line of your sleeve that allows bile and other digestive fluids to leak into your abdominal cavity. The symptoms of a leak vary but the most common symptoms are pain radiating across the abdomen, fever, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, and abdominal cramping. It is important to note that leaks are rare and only occur in about 1 out of every 100 cases.
Can you get a leak any time after surgery? Or is it just immediate? Most leaks happen very soon after surgery, but there is still a risk for about 4-6 weeks after. Again, it is important to note that leaks are rare and only occur in about 1 out of every 100 cases.
Some of my incisions are oozing - is this normal? If they’re oozing a green or yellowish Fluid, absolutely not. Green and yellow are the colors of infection and should be reported to your surgeon immediately. If your incisions are oozing a pinkish or clear watery fluid it’s your body’s way of keeping your incisions clean and isn’t usually a concern. When in doubt, ask your surgeon.
I see a lot of people posting about drains - I don't have any. Should I be concerned? Drains are tubes that are temporarily placed in the abdomen that allow fluids to drain from your abdominal cavity in order to prevent infection. Not every surgeon uses them so if you don't have any, don't worry. It likely means your surgeon saw no need to place them. That being said, it doesn't mean you're immune to infection so you should still be on the lookout for fever or any areas that a red, warm to the touch, painful, swollen, or oozing any green or yellow fluids.
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