BerryChic

I wish I would have known about Ensure High Protein shakes during my liquid phase. They are very smooth, not gritty or grainy and have no weird aftertaste. 210 calories, 25g Protein, 5g sugar, 2.5g fat, lots of vitamins/minerals/probiotics per 14oz bottle. I prefer the milk chocolate flavor chilled, but it is not necessary to refrigerate them. They are a little pricey at 10.99/4 pack but well worth it. I use one per day as a Meal Replacement even though I am on regular food at 9 weeks post-op.

Yep. I am not known to be an emotional person, in fact quite the opposite. But after surgery I was an emotional wreck! I felt sad, depressed, isolated, lonley, angry, agitated, you name it. What's worse was I had no reason to feel this way. I have a very loving, supportive family who took good care of me, I didn't have to rush back to work, my weight loss went very well so I couldn't figure out what the heck was going on. Then it made sense when I realized that all of the hormones stored in the fat were being released as I lost weight. That, plus the changes in brain chemistry caused by the surgery/healing process, it was no wonder I was such a mess. It was comforting to know that I wasn't losing my mind along with my weight! The emotional swings should level out about 6-8 weeks post op. Hang in there and good luck!

I know exactly how you feel. For the first two months I could not have said I was glad I had it done even though my weight loss was great.The first month was just God-awful, much worse than I thought it would be and I thought I had made a huge mistake. I had no energy, hated eating and just didn't feel like me. The good news...most of this is over at about 3 months post op. By that time I had also found a Protein shake that I love and still drink one almost every day for a Meal Replacement and I am almost a year post. Ensure high Protein shakes are awesome! They are only 210 cal., 5g sugar, 26g Protein and lots of Vitamins and minerals. There is no aftertaste and it goes down smooth and easy. I like the milk chocolate flavor because it tastes just like chocolate milk (I only drink them cold unless absolutely necessary and they aren't terrible if they are warm) The down side is they are a little pricey at $8.99/4pack on sale. Wish I would have found them when I was on liquids or mushies. They really help with getting protein in which will make you feel a lot better too. Now I have to say I just LOVE my sleeve and the life it has given back to me. I like being limited and I know as soon as I get even slightly uncomfortable, I stop eating and everything is ok. Give yourself a little more time to get to know what all the new feelings mean for you. I finally feel like a "normal" person. I used to be on 3 blood pressure meds, in pain everyday and couldn't walk 5 houses down my street without wanting to collapse. Now I am virtually pain-free, walk 1-2 miles with no problem and I am only on half of one medication. I've gone from a size 26 to a 16 and I haven't seen that number in over 20 years! Total weight loss so far is 110lbs with 80 to go and would not have believed in a million years this could happen for me. It can happen for you too. I know you feel miserable right now, but hang it there, it gets A LOT better!

I know exactly how you feel. For the first two months I could not have said I was glad I had it done even though my weight loss was great.The first month was just God-awful, much worse than I thought it would be and I thought I had made a huge mistake. I had no energy, hated eating and just didn't feel like me. The good news...most of this is over at about 3 months post op. By that time I had also found a Protein shake that I love and still drink one almost every day for a Meal Replacement and I am almost a year post. Ensure high Protein shakes are awesome! They are only 210 cal., 5g sugar, 26g Protein and lots of Vitamins and minerals. There is no aftertaste and it goes down smooth and easy. I like the milk chocolate flavor because it tastes just like chocolate milk (I only drink them cold unless absolutely necessary and they aren't terrible if they are warm) The down side is they are a little pricey at $8.99/4pack on sale. Wish I would have found them when I was on liquids or mushies. They really help with getting protein in which will make you feel a lot better too. Now I have to say I just LOVE my sleeve and the life it has given back to me. I like being limited and I know as soon as I get even slightly uncomfortable, I stop eating and everything is ok. Give yourself a little more time to get to know what all the new feelings mean for you. I finally feel like a "normal" person. I used to be on 3 blood pressure meds, in pain everyday and couldn't walk 5 houses down my street without wanting to collapse. Now I am virtually pain-free, walk 1-2 miles with no problem and I am only on half of one medication. I've gone from a size 26 to a 16 and I haven't seen that number in over 20 years! Total weight loss so far is 110lbs with 80 to go and would not have believed in a million years this could happen for me. It can happen for you too. I know you feel miserable right now, but hang it there, it gets A LOT better!

I know exactly how you feel. For the first two months I could not have said I was glad I had it done even though my weight loss was great.The first month was just God-awful, much worse than I thought it would be and I thought I had made a huge mistake. I had no energy, hated eating and just didn't feel like me. The good news...most of this is over at about 3 months post op. By that time I had also found a Protein shake that I love and still drink one almost every day for a Meal Replacement and I am almost a year post. Ensure high Protein shakes are awesome! They are only 210 cal., 5g sugar, 26g Protein and lots of Vitamins and minerals. There is no aftertaste and it goes down smooth and easy. I like the milk chocolate flavor because it tastes just like chocolate milk (I only drink them cold unless absolutely necessary and they aren't terrible if they are warm) The down side is they are a little pricey at $8.99/4pack on sale. Wish I would have found them when I was on liquids or mushies. They really help with getting protein in which will make you feel a lot better too. Now I have to say I just LOVE my sleeve and the life it has given back to me. I like being limited and I know as soon as I get even slightly uncomfortable, I stop eating and everything is ok. Give yourself a little more time to get to know what all the new feelings mean for you. I finally feel like a "normal" person. I used to be on 3 blood pressure meds, in pain everyday and couldn't walk 5 houses down my street without wanting to collapse. Now I am virtually pain-free, walk 1-2 miles with no problem and I am only on half of one medication. I've gone from a size 26 to a 16 and I haven't seen that number in over 20 years! Total weight loss so far is 110lbs with 80 to go and would not have believed in a million years this could happen for me. It can happen for you too. I know you feel miserable right now, but hang it there, it gets A LOT better!

I know exactly how you feel. For the first two months I could not have said I was glad I had it done even though my weight loss was great.The first month was just God-awful, much worse than I thought it would be and I thought I had made a huge mistake. I had no energy, hated eating and just didn't feel like me. The good news...most of this is over at about 3 months post op. By that time I had also found a Protein shake that I love and still drink one almost every day for a Meal Replacement and I am almost a year post. Ensure high Protein shakes are awesome! They are only 210 cal., 5g sugar, 26g Protein and lots of Vitamins and minerals. There is no aftertaste and it goes down smooth and easy. I like the milk chocolate flavor because it tastes just like chocolate milk (I only drink them cold unless absolutely necessary and they aren't terrible if they are warm) The down side is they are a little pricey at $8.99/4pack on sale. Wish I would have found them when I was on liquids or mushies. They really help with getting protein in which will make you feel a lot better too. Now I have to say I just LOVE my sleeve and the life it has given back to me. I like being limited and I know as soon as I get even slightly uncomfortable, I stop eating and everything is ok. Give yourself a little more time to get to know what all the new feelings mean for you. I finally feel like a "normal" person. I used to be on 3 blood pressure meds, in pain everyday and couldn't walk 5 houses down my street without wanting to collapse. Now I am virtually pain-free, walk 1-2 miles with no problem and I am only on half of one medication. I've gone from a size 26 to a 16 and I haven't seen that number in over 20 years! Total weight loss so far is 110lbs with 80 to go and would not have believed in a million years this could happen for me. It can happen for you too. I know you feel miserable right now, but hang it there, it gets A LOT better!

I know exactly how you feel. For the first two months I could not have said I was glad I had it done even though my weight loss was great.The first month was just God-awful, much worse than I thought it would be and I thought I had made a huge mistake. I had no energy, hated eating and just didn't feel like me. The good news...most of this is over at about 3 months post op. By that time I had also found a Protein shake that I love and still drink one almost every day for a Meal Replacement and I am almost a year post. Ensure high Protein shakes are awesome! They are only 210 cal., 5g sugar, 26g Protein and lots of Vitamins and minerals. There is no aftertaste and it goes down smooth and easy. I like the milk chocolate flavor because it tastes just like chocolate milk (I only drink them cold unless absolutely necessary and they aren't terrible if they are warm) The down side is they are a little pricey at $8.99/4pack on sale. Wish I would have found them when I was on liquids or mushies. They really help with getting protein in which will make you feel a lot better too. Now I have to say I just LOVE my sleeve and the life it has given back to me. I like being limited and I know as soon as I get even slightly uncomfortable, I stop eating and everything is ok. Give yourself a little more time to get to know what all the new feelings mean for you. I finally feel like a "normal" person. I used to be on 3 blood pressure meds, in pain everyday and couldn't walk 5 houses down my street without wanting to collapse. Now I am virtually pain-free, walk 1-2 miles with no problem and I am only on half of one medication. I've gone from a size 26 to a 16 and I haven't seen that number in over 20 years! Total weight loss so far is 110lbs with 80 to go and would not have believed in a million years this could happen for me. It can happen for you too. I know you feel miserable right now, but hang it there, it gets A LOT better!

Yes. I am 7 months out and still have difficulties with it from time to time, but I got over most of that by 3 months. It was explained to me that Water molecules are less permeable than those of diluted beverages such as crystal light, juices or even milk which is what makes it difficult to tolerate or break down in our sleeves. Recommend breaking it up with something like a citrus juice or beverage mixer like crystal light/sugar free kool-aid. Although, I can understand a craving for just plain Water. Hang in there and keep trying it, one day you may find it goes down just like it used to pre-op.

I get so cold I can't sleep for hours after I go to bed while my husband is sweating. But I am going to get a heated matress pad and keep it on my side! Lol

At 8 weeks post op I've lost 44 pounds and am thrilled. Even if I never lose another pound, I feel and look better than I have in 15 years! I weigh myself every day , but I don't let the scale discourage me if I gain a pound or I'm in a stall. My first stall at three weeks post-op lasted 16 days. I began to get very frustrated, but then I read about the 3 week stall and realized that if I eat according to the meal plan (which includes eating OFTEN and ENOUGH food and fluids) the weight has no choice but to fall off from a physiological standpoint. It may even be necessary to INCREASE caloric intake at some point to get things going again. Also, if you are a woman who is not menopausal, you need to factor in the monthly weight fluctuations due to Water retention and other such things you would deal with even if you were at goal weight.

I certainly don't feel hunger the way I used to, it is a different sensation altogether. I didn't figure that out until about 5 weeks post op. But, it does return.

I certainly don't feel hunger the way I used to, it is a different sensation altogether. I didn't figure that out until about 5 weeks post op. But, it does return.

Treated myself to one sugar cookie today. It was good but I honestly thought I'd enjoy it more. No desire to have another one.

Well, I am back from visiting my daughter in Florida. I must admit I was concerned about making the trip only 7 weeks post-op, but it went just fine! (except on one occasion when I ate too much too fast)
In fact, I had the best NSV to date. I didn't need a seatbelt extender on the plane for the first time in 15 years!! And, I could actually move down the aisle of the plane without bumping any seats or passengers. I didn't even need to turn sideways. I couldn't believe it! The reality of how this weight loss surgery is changing my life hit me like a ton of bricks and I was so thankful I did it! It's things like this that the forever skinny people just can't possibly appreciate, but I'll never forget it

Well, I am back from visiting my daughter in Florida. I must admit I was concerned about making the trip only 7 weeks post-op, but it went just fine! (except on one occasion when I ate too much too fast)
In fact, I had the best NSV to date. I didn't need a seatbelt extender on the plane for the first time in 15 years!! And, I could actually move down the aisle of the plane without bumping any seats or passengers. I didn't even need to turn sideways. I couldn't believe it! The reality of how this weight loss surgery is changing my life hit me like a ton of bricks and I was so thankful I did it! It's things like this that the forever skinny people just can't possibly appreciate, but I'll never forget it

Well, I am back from visiting my daughter in Florida. I must admit I was concerned about making the trip only 7 weeks post-op, but it went just fine! (except on one occasion when I ate too much too fast)
In fact, I had the best NSV to date. I didn't need a seatbelt extender on the plane for the first time in 15 years!! And, I could actually move down the aisle of the plane without bumping any seats or passengers. I didn't even need to turn sideways. I couldn't believe it! The reality of how this weight loss surgery is changing my life hit me like a ton of bricks and I was so thankful I did it! It's things like this that the forever skinny people just can't possibly appreciate, but I'll never forget it

Well, I am back from visiting my daughter in Florida. I must admit I was concerned about making the trip only 7 weeks post-op, but it went just fine! (except on one occasion when I ate too much too fast)
In fact, I had the best NSV to date. I didn't need a seatbelt extender on the plane for the first time in 15 years!! And, I could actually move down the aisle of the plane without bumping any seats or passengers. I didn't even need to turn sideways. I couldn't believe it! The reality of how this weight loss surgery is changing my life hit me like a ton of bricks and I was so thankful I did it! It's things like this that the forever skinny people just can't possibly appreciate, but I'll never forget it

I was concerned about Motrin also. It has always been the best pain killer for me and I used it 2-3 times/week before surgery for headaches, body aches, etc. Interestingly, I just realized that since the initial pain of surgery wore off after the first week post-op, I haven't had any headaches or joint pain or muscle aches! Ain't it great

I found this post really interesting because I still have not come up with an answer to "Are you glad you had the surgery done?". Even though I have had few complications and great results so far, my answer usually starts out with, "Wellll,...." But I have to say I felt this was the last resort for me to get some kind of normal life back. A friend of mine who is a recovering alcoholic and AA group leader has said that an alcoholic/addict will ask for help once they get to the point that they are willing to do anything to stop from feeling the way they do. That any other existence is better than the one they are living in. That is probably the closest description I have heard to what made my decision to have the surgery. I woke up one morning and was just sick and tired of being sick and tired, realizing that ANYTHING would be better than where I was at and I was willing to do anything to bring about that change. But I also know that nobody can make the decision for us. Countless doctors and well-meaning friends and family had tried for years to convince me. But I had to be ready and I was willing to accept all the risks that came with it. I think it is reasonable to assume that your co-worker went through a similar experience, so please don't feel responsible for her situation. I do hope that she gets through her challenges soon and her pain is abated. Please keep sharing your story, keeping in mind that it will be their decision. You may even save a life someday.

I found this post really interesting because I still have not come up with an answer to "Are you glad you had the surgery done?". Even though I have had few complications and great results so far, my answer usually starts out with, "Wellll,...." But I have to say I felt this was the last resort for me to get some kind of normal life back. A friend of mine who is a recovering alcoholic and AA group leader has said that an alcoholic/addict will ask for help once they get to the point that they are willing to do anything to stop from feeling the way they do. That any other existence is better than the one they are living in. That is probably the closest description I have heard to what made my decision to have the surgery. I woke up one morning and was just sick and tired of being sick and tired, realizing that ANYTHING would be better than where I was at and I was willing to do anything to bring about that change. But I also know that nobody can make the decision for us. Countless doctors and well-meaning friends and family had tried for years to convince me. But I had to be ready and I was willing to accept all the risks that came with it. I think it is reasonable to assume that your co-worker went through a similar experience, so please don't feel responsible for her situation. I do hope that she gets through her challenges soon and her pain is abated. Please keep sharing your story, keeping in mind that it will be their decision. You may even save a life someday.

Wouldn't even consider it! Way too much for only a week out.

I am so glad I am not alone in this. I was never particularly emotional, but now I have felt many of the same things you mentioned- anger, sadness, depression. It's driving me nuts! My husband is a hunter and loves being in the woods this time of year, but I am kind of resenting him for leaving me right now even though he has been really great so far. I have hit a plateau, I'm starting to feel hunger again and I am frustrated having to constantly check calories, sugar, Protein and fat grams on everything. Normally none of this would bother me. And just to add to it, I have been put on some really strong meds for a MRSA infection I contracted post surgery which are making me feel really lousy just when I started to feel better. So I am feeling totally out of control and an emotional mess! Can't wait till this stage is over. Hope you get through it quickly too!

I still eat out with my family a lot! I just make sure to pick things that are high in protein- can't go wrong with a grilled chicken salad; shrimp fajitas (without tortillas and no rice); chili from Wendy's by the way is delicious; eating refried beans; having Breakfast for dinner yum! Some eggs with bacon! I've just learned how to order healthier choices, but eating out is not a problem for me- now eating and drinking at the same time is a problem- I really miss being able to eat and drink at the same time; don't stop living!

I certainly felt some regret the first week. I felt pretty miserable, but I also had two hernias repaired at the same time which added to the discomfort. Eating is uncomfortable if I eat too much, but I am learning my body's signals now and today I ate with almost no discomfort at all. I also started Zantac which helps control the acid and that made a big difference too. I think they need to prepare patients better for what to expect and when it will end. I am 19 days out and finally beginning to feel better. Some days I'm not so sure I would do it again, but on the other hand I have lost 26 lbs since surgery, 36 since PATS. This is the least I have weighed in over 10 years! I try to tell myself that maybe I could have done this without surgery, but the fact is I never did. So, I suspect that as the weight continues to drop and I continue to recover I will be even happier that I made this decision to enhance my quality of life.

I was sleeved on the 23rd and I know exactly how you feel. I am feeling super emotional (lonely, angry, frustrated, sad, depressed, you name it) which I normally am not. I still feel like I am in a fog half of the time, which is also driving me nuts. Can't wait to just feel like myself again. But, my weight loss has been great too so I'm thinking this is just a stage we have to get though. It seems like by 4-6 weeks out most people are pretty well back to normal. I can't wait!