McButterpants

HI there. At 4 weeks, you're body is still recovering - I felt tired at times up to about 12 weeks. It wasn't every day and my energy level was certainly better than before surgery. Let your body heal - rest when your body tells you to rest. You'll enjoy the days where you have a lot of energy!

Yes! I had my husband do the same thing. There are other ways to judge if you're losing weight - take pictures and take your measurements. That's a good indicator when you're not seeing the scale move! Best of luck to you

Sending my thoughts and prayers your way - that's a lot to deal with!

I can't imagine how betrayed you feel. I would, too. I'm sure your mother's intent was not to hurt you, but it did, nonetheless. Know that her actions came from a place of love and concern. I was one of those people that told very few people (my mom, dad, husband, son and best friend). I'm fortunate that they have kept my secret. You have to move on - be angry today and vent. Tomorrow is a new day - live your new life and focus on your progress.

Early on, I felt the same way - I was either drinking a shake, drinking Water, fixing a meal, eating a meal (scrambled egg would take 20-25 minutes to eat). It became a chore. That stopped about the 3 month mark. Be patient!

I am 8 months out and still struggle with fruits and raw veggies. I would follow your doctor's/surgeon's orders and if you feel like you need more substance, check with them or the NUT for guidance. You're only 2 weeks out - you're still healing. Trying unapproved foods could result in popped staples, creating a leak. You don't want that.

You can order them from Amazon or directly from Torani. World Market has a great selection as well - you can purchase at the store or order on line.

If you're worried, call your doc. My doc said that pain in your left shoulder is normal (one of his nurses said that's where the gas can settle) - for me it was uncomfortable, but not unbearable. Walking was the only thing that helped. It went away after the first week.

I would not suggest stocking up on Protein powder for post-op - your tastes may change and what tastes good now, may not taste good post op. I loved plain Water prior to surgery and now, can't drink it (it's like drinking liquid sandpaper for some reason, so I drink flavored waters). For my pre-op diet I was allowed 2 strawberries and a couple of blueberries in my shakes - truly, no more than that. It was enough to give it a slightly different texture and bulks it up. I purchase a lot of strawberries and blueberries when they are on sale, then cut them up and put them in storage bags in individual sized servings. Torani sugar free syrups are also a great way to change the flavor of your shakes. Adding peppermint and ice cubes to the chocolate shake - tastes like a Girl Scout thin mint cookie! Also, you can try your shakes hot - like hot chocolate. (Be careful of the temperature you serve it at - a high temp will damage the protein) There are also Protein Soups - I got some at www.mybariatricpantry.com They are a nice change from the vanilla, chocolate or strawberry shake mixes. Best of luck to you!

I introduced foods very slowly - I would try a couple of (small) bites with each new food, then finish the meal with foods I had already incorporated. As far as raw veggies, I'm 8 months out and still struggle with them. I know some can sit down to a big salad, but not me. I can eat about 1/4 cup of lettuce.

Hi there. Getting in your Protein and Water minimums will be challenging in the beginning. Immediately after post-op, you do the best you can do. Water is really important right after surgery. My doc wanted 85 grams of protein minimum and said "try to do more". I did the best I could - somedays achieving it, some days not. In order to get the minimum in, even 6 months after surgery, I supplement with shakes - they are a good bang for your buck. They get old, but they are necessary sometimes for my diet. The reason you're going to a high protein diet is to ensure you do not lose your lean muscle mass. You want to burn fat, not lose your muscle during this process. I was told the average weight loss with the gastric sleeve is 60% of your excess weight. If you follow the plan, work hard and exercise, I would think that % would go up.

You're doing great! If I had to do it all over again, I'd chuck the scale. It's bad for your soul. Your body is going to lose weight at it's own pace, not necessarily when your brain thinks it should. Taking your measurements, take pictures and watch your clothes get looser and looser. I can also tell you - I had a goal weight in mind. I can tell you that I'm a smaller size at a higher weight than when I was younger - I attribute that to fat loss. So, what I'm saying is don't get hung up on the numbers the scale is telling you. For your exercise, if your doctor OK's it, start weight training. I"m not talking bulking up - low weight/high reps, push-ups, sit ups, planks, squats, etc. You can use your body weight as resistance if you don't want to go to the gym and use their machines. Your muscles will burn more calories. It will also be good for your mental well being. Stop weighing every day - weigh once a week or so. If you need to eventually go back to weighing every day. But right now, your body is still trying to figure out what you just did to it. Best of luck to you!

I think everyone struggles - wanting food post-op is normal. The issue is SHOULD you...the answer is "You should follow your doctor's/surgeon's plan" Just because you didn't get sick doesn't mean it's right. Just because it felt great the first time, doesn't mean you should have done it the 2nd time. You're still healing - that's why doctorsvprescribe a post-op plan that slowly incorporates foods. You went thru a lot to have this surgery - honor that. Be strong, don't give in. Get back on your meal plan.

Take your measurements! I saw the truth in the measurements before I saw the scale move. If I had to do it all over again, I couldn't weigh - it's bad for your soul! Also, take lots of pictures to document - it's fun to go back and look at pics of the "old" you!

Wow, congrats on your success! You're doing great and have a great attitude. Keep up the good work.

Carbs are not evil...bad carbs are evil! Before a workout, I will eat 1/2 a Protein bar and a couple of bites of banana or maybe some cheese and turkey. Something light to fuel my body. After the workout, I will eat the other half of my Protein Bar or drink a shake.

P3 packs are a good on the go choice. Sometimes I carry a little cooler and will keep some cheese and turkey pepperoni slices. I almost always have a Protein bar tucked away, just in case. I've been packing beef Jerky lately and I enjoy that as a snack. The other foods you list are great choices as well!

Unlimited walking immediately after surgery (not on a treadmill). At 6 weeks I was cleared for all exercise including light weight training.

I have had the One and now have a Flex. I liked the One because it is more discreet than the Flex. You can hook it to your bra or pants or put it in your pocket. With the Flex, everyone knows you're wearing it if that matters. I don't care of anyone knows I wear it - I actually forget I am. The One also calculated the elevation change like the number of stairs you climb - the Flex doesn't do that. The One has a read out on the device, the Flex doesn't. What do I like about the Flex - it seems more accurate. I like the silent alarms - I wake up every morning to a vibration on my wrist as opposed to an alarm clock. I wake up and my husband can continue to sleep without interruption. I like the way the Flex synchs with my phone - I just open the app and I have instant feedback. Neither one is 100% accurate - I use mine as a baseline. I wore it a few days to get an idea of how many steps I take, then tried to increase each week. In the end, I love the Flex and would buy another one. Now, if there was a way that the Flex could do my exercise for me, that would be awesome!!!!!

Hi there! I have found that once I had the surgery, food no longer has the same attraction as it did 8 months ago. I use it truly as a form of fuel for my body. I don't allow it to comfort me any longer. I don't allow it to entertain me. You will feel different after your surgery - I did. Around the 1 month mark, I really thought eating was a chore. It became bothersome. "OMG, I don't have 20 minutes to sit down and slowly eat a scrambled egg!" I enjoy food now, just not as much of it and I enjoy different kinds of foods - but it's in an appropriate way now, not the dysfunctional way I used food a year ago. I no longer want to sit down to a huge bowl of Pasta and copious amounts of bread. (Ugh, thinking about that made my tummy a little queazy!). Now I get excited when my husband grills an awesome steak with some grilled veggies. Or if I eat out and we have Mexican food - the insides of a taco with some great salsa are a favorite. Maybe a couple of chips, but I want to save room for the main event. Your worry is valid, but that's going to be the old you. The new you will learn to have a healthy relationship with food. Best of luck to you!

Awesome!

No worries from my primary care doc or surgeon. My levels are good and I haven't had to change my dosage. I'm 8 months out.

Every doctor is different...Mine was two shakes and one "lean and green" dinner (4-6 ounces of lean meat and a veggie). I had to this for 2 weeks. For me, the first couple of days was hard - really hard. Then I got in a groove and my body just "went with it". Decaf Green tea helped with the hunger - I drank a lot of it (my doc required me to be off caffeine prior to surgery). I can tell you that 8 months later - it's totally worth the sacrifice. Everything I have been thru has been totally worth it.

I'm 8 months post-op and cannot eat a lot of salad. I can have about 1/4 cup and that's it. It's very uncomfortable...I can eat more cooked veggies. Follow your doctor's orders on foods and meal progression - it's important.