LeanerLena5426

July 16

HW: 269 DOS: 259 SD: July 16, 2013 CW: 225 Hmm...not as good as some of you, but I'm happy with it!

Good luck! I'm almost 8 weeks post my revision surgery. Although the recovery (for me) was brutal, I'm so, so, so happy with the sleeve! It's so much better! Best decision ever--you'll love it!

When I had a lapband, I wasn't allowed to take any pills and had to crush any medication and take liquid/chewable vitamins. Does the same rule apply with the sleeve? I know we're not allowed to take NSAIDs, but that's because they can lead to ulcers right? My surgeon told me to take chewable multivitamins, but didn't say anything about never swallowing an actual pill again. Just wondering what other people's surgeons have said about this, or what you do?? Thanks for any help!

Thanks everyone! That sounds good--I can definitely live with that. So much better than with the band!!!

I am just over 7 weeks post-op, and I have no more restrictions on my diet. I have no difficulty eating, I can pretty much eat anything (though I'm still being really careful and haven't tried anything like raw veggies, steak, Pasta, etc.). Portions are small, I always stick to my surgeon's recommendations (without any effort, I get full). But I can consume a good 800-900 calories in a day without even trying (more, sometimes), and I've read a lot of people talking about 500-600 calories, or losing massive amounts of weight in a short period of time. Just wondering, should I be trying to restrict my calories? I'm torn, because on one hand I feel like going ultra-low cal puts the body in starvation mode, and causes all kinds of unhealthy consequences. I'm a yo-yo dieter and I've actually caused permanent nerve damage from a B12 deficiency (I lost a lot of weight really quickly, and my legs went numb below the knees!) It was a nightmare, and I never want to go down that road again. But on the other hand, I know that I'm making higher-calorie choices sometimes and could instead opt for the fat-free version. So this makes me worried that if I'm eating this many calories NOW, how many will I be able to eat in a year or two? And SHOULD I always be choosing fat-free, to fully commit to my new life? Is having a slice of full-fat cheese "cheating", even if my total calories are really low?

Thanks so much, everyone! You made me feel better.

Please help, July-2013 buddies! How many calories per day do you eat? I'm worried that I'm eating too many, but worried about "starvation mode" if I eat too few. What do you guys do? What did your NUT's recommend for this point (I'm just under 8 weeks post-op)? Thanks!!!

She's probably just insecure, and the digs are coming from that place. It could be her own self-image (either her own weight, or feeling threatened because you're no longer bigger), or it could just be because of her dad. I think you should just tell yourself that whenever she makes one of the digs--it's her, not you. She feels threatened by the fact that you're losing weight. And if you can't stomach it anymore, maybe confront her directly by saying something like "You seem to be very threatened by my weight loss. Is there something you'd like to say to me? I'd prefer you were direct, rather than making passive-aggressive comments like that." That'll either shut her up, or she'll come out with what's bothering her. Hang in there! Remember, it's her issue, not you!

I like the Atkins shakes, too. They're a thinner consistency, and for me that tastes better. I don't think the fat content is too bad, especially when you're eating so little. But I do find that Premier Protien shakes are a bit more bang for your buck with 30g protein (and also 160cal). They've been a lifesaver for helping me get all my protein in. They're not bad, you should give those a try too if you like the Atkins ones. Good luck!

I'm really confused about calories myself, and posted a similar plea for help earlier. Low cal's seems to put us in starvation mode, yet if we're eating higher cal's it's kind of like "what was the point of having surgery?" Maybe the slow down in weight loss is just your body adjusting, though. You've already lost a lot of weight! Maybe your body is just fighting you (as it's programmed to do), regardless of what you do. It needs a few weeks to slow down, adapt, and then the weight will start coming off again...? I say, good for you for your efforts and weight loss so far! Now as for the optimal calories...I wish I knew!

I've heard A LOT of people say that, so I'm sure it's perfectly normal. I was the opposite, and the taste of anything but water made me sick--so I thought there was something wrong with me! But after a bit, it all got back to normal. Tastes and smells I couldn't tolerate post-op are all fine, now. You'll be back on your H20 in no time! Just stick with the other things for now, to be sure you're getting enough fluids.

My surgeon also recommended bypass, which was actually my first choice. His reasons were simply that the bypass is sort of the gold standard for WLS because it's been around so long it has proven its success, whereas the sleeve is promising but just hasn't been around quite as long. I wanted bypass, because I actually wanted dumping syndrome because I was afraid without it I would sabotage myself and eat sugery/fatty foods till I gain weight back. But my surgeon said that he could only do the bypass if it was safe to do so, once he opened me up. He said there may be a lot of scar tissue, and if there is, he won't do a bypass because he wouldn't risk my health (whether I want bypass or not). When I woke up from surgery and learned I had the sleeve, I was devastated actually. He explained to me that my stomach was a mess from the band--prolapsed and pouch dilated and erosion and all those things that tend to go wrong with the band--and VSG was the safest thing he could do. And though I was EXTREMELY disappointed at the time, so far I'm very happy with the sleeve! I'm only 7 weeks post-op, but already I can eat a better variety of foods than I could with the band. The sleeve is exactly what I wanted: let me eat whatever I want, but just stop me after a small portion. So if you want that piece of birthday cake with your son, the sleeve is the way to go. I must admit, it's actually a relief to not have to worry about dumping, and be able to enjoy those kinds of treats on special occasions. I'm like you, and wonder if a little bit is a healthy, balanced, joyful, part of life! As long as it's not excessive and preventing you from maintaining a healthy weight. I think it's great that you're consulting with two different surgeons. Get both opinions, maybe even a third if you're still confused. And then do what YOU feel is right, for YOU. Good luck!!

It's good that you're doing it now, at 25. I lost a lot of weight in my early 20s (no surgery), and had no sagging skin. Then I lost a lot of weight again in my mid-30's (again without surgery) and boy what a difference! So your age will help; so will working out, and possibly, not dropping too rapidly. It also depends on where the weight is distributed on your body--I find some people are just able to conceal it more than others, depending on where they held there weight. I agree with Notime, and think you should save your money. A certain amount of "sag" is inevitable, but it may not be as bad as you're imagining!

You look great!!

I saw a video on youtube posted by a woman who got pregnant 4 months post op (I think it was 4 months...). You could search there, I found her story interesting.

I wish I'd seen this post earlier so I could've been following along! I was sleeved July 16th too. I'm still in a lot of pain, though mine feels like it's the muscles. Inside, I feel good. I'm starting to take in a lot more--food and liquids. I'm still on pureed food till Tuesday, but I'm craving solid food and feeling hunger--probably a good thing, since I think it means I'm healing. I'm a little surprised at the hunger/cravings, but, oh well. It's still a lot better than pre-sleeve! Best of luck to all you July 2013 sleevers!

I am 8 days post-op now, and still in a huge amount of pain. It is all around the one incision--presumably where he took the stomach out (I had a lapband removed as well...). The incisions don't look infected, I think they're ok. I can barely walk, it hurts so much. I can't stand up straight, and getting from sitting to a standing position is excrutiating. I'm sleeping ok (on my back, in a lazy boy chair), and while I'm sitting back I feel perfectly fine. But as soon as I move a muscle, it KILLS! I'm reading about other people going to restaurants, amusement parks, doing exercise DVDs, and I'm thinking, what is wrong with me? Should I be worried????

Hang in there! It will definitely get better in time. Getting up and down was the worst for me too! I still have pain when I'm moving around, and I'm 4-weeks out now. But it does get better, day by day!

Holy cow you guys, that's great. I'm 3.5 weeks post-op and still feeling a lot of pain in my abdomin. I was just thinking how hard it would be if I'd had to go back to work after 2 weeks! Good on ya, and may as well go back to work if you're feeling that good. Just be sure to take it slow!

Oh my goodness, that's my story EXACTLY!

Thank you for sharing your doctor's explanation--that really makes sense for the kind of pain I feel. Today I had a really bad day (after being so much better! Maybe I overdid it yesterday?), so it's comforting to hear that it's not unheard of to have pain that lasts this many weeks. Don't get me wrong, I'm a thousand times better than I was a couple weeks ago. But I guess I just expect it to be gone altogether now, and I should be right back to normal. Thanks for the reminder to be patient.

My extreme pain was directly related to the staples in my incisions--one in particular. It was like night and day when they took the staples out 2-weeks post-op; until then I was in agony. Even now (almost 3 weeks post op) I still have a bit of pain here and there in my abdomen when I'm moving around, and I still have to press my hand against it (good advice, uccmart!). I think if I hadn't had staples, but just regular stitches, or if they'd been done differently, it would have been a different story. But, who knows??? The bottom line is that my pain was real, and it lasted 2 weeks, and now it's better. I was afraid of Rx pain meds, since I feel like I have an addictive personality, so I declined them--whoops! I regretted that decision of course. But I ended up taking regular old extra strength Tylenol at home, and that did help take the edge off. I got my husband to crush them for me, but you can also get chewables or liquid (children's). Hope you feel better SOON. You're definitely not alone!

I am two-weeks post op too. This is a lot to go through; major surgery, and a major lifestyle change. Food is what we've used to cope with emotions before, but now all of a sudden we can't. It's normal (I think) to feel a bit weird with all these things going on in our bodies! Plus, I know in the past when I've gone on low-carb diets, I've felt really down...carbs do boost the happy chemicals in our brains, after all. So who knows? Just don't be too hard on yourself, and keep doing things like the walk you found to help. Chocolates are a strange choice of gifts...could it be she's trying to sabotage??