Lissa_S

Hello fellow sleevers. So I am now officially six weeks out from the test that confirmed the leak had healed. In reality, we think that perhaps it had healed a fortnight earlier (they'd done a dye test and it didn't come out of the drains so it was probably healed then). So it's possible it is 8 weeks out since I was healed. It's been a rough ride. I really struggled when i first had to eat and drink for myself. I am pleased to say it's gotten easier. I am slowly learning what is better for me to have these days and what I feel better eating. For example, bread, pasta, sugar - the belly no longer loves It makes me feel sick and sluggish. I do much better when I avoid these things. Don't get me wrong, I still have carbs. I have between 1/4 and 1/2 a cup of cereal with dried fruit for breakfast and I lurve crackers with cheese and tomato. Mostly I do better when I can get my protein in. This is mainly lean mince and fish. Cheese, yoghurt and a half cup of milk per day is the other sources of protein. A friend of mine (who was sleeved two years ago) said to me just after I got home to focus on PROTEIN. Ever second word she said that was advice contained "PROTEIN" in the sentence. And she was right. Friends, if I was arrogant enough to offer advice to those getting sleeved it would be to focus on PROTEIN in the first couple of months. It's hard but totally worth it. I am still loosing weight...I have lost (depending on the scales) between 38 and 41 kg. One set of scales even had me down an extra 10 kg but decided that they were stuffed lol. But it was AWESOME seeing the numbers around 115kg. I don't think I have been that weight since the millenium hahahahahahaha. I always take the worst score for my weight because then if it's less then I will be surprised, so it's possible I am a little lighter than I am presenting here My hair is still falling out. I am not bald or anything but I hate how much I am loosing. I hope this settles down as my nutrition improves. The best thing has been going to the hair dresser (who's a mate) and she puts in a conditioning treatment for me. I am getting this done weekly at the moment to improve my hair's condition which was terrible following all of my surgeries and it seems to be getting a little better. I am also having my first facial and pedicure tomorrow since the surgery. It should be lovely. So does life get better after a leak? Yep. But it is a SLOW and LONG road back. It has been three months since my first surgery and OMG I am not even close to being back to where I was in terms of energy or fitness. But I am getting a little closer all of the time. I still worry about the leak coming back but I am trying to let this go. Worrying about it won't make it any more or less likely. And honestly it is holding up my recovery to keep worrying about it. I hope this blog finds you all well Talk soon! Lila

I find denser (is that a word lol) meats such as chicken, steak, sausages etc really tough and though I can eat it, I can only have a teeny tiny amount. Mince is good but fish is best. Veggies are nearly impossible by the time I eat my Protein - if I do eat veggies, then I just simply have less protein. I suppose I eat around 50g-80g of protein at dinner (again, depending on if I try to eat veggies too). Since the surgery I can't eat dairy much at all. Yoghurt's okay. I have no desire for sweet stuff at all. Which is pretty great - I can't remember the last time that I went 3 months (it's a bit more now actually) without having any chocolate I do love this aspect of my sleeve...

Knowing me, even if I had read more stuff I would have had the 'can't happen to me' attitude And thanks too for the well wishes!

I agree with Deano, Nessa I'd go and enjoy what you can!!!

Hi Mel and welcome That is a fantastic result and congratulations on your loss!!

Wow, when I left the hospital, the dietician wanted me to be having 1400-1600 cal per day. Admittedly, there are many days when I only get about 400-500 cal in but that isn't by choice but by necessity. Your NUT sounds loony-tunes I'd give her the boot too!!

Hi everyone...today marks six weeks since the test revealed that there was no longer a leak! My surgeon isn't back from OS until the middle of next month but once I speak to her, I am hoping to get the 'all clear'. Things are going pretty well. I haven't puked (touch wood) for a few weeks, although get a bit nauseated at times, mostly when I haven't eaten. Not sure where my weight is at the moment as I haven't weighed myself but last time I checked, I was 35kg down and that was three weeks ago. I would like to think there was another 5 kg off Before the surgery, I was in size 26 clothes. Target brand stuff was a bit hit and miss - sometimes the 26's were too small. Today, I went in and tried on a size 20 dress - and it FIT!! It would look better with another 10 kg off no doubt, but it fit. In a pinch, I could have worn it out the door!!! I was so excited to be in a size 20!!!!! Really is great. food wise, nothing much has changed. I am back to basics in my eating, having a serve of nuts and fruit everyday as Snacks. Brekky is half a cup of Cereal and dinner is some kind of Protein and veggies. I have to prioritise protein though and often the veggies get left. I am getting in about 50g of protein at dinner if I eat slowly enough. lunch is usually crackers , cheese and tomato Which I love. Today I had a quarter of a chicken, cheese and avocado toasted sandwhich on multi and it was delicious!! liquids are still a bit of a struggle. I have mostly really watered down juice or a little soda Water. Sometimes, I have a little (very little) lemonade for an energy boost which is not a great idea but if I'm honest, it's gotten me out of a pickle. I get light headed even with very moderate exercise and need a sugar hit, even if I eat just before. I am going to try to get onto fruit instead now I can seemingly tolerate it again. Exercise is very slow. I am only walking. I get very fatigued, very quickly. I hate that feeling!!! Particularly the light headedness. Interestingly, I get cold now. Before the surgery I was always hot. Now, even though it's almost 40 degree's again today and humid, I keep having to turn the aircon off cause I'm cold Soon I will have to start carrying around a cardy with me lol. So things are going pretty well (touch wood). Hope you all are going well too!! Cheers, Lila

Hi Sue - don't know if this applies but my friend ( who was sleeved two years ago) told me that even now, when she gets sick she can't eat much if anything at all. It's because (gross alert) the mucus you produce and swallow when sick sits in your stomach and basically fills you up. Told you it would be gross lol. Sorry you've been unwell. Hope you feel better soon!

I am not an expert and have done many a stupid thing recently, but the best advice I was given was to go slow and try a little, wait before having any more and LISTEN to your body. I don't practice what I preach lol but it was really good advice. I am trying to follow it!!

Hi Deb - though I am technically about three months out, due to complications (leak etc) I have only been eating and drinking without a drip for (almost) six weeks. I ate about half of a six inch sub, bun and all. Which is a HUGE amount (if I eat bread, I can usually have about a quarter of a sandwich over about 30 minutes). Today I ate far too late and far too fast. And really, far too much. I did chew it well but didn't give myself enough time. And I also had soda Water today which I don't think was a great idea So it was several stupid things today! Overconfident much??? LOL...

Ugh - had a little (couple of bites) of a meatball sub today and it was a BAD idea. It sits really poorly in my tummy. Not nice. I've done this with a few things lately I am going to go back to basics and see if that feels any better

I think a cruise sounds like a fantastic idea, Shell!! What a great birthday gift to yourself!

Thanks Kelli! I can't wait to catch up with you all next year when we're all at (or close to) our goal weights!! it will be amazing!! We should all bring our before photo's to show where we have come from

Had a great night out - got so busy catching up with people that I managed to miss the food altogether. Upside was that I wasn't sick from eating too much/ something my tummy decided it didn't like. Bad news is that I've gone too long without eating and now I am trying to have something at 10:30 Might try eating before I go to these things next time

I am off to a charity dinner tonight - wish me luck

HI everyone, Well next Tuesday marks the official six week mark since I was tested and the leak was shown to have healed. It's been an up and down couple of weeks - I mistook pulled muscles in my tummy for a leak (and stopped eating and drinking for three days - whoops), have started very light exercise and have gone back to work part time. It seems like a really slow recovery - I keep forgetting that less than 3 months ago I was in ICU on a ventillator fighting for my life I am really having to remind myself of how far I have come. I am actually going out for the first time with friends tonight to a charity dinner. It's a bit nerve wracking - mostly worried about the food and eating something that makes me sick. But I am also aware that unless I get out there, I will keep putting it off for ages. I have been cleared to eat normally as of last Monday so I am sure it will be fine. I am not sure what I weigh - haven't used the scales for two weeks. I don't even own scales myself so I have to use to one's at work I deliberately haven't bought scales as I know if I did, I would be on the damn thing twice a day So it's best for me to have a little forced restraint. I am preoccupied with my health though and freak out everytime I get a sore stomach. I have one at the moment, probably just pulled muscles but it makes me so anxious that I find it hard to eat which really doesn't help me at all. I will have an appointment with my surgeon in mid-December so hopefully I will get the all clear to start back at the gym which I think I need to get some strength back... Hope this blog finds you all well! Cheers, Lila

Hi there, According to my dr there was no logical reason for the leak. Besides my weight I was a very low risk for surgery. I don't have any other illnesses (that I am aware of) before or after the surgery besides asthma. I think it honestly comes down to bad luck on the day. Good luck with your surgery though! Cheers, Lila

Welcome Shabbychicprincess. Hope you're doing well 15 days out!

I too find eating hard most of the time. I am trying to learn what my body now likes and doesn't - I can't tolerate milk anymore either. Weird huh Before the op, I loved milk so that was a nasty surprise. I do enjoy some foods though, but the amount has to be really small. Though I am 3 months from my initial op, I had a leak and had emergency surgery two days afterwards. I am now almost six weeks out since the test revealed the leak had healed and I am only now on normal food. Tonight I am going out for dinner and know it is going to be tough. But if i eat just a tiny bit it isn't too bad Good luck in finding a balance that works for you!!

Good luck Mimz - wishing you a good outcome!

Hi AussieGirl - sorry to hear your news. That must be quite painful...I hope that you feel better soon!!

Quick question - in the morning does anyone else struggle with your tummy gurgling like there's no tomorrow??? It is quite uncomfortable and goes away mostly dueing the day. Some days it can be quite unpleasant...

Thanks My dr cleared me to have nuts and salad veggies this week. I've had a few and they seem to have gone down ok. Just waiting for Tuesday and my official six week mark!! I don't talk to my dr again until mid-Dec so am hoping for the "all clear" then!

I am about 5 and a half weeks since the test showed there was no leak. So I am alsmost at the six week mark. And I know that I am being neurotic but it's what keeps me up at night I am sure you know what that is like. I am not doing anything that should put me at risk - but every little twinge or pain I freak out a little. I am sure that it will get better !! Thanks for your advice and best of luck!

Congratulations Puppyphat!!!!! What an amazing achievement! You look amazing and it must feel great!!