odesa

Er how bout boxers?

Er how bout boxers?

Er how bout boxers?

All people meet it at some point in their weight loss journey. It might come after you experience complications from surgery, or when you travel for vacation, or when you are unusually stressed at work. It might even come when you least expect it, when your diet and weight loss have been going smoothly for months. “It” is the dreaded plateau.


How Do You Know When You Hit a Plateau?
Simply enough, a plateau is when you stop losing weight even though you want to. It’s not just a day or two without weight loss. It’s a period of a few weeks or more when you keep trying to lose weight, but the scale does not budge. You think you are doing everything you can and should be doing to lose weight, but still you do not see results. That is a plateau. It can be frustrating and discouraging and seem to be unfair.
Stay Positive
Plateaus can be maddening, but the absolute worst thing you can do during a plateau is to give up. If you decide that your diet is not worth the effort, you are almost certainly going to gain weight. Going back to your old, pre-surgery diet habits, taking oversized portions, and eating high-fat, high-sugary foods will not just make you gain weight. These bad habits can erase your health gains. Worse, they could cause some of the weight loss surgery complications that you already know about, such as the following:
Stretching of the sleeve in vertical sleeve gastrectomy
Dumping syndrome in gastric bypass
Esophagitis with the adjustable gastric band (lap-band)
Feeling nauseous or having diarrhea

Another reason to stay positive is to keep up your motivation to continue all of the other healthy behaviors in your lifestyle. Don’t fall into the trap of “all-or-nothing,” in which you decide to give up all of your healthy efforts just because your weight loss isn’t quite what you want it to be. These include:
Taking your daily Vitamin and mineral supplements
Getting enough Protein and fluids each day
Following your regularly exercise routine

It Could Be Worse
And it will be worse if you give up. It may sound strange, but you can stay positive by thinking about how much better your weight is now than where it could be if you gave up trying. If your careful diet is not leading to the weight loss you had hoped for, it is still preventing weight gain. If you give up, you will gain weight, and probably be pretty disappointed in yourself.
Measure Success in Other Ways
Another way to stay positive is to stop focusing on the scale. Find other ways to measure your progress. Tracking your body measurements, for example, can let you know that you are shrinking and building muscle even if your total weight is not decreasing right now.
Tracking behaviors instead of measurements is another strategy. For example, you assess your success according to whether you eat well, such as hitting your protein goals or sticking to your planned menu. Other successful behaviors to be proud of yourself for are planning and preparing meals ahead of time and making sure you drink enough fluids at times other than meal times.
Be Honest and Go Back to the Basics
“Why me?”
That’s a natural question when you hit a plateau, but most people don’t ask it seriously. However, if you think seriously about what is causing the plateau and how you can fix it, this question can actually help you break through the barrier and get back to losing weight.
In many cases, you can figure out “why me” by asking yourself these questions.
“Am I logging every single bite that goes into my mouth?”
“Am I following the meal plan my nutritionist or surgeon gave me?”
“Am I measuring – not eyeballing – all of the foods I eat?”
“Am I exercising as much as I am supposed to be?”
“Am I getting in my protein each day?”
“Have I been too busy or preoccupied to plan my meals and Snacks in advance?”

If you answer these questions honestly, you might discover that you have slipped up and are not keeping up your good habits quite as well as you thought you had. Go back to the basics of meal planning and nutritious eating, and you are almost sure to see the scale move again within weeks.
You’re in Charge!
Plateaus are frustrating and nobody wants to experience them at some point, but almost everyone does. These steps can help you when you notice that you are in a plateau.
Stay positive and keep up your healthy behaviors.
Focus on other measures of success besides the scale.
Assess your diet honestly.
Make any necessary changes.

You can get over your plateau, and you will be stronger for it! Just be patient and do what you know is right for your health.

Hi Marlajones,
I am no doctor but this sounds much more medical than mental. I wouldn't risk my health on something like this. Maybe you could reschedule a visit with your PCP or Bari doctor in a few days and not wait four weeks. I think you need a medical opinion and here we can only give you moral support or at least that is my opinion on the matter.
Either way do take care, we got your moral back so maybe you can take care of the medical and if anyone else has gone through something like this maybe they can chime in. Depression too is serious and needs to be treated which it sounds like you've addressed but dehydration is more of an immediate issue.
All my best to you now!

Jenelle, first off *BIG HUG*
People think they know about WLS, but they have NO idea what we go through. Bariatric surgery is so hush-hush that I think some people's nastiness comes from a place of ignorance moreso than them just being jerks. I speak from experience because prior to my best friend having the lap band, I felt the exact same way. I thought WLS was for the lazy and/or the extremely obese (like 500+lbs).
Change is scary, painful and scary. I'm sure when people first started wearing glasses and then contacts, there were many naysayers like, "Why are you altering the eyes God gave you? You should just be grateful you can see." True, you should be grateful you can see, but why not be able to see better.
I'm a Christian and my idea of faith healing is that God blesses the hands of doctors and allows us to create technology to better ourselves. I don't get people who are like, "Be happy with God gave you, and yet they use cars (instead of walking everywhere with the legs God gave them), get vaccinations/use medication (why not just depend on the immune system God gave you?), own a washer and dryer (why not use the hands God gave you for washing and the sun God gave us for drying them) etc.
Sounds hypocritical and ridiculous right? Well so does being obnoxious to you because you're having WLS.
I feel God wants us to be healthier and happy. Carrying excess weight makes it hard to be both those things. You're bettering yourself the best way you know how. Some people, even well-meaning ones, are going to have a problem with that and you know what? It's that THEIR problem, not yours.
You're doing the right thing. I send you love, prayer, and best wishes.

Hi Marlajones,
I am no doctor but this sounds much more medical than mental. I wouldn't risk my health on something like this. Maybe you could reschedule a visit with your PCP or Bari doctor in a few days and not wait four weeks. I think you need a medical opinion and here we can only give you moral support or at least that is my opinion on the matter.
Either way do take care, we got your moral back so maybe you can take care of the medical and if anyone else has gone through something like this maybe they can chime in. Depression too is serious and needs to be treated which it sounds like you've addressed but dehydration is more of an immediate issue.
All my best to you now!

Good morning rb,
Well we all need some time to vent but I will say this. When I was doing my prep using weight watchers in the weekly mini mag there was a team leader who gave some good advice. She said if you stumble once do you then just pick yourself up and throw yourself down the stairs?
I think the advice would be to say NEVER give up.
Easy to say cause I am not in your shoes. PDX man or something close posted a really good post this morning about making a gratitude list. Look at what you are thankful for and not for the negatives. While that won't help your hair or your three pound gain just think of what a wonderful event you have to look forward to in two months. Your daughter will be getting married and you will be adding a son to your family. That has to be worth something no?
Take care, fight the good fight, do what you can to address your current issues and b***h all you want on here LOL, we all good!

So did you succeed Gemma? All done with the operation?
For the record, I ate a lot of pizza Monday night before my Wednesday morning surgery, I was told that on Tuesday I had to do a liquid only diet and take some kind of laxative at 10 am and 2 pm to 'clean me out'. All my prep prior was to show the doctor and my insurance company that I could stick to a plan (and I did lose 30 pounds on my own via WWs) so I am sure you should have been fine.
Update us if you have the time/inclination.

Hi Gemma,
Great news, glad to hear you finally had a successful op. It took me about 3 or 4 days before I felt I could sip ok. My op was on 3/12 so 23 days ago. I sip just fine now, in fact after 22 days of practice I think I am an expert sipper LOL.
So what day was your op? Want to know how many days post op you are. Just an FYI since your from UK but back in the 90's I was stationed at Edzell AF Base in Scottland so spent some time on your island
Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Add Decaf instant espresso to a Protein Shake and viola! Hot or cold latte! Make it a chocolate Protein shake and viola! Mocha!

Hi Marlajones,
I am no doctor but this sounds much more medical than mental. I wouldn't risk my health on something like this. Maybe you could reschedule a visit with your PCP or Bari doctor in a few days and not wait four weeks. I think you need a medical opinion and here we can only give you moral support or at least that is my opinion on the matter.
Either way do take care, we got your moral back so maybe you can take care of the medical and if anyone else has gone through something like this maybe they can chime in. Depression too is serious and needs to be treated which it sounds like you've addressed but dehydration is more of an immediate issue.
All my best to you now!

Good morning rb,
Well we all need some time to vent but I will say this. When I was doing my prep using weight watchers in the weekly mini mag there was a team leader who gave some good advice. She said if you stumble once do you then just pick yourself up and throw yourself down the stairs?
I think the advice would be to say NEVER give up.
Easy to say cause I am not in your shoes. PDX man or something close posted a really good post this morning about making a gratitude list. Look at what you are thankful for and not for the negatives. While that won't help your hair or your three pound gain just think of what a wonderful event you have to look forward to in two months. Your daughter will be getting married and you will be adding a son to your family. That has to be worth something no?
Take care, fight the good fight, do what you can to address your current issues and b***h all you want on here LOL, we all good!

Congrats! That is awesome in only 11 weeks. It took me 6 months to lose 30 pounds when I last dieted so put it in perspective and you are looking better in your before and after pics it really shows a difference. Keep up the good work!

Recently I have found myself spending a lot of time talking with my weight loss surgery clients about getting the most from what they are eating, in particular, feeling satisfied after eating. Whilst the purpose of weight loss surgery is to help you feel satisfied on a smaller amount of food, the type of foods you choose is important to help maximise this.


Recently I have found myself spending a lot of time talking with my weight loss surgery clients about getting the most from what they are eating, in particular, feeling satisfied after eating. Whilst the purpose of weight loss surgery is to help you feel satisfied on a smaller amount of food, the type of foods you choose is important to help maximise this.

There are two key ingredients in helping you to feel satisfied after eating:
1. High fibre, low glycemic index carbohydrate-containing foods

2. Protein-containing foods.


This post will demystify the glycemic index, or GI. Protein will be the focus of a later post.


The GI is a measure of the effect that different carbohydrate-containing foods have on blood glucose (blood sugar) levels. It describes the way our body digests and absorbs these foods. Carbohydrate-containing foods include:
breads, cereals, rice, Pasta and noodles
starchy vegetables including potato, sweet potato and corn
legumes including baked Beans, kidney beans, chickpeas and lentils
fruits and fruit juices
milks, yoghurts, custards and ice cream
any food containing flour or sugar.

Some carbohydrate-containing foods are broken down and absorbed quickly, so they raise our blood glucose level faster and higher. These are high GI foods. Other carbohydrate-containing foods are digested and absorbed more gradually, causing a slower, longer lasting rise in blood glucose levels. These are low GI foods. Low GI foods keep us feeling satisfied for longer after eating.



Often people experience a 'honeymoon' period following weight loss surgery, where weight loss seems automatic. Unfortunately this may not last forever and weight regain can occur with all surgeries. Maximising the satisfaction you get from the food you eat is crucial to keep losing weight and maintain that lost weight. A lower GI eating pattern also helps us feel satisfied for longer after eating, which can help with losing weight. For example, if you eat high GI foods at your meals, you are likely to become hungry sooner after the meal than if you eat low GI foods. This can make you more likely to snack and if you have not planned for this, you may be forced to grab something from the biscuit barrel or vending machine. 
 


Appetite control is not the only benefit of a lower GI diet. Research has shown that people eating a lower GI diet can reduce their average blood glucose levels, which is particularly important for people with diabetes. Lower GI foods are often also higher in fibre. A high fibre diet helps prevent Constipation, decreases the risk of heart disease as soluble fibres can help remove cholesterol from the body and helps protect against bowel cancer, haemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulitis.



Foods are classified as low, moderate or high GI.



To follow a low GI diet, try to choose one low GI food at each meal. Eat high GI foods in small amounts, or less often. 

Head to my website to see a simple table of low, moderate and high GI foods.
Go to www.glycemicindex.com for further information.

Hi,
Well yes, I like that term, "Sleever". Sounds cool for a change. Too much stigma around bariatrics from some parts so I think I'll adapt that term with pride. Best of luck tomorrow and welcome to the club (like I'm some vet of 22 days LOL

Hi Beldary,
Well I can't speak for anyone else but the day after my surgery I thought I was going to need some Oompa Loompas to take me to the Juicing Room and roll me around to get rid of the bloating I had. My doctor told me that they were pumping me full of fluids via my IV and that it is normal to gain weight right after the operation. I didn't weigh myself until day 12 when I had my normal follow up appointment and by then the bloating and Water weight was gone. I actually think it was gone by around day 3 or 4. Also it was hard at first to even get my 60 oz of fluids in so I think you'll find that you will lose all that Water weight soon enough.
Remember look at this longer term as in at least weeks and months not days or even hours. Also good luck to you on your journey and recovery!

Corkiseg, if you are having doubts, I would say don't do it. While I personally am thrilled with my sleeve, my own opinion is that WLS is like marriage - if you have doubts, hold off. You can always do it later. Unlike a marriage, there is no divorce from the sleeve. You better be pretty sure it is what you want to do and you are very aware of the risks and requirements to both lose and to keep the weight off long term.
Good luck to you however you choose.

Hi Everyone,
Yes new member today and first post hehe
Really want to contribute as I read each post I felt a special bond with each of you. Had my sleeve done on March 12th so am only 2 weeks and 3 days out. Can't really say that I am an expert now but I wanted to share some of my thoughts and experiences for you all with the caveat that as my Doctor always tells me each person is different so these may or may not apply/help you.
Protein
I had a hard time my first week to week and a half with consuming enough Protein so my incisions didn't seem to be healing well. My dietician recommended Isopure Water, 20 oz with 40g of protein. I also tried 4 different brands of shakes. It actually helped me to drink premiere protein 30g protein, strawberry when before my surgery I was a chocolate fanatic. So if you can't stomach the shakes like me try different ones and different flavors, that may help as well as drinking flavored protein Water (icky aftertaste but it went down)
Gas
Gas-X was a lifesaver, I recommend it from around day 2 or 3 onwards and ohy yes my stomach and intestines and who knows what else rumbles and speaks to me in some foreign language from time to time.
Pain
Well let me try this:
Day 1: Surgery at 7:45 am, woke up at 11:00 am in Hell
Day 2: Appears the Devil didn't like me and kicked me out of Hell and I found myself in a hospital room, bad pains!
Day 3: More pain, sent home at 9:00 pm, slept poorly, Roxicet pain medicine my new friend
Day 4-7: Yep more pain but not so bad, still needed help getting up from couch and bed.
Day 8-13: Replaced Roxicet with liquid Acetemitophin (sp?) Now just sore.
Day 14: Less sore, went back to work, stopped all pain meds, most of the last two weeks of pain forgotten after weigh in of 30 lbs less than when I had my surgery.
Day 15-17 (today is day 17): Minor sore if I bend the wrong way, healing nicely and feeling very sorry for those of you stuck in the two week time capsure of recovery from Hell.
Weight Loss
Saw a show called "My 600 lb Life" on TLC I think and talked to my Doctor about it. Gal named Penny lost 40 pounds pre op on liquid 1200 calorie a day diet but then stayed 490 lbs for the next 3 months then gained 5 pounds on month 4. I asked how it was possible. He indicated that water weight can be an issue and that is why he only weighs his patients every 2 weeks during our recovery visits. My advice to anyone not losing fast or staying static is to weigh in once a week at max or even only every two weeks at first due to the water weight and look for long term results not daily results.
Diet
It seems there are a lot of different ones out there. I have a very strict one from my doctor. Days 2-14 were liquid only with creamy Soups (strained!) allowed. I am on my last day of semi pureed and then tomorrow start a pureed diet. I do miss chewing but for those newcomers the early introduction of strained Soup really helped me get past the 'water and Protein shake blues' So try soup to help with taste...
Taste
I seem to have aquired the 'sweet' bug. Everything seems too sweet to me now. This caused me some grief cause before my surgery I was a gatorade, soda, juice or anything flavored kind of guy instead of just water. Even the dasani water drops I bought left a 'chalky' aftertaste in my mouth. My solution was to just go pure water. Use to the soup and Protein Drink or shake to break up your day with different tastes.
food Tolerance?
Every thing still smells good except... My wife brought home some teriyaki chicken and rice. I swear to the almighty himself that to me it smelled like some small rodent had died and was covered in used motor oil. I had no problems with the food before my surgery nor any problem with nausea but I was sure I was going to heave and let fly if it got any closer to me than a few feet. I am not sure but I think I can't eat teriyaki chicken anymore.
sleeping
I use a cpap set at the G5 tornado force winds setting and felt fine before my surgery. Now my mouth dries out and I have to wake up and sip water several times a night to alleviate the symptom and it is getting better but I used my cpap at literally 100% of the time and now it's a bit harder to use so be prepared though this could be just common to me. Also FYI I found the first few days I could sleep much better in a recliner or semi sitting position instead of lying flat. After about 12 or so days despite being sore I can sleep flat now w/out much pain in my abdomen region.
Vitamins
I found some Bariatric ones, easy to chew not to bad on the taste and designed just for us via Amazon. Be sure to take the Iron supplement away from the Calcium as it interferes with the Calcium absorbtion (or so I'm told)
That's all I can think of for now. I am in a bit of shock at how some people were home so fast. Hopefully you are being well cared for. I hope we keep our little sub group intact since we are all going through the same thing at around the same time.
I also want to say that my first few days I really had regrets for doing this but that was me just being in pain, being sore and missing the psychological impact and relationship that I had with food. Now I am feeling that this is the right decision and that getting past the first two weeks was the critical part of the operation. My sister had the classic bypass Roux done about 10 years ago and she prepped me well so that I understood that the surgery is just a tool and like any tool it can be abused so the exercise, eating healthy and taking care of one's self is still important and can't be neglected as I have done for too many years.
So in summary for those of you thinking of doing this or just done it hang in there the first two weeks will go by and indeed I went from thinking death was a pleasant option to embracing my life now and I have a lot of work to do still.
Have a good weekend everyone!

At 4 months out I'm down 100 pounds as of this morning. I'm so glad I had this done as my life and health have improved so much in a short period of time.

Hi Lamonica,
The two prior posters have some good advice. Let me just say that I was sleeved on 3/12 so only 3 weeks ago today. There is not one day that goes by that I don't think 'now why couldn't I just eat a salad' or 'I could have done this naturally and saved myself all this pain'. When I think like this I realize I am not being honest with myself. I've tried for 23 years to control my eating with no success so here I am BUT... This is not about me, it's about you and I want you to know that you are NOT alone. I feel what you feel and I am concerned for you. If the depression is strong enough then definately I would advise you to seek professional counseling. That is nothing to let go or ignore. Also you have done great so far, 36 pounds is no small feat in anyone's book. I think simply you need to manage your expectations.
I am a newbie too to these forums but I'll say welcome and make sure you use them for some type of support if your able. I just try to take it one day at a time. Also I got depressed when I had to come back to my doctor's office 3 days after my 30 pound weight loss (2 week checkup at the 12 day mark LOL) and the scale had me 1/10th of a pound heavier than I was just 3 days prior. My doctor told me that Water weight can fluctuate wildly depending on how much we intake and what our activities are for that day or even prior day. He told me that we are in this for the months and years to follow and not the days/weeks. I think this was his way of telling me to relax and just work on my quality of life. I would pass this advice on to you as well.
Do hang in there and do post again. I'll be rooting for you!

Hi Lamonica,
The two prior posters have some good advice. Let me just say that I was sleeved on 3/12 so only 3 weeks ago today. There is not one day that goes by that I don't think 'now why couldn't I just eat a salad' or 'I could have done this naturally and saved myself all this pain'. When I think like this I realize I am not being honest with myself. I've tried for 23 years to control my eating with no success so here I am BUT... This is not about me, it's about you and I want you to know that you are NOT alone. I feel what you feel and I am concerned for you. If the depression is strong enough then definately I would advise you to seek professional counseling. That is nothing to let go or ignore. Also you have done great so far, 36 pounds is no small feat in anyone's book. I think simply you need to manage your expectations.
I am a newbie too to these forums but I'll say welcome and make sure you use them for some type of support if your able. I just try to take it one day at a time. Also I got depressed when I had to come back to my doctor's office 3 days after my 30 pound weight loss (2 week checkup at the 12 day mark LOL) and the scale had me 1/10th of a pound heavier than I was just 3 days prior. My doctor told me that Water weight can fluctuate wildly depending on how much we intake and what our activities are for that day or even prior day. He told me that we are in this for the months and years to follow and not the days/weeks. I think this was his way of telling me to relax and just work on my quality of life. I would pass this advice on to you as well.
Do hang in there and do post again. I'll be rooting for you!

I am on day 8 of my liquid diet. It really hasn't been as awful as I thought it would be. When you are hungry drink! Drink lots of Water! Drink anything CLEAR! Really, stay busy! Clean, work out, anything that keeps your mind busy, DO IT! When you start getting hungry remind yourself why you're doing it to begin with. I figure if I can't do 2 weeks pre op of all liquid diet then maybe I'm not ready, but I AM READY! Ready to be healthy and off all of the meds I've been having to take for YEARS! I'll take Vitamins over drugs any day! Plus I want to know how it feels to be smaller and I want to know what I look like underneath all of this fat. I really, truly believe that in the end it's all going to be worth it, as I've heard so many people say. Also, I remind myself that one day I will be able to eat actual food again and it will be my responsibility to eat healthy and to exercise so I won't end up right back where I am now. I never want to go back! I want to keep pressing forward! You CAN do this and you and I will be so proud of ourselves after we've done it. Another goal down! We got this girl! Good luck with everything!

Hi Everyone,
Yes new member today and first post hehe
Really want to contribute as I read each post I felt a special bond with each of you. Had my sleeve done on March 12th so am only 2 weeks and 3 days out. Can't really say that I am an expert now but I wanted to share some of my thoughts and experiences for you all with the caveat that as my Doctor always tells me each person is different so these may or may not apply/help you.
Protein
I had a hard time my first week to week and a half with consuming enough Protein so my incisions didn't seem to be healing well. My dietician recommended Isopure Water, 20 oz with 40g of protein. I also tried 4 different brands of shakes. It actually helped me to drink premiere protein 30g protein, strawberry when before my surgery I was a chocolate fanatic. So if you can't stomach the shakes like me try different ones and different flavors, that may help as well as drinking flavored protein Water (icky aftertaste but it went down)
Gas
Gas-X was a lifesaver, I recommend it from around day 2 or 3 onwards and ohy yes my stomach and intestines and who knows what else rumbles and speaks to me in some foreign language from time to time.
Pain
Well let me try this:
Day 1: Surgery at 7:45 am, woke up at 11:00 am in Hell
Day 2: Appears the Devil didn't like me and kicked me out of Hell and I found myself in a hospital room, bad pains!
Day 3: More pain, sent home at 9:00 pm, slept poorly, Roxicet pain medicine my new friend
Day 4-7: Yep more pain but not so bad, still needed help getting up from couch and bed.
Day 8-13: Replaced Roxicet with liquid Acetemitophin (sp?) Now just sore.
Day 14: Less sore, went back to work, stopped all pain meds, most of the last two weeks of pain forgotten after weigh in of 30 lbs less than when I had my surgery.
Day 15-17 (today is day 17): Minor sore if I bend the wrong way, healing nicely and feeling very sorry for those of you stuck in the two week time capsure of recovery from Hell.
Weight Loss
Saw a show called "My 600 lb Life" on TLC I think and talked to my Doctor about it. Gal named Penny lost 40 pounds pre op on liquid 1200 calorie a day diet but then stayed 490 lbs for the next 3 months then gained 5 pounds on month 4. I asked how it was possible. He indicated that water weight can be an issue and that is why he only weighs his patients every 2 weeks during our recovery visits. My advice to anyone not losing fast or staying static is to weigh in once a week at max or even only every two weeks at first due to the water weight and look for long term results not daily results.
Diet
It seems there are a lot of different ones out there. I have a very strict one from my doctor. Days 2-14 were liquid only with creamy Soups (strained!) allowed. I am on my last day of semi pureed and then tomorrow start a pureed diet. I do miss chewing but for those newcomers the early introduction of strained Soup really helped me get past the 'water and Protein shake blues' So try soup to help with taste...
Taste
I seem to have aquired the 'sweet' bug. Everything seems too sweet to me now. This caused me some grief cause before my surgery I was a gatorade, soda, juice or anything flavored kind of guy instead of just water. Even the dasani water drops I bought left a 'chalky' aftertaste in my mouth. My solution was to just go pure water. Use to the soup and Protein Drink or shake to break up your day with different tastes.
food Tolerance?
Every thing still smells good except... My wife brought home some teriyaki chicken and rice. I swear to the almighty himself that to me it smelled like some small rodent had died and was covered in used motor oil. I had no problems with the food before my surgery nor any problem with nausea but I was sure I was going to heave and let fly if it got any closer to me than a few feet. I am not sure but I think I can't eat teriyaki chicken anymore.
sleeping
I use a cpap set at the G5 tornado force winds setting and felt fine before my surgery. Now my mouth dries out and I have to wake up and sip water several times a night to alleviate the symptom and it is getting better but I used my cpap at literally 100% of the time and now it's a bit harder to use so be prepared though this could be just common to me. Also FYI I found the first few days I could sleep much better in a recliner or semi sitting position instead of lying flat. After about 12 or so days despite being sore I can sleep flat now w/out much pain in my abdomen region.
Vitamins
I found some Bariatric ones, easy to chew not to bad on the taste and designed just for us via Amazon. Be sure to take the Iron supplement away from the Calcium as it interferes with the Calcium absorbtion (or so I'm told)
That's all I can think of for now. I am in a bit of shock at how some people were home so fast. Hopefully you are being well cared for. I hope we keep our little sub group intact since we are all going through the same thing at around the same time.
I also want to say that my first few days I really had regrets for doing this but that was me just being in pain, being sore and missing the psychological impact and relationship that I had with food. Now I am feeling that this is the right decision and that getting past the first two weeks was the critical part of the operation. My sister had the classic bypass Roux done about 10 years ago and she prepped me well so that I understood that the surgery is just a tool and like any tool it can be abused so the exercise, eating healthy and taking care of one's self is still important and can't be neglected as I have done for too many years.
So in summary for those of you thinking of doing this or just done it hang in there the first two weeks will go by and indeed I went from thinking death was a pleasant option to embracing my life now and I have a lot of work to do still.
Have a good weekend everyone!

Hi Everyone,
Yes new member today and first post hehe
Really want to contribute as I read each post I felt a special bond with each of you. Had my sleeve done on March 12th so am only 2 weeks and 3 days out. Can't really say that I am an expert now but I wanted to share some of my thoughts and experiences for you all with the caveat that as my Doctor always tells me each person is different so these may or may not apply/help you.
Protein
I had a hard time my first week to week and a half with consuming enough Protein so my incisions didn't seem to be healing well. My dietician recommended Isopure Water, 20 oz with 40g of protein. I also tried 4 different brands of shakes. It actually helped me to drink premiere protein 30g protein, strawberry when before my surgery I was a chocolate fanatic. So if you can't stomach the shakes like me try different ones and different flavors, that may help as well as drinking flavored protein Water (icky aftertaste but it went down)
Gas
Gas-X was a lifesaver, I recommend it from around day 2 or 3 onwards and ohy yes my stomach and intestines and who knows what else rumbles and speaks to me in some foreign language from time to time.
Pain
Well let me try this:
Day 1: Surgery at 7:45 am, woke up at 11:00 am in Hell
Day 2: Appears the Devil didn't like me and kicked me out of Hell and I found myself in a hospital room, bad pains!
Day 3: More pain, sent home at 9:00 pm, slept poorly, Roxicet pain medicine my new friend
Day 4-7: Yep more pain but not so bad, still needed help getting up from couch and bed.
Day 8-13: Replaced Roxicet with liquid Acetemitophin (sp?) Now just sore.
Day 14: Less sore, went back to work, stopped all pain meds, most of the last two weeks of pain forgotten after weigh in of 30 lbs less than when I had my surgery.
Day 15-17 (today is day 17): Minor sore if I bend the wrong way, healing nicely and feeling very sorry for those of you stuck in the two week time capsure of recovery from Hell.
Weight Loss
Saw a show called "My 600 lb Life" on TLC I think and talked to my Doctor about it. Gal named Penny lost 40 pounds pre op on liquid 1200 calorie a day diet but then stayed 490 lbs for the next 3 months then gained 5 pounds on month 4. I asked how it was possible. He indicated that water weight can be an issue and that is why he only weighs his patients every 2 weeks during our recovery visits. My advice to anyone not losing fast or staying static is to weigh in once a week at max or even only every two weeks at first due to the water weight and look for long term results not daily results.
Diet
It seems there are a lot of different ones out there. I have a very strict one from my doctor. Days 2-14 were liquid only with creamy Soups (strained!) allowed. I am on my last day of semi pureed and then tomorrow start a pureed diet. I do miss chewing but for those newcomers the early introduction of strained Soup really helped me get past the 'water and Protein shake blues' So try soup to help with taste...
Taste
I seem to have aquired the 'sweet' bug. Everything seems too sweet to me now. This caused me some grief cause before my surgery I was a gatorade, soda, juice or anything flavored kind of guy instead of just water. Even the dasani water drops I bought left a 'chalky' aftertaste in my mouth. My solution was to just go pure water. Use to the soup and Protein Drink or shake to break up your day with different tastes.
food Tolerance?
Every thing still smells good except... My wife brought home some teriyaki chicken and rice. I swear to the almighty himself that to me it smelled like some small rodent had died and was covered in used motor oil. I had no problems with the food before my surgery nor any problem with nausea but I was sure I was going to heave and let fly if it got any closer to me than a few feet. I am not sure but I think I can't eat teriyaki chicken anymore.
sleeping
I use a cpap set at the G5 tornado force winds setting and felt fine before my surgery. Now my mouth dries out and I have to wake up and sip water several times a night to alleviate the symptom and it is getting better but I used my cpap at literally 100% of the time and now it's a bit harder to use so be prepared though this could be just common to me. Also FYI I found the first few days I could sleep much better in a recliner or semi sitting position instead of lying flat. After about 12 or so days despite being sore I can sleep flat now w/out much pain in my abdomen region.
Vitamins
I found some Bariatric ones, easy to chew not to bad on the taste and designed just for us via Amazon. Be sure to take the Iron supplement away from the Calcium as it interferes with the Calcium absorbtion (or so I'm told)
That's all I can think of for now. I am in a bit of shock at how some people were home so fast. Hopefully you are being well cared for. I hope we keep our little sub group intact since we are all going through the same thing at around the same time.
I also want to say that my first few days I really had regrets for doing this but that was me just being in pain, being sore and missing the psychological impact and relationship that I had with food. Now I am feeling that this is the right decision and that getting past the first two weeks was the critical part of the operation. My sister had the classic bypass Roux done about 10 years ago and she prepped me well so that I understood that the surgery is just a tool and like any tool it can be abused so the exercise, eating healthy and taking care of one's self is still important and can't be neglected as I have done for too many years.
So in summary for those of you thinking of doing this or just done it hang in there the first two weeks will go by and indeed I went from thinking death was a pleasant option to embracing my life now and I have a lot of work to do still.
Have a good weekend everyone!