Ginger Snaps

I'm almost a month out too and I agree... it gives you hope that you CAN get this weight under control and you CAN make changes to improve your health. Congrats on the success so far -- here's to many more!

Wow! What a great success story you are! Inspirational for us newbies who still worry if it will work for them. It will work if we work it, right? Thanks for sharing your story!

You definitely should talk to your surgeon about any numbness in your legs. That's one of the first signs of a blood clot. So, I would get that ruled out quickly! Nothing to mess with.

@boccob81 It's interesting you get that reaction about "stay away from bypass"... it's another case of people being misinformed. Sleeve was not an option for me because I have pretty severe reflux. I have another friend who even though she is much heavier than me, she can only get the sleeve because she has some other GI issues that make the bypass out of the question. Again, which decision to make is based on your personal medical history and shouldn't be swayed by people who read some article sometime somewhere that said the bypass wasn't as safe.

I haven't had any sensitivity to anything hot or cold but I DEFINITELY get all the noises. As soon as I swallow anything the tummy starts churning and squirting and making noises... I'm pretty sure that's completely normal. Make sure you're taking small sips and drink what feels best. It gets better!

Still in month one, I don't see how I could possibly go above the 350 or so calories a day I'm eating now. Even with Protein Snacks, shakes, greek yogurt, refried Beans, scrambled eggs, tuna salad (ff mayo), chicken salad... I'm filling up on Proteins with about 55-60 grams a day and don't have room for a bite of ANYTHING else. I did have a little cup of unsweetened apple sauce one day but I think that's the only thing I've had that wasn't a protein source. I've lost 22 pounds in 23 days, so I think it's working for me. I don't think the 600 calories a day diet is for someone still in their first month.

I'm 3-1/2 weeks out now -- Are you focusing on getting Protein? I focus on 60 grams a day and get pretty close most days but I'm basically not eating anything that doesn't count towards that protein total. No carbs except maybe in the greek yogurt. My calories are between 300 and 350 most days because I just can't eat anything else if I work on the Proteins. Maybe you should look to see that it's all about the protein and cut out other things that aren't.

What you're experiencing now is exactly what you'll experience after surgery, so try to figure out some strategies. While I was still on full liquids after surgery, I had to go through a baby shower potluck at work and a lunch thing at church and a company picnic to Dave and Busters all catered. It was weird to be there not eating while everyone else was, but there wasn't anything I could have. So, I sat at the table and drank my shake and tried to focus on the people and conversation -- not the food. I'm lucky in that I only had to do Clear Liquids one day before surgery but since surgery I have had challenges and it's NOT easy head-wise... tummy wise, I wouldn't have touched that food with a ten-foot pole!

I certainly didn't make all the changes I should have before surgery. I drank Diet Coke up until 2 days before surgery. I thought I'd have a big goodbye party with it but now I can't remember the last one I had. Haven't craved one yet since surgery... it doesn't even SOUND or look good/appealing. Something I thought would never happen because I was a major addict. I did get the "eat slower" app and try to make time between bites but I didn't do it consistently. I have done that now that I'm on some solid foods (4th week soft food stage). I'm following the plan to a T because I don't think I could do anything else. I haven't had any pain/nausea/vomiting at all but I don't want to push it at all, so I'm staying on plan. Besides, when you're only getting in around 325 calories a day, you DEFINITELY want them to be good, nutritious protein. My NUT or surgeon didn't suggest that number of calories -- just the 60 grams of protein. But if I manage to squeeze in that amount of protein, I don't have room for anything else. The surgery is a tool and you have to use it wisely but in the beginning, you really don't have any other choice and that's a good thing!

Lawrenceville, NJ

@@latido My doctor told me to watch the color of my urine. It should be very light yellow or clear. I know mine is a little darker than I'd like so I'm really trying to focus on getting the fluids in. I'm struggling a little with it because it seems like I never stop drinking except to eat, but it's really important so I'll keep working on it. Other signs of dehydration are headaches, dizziness, dry skin that's not elastic (you pinch up a little and it doesn't bounce back quickly).

Your profile doesn't say what surgery you had but if you're vomiting, call your doctor. It's not normal and you may need some medication or something for the reflux. It can also damage your new stomach.

I'm 4 weeks out and getting close to 60 on the Protein most days but I'm struggling with the liquids. I know I'm at least a little dehydrated but I swear I feel like I'm drinking all day long every day. I don't have any problems with how much I swallow at a time but it's just the constant remembering to drink. And, if I drink too big of a gulp, I feel a pain kind of thing around the stomach for just a minute or less. Focus on drinking every minute you aren't having a shake or something with some calories. You'll get to where you can drink more but you really want to be sure you're getting as much as you can right now.

I have a hard enough time getting my Protein and Water in to worry about taking in any carbs of any kind. I'm 4 weeks out now and get to have SOFT FOODS this week!!!! YAY! You said nothing 'satisfies' you but you feel full? That sounds like head hunger and not real hunger. Try pureeing some more substantial things... I LOVE refried Beans. And, another trick my nutritionist told me -- with the plain, fat free Greek yogurt, mix some sugar-free Jello in there. Gives you a little taste of the fruit without adding any sugars or carbs.

I'm going on a fabulous vacation to Belize just 8 weeks after surgery. I plan to pack Protein powders and bars just in case I'm in a situation where I can't get a good healthy meal. I figure I can always get eggs for Breakfast and being on the beach I should have good healthy grilled seafood choices. But, we're also doing some tours like cave tubing where they include a sack lunch and I don't have a clue what might be in those. So, I'll take along a Protein Bar and maybe fill a bottle of Water with a Protein Drink before we leave for the tour. Don't have any ideas about drinking -- I don't drink so that won't be a challenge for me.

My doctor's office said they go with the initial weight you came into the office with and don't consider what you lose on pre-op. I was borderline at BMI of 36 and needed 35 or above for the surgery. So, you should be fine.

That incentive spirometer is VITALLY important. I didn't get mine when I was supposed to and ended up readmitted to the hospital. And, it's suck, suck, suck -- not blow, blow, blow!

About the post-surgery diet in the early days, it's not as hard as it sounds. I'm on week 3 pureed foods and I have to remind myself to eat because I really never feel hungry. I know other people don't experience that, but I just don't feel hungry. I did get sick of the Clear Liquids phase because all of those drinks just tasted nasty to me but once I started full liquids I felt a lot better. And on pureed, I'm able to puree chili and refried Beans and some other good tasting stuff with flavor, so it's all good. I go on soft foods next week and I think that will be more of a challenge. On the liquids and pureed diets, you don't really have to think about what to eat (drink) because you have such limited choices. Next week opens up a whole new world of choices for me, so that will be tougher. Just wanted to assure you that the early post-surgery diet is not as hard to stay on as it would be pre-surgery.

I had a nice big office too until we ran out of space and I now share that big office with one other person. The new cheap way to do business...

My belly was bloated up from all the gas for probably a week or so. But not cramping like you're talking about with the water. My doctor said if I had a hard time drinking plain water to flavor it... might go down easier.

When I first signed up with my personal trainer and told her I was having the surgery the first thing out of her mouth was "Oh, you should do it through diet and exercise first." I told her I had tried that and that the doctor agreed I needed the surgery and that was it. After that she was very interested to hear what the diet would be like after, etc. I only had one other person ask me why I was having the surgery and I pointed to my belly and said my doctor agrees I need it and so does my insurance company. She didn't say anything else. I don't get angry at them, they just don't know what they're talking about and it's not their decision.

I take B-12 and Biotin sublingual (under the tongue) and they don't bug me at all. I have the unjury brand chewable multi-Vitamin and Calcium citrate. They are ok but I do sometimes feel a little nauseous after chewing them. I try to chew them quickly and get them out of there and then rinse my mouth really good... seems to help. I also take them with a little something in my stomach even if it's just a few sips of water-- haven't tried them just after a Protein drink. I've had other Vitamins before that made me vomit every time I took them... must be a sensitivity or something to one of the ingredients. So, I'd suggest trying another brand. Depending on where you bought them, you may be able to return them even if you've taken some. Best wishes.

I understand wanting or needing to get back to work earlier rather than later -- I had planned 1 week off, then return working from home a couple of days and then in the office. I got readmitted to the hospital for pneumonia and that set me back at least a week. You may think you'll tough it out and return very soon but you are having surgery, there can be complications and you may need more time. Plan for the best scenario but have a backup in case you need more time. And, if you work for a larger company, see if they have a nursing mother's room where you can schedule a little 30 minute nap. It really has helped me make it through the days I've gone into the office. My boss is completely supportive of me taking that break -- better than not having me there at all.

Forgot one -- when you have a tcon or long phone call, stand up and pace. I try to do that sometimes and at least you aren't sitting.

My one experience with the ER after surgery (4 days after) I learned they don't know a lot about bariatric patients. While I was in the ER I called my surgeon and told him where I was and what was going on. He contacted a pulmonologist who he knew was in the hospital that day to come see me. He also added a test or two to the ones the ER doctor ordered to make sure the problems I was having weren't related to the surgery. I agree with the poster above -- raise some hell with as many doctors as you need until you get some help. You shouldn't have to be suffering.