auntjanny

Kathleen is right... Get the water in and if u start to feel crappy or sad or irritated in the future, grab a water!! Energy comes in spurts. I was bored the first two weeks and then learned it was going to be easier and faster if I took it easy. Drink walk and read this forum!!

Don't underestimate the roller coaster of emotions we go through as we approach and undergo surgery. THAT was the easy part. But, now is the fun part. Hang in there. It does get better. I am just about 5 weeks out and there is a world of difference. By no means a magic pill. Likely the hardest thing I will ever do. Stay hydrated. That will help. Hunger will oh away. Ask family to keep food out if sight as a kindness to you.

I am almost 5 weeks post. Still can ruin my day with pain and burning on my lower right side if I bend or turn the wrong way. I still wear the binder most times. The odd burning/numb sensation is decreasing though

There is a recipes forum here. I believe it is under general weight loss and has lots of suggestions for soft phase.

My husband did not support my surgery, and did not acknowledge my continued steps through the process to get insurance approval. He was afraid something could happen, he felt I should be able to do this on my own so was embarrassed, and he was concerned about changes that would occur in our social lives. I brought the surgery up every month even though he wished it would go away. I finally said I was going through with it and he needed to accept it. Once he realized I was serious, he has been just fine. The weight loss is encouraging also. I am sure he doesn't want me to fail at another weight loss attempt.

I have gone out to eat a few times and just order soup. I have not been anywhere yet where there is a good protein based soup like chili or bean or lentil so have had French onion, vegetable, and potato bacon. None are the best choices but were the best I could make at the time. At Red Lobster, ordered shrimp cocktail but could only eat three of the six, and it was not all that great. Had another moment when I "had" to meet at McDonalds. Ordered oatmeal and could eat half. I think, if I add unflavored protein powder, this might be an easy meal for me on the road if I have to stop and take a break.

You can always always go back to basics. We will slip up, but we have a great new tool that will respond and help us get back in track. Don't dwell. Just get right back at it. 27 pounds or 31 pounds.... Tis amazing!!!

I am not sure if I am 4 or 5 weeks out.... So yes, definately gets better. As people noted, focus on water. If the shakes gross you out. Syntrax nectar fuzzy navel flavor was something I saw recommended regularly on this forum. I found it sooo helpful in getting both water and protein amounts in as I made a large glassful and drank it all day watered down and with added ice. It truly was the best thing in my recovery

I had the pain on the right side coupled with lower back pain. Mine last a good three weeks then thankfully, was gone. I still have the icky sharp pain if I move or bend in certain positions.

Ivory... Sounds awful for you. Hope you find the right mix soon. I am sure it is hard to stay positive when feeling crummy. Cheers to better days ahead!

Sharon are those salukis in your photo?

I still rely on a premier protein shake daily to get protein in. I have had soups, cheese, eggs, avocado, yogurt, canned tuna and fish, applesauce, and baked chicken. Yogurt goes down too easily. I can eat a normal serving. I can easily eat a half cup of loosely packed chicken of tuna. Just wondering what others are eating and how much? I am 4 weeks post up tomorrow. Trying hard to get water in.

I was prescribed Bontril and Adipex and had some success with the meds a few years ago. I went on it again for over a year but did not take it regularly and had little success. However, the adipex did raise my BP, which gave me a comorbiity. When my surgeon told me to stop taking it, the BP went down but I quickly gained 10 pounds. I think if, down the road I falter.. I would look back into taking it if it gave me the boost I needed.

I had a BMI that was 36.6 but, in honesty, I probably could have claimed an inch higher in height than I did. My surgery was 4 weeks ago. Just coming out of a stall, and have had a 20 lb weight loss. I have not recovered quickly. I still wear the binder almost all the time. I have not yet begun formal exercise. I am in need of a three or four pound loss, mentally. I expect to lose weight slower but had expected to recover very quicklime due to lower BMI. No food issues with unpleasant consequences yet

I hit a stall. Like so many others, I didn't think it would happen, but three weeks comes around and nothing happens! Stay the course.. I think I am moving downward again. Have lost 20 pounds and have not had any slime or food issued yet. Scares me that the transition to solids has been so easy. I need to work on slowing down when I eat. I have been able to eat an entire container of yogurt which concerns me. I fear he left me too large a stomach!

Wow!! Good job!

I had two c sections... And I remember laughing was painful. I was younger and had a baby to take care of so my perspective was different. There was an annoying burning numbness at my incision line that was irritating and I thought would never go away... With the sleeve, laughing hurts, bending is very uncomfortable or painful at times, as is my tossing and turning in bed. So I never answered your question...same but different. Nothing that would make me regret or warn anyone about, but significant and prolonged enough that I was starting to get weepy and unglued!!

I could not get relief with the liquid Vicodin/Tylenol, although I drank the last drops right from the bottle in hopes of it helping! I agree with above poster to try something else. I switched to liquid Tylenol and Tylenol pm

Good for you for nipping this in the butt, er, bud!!! It is a great heads up for me as a newbie!!

I thought SF Popsicles saved me the first days. I could not tolerate cold first thing in morning so I sipped small amounts of warm water.

It took 3 weeks for the lower right side to feel better. It burns ( nerves) and I had a back ache. Was getting sad and depressed over its constant ache. I feel completely different at 3 weeks post op, I still wear the binder or a spanx type of top to hold me together. Feel better soon!

Auntiemel, My protocol is similar to yours. I start real food at 6 weeks. I have had lots of soups and chilis, eggs, cheese and avocado. I had some chicken breast and small bites of strawberry mousse at a wedding. That is pretty much my diet as of now other than jello, sf Popsicles and protein stuff. I may try a chicken salad today.

9/22 sleeved, and am on soft foods now, I am working on slowing down and chewing when eating. I eat until I get stomach feedback.., ie a sense of pressure or discomfort. I am still primarily on a full/puréed stage so that I get protein in. I have not really gotten the full feeling yet, as I think I am eating too fast.

Yeah, maybe I have to find a new doctor!!

UtAh, thanks. I will call them tomorrow.