Myonlybattle

I have gone off course many times from the rules. The only regret I have is that I was unable to follow the pre-op diet which I considered a personal failure -but that was my pre-surgery self and it just reinforces that I made the right decision to have the surgery and take some control back. Post surgery I have no regrets because I feel as though I'm in control and if I every stop losing or start gaining I am ready and willing to change my eating habits until my weight it back where I want it. But that hasn't happened yet. The consequences of not following the rules are probably that I am a slower loser but I don't care - I am enjoying life and eating and drinking whatever I want (the sleeve controls my portions). So no regrets whatsoever. If you decide to go your own path, my advice is to weigh yourself frequently and keep tabs - I have found that certain things I eat (cake) slow my weight loss more than other things (pizza). So I adjust my choices accordingly. I believe everyone is different in this regard but if you keep track you will find what works for you.

One thing I can say for sure after reading these boards for over a year, is that everyone is different. So my advice is to choose the alcoholic beverage that appeals to you and drink it slowly -- the first time I had a drink was about 6 weeks after surgery. I ordered a skinny cosmo - a drink I had many times before surgery and considered it to be a fruity light thing - and it burned like I was drinking grain alcohol! I had to give it to my friend to drink, I could barely get down 2 sips. I found that I was able to handle wine soon after that, but if that doesn't appeal to you then you will find something that works for you. I am able to drink every kind of alcohol at this point and have been able to since 6 months out. I don't like beer and I stay away from carbonation because I don't love it, but I enjoy all kinds of cocktails, sangria and wine. You are on your own journey and it can be fun figuring out what works for you and what doesn't. It is a new world, enjoy it!

This was a big question for me pre-surgery as well. Not a big drinker but like to have a glass of wine when out with friends. I am 6 months out and can now drink anything easily, just not as much as I used to without feeling the effects (probably because I have less food in me!). I tried to have a "skinny cosmo" a few weeks out and one sip did me in - it tasted like raw alcohol and burned going down. 4 weeks out I tried a light white wine and was able to drink half a glass. Since then I have found that white or rose wine is the easiest thing to drink - and I can have a glass every night if I want to. I can also have margaritas and cosmos again but only one drink - two is too many. I don't feel deprived at all and really look forward to my glass of wine at night. Many on the site choose not to drink because it's not the best choice for calories - and I get that. For me, I am finding that it works in moderation and allows me to continue my social life just like before surgery - eating and drinking less of course - just like my skinny friends were doing all along!

When I was in the liquid phase I did a lot of the crystal light shakes -- to get rid of the gritty consistency if you stir and all the foam if you blend it, I would put it in my nutribullet in the morning, and then leave it in the fridge for a few hours. After sitting in the fridge for that long, the foam is gone and the drink is a good smooth consistency. Good Luck!

I can relate to OP's dilemma! I can't eat more than a few bites of meat protein then feel stuffed. But an hour later I'm hungry again. And keeping it real I will fill up on the snack food because it feels good to eat something and not feel stuffed after a few bites. I'm 6 months out. I have been trying to deal with this recently so that I don't end up in trouble eating carbs and junk food all day. What has been helping me is having a Premier Protein shake in the morning after my coffee -- 30 g of protein in me and I feel full for a long time - I need to sip it over an hour or so because it will give me a stomach ache if I just drink it down. According to my NUT, I should not be having shakes this late in the game, but I'm doing what works. Dannon Light and Fit Greek Yogurt (80 calls/12 g protein) is also a good snack and has good flavor choices. And I love the Cabot 50% cheddar cheese in the individual servings (50 calories, 5 or 6 g protein I think). Just offering what works for me because I think at this stage in the process we all need variety -- I know the above things work for me but I get sick of having them all the time and that's why I've been reaching for the Doritoes/cookies/other horrible choices. Good Luck!

Thanks so much, I will make an appt. with my surgeon -- and you're all right, I should be just eating the mushy stage food to get my Protein in. I have a Premier Protein shake most mornings and between that and greek yogurt I could get by - so part of this is my own fault because I am making the wrong choices - out of frustration. Thanks for your feedback, in a strange way it feels good to know this isn't typical - hopefully my surgeon can get to the bottom of it.

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone else is having a hard time eating Protein several months after surgery. I can still eat only a few small bites of chicken, steak, ground meat, or fish. And after those few bites, I feel uncomfortable, bloated and full - almost sick. And sometimes I do get sick. I dread dinner time. I'm so sick of feeling sick! I am fine drinking a Protein shake, eating greek yogurt, cheese, nuts, etc. But meats and fish are just so hard to get down. Vegetables too. If I didn't eat the stuff that's bad for me (cookies, chips, etc) I would barely be able to eat 500 calories a day. And this makes me very worried - because I know when I don't have as tight a restriction, eating the bad stuff will become a real problem. I have NO problems eating Cookies - just ate an entire sleeve of Girl Scout cookies - and it feels so good to be able to eat something without feeling sick. Same with popcorn and most Snacks. So I gravitate towards them to get calories in and just to be able to eat something without being in pain 5 minutes later. Has anyone experienced this? I'm just so frustrated - I want to eat good, real food but am so done with the way it makes me feel! TIA . . .

Definitely try them! They are the ONLY shake I can drink -- I am four months out and have one pretty much every morning - have a cup of coffee (my treat) and sip a chocolate Protein shake over ice. I tried so many different shakes both pre-op and post-of and this is the only one that I can drink. Agree it takes like chocolate milk. You're lucky to belong to a costco - I order mine from Amazon . . .

I know exactly what you are all going through - I made myself crazy in the weeks before surgery thinking about how my life was going to change (for the worse). I also need to prepare myself for the worst case scenario, it helps me cope to know that I can handle the worst, so anything better than that is easy! And the good news is the experience was MUCH MUCH easier than the worst case scenario, and the odds are it will be for each of you. For me, the most difficult thing by far was the pre-op diet (and I had one where I could eat a low carb meal every day!). When you still have your whole stomach and your eating habits, it is incredibly difficult to do the pre-op. I cheated every day (not recommending this, but full disclosure). Also, as the surgery date got closer and closer, I started second guessing, etc. and worrying - as the OP is - constantly about what I was doing to myself, how would I handle this new life, etc. My post-op was a million times better than expected, and keep in mind that even though preparing for the worst is what I did too, most of us have no complications. My surgeon requires a 2-night hospital stay which helped a lot because by the time I was discharged I was in pretty good shape physically. I had no trouble sipping or getting down Protein shakes. I did crush my meds for the first 2 weeks because it was required - I crushed them in a medicine cup with a piece of sugar free popsicle, and waited a few minutes until the popsicle was mushy then stirred it around and at it with a spoon. The wonderful feeling of knowing the surgery is behind you will make this time so much better - not to mention the fact that you start seeing the scale go down. In terms of all the things I worried about before surgery - When can I have wine? Do I really need to give up pizza? What about my social life? How will I eat in front of people who don't know? --- NONE of those things are issues, and I'm only 5 weeks out. The timing of everything may vary from person to person, but I have been able to eat and drink everything in small doses, and there is no feeling of deprivation when I can't finish - because I am stuffed, like after a huge meal STUFFED. Good Luck to all of you -- It's a leap of faith for sure but one that is well worth it!

I am having a relatively easy recovery and eating pretty much everything (including, unfortunately, all the bad things I ate before surgery, but in smaller quantities). I have had some days where food appealed to me less, and where it has been almost impossible to get 60g of Protein in on food alone, and other days where it has been easier. So it's possible you are just having a bad day or two? If it persists, I would definitely call your surgeon's office. I will say my Vitamin almost makes me gag every day. Good Luck, hope it's just a short phase!

@@Kathy812 I also didn't use or need a heating pad. Agree completely, keep visitors to a minimum and rest and walk!

I had a 2 night stay as well and as annoyed as I was pre-surgery that I had to give up 3 days of my life (instead of those lucky ones who had day surgery) it ended up being great and I feel like I had a good start to recovery. The IV stayed in until after the leak check (day 2) and after I could show that I could drink Water. You can still walk around with the IV in, it's attached to the wheeled pole. I brought a pair of pajamas and wore those instead of the hospital gown, it's much more comfortable to be walking around in PJs than that open gown! Other than that all I needed/wanted was my phone and laptop (phone would have been enough) and a charger. The hospital gave me chapstick as soon as I got to my room, but I would pack one to be safe. My surgeon won't discharge until you can drink an 8 ounce Protein shake, which is the goal for day 3. I had no problems with recovery but I was still in pain, especially when I coughed, for the first couple days. Good Luck to all of you!

@@Unhappysleever Congratulations on your amazing weight loss! I know the road is long and bumpy - it sounds like in your case it has been very bumpy - but 100 pound weight loss is an amazing accomplishment, one that most of us here strive for. Thanks for your honesty, I have read your posts and always appreciated your candor. It sounds like things might start getting easier for you, I hope so, you deserve it!

@@maggiemayuk, very excited for you! The worst for me were the few days before surgery because I was nervous - keep busy and stay positive! You will do great! We'll be here for any post op questions along the way!

19 pounds - wow! Congrats!! @@tiffdmill, LOL . . . fun times, huh? Not sure when you can have yogurt, but having a greek yogurt yesterday seemed to help settle my stomach quite a bit. As of yesterday I can have yogurt, cottage cheese and sugar free pudding in addition to the shakes. Hope you can do that soon too!

I'm doing okay - but also SO sick of the protein shakes - I'm so sick of them that I don't even want variety, if that makes sense - I just want to force them down, I don't think there's any recipe for a shake that I would look forward to. I'm doing at least one and sometimes two Premier Protein shakes because they have 30 g. Have also been drinking the Isopure RTD. Also, this liquid diet is creating chaos with my digestion, I almost had an "accident" in the grocery store today, had to run home to the bathroom. Today I had my first food -- a Dannon greek yogurt. I think it's actually helped settle my stomach. I am allowed yogurt, cottage cheese and sugar free pudding as of today, as long as I get my protein and fluid in. It went down so easy - just like pre-op - and I didn't feel full after. A little scary. Hope you're all having a good day.

@@alur72, I'm so sorry you're having this pain. The best thing is that you MD said it's totally normal so even though it's horrible to deal with you know it's temporary. Glad you are going in for a check up tomorrow, my MD doesn't schedule us back until 2 weeks post surgery. I am one of the ones doing well - right now at least - but I as of yesterday and today I"m having horrible gas (not from the anesthesia) pains and cramping, and I'm starting to feel lightheaded from not having calories for so long. So I would guess that we all have something we're dealing with - we're not all living the good life, that's for sure! I hope the pain gets better soon, keep in touch with us and let us know how it goes tomorrow.

@@Chuchie05, I could not follow the prep diet at all. Every day I failed. I tried my best and was able to almost completely avoid carbs. For the last 2 days I was supposed to be on ALL liquids and because of my guilt, etc. I ended up doing that for 3 days. Those were the hardest days BY FAR of the entire process. I feel for you and don't want to tell you it's ok to cheat, but you are certainly not the only one. You could call your surgeon's office and see if they will allow some modifications? All I can say is this is the worst part - do you best and know you aren't alone. Good Luck!

This is a weird one but I'm throwing it out there . . . I was sleeved 5 days ago and from the moment I left the recovery room I've had a recurring runny nose. I wouldn't say it's constant, but definitely is there the majority of my day. I'm have never been one to carry tissues around - but now, I seem to need them all day long. Is this normal? Temporary? Anyone else have this quirky little side effect? TIA

@@aloudwhisper I brought Gas X strips but was told not to take them. I've heard from many others that walking is the best thing, and that's what I did. The things I brought in and used were: Phone, Laptop and Chargers, PJs, and chapstick (although the first thing my nurse handed me in the room was a chapstick so I didn't need to bring my own). Good Luck!!

Hi, looking for some answers from all the experts out there. I was sleeved Wed, discharged Friday and am now on Stage 2 of my doctor's diet which sets a goal of 3 Protein shakes, 1 12 ounce propel zero or equivalent, and the other liquids like Water, broth, etc. The issue I'm having is that I am supposed to SIP each drink SLOWLY and not drink more than 2-4 ounces per hour. I am doing well and feeling pretty good, and I am drinking a lot more than 4 ounces per hour. Does anyone know if this is creating a problem? Is there a risk if I drink my Protein shake in an hour instead of over 3 hours? TIA!

Wow, thanks guys. I've been paying attention ever since I saw your replies and I think that is it! It doesn't run at night but from the moment I start taking in all the dreaded liquid/protein shakes in the morning it starts up. Yesterday I took my son to his Tae Kwon Do class and forgot my Water and that was the only time it didn't run. This could be a good thing maybe? I'd love to have a signal of when to stop eating in the future, that's one of my biggest worries is that I won't know when to stop!

I'm only 5 days out but I have read a lot of posts on this and the best advice I've heard is PUT AWAY THE scale . . . I know it's hard (today is the first day I haven't weighed myself) but these stalls seem to happen to everyone and the weight loss never seems to be constant. So I think what you are seeing is totally normal - besides, you lost SO much on your pre-op (Congrats!) that your body is going to need to time to catch up. I truly believe that if you just keep following the plan it will work. I think weighing yourself once a week is best, and some weeks you may not lose anything but you will notice inches gone. Anyway, I don't have a lot to offer because I'm not even as far out as you, but I know what you're describing has been posted by SO MANY others and it is totally normal and not anything to worry about - it will come off! Congrats on the huge amount lost so far and Good Luck!

I'm trying to stay positive too - we have come so far, this is (I hope) the last difficult phase. I feel like once I'm on solid food, I can feel normal again. My diet is 2 weeks on liquid (during second week, starting next Wed, I can add in yogurt, cottage cheese, applesauce only IF NEEDED for hunger); then 2 weeks of mushy food (ground meats, etc.), then normal foods can be added in as tolerated. Basically as of Oct. 2nd I am cleared for regular food (only as tolerated). So that is the date I'm looking at as a big deal.

@@Georgia Pritchett, one of my requirements is 12 ounces or more of Propel zero or Powerade zero - I forgot to put these in the fridge before surgery but when I had one yesterday at room temp I found it was easier to drink than cold Water or shakes. Maybe you can try switching these for water?