tfowler

Hello, all! My surgery date is 7/22/14 in Grand Prairie, Texas, with Dr. David Kim. I was hoping to buddy up with someone with the same or close-to surgery date to share experiences with.

I don't feel like you're getting enough calories. Your body may be in starvation mode, especially for the amount that you exercise. Really consider upping your caloric intake by a couple hundred. I bet your body just needs more energy. Don't give up, though. It's not always easy, but it sounds like you've done amazingly well the last six months. I would consider you an inspiration to people like me.

@@kadirkara Yes, the site and the app are great resources for all sorts of information. I think there's even a men's forum that is specific to men's needs. I think much of the point is to eat smaller portions, but many people also try to change their eating habits (e.g., what and how they eat). I'm trying to do that, and it is difficult--but not impossible. The hardest part is eating slower and smaller bites. That's easy to do when what you're eating isn't all that satisfying, but if it's something that tastes really good...well, that's another story. And another part of this whole thing is to promote physical activity. In all honesty, this journey is about a lot of things, and it's different for each person. But the mind and body working together is important for success, and that--sadly--is what most of us will struggle with.

@@evanslaura79 I sorta broke my stall this weekend, but I have a feeling I'm going to be a stair stepper loser where I'm spending the majority of my time on stalls and then dropping some weight every couple of weeks. But, it's okay I guess. As long as I'm not gaining, I can live with slow loss. But I will admit that I've been a little more hungry lately. Not sure if it's the change to the soft protein diet or just monthly hormones, but I'm hoping it will pass.

You might ask your doctor about taking Pepsid. I never had/have heart burn or acid reflux either, but the Pepsid does work to control the acid in the stomach. My doctor actually prescribed Pepsid 20 MG twice daily for six months to help with the acid. The acid will make your stomach grumble and feel like it's hungry when it actually isn't. I read somewhere that our stomachs are pretty much in shock for the six months, and they don't know NOT to produce as much acid as they did before. So, we have stomachs that are half the size as before, but they're still producing the same amount of acid. The Pepsid actually helps control that, and I really can tell a difference. So, bottom line, I'd ask your doctor about his or her opinion on it. Have you considered SF popsicles or the like to change things up? Or different protein shakes? I can't do the same protein drinks as I did before surgery, so I've tried different ones with a little thinner consistency. Try the Unjury brand. Their stuff is pretty good. I understand your frustration. It doesn't help to say that everyone is different. At three or four days out, I was hardly eating because I wasn't hungry at all. It's a completely different story now. But keep reaching out to people on here. We may not have the answers, but we're pretty good with support.

Hey, Kadirkara! You might try posting to a thread for those who had surgery this month. Most of us in this thread are moving into our second month post-surgery. In the meantime, how are you doing with your protein drinks or powders? The more protein you can get in, the fuller you'll feel. But really try to drink as much water as you can, even by flavoring the water with something sugar free. If you get dehydrated, you'll just feel that much more blah. But, unfortunately, most of us still will deal with head hunger or something similar. Oh, did your doctor put you on Pepsid or something similar? That will help control the stomach acid anger, which we can mistake for real hunger.

Hi, everyone. I've totally flaked the past week or so because I'm a little bummed about an apparent second stall. I feel like I'm stalling more than I'm losing. I stopped the purees and went back to liquids and soups, and I'm doing my walking, but I even gained a pound over the last week. I know this is part of the process, or so I've read, and I know it hasn't even been a month, but it's just a little frustrating not to see better results. But there's only moving forward from here. Sounds like many of you are doing really well with the diet. How is the exercising going?

Hello! Things are going okay for me. Really looking forward to starting the puree stage on Tuesday. But other than that, can't really complain right now.

@@evanslaura79 That's funny, but I'm sure we've all done something like that at some point.

@@Dulce_jtrivera I tried the Unjury unflavored protein powder in some soup, and it was okay. I agree with @@evanslaura79 on that one. I've read so many postings on here from people whose doctors don't harp on the protein until they start the pureed or soft foods part of their diets. I'm just trying to get in as much liquid and protein as possible, but I'm not going to stuff myself. I can't tolerate that stabbing feeling in my stomach that races through my esophagus when I overdo it. I think weighing only once per week is a good idea. Unfortunately, it will take some restraint for me to do that, but I think I'm up for the challenge. I won't weigh myself again until Monday and then Mondays will be my normal weigh-in days from then on. I'd like to say that, regardless of my current "stall," I think my pants have gotten just a bit looser than they were before surgery. Granted, I've only lost 28 pounds total so far, so I can't tell anything when I look in the mirror. I know that it will take more time before I start noticing any significant changes, but it was a little nice not feeling the complete restriction in my trusty black pants. I never really took a good "before" picture or measured myself, so maybe that's also a task I can complete this week. Did everyone else do the picture and measure thing?

@@evanslaura79 I got my staples out on Friday, too. Mine weren't so much itching as stabbing me, but I feel soooo much better now that they're out. I can finally sleep more comfortably--even on my stomach, which I have missed. I will admit that I'm very much over protein shakes, but the thought that it's just one more week keeps me going. I also need to start walking more. I'm coming up on the dreaded three-week stall that everyone talks about, although I think I'm already in a stall. The scale hasn't really moved for me in about a week, and I did a lot of walking downtown this weekend. I'm not discouraged, as I know this is all part of the progress. I just know I need to do more work. Hope everyone else is doing okay.

@@evanslaura79 Yes, chicken fried bacon. They said it was pretty good, especially with the spicy dipping sauce. I'll just have to take their word for it. @@sandymom Lunch yesterday was okay. I just spooned up the juicy part of the soup and chatted away. And I'm not sure about the button on the iPhone. I don't like using the app on my phone for anything other than browsing. When I want to respond or type something up, I use the web version of the site, so those were the instructions I was giving! Didn't even think about it! @@medic45C Hi there! How are you feeling? What have you been eating? @@vsgjourney I'm sorry you're not feeling well. The yogurt isn't part of my diet at least until week 3. I can do the shakes okay, but they taste different to me now. My biggest problem, I think, is that I eat and drink too fast. Now when I'm eating and I'm doing the right portions, I'm kind of sad when I'm finished because I don't experience the same kind of full that I used to. But I do find that I'm satisfied; I just don't get the same enjoyment out of eating like I used to. Good for my health; bad for my list of hobbies!

@@GingerSlim I guess that's what I get when I drink warm soups. Gurgling and the burps. But I'm with @@evanslaura79 in that I stick around 4 ounces and don't push it. I don't feel the same "full" as I used to, but after I stop, I realize I'm not hungry. I think I read somewhere that it takes the stomach and mind about 20 minutes to communicate that the stomach is full, so maybe it just takes time to learn the new signals. I think I also read somewhere on here that one person's signal was hiccups and another person's signal was a runny nose. Weird, but I've honestly been looking for those signs. I had to go to lunch yesterday with a group from work. They don't know I had this type of surgery, so I ordered soup while everyone else enjoyed chicken fried bacon, onion rings, fresh rolls with whipped honey butter, and other good looking foods. I will admit that it was hard to watch because I wanted to try a little bit of everything, but I kept reminding myself of my purpose, and it put things into perspective for me. Still hard, but doable. I'm going to lunch today with another group, so we'll see if it's as hard. Yes, good wishes to @Dulce_jtrivera. She'll be on this side with us today!

@@sandymom I don't have any hard suggestions because some days I struggle with one or the other. Yesterday, it was both. However, I did try some strained Campbell's broccoli cheese soup with fat free milk and a packet of Unjury unflavored protein powder. I was only able to take in about 4 ounces before I started feeling something that I guess is my new "full". I think all in all that was about 14 grams of protein. Compared to what we're supposed to have, that's not much, but it's something different than drinking a sweet protein shake. What are you feeling at the end of the day? Upset stomach? Tired or worn down?

You guys are stronger than I am! I can't do nasty. I tried (and tried again) the Isopure drinks, and I just can't do them. Are the shots just that--shots? If it's a lot of protein in a small amount, then maybe. I did the Unjury chicken soup a couple of times yesterday, and that seemed to work well as along as I drank very, very slowly. I get some gas from it, but I can manage that as long as the protein is going down. Day 2 at work. Not as excited as I was yesterday. I miss my bed.

@@evanslaura79 I came into work today, too. I'm a little tired, but I think I'm going to be able to do this. My incision sites are sore depending on how I bend and move, but most of my pain (which is dull at most) comes from my left abdominal muscle. I hope it's healing okay. It just feels sore. And...I guess I have some pain at my Lovenox injection sites. That's kinda weird but tolerable. I've been able to sleep pretty well. I'm experimenting with turning onto my sides, and that actually allows for better sleep. It's a slow process, but it works. I have stuck mostly with clear liquids. I went off the calendar I received in the Bariatrics University class, which indicated I could move onto full liquids after the first few days if I managed clear liquids okay. I was managing them alright, so I tried the chocolate Protein shake. However, that didn't go very well for me. I might try again this afternoon and see how that goes. I just get too much air back up after I swallow, which is painful. If all else fails, I'm sure I can manage a few more days of clear liquids. I am sorta hungry but sorta not. It's very strange. When I see a commercial for something that looks good, I acknowledge it. I think to myself that it looks good, but I'm not really hungry for it. I do miss the crunch of food, though. I'll get over it soon. I'm glad everyone is doing so well. I'm excited for you, too, @@Dulce_jtrivera . Don't let your family talk you out of it. I know I'm not even a week past my surgery date and it's too early for me to have regrets, but it's been a pretty simple process so far. It is a process, though, and it can't be rushed. If you're ready for it, then dive in!

Hi, all. This has been my best day thus far. My sister brought me home yesterday, and we were in traffic for at least two hours with four cranky kids. By the time they left, I needed some Tylenol and a nap! I will admit that I have been very lucky in that I have not experienced any nausea or vomiting, and I have had no real problems getting in my liquids. I'm not sure if it's the hernia repair or what, but I sometimes get some gas back up after I swallow anything. It definitely was worse when I tried to drink a Protein shake to get in some protein. I don't know if it's the milk, but I'll try again later this evening. My incisions aren't that bad. I'm keeping ointment on them. A couple of them are starting to itch, which I'm taking as a good sign. I was able to get out by myself for a bit today. I just ran a couple of errands and to the grocery store. A little tiring, but very good. The most frustrating part of this process (which I hate to admit) is that I have to give myself a shot of Lovenox. My sister had given me the shots the past few days, so today was the first day to give myself a shot. Sadly, it took me about 2.5 hours to administer the shot. I just couldn't put mind over matter for some reason. I went through about 10 alcohol wipes and 2 crying sessions before I just did it. It's embarrassing that I had so much trouble and that the cycle probably will repeat tomorrow, but I only have four more days of it. I think I can make it through it. I'm glad everyone is doing much better! It's a one-day-at-a-time process.

Glad things are going well for you, @Boise. This was my first full day out of the hospital, and things are going okay. I can't tell if I have additional gas or if it's the hernia repair, but I'm having very slight chest pain, especially when I swallow. I just removed all my Bandages and took a shower and cleaned my incisions. That wasn't too bad, but I'm not looking forward to having them removed next Friday. Other than that, things seem to be going better than expected.

Good evening, everyone. This probably will be short because I'm typing this on my phone, and I'm not a big fan. Here's my update: - surgery was around 7 this morning. - started really coming around about 10:30 or 11 - had some very minimal chest pain from gas - was incredibly dry mouthed and thirsty - no nausea whatsoever - have had no issue drinking Water, but Isopure drink caused serious dry mouth - been walking and breathing without any problems - pain blocker seems to be working - no issues urinating (except it's a slow process) - uncomfortable and even slightly painful on my left where the stomach was pulled through Its pretty much been the complete opposite of what I expected. Tomorrow is a new day, though. I hope everyone else who had surgery today is doing well. Also thinking about @@Boise .

I wasn't too nervous for the longest time. In fact, I was pretty neutral. But over the last couple of days, I've been pretty nervous. I know things will turn out okay, but still. We're kinda in the passenger seat now! @@sandymom -- Typically when someone wants to respond directly to you, they will "mention" you in their post--like I did. I just clicked on the '@Mention' link under your name and info on the left up above, and it inserts your screen name. In your post, it won't appear blue until after you've officially posted your response. And if all else fails, you can always send people private messages.

Welcome to the journey, @@Jeannie0723 ! Will do, @@sandymom ! Thinking about you, @@Boise !

So excited for you, @@Boise ! I have to be at the hospital on Tuesday at 4:30 AM, and I'm not even first. And, yes, I might steal your idea, too, @@GingerSlim , except that it will have to be something pretty big. I plan on doing things that I couldn't do because of my weight as soon as I can do them.

@@Boise Congratulations on your surgery time! Positive thoughts for a good recovery! No, I just have to continue my liquid diet until Tuesday. I've been on it for over two weeks, but I think if I had to do a weekend of clear liquids, I could manage that. Yeah, I can imagine that being a property manager would be pretty stressful. I wish you were taking the two weeks to do something fun, but this will eventually turn out fun!

My dad had the same thing happen when they removed an IV from his arm. We spent the entire day changing out cold compresses for warm compresses about every 15 minutes or so. It was a long process, but it worked. Hope you feel better soon!

The information and the image is incredibly useful for those of us needing guidance for the other side. Thanks for sharing!