Inner Surfer Girl

Definitely check with your hospital about their policy for visitors. When it comes to young children, they may not even allow it.

Another thing you can do is drink lots of water. Make sure you are drinking AT LEAST 64 oz of water and even more if possible. Also, try to keep your sodium low. (Fast food and processed food is full of sodium.) If you are like me, my weight can fluctuate over several pounds, especially when I was pre-op, just because of water retention.

I didn't have any trouble taking my meds starting the day after surgery. Definitely talk to your surgeon about what you are taking and he or she can give you some guidance.

The best thing I took to the hospital was my mom!

When was the last time you did something for the first time? I have been doing lots of things for the first time in a long time lately.

I had some delays due to financing issues and even had to repeat some testing because the window had passed, so I know how frustrating it can be. In the end, everything worked out for the best. Do you know what it would take to get a surgery date? Are you required to lose a certain amount of weight? Are you working with a NUT? I know that many people have had success by going to Mexico, but if your delays have been because of health reasons then I would encourage you to resolve those before you pursue the idea of going to Mexico. You want to be as healthy as possible going into surgery whatever you decide.

This sounds like something to run by your surgeon. You may just still be swollen from surgery.

I know what you meant. I thought it was a funny Freudian slip. There was a time when a 6 foot sub sandwich sounded fun!

I didn't use either.

You could add protein to your Water. Try the ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrates or Syntrax nectar. Those both have light and fruity flavors.

I use MyFitnessPal. 90% of what I eat is already in the database. I have only had to add a couple of things. The very few things that I couldn't find specifically, I have been able to find something similar enough to feel confident that it is a good estimate.

It really depends on when and where.

Welcome! I was sleeved April 20, 2015 and couldn't be happier. My high weight was 565. I am now under 350. I am over half way past my personal goal and more than half way to my PCPs goal. I knew that it was going to take time to lose weight so I am thrilled with my progress. I look like a melting snowman and my boobs are pretty floppy, but I'll take it!

Please don't compare yourself to other people. Everyone loses at different rates. A lot of it depends on your starting weight/BMI. Just focus on following your program. Without knowing what you are doing it is hard to make suggestions. Are you tracking your food? Eating Protein first? Reaching your protein target every day? Getting in at least 64 oz of Fluid every day? Taking your Vitamins and supplements as directed? Exercising? Have you talked to your NUT about your concerns? Everyone stalls. Just about everyone experiences a stall about three weeks after surgery. Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the process of losing weight. If you intend to lose a significant amount of weight, you will experience stalls. Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall.

That's not entirely true. You can stretch both pouch and sleeve. When I was in for surgery another patient was in for revision of the sleeve because it stretched quite a lot over the years and he could easily eat what people would consider a "normal portion" and more. And why should the bypass pouch be able to stretch out more than the sleeve? Doesn't make sense to me. Both pouch and sleeve have relatively small volumina left and both can stretch out again. The pouch is created from the stretchy part of the stomach (the fundus). The sleeve is created by removing almost all of the fundus.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I would suggest that you bring it up by describing what happened and asking questions. Starting by blaming will probably not be very effective.

Welcome! I am not in Louisville but PM me if you want to chat. I live in Danville and was sleeved over a year ago (April 20, 2015) by Dr. Weiss at Georgetown.

I don't know what is "normal". Everyone is different. What does your surgeon say? I am concerned that you say you aren't eating. Proper nutrition is vital for healing and for weight loss. What is your Protein target? Are you getting at least that much protein every day? Are you getting in at least 64 oz of Fluid every day? Are you exercising? Are you eating enough to support that exercise? I suggest that you talk to your NUT and surgeon about your concerns.

My surgeon doesn't even do the band anymore.

Great! It is cool to see the numbers on the scale drop rapidly. Just keep in mind that none of us lose at a constant or steady rate. We all experience slow downs and stalls. Just about everyone stalls about three weeks after surgery. Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the process. Don't let a stall derail you. Just follow your program. Focus on getting in all of your Protein and fluids. Take your Vitamins and supplements as directed. Exercise when cleared. And, Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall.

I understand the urge to eat off of plan, but please don't do that. Strawberries have seeds. Even if it was mush, those seeds can lodge in your staple line. The post-op stages are designed so that you can get in enough nutrition while you. are healing from major surgery. It may not be fun but it is for your benefit: to heal successfully without major complications. As my NUT reminded us, it is only temporary. We can do anything for a short time. Please have patience and follow your program and it will be over sooner than if you do something to cause complications. Just focus on getting in all of your fluids and Protein and following your program. You can do it!

Yes, I think we a feel or felt like that pre-op. Your body IS fighting your attempts to lose weight. That is the night and day difference between pre-op and post-op. Pre-op I worked hard and had little or no success. I knew that the rebound from my next "diet" would leave me at over 600 pounds. Just maintaining my weight was a struggle. Post-op, if I follow my program: focusing on getting in all of my Protein and fluids; avoiding starches, added sugars (especially high fructose corn syrup), and fried foods; taking my Vitamins and supplements; and exercising; and, most importantly, not giving up when I have a stall and learning to Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall; then, my body cooperates and I lose weight and get smaller. My effort actually produces results. It is a lifestyle change, that is facilitated by the biological changes produced by the surgery. You can do this!

It is better than dreaming of some other things! I was allowed soft vegetables during my soft phase. When are you cleared to eat some vegetables? In the meantime, I drank V8 starting with my full liquid phase. Are you taking your Vitamins and supplements?

Don't be so hard on yourself. You have two choices. 1) Forgive yourself and get right back on your program for the last five days. Learn from this and see if you can come up with a strategy in case you are tempted again. Or, 2) give up. You have come so far, I recommend number 1.

This is very normal. The best thing I can suggest is to just set a schedule for your fluids and Protein to make sure you get everything on. Don't rely on "feeling hungry" to eat and don't wait on hunger to remind you to eat. Set an alarm if you need to. The most important thing for you for both healing and weight loss is to make sure you reach your protein target every day and to get at least 64 oz of Fluid. It gets easier.