Dajones

Try pork rinds!! No carbs and all protein!! Dip them in some queso! Also, I like Melba Toast (low in carbs and crunchy). To me, it wasn't so much what my new stomach could tolerate but I went into this to lose weight and tortilla chips are the ENEMY!! There's a new chip out there called a "Beanie" that is made from pinto, black or white Beans. It's high in Fiber, low in carbs and delicious! My mantra is add cheese!!

Try pork rinds!! No carbs and all protein!! Dip them in some queso! Also, I like Melba Toast (low in carbs and crunchy). To me, it wasn't so much what my new stomach could tolerate but I went into this to lose weight and tortilla chips are the ENEMY!! There's a new chip out there called a "Beanie" that is made from pinto, black or white Beans. It's high in Fiber, low in carbs and delicious! My mantra is add cheese!!

I'm 13 months post op and I can now look back and laugh at myself. I too was surprised by the gas pain but I am a true believer (now) that walking immediately afterwards helps tremendously. I've always been deathly afraid of needles (injections) and almost passed out when my post-op home care instructions involved giving myself Coumadin injections twice a day in the stomach. I did it though. I was disappointed that my surgeon installed two stomach drains that I had to keep for two weeks post-op at home. Trying to sleep with two tubes with bulbs attached coming out of your stomach was rough, but I did it! (hint: tape them to your stomach so they move with you)
I've exceeded my weight-loss goal and I'm now trying to maintain. I weight myself weekly and decide to increase or decrease my bad carbs. Truthfully, I no longer enjoy eating. I eat to live. Previously, I lived to eat. Nothing tastes as good as I look and feel now and I wouldn't trade my sleeve for anything!

I'm one year and one week post-op and I'm down actually below my goal weight. One of the things I was surprised by was the vomiting the night after the morning surgery. The surgeon told me about it but I didn't think it would be that bad. It was like throwing up black tar. The stuff they make you drink for the leak test tasted like unsweetened lemonade with soap in it. Wasn't expecting that either. Had trouble peeing for two days after surgery. They said it was "anesthesia bladder" and it did get better the third day.
Without a doubt, I would do it all over again and wished I'd done it 10 years ago. Best decision I've ever made. I have people I've known for 25 years walk right by me in the grocery store because they don't recognize me now. I've done all of my follow-up visits and all my bloodwork and tests have come back 100% great!

I'm 13 months post op and I can now look back and laugh at myself. I too was surprised by the gas pain but I am a true believer (now) that walking immediately afterwards helps tremendously. I've always been deathly afraid of needles (injections) and almost passed out when my post-op home care instructions involved giving myself Coumadin injections twice a day in the stomach. I did it though. I was disappointed that my surgeon installed two stomach drains that I had to keep for two weeks post-op at home. Trying to sleep with two tubes with bulbs attached coming out of your stomach was rough, but I did it! (hint: tape them to your stomach so they move with you)
I've exceeded my weight-loss goal and I'm now trying to maintain. I weight myself weekly and decide to increase or decrease my bad carbs. Truthfully, I no longer enjoy eating. I eat to live. Previously, I lived to eat. Nothing tastes as good as I look and feel now and I wouldn't trade my sleeve for anything!

I'm 13 months post op and I can now look back and laugh at myself. I too was surprised by the gas pain but I am a true believer (now) that walking immediately afterwards helps tremendously. I've always been deathly afraid of needles (injections) and almost passed out when my post-op home care instructions involved giving myself Coumadin injections twice a day in the stomach. I did it though. I was disappointed that my surgeon installed two stomach drains that I had to keep for two weeks post-op at home. Trying to sleep with two tubes with bulbs attached coming out of your stomach was rough, but I did it! (hint: tape them to your stomach so they move with you)
I've exceeded my weight-loss goal and I'm now trying to maintain. I weight myself weekly and decide to increase or decrease my bad carbs. Truthfully, I no longer enjoy eating. I eat to live. Previously, I lived to eat. Nothing tastes as good as I look and feel now and I wouldn't trade my sleeve for anything!

I'm 13 months post op and I can now look back and laugh at myself. I too was surprised by the gas pain but I am a true believer (now) that walking immediately afterwards helps tremendously. I've always been deathly afraid of needles (injections) and almost passed out when my post-op home care instructions involved giving myself Coumadin injections twice a day in the stomach. I did it though. I was disappointed that my surgeon installed two stomach drains that I had to keep for two weeks post-op at home. Trying to sleep with two tubes with bulbs attached coming out of your stomach was rough, but I did it! (hint: tape them to your stomach so they move with you)
I've exceeded my weight-loss goal and I'm now trying to maintain. I weight myself weekly and decide to increase or decrease my bad carbs. Truthfully, I no longer enjoy eating. I eat to live. Previously, I lived to eat. Nothing tastes as good as I look and feel now and I wouldn't trade my sleeve for anything!

I'm 13 months post op and I can now look back and laugh at myself. I too was surprised by the gas pain but I am a true believer (now) that walking immediately afterwards helps tremendously. I've always been deathly afraid of needles (injections) and almost passed out when my post-op home care instructions involved giving myself Coumadin injections twice a day in the stomach. I did it though. I was disappointed that my surgeon installed two stomach drains that I had to keep for two weeks post-op at home. Trying to sleep with two tubes with bulbs attached coming out of your stomach was rough, but I did it! (hint: tape them to your stomach so they move with you)
I've exceeded my weight-loss goal and I'm now trying to maintain. I weight myself weekly and decide to increase or decrease my bad carbs. Truthfully, I no longer enjoy eating. I eat to live. Previously, I lived to eat. Nothing tastes as good as I look and feel now and I wouldn't trade my sleeve for anything!

I'm one year and one week post-op and I'm down actually below my goal weight. One of the things I was surprised by was the vomiting the night after the morning surgery. The surgeon told me about it but I didn't think it would be that bad. It was like throwing up black tar. The stuff they make you drink for the leak test tasted like unsweetened lemonade with soap in it. Wasn't expecting that either. Had trouble peeing for two days after surgery. They said it was "anesthesia bladder" and it did get better the third day.
Without a doubt, I would do it all over again and wished I'd done it 10 years ago. Best decision I've ever made. I have people I've known for 25 years walk right by me in the grocery store because they don't recognize me now. I've done all of my follow-up visits and all my bloodwork and tests have come back 100% great!

I'm one year and one week post-op and I'm down actually below my goal weight. One of the things I was surprised by was the vomiting the night after the morning surgery. The surgeon told me about it but I didn't think it would be that bad. It was like throwing up black tar. The stuff they make you drink for the leak test tasted like unsweetened lemonade with soap in it. Wasn't expecting that either. Had trouble peeing for two days after surgery. They said it was "anesthesia bladder" and it did get better the third day.
Without a doubt, I would do it all over again and wished I'd done it 10 years ago. Best decision I've ever made. I have people I've known for 25 years walk right by me in the grocery store because they don't recognize me now. I've done all of my follow-up visits and all my bloodwork and tests have come back 100% great!

I am 6 weeks out since my sleeve. I have lost a total of 40 lbs ( including pre op diet). I am now officially "obese" rather than "morbidly obese" Woo HOO!!!

I'm one year and one week post-op and I'm down actually below my goal weight. One of the things I was surprised by was the vomiting the night after the morning surgery. The surgeon told me about it but I didn't think it would be that bad. It was like throwing up black tar. The stuff they make you drink for the leak test tasted like unsweetened lemonade with soap in it. Wasn't expecting that either. Had trouble peeing for two days after surgery. They said it was "anesthesia bladder" and it did get better the third day.
Without a doubt, I would do it all over again and wished I'd done it 10 years ago. Best decision I've ever made. I have people I've known for 25 years walk right by me in the grocery store because they don't recognize me now. I've done all of my follow-up visits and all my bloodwork and tests have come back 100% great!

My doctor is former military and very strict. He was ultra-conservative about my care. I have a friend that had the exact same surgery as me, a month later. Her doctor was not strict at all. A week post-op, she was eating cream of potato Soup. She showed me her doctors orders and it said nothing about Clear liquids then creamed liquids, then pureed foods, etc... She expected the surgery to be a magical procedure where she would instantly lose weight without modifying her diet and not exercising. As a result, I'm down 105 pounds and have met my goal weight. She's lost 35 pounds and blames in on her fibromyalgia, bad back, bad knee, blah, blah, blah....

My doctor is former military and very strict. He was ultra-conservative about my care. I have a friend that had the exact same surgery as me, a month later. Her doctor was not strict at all. A week post-op, she was eating cream of potato Soup. She showed me her doctors orders and it said nothing about Clear liquids then creamed liquids, then pureed foods, etc... She expected the surgery to be a magical procedure where she would instantly lose weight without modifying her diet and not exercising. As a result, I'm down 105 pounds and have met my goal weight. She's lost 35 pounds and blames in on her fibromyalgia, bad back, bad knee, blah, blah, blah....

First of all, I am a Family Nurse Practitioner. I have worked in the medical field since I turned 18 years old. I have struggled with obesity since my early 20's. When I found out my SIHO insurance would not pay for Gastric Sleeve or any other type of obesity surgery, I was very upset. My friend who is an RN started looking at surgery in other countries. I was not sure about trying surgery anywhere except in the US. We both did a lot of research and I finally settled on somewhere I had already visited before. Puerto Vallarta is where I visited on a Cruise. We arrived at the airport on June 8th, 2015, my best friend Sarah the RN and I were met by the cab service that Dr. Hidalgo and Jerald the p.t care coordinator set up. The very nice man took us to our hotel and told us when our driver would meet us the next day to take us to the Hospital. The hotel was beautiful, our room was very nice. The next day when we got to the CMQ Premier hospital I could not believe my eyes. It was so new and modern I was in shock. In the back of my mind I was scared that it would be some type of a sham. Dr. Hidalgo met us down in the lobby and welcomed us. English was never a problem anytime during my visit there. My surgery was excellent. The hospital was so clean and the staff so friendly I would go back there anytime. For you medical professionals. They even did a "time out" in surgery to make sure who I was, the surgery I was there for, reviewed all my medical HX, allergy's, and asked everyone in the surgery suite if they thought there was any reason the surgery should be canceled. After my surgery if I needed anything, my call light was answered in a minute or less and not by someone though and intercom, but my nurse in person. Never seen that in the US hospital. I was up an walking by late afternoon and did so well I was able to be discharged home the next day after I passed my leak test and ate my first liquids. I was back to work in 3 1/2 weeks. I am doing great and have lost weight at a safe pace. 37 lbs. so far. I eat a very small amount and I am full. Not like before when I tried to diet and always felt hungry. I am taking Vitamins as required after surgery and doing better now 2 mts. after surgery getting enough Protein down. My energy level is so much better. I had terrible GERD before surgery and coughed all the time. I blamed most of it on my Asthma. I am coughing about 75% less now and do now wake up in middle of night with acid in my throat. I believe if I had not had this surgery with a BMI of 49 I would of not been able to live a long life, my BMI is now 43 and I feel great. I have not had any problems at all. If you decide to do this, just make sure you read all their before and after surgery information pages. Try to find someone who also has had this surgery so they can be your surgery buddy you can talk to after. This always helps. I can just not say enough about the TEAM of Professionals, that took care of me. Thank you so much and God Bless You All.

I was sleeved October 10 and I'm down 73 pounds.

I was sleeved October 10 and I'm down 73 pounds.

I was sleeved on October 10 and my doctor is a very "militaristic" style man. I had to do the clear liquid stage for a week before and again a week after surgery. He put my on a statin drug for a week prior to shrink the liver even though I don't have cholesterol issues. I spent two nights in the hospital instead of one because my potassium level dropped too low for his comfort. I had a stomach drain put in and had to keep it for two weeks post-surgery (Don't even think about asking to have it removed!!). I'm now 9 weeks post-op and I'm on a very strict Atkins-style diet with another follow-up appointment in February. My follow-up appointments last an average of an hour talking about problems I may be experiencing, diet, exercise, etc...
I have a friend in a nearby city that was sleeved in early November and no stomach drain. Her follow-up appointment, two weeks post-op, lasted about 10 minutes. She had 1/2 day of Clear liquids pre-op and her "phases" of liquids lasted 4-5 days each. 5 days post-op she was eating potato soup!
I tried to give her advice and support before her surgery and what to expect but our doctors differ greatly on EVERYTHING! My doctor really pushed (and still does) a Protein shot first thing in the morning to kick-start the metabolism and get a big protein boost for the day. He even pulled from his cabinet in his office a particular brand as an example. I told my friend about it and she bought some. She took one to her doctor and he told her NO, don't do that.
All in all, I am very pleased with my doctor and the surgery. I even thanked him at a follow-up appointment for being a "hard ass" with me.
I'm very glad she hasn't had any complications but I've got to wonder why her doctor is so lax about everything. I understand liability issues related to poor medical management and that is why I give kudos to my doctor and his pre-surgery routine and his post-surgery care. I'm just dumbfounded with my friends doctor and his obvious lack of concern, pre and post-op.

I would give it at least a week. Your stomach underwent a major trauma and is not happy with you right now.

The metallic taste is from your body going into ketosis. I had it too. You have to focus on getting Protein and that's your main goal everyday, Protein, protein... When your body goes into ketosis, it starts "living off the land" because you're not eating bad carbs anymore. Your body is using stored fat instead of bad carbs and that's where the weight loss kicks in. This is the basis of the Atkins Diet. I did Atkins many years ago and it worked wonderfully. I would weigh, go to bed, get up and lost three pounds sleeping!

I was sleeved October 10 and I'm down 67 pounds. I'm at a stall currently though. I've been this weight for two weeks...

I was sleeved October 10 and I'm down 67 pounds. I'm at a stall currently though. I've been this weight for two weeks...

I was told by a friend that was also sleeved to use RedKen Extreme Shampoo (blue bottle) for a Protein boost. But, I spoke with my hairdresser who is also a dear friend and he said that it doesn't matter because he said the hair loss comes from the lack of Protein from the inside. He used to work for RedKen so he's very knowledgeable about this stuff. He talked to me about using Protein powder on top of eating protein (I'm 17 weeks out).

I'm 16 weeks post op today and I have come to the conclusion that I eat to live. I used to enjoy eating too much which caused the problem. I really don't enjoy food or eating anymore, which is ok.

Congrats I also hit 199 this morning!