youknowit

Ya for you, sleeve twin! You've given me a ray of hope that very soon I may feel this same way... I sure hope so! Today, I am feeling much better than yesterday, less ravishingly hungry, and more in "control" of myself. :001_rolleyes: You're an inspiration to me, as is everyone else here. Thank you for sharing this fantastic development!

Hey FireFly... We just barely missed each other there in Mexicali. Sorry we didn't get a chance to meet, but I'm so happy to hear you're back home and on the sleeved side! Sounds like you're feeling very similar to the way I was feeling at first. Still a bit chilly here and there, but a nice pair of socks seems to help. :smile: How is your weightloss so far, and how is your tummy? I hope all is well! Did you meet all the nice people that were there whilst you were there? I met a few that came in the day before you, from Washington State and Canada, nice people. It was a pleasant experience for me, overall. Hope it was for you too! Best! :001_rolleyes::biggrin0:

Thanks, Tiff. I agree with you, it's not the VSG Bible. I just don't want to make any mistakes with my new tummy, and I was super sad to read something like "no corn, ever". Weirdness. Anyways, my doc hasn't given any of these specific restrictions like "no corn" so I guess I'll just go by that, try things when the time comes, and see what happens... :001_rolleyes: And, can I just say that I looked up what a bezoar is... that sounds HORRIBLE. And, it sounds like people who chew on or eat their own hair have serious problems with this... I sure hope this never comes up for any of us! Best and thanks again for your input! :smile::smile::smile:

I so wish I was you right about now... Just choking down the protein isn't working well for me, but I'm doing my best. I'm so excited for a week from now when I can try mushies. YAHOO! If you don't mind me asking, who is your doc? I've read a lot of people say their doc puts them on an accelerated schedule... even the article that was posted on this thread last night was a much more escalated schedule than I'm on... Best to you! :001_rolleyes:

Hey FireFly... We just barely missed each other there in Mexicali. Sorry we didn't get a chance to meet, but I'm so happy to hear you're back home and on the sleeved side! Sounds like you're feeling very similar to the way I was feeling at first. Still a bit chilly here and there, but a nice pair of socks seems to help. :smile: How is your weightloss so far, and how is your tummy? I hope all is well! Did you meet all the nice people that were there whilst you were there? I met a few that came in the day before you, from Washington State and Canada, nice people. It was a pleasant experience for me, overall. Hope it was for you too! Best! :001_rolleyes::biggrin0:

Don't get too chilly out there on the East Coast, LAN, and I hope your depression and anxiety are getting better! Best to you! :001_rolleyes:

One more thing... I read this article 2b4me put up last night, and can I say there were a few things that very much surprised me, and I wanted to know if anyone had any input on it: It says in the article that it will NEVER be a good idea to eat corn kernels, corn products, corn chips, etc. Has anyone had problems with this, or has anyone else gotten this advice? It also says to virtually avoid crunchy foods... or wait until at least the 3rd month to TRY them, but they are STILL not recommended. It says, "Raw vegetable Fiber, even though chewed does not dissolve and can potentially obstruct. These include: corn chips, potato/tortilla chips, taco shells, nuts, seeds, carrots, celery, grain..." Am I really never going to be able to eat a peanut again, or a crunchy carrot? Never going to be able to have another bite of a crunchy taco? I was surprised by this, as I've read and read that "eventually you can eat anything, in very small portions." What gives? I don't plan on digging into chips and salsa all day every day or a big bag of chips, but a bite here and there would make life more pleasant in the future. Any thoughts? :001_rolleyes:

The bullets I'm taking are actually Whey Protein, as they are from a diet/fitness store. They had so many options, it was almost scary... some of the bullets have up to 45 grams of protein... I think that's a waste, so I got the 25 gram bullets. Now that I can have full-liquids, I got a few packets of different types of stuff, hemp protein and whey protein, from Whole Foods. They look and sound pretty good. Once I try them, I'll let you all know if they're any good. I've tried hemp milk before, and I really liked it, so here's hoping. 18 grams of protein per packet. Thanks for the support everyone... and thank you Oregon, for saying that it takes a while for the ghrelin to leave the body. I never thought about that, and it made me feel a bit better. I'm still feeling pretty darn tired and hungry, but I'm working through it today... Best to all! :001_rolleyes:

Hey Sleeve Twin! I must say, all the food commercials (nasty-fasty food, in particular) has been driving me nuts. Things that I don't even LIKE have come on TV and then I get a mental twinge of loss, then anger. UGH! I sure hope that "nothin sounds good to eat" thing kicks in for me. I've been craving some things like chicken and shrimp, which is a Protein crave... That must have something to do with my having a hard time getting all the protein in... Thanks for the kind words of support, I needed that... And the reminder that I'm losing pounds that won't be coming back, well, that is priceless!:scared0:

Thank you SO much for showing me this article, and letting me know I'm not the only one... I truly have been miserable today. It's a mentally tiring exercise, trying to get myself back in the game I guess... I'm going to try some thicker shakes... Not feeling too excited about that, but alas, I will live. Will head out to buy something at GNC tomorrow. Here's hoping that in a week or so when I can try mushies, my spirits will lift! :scared0:

I keep thinking that must be it, but honestly, it's a physical pain/hunger most of the time. Perhaps I'm not getting in enough protein, but I'm trying... it's hard. Thanks for your support, I appreciate it. :scared0:

Hi all. I need a little support, words of wisdom, and perhaps inspiration. Today has been my worst day, post-sleeve, thus far. Woke up tired, slept in too late. Could barely drag-butt to get a shower in, never made it to work (flex schedule today, so I could miss, but still, I needed to get some things done). I woke up feeling ravishingly hungry. Drank one of my Protein bullets before the shower, some Water and of course my Prevacid. All I could think about the entire shower was food, food, food. Finally got out the door and took my dog to the doggie-park, walked around there while he ran for about 30 minutes. Starving, starving. Driving home past every single fast food place in the world, and grocery stores, and restaurants, it felt like mental torture. After leaving the park, and on my drive, I felt weak, and tired and starving. Have been trying to drink as much water as possible, and do the protein, but it's starting to make me gag. Seriously, the Stat 64, well... I don't think I can drink another swig. Came home and made some tomato Soup with fat-free milk... and I feel "ok" but not good. I'm just feeling very tired, a bit depressed, and just insanely hungry. I keep counting the days until I can put something other than a liquid in my mouth, and I think I am craving the feeling of biting down on a food, chewing, I don't know. Am I nuts? Having been through all these phases with the band (Clear liquids, full liquids, mushies, and then food), I had a hard time here and there with it... but this time it's just so much worse. I feel hungry all the time. Actually, it might be more accurate to say I feel ravishingly hungry... How can this be? Please tell me once I can actually eat something, things will get better? I feel like I'm never going to eat again. I feel like the stuff I can have right now is making me gag, and is so unpleasant, I'm just subsisting on water, protein bullets (which is also becoming difficult - too sweet), and tomato/milk soup. Ok all... thanks for letting me vent. I just needed that off my chest, but if anyone has some advice, insights or wisdom for me, please share. I feel like crawling in bed and sleeping for the next two+ weeks when I can TRY some food...:scared0:

One more thing... I got the Prevacid pretty cheaply at costco. If you have one near by, you can get 3 bottles with 14 once a day doses for about $25. Costco - Prevacid?24HR Acid Reducer 15 mg. 42 Capsules Walmart and Target also have it, but they are a few dollars more than Costco. Walmart.com: Prevacid 24HR Acid Reducer Delayed-Release Capsules, 42ct: Medicine Cabinet

I agree with what everyone said, you must get an acid reducer. And, I personally believe that sometimes the antacids do cause nausea, as I've experienced that many times in the past when taking Tums or Pepcid (prior to the sleeve). For the first few days in the hospital, I tried to choke down dissolved Nexium, and I threw up and felt very nauseous after it each day. When I got home, the doc told me to switch to Prilosec or Prevacid, which can be taken whole with Water... they are very small. I tried Prevacid and it has been a god-send. I figured because Prilosec and Nexium are closely related in their chemical make-up, I'd try the Prevacid. Have felt so much better (in terms of my nausea and acid) since the day I started. Hope this helps and that you feel better soon! Hang in there! :thumbup:

I've lost 15 pounds in the first 10 days, however, I haven't lost any sizes. Same size clothes, tried on my "dressy work pants" today, still way snug. Hoping the inches will catch up with the pounds soon. I'll keep you posted. :biggrin0:

So while wandering the aisles of the grocery today (dying from all the food) I came across something I haven't seen or thought about in a long time... General Foods International Coffees. I'm not a coffee person perse, but I do like a nice mocha from time to time, and voila, there was a box of Suisse Mocha Caffee that is sugar free AND caffeine free. Came home, heated up some Water, 3 teaspoons, what can I say... DELISH! Thought you guys might be interested as this feels creamy and smooth, a tad bit of chocolate, a hint of sweet but not too much, and a smidge of coffee flavor. Hope this might help some with another "liquid" as I'm now in the full-liquids phase and still feeling pretty starved... http://brands.kraftfoods.com/GFIC

You might want to try Slow Release Iron (there's a link below). You might need to take two to get to the same dosage as the 1 tablet you're taking now, but they don't bother me, and I've been taking iron, unfortunately, for years. This is the only one that hasn't given me tummy problems like the regular pills: Buy Slow Fe Slow Release Iron, Tablets Online at drugstore.com I have also seen chewable iron, but it's kind of expensive and I doubt very tasty, I've never stretched myself to try it. Bariatric Iron supplements For Your Gastric Bypass Diet Lastly, you might want to look for a good chewable Vitamin with iron. Most adult chewables have a 50% daily dose of iron in them, I also take the adult chewable everyday (which includes iron) and one of the Slow FE, that seems to work for me.... Hope this helps! :biggrin0:

Oh Loser... I have discovered that I was FAR more addicted to nasty-fasty food than I thought. I have been craving a Sonic Cheese-Stick like you wouldn't believe. I must be sick in the head! I totally understand you hunger pangs for those things we used to love love love so much. Thanks for bringing that up, because I feel the same way.

YAHOO!!!!!!!! CONGRATS! :thumbup::thumbup:

Hi Deb, Are you taking any kind of acid reducer, like Nexium or Prevacid? I've read around here on the boards that some people have pain, etc, associated with acid problems. Maybe this could help? Hope you feel better!

Wow, Oakley... That's an interesting way to do it. I feel like I'm "kind of" on something like that. Because of my additional issues, Dr. Aceves is having me to 10 days minimum, per phase... 10 days of clear liquids, 10 days of full liquids, 10 days of mushies, then on to "trying" regular foods. I swear this 30 days feels like it's going to do me in. I was DYING for a drink of milk yesterday, and I don't usually even like milk much, never want it. Still waiting until tomorrow for that swig of milk. LOL... It's been touch with the clears, but manageable. Hope all goes well for you!

I'm going to be totally frank with you... this whole journey with the band, from the day it broke, has been a nightmare. I don't want to sugar coat it. No, I didn't get it replaced, no ALLERGAN wasn't willing to help (they even told me I could just "leave it there, it won't hurt you"). A local doctor (not the one who did my original surgery) told me the same bullshiz - keep it in, no big deal. Well, it turned out to be a pretty big deal. I was self-pay, and my insurance wasn't going to kick down anything to help... the local doctor that my insurance recommended me to wanted 10k for REMOVAL (yes, this was just for removal, to replace they were going to charge a total of 18k). It was going to be impossible. The final outcome... I got a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy last week (Feb 1, 2010). However, that's not the whole story... In March of 2009, I had the band removed in Mexico with an excellent doctor... We had planned to revise to a sleeve at that time, however, when they go in there they found I was severely eroded in three places, and they had to literally cut the band out in pieces, five pieces to be exact. I was not able to get the sleeve at that time. This was a terrible experience, waking up with no band, no sleeve, and a bunch of scars on my stomach from the severe erosion. I was pretty unwell for a while after that, both mentally and physically. Took me a long time to heal, and it was just rough... So after that, I had to save up and wait ANOTHER year (until last week) to get my sleeve. I gained back 60 pounds during this ordeal. It has been one of the most mentally trying times of my life... I wish you the best, and am glad to hear that your doctor is at least going to try to go for a replacement, if that is what you want. Personally, before you jump right into getting it replaced, I might recommend that you do some research on the success of replaced bands and associated weightloss, problems, etc. I have read a few studies and bits of material here and there about this, and the stats aren't very good... Many have slips and other problems with a second band, many don't lose the weight they've regained, etc. Just do your research, and I'm sure you'll do what's best for you. I guess the best research in regards to this was my gut... At first I wanted another band, I was so freaked out, I had lost 78 of the 100 pounds I needed to lose, I was so happy... I didn't even consider something else. Then my gut told me (along with the associated research): This might not be a good idea. You might need to do something else. Do you really want another very expensive piece of plastic that can very likely just break again, BACK into your body? The ultimate answer for me was NO, so I moved on... I am not saying you should do this, I am just saying you might want to consider ALL of your options... I hope everything goes well for you. Hang in there, sister! :thumbup:

Loser, you are making me SO hungry. I want something to CRUNCH in my mouth right about now. I dreamed of Fritos last night, and I don't even really like them... It's the feeling of the crunch and the salt that I think I'm craving. I'm on Clear Liquids for TWO MORE DAYS! AH! I think I need to hold a prayer vigil for myself that I don't go crazy! :wink: Here's to your trying some full liquids. Keep us posted. I need some inspiration, buddy!

I'd never heard of this fish before, so I looked it up. Sounds delish! Here's something from Consumer Reports about it. How cool! Thanks for sharing, I would never have known. Consumer Reports Money & Shopping Blog: What the heck is ?swai??

Hey all. So I've been moping around today, starving, not wanting to drink another ounce of the Pro-Stat 64 because it's SO darn sweet (smells like caramel, tastes not so much like caramel), and not wanting to even have another drop of a Protein bullet (again, the sweetness is brutal). Well, I had a moment of food-depression clarity: "Use this Pro-Stat as a SWEETENER in a hot tea, you can choke that down!" Now I must admit, I'm not one for sugar or sweetener in my teas, yea, I'm weird, but I figured I could get it down this way, and voila! 15 grams of protein in ONE ounce of Pro-Stat, added to an 8 oz cup of hot Jasmine Tea! YAHOO!!! This might just save me over the next couple of weeks. Thought I'd share. Hope this helps someone.