jane13

My surgeon said during my 4 week follow-up appointment, "As you move forward please keep in mind to puree with your teeth, my friend, chew things very, very well".
Made perfect sense to me then.....and I followed accordingly.
I don't chew as much now as then......and it's something that I should get back to. It slows down eating and you'll enjoy the flavors more......and actually eat less. It's a good habit to get into now.

@@B_D - Everyone is correct the first few days are the worst - keep your eyes on the prize (WLS).
I have saved your seat, on the LOSERS bench!!!!
They removed all of the advertisements for food where the newbies sit post-op...otherwise there would be a lot of fights!
The pre-op is for your safety - it doesn't last forever and when you get to eat (chew) your first meal it will be amazing

@@hbrhonda - I am 14 months post and I have never stopped eating out with hubby. he likes to eat out a lot. I am just more selective and get to eat a couple of meals out of one. We order a la carte items for me. I occasionally have a drink but that doesn't mean I cannot drink Water, unsweetened tea or coffee.
Maybe you need to get some newer things to do while enjoying getting healthier with hubby. When you go to the concert at the park walk around, sip some SF flavored water (you can be the designated driver) and eat some post VSG friendly type food that BOTH of you would like: sliced cheese, meats, etc.
Why watch him eat when you go out? I found out that my hubby felt guilty that I had so little to eat compared to his plate. Chew you food slowly, put the fork down, don't drink while eating, basically s-t-r-e-t-c-h out your meal to finish closer to the time he is done
Buffets offer a lot to choose from, you don't have to eat ALOT of anything so just get a bite of this or a bite of that.
Food = fuel for the body, think of it that way and re-evaluate this situations and see if you can change not only his view, but yours as well, as what "a good time" can be.
Sharing food is part of socializing, and post WLS as a patient, you adjust and move on...don't expect everyone to want to do a 180 degree change (baby steps).
You got this!

I am almost 15mos post VSG and I have lost over 100 lbs. I can eat between 1/2c to a cup of food, depending on density and when/what I ate last. I have never vomited, or dumped. I am within 10lbs of my goal. I know to keep me honest I weigh at least every other day and I weigh out my food for work for Breakfast and lunch. I fluctuate about 2lbs. I didn't put on the weight overnight and I have battled the bulge since I was in my early teens (40 years). I will always mentally "track" what I eat and continue to be a scale junkie...the sleeve is a tool. I use my tool daily - - - - NO REGRETS!

@Jane....nice name
besides possible dehydration^, are you possibly cutting out caffeine or sugar? what about BP? I had a dramatic drop in my BP after about a 20-25# loss.

the last couple of weeks I have also found myself having a drink a lot more often and ironically I decided to quit completely. like @@Proud2BMe I am close to goal but not quite there. the alcohol doesn't help with my weight or my personal issues. so it has to go.......

(above post)
"And just because someone on a public forum disagrees with you, doesn't mean they are "bullying" or "shaming" you"
YES!!!!!!!

I am almost 15mos post VSG and I have lost over 100 lbs. I can eat between 1/2c to a cup of food, depending on density and when/what I ate last. I have never vomited, or dumped. I am within 10lbs of my goal. I know to keep me honest I weigh at least every other day and I weigh out my food for work for Breakfast and lunch. I fluctuate about 2lbs. I didn't put on the weight overnight and I have battled the bulge since I was in my early teens (40 years). I will always mentally "track" what I eat and continue to be a scale junkie...the sleeve is a tool. I use my tool daily - - - - NO REGRETS!

I have 3 children who have served. My FIL was a retired Marine, my Dad was in the Navy, my brother and two BILs served in Vietnam - my husband was in the AF. One son, Army, is in the reserves after doing 3 tours totaled (1-Iraq and 2 in Afghanistan).
Now I worry about my grandchildren (10) and what their lives are going to be like years after I am dust in the wind............................
schools are not safe
churches are not safe
hospitals are not safe
Hell, Disney World isn't safe because people "gather".
Going to an NFL game (live on TV - 80000 people) is like asking to be shot because some zealot is looking for glory may make his name there.....

buyers remorse isn't that uncommon. I had surgery on a Wednesday and thought Friday morning....what have I done? I wasn't sick, hurting or anything else, I just realized old way of eating was a thing of my past. I didn't dwell on it because I was 260+ pounds at that moment and I was tired of fighting the weight and not getting any where. That epiphany is what made me remember why I did the surgery. I never looked back....107 pounds lighter.

Totally agree they will advice you what they can do at your current weight and what revision will be required when or if you get to your goal weight. They may suggest waiting but it should be up to you. I say go for it your unhappy and the change in your arms might be what you need to push you forward and motivate you to get to that next goal. Good Luck I hope keep us updated with what you do

@@BananaGal Yes, remember you are the patient, and the paying customer.....The surgeon will advise you on how to get the best outcome, but if you get anything close to "black balling".....you're in the wrong surgeons office!
What I would expect is they would tell you what could be accomplished with surgery at your current weight and advise you that an additional surgery may be needed down the road as you lose additional weight.
I'm sorry I don't have any recommendations of surgeons in your area but just make sure you choose a board certified plastic/reconstructive surgeon.
Good luck to you!

Give yourself three days to eat as much as you want . . . but only lean, unprocessed meat (no bacon, sausage, Jerky, deli meat, etc.), green veggies, and healthy fats (olive oil, grass fed butter). Seriously, don't worry about counting calories or anything like that, just be very strict about the type of food you can eat. You can't complain about being hungry or needing something to keep you from being bored if you allow yourself unlimited food. And you can't do much damage, calorie-wise, with lean meats and green veggies.
Eating like this for three days will help decrease your cravings for high carb and high sugar foods. The more you eat of those, the more you want them.
Good luck! I am sorry you are suffering with such a nasty injury.

I think this is a great idea!

Great topic, I enjoyed reading through it. I'm one of those that has gone away because I really stopped getting a benefit from the forum. I look forward to the new veteran's forum. I'm finding all sorts of new challenges as I finish my 2nd year and would certainly benefit from the expertise of those that have gone before me. Like most everyone here, I want sustained success after my surgery. And of course, it's great to read posts from those of you that have been helping me from the beginning.

eating out - Soups, chili, non-fried appetizer (shrimp cocktail is always a good choice), or order an entree that fits into your program's parameters (nothing fried, basically Protein and vegetables) and just eat a cup of it (or however much you're supposed to be eating now). Then have them box up the rest (that is, if your hotel room has a fridge!)
congrats on the plane thing - that was a huge NSV for me as well!

Congratulations. Normally they reserve the emergency row on the plane for those that are fit because they may need to open the emergency exit doors. So they perceived you as being athletically fit.

I love these NSVs. Congrats. Don't sweat the eating out. You may find it's not such a challenge when you realize the camaraderie and conversation is so much better when you aren't focused on the food. Make the right choice when you are looking at the menu, and then just sit back and enjoy.

@@greeneyedgrrl24
Now that I am further out, I realize that having a sleeve is kind of like having strep throat. If you stop drinking when you have strep throat your throat swells to the point you can't swallow at all. The sleeve is kind of the same, if you keep drinking it keeps it open. If you stop is swells. Even know if I cut back on how much I eat, like I am sick so I don't really eat, I go back to a lot of restriction, so try to drink all day. Tea and broth, warm things help so much.

The day after my surgery I had some gas pain in the afternoon.. I was like why did I do this???? But about 45 min later it went away and I've felt great since. I haven't used my pain meds either..

I never thought a made a mistake after surgery.
However like you, the pain meds did more harm than good. I stopped taking them right away and felt better.
Swallowing hurts but it is easier on you if you drink all day, even if it hurts, not drinking doesn't help you.
The first 2 weeks are rough but the 3rd week is better.

the last couple of weeks I have also found myself having a drink a lot more often and ironically I decided to quit completely. like @@Proud2BMe I am close to goal but not quite there. the alcohol doesn't help with my weight or my personal issues. so it has to go.......