Debbieduck4

Okay let me start by saying that NEVER IN MY LIFE would I think I would post a thread titled Constipation! haha... How far the mighty have fallen! But seriously, since surgery I have been really struggling with this... I think it's the high Protein and lack of fresh fruits and vegetables. (I'm still on soft foods) I even resorted to ExLax one day which was awful because of the cramping. Does anyone have tips to get the plumbing going properly again?

Does the person who put you on the 2000 calories a day really understand the restrictions of your new tummy? That is a lot of calories to take in for a sleeve. Maybe that physician is not well versed in Bariatrics. I would recommend an appointment with your Bariatric Nutritionist for sound advice.

If you click the drop down menu under Forums and highlight Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forum, you'll see Gastric Sleeve support groups.... then under go to Local support groups...there they have lots of people talking by where they live. I found a lot of people from Washington (where I live) You can probably find Bay area folks too

Haha! Love how you presented this topic! I hadn't considered an Elmo tattoo or telling my mother-in-law what to do with herself (although I really would like to sometimes!) Maybe I'll just tattoo Elmo on her backside when she's sleeping haha! For real though, besides the obvious of getting the weight off which involves eating right, exercising and so on, I'm going to get my Social Work license this year for sure and go visit one new place each month. There are so many cool spots in Washington State so I made a list and am planning to spend 2015 exploring!

Yay! Congratulations! You will probably sore, tired, and kind of out of it for a few days but that is all normal. Just try to relax, sip your Clear liquids often, and remember to move around to help get rid of all the air bubbles. I paced my living room like a panther the first few days haha! Good luck on your journey

What is this 3 week stall I've been reading other's posts about? How long does it last? I'm going into week 3 and just wanna know what to expect

Congrats on your decision and best of luck on your surgery!

Sounds like an honest discussion with your boss is the way to go. I only was out 10 days. Had my surgery on a Wednesday so took off 3 days (Wed-Fri) that week, then the weekend, then a full work week, another weekend, and back to work on Monday. I was ready to go back by then but everyone's different and you want to be able to take as much time as you need. Often, people will surprise us if we let them in and be a little vulnerable. If you tell your boss that you need to confide something and hope they will keep it confidential, and how important it is for your health, and so on, he/she may become a big support to you later. Best of luck!

My NUT offered the suggestion with the Premiere Protein drinks to store them room temperature and pour them over ice when you have one. She said something up storing in the fridge seems to thicken them up. I personally like the thickness which seems more like a shake, but if it bothers you..maybe give that a try? On another note... I'm also struggling to get in the required protein so far. I'm doing good to get in 40-50 grams per day. But, I'm trying to extend grace to myself and know that I'm a work in progress. Good luck on your journey!

I got on the scale this morning and also had a gain! 2 pounds since yesterday... not sure what I did differently...but thank you for posting this because I am following too for advice. So far, I'm taking away that I need to get in more Water. Honestly, I just feel barely any thirst so this has been difficult. Hope we get our scales going in the right direction soon Blerdgirl!

Hello Washington Sleevers Just found this thread.... I had my sleeve done 3 weeks ago at NWWLS by Dr. Montgomery and live in the Arlington area. I'm wondering if there are any support groups or meet ups in my area or up north? They do have them once a month after work at NWWLS but I-5 traffic is a nightmare after work and pretty far away since I work in Mt Vernon!

I'm 3 weeks post surgery (had a sleeve) and still having a lot of pain at one of my incision spots... plus now there is a hard nodule of some sort forming under it and it really hurts to bend, stretch, or twist. Also if I sit for long periods like at my desk at work I become really uncomfortable. I'm just wondering if I need to be seen or if this is normal? Have others had this same thing? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Merry Christmas!

Thought it might be interesting to hear what others are eating... and get some ideas for myself Here's what I'm having today: Breakfast was an over-easy egg and cottage cheese Lunch- vegetarian chili Dinner- white fish and sweet potato ** I'm still on boring mushy foods for now haha! Happy Saturday Everyone!!

I've been struggling with the Christmas Cookies around lately and have eaten one almost every day for a week! I know it's not the fault of other people but I also know that if they didn't bring them around, I wouldn't be eating them. Sooo... here's what I did and maybe what can help you too... I am writing my meals for the day in my food journal ahead of time. Then that is what I am eating. No if's, and's or but's at meal times. This ensures I get my Protein and eating healthy. Then and only then if I have room, I'm having ONE Christmas cookie. That may not be the proper thing to do, but it is what it is. After, the 1st when all this family leaves I'm dumping all these holiday treats in the garbage so it won't be around tempting me!

Autumn...my trouble is right at the incision..and a lump forming directly under it. Hope you get to feeling better soon as well!

Thanks for your responses everyone. I called the surgeon yesterday because this pain is getting worse and I am soooo uncomfortable! He asked me a series of questions about eating and such and determined that I might have an abscess or something at the incision sight because it does not sound infected or like there is anything wrong with the sleeve. (no ickyness like oozing or such... thank goodness!) But then he told me to wait until Monday to come into the office... so here I sit on my couch, suffering, with a heating pad, Vicodin, and waiting until Monday. Hope it will be okay :/

I couldn't drink water at all for the first two weeks. It just hurt if that makes sense. I poured myself a glass of G2 low cal Gatoraide each morning and sipped on that all day. I also found that room temp or warmer liquids went down better. The main thing is to just keep sip, sip, sipping all day even when you really don't feel like it. Now, at three and half weeks I can do water again... weird!

Thank you for your post! I agree and am so thankful for this site! Although, my husband and children are emotionally supportive of me, they have no idea what I'm going through or how to help when I have questions so I really rely on the posts, advice, and encouragement I get from all of you. It truly has been a life saver Have a wonderful, blessed 2015!

50 pounds can make a huge difference in a person's health! Think of the impact 50 pounds can have on sleep apnea, diabetes, fibromyalgia, arthritis, heart conditions, GERD, and on and on.... Also aren't we tired of judgement? How much judgement did you endure regarding your weight? I read this and couldn't beleive one of our own had written it.

Former Army Brat here... Born in Stuttgart, Germany Elementary School in Izmir, Turkey Jr High in Madrid, Spain High School in Hanau, Germany As an adult have lived in California, Alabama, and now... a long term resident of the beautiful evergreen Washington State!

I like your title Kids are So Honest because its true... and they are so curious and interested and always in learning mode. When they see someone that looks different than what they're used to, they might simply ask about it.. I believe that little child probably just thought you looked pretty interesting! My mother was disabled and in a wheelchair and kids would say things to her in public places all the time and the worried parents would rush over and apologize but my mom would always say that she wished the parents would just let their little ones approach her and speak to her and learn that even though she looked different, she was still pretty cool and nice. When asked those crazy questions she would always say "that's the way God made me. Wonder why he made you to look like you do?" Then she'd giggle I miss her. I'm sorry your feelings were hurt and I know that feeling too because I had a little boy with a preggo mommy point at me and say "look mommy she has a baby in her tummy too!" one time. I also cried, but then I tried to remember he didn't mean it hurtful and it was motivational to keep going with the process of all those gazillion hoops they made me jump through to get surgery. I hope you will get yours soon. Best of luck to you!

Premiere chocolate Protein drinks... pre-made and usually sell for a good price at Walmart. I think a pack of 4 is around $5. They are 30 grams of protein in one drink so even if you only drink half, you're still getting 15 grams of protein! A lot of times I drink half, for an afternoon snack.

I agree with setting the stage now with your coworkers! After I met with the nutritionist I started talking about that to my friends at work about how I met with her and all the great advice I recieved and how I was going on a high Protein diet and so on...(which is all true!) Then I only took 10 days off because that's all I needed... and just said I was having a "medical procedure." Most people did not press for details but the few that did, I would give them a sad little face and say "ah, stomach stuff." (again true!) I can honestly tell you that not one person wanted to hear more haha! NOONE wants to talk about the vague "stomach stuff!" When I got back to work I just repeated that for the 1st 2 days to folks wondering where I'd been and after that nobody even asks.... that simple. And remember, it's your body, your business, your health, and you really do not owe your coworkers any explanation. You only owe them a job well done at the end of the workday. That's it right? As for "the easy way out" I think of it like this... it's easier but not easy. We take easier ways all the time right? We no longer bang our clothes on rocks to wash them, walk 5 miles through the woods to work, or write letters in hand dipped ink... why if there is a solution to weight loss and better health is it not okay to use it if it is easier when it is okay to use easier ways for everything else in our lives? I just don't get it. Plus this is still A LOT of work!

Did your surgeon prescribe Prilosec? I was also feeling that hungry sensation in my stomach (not head hunger) and talked about it with my surgeon who told me it was probably all the air and gas bubbles. He gave me Prilosec to take once a day and it is gone now. Maybe that would help? Also, try not to graze... set some meal times and eat healthy foods at those allotted times until you are full. Try to get into the habit of avoiding the snacking all day. Best of luck!

I've been losing about a pound a day since my surgery which is awesome but at the exact same time I ge t kind of freaked out abotu how fast the weight is coming off. I find myself worrying avout it and thinking things like "can this even possibly be safe or healthy?' It makes me nervous! Am I just a fruit loop or have others experienced these same feelings?