PaulaleeB

You are already on the right path again. You reached out and asked for help and support. And if you are following the suggestions of others, you will go back to your Bari Dr. You are not the first person they have seen get off track. They want you to succeed (as much as we on this site do as well). Let them help you.

Your situation feels familiar to me with all my past challenges with food. I'm only a month post -surgery and already a small voice in my head has been encouraging me to have just a little chocolate or Cookies. And while other veterans on this site can incorporate a taste of of their favorites, I'm not remotely close to putting my toe in that pool. ( too much of a slippery slope for me. )

Well anyway I told a fellow sleever about the voice. She gave me a tool that has been helping me get rid of the "cheat" voice. She named it my Rat voice. Every time I hear/feel that voice I visualize a nasty rat on my shoulder and I have a quick conversation with it. I tell it to get the H--- off and other things well, things I can't repeat here. You get the idea. A short talk really helps me redirect my thoughts and keeps me on my path. Maybe your rat needs to be ripped a new one.

You can do this. Good luck!!!

Boring lives? Just a guess.

Hi, I know what you mean about shakes getting weird. I've made those shakes too.

This one just takes a quick stir and it's good to drink. I think this won did well because I didn't whip it to a froth to begin with and I didn't use any ice cubes.

I hope it goes well for you. Let me know either way.

Paula

From day one I have had a challenge getting in all my Protein. A lot of it was because I hated the taste of most Protein shakes. For that matter getting in enough Water was no picnic either. I'm not complaining. Handling these challenges is nothing compared to struggling with my weight, so this is a challenge I'm happy to take on.

So that being said I have come up with a mega shake that gives me a jump start on my Protein intake. 1 100 calorie Chobani yogurt -blueberry or strawberry ( 12gr. pro.) container Premier Protein shake-strawberry ( 30 gr pro) , 1/2scoop Injury Protein powder -in strawberry Sorbet. (10.5 gr. pro.) And a small handful of frozen berries -your choice. Mix in blender. Do not over blend or you will end up with a lot of foam.

This makes 3cups of shake with 52.5 gr. of protein. I drink some for Breakfast, and then refrigerate the rest to drink throughout the day. A fruity yummy treat, give it a try.

My dear friend DS, a fellow sleeves, suggested " Fiber Advantage Gummies". They work like a charm preventitively. I make sure to chew them really well. Good by Ex Lax !

I had the sleeve surgery 1 month ago and Dr. Bobby was my doctor. I had the surgery in Rancho Mirage at Eisenhower Hospital. I feel great and I can't say enough about Dr. Bobby or his staff.

I had surgery one month ago too. Dec. 30. If you want to chat send me a personal message. Glad things are going well for you!

I too worried about giving up my source of comfort, joy and entertainment. My husband kept saying " What if this doesn't work? And, what are they going to do with the stomach they remove?

But what I really DID want to give up was always being the fattest at a party, shopping in the plus size dept, being uncomfortable in my own body, seeing my health risks continue to multiply, being invisible and un sexy, and my list goes on and on.

So I asked my husband "if not this, what else would you suggest? I've done Everything!! Further more, what if this does work? And truth be known, I wasn't asking for his permission. I had hoped for his support, but regardless I was going to do this-support or no support.

I'm only one month out, not having any real cravings ( shock) and learning to enjoy every bite I eat. It has been easier than I imagined , but I am well aware there will be rough times ahead. I truly wish I had done this sooner and not spent so many years as an obese woman. Oh, and the husband is now encouraging and supportive. Go figure.

Be brave, be strong and do what is best for you. Good luck.

Hi Paula! I'm doing ok. I think the hardest part now is making sure I eat and drink enough. None of my friends know that I was sleeved, so it's hard to come up with excuses for why I don't want to eat out or go get drinks at a bar, but I'm making it work!

It'll be a month on the 29th and I'm aiming for a 30lb loss which I'm close to!

How has your journey been?

Hi cutie, I'm with you. It is tough eating and drinking enough. My nonstop eating was so automatic and now I have to concentrate on everything -it's hard when I'm not hungry. It will be one month on the 30th for me and I have the same goal - 30 lbs.

My journey has gone well. I have only told a few people about surgery. Everyone else has heard the "My Dr. has put me on a very strict food program because of my high blood pressure and cholesterol. I' m not going to drink because of the empty calories. " story. Period, End of story. I just joined a community gym and I'm hoping to get my exercise in on a scheduled basis. So far, not so much. Up until now just a little walking the dog now and then.

How is it going for you?

Paula

Paula, I had a stash of Special K Protein Water that I found. It has been wonderful but I am running out and can't find it anywhere except on Amazon and it cost a fortune. I ordered a protein powder that claims to be completely tasteless and dissolves completely in any liquid hot or cold. It won't come until next week so I am making do for now. Are you able to find the Special K water in the grocery stores where you live?

Yes they have them at all the local markets and Walmart and some Walgreens. Have you tried Premier Protein shakes? I like the chocolate and purchased them at costco. There is only one other protein that I have found -on line-called Unjury in strawberry sorbet. I think all the other whey Proteins are disgusting beyond words.

I would love to take part in this discussion. I am getting sleeved tomorrow!! I am so nervous I am on my second day of only liquids. I think The hardest part for me will be not eating the way I'm used to. I think I dreamed about eating a hamburger last night! I know I'm going to need all the help/support I can get!

I live in Atlanta Georgia and my name is Ashlee.

Hi Ashlee, I live in Southern California. I was sleeved on Dec 30 2014.

How are you doing?

Paula

I would like a phone support grop maybe like a whattsapp group on the smart phone to share ideas

Hi Rockand country, I was sleeved 3weeks ago. Send me a message and we can swap phone numbers if you want.

Paula

Ladies I was sleeved Monday and on full Protein liquids but can't seem to swallow another Protein Drink. Please help. I live in Michigan

I'm three weeks post op. Do you have a protein drink you like or haven't you found one yet? Are you also drinking broth? Special K has a drink (kind of like Crystal light) but it also contains protein. Add them to your Water to get some protein in. Good luck,

Paula

@@PaulaleeB Pain and suffering should not be in the same sentence as honeymoon. The pain and suffering comes later in the marriage. LOL

Lexie you are so right!!!!! LMAO thanks for setting me straight.

Vince , I'm only 3weeks post surgery but I get the same thing. One bite too many and my sleeve cramps up. I for one am grateful for the pain. It stops my eating pronto. It feels like the honeymoon phase. I've heard that it stops around the one year or so mark, but I don't know for sure. I just hope when it does stop that I will have better impulse control & better eating habits than I did pre-sleeve.

Sounds like you are doing well. Keep it up!

Paula, a newbie

My response to personal or unkind remarks is this:

"What an unkind, mean spirited thing to say. What ever would make you say something so unkind?"

"What a personal intrusive thing to ask. Whatever would make you ask that" ?

Those have worked for me for some time. I maintain my dignity, and unless they are really dense they get the message.

Feel free to use at will Sleevers.

This Constipation stuff is a drag. Pre sleeve never had a problem. Someone on the post suggested a tea called "smooth Move" I bought it at grocery store and it worked over night. I would however prefer to be preventative. Anyone know if taking a Fiber supplement is ok.?

Thanks for that post! Very encouraging. I too had been skating by with good genes. After spending a year losing and regaining the same 15 pounds, I had an epiphany back in July of 2014 that realistically, that good luck was going to end. It was not an "if" but a "when." Although I did not want WLS, I made an appt. and have not looked back. Surgery was November 19th. I am down 58 pounds and just thrilled. The only time in my life that I have gone through the holidays without gaining weight! I do have fears of not reaching goals but I try to put them out of my mind as that is counter-productive.

BTW- people at work started noticing the weight loss right about the 50 pound mark.

I feel as though I started this journey many years ago. I wanted to believe I could get a grip on my weight with each new diet, program, pill, therapy, exercise, support, and starvation gimmick i tried. I have been successful in most areas of my life. I graduated college and went on to get a Masters Degree. So the theory that I just couldn't follow something through to completion didn't fit. I had a great job, great friends and an active social life. But for all my successes, my weight continued increase and my efforts to loose weight were a failure.

I am now 63 and I have, I believe, been skating through life on my good genes. My blood pressure has only recently gone up as has my cholesterol. I have sleep apnea, and trouble with one knee from an old dance injury . All other health issues are just looming on the horizon. JUST? As a reasonably bright person I know that heart disease, diabetes, and other problems aren't just looming. They are well on their way to my life.

But, my final straw happened this summer when a dear, younger friend of mine passed away from type2Diabetes. Cynthia entered a hospital on a Wed. evening from a badly infected foot. On Sunday her leg was amputated and on Tuesday afternoon she had a blood clot that went to her brain. With her family and me by her side, she was taken off of life support on Wed. evening. Within one week my dear, wonderful, 53 yr old friend was dead from complications of Diabetes. I had to ask myself how much longer was I going to live with that risk of Diabetes looming in my future. Enough was enough.

I started investigating VSG last July. I only spoke to my cousin about it. Each time I had spoken to my husband about it he would always ask, "What if it doesn't work? Nothing else has". But this time was different, I was out of options and I started to say to my self, " what if it does work?".

5 months later,after jumping through 452 hoops, On Dec 30, 2014 I had sleeve surgery.

I'm only 21days post op. I've been so lucky. I had a fabulous surgeon, terrific post op care, and virtually none of the common side effects from sleeve surgery. I'm learning how to eat and drink anew. I'm doing well with my weight loss( but struggling with getting in enough Protein, Water and exercise). Though I've lost 25 lbs no one has noticed yet . Most importantly, I am confident in my new path. I have a long way to go and so much to learn.

Thanks to everyone who has posted on this site. I feel like we are all in this together. Good luck and healthy traveling on your journey to better health. Paula

Hello Hello.....Congrats to all of you who have moved forward with your surgeries this past week. I am 3 days and counting - 24th. Starting to get a bit scared. Can anyone tell me about this GAS situation - is there anything that we can do in advance to prevent it - or is this the result of the gas they place in us during surgery? Why all the nausea and vomiting - if nothing is going in? I am a newbie, self -pay, foreign country - please respond when able. Thanks

Hi sothere,

I'm sure you will get many replies that will give you their experience with gas problems. But, you might be lucky like me and not have the gas/nausea/and vomiting. When I was out of recovery the nurses had me up and walking every 1-2 hrs. I was sore from one of my incisions but the walking took care of the gas. My doc had put an anti nausea patch behind my ear. I only had a short wave of nausea that passed quickly.

So my message is expect the best and be ready to deal with the challenges.

Don't forget walk, walk, walk. And be ready to love your sleeve! Good Luck.

I'm already sleeved 20 days out. But I hope your surgery goes as easily for you as mine was for me. Good luck and welcome to the Journey.

Thanks for keeping me posted. I'm glad you called yourDoc. I hope his suggestions work for you and give you some relief. Be we'll and let me know how it goes. Paula

Thanks for the heads up. I will not be using their products. This surgery is too impt to screw up due to false advertising.

I can't imagine. IMHO I think you need to need to talk to your doc. In the mean time I'd go back to broth only. I hope you get some relearn soon. Let me know. You can always message me.

@PaulaleeB...My pain starts from the time I consume food till my last bite.

I never had a drain at all. I assume a leak test happened while I was under. I am 20days post op and it has been a very easy recovery.