kbrodeen

Me too. The week before I pigged out on all my favorites. Kinda like saying goodbye to them. Day before my surgery. All liquid diet

7lbs in three weeks seems pretty darn good to me!
As others have said, the 3 week mark often brings a slow down (search 3 week stall) and that will end. BUT it's also unrealistic to expect to continue to lose at the rate you did your first two weeks--10lbs a week is not sustainable--10lbs a month is more common. You often lose the most weight the first two weeks of any diet.

So....... 27 pounds in five weeks isn't a great result? That's "not losing"?

Are you tracking your foods? Moving your body? Following your dietary plan? If so, you are doing everything just right. Relax. This isn't going to be the miracle cure where all the weight you've gained over the years magically falls off.
You are losing at an average of 5+ pounds a week. Relax and do your thing. Stressing about it certainly isn't going to help you. If you do your part, surgery works. Seriously.

I was sleeved on 3/27/15, I lost 20 lbs by the end of week 2. I am in the middle of week 5 and have only lost 6-7 pounds since then. Today is one of those days when I'm not sure this is something that I should have done, as I've lost weight faster in the past, pre-surgery.
I started at 251, 5 weeks, days and weigh 224.8. Oh ans the tape measure is not moving either. I am very discouraged at this point.

I was thinking that, but I've had this pain since Day 1 and it hasn't subsided. I'm wondering if it's just bruising on my insides...maybe the liver? The left hand side of my stomach is find when I press down, the right side is painful.

My mom died a few days ago. Getting around for her memorial. I decided to get fitted for a bra at VS. I wear a 38 dd. I wore a 38 dd. I walked out with a perfectly fit 38 C!!! I can't believe how tiny it looks. My head says there ain't no way. The mirror disagreed. Still can't get over it. It's sooo pretty.

I just scheduled my surgery today for April 18th. Would love a support system too. My email is kbrandy31@yahoo.com

I finally got a surgery date!!!!!! April 8 th!!!! I'm so excited I could burst! I would like to keep up with other April sleevers, pre-op diets, protien shakes, progress, stats, any concerns, etc. Lets hear it for new beginnings!

Mash an avocado and add plain yogurt or sour cream to it along with some lime juice to thin it. Delish.

Get off pain meds asap. They constipate so much. Gas pains are the worst. It will all go away. I'm 19 days out. Feeling tired still. Occasional. Suture soreness. But all good

Totally normal. It's the three week or so stall that most people go through. Don't stress. It will pass. Read the link to explain why they happen and why they are completely normal.
http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.php

Did you not get to watch your barium swallow test post-op? If so, you would have seen that Fluid passes through your sleeve in a matter of seconds. I don't think it would be physically possible to fill your sleeve with Fluid, unless you filled it with some food first then drank something before the food had passed through your stomach. There is zero risk in drinking quickly, but many people find it difficult and uncomfortable in the first few weeks post-op due to swelling.

You know I asked my doctor the same thing..he said we lose it from the strangers places first. Our feet, toes, fingers, face anywhere that doesn't have a ton of fat. Also from around inside or organs. Don't stress he said if you don't see the difference right off the bat. It kinda sucks cause I need to loss off my belly. It will happen. I take pics every monday in the same clothes and I guess I see a lil difference but I definitely want to see more!

My face and my FEET! I lost a shoe size before I lost a jean size!! Now it's coming off the upper torso area. I have lost a band size but fortunately not a cup size
It's fun to take my measurements every couple of weeks!

Mine was only 80 minutes. It's recovery that takes forever before they let your mom back
My surgeon told me it went perfectly. Text book case

Sorry, I don't get on here much anymore so I never saw this question. Flax seed should be fine once you're back to a normal diet, but I'd avoid anything like it (including chia seeds) for a while after surgery until your staple line has a chance to heal. Check with your doc though, he/she may have a different opinon.
You're quite welcome! "Onderland" is the magical place that only existed in fairytales pre-sleeve. It's that onderful amazing point at which the number on your scale starts with a "1" - hence the term "One-derland"

DISCLAIMER: This FAQ is in no way intended to replace or undermine the advice of your physician. Every person is different, every surgeon has different guidelines, and no two situations are identical. Therefore if any of the answers below are unclear or contradict your physicians’ instructions, always follow your physicians’ instructions. The responses given are a compilation from multiple sources and references.
How do I embed the weight loss ticker? There are many ticker generators you can use, but the majority of us use TickerFactory.com or MyFitnessPal.com – Once you create your ticker, embed the code into your signature via your “Settings”
*Adding* liquid stage? During your clear liquid stage you can have anything that you can sip through a straw that is translucent, meaning see through. For instance: Water, juice, broth, sugar free popsicles, sugar free Jello, Isopure Protein Drinks, Gatorade, Powerade, decaf tea just to name a few. Once you move on to full liquids you may add liquids that are not translucent. For instance: creamed Soups, soups with the chunks strained out, milk, Protein shakes etc… NOTHING CAFFEINATED
When can I have coffee/soda/tea? Decaf coffee is typically OK about 30days post-op. Decaf tea is OK starting with your clear liquid diet. Soda is typically never OK, with the reasons varying from the carbonation causing painful gas to the carbonation stretching your sleeve. Regardless of the reasoning, it's generally a good idea to avoid sodas entirely, or to consume them in extreme moderation.
When do I start mushies/purees? Every surgeon has different guidelines for the progression of your post-op diet. The majority of post-op diets progress as follows:
Day 1-7 Clear Liquids
Day 8-14 Full liquids
Day 15-21 Purees
Day 22-50 Mushies
What’s the difference between mushies and purees? The major difference is that purees are anything that has been blenderized/pureed to a baby food consistency and has no chunks. These should not be watery, but instead a thicker pudding like consistency. Mushies are soft foods that have not been pureed.< /p>
I'm on liquids/purees and I feel no restriction, should I be concerned that my surgery didn't work? Nope! You'll feel your restriction as you start to take in denser foods. In reality, you never want to experience that over stuffed feeling again because that means you've over stuffed your sleeve. There's much debate over whether or not you can stretch your stomach by over stuffing your sleeve, I for one am not trying to prove or disprove the theory. Best to play it safe - when you start to feel full, stop eating.
Should I be counting calories or carbs or both? Both. Again, every surgeon is different, but the majority of sleevers will be on a 600-1000 calorie/day diet with carbs kept at 60-80g or less. The general guideline is this: When eating, protein is always first, veggies are second, and if you have room carbs/starch last. The majority will rarely have room for the carbs.
How much protein should I be getting per day? The recommended protein intake may vary from 55 to 100g per day, depending on your individual needs and the bariatric diet provided by your surgeon or dietitian. The generally accepted minimum protein requirement for women is about 50 to 60g per day and men need at least 60 to 70g of protein per day.
How much liquid do i need for the day? About 60-80oz
When can I eat salad? Once you reach the point where you’re on normal solids you can try salad. Start with a small amount and see how your sleeve tolerates it as it can be difficult to digest.
Best Protein Shakes? This one depends on your particular tastes, however most seem to enjoy powders? utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury.

What else counts as a liquid? Anything that can be sipped through a straw or that will reduce back to a liquid. For example: Jello, sugar free popsicles, frozen yogurt/ice cream (these are generally no no foods)
Why can't I tolerate plain water, is this normal? It’s called water nausea and it is completely normal. This is very common during the first few weeks following surgery and should eventually subside.
What is sliming/slimes? Sliming or slimes occur when you eat or drink something and then regurgitate a slimy, foamy, saliva like substance, usually when belching.
What is grazing? Grazing is when instead of consuming your standard 3 small meals and 2 small Snacks per day, you simply munch all day grabbing a handful here or a bite there. The rule is that your meals should take you 20-30 minutes to eat and should be about 3 hours apart with only fluids in between.
What do all these acronyms mean?
In no particular order:
WLS – Weight Loss Surgery
NSV – Non scale Victory (ie: smaller clothes, compliments, climbing a flight of stairs etc…)
NUT – Nutritionist
PCP – Primary Care Physician
VSG – Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
TOM – Time of the Month
SF – Sugar Free
WFL/WFD – What’s for Lunch/Dinner
How much did you lose at 1 month etc.? How much can I expect to lose in what time frame? Everyone’s body is different and so is everyone’s journey. There is no set amount you should expect lose in a set amount of time, and you should never compare your journey or your progress to someone elses. As long as you’re sticking with the program and following your surgeons guidelines, the weight will come off.
What is a stall? How long does it last and how do I break it? A stall is a point at which the scale stops moving for a period of time. The length of the stall varies from a few days to a few weeks and sometimes a few months. Non VSG’ers typically call it a plateau. Stalls are perfectly normal and to be expected. As we lose weight so dramatically, our bodies need time to catch up physically - this typically happens during a stall. While the scale may not be moving, you may notice an increase in compliments. This is because while the number on the scale isn’t getting any smaller, you are physically getting smaller. There are many tips and tricks for breaking a stall (increase your fluids and protein, increase your activity, up your calories…) but the reality is it will break on its own.
When can I have sex? When you’re ready. Keep it simple for the first few weeks post-op and don’t attempt any tricky positions. Be careful until you’ve been cleared by your surgeon for strenuous activity.
When can I start exercising? Typically right away, though the types of exercises you can do will be limited. Most surgeons restrict weight training/resistance training for about 3-4 weeks after surgery, but you should be walking/speed walking at least 30-45min daily starting from the day you get home.
What do I do with flabby skin? What's the best exercise etc.? The severity of the flab will vary based on many different factors. While there’s no way to tell how bad it will be or whether it will even be bad, there are a couple of proactive measures you can take. Make sure you’re using a moisturizing lotion with Vitamin E and Keratin several times daily. The vitamin E will help add elasticity back to your skin and the keratin will add moisture, both of which may help your skin bounce back as the weight falls off. The best exercises to target your problem areas are resistance and strength training in order to tone and build muscle to replace the fat. Lastly, be patient. Just as your weight stalls while your waist catches up to it, your skin will sag until it gets the signal to shrink. While it probably won’t ever be as tight as you’d like, it will shrink.
Will I lose hair? How much? What causes it? When does it return? Do Vitamins help? The truth is, yes, you probably will lose hair. Because of the drastic changes going on that are caused by the extreme reduction in protein and vitamins coming in as well as the hormonal fluctuations caused by the rapid weight loss, it takes our bodies a while to adjust. Don’t worry, as our hormones level out and our bodies get used to the new us, it will come back. There is no set time frame for it to do so however.
I’m constipated - what is it okay to take, especially in the beginning when newly sleeved? Will it get better? Worse? In the beginning a simple stool softener like Colace should do the trick. You don’t want to take a laxative or anything that may irritate your new sleeve. While you’re in the liquid/puree stage, Constipation shouldn’t be an issue, but as you reintroduce solids you may have to go back to your stool softeners. If you do find that stool softners are only offering temporary relief, try increasing your fluids and Fiber and decreasing your cheeses.
I’m having very loose bowel movements, is this normal? Totally. You do need to monitor stools of this consistency to ensure they contain no blood, but very loose stools, even watery stools, are completely normal for a few weeks post-op. When in doubt – ask your surgeon.
Will I feel fatigue? Will fatigue go away? Yes and yes. Your body has just undergone major surgery and it needs to heal. While it’s healing you will feel more fatigued than normal. Subsequent to having such a large portion of your stomach removed is the fact that you can no longer take in as much food (read: fuel) and therefore your body has to adjust and find a new fuel source. Your body will eventually begin to burn fat for fuel and some of the fatigue will subside. Your surgeon should also prescribe a B12 supplement which will also help with energy.
When can I go back to work? How much time should I take off? That will be entirely up to your surgeon. Most return to work within 2-3 weeks.
How many days in the hospital? Your hospital stay will depend on your recovery. When you are able to keep down liquids, are up and about and walking as directed, and your surgeon and nursing staff are confident there are no complications, you’ll be released. Your surgeon should be able to give you an expectation of the length of your stay.
Do the staples dissolve? No. The staples used to close the stomach are titanium and do not dissolve. The stomach tissue will eventually grow over the staple line. Your staples do not make metal detectors go off or make you ineligible for an MRI. They are completely benign.
Why am I always hungry? The most likely culprit is either head hunger or reflux/heartburn. Head hunger is a false sense of hunger triggered by boredom/emotions/the clock or any number of things which make you think you’re hungry when you’re really not. Heartburn is the most common culprit of constant hunger. Even though you may not feel as though you have heartburn, you may find that a simple antacid will eliminate that constant hungry feeling.
What is dumping syndrome? Dumping syndrome is what happens when the contents of your stomach are rapidly dumped into your small intestine. It is characterized by cramps, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Most people that complain of dumping syndrome associate the attacks with eating a certain type of food IE sweets, carbs etc.. It generally resolves on it's own once the offending food has left the system.
What is a stricture? A stricture is what happens when scar tissue builds up in your esophagus (sometimes caused by reflux) that causes your esophagus to narrow and makes swallowing difficult.
What is a leak and what are the symptoms? A leak is an opening along the suture line of your sleeve that allows bile and other digestive fluids to leak into your abdominal cavity. The symptoms of a leak vary but the most common symptoms are pain radiating across the abdomen, fever, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, and abdominal cramping. It is important to note that leaks are rare and only occur in about 1 out of every 100 cases.
Can you get a leak any time after surgery? Or is it just immediate? Most leaks happen very soon after surgery, but there is still a risk for about 4-6 weeks after. Again, it is important to note that leaks are rare and only occur in about 1 out of every 100 cases.
Some of my incisions are oozing - is this normal? If they’re oozing a green or yellowish Fluid, absolutely not. Green and yellow are the colors of infection and should be reported to your surgeon immediately. If your incisions are oozing a pinkish or clear watery fluid it’s your body’s way of keeping your incisions clean and isn’t usually a concern. When in doubt, ask your surgeon.
I see a lot of people posting about drains - I don't have any. Should I be concerned? Drains are tubes that are temporarily placed in the abdomen that allow fluids to drain from your abdominal cavity in order to prevent infection. Not every surgeon uses them so if you don't have any, don't worry. It likely means your surgeon saw no need to place them. That being said, it doesn't mean you're immune to infection so you should still be on the lookout for fever or any areas that a red, warm to the touch, painful, swollen, or oozing any green or yellow fluids.

Thank God for this forum, and this thread.
I am on my last day of liquids before starting purees. Let me tell you all, between the two week pre-op diet and the clear//full liquids two weeks post-op, I haven't "eaten" anything for a month, and it has been hard. The hardest thing ever? Easter dinner, when I was five days post-op.
@@eyhornmom ... I used to think that the VSG people on YouTube who posted grocery hauls were crazy, and that was the least interesting thing posted in the VSG community. But now? Being on my last day (THANK THE SWEET BABY JESUS) of liquids before purees/soft/mushies, watching those videos has totally gotten me through. There is a girl on YouTube, her channel is called Lauren Losing, and she posts grocery hauls and food finds all the time. It is very helpful. She started at almost 270 lbs, and is now in the 130s, and she eats SO, SO SO many different things. Sometimes she is a little more indulgent, and others she is very strict. Watching her grocery hauls for each phase has taught me so much about how successful VSGers behave, and think, and what they allow themselves all the while still being successful. I highly recommend it! It's really gotten me through.

Eyhornmom,
Just from the responses on this thread, you can see you’re not alone, and hopefully that will give you hope that you can get over the worst of your struggles soon.
One thing I would like to ask you is about what you said: “I want to be able to go out to eat and enjoy eating with my family. It makes me a little sad that those are all things that I can no longer have, probably ever.”
This may not be the case. What do you enjoy about eating with your family? If it is (or was) the feeling of going out and overeating, you’re right – you may never be able to do that again, at least not without feeling sick.
But if what you enjoy is the company of your family, you’ll be able to do that soon enough. Maybe it just takes a change of attitude: what do you live for? And it’s tough, because maybe you used to live (or think you lived) for food, and now that you don’t, you need to figure out what you live for. And you can.
Maybe instead of eating a chicken pot pie and an order of fries to enjoy the eating occasion, you’ll change so you can get the same pleasure from a chicken breast and some broccoli.
In the meantime, it’s perfectly normal to feel depressed and to question your decision. After all, one of your biggest crutches (food) is gone, and to make it worse, you’re eating only pureed foods. Anyone would get depressed on that!
Hang in there, and good luck.

@@BXB26 It's so hard to believe when you are only a couple weeks out, but I really do promise you that you will feel normal again. It took me probably a solid 2-3 months to get to where I felt normal most of the time and now that I'm over seven months out, I feel normal ALL of the time. You will adjust and adapt. I go to family gatherings and meals out all of the time now. Just last week I was on vacation with my husband, parents, aunt, sister, brother-in-law, and four nieces and nephews and we prepared meals together and ate out and were out and about the whole week. The great thing is that once you are back on solids, there's always a Protein option no matter where you go. When they all did make-your-own tacos for dinner, I made myself a little plate of meat, cheese, refried Beans, and a little taco sauce. It was delicious! When we went out, I got some chili or pulled pork (without the bun). One day we did breakfast for dinner and I had scrambled egg and a little sausage. It really is so much easier once you are back on solid foods. Just hang in there!

Hi there! Let's refocus that thought. Think before surgery when you were heavier, couldn't walk, couldn't catch your breath, depressed, illnesses?, whatever it was that forced you to get this tool to help you with your new life. A chicken wing will only last a minute this new life you will carry with you. The new freedom you will gain from focusing on the positive aspect. Your addictive brain is giving all these thoughts because it wants it's quick fix, it's drug...the thing we all need to fight as food addicts. You will be able to have chicken wings in a new way when your body is ready. Baked not fried a yogurt hot sauce you can do this!! Hugs

Just take it one day at a time! I was four weeks post-op from my sleeve yesterday and how I feel now is night and day different how I felt two weeks ago! When I was just about two weeks out from my surgery I found myself experiencing anxiety attacks, wondering what exactly I had gotten myself into!! I took my kids out to our newly opened Mellow Mushroom pizza place and I wanted to cry because I couldn't partake in the food that was my weakness!! However fast forward two weeks to where I am now, 30lbs lighter, wearing clothes I have not worn in close to TWO years, so much more full of energy, people asking me what I am doing, as I look good and it feels WONDERFUL!! Better than any alice of pizza ever could!! Plus now that I am onto soft foods, I have found some wonderful bariatric friendly recipes on a BE website via Facebook that even my kids enjoy! Things will get better and you will be feeling better! If you do not find yourself feeling better though maybe consider finding a therapist who specializes in talking with people who have had bariatric surgery! It is a life changing process and not any easy one at that, but better health and a longer life is worth it!

I personally took on the mentality that I spent my entire life eating what I wanted, when I wanted, and how ever much I wanted. What's a few weeks of eating a restricted diet? I can tell you, now that I'm almost 2 years post-op, that I can eat whatever I want. The extreme restriction of post-op doesn't last. Don't get me wrong , I still have restriction, but I can eat WHATEVER I want--if I CHOOSE.
This is a mental game. Psych yourself out. Remind yourself that this food restriction is temporary. You can still go out and eat with you family. Order a Soup or mashed potatoes (that's what I would do when I was at your stage). Before you know it you will be at a full diet. Once there you have to make the choice to eat healthier and cleaner foods. You WILL make mistakes. You WILL falter. And when you do, just get back up and try again. Everyday is a new day. I didn't become a healthy eater overnight. It took trial and error, and trial and error. I do enjoy a "bad" food on occasion, but do you know what? Eventually, once your body adapts to cleaner eating, you hardly ever crave them and don't feel too good when you have them!
You've got this. You can do this. ????

I went through all these emotions for the first 4 wks. longest month and then it just stopped! hang in there!! it soo gets better everyday!

Amazing post.....hits home for me! I loved reading this and can SO relate. I just got a date for surgery (May 23rd) and your description is exactly why I am choosing this surgery. While I am already mourning food and can't quite understand how I will win the mental battles of my relationship with food - I can't wait to feel like I am not the elephant in the room.
Thank you @@LipstickLady!