smg

Congratulations

@@LowBMISleever Not necessarily. Could be less, could be longer than 40 days. Everyone heals differently. I would definitely check with your surgeon/nut before trying ANYTHING new/not on your specific list for your current stage as they (and you) are the only ones who know where you specifically are in your journey. The main thing is just to have patience. When you do try new things, try them slowly. Introducing new foods is a key part of moving forward, but trying to rush it can be painful and even harmful. Take it slow, check with doc/NUT anytime you're not sure, and in time you'll be able to enjoy a great variety of seafood. Even when foods "seem" like they'd be easy to get down/digest, they may not be. For me, things that are "soft" like shrimp took a while for me to be able to eat for whatever reason, yet I had no issues with tuna sashimi. On the contrary, I couldn't eat seared tuna at all because it just didn't feel good...so you have to check each food with small bites and wait and see how they are 'accepted'. Patience is key and worth it's wait in gold here. I know it can be hard, but it's worth it. You're still healing so keep it simple during that time. Best of luck!

Exercise is an important part of the process imo. Take it as a challenge and rise up and meet it...just like you've met the challenges after surgery, you can overcome this one too...and you'll be better off for it

Honestly I think it was easier to get my proteins in during the pureed/soft stage than any other. I just add unflavored whey protein to just about everything....yogurt, cottage cheese, soup broth, etc. Also sipping your protein shakes in between meals will also help. I used water with my shakes instead of milk or almond milk (which I use now). It helps keep you hydrated as well.

Foamies are no fun. Ususally (with me anyway) it was from drinking/eating too fast or right before bed. If I did either of those, it was destined to happen. It doesn't happen much any more as I'm getting used to eating slower and better understanding the 'warning signals' my sleeve is sending. When it's time to stop eating, I just stop.

Check with your NUT/Surgeon. I was allowed to have them after about 3 weeks, but I couldn't eat them for about 4 weeks after. Fibrous greens and other raw veggies can be rough on a healing sleeve. Once you do get back to them, chew your small bites extremely well....best of luck!

Head hunger is a challenge after surgery. You're so used to eating large amounts and your body is just confused and reacting to the difference in caloric intake. Stay strong, drink lots of fluids, get in all of your Protein and it will pass.

OMG hiccups while healing was the WORST! It hurts so badly and you can't stop!!! I learned the hard way that eating and drinking slowly are super helpful at preventing them and no matter how badly you want to, don't drink while you eat....omg....just don't. I feel for you....take your time and keep the hiccups at bay

Everyone's body heals differently. It's common for the body to retain fluids and swell during the initial healing. It will come off....stay positive and on the plan...

Yep. I echo a lot of what has already been said. You can't expect those around you (even those closest to you) to change just because of your surgery. If it were that easy then you wouldn't have needed surgery to make those changes....you know? That's what I would tell myself in the beginning....they didn't need the surgery I did...so this is my responsibility. Of course, I also know how hard it is regardless of what you tell yourself. It's not easy. Most people wouldn't expect a crack-addict to be "strong" in a room filled with crack, but unfortunately food temptations will be around you constantly, whether at home, on TV, driving down the street....literally everywhere. Stay in your own 'bubble' and do what you can to reinforce the facts that you are doing this for the right reasons, and the right way. Soon, you'll be surprised to see that once those close to you see the positive changes in your life, they might even follow suit and make changes themselves. Then you can truly be proud that not only did you stay strong through the temptations, but you actually inspired others to make positive changes as well. Stay strong and best of luck!

I ate sashimi in my 2nd week post-op. Great source of Protein and my sleeve was just fine with it. Of course everyone is different so I would recommend chewing (1) check with your NUT for YOUR program specifics, (2) if you do try it, eat softer fish like tuna, salmon, hotate (scallop), or Suzuki (sea bass). If you can make requests, have the cut the fish really thin, chew SMALL bites REALLY WELL and (3) take one bite, then wait a few minutes to see how your sleeve accepts it. I would do this with each different fish. Also I would stay away from tougher fishes and other types such as octopus and eel for now. I don't think I would attempt oysters this early personally, but that's up to you. Check with your surgeon/nut before trying anything not specifically listed on your "approved" list for the stage your in.

Glad to hear you love your sleeve. I love mine too for sure. Congrats!

Everyone loses at a different pace. You're losing, and that's positive progress. Keep on the program and you'll do great. P.S. the scale that makes you lose 10lbs per day....where can I get one of those

Hahaha! My first non-liquid meal was cottage cheese also....and it was the best meal I though I ever had at the time!! Congrats!

4 weeks here as well. Just precaution to make sure your incisions are fully healed.

It was definitely from the sugar. It's similar to "dumping syndrome" in a bypass patient. Refined sugar (especially in liquid) travels through your sleeve very fast and enters your digestive track quickly and all at once...sending your body into a 'shock'. I know that it sucks but it should serve as reinforcement that refined sugars and added sugars are pure poison. It's a hard way to learn that lesson but it's one I'm sure you won't forget...I know I won't!!! Stick with your plan and stay positive. It does get better.

Honestly if you aren't getting any of your Vitamins in I wouldn't wait until the end of the month. I would try to get the Patches or liquids immediately and see if that helps. Vitamins are a crucial part of the healing process, especially immediately post-op where your food intake is so low it's hard to imagine getting what you need from food alone. patch MD brand patches are what my NUT recommends, and I use the B-complex patches in addition to my capsule-based vitamins and supplements. They do make a Multivitamin patch as well. Best of luck

When it starts, you might want to hold to your breath

I think every food is different depending on the person, but I didn't find it too acidic or greasy at all. In fact, it was the best thing I had during the soft food phase. I'm well into regular food now and I'd be lying if I said I didn't still make it once in a while Use low-fat/part skim cheese. You won't be able to eat much. A good test would be to take a single bite, wait a few minutes to see how your sleeve accepts it. If you have any reflux or reaction to it, just don't eat it. Best of luck!

Yeah I always thought the no-drinking thing was just a recommendation....so I drank while eating once post-op....notice I said once... As far as quinoa is concerned, you should always ask your surgeon/nut as they are most informed on your specifics, but I was permitted it after 2 weeks post-op when starting the "mushy" phase. The only thing i did was make sure it was well-cooked and soft. Best of luck!

I agree with the consensus here. Water water water and more water. You can mix in other liquids if you want, but I would keep track of your water separate from things like teas, juices, etc. I know that there is water in all of this, but it's easy to get constipated post-op and staying hydrated will definitely help prevent it.

Everyone is different. Looks like things are moving in the right direction!! Congratulations on your loss so far and stay positive...sounds like you're doing great!

I had minor acid reflux for years when eating highly acidic foods, but since the surgery I haven't had any. I had a small hiatal hernia that was repaired during surgery so not sure if that's what helped it or if it's just the fact that I eat far less now. Perhaps a combo of both. I have seen others mention GERD post-op on here before and it seems for most (though not all) it goes away after some time. Most of those people seemed to have minor GERD though, nothing as severe as what it seems you are having. If you can't get any answers from your surgeon (which just sucks) I would maybe check with another surgeon (it seems you have already started down this path). Honestly....sounds like a bad situation because other surgeons won't want to "take over" from another's work without being paid for it and your PCP is going to try to direct you back to your surgeon. The only other suggestion would be to see if your PCP can refer you to a specialist and perhaps they can tell you whether or not it's the sleeve and if there's another way to help without having to go through another surgery. Hope it all works out for you....would love to hear what you find out...and sorry that you are having to deal with all of the back-and-forth...somehow that seems to be the worst part of this...and that just shouldn't be the case. I can say that personally I wouldn't put up with much of the back-and-forth. If I couldn't get some answers or relief quickly, I would be in the surgeons office demanding some much needed attention!

@D'Sleeved Sounds like you're on the right track. Have you tried just the electrolyte enhanced unflavored waters like smart Water? They worked great for me and no sugar...which can also cause some headaches. Yeah I think the vitamins you choose are more of a personal preference but your NUT/Surgeon can give you some good recommendations or even samples. I use the Opurity brand vitamins plus some other supplements. They're not the cheapest, but they're clean and work well. Labs have all been perfect since surgery. Best of luck!

Best wishes to you @@unique_cathy ...the nerves are normal. Honestly I'd be more concerned if I didn't have them before surgery! You're gonna do amaaaaaazzzzziiiiinnnnngggg!!!!!!! Let us know how it all goes!