LetItGo

The only things I can eat where I don't feel restriction is club crackers, Jello and frozen yogurt. 2 out of 3 I probably shouldn't be eating!! I've lost 39 pounds in 8 weeks. I've got to find other things I can eat (chew and swallow) that go down without feeling stuck.

I get the 'stuck' feeling at every meal. Very frustrating....like last night, after 4 bites of chicken, I just went to bed. I am sad if this is what my 'eating life' will be like forever. I told my husband over the weekend that I just want to be able to bite, chew and swallow and feel NORMAL. Even if it's only 4 bites. I actually dread mealtime.

I was self pay and part of my price ($11,900) was $50,000 in Complication Insurance (which I ended up having to use, but that's another story for another time). I did not have to see a Psychiatrist. I was required to sit through one 5 hour Nutrition Class ($80). I had an initial consultation with my surgeon and a pre op appt. My initial consultation to surgery time was two months. My post op visits are covered for a lifetime. I have BCBS and they probably would have covered my surgery due to my co-morbidities but I did not want to go through their 7 month weight loss program. I'm 52, I've been overweight for 12 years and I had made up my mind to move forward. If you have any questions, send me a message.

I never considered the lap band because I have read about all of the complications and I know several friends that have struggled with the band for years. One of my friends lost his life 4 days after surgery, another with the band vomits every time she eats and this has been for years. Several other of my band friends have gained much of their weight back. My sister had the sleeve one year ago, she weighs 130 and she has never looked back and she recommended that I do the research for myself. So after months of reading, doctor visits and talking to people on here, I went with the sleeve. I am 6 weeks post op, 36 pounds down and I would do it all over again. I have had some slight complications but nothing I couldn't handle and nothing that compares to losing 36 pounds in 6 weeks. Pounds that will never come back! Read all you can, ask questions, talk to your doctor and your nutritionist and make an educated decision. Good luck! Keep us posted on your journey. BTW, my BMI was lower but I have several co-morbidities and I am a self pay so I did not have to meet insurance criteria.

Brintellix is not known for weight gain. It is one of the newer medications out there. I was on Cymbalta for 10 years and gained over 40 pounds. It took me over 6 months to withdraw from it and the process was hell. I won't ever take it again!!

I was thinking about this last night. I was almost a 100% carb and sugar eater pre-sleeve. Pasta with butter and cheese was my staple. I drank A LOT of wine...every night. I ate sugar and Desserts whenever I wanted to. I drank regular soda. I ate pizza, thai food, pasta, fried everything, tons of bread and I was a fast food queen. Horrible way to live!! My body is still saying WTH after 5 weeks. It doesn't know what being healthy feels like yet! But I'm down 33 pounds and I'm getting better everyday!

I work in a hospital and I eat in the doctor's lounge daily. Early in the week we had a baked potato bar. I took 1/2 of a potato and added a little butter and sour cream and some sprinkle cheese. I ate 4 bites and was full. I looked over at another table and one of the physicians had a GIANT potato stuffed with butter, sour cream, cheese BBQ and chili. It must have weighed 5 pounds and was easily 4 cups of food. I was just astonished. And sad at the same time...because that is exactly the way I would have eaten it. I was so unhealthy 5 weeks ago! Definite reality check...thank you Lord for my sleeve!!!

Yes, and I was told that Anesthesia can cause changes in your sense of smell and taste. I am 5 weeks out and the sensation is finally gone. Everything tastes as it did before surgery. One thing of note...if you are dehydrated or your body is in ketosis (burning fat), you will have a foul taste and smell to your breath. Brush frequently and use tic tacs!

The Bariatric Advantage Vitamins made me vomit immediately. I have ordered Vitamin Patches.

Do you eat it out of the can? Cold? Warm? Looks yummy!

I'm in Alabama. Surgery was 11/10. I'll be happy to answer any questions that you have! Good luck to you...

Bariatric Advantage Chewables made me violently ill! Projectile vomiting! They went in the trash. Going to try the Vitamin patch.

Do you like Iced coffee? I take one Vanilla Premier Protein shake. Add in 1 teaspoon of Decaf Instant Coffee Crystals and 1 Truvia. Iced Coffee! YUMMY! Blend it with ice and you have a Frappe.

Premier Protein chocolate and Vanilla. I add Truvia and Decaf coffee Crystals to the vanilla to make an iced coffee. YUMMY!

Thank you for suggesting the Parmesan Crisps! I just ordered some from Netrition.com! Better than eating saltine or ritz crackers. They go down easy and I only eat two per day, but still feel better making a healthier choice for my tuna and chicken salad.

I've been eating 2 Club Crackers each day with Laughing Cow cheese on them. I can have crackers per my diet but I am a little scared of eating carbs. I don't want crackers to become a habit!

What does your typical day of eating look like? I'm only two weeks out but I'd like to know what life will be like once I am on solid foods.

I had surgery two weeks ago, as well. I have lost 26 pounds. I can't explain why I have lost more than those sleeved on the same day. I know a lot of my weight loss is fluids. I was VERY swollen and puffy before and right after surgery. My highest weight was 200, my post surgery weight was 198.2 and I weigh 174.2 this morning, exactly two weeks post op. I am drinking a lot of diet gatorade, Premier Protein shakes, Jello, popsicles and I have recently added cream Soups, mashed potatoes and pureed broiled fish. Going to try an egg today to see how I tolerate it. I have been off work since the surgery and I go back on Monday, November 30th. I have not done any exercise except for walking around my yard. One thing I have definitely noticed from BP and the support group I am in...EVERYONE's journey is different and everyone is following different physician orders. Try not to compare yourself to others. This is your personal journey! We are ALL going to be successful. Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm 52 and I am down 25 pounds with 45 to go. I hope to lose that by next summer and YES...I will wear a bikini again! You can bet!!

This happened to me, as well. I received two units of blood and then had to go back to surgery to look for bleeding. They didn't find anything. I ended up staying 3 nights in the hospital. I came home on Friday, November 13th. I am 12 days out now and feel completely healed. On another note, my taste and smell have changed dramatically. My breath is very bad. It is hard for me to get in my Protein and liquids. We are going out to lunch after church today and I am already wondering what I will eat. I'm so ready to get beyond this 'recovery' stage and get to place where I feel 'normal' again. On a positive note, I am down 24 pounds since my surgery. 46 to go!

I am 8 days out, as well. Down 21 pounds. I feel hungry, lightheaded and sluggish, too. Yesterday I had about 1 Tbs. of pureed cottage cheese and for dinner I had 2 Tbs. of plain mashed potatoes. I also got in all my liquids, a Protein shake, Jello and yogurt. My biggest problem is night hunger. My stomach and head are waking me up in the middle of the night. Trying to eat or drink some kind of protein before bed to stave that off. Hang in there! We are traveling this journey right alongside of you! I have just showered and washed my hair. Resting before I dry my hair. Took out my last staple this morning. Kinda scary but I'm glad it is out even though I got very dizzy after I pulled it out. We are having heavy storms here today. Just trying to stay calm and follow the plan.

Maybe I am just naive...one week post op, but this thread shocks me! How in the world can you have this done and then eat all that Red Lobster food? Fries, fried foods, dip, soda? I have had a pretty rough week of recovery and I do look forward to a day when food and drink does not consume my every thought, but I can't imagine just ignoring my health, throwing all that money down the drain and completely eating whatever I want. How is it physically possible? Thank you for posting this...it is definitely a little reality check for me! Congratulations on your weight loss...you aren't just 'lucky', I can tell you are a very strong, motivated woman. Good on you!!

Glogyal, how are you doing today? What were you told in the ER and how were you treated. Prayers continue...

Praying for you right now! I've had a rough post op period, as well. Please update us when you are feeling better.

I am having mine done on November 10th in Birmingham but I live in Gadsden. Anything I can do? You are probably healed up and can help me more than I can help you!!