justhere4theshow

I just wanted to say how much I have appreciated everyone's help and encouraging words. I really do feel supported and that means so much to me. I can share my experiences up to the seven week mark where I am, and it feels good to help others as well. I am especially grateful for the "no judgement" and heartfelt messages which help me so much. I didn't know how hard this would be, but you lovely people have made it so much more tolerable and I am hopeful because of the people who have taken the time to share and give me advice. I am forever grateful. You guys and gals are awesome!

Most surgeons are very good at winning approvals. They sometimes just have to clarify things and it goes right through. Don't give up; there is still hope!

It really is a blessing to have a great support network. I had to do two weeks of liquids only pre-op, and then 3 weeks liquids only post-op. I was so hungry at times I wanted to cry...but I wanted my surgery so badly I somehow got through it. My husband never ate in front of me. My daughter offered to do liquids with me, bless her heart. She's only 15 so I didn't let her do it of course...but the offer was so sweet of her. You will find out just how strong you are! Hang in there...I made it and so can you. It will be so worth it! Best wishes to you on your journey!

My NUT called and still advises that I should not eat less than 30 grams of carbs. I also was eating fruit by itself, and I have to eat protein with every meal no matter what. Fruit is fine as long as it has some protein with it. She okay'd my Quest bars, and reminded me to stay hydrated. She also said to stay off the scales. Still early yet for the magic to happen...Patience is a virtue.

I will be more diligent in tracking my carbs for sure. I am so grateful for the advice. Thank you!!

@KristenLe: THANK YOU. I will ditch the crackers and meal replacement bars. I think I need to stay away from processed foods.

My surgeon said to get 90 grams of protein, and most days I am between 80 and 90. I am not eating and drinking at the same time, which makes it difficult to get all of my Water, but I tend to get there if I stay on top of it. I am thinking about just going back to liquids and starting over. My surgeon said he is in no hurry for me to rely on food for all of my nutrition, and that I can do Meal Replacements as much as I want until I see him at 3 months post-op. I take Bariatric Advantage multi-Vitamin and Calcium every day.

Seven weeks post-op is not an indication of what your life will be like after you have healed. You are still healing and recovering from major surgery. I HIGHLY recommend that you stay off the scale and only weigh at your doctor's appointments. Just follow your program. Focus on getting in ALL of your protein and fluids. For me that means at least 100 grams protein and 64 oz Fluid. Take your Vitamins and supplements as directed. Exercise when cleared. Stay off the scale. And, Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall Thank you. I really do need to throw my scale in the closet. I am obsessive at this point. I think I may need to tweak my diet a bit, but I will talk to my NUT about all that. I wonder if my insomnia has anything to do with it? I will ask her about that, too.

I have been getting about 80 grams of protein, as much water as I can hold, and I eat a meal replacement bar for breakfast, for lunch I have greek yogurt with a scoop of protein powder, in the afternoon I get really hungry and I will usually have a small snack of chicken salad with about 5-6 Ritz cracker chips (which are less than 100 calories) and then for dinner I either just have a protein shake or chicken. I have snacked on some fruit here and there (fresh peaches) but I have pretty much stayed under 1200 calories which is what my surgeon advised. I feel like the surgery has literally had no effect at all. I have a call into my nutritionist. I can't take much more of this.

This will probably cause a riot because I'm pretty sure it's a common problem--stalls and all that jazz...BUT, I have to ask. Has anyone found it MORE difficult to lose weight after surgery? I certainly have. I am only seven weeks out, but I have lost and gained the same four pounds over the course of the last seven weeks. I am getting my Protein and Water, and walking as much as I can. Am I just expecting too much? I feel like my body has gone crazy. I am just curious to know when things finally fall into place. Anybody else have this problem?

Greek yogurt is really good with a scoop of unflavored Unjury powder. Packs a good protein punch. It won't be long before you can spread your wings a bit. Just let your tummy heal. You'll get there.

Yes, you can! Keep your eyes on the prize, and keep posting. We'll be here to support you!

You really need to speak with Aetna. You don't want to waste time and resources if it won't help you in the end.

I encountered dumping syndrome years before I had WLS. I got it after my gallbladder was removed. If I ate too much fat and/or sugar, to the bathroom I would go! I am not eating added sugar or much fat anymore, so I doubt it will be an issue. So, if you lose your gallbladder you can dump regardless of having a sleeve, but I doubt you'll be able to eat enough of the stuff that causes a dump if you follow your program.

@@fatgirlsvelte, I find you to be an absolute delight! I loved your photos and hate to hear that you are being censored. I hope you'll stay around.

I am also 7 weeks post-op, and I have lost some and regained some (had to get IV fluids in the ER; 4lbs worth!) I feel like things are starting to move along better for me since I added more protein and started watching carbs. 23 pounds is a good amount to lose in our time-frame! We are barely healed, and it takes time. We didn't gain it overnight and it sure isn't coming off overnight. Be good to yourself, and hang in there. You're doing great!

I was sleeved on 5/23/16, and I have had similar struggles. I didn't really start seeing the scale move until I ate MORE. I was stressing about overeating the other day, and I lost 2.5 pounds not long after that. My Protein intake has greatly improved since I started adding unflavored

I don't think you'll always have diarrhea. I did at first, but now I tend to be more constipated. I have to make sure I get my fluids in and sometimes I have to use a mild laxative. Hopefully you'll find a happy medium between the two

I don't know if they carry Bariatric Advantage brand at GNC, but I can tell you how heavenly their Calcium/Vitamin D chews are! I have chocolate/peanut butter and I LOVE them. They are like candy, and they settle my stomach after I take my other pills. They sell them on Bariatric Pal.

I have gotten a couple of phone calls from a nurse at my insurance company. Very basic stuff like "How are you feeling?" and "Do you have any questions?" I didn't find it particularly useful, but it was a nice touch.

I don't need to add anything other than support; the folks who've already commented are giving you great advice. I just wanted to let you know that I went through the exact same thing as you. Your tummy hurts because it's doing some major repair after what it's been through. I was so convinced that I would never lose weight, that the surgery would surely fail just like all of my other attempts to lose weight have failed. I no longer believe that, because even though I am not dropping pound after pound as fast as I would like, my clothes are fitting looser and my face and hands are "deflating". We all lose in individual ways I suppose, and I find it fascinating that I have such tiny wrists now. My watch spins around on my wrist and my rings are all loose. Go figure. I hope you start to feel better soon. I know how hard it is, and how much you want to see that scale move. I am with you all the way on that one. Hang in there. It will get better. It just takes time.

I figured I could beat a dead horse with this; I found it in an article I was reading on Reader's Digest about food manufacturing. It made me sad: “People think crackers are healthy, but in many ways, they’re as bad for you as chips. Your typical cracker is made with refined grains and flavoring built around fat, salt, and sugar. Then preservatives are often added so the crackers can sit on the shelf for a year. Also, whole-grain crackers are rare. Ninety-nine percent of crackers out there are a treat.” Bruce Bradley, former marketing executive for General Mills
and author of Fat Profits

I completely agree with @her1981. You really just have to figure out what works for you. We are all different and respond to things differently. I personally can't stop once I start eating crackers. I hate saltines, but I can down a box of Club crackers in a day and a half! I find that I have to keep my carbs pretty low if I want to lose. That's not to say I will never have another cracker, but for now I am mainly concerned with losing all the weight I can during the honeymoon phase.

"And yes, there have been people who go in for surgery, and the surgeon closes them back up and sends them home for having a liver that is still too large". I mentioned the consequences of not shrinking the liver enough. My point was to address the psychology of "cheating" and how it affects outcomes.

The pre-op diet is not all about shrinking the liver. It's about whether or not you can make a change as directed by your physician. Your chances of success after WLS largely depends on your ability to change your eating to what is recommended to you by the professionals, not to "do the best you can". If you are struggling this much prior to surgery, you might need to do some soul-searching as to whether or not you are willing to change and to what extent. If you cheat before you even have your surgery, what happens when you are post-op and cheat? You don't lose weight. Don't put all your faith into the surgery enforcing the changes that are necessary; you can absolutely eat around your sleeve/pouch. You have to be 100% commited to the program prescribed for you. Lots of little cheats add up quickly. And yes, there have been people who go in for surgery, and the surgeon closes them back up and sends them home for having a liver that is still too large. Please don't take this as me being mean, I really do understand how hard it is; I was on liquids only for 2 weeks pre-op and 3 weeks post-op. I did 5 weeks of liquids because I wanted my surgery AND I wanted it to work. Best of luck to you! You can do anything you set your mind to!!