PAstudent

Starting BMI of 43.9, 256 lbs, and I was a size 18, by that chart I'd be a 20W My BMI is now 37.6, I'm 219 lbs, and I'd be between 14W and 16W on that chart

I'd equate it more to discomfort than pain. I wasn't given any IV pain meds post op, but had the option to take liquid codeine if I wanted to. I used it sparingly in the first week (not even once a day) and disposed of it at a pharmacy after that.

I've heard changes in taste aren't as significant with the sleeve as they are with other surgeries. But, I find that I don't enjoy super sweet stuff as much as I used to. I suspect it's more because I don't let myself have sweet things (other than the occasional portion of fruit, "healthy" ice cream, or protein shake) so I'm more sensitive to sweets now.

Coming from a girl who used to live on a tropical island, getting one of those little portable fans and a small water mister can be helpful for those days when you feel like you just can't get cool.

From what I can tell, the majority of sugar free syrups also have 0 carbs and calories (I've found at least one that's 50 calories, no idea what that's about). One sno cone here and there won't kill you or set you off track. To keep cool, how about mixing a sugar free/low calorie drink like crystal light with shaved ice for a slushie? You could make popsicles with crystal light, frozen yogurt, fruit, or any combination of the above. You can also blend your protein shakes with ice or frozen fruit for a nice frozen shake. As a healthy snack for both you and your kids, you could blend frozen bananas for "nicecream" or blend frozen pineapple with just a little bit of coconut milk for something similar to disney's dole whips! My surgeon says to limit fruit to one serving per day so I try not to overdo it with these.

I'm sorry you're feeling down Your body is still recovering from major surgery so that's where a good chunk of your body's resources are going. I didn't start really feeling like myself until the second week and didn't feel like I got my energy back until around the 1 month mark. (Everyone's different though and your recovery may be sooner) If it's of any consolation, your body has all of the stored energy it needs for quite a while (it's how we qualified to be candidates for bariatric surgery ) so although you may not feel at the top of your game just yet, rest assured a little lethargy in the beginning is nothing to be concerned about. Soon you'll be off to soft foods and get to try the Ricotta bake that so many of us here have enjoyed!

Glad I could help

There are mixes for protein broths available out there if salty is more your thing, they were life savers for me during my full liquid phase! Bone broth also has a decent amount of protein just by itself. I've heard good things about mixing unflavored protein powders into savory foods, but haven't tried it personally. If pizza is your thing, what you might try is a creamy tomato soup with some fresh basil and unflavored protein powder mixed in. Did your surgeon/NUT specifically tell you to start looking at calories now? You're still pretty early out and I'd assume staying hydrated followed by working up to protein goals would be your biggest focus. Just as a side note, I didn't hit my low protein goal of 40g until I was over 2 weeks out. You will survive this phase! For some reference, I'm 2.5 months out and can get in around 80g of protein or more with a combination of solid foods and a shake a day!

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Hi! I simply meant that our body would turn to breaking down/using our muscles as one of its main energy sources (in addition to fat) because of the extreme calorie deficit it will be in. I'm sure I have lost muscle, unfortunately, I never pushed myself to failure when I was lifting pre-op so I don't know how much weaker I am now than before. On the positive side, the surgery has definitely also helped me lose fat! Which makes it easier to do my 60 minutes of cardio 3-4 days a week in addition to my push, pull, and lower body resistance days. Progress is totally possible post-op in terms of strength. I've been hitting the weights since I was 2 weeks post op and I've been able to increase the weights on all of my exercises by 5-20 pounds! I don't think it's likely that I'll put on significant muscle mass while I'm losing because the conditions necessary to gain muscle are pretty similar to conditions to gain fat (excess calories, but also with protein and complex carbs). However, there are so vets on here who are much further out than I am who have shown some great gains!

Sorry, I didn't mean to alarm anyone. I did not mean to imply "atrophy" in the extreme sense of seeing someone wasting away or with significantly smaller limbs (as you'd see with someone completely immobile for months on end). But more so with the extreme calorie deficits our bodies will be in, our bodies will try to conserve as much fat as they can and will try to use muscle for fuel. To combat this and also increase metabolism, both resistance and endurance exercise are recommended. Here's a good simple explanation: http://bariatric.stopobesityforlife.com/obesity-surgery/correcting-obesity/bariatric-surgery-side-effects/loss-of-muscle-mass/ You Will still have muscles and you will have the energy to do things postop, but the amount is mostly up to you with meeting protein/vitamin goals and how much resistance training you work up to. We like to think that after surgery, all of the weight we lose is pure fat, but it isn't. One study found that in the first 3 months, patients lost about 45 pounds, made up of 41% lean body mass and 59% fat mass. The good thing is that by a year out, the weight they lost was 70% fat mass and only 30% lean body mass. I wasn't able to find their eating or exercise guidelines so make of this what you will.

Hi! I'm in the Williamsport area. So a little ways away from you. I didn't have my surgery in PA, but if you ever need someone to talk to, feel free to talk to me on here, add me on myfitnesspal, or PM me to add me on facebook

Assuming you stick to your plan, you Will lose more! The human body isn't magic. It doesn't run on rainbows and fairy dust, it runs on stored energy (fat and muscle) and what you put into it. So, if you're restricting calories and eating the right kinds of foods, you will lose weight! If you're in a stall and need some assurance that you are losing fat, I like keto strips. They're cheap, all you do is pee on a strip and it tells you what level of ketones are in your urine. Ketones are one sign that your body is in ketosis and is rapidly burning fat. Also, 36 pounds is great! I'm 2.5 months out and only got to 36 pounds today. Follow your meal plan, exercise (whether it be when things are cool in the morning/evening or at a gym), and keep your head up!

Good luck to you! And be sure to ask your surgeon/nut for suggestions when you see them next! I've heard interesting things about transdermal vitamin patches.

They are a necessary evil. You're almost 2 months out. If the texture is what's bothering you, is there any reason you can't take vitamins in pill/capsule form?

If I could go back in time, I would have gotten a personal trainer and started lifting Before I had the surgery. Because I only really went hard on the weights post op, I don't really know how strong I was to begin with and if I'm just weak because of muscle atrophy or because I was always weak. Also, take good and comprehensive measurements now! They'll really help when you to monitor your losses. Any other good tips from anyone who has been sleeved?

Which have you tried? I'm using Optisource's chewable bariatric vitamin. It's orange flavored, a bit chalky, but my bloodwork comes back normal. (I also only take 2 of the recommended 4 you're supposed to have per day)

I had one, but swallow tests soon after surgery are sort of a false assurance. There's so much swelling right after surgery that even if there was a leak, it wouldn't be likely to show until several weeks post op.

"pass"

I second this

Walk, sleep/rest, and wait it out Unfortunately, there isn't a magic cure to make gas pains go away, but you will survive them! Use your incentive spirometer, focus on staying hydrated, meditate, and the gas will lessen over time.

I'm able to drink normally (not chugging a whole bottle of water, but also not taking little sips either) and I'm only 2 months out. I'll typically have a couple of mouthfulls or approx. 4 oz. of liquids then wait a minute or so before drinking more. Initially, drinking is difficult due to all of the swelling. As time passes you'll be able to fit more and more liquids in at one time.

I do! You look great and it definitely looks like you're slimming down everywhere, but especially around your waist

Protein shakes are the big one I didn't see mentioned. Sounds like you're on full liquids? You could have sf popsicles to get a little bit of different texture. Protein soups/broths were a godsend my first 2 weeks when I would get tired of the shakes and protein water. Hang in there! I know the liquid phase isn't fun, but the results you'll see and eventually the way your body will feel will make it all worth it!

When I first started soft foods, I wasn't able to get even 2 oz of a ricotta bake down. Go at your own pace and don't force yourself to eat! You probably won't get sick, but you may feel some discomfort if you eat more than you can tolerate. The trick is to eat small bites slowly. Look up how Gordon Ramsay makes his scrambled eggs. I've found that texture to be so much more pleasant than the rubbery chunks of eggs we tend to have here in the US