IveGotThePower

Thank you for your post Christinamo7. Been doing a little digging since my post. Looks like the FDA recommends 50 mg per day as the general rule. However, my nutritionist says to aim for 80 grams a day, which is consistent with what I read. Have an appointment with my nutritionist Monday. Wondering what the numbers are and if a Protein intake between 50 - 80 grams half the time is really a problem. Have to wonder if we are told to aim high in hopes that we hit the lower mark or do we need more protein than non VSG people. Any vegetarians out there who can shed a little light?

Congratulations on your weight loss! Fantastic attitude. I too was/am shocked most of the time. When I try on clothes, feel more comfortable in daily life and have more energy. The scale is actually going down for a change and it stays down. I have stalls, but I also notice that I loose inches during those stalls. An AMAZING tool. Finally, something that actually works! And I do enjoy food just as much as I did before. Just low carb, which (shockingly) hasn't been an issue. Truly a miracle! Stick with your eating plan and I think you will enjoy the ride

Congratulations DaisyAmy! Great Job on your weight loss and your purging of old clothes that are now too big to wear. So many benefits and so many fun experiences as a result of your commitment and hard work! You go girl!

I spent 2 days in the hospital because I couldn't get enough fluids down. It just was not happening. I tried. The most uncomfortable part was the IV in my hand and being attached to the IV machine in a hospital room with 2 beds. Not enough room. It was difficult to get up and get the tubes organized (while loopy from the medication) so I could walk down the hallway. I walked a lap around the hospital floor as soon as they took me to my room after surgery. No hesitation. I give myself a gold star for that. We were told the quicker we got up and walked, the better, so I did, many times. Basically pushed the button when I needed pain med which was not as often as I was allowed to have it, but I did feel like I needed it to help me with the pain and relax and sleep every few hours. We were told in the mandatory pre surgery classes to stay ahead of the pain. It was kind of weird, my body shook like I was shivering. I asked why I was shaking and they said maybe from the pain. But the pain didn't seem that bad. Blankets didn't help, only the pain med helped. After I went home I took a total of 2 pain pills over the next few days. And that was with hesitation after a few nights of not sleeping well. Glad I did. Heparin shots were given to me in my stomach every few hours at the hospital and I had to continue them for several days at home. That sucked. Hubby did that for me. Went back to a desk job after 9 days with no issues. At 3 weeks I felt GREAT! Stick to your prescribed diet. I did and have had no vomiting or foamies. Every few weeks I see a bariatric nutritionist and I attend monthly support meetings. I HIGHLY recommend you consider using them. These meetings provide a lot of information and motivation. 50lbs down and that is only one small benefit. I don't obsess over how I am going to loose weight anymore, and my risk of several life threatening illnesses is decreasing. The result of VSG surgery and my commitment to a healthier lifestyle has been both a physical and mental relief for me. It's only 50 lbs. I could stand to loose at least that much more. But what a difference already! Would DEFINATELY do it again in a heartbeat. So worth it! You can do this.

I am 50 lbs down. HW 290. I shared my wls with a lot of people, so not like they didn't expect it or know that I would probably be loosing weight. But it's hard for me to tell how noticeable it is. When did people come up to you and say they could tell you lost weight? And did you get a new picture for your drivers license at a certain point? I'm not there yet, but hope to be before end of the year.

I mean provenzee. Thank you Sent from my SM-N920V using the BariatricPal App

I have looked, but have been unable to find a number of Gastric Sleeve surgeries performed in the US for 2015. Surely that information is out there somewhere. Just curious about how the numbers have changed over the years. Number in Mexico would be interesting also. If anyone knows, can you please post the link? Thanks!

Thank you Sleevesoon. That is what I was looking for :-) Sent from my SM-N920V using the BariatricPal App

You Go Girl! You look fantastic! I'm almost 4 months out and 50 lbs down, so, yes I agree, we can do this!

For some reason I didn't think to take my own shampoo, and theirs was awful. So I recommend your own shampoo also,

Ok, BigDogBryan, you are right. Nothing that fit before fits now. The things I am wearing are really things that were too small before, but are too big now. What a terrible problem to have Loving it right now. Thanks for all the advice guys, just told my hubby that the experts have spoken and this weekend will be a thrift store weekend for me!

I am 50 lbs down from my HW of 290 and needless to say, my clothes are getting pretty baggy. I think if I hold out for another 15 to 20 lbs I can do a regular size 18 and have more choices. But not sure I can hold out that long. When did you break down and buy new clothes and were you glad you did or do you wish you had waited a little longer?

I can understand your apprehension. However, the potential payoff is pretty darn high if the sleeve can be performed. And if it isn't possible, then firstly, you tried and secondly, you can fall back to plan B which is to regroup and look at your other options. The best of luck to you.

I was sleeved on 4/13/16. I jumped through the many insurance hoops, medical tests, appointments, classes (Bariatric Program), etc. for 6 months before surgery without telling anyone except my very wonderful, supportive Husband. 1 week before surgery I shared with some close co-workers because I just felt like it is what it is. I didn't want to have to make up some story about why I was out. And if I died during surgery, I wanted to bequeath my stapler to the right person. It doesn't matter what we say or do, there are always people who will be judgmental and I am already judged by my weight anyway. Yes, I did get a few unexpected negative remarks and I chalked them up to ignorance. Not like I haven't had ignorant comments about how I should loose weight for the past 20 years. I know how much time and effort I put into researching and learning about this procedure. I was comfortable with MY decision. I read the scary complication blogs. I even made pros and cons lists. It was a no brainer. And I truly believe that anyone in my exact same situation, acting in the most rational way would make the exact same decision. So, for me, I had reached a point where I was comfortable with my decision. I also knew full well, that if I shared with one person that I should expect it would be shared with many others. Looking back, it seemed more of a burden for me to try to keep it a secret than to be honest. I am now almost 3 months post op and 43 lbs down from my HW of 290. I am VERY comfortable with my decision. When some friends tell me I'll be so thin in a few months, I tell them that everyone is different and I really don't know where this will take me, but I don't expect that. Just better health and closer to normal is good by me. I do my best without obsessing, see my nutritionist to keep me on track and hope that my experience can help someone else.

Hi fellow sleevers, I am 10 days out and starting on the pureed food stage. Just wanted to know what your favorite pureed foods are/were. Thanks!

Ok, so, it's 11 days out. Yesterday I tried a little ff cottage cheese for Breakfast. It did well. No issues. Then I went crazy. Don't try this at home kids. We went out to a Deli/restaurant (TooJays). If you know it then you love it. They have this tuna salad, chicken salad and egg salad plate that I ordered. Tried all 3 and still NO issues. I made sure to go slow, and chew thoroughly and I stopped before I was full. Probably ate 1/2 cup or less total. It was the best darn salad trio I've ever had! Then if that wasn't enough, we went to Olive Garden last night and I proceeded to eat 1/2 of a chicken meatball with sauce. Yes. I know, this is not advised quite yet, but I felt like I died and went to heaven. And yes. one half of a meatball was satisfying. Although I did have another bite when I got home. YUMMY! And once again, NO issues. A little scary, but in a freaking awesome way! Here to tall you that there is HOPE!

Thank you all for your replies. That does give me some ideas. I am so over the Protein shakes, sf popcycles, yogurt smoothies and Jello. I need some "real" food. The chicken tenders sounds like a creative solution. Kudos for the creativeness and the work you put into it CHMD. Sounds like a versatile recipe that you can modify, by adding cheese, sour cream, a little bbq sauce, etc. Definately getting refried Beans today and going to look up Shelly's Ricotta Bake also. I appreciate the feedback. May the force be with you all!

How long did your stomach pain last? I'm 8 days out and would like to know how long your pain lasted.

Much better at 10 and 11 days out. Thanks for posting guys. Best of luck to you also.

Hi Kip, I was sleeved on the 13th also. So glad to see you are doing well. You inspired me to give the fat free cottage cheese a try this morning. I was going to wait until tomorrow, but what the heck. Tiny steps. For what it's worth, the program I am in says we need to do 64 ounces of Water and 80 grams of Protein a day. It can be however you want with approved consistency foods. I am still struggling to get that much down, but figure once I get to pureed foods it will be better. You can try fat free re fried Beans with melted cheese and a little fat free sour cream. Also, you can add cheese, spices to your eggs. And there is a ricotta bake out there if you google it that I think a lot of people like. I think you can do sweet potato too. I feel great also. Two days ago not so much. But glad to be here now. Congrats on your decision. It ain't easy, but I'm sure it will be worth it.

I don't have the numbness at the incision site, but maybe a little itchyness. But I think that's fine and just b/c we're healing. My pain was the stomach itself. It was cramping, especially when I ate cold foods. Seems to be doing better today. After further research, it is pretty common. Be thankful if you don't have it. I had not slept the entire night until 2 nights ago. But, guess it's part of the process for some people. Hope you all are doing better each day. Wishing you all much success!

Took a pain pill and slept in a reclining sofa. That helped a LOT. Seems the tossing and turning in bed was aggravating things.

I've been a lurker for about 6 months. This site has been a fantastic source of inspiration and knowledge. Tomorrow is my sleeve surgery. Just wanted to get any advice on what you brought with you to the hospital. Thanks

Thank you all. Just got home. spent an extra night due to not being able to take in quite enough fluids and still had a little nausea. Feeling good, but I am on pain meds at the moment. Each day is definitely a little better. I took some of the advice you guys provided. Used (and needed) the hat for sure. Took my phone and charger. I know I have seen a lot of people say they used the GasX strips, so I had them, but the nurses said they won't work for the type of gas pain I was having. I read a lot of people who said they were very good help, so I just walked. Fortunately, my gas pains were pretty manageable by walking. No shoulder or back pain. Glad I took my own toothbrush. I had it in my mind that I was only staying one night, so I didn't bring shampoo or deodorant. Wish I had, since the ones they provided didn't work quite as well. Slept, walked and sipped. The sipping was a challenge, but getting better. What an experience. Have never done anything like this before. I look forward to the next few months. Thanks again for sharing! You guys rock!

Thank you for your replies and well wishes everyone. Your replies help me to be more prepared. Well...I'm off to see the wizard! Today is the day! I'm sure I'll be back online as soon as I can.