Positive Outlook

I noticed your surgery date. Hang in there... it's still very early for you, Lainey, and your new stomach is still healing. My surgery date was 11/8/17 and for me, right about last week (at 4 weeks post op), I started seeing an ease with eating things - still with the restriction, but not feeling awful after eating. Different surgeons have different post-op programs, but I will say my surgeons program post op (although it was tough) actually helped ensure my stomach was ready to take on progressively thicker foods over a 4 week period. Week 1 (clear liquid diet), week 2 (true liquids like Protein Shakes, yogurt, etc), Week 3 (pureed to soft diet (eggs, tuna , soft meats, etc.)) and Week 4 (add 1 new food at a time). Nevertheless, I had similar reactions you did during my week 3 (when I first started eating soft foods like egg and soft meats) and I too also became scared to eat. It's all in the process I think. Just remember you (we ) November sleevers are still healing.

I noticed your surgery date. Hang in there... it's still very early for you, Lainey, and your new stomach is still healing. My surgery date was 11/8/17 and for me, right about last week (at 4 weeks post op), I started seeing an ease with eating things - still with the restriction, but not feeling awful after eating. Different surgeons have different post-op programs, but I will say my surgeons program post op (although it was tough) actually helped ensure my stomach was ready to take on progressively thicker foods over a 4 week period. Week 1 (clear liquid diet), week 2 (true liquids like Protein Shakes, yogurt, etc), Week 3 (pureed to soft diet (eggs, tuna , soft meats, etc.)) and Week 4 (add 1 new food at a time). Nevertheless, I had similar reactions you did during my week 3 (when I first started eating soft foods like egg and soft meats) and I too also became scared to eat. It's all in the process I think. Just remember you (we ) November sleevers are still healing.

I noticed your surgery date. Hang in there... it's still very early for you, Lainey, and your new stomach is still healing. My surgery date was 11/8/17 and for me, right about last week (at 4 weeks post op), I started seeing an ease with eating things - still with the restriction, but not feeling awful after eating. Different surgeons have different post-op programs, but I will say my surgeons program post op (although it was tough) actually helped ensure my stomach was ready to take on progressively thicker foods over a 4 week period. Week 1 (clear liquid diet), week 2 (true liquids like Protein Shakes, yogurt, etc), Week 3 (pureed to soft diet (eggs, tuna , soft meats, etc.)) and Week 4 (add 1 new food at a time). Nevertheless, I had similar reactions you did during my week 3 (when I first started eating soft foods like egg and soft meats) and I too also became scared to eat. It's all in the process I think. Just remember you (we ) November sleevers are still healing.

I tried lean ground beef today at exactly 4 weeks (I noticed it was on my plan for good to go as of today so why not)
I totally overcooked it and the meat was a much leaner cut than I should have gotten. As a result it felt kind of tough to chew, and I dont think it was getting down to an "applesauce consistency" so I kept spitting it out. I did actually consume some, but I definitely dont think im ready to commit to tougher textures. Ill try some fish tomorrow and if that doesnt work im just sticking with Protein Shakes and scrambled eggs for a few weeks
i definitely find myself afraid of taking risk when it comes to eating, theres no question about that.

I think you are on solids WAY too soon. My doc had me on liquid for the 1st 14 days and his rule was always this "If you have discomfort or issues, go back to the previous stage for 24 hours and then try again.

Your new tummy just might not be past the New Born stage yet. When your baby needed to move from milk to solids it was touch and go, same with us. And if you are experiencing this kind of discomfort, put away the solids for 24 hours. It's OK to go slowly. This isn't a race. You are doing amazing!!!! Hang in there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with Positive Outlook. I would scale back on the fish and other meats for a week or two, and slowly re-introduce them back one by one. I wasn't allowed to eat eggs or flaky fish until after week four. I actually had an eight stage eating plan. I never felt sick or nauseous on the plan.
Welcome to the loser's club!

I noticed your surgery date. Hang in there... it's still very early for you, Lainey, and your new stomach is still healing. My surgery date was 11/8/17 and for me, right about last week (at 4 weeks post op), I started seeing an ease with eating things - still with the restriction, but not feeling awful after eating. Different surgeons have different post-op programs, but I will say my surgeons program post op (although it was tough) actually helped ensure my stomach was ready to take on progressively thicker foods over a 4 week period. Week 1 (clear liquid diet), week 2 (true liquids like Protein Shakes, yogurt, etc), Week 3 (pureed to soft diet (eggs, tuna , soft meats, etc.)) and Week 4 (add 1 new food at a time). Nevertheless, I had similar reactions you did during my week 3 (when I first started eating soft foods like egg and soft meats) and I too also became scared to eat. It's all in the process I think. Just remember you (we ) November sleevers are still healing.

I noticed your surgery date. Hang in there... it's still very early for you, Lainey, and your new stomach is still healing. My surgery date was 11/8/17 and for me, right about last week (at 4 weeks post op), I started seeing an ease with eating things - still with the restriction, but not feeling awful after eating. Different surgeons have different post-op programs, but I will say my surgeons program post op (although it was tough) actually helped ensure my stomach was ready to take on progressively thicker foods over a 4 week period. Week 1 (clear liquid diet), week 2 (true liquids like Protein Shakes, yogurt, etc), Week 3 (pureed to soft diet (eggs, tuna , soft meats, etc.)) and Week 4 (add 1 new food at a time). Nevertheless, I had similar reactions you did during my week 3 (when I first started eating soft foods like egg and soft meats) and I too also became scared to eat. It's all in the process I think. Just remember you (we ) November sleevers are still healing.

I weigh myself everyday. I have the Aria too its fun to watch the graphs and data as it does wirelessly upload into several applications. I don't worry if it goes up or down or stalls it gives me an idea of what foods I need to avoid that might be causing trouble for me. I am only 4 weeks out at this point so adding food weekly I am trying to be cautious about triggers.

Im waiting for my one month check up to see my progress (so I dont freak out about the 3week stall) and after that I plan on weighing myself every Friday morning only at the gym. Got rid of the house scale. I get super obsessive about the scale and dont want to go psycho. I have enough stress right now!

I'm only 2 months out, but this is what I do too. I travel a bit for work and pleasure, even this early post-op, so sometimes it might be 2 weeks before I step on the scale. As long as the number is not going up, I'm satisfied (my weight loss is slow, sporadic, but always going down).

I am a little over 2 months post sleeve and I weigh myself just about every day. This was recommended to me by my doctor. He said by tracking your weight daily you can see easily if something isn't working. For example if I know I'm not hitting my Protein goal and the scale is t moving I may need to increase protein same with Water.

Once a week cause before I was weighting myself every other day nd nothing change but you see a difference if you do it once a wk

I weigh myself every morning, which is also what I did pre-surgery. But I'm the kind of person that doesn't go **** bonkers and eat a bucket of fried chicken out of despair if I go up half a pound overnight or don't lose three days in a row. If I ever get to that point I'll make my husband take away my scale...

I don't see how anyone sleeved could eat that. Really. Really!

On a big day, I'll hit 120. For most folks here, with the exception of people that really work out (definitely not me) that'll sound like a lot. I really don't think it is. I can't eat a lot of calories or I gain - I'm at 1200-1300 to maintain. MFP thinks that's low, and also that I need more carbs. But I eat grains, breads, veggies, a variety of foods - don't feel deprived. I just don't really have room for more or want more. It's working for now. I have to be careful to keep eating them, because avoiding them does make me lose, as I discovered by accident a little bit ago.

Anyway, thanks for that info. I, personally feel that while I think we all need carbs and balance in our diets, 250-300 seems excessive. Maybe years of sleeved life have skewed my perspective.

Cheri

While 100 grams of carbs per day is not low-carb, it's certainly less than the standard for the carb-controlled diet commonly prescribed to certain patients / clients in healthcare facilities.
Anything below 250g of carbs (CHO) per day is considered carb-controlled, especially considering the US govt food pyramid recommends a whopping 300+ grams daily (6 to 11 servings).
For instance, the house carb-controlled diet prescribed by University of California at San Francisco Medical Center contains 1800 calories daily with 200 to 250g of carbs:
http://nutrition.ucsfmedicalcenter.org/internalsite/inpatient/StandardTherapueiticDietDefinitions.pdf
Anyhow, sorry for digressing...I tolerate popcorn without any issues and could graze myself to the bottom of a 5-pound bag if left to my own faulty devices, so I don't eat it.

popcorn doesn't slide for me. I can eat more of it than I probably should - say, 2 cups - but I'm definitely in the minority. For most people, it's a slider. I get full on it, and it's uncomfortable if I do eat so much I get full. It's also given me digestive issues, if you're picking up what I'm putting down. Definitely not my favorite thing to eat. And I'm not carb-avoidant. I eat about 100 g a day, sometimes a little more.

I'm 7 out. If I eat it, I usually measure a cup out and only eat that. I think I first tried popcorn around a year out, only because I lived overseas when I was sleeved and didn't go to a theater or have a reason to try it before then.

Cheri

HI karamelmami - I was sleeved on 11/8/17 and am 5-days post-op today. I am new to this so I am not expert but I can share what worked for me.
Regarding advice, this far out (6-7 weeks before your surgery date), my advice is to relax and take pride in the reasons you have decided to do this surgery. Doing this was a kind of an affirmation for me and kept my nerves in check and made me happy because I began focusing on the outcome I will have.
Also, from a practical sense, you may also want to begin preparing - like you would plan for a vacation or trip. For example, maybe begin practicing those big changes sleevers have to make now... 1)things like eating Protein first, 2) the no drinking 30 minutes before eating and until 30 minutes after eating, etc. Also, read and re-read any doctor instructions you have received (my program has a manual) and start preparing your house with the items you will be allowed to eat. I did research on Vitamins, etc. to occupy my time.
I wish you all the best with your surgery and pray that you will achieve all you set out to do by doing it!!

I drink coffee my surgeon said don't stop drinking it I could have it as soon as I got home from hospital it was a saving grace to be honest it was my treat and that can't be a bad thing it's better than donuts choc bars and cakes lollies
I love coffee I have up to 3 a day myself and I'm almost 1 year out and at goal

It's head hunger and you WILL get over it it just takes time! I use to feel the same way and just crave any and everything. When you start to lose more weight your head hunger will go away

Take a deep breath. Calm down. food isn't disappearing from your life forever, you will have many more healthier thanksgivings to come. Pretend it's next thanksgiving and you are wearing designer jeans and a great shirt - are you going to care about the food then? NO a big fat NO!!!!
Are you truly hungry? Or is just the sight and smell of food making you think you want food? Is your stomach gnawing - it could be acid reflux. Can you contact your bariatric team or your NUT? Do you have a support group that meets anywhere?
I like Isopure ready-made drinks - they are tart rather than sweet shakes, or Protein Water 20. Everyone's surgeon has a different program. Just follow the one you were given. You are healing and this part takes time. Go binge watch something on netflix when people are eating or take a walk, call a friend, get a pedicure, anything....paint by number
Hang in there.

Sliders (a.k.a. slurry foods) are processed carb-laden foods such as popcorn, crackers, pretzels, chips, Cookies, pastries, milk shakes, ice cream, and donuts.
Sliders enter your sleeve as a liquid slurry and 'slide' effortlessly through your stomach past your pyloric valve into your intestines, enabling the sleeve to tolerate more food. Hence, they're called 'sliders.'

Since sliders don't promote fullness or satiety in any meaningful way, our sleeves can continually accept these types of foods all day long. In sum, they promote rapid weight regain.