Creekimp13

I've got two weeks of only 3 Protein Shakes and two sugar free Jello cups. I'm at the end of week one and it's not been fun....but it does help you get through the mental change of smelling yummy food with the family and not eating any. I think it helps prepare us for the post surgery lifestyle.

I still have my 2 weeks of liquid diet hell to look forward to! It's ALL over the place with the docs pre-op plans! I know they have their reasons and logic. My RD explained that they're strict because if you give a patient an inch, they'll take a mile. For instance, if they say, "OK, you can have 1oz of berries in your dinner smoothie." Pretty soon, we'll be adding chocolate Syrup, Peanut Butter, 3oz of frozen banana, 1 cup of berries and 1/2 an apple. Then they'll get to the surgery and the liver will be swollen and inflamed and blammo! Cancelled surgery. This way, they have a little more control over the outcome (plus they identify people who are gonna wash out and ring the bell BEFORE they have a chance to moiderize themselves with turkey and dressing 3 days after surgery.
It amuses me to think of it as my surgeon's personal welcome to me, "Welcome to hell WLS noob, your ass belongs to me for the next year...beginning in the these next 2 weeks." *surgeon laughs a little maniacally*
The End.

Better (and safer!) to have your brush with temptation on this side of surgery, rather than post-surgically. Lesson learned. We're human. It's ok.

We might all be adults, but we're not all doctors. Part of the reason we're in this mess, is because we make notable BAD food choices and write our own rules about food....that don't work.
In all other areas of medical treatment most of us would say....follow your doctor's instructions exactly for the best outcome.
Why would this be different?
Yes, we're all adults. Most of us are adults with food addiction. Addicts love to bargain and justify themselves and make their own special rules that are often counterproductive and unwise.
Just sayin...lets not be in denial about that.

To each their own. But to me? I've worked too hard and this is too important to go off script and make guesses against my doctor's instructions.

I wondered the same thing.....because when you start that two week liquid diet it's a big ole slap upside the head of reality....THIS IS HARD!
My personal theory? Eliminating meat is not physically necessary to shrink your liver pre-surg.....but it IS psychologically necessary to make sure you're gonna survive the restrictive diet after surgery and not do something stupid that could HURT you.
Yep, that two week diet feels like torture. Guess what? So does the post-surgical diet. Except with the post surgical diet, you don't get to change your mind. If you cheat you can end up needing emergency surgery. My doc recently had a case of someone eating on Thanksgiving 5 days post op and getting their sleeve impacted. They tried to shift the clog with an endoscope and couldn't....needed to do surgery to unstick a wad of turkey.
Maybe that is why we have to prove our metal with the liquid diet. Just to know what we're getting ourselves into and making sure we have the courage and tenacity to make it through. Doctors really don't like their surgical complication rate to tick up....and they have to trust you not to sabotage yourself.
Do your pre-surgical diet as written. Don't cheat. They do it that way for a reason. It's hard. Yes. Yes, it is. Very hard. (says a woman who has eaten nothing but Clear Liquids and protien shakes for three miserable weeks...two pre-surg, and one post surg) But guess what? I had a terrifically easy time in surgery, no nausea, little pain. Tomorrow, I should be cleared to eat yogurt, oatmeal, Soup and pudding. Looking very forward to that. Around Christmas, I'll get mashed potatoes and soft meats....which sounds like heaven.
You're hitting the hard part. Buck up and do what you're told. DONT CHEAT! The success of your sleeve depends on it.

I feel you, my hair started falling out around month 6. I was eating around 1500 calories a day and taking a double dose of Biotin (as well as all my other vitamins). My surgeon says there's nothing you can really do to prevent it. But it's growing back now (and in a new color!). It won't last but a few months, but it's a pain while it's happening for sure.

Girl ...
bald can be cute
Wigs can be cute
But healthy is sexy

OMG. I haven't even had the damn surgery yet, and I have a full brush every week that has to be emptied and cleaned! I swear I'm gonna be bald as a billiard. Skinny and bald...what a way to go through life huh? All magic has a price!

I have been worried about the same thing although I'm only a month post OP. I have found out that there is little correlation between Biotin and hair regrowth in this situation, but L-Lysine seems promising. Also ferritin, Iron store levels seem crucial. Please Research Telogen Effluvium , iron, ferritin and L-Lysine, and see if any of this information helps.

Oye...
Ok. I'll take a crack at your questions.
1. Will you be recovered in time to go to work in a week, do a big day, etc? Every body is different. But consider this. For the first couple of days after surgery, you don't get any calories...just Clear Liquids. Eventually, you get to alternate clear liquids with 4oz of Protein Shake. If you do that every hour all day....you end up with about 400 calories for the day. You do this for a week. Have you ever been on a starvation diet for a week before? How did you feel?
People's recoveries vary. I, personally, had a very easy time with surgery. The lady next to me vomited from the moment she woke up and couldn't stop. She ended up staying extra days in the hospital to get it under control. At one week out, I feel pretty terrific. I've been shopping, cleaning the house, wrapping presents, visiting friends. Another lady I know has been back to her doctor's twice for IV fluids because the inflammation in her tummy is too tight for her to get enough fluids in by mouth. She's still having a rough time, but she's making progress. There are no guarantees how your body will react. One thing to be aware of is how foggy you can feel when you're eating so few calories.....it can effect your memory, your decision making....you might not be as sharp and ready to take on problems as you usually would be.

2. How soon can you do weight training. I have no idea. But I was given a lift limit of 10 pounds when I left the hospital. So for at least the first week...weights are out. Walking is your best friend, and you're going to want to do a lot of it to work out the uncomfortable gas after surgery if you're having it done laparoscopically.

3. The multiple little scars from a laparoscopic surgery are MUCH preferable to a giant incision in an open procedure. The scars will fade in a year or so and should blend in with stretch marks if you have any...they're no biggie.
4. I'm a night time eater, too. Whoever told you you wouldn't be hungry anymore....meh...maybe that's their experience, but it's hardly universal. I'm hungry as hell. But the cool thing is that half a cup of sugar free oatmeal feels like i've eaten a whole pizza now. Easy to get full and feel content.
5. You don't have to drink plain Water. You can drink decaffeinated coffee and tea all you want and it counts as water. Plain water is really good for you and you should try to drink it more...but don't stress if you can't manage it. flavored water works just fine. So does broth and Jello.

PS....even if you've already paid, you can still back out. This is a life changing serious commitment. You are changing your anatomy forever. Make sure you are fully committed.

My doc gives literature that anything under 1200 a day for an extended period of time is correlated with nutrient deficiencies, bone loss, loss of hair, and a lot of other malnutrition nastiness. They lean on you to get 1000-1200 calories per day by the third week post-op to maintain good nutrition and health.
I'll personally lose weight like crazy on 1200. I lost 30 pounds in 6 months on 1800 calories a day. But I do walk 5 miles with my fitbit every day.
Losing weight really fast can be really dangerous to your health. Sleeve patients should lose the bulk of their weight over 12-18 months. Super low calorie diets are never a good idea long term. Yep, they get results, but they can also damage your health and set you up for a nasty rebound.
Slow and steady...lifestyle changes...wins the race long term.
My group also integrates sensible low glycemic carbs and healthy fats into our diets in addition to adequate Protein. I like my dietitian's approach. It feels more balanced than some of the plans I hear about, and easier on the kidneys long term.

I was the first surgery on Tuesday with my group, so with an arrival time of 5:30, I was up at 4am.
Got there and it all went very smoothly. They wanted a little last minute blood, they wanted a pregnancy pee test, then on to pre-surgery where I got a couple of shots and an IV catheter in my forearm. Everyone wants to know your name and birthdate...lol.
Had already taken the Emend pill for anti-nausea. Was given an antinausea patch behind my ear, and a motion sickness med. Also, a med for preventing blood clots.
Surgery went well. Woke up and learned that I'd had a small hiatal hernia that my doc tightened up to help prevent acid reflux.
Surgery was 7:30-9:30. I spent 9:30-12:30 in recovery. Was ready to leave at around 11, but there was a little delay getting my room ready. Got a few ice chips in recovery.
Around 12:30, I was wheeled up to my room. The pain from the surgical sites wasn't bad. The trapped gas, particularly in my shoulders, hurt like the dickens, though. Miserable feeling, but tolerable.
As soon as I got to my room, I asked to go to the bathroom. Got up without any problem, took myself to the toilet. (nurse did stand outside the door at first). Got out and said that standing upright made my gas pain feel much better, so asked if I could walk. Nurses seemed very enthusiastic about my willingness to walk and took me for a walk. I did a couple laps of the ward and wanted to sit down again.
So, then, I was given a little one ounce cup of Water to drink slow. Got some pain meds, some more anti nausea meds, some meds to encourage my guts to keep moving.
I drank my little one ounce cup without any issues for a couple hours in a row and they advanced me to drinking FOUR little one ounce cups per hour, and sucking on this plastic breathing thing ten times an hour. After a bit, they helped me put an order in to food service for some broth, Jello, and other Clear Liquids.
But here's the routine I had to follow (and am still following today)
10 sucks on the breathing thingy per hour, One or two small walks per hour. Four ounces of clear liquid per hour....drinking one ounce every 15 minutes in 10 little sips.
Yesterday at 6pm, they sent me home, and I've been doing the same schedule. Tomorrow, I'll alternate hours, and do 4 ounces of Protein Drink, then four ounces of clear fluid...alternating like this for at least 10 hours of the day. The goal is at least 40 ounces of Fluid per day.
I'll remain on Protein drink and clear fluids until my recheck a week from surgery. At that point, if all is well, I get cream of wheat, yogurt, pudding, and oat meal back in the rotation.
The toughest thing for me has been getting comfortable in bed. I'm a side sleeper and it's kinda painful...but wedging enough pillows around me helps. Also, I have a little narcotic medication in liquid form for home, that so far, I have only had to take at night.
Am feeling pretty good today! Still pooped, but getting my walks in.
One funny thing....they loaded me up so much with IV fluids that I actually gained about four pounds while away having surgery! All those swollen tissues must be holding a lot of Water. I was told this is very common and not to worry about it. Could also be a function of them taking me off my diuretic for a while until fluids get easier to swallow in bigger volumes.
Anyway...I'm doing great and wanted everyone to know the sleeve isn't that bad. The hardest part for me is all the meticulous measuring and making sure all my little recovery jobs are getting done. Walk, sip, suck. Rinse, repeat.
Good luck to everyone on a safe and effective outcome!

Oye...
Ok. I'll take a crack at your questions.
1. Will you be recovered in time to go to work in a week, do a big day, etc? Every body is different. But consider this. For the first couple of days after surgery, you don't get any calories...just Clear Liquids. Eventually, you get to alternate clear liquids with 4oz of Protein Shake. If you do that every hour all day....you end up with about 400 calories for the day. You do this for a week. Have you ever been on a starvation diet for a week before? How did you feel?
People's recoveries vary. I, personally, had a very easy time with surgery. The lady next to me vomited from the moment she woke up and couldn't stop. She ended up staying extra days in the hospital to get it under control. At one week out, I feel pretty terrific. I've been shopping, cleaning the house, wrapping presents, visiting friends. Another lady I know has been back to her doctor's twice for IV fluids because the inflammation in her tummy is too tight for her to get enough fluids in by mouth. She's still having a rough time, but she's making progress. There are no guarantees how your body will react. One thing to be aware of is how foggy you can feel when you're eating so few calories.....it can effect your memory, your decision making....you might not be as sharp and ready to take on problems as you usually would be.

2. How soon can you do weight training. I have no idea. But I was given a lift limit of 10 pounds when I left the hospital. So for at least the first week...weights are out. Walking is your best friend, and you're going to want to do a lot of it to work out the uncomfortable gas after surgery if you're having it done laparoscopically.

3. The multiple little scars from a laparoscopic surgery are MUCH preferable to a giant incision in an open procedure. The scars will fade in a year or so and should blend in with stretch marks if you have any...they're no biggie.
4. I'm a night time eater, too. Whoever told you you wouldn't be hungry anymore....meh...maybe that's their experience, but it's hardly universal. I'm hungry as hell. But the cool thing is that half a cup of sugar free oatmeal feels like i've eaten a whole pizza now. Easy to get full and feel content.
5. You don't have to drink plain Water. You can drink decaffeinated coffee and tea all you want and it counts as water. Plain water is really good for you and you should try to drink it more...but don't stress if you can't manage it. flavored water works just fine. So does broth and Jello.

PS....even if you've already paid, you can still back out. This is a life changing serious commitment. You are changing your anatomy forever. Make sure you are fully committed.

My plan: "Thank you! I'd love one, they look delicious! But I'm going to have to take it home for later, because I'm stuffed right now."
Then, I'll find someone who looks like they need a treat and pay it forward:)
I don't have to eat it to accept it graciously and comment that it's a lovely gesture and looks yummy. Bonus: I get to give ti to someone else and make them happy:)
Have never met a homeless person who didn't want a cookie. Bonus points if I can pick them up a cup of coffee to go with it.

15 grams of carbs is nothing. Carbs are not our enemy, they are necessary for our health. It is really only an issue when the carbs take over the majority of your diet OR the only carbs you are getting are the worthless processed carbs.
According to my tracking yesterday:

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about 15g of carbs personally.

And I'd go commando to make peein easier and to not have any constriction at your groin - don't cross legs. Spend time in the back seat with your legs up and take pillows and Blankley. Yes, walk often! The risk of thrombosis (blood clots) is still very real at 2weeks. I'd personally be very leery of a 9hour trip at 2weeks out...

Oye...
Ok. I'll take a crack at your questions.
1. Will you be recovered in time to go to work in a week, do a big day, etc? Every body is different. But consider this. For the first couple of days after surgery, you don't get any calories...just Clear Liquids. Eventually, you get to alternate clear liquids with 4oz of Protein Shake. If you do that every hour all day....you end up with about 400 calories for the day. You do this for a week. Have you ever been on a starvation diet for a week before? How did you feel?
People's recoveries vary. I, personally, had a very easy time with surgery. The lady next to me vomited from the moment she woke up and couldn't stop. She ended up staying extra days in the hospital to get it under control. At one week out, I feel pretty terrific. I've been shopping, cleaning the house, wrapping presents, visiting friends. Another lady I know has been back to her doctor's twice for IV fluids because the inflammation in her tummy is too tight for her to get enough fluids in by mouth. She's still having a rough time, but she's making progress. There are no guarantees how your body will react. One thing to be aware of is how foggy you can feel when you're eating so few calories.....it can effect your memory, your decision making....you might not be as sharp and ready to take on problems as you usually would be.

2. How soon can you do weight training. I have no idea. But I was given a lift limit of 10 pounds when I left the hospital. So for at least the first week...weights are out. Walking is your best friend, and you're going to want to do a lot of it to work out the uncomfortable gas after surgery if you're having it done laparoscopically.

3. The multiple little scars from a laparoscopic surgery are MUCH preferable to a giant incision in an open procedure. The scars will fade in a year or so and should blend in with stretch marks if you have any...they're no biggie.
4. I'm a night time eater, too. Whoever told you you wouldn't be hungry anymore....meh...maybe that's their experience, but it's hardly universal. I'm hungry as hell. But the cool thing is that half a cup of sugar free oatmeal feels like i've eaten a whole pizza now. Easy to get full and feel content.
5. You don't have to drink plain Water. You can drink decaffeinated coffee and tea all you want and it counts as water. Plain water is really good for you and you should try to drink it more...but don't stress if you can't manage it. flavored water works just fine. So does broth and Jello.

PS....even if you've already paid, you can still back out. This is a life changing serious commitment. You are changing your anatomy forever. Make sure you are fully committed.

Oye...
Ok. I'll take a crack at your questions.
1. Will you be recovered in time to go to work in a week, do a big day, etc? Every body is different. But consider this. For the first couple of days after surgery, you don't get any calories...just Clear Liquids. Eventually, you get to alternate clear liquids with 4oz of Protein Shake. If you do that every hour all day....you end up with about 400 calories for the day. You do this for a week. Have you ever been on a starvation diet for a week before? How did you feel?
People's recoveries vary. I, personally, had a very easy time with surgery. The lady next to me vomited from the moment she woke up and couldn't stop. She ended up staying extra days in the hospital to get it under control. At one week out, I feel pretty terrific. I've been shopping, cleaning the house, wrapping presents, visiting friends. Another lady I know has been back to her doctor's twice for IV fluids because the inflammation in her tummy is too tight for her to get enough fluids in by mouth. She's still having a rough time, but she's making progress. There are no guarantees how your body will react. One thing to be aware of is how foggy you can feel when you're eating so few calories.....it can effect your memory, your decision making....you might not be as sharp and ready to take on problems as you usually would be.

2. How soon can you do weight training. I have no idea. But I was given a lift limit of 10 pounds when I left the hospital. So for at least the first week...weights are out. Walking is your best friend, and you're going to want to do a lot of it to work out the uncomfortable gas after surgery if you're having it done laparoscopically.

3. The multiple little scars from a laparoscopic surgery are MUCH preferable to a giant incision in an open procedure. The scars will fade in a year or so and should blend in with stretch marks if you have any...they're no biggie.
4. I'm a night time eater, too. Whoever told you you wouldn't be hungry anymore....meh...maybe that's their experience, but it's hardly universal. I'm hungry as hell. But the cool thing is that half a cup of sugar free oatmeal feels like i've eaten a whole pizza now. Easy to get full and feel content.
5. You don't have to drink plain Water. You can drink decaffeinated coffee and tea all you want and it counts as water. Plain water is really good for you and you should try to drink it more...but don't stress if you can't manage it. flavored water works just fine. So does broth and Jello.

PS....even if you've already paid, you can still back out. This is a life changing serious commitment. You are changing your anatomy forever. Make sure you are fully committed.

I eat every calorie I'm allowed to eat and find them all delicious.
In fact, your menu there sounds pretty dang good.
I just had a small bowl of cream of wheat with a little almond milk and enjoyed it to high heaven. I envy your egg. And your meat. And especially your veggies! I really miss salad. With like...steak salad with blue cheese and mushrooms and.....guh. Yep, that one's a ways in the future. *sigh*
My favorite diet is eating balanced foods I love in sensible quantities and exercising like a mad woman. Had a crazy active day today. Took mom Christmas shopping, wrapped a metric tonne of gifts and got an exam care package in the mail for my kiddo at college.
I will always LOVE food. But I'm working on loving foods that love me back, and loving them in sensible portions. The new tummy helps! I'm really FULL after less than half a cup of cream of wheat! Seems unreal...and really hopeful:)
Never forget...sex is GREAT exercise:)

Oye...
Ok. I'll take a crack at your questions.
1. Will you be recovered in time to go to work in a week, do a big day, etc? Every body is different. But consider this. For the first couple of days after surgery, you don't get any calories...just Clear Liquids. Eventually, you get to alternate clear liquids with 4oz of Protein Shake. If you do that every hour all day....you end up with about 400 calories for the day. You do this for a week. Have you ever been on a starvation diet for a week before? How did you feel?
People's recoveries vary. I, personally, had a very easy time with surgery. The lady next to me vomited from the moment she woke up and couldn't stop. She ended up staying extra days in the hospital to get it under control. At one week out, I feel pretty terrific. I've been shopping, cleaning the house, wrapping presents, visiting friends. Another lady I know has been back to her doctor's twice for IV fluids because the inflammation in her tummy is too tight for her to get enough fluids in by mouth. She's still having a rough time, but she's making progress. There are no guarantees how your body will react. One thing to be aware of is how foggy you can feel when you're eating so few calories.....it can effect your memory, your decision making....you might not be as sharp and ready to take on problems as you usually would be.

2. How soon can you do weight training. I have no idea. But I was given a lift limit of 10 pounds when I left the hospital. So for at least the first week...weights are out. Walking is your best friend, and you're going to want to do a lot of it to work out the uncomfortable gas after surgery if you're having it done laparoscopically.

3. The multiple little scars from a laparoscopic surgery are MUCH preferable to a giant incision in an open procedure. The scars will fade in a year or so and should blend in with stretch marks if you have any...they're no biggie.
4. I'm a night time eater, too. Whoever told you you wouldn't be hungry anymore....meh...maybe that's their experience, but it's hardly universal. I'm hungry as hell. But the cool thing is that half a cup of sugar free oatmeal feels like i've eaten a whole pizza now. Easy to get full and feel content.
5. You don't have to drink plain Water. You can drink decaffeinated coffee and tea all you want and it counts as water. Plain water is really good for you and you should try to drink it more...but don't stress if you can't manage it. flavored water works just fine. So does broth and Jello.

PS....even if you've already paid, you can still back out. This is a life changing serious commitment. You are changing your anatomy forever. Make sure you are fully committed.

I'm one week post-op, and I'd do a 9 hour road trip very happily if the following conditions were in order...
1. I could drive some, but the bulk of the driving would have to be someone else.
2. I'd want to stop and walk for at least ten minutes every couple of hours.
3. Would have to be with people I have a great time with and feel really relaxed with.
4. I wouldn't wear a bra, and my loose waist lounge pants would have to be acceptable.

I eat every calorie I'm allowed to eat and find them all delicious.
In fact, your menu there sounds pretty dang good.
I just had a small bowl of cream of wheat with a little almond milk and enjoyed it to high heaven. I envy your egg. And your meat. And especially your veggies! I really miss salad. With like...steak salad with blue cheese and mushrooms and.....guh. Yep, that one's a ways in the future. *sigh*
My favorite diet is eating balanced foods I love in sensible quantities and exercising like a mad woman. Had a crazy active day today. Took mom Christmas shopping, wrapped a metric tonne of gifts and got an exam care package in the mail for my kiddo at college.
I will always LOVE food. But I'm working on loving foods that love me back, and loving them in sensible portions. The new tummy helps! I'm really FULL after less than half a cup of cream of wheat! Seems unreal...and really hopeful:)
Never forget...sex is GREAT exercise:)

Dietitian told me today that the people who experience less Hair loss seem to be people who are eating enough calories. She said that prolonged periods of eating fewer than 1000 calories can contributes to worse hair loss. I think everyone loses some hair and I'm told it grows back just fine, but keeping track of your nutrition and making sure you're not on the extreme side of low calories can really help I'm told. Avoid malnutrition.

Dietitian told me today that the people who experience less Hair loss seem to be people who are eating enough calories. She said that prolonged periods of eating fewer than 1000 calories can contributes to worse hair loss. I think everyone loses some hair and I'm told it grows back just fine, but keeping track of your nutrition and making sure you're not on the extreme side of low calories can really help I'm told. Avoid malnutrition.

I was right around 600-800 at that 6 week mark but my NUT wanted us up to 1200 calories as soon as possible so I think by 12 weeks I was getting between 1000-1200 calories a day. I now average 1100-1400 calories a day depending on the day and my level of activity.