NYCNomad

I’ve had a couple rough days where all I wanted to do was eat...also the sweet craving. What helps me is drinking water with some of the Mios flavor drops. Also my favorite nightcap sweet is a decaf coffee latte with half a Caramel Premier Protein shake. Sleeved 3/12/18, HW 270, SW 253, CW 238, GW 160, 5’9”

Awesome job! Congrats! You look fantastic [emoji119] Sleeved 3/12/18, HW 270, SW 253, CW 238, GW 160, 5’9”

4 wks out - I was a big social drinker as well and can relate to sillykitty. It’s very much a habit. At 3 weeks I was at an event and tried a sip of beer and couldn’t stand it. The carbonation tasted super exaggerated and the flavor had changed. Last night I was at a dinner party and decided to try wine. I gave myself a smaller 4oz pour and the taste had changed as well. I didn’t really like it but out of habit kept taking sips. I nursed this glass for over 3 hours and still had about an oz left to pour out at the end of the night. I’ve lost the desire to drink and for the most part am totally fine being out and drinking water. Sleeved 3/12/18, HW 270, SW 253, CW 238, GW 160, 5’9”

I found some little 4oz to-go cups on Amazon and filled them with layered ground beef, marinara sauce, ricotta and mozzarella. I take them for lunch at work. Each is about 120 cal. One doesn’t fill me up, though. I’ll have one then another 2 hrs later for lunch. I’ve also been eating out WAY more than I’d like to be. Work conference this week, travel and being social with friends. I’ll eat a few bites of sautéed brussel sprouts, quinoa, beef stew, mashed potatoes, salmon and spaghetti squash. None of it has bothered me. I’m a little nervous because I don’t know nutritional content or how much I eat but I really can’t eat much before I feel full and I feel like I’m making healthy choices. Avoiding breads.

My surgery was 2 days before you. I’ve been on puree since day one and started eating soft foods a week ago. 700-900 calories per day. I’m having no problem with food and getting plenty of liquids. I plan on starting the gym next week. Sleeved 3/12/18, HW 270, SW 253, CW 238, GW 160, 5’9”

Awesome! Thanks! And no, haven’t tried Mederma. Did that work for you? I’m also curious how long it takes for scars to fade to their permanent state. Sleeved 3/12/18, HW 270, SW 253, CW 238, GW 160, 5’9”

Any recommendations for ointments or treatments that will help reduce scaring? I’ve tried ScarAway gel strips but it’s leaving a dark ring. 4 wks post op, incisions feel hard and there’s a dent with the main one. Also, how long before they really start to fade? And yes, I agree that scars are better than being overweight. I just know that if you treat them early it will have the most impact. Thanks for any help!

Surgery March 12. I lost 11 pounds in the first 2 weeks and haven’t lost a pound in the last 8 days. Incredibly frustrating. Last week I started transitioning to soft foods which I heard can cause a stall. Walking 3-4 mi/day, protein heavy diet, plenty of fluid, and about 800 cal. Sleeved 3/12/18, HW 270, SW 253, CW 242, GW 160, 5’9”

I was wondering the same at 4 days out. The first week I was extremely bloated and swollen despite walking 2-3 miles a day. Second week I started to feel normal and swelling was gone by day 10. Sleeved 3/12/18, HW 270, SW 253, CW 242, GW 160, 5’9”

Sleeved 3/12 and have done this on my own. Looking for other locals to connect with as well! Sleeved 3/12/18, HW 270, SW 253, CW 242, GW 160, 5’9”

My doc was more progressive than most and had us eat either tuna or cottage cheese before we even left the hospital. We are on puree to soft foods for 6 wks starting day one. Nut butters (not actual nuts) are approved as well as the mama chia pouches that were recommended by the doc. I’ve had no problems so far. The quinoa was a stretch. I figured they are super tiny so I tried it. Not sure if it was the quinoa or the salmon but I felt super bloated for the next 8 hours. Everyone’s journey is different and people can tolerate different foods at different times. I’m looking for helpful guidance for food when traveling and not judgement on what I’m eating when and if it is technically purée or not. I listed the the types of food I am eating in hopes I can get recommendations for similar food. Fluffy - I appreciate the list. That was helpful. Sleeved 3/12/18, HW 270, SW 253, CW 242, GW 160, 5’9”

I’m 2 week’s post op and headed to Vegas next week for a work conference. One of my biggest fears is being stuck out somewhere with no food options. My doc sent us home from the hospital straight to purée but I really didn’t start eating anything beyond shakes and pudding until this Thursday. For the most part it’s gone well, although salmon and quinoa yesterday were a little too much. I feel fine physically and am comfortable traveling. Any suggestions for easy go-to’s when traveling, attending conferences, work dinners? Also how do you avoid people noticing how little you eat? Here are a couple products I bought off Amazon that I hope will help. Sleeved 3/12/18, HW 270, SW 253, CW 242, GW 160, 5’9”

Thanks for sharing MattyMatt. I think all of us may have times when we slip up and think we are a failure for doing so. It’s helps when people like you share so we don’t feel alone when it happens to us.

Also sleeved 3/12. My doc said 30 min before was a rule of the past but no longer necessary. You def need to wait 30 min after though because the water will push the good through and will be painful. I’ve been on purée all wee and my strategy has been to drink as much water before I eat so I’m not thirsty. It’s the worst if you are mildly thirsty going into eating then stuck not being able to drink. So far it’s worked out.

Went well! I had a work dinner tonight (4-course, fancy restaurant) and doc cleared me to sample mushy things. Have to say it was an interesting experience! I couldn’t take more than 2-3 bites without feeling full. Was good to know the sleeve works because I’ve been drinking water so fast that I was a bit concerned. The servers kept asking if everything was alright or if I had any special dietary restrictions when I kept turning down the passed apps. Finally I told them I was on a special diet and they let me be. Note to self, let them know ahead of time to prevent extra attention being drawn.

Yeast infection here [emoji137]‍♀️ and I haven’t had one of those in at least 15 yrs

For UHC it isn’t starting weight, otherwise I would not have been approved. My starting BMI was 37. I originally was thinking about a lapband before I did my research. Unintentionally gained 15lbs over the 6 mo. That combined w/ using 5’8” as my height put me at 41 BMI for surgery.

@Staceyb2121 &@Missrut718 - what has been your overall experience with NYBG? Dr Holliver seems great but I’m not a fan of the nutritionalist. Also, how did you feel going directly to purée after surgery? It was a bit much for me and I stuck with shakes and yogurt. Adding soup and eggs this week.

Just an hour flight in and out. I thought of it like a long commute. I feel mostly normal except mild abdominal pain when I move from sitting to standing and the fact that I can’t eat actual food. Hitting fluid/protein goals helps a lot as well as the belly binder. Also, I’ve been taking small walks every few hours since surgery which totals almost 3mi/day. I think all of these factors are helping with a speedy recovery.

Travel peeps! I took my first trip today and it was an easy day trip NYC-Toronto. I brought a shaker bottle with protein powder that I filled up with water upon arrival as well as one of these Mama Chia pouches. They are 3.5 oz which is great because you can take them through security. Have an over night trip coming up next week to Vegas and am a little more concerned. Will keep ya posted on what I figure out! Sleeved 3/12. Mamma Chia Squeeze (4 variety pack of 12), 3.5 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H7L4AFA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_mnvSAbTN53D8D

It’s 2018 and medical marijuana is legal in 30 states. It’s time to get over stereotypes and the notion that “pot is bad”. There are thousands of strains of marijuana, all of which effect people differently. Indica and sativa are totally different with different effects. Cannabinoids can be consumed in a number of ways that don’t involve smoking. OP - I asked my doc about MJ as I regularly take edibles to help me sleep and he said it’s fine. I don’t like narcotics and it’s helped with the pain as well.

@missrut718 Ha! We must have crossed paths lapping in the hall with our IVs in tow [emoji23] I’m headed in Wed for my follow up. Feeling great. How about you?

I’m glad you asked this because I was nervous about the same thing. Sleeved 3/12 and today I drank 20oz water in less than 20 min. I can take normal drinks and forget I’m sleeved. It’s not the same for broth, shakes or protein water. I def have to sip those and go slower. Only water and tea.

I was sleeved 3/12 as well. First 3 days were miserable. Soooo bloated and I had to force myself to get in protein and water by drinking out of 1oz cups and setting a timer on my phone for every 10 min. Today I’m feeling 1000x better and I even got out of the house this weekend to socialize. 2 things that I think really helped are first, walking. Since the day I got home from the hospital I forced myself to go outside and walk around the block 2x every few hours. It adds up. I’m doing 2-3 mi/day. Second is a belly binder that I bought from Amazon. Keeps mild pressure on my stomach (like hugging a pillow) and really helps when I walk or get up from sitting. Hope this helps and good luck!

Had the sleeve. Starting weight 262 (39 BMI) GW 170.