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I have been smoking since I left the hospital and I'm fine actually it helps with the crappy feeling tremendously!

Sincerely, Johanna

Have a little bit less of the food ... then, after 15-20 minutes, slowly sip room-temperature water.
Repeat after another 15-20 minutes.

I love this! Thank you so much! I'm hanging in there and already 2 weeks post op my pants are falling off! So excited

Sincerely, Johanna

I love this! Thank you so much! I'm hanging in there and already 2 weeks post op my pants are falling off! So excited

Sincerely, Johanna

It will pass - give it time. I was frustrated that I couldn't chug a bottle of Water to catch up to my hydration goals, but it just takes time to get used to taking smaller sips over time.
DO NOT PUSH to get back to big chugs - you will just stretch yourself back out again, negating the surgery you just had.
I cannot eat a whole sandwich (just over 3 months out), but I don't care anymore. I used to worry about that, now I love the fact that I don't eat it all. I eat a couple bites with the bread, then pick out the Proteins and eat as much of it as I can. I love that I have a few chips with a sandwich now to get the crunch...but I cannot eat a whole bag with a meal.
The fact that every week I take a new photo, and see my body changing - that is my motivation! Every day I find myself feeling my arms, legs, neck or some part of my body and finding I can feel bones and structure to my body that I never have felt in my life. I can see definition in my cheek bones now, shoulder blades, etc. I used to be into body building in my college years, and was at 2-5% bodyfat, but at over 300lbs. I was a hulk, and loved that look then...but it is different now. I don't want that look, because I love the fact I can go into a normal store, and buy normal size clothes...and I couldn't even dream of that 3 months ago. Well slap my ass and call me Sally - I will take that any day!
I too had days of regret and thinking to myself, **** I could have eaten less and not had all this pain - yeah right. I have been kidding myself for years with that one.
It just takes time, and over that time, whether you want to or not, you will be losing weight. Take weekly photos and measure yourself weekly like I do. You will be SHOCKED at the difference. It is not that noticeable trying to look day by day, but go a week or a month and you will be motivated.

You're swollen, if there are no other issues you will return to normal,
As always if you are really concerned the best place to talk about it is your surgeons office...

Crap typo. Stitch is what I meant. It’s easier to add a stitch

I'll just say what others have said--the first month is not fun. And I took forever to get anywhere near my Water goals. But after six months, I can eat just about anything--just not nearly as much, and I'm well aware of what I should be eating, so I focus on the Protein, protein, protein. The other day, though, I realized that I was eating "normal" Breakfast foods--just half as much as I used to eat. Not a bad thing to realize!
Hang in there. It will get better, definitely.

Thank you so much! Hearing these words of encouragement and hope is really helping! I did this surgery to help with portions etc but not to completely give up on all the foods I love! Or even water! There is a fine line between eating healthy and in moderation and depriving myself and I refuse the latter and don't really think it's healthy.... Least not for someone like me

Sincerely, Johanna

Thank for responding, I'm trying to hang in there....I guess if I could just drink more water....is it easier with a straw? I see that's what alot of ppl ere use...is it for the pressure?

The first month is the worse. I felt the same way. It gets better and you’ll realize it was the best decision ever

Omg this is so me right now to the T! Just so depressed.... I feel like I'm grieving food!

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Thank you.... You all are really instilling alot of hope.... I guess 2 weeks post op it's hard to see the pros due to all the crappy feelings of surgery.... I'm excited to see what life holds.... Just don't want to completely not enjoy a meal or rice etc... I'm Puerto Rican lol we love our food and that will never change.... I just hope that smaller portions doesn't turn into not eating my Hispanic food etc

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Thank you so much! I didn't realize this post posted twice lol my apologies, but I really am starting to feel more hopeful thanks to all you who have commented on either post. I guess I'm just going through the normal regret stage... Just so hard... I feel like maybe I wasn't fully prepared to have it and now I'm learning all kinds of things I maybe should have been awate of

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You are precious Orion.
I seriously love your personality
and your heart. Thanks for encouraging people
Keep on!

For everyone recent or pre-surgery, this is a new way of living and doing something fundamental to life --- eating! And likely a key activity that was not being done to the best of one's health. The challenges are big and transition is difficult. But, I am a big advocate for embracing the change and letting it seep into other parts of your life. I think one small way to do this that can be fundamental to success is tracking. Although I do not track my food and Water like I did 1 year or 6 months ago, I don't think I would have had the success I do now without religious tracking. I still track my exercise diligently. I think tracking is an accountability tool and a health tool that can help in your conversations with dietician or clinician and can give you a reference to comparing with your surgeon's plan.

Best of luck!

Hi...I am 11 days post-op today and have went through all those emotions MANY times as well, I then would remind myself why I did this in the first place. For me it was purely health reasons and I truly had done all I could do. As far as the pain? I had almost nonstop spasm pain in my pouch/stomach since I woke up from surgery. It has gotten better but it still happens and now mainly when I eat. I can only eat 3 tbsp worth of anything and the pain hits. If I keep going, it gets worse. One thing that helps is if I drink a very hot liquid in the morning or anytime my pouch spasms a lot. The heat relaxes the stomach. Also, you may still have swelling in your pouch which may not allow you to drink as much. Are you allowed to take advil liquigels yet? If so, I would take those regularly until more healing has taken place. Just my opinion. I feel your pain hun.

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It will get better but not overnight. It took me 6 months to reach my happy state. Each day will generally improve a little.
Some things in your description concern me. First you should have been given detailed directions about what to eat and how much to eat at each stage. For me I was directed to be on full liquids for the first month, pureed foods for the second month and only at week 9 did I transition to solids. Doctors will differ on their advise, but generally I recommend that you follow their guidelines. You stomach needs time to heal.
The three most important elements after bariatric surgery are to meet your daily Protein, Fluid and Vitamin requirements. food is secondary because your body is converting your stored fat into the energy that drives your body. Thus you lose weight.
Weight loss is achieved after surgery through meal volume control. With this minuscule amount of food, it is next to impossible to meet your protein daily requirements by food alone, so therefore you need to rely on supplements such as Protein Shakes.
Right after surgery many individuals have a problem meeting their fluid and protein goals, but trying to increase this each day, you should be able to get there soon.
It is common for your taste buds to change after surgery. Be willing to experiment. After surgery, my taste buds changed dramatically. Even Water changed. In the hospital it tasted excessively chlorinated and I could not drink it. So I experimented. sugar free popsicles became my best friend. Some individuals find hot or cold can help with fluids. For me, I found that I could tolerate flavored water. So I began using Crystal Light. I also found a new drink Bai which I liked cold. In the winter, I found that I tolerate Hot Drinks such as piping hot cocoa. But you have to use the "No Sugar Added" variety. Also fine English teas were very good.
The fluid requirement is met by a combination. It is not only the water that you drink each day. But also the water you drink when you take your Vitamins and medicine. It is the milk you drink. It is the fluids content of the protein shakes. It is the water component of the Soups you take. It is met by flavored water such as Crystal Light. It is met by sugar free popsicles. It is met by tea and Decaf coffee. It is a combination of all the fluids that you consume during the day.
Another thing that concerns me is that you talked about chest pains. On my discharge instructions one of the problems that were noted that triggered a call to my surgeon's office was Chest pain, rapid heartbeat and/or dizziness. So it may mean nothing but is best to keep your surgeon informed.

Don't go there yet. You'll drive yourself crazy and churn your new anatomy up with worry. Just concentrate on today. Tiny sips, walking, eating Protein Drinks, etc. Focus on how you'll feel 1 year from today--on top of the world!

Thank you so much! I didn't realize this post posted twice lol my apologies, but I really am starting to feel more hopeful thanks to all you who have commented on either post. I guess I'm just going through the normal regret stage... Just so hard... I feel like maybe I wasn't fully prepared to have it and now I'm learning all kinds of things I maybe should have been awate of

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It will Pass!!!! One Year out and I Drink as much as I want and sometimes miss those first few months where the scale moved lower everyday. You are going to be so excited 4 months from now when your whole wardrobe has changed at least 4 or 5 times.

If it continues see your surgeon. They could have possibly tightened you up to much with the hernia repair. Also slow down with your eating and drinking as when you spit to fast you will get pressure in the chest. Also invest in gas-x, my friend swears by it.

I went through all the feelings and regrets that you are going through.
I am now 7 weeks and can say it is much better now.

For me if I drink room temp Water I get pains in my chest but do fine with hot or iced water.

As your stomach heals you will gradually be able to eat more.

Just take this process one day at a time and look at the positives.

I promise this shall pass.

((((Hugs))))

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Have you been able to track how much Water you are getting in a day? I have read that it's supposed to be 64 ounces. Hoping to hear from others farther along about this. Regardless, I would definitely communicate with the doctor though. Dehydration can get serious if left too long.

So drinking is hard and early on for my surgeon straws were frowned upon as could drink too much. Later it was something my dietician recommended to be able to drink more and stay hydrated, especially during working out.
I would say for me it continues to be something I have to think about as I need to balance my Water intake with coffee; and make sure I don't drink 30 minutes before or after eating! But it gets easier, and I found drinking slowly in early phase made it easier to drink more at one sitting.
I would say I placed a priority on my shakes early on, and trying to stay on goal with 64 oz of liquid per day...spacing it out was key for me.