Orchids&Dragons

It's just that at 2 months out you should be getting your full protein amount. 2 yogurts isn't enough. It doesn't have to be all from foods. If you don't give your body enough protein, it will start breaking down your muscle. Your body is starving. Are you using shakes or protein water or anything? If your body goes into starvation mode, not only is it damaging to your muscles and organs, but your weight loss, too.

How are you getting your protein?

I'm so sorry about your mother. Everything is just hitting you all at once. (hugs)

Just my 2 cents: How should a doctor tell you to lose weight? Or should they just not say anything? Who can you help by ignoring it? I think it should be brought up when discussing any health concerns related to weight. If there are no health concerns yet, don't go there. It's not like they haven't noticed. However, opposite answer for pediatricians. Parent do seem to have a blind spot for "baby fat". Not sure how to broach the subject, though. Would it be better if nutrition classes or a healthy lifestyle program was offered at the same time? Yes, my doctor's office told me to lose weight every time they saw me. But when I asked for help, they said they didn't advocate anything but diet and exercise. Well, gee whiz, they'd watched me go up and down hundreds of pounds during that time. Why did they think it would work this time? Some form of help would have been appreciated. Should the conversation only happen with another big person? Would you feel less judged that way? I don't think that matters. Or does it seem silly for a fat person to tell another fat person to lose weight? Empathy or irony? Depends, one may have co-morbidities that the other does not. Again, I don't think the size of the medical professional should matter. I mean, my obstetrician was male; he never experienced pregnancy. Would it be better or worse if bariatric surgery was mentioned? Would it help if I flashed my scars? I think it could be mentioned among a list of alternatives. In fact, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a handout that discussed pharmaceutical options, behavioral modification options and surgical options with pros/cons. This would include the weight ranges for which each was appropriate. Tell me about times when a medical professional told you to lose weight. How did it feel? What would have made it better? Generally, I got angry because I'm overall in good health, no-comorbidities, etc. I felt like they used that as the catch-all excuse to not look into the actual causes of my issues. Hangnail? Lose weight, it'll get better. Pneumonia, lose weight, it'll help. Pimple on my a$$, lose weight, it'll help. You know what? Even if the weight did contribute to the problem, telling me that it might improve in a year or two after I lost an unlikely amount of weight was not helpful. Especially if you would have sent a non-obese person for some actual treatment. I stopped going to doctors entirely. They weren't going to help me lose the weight, just document my suffering. /Rant over/

Wish I could tell you.

Then definitely discuss the heartburn with your doc. My doctor is already talking about possibly having to revise my sleeve to bypass because of reflux that came after the surgery.

Yes, this! Start with softer blended foods. Yogurt, blended cottage cheese, pudding. Don't move on until you're ok with these. And don't think 3 oz. is a requirement. If 1 oz. feels ok, then stay there for a while and move up gradually. I was a couple months out before I could even do 2 oz.

Yes, unless the GERD is caused by a hernia which they will repair during surgery.

Sounds like plenty of time, barring complications.

Great success story, thanks for sharing and inspiring! Are you at goal now?

How would that have made a difference? I'm not asking to be argumentative, but since I didn't have those surgeries, I don't know.

Have you tried Saxenda or Contrave? I really didn't want surgery and tried both of those first.

What happened to the handouts you got at the hospital? Also, follow up with your surgeon's office, they should have someone who can help you get on track.

Definitely! I track all my food, every day.

It will. When you follow the program, it works.

Did your doctor's office not have nutritional class requirements? I realize that they're add different, but it sounds like you got cheated on the preparation side. I agree with Purple Girl, even if your doctor's group doesn't have a bariatric support group, check with local hospitals. I know that the group at my hospital is open to everyone. It doesn't matter where you had your surgery.

Drinking while you were eating is the reason you were able to eat so much, especially if the foods you were eating were sliders. The liquids washed all the food through your pouch allowing you to refill it over and over. Not eating during meals is a really big deal! And not for 30 minutes afterward, as well. That will give your stomach time to assess and signal satiety.

The number of incisions depends on the surgeon.

Your doc will go over all this with you. Depending on the type of pill, whether it's extended release, etc. If the doc forgets, ask!

Sending prayers your way. Don't be too mad at yourself. You stopped regain in the early stages and are working to lose again!

Great advice from a successful veteran!

I had surgery 2/26/18 and also had complications. Most of mine were caused by peculiarities of my own anatomy. I would do the surgery again, regardless. It has already made a huge difference in my life. The complication rate is very low, but you don't tend to hear about all the surgeries that went off without a hitch. You hear about the ones that had issues. Good luck whatever you decide.

Honestly, if I were in your shoes, I think I'd consider a balloon. I think they stay in for about 6 months and in that time, I think you could lose all your weight. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Sorry you're struggling with adjusting to your sleeve. You won't have ruined your sleeve in such a short time period, but you are exceedingly fortunate that you didn't end up back in the hospital from tearing the suture line. I'm amazed you weren't throwing up all the time. Some people have hardier stomachs than others. I'm glad you've come to your senses. Your sleeve will still work. Go back to the plan your doctor gave you and stick with it. The liquid phase is not a punishment. It's time for your sutures to heal. The slow progressing through the foods is training you and again, gently getting the stomach back in the game. Focus on fluids and protein. Don't put more than 2-4 oz. in your stomach at a time. You won't necessarily feel "full", but that's all the pouch can hold. The process isn't easy but you can do it. You don't want to waste this opportunity. Good luck.

The protein waters are easier to get down, imho. They're still quite sweet, so I water them down or add ice. But both the waters and the shakes counts toward both your fluid and your protein requirements.