Everything

Those protein shots are tough stuff for me but I’m only a few weeks post op

They say left shoulder blade could be a sign of a leak. I was having pain in my left chest, near my armpit almost, and I was freaking out but eventually it stopped and now I assume it was gas... that was from the time I came home until about 5 days ago. Unless you have a fever or other symptoms, and it sounds like a one-off. Maybe not to worry. Ask your doc!

Love this!

I’m not a cake eater myself. Now queso... that’s another story.

I went out for lunch today for the first time. I was with my husband, so there wasn't any weirdness about me not eating. He ordered lettuce wraps, so yes, Sheri I too ate some "salad". I took one bite, then I remembered being told that was the hardest thing to digest, or one of the hardest - lettuce. I ate about 2 tablespoons (if that) of the chicken tofu filling. I ate slow for once so I didn't get level 10 overstuffed but I did get nauseated so I know I pushed it eating a heavily seasoned filling, even though, as per usual, I chewed it to mush. I too miss veggies. I have had some canned green beans, but I miss the real deal!

Are you feeling better overall?

Honestly I’m having the same problem. It’s probably the biggest issue I’m having other than not being able to eat my vitamins. Just last week I walked by and picked up some leftovers off my child’s plate and just ate them like I normally would prior to surgery. I did not throw up but I was in incredible discomfort. I didn’t even chew them thoroughly and I was only two weeks out at that point. I’m thinking slowing down is the key. Sometimes I just blindly forget that I just had a surgical procedure that will limit the capacity I can eat. Also I found this online. It’s not that helpful for me because I am rushing through eating but as I have had pain I am becoming more aware and slowing down. This list is to encourage thinking about how you feel while eating instead of mindlessly consuming an entire measured amount or focusing on cleaning your plate. Think about these levels as you eat and soon you will be able to stop right where you need to be. Hungry level 1 – weak, headache, confusion, slow movements, low blood sugar level 2 – very uncomfortable, light headed, irritable, unable to concentrate level 3 – uncomfortable hollow feeling, stomach rumbling level 4 – slightly uncomfortable, just beginning to become aware of and feel hunger level 5 – comfortable, you are satisfied but could eat a little more level 6 – happily comfortable, satisfied. Many emit a signal, usually a hiccup, sniffle or sneeze at the back edge before moving to level 7 level 7 – full and feeling that you don’t really want another bite. This is just a little beyond where you want to be level 8 – not wanting to swallow the chewed food in your mouth where you must spit it out, uncomfortable level 9 – overfull, very uncomfortable, regret in having eaten too much, pouch pain, hoping to regurgitate for relief. Feeling this way normally initiated by foods that go down easily but swell such as rice, pasta, bread level 10 – stomach pain, chills, regurgitating of food, followed by intense fatigue Overfull

It could be the tomato sauce.

Sorry for all these difficulties! Try only cooking the shrimp till just pink and chewing them to death. It was the first solid food I ate/enjoyed.

It's been a few days since I've been on and MAN - so much good content here! "Cat food" - OMG! What a horrid term! haha! I get tired, but no as bad as weeks 1-2. I walked/hiked 3+ miles on Saturday and that made me dizzy. So I'm taking shorter walks now. I'm totally off the rails now with this program, but I feel great. I called to reschedule my 2 week follow up because I had a sick child, then they canceled the rescheduled appointment on me - now I won't be going for a follow up till over a month out. I'll be 3 weeks tomorrow and am making this up as I go. I drink water and protein water all day, but I'm short on fluids. Can't stand all that protein crap anymore but I do focus on eating higher protein foods. I basically skipped the puree phase. I can really eat anything I want (can be dangerous!) but only maybe 4 teaspoons, max. I mean, I haven't had tacos or crunchy stuff. I haven't had anything really bad (Yoplait, Oui yogurt is my cheat, but I can only eat 1/3 of one at a time, max). I'm making educated decisions about what I'm eating, both from a texture and health perspective, but I'm making it work my way. Had a SF Jello last night, couldn't even eat 1/2. The only things that bother me so far (primarily) are the damn Vitamins - the one thing I actually NEED. They cause me great nausea and fits of dry heaving. Oh, and I CAN'T THROW UP! It's a little concerning. I get foamies, but no full blown throwing up. Hope that's "normal". Also, I tried a teaspoon of spaghetti sauce (burned going down) and 1 SIP of red wine (also burned) so not eating/drinking that stuff, which I can live with. I'm in a STALL here! It's been 3 days with no scale movement, so I did a little research. I'm not sure how true this is, but I wanted to share it here in case it helps one of you. It helped me! Overall I'm really happy with my sleeve. I feel like I'm losing inches, even though the scale seems to be "broken"! Here are the tips I read online about Stalls: Patients are often instructed to follow a "liver shrinking diet" before surgery to prepare their body and ease the job of the surgeon. This diet may be a low calorie, low carb, or liquid diet depending on the clinic. While the smaller liver is often great during surgery, it's not a size that your body wants to maintain long term as a fully functional liver helps our body with a number of different processes. Due to this need, the body will slowly start to help the liver get back to it's normal size after surgery, which can often times takes....you guessed it....about 3 weeks. If you do weigh yourself, make sure that you are also taking note of your measurements. Fat takes up a lot more space than muscle. If you're losing inches and slowly losing pounds, this is often an indication that you are losing fat rather than muscle. If you do notice the dreaded "3 week stall", think of it as a badge of honor, a milestone, and "just a phase". Rather than thinking of your journey being "off course", remind yourself that it is just beginning. Time to enjoy the ride!

So my daughter was eating a deli sandwich and had picked off some meats and cheeses and 1 pickle slice. I was walking by and saw them laying there. I picked them up, barely chewed them and swallowed. Of course I immediately realized what I’d done, but this is not my first time. Hope I’m not the only one who’s had memory lapses about just having surgery. Now I’m sitting here very uncomfortable and hoping I have not caused any damage.

By FAR, one of the most DISGUSTING things I have ever consumed. But 42 g of protein- ok. Thus far I can’t get more that 1/2 of one of these down.

Random thing on my FB feed this morning relating to my earlier post... just though I’d share!

Good luck with your corrective surgery

EmzBee!! Way to go! Congratulations!

Thanks! This is a rent house and my lease is up and they are selling the house. Yes, I’ve gotten a little pantry spoiled myself. So. Much. Space! I’ll miss this house for sure!

Between the time on your feet and the working out I bet you are blazing up some calories!!! I’m so jealous- I’m practically having to force myself to go on a walk. I’m sooooo insecure about working out. I bought myself some AirPods today as a gift for choosing my health AND to get me moving!!! That was an investment so I’ll feel obligated to go walk now. Also bought a new retractable leash for my dog which has been encouraging me to WALK! Please keep posting about your activity - it’s wonderful to see your progress!

Skyguy - I am the cook in my household and I am not cooking. Yesterday my daughter said “we haven’t had a meal in like two weeks”! She’s 16 years old. My husband has cooked a few meals so that’s not necessarily the truth. My kids are just used to me whipping up lasagna and whatever other casserole I am inclined to make. I make (uh hum MADE) a lot of casserole’s and heavy southern food. She was saying there’s nothing in the house to eat. I’m including a picture of the pantry and how there is “nothing to eat” (i’m including a picture of the pantry and how there is “nothing to eat “). I think this is actually going to be a good exercise for my family. Number one they can learn to fend for themselves. And number two they can start seeing the food in the pantry that’s right there in their face.. Maybe I am the meanest mom on earth but I am making myself a priority and right now I’m just not ready to submerge myself in a large pot of chicken and dumplings for their comfort. Your a better man than I am a woman for continuing your role as chef!

Very good explanation!!!

I bought a heated blanket before surgery and I live under it now!

I can’t speak for anyone else of course, but it’s going good for me so far. I’m almost 2 weeks post op. The first week was very very difficult for me. Almost anything I ate caused pain. I’ve healed and can now easily drink water, shakes, etc. I’m still keeping eating to a minimum by choice. Before surgery I did not have a good diet. I’m a stay at home mom, and my kids are older and in school, so I had a lot of time at home alone which led to lots of snacking and I generally made poor food choices. I wouldn’t say I NEEDED food. I mean, we all need food... But my daily intake usually did include at least one “bad” meal, be that a hamburger/fries combo meal, lunch at a restaurant or pizza delivery. Since surgery, and due to having kids around, I’ve been exposed to those temptations twice now. In an earlier post I confessed I chewed up and spit out a few of my sons Wendy’s French fries. And I took a pepperoni off of my family’s pizza Friday night and ate that. But largely I don’t “cheat” and don’t want to. My hunger has been largely reduced. Had those things not been right in my face, I would have never put them in my face to begin with. So there is that. At this stage it’s still risky to me and can be actually PAINFUL to cheat, so that’s a good deterrent. I do find myself craving salmon sashimi, crab legs and shrimp. So maybe there is some nutrient in these seafood items I’m short on. Thats my 2 cents. Hope that helps. I paid $10,000 for this surgery and I’m happy with the results so far. If things keep going this way it will be money well spent. My self esteem has already improved and I’m looking forward to a smaller “me” this summer!

Yes- which is why I stopped beating myself up about not following mine exactly and revising it to fit my needs. How do these surgeons come up with the post op plans? Mine says I can drink alcohol 4 weeks post op; other people have to wait 6-12 months? Some are requiring 80 g of protein beginning immediately after surgery and others are 15 g for the first week? Some people are supposed to start with multivitamins day 1 post op and others wait 1-2 weeks to integrate them? Are these surgeries so radically different that the post op diets need to differ this much? I’m listening to my body and pushing to get max protein but I’m not going to beat myself up if I don’t get in 80 g of protein. Sorry.

Sheribear- ok you are 14 full days ahead of me. I was like “1/2 c of food... what?!” I’m getting teaspoons here and there. When did you start being able to eat up to 1/2 c?

Good luck! Let us know how the wine goes (down). Can relate to the egg. I woofed mine down in 2 min - no pacing. It didn’t work out for me at all. I choked on that egg for over an hour!

Jodster- I’m glad you feel me! Well true confession (but I doubt you’ve done this either) but I did take three of my sons French fries and I chewed them up and spit them in the trash. I know, I know. I sound like I have some sort of eating disorder now. I have four kids, three of which are teenagers. Three of which are underweight and eat fast food regularly. The struggle is real. I will say chewing up and spitting out a french fry and was far less gratifying than I expected. Really not worth it. I am loving this surgery so far. I would never have done that in the past but I I knew if I ate a french fry there was hell to pay. So it’s definitely making me rethink my actions! And also, even though I didn’t drop 20 pounds the first week, I am very positive at the moment about my progress. Don’t want to screw that up or derail it!