MandoGetsSleeved

You’re doing great! We are all different in what we can tolerate and what we need to lose weight. Activity levels, lifestyles, metabolism, etc all play a part in our journey. I am like you, 800+ calories on most days. Making all my protein and fluid goals. At just over 4 months out I am 60lbs down and still losing. Slowly, but losing none the less. How do you feel? Good energy? Day to day life better than pre-surgery? Is your doctor happy with your results? If you’re answering “yes” then it sounds like “you found a solution” vs “have a problem”. 😎 hang in there. It’s difficult when you try and compare to others.

Getting your liquids in is great! Are you able to do protein shakes yet? If so, those count as liquids as well. Protein water is a great crutch too if you can stomach it (I find them vile). Once you get into purees it's difficult and feels impossible at first (so filling for many of us). Add some flavorless protein - One word of caution, make sure you measure out your portions so you aren't wasting a bunch of protein powder - I still have a hard time eye-balling my new portion sizes (I put WAY too much on a plate) just because it's what I've always done....

Gas pain - WALK WALK WALK.... If you have that sharp pain in your upper chest when you swallow - You know, the one that makes you think you made a HUGE mistake? - That lasted more or less about a week for me. Every day I noticed it got a bit better and then just went away. Keep sipping and power through it if you can.

Agree with what everyone else has said - At 4.5 months out, I've been one of the "lucky" ones - I haven't found much that I can't eat, but I just can't eat much. MOST days I follow the plan as I'm obviously still in the WL stage. That being said, I didn't follow the plan over the Christmas holidays. I had a few cocktails and ate food that I "shouldn't" have with friends and family. My portion sizes were probably 1/8-1/4 of what i would have eaten in the past. I enjoyed every second of it and not once did I regret the surgery over the holidays. Holidays are over, and I'm back on plan. I travel for work quite a bit and many evenings involve dinner with teammates. So far, even these haven't been an issue. All of this being said, the first month or so can be rough - You do wonder if your life will ever be "normal" again. It gets better very quickly! The weight starts dropping off, clothes fit better, then clothes fit worse! (YAY!)

As others have said, MANY of us get through the surgery with minimal/no pain and few complications. It's natural to be nervous before surgery, particularly with something like this that can quite literally be life-changing. Hang in there and before you know it, you'll be on the losers bench wondering WHY you were so nervous and giving the same message we are to other new folks. It's also quite natural to have "buyers remorse" here and there, but at least for me, those moments are few and far between and very short lasting.

Surgery August 2019 - Like others have said - Only major regret is not doing this years ago. Liquid diet sucked for a few days - Once I got to purees, life was great. I also did ready to drink shakes for the most part. Flavorless protein mainly in the puree phase in eggs and such. I also use it in some recipes. Holidays and food are HUGE in my family (and I'm the primary cook and location for gatherings). This Christmas was filet mignon and lots of sides. I was able to enjoy a very small bit of things that I wanted most and never felt deprived.

The GERD feeling lasted for about a week or so after surgery for me (VSG) - A super tight feeling in my upper chest everytime I swallowed. I was SUPER frustrated and a little distressed. Then suddenly one day it just went away. Hopefully you will experience the same.

BCBS of IL, Letter to insurance describing previous weight loss attempts, nutritional classes (2 I think), psych eval and then submitted to insurance. Total time about 2 months until scheduled surgery with approval.

I have/had many of the same fears. As a recent sleever (August '20). I travel a lot for work and love travelling internationally. Food is still a big part of my social life as well (I love to cook for friends and family). I'll preface with I've been one of the VERY lucky ones. So far, nothing I can't eat. Also - The BIG positive. I can't each much. Since being on full solids, the only thing that I've avoided completely is sweets - Honestly, just haven't had any desire for them though so.. I'm excited for the new year and new adventures. This includes real meals AND a cocktail with meals on occaision. As others have mentioned, the pouch is small - When you drink with it, you can't hold as much food - BUT you can have a couple of bites and enjoy the flavors - Bonus, you have that full feeling without eating an entire plate of food. Once you eat more than you should once or twice, it's a quick lesson that you certainly won't try and repeat on purpose. After a day of "indulging" (Thanksgiving for me!), just get right back on track and follow the program.

Yup - It will go away. Surgery 08/19 for me and I'll have days where I'm up 2-3 lbs, but then drop 4-5 overnight and seems to stabilize for another 2-3 weeks with losses. It seems that I'm a fairly slow loser, but a loser just the same. Follow your program and you should be fine.

Shorts (so your arse isn't hanging out while walking) and something to entertain yourself (tablet/phone/book) and that's pretty much all you'll need. Wear something comfortable in the day of surgery and wear it back home.

Thank you for this post. I think we all *know* that surgery isn't a cure, but merely a tool - and at the same time, many (ok... ME) go into this thinking that the tool WILL cure the addiction because of the forced restrictions. If nothing else, your post is a reminder to me that the tool is the easy part - I still have to make wise decisions and face my own personal demons.

YAY!

Thanks Grady - Yeah - Sorry, I should have said that in the post reference it not being a "real" weight gain - HOWEVER, in the past i would have used that as an "excuse" and stayed on what can only be described as a food bender for multiple days and it would certainly become REAL fat. I think it's important that we're honest with ourselves and realize what got most of us to the point of body altering surgery. We talk about scales lying to us. They don't. They're an honest measurement of our body composition. Whether it be fat, water, or muscle it IS the truth and personally I NEED to be cognizant of what reactions my body has to my actions (positive or negative).

I all but shouted it from the rooftop! The only kind of negative I dealt with before surgery was from my father. His negative was out of concern for me and the risks involved. Just this weekend he told me how great I was doing and that he was proud I stood my ground in making this decision. In talking about my decision pre-op with a coworker he had always been curious, but afraid it was too expensive and not covered under insurance. Guess who I picked up from the hospital on Saturday?? My buddy! For him it was seeing/hearing someone else in a similar circumstance that gave him the motivation to look into it. For ME, telling people did three things: No stress about lies,it holds me accountable, and motivates me to be successful. Everyone is different, and you have to do what’s best for YOU in this situation. As others have said, this isn’t the easy way out, it changes your body forever, but without this tool; it would be nearly impossible for me to have any sort of success.

This just might be the best line ever!

Hang in there! You got this!!

I am in LOVE with PowerCrunch bars - I've found them at Walmart, Publix, and Target. They have a bunch of flavors. Full disclosure, they aren't the *best* nutritionally, but I eat about 1/2 of one every day. They do NOT taste like protein bars at all - And they actually have a great texture as well - Crunchy. 20 GRAMS PROTEIN 4 GRAMS SUGAR

@BayougirlMrsS and @catwoman7 you are both true inspriations for success! I appreciate that you both continue you post years afterwards!! @kalí̱ ygeía these are the true guru's!! Yeah... the headaches were real the first few days. While there will definitely be days that you struggle and wonder WHY you're doing this (especially during pre-op when you start dropping weight), if you're like most of us, this wasn't a decision made lightly and without other trials and tribulations, so just keep that in mind when you're wondering. I honestly never doubted this decision or questioned what my surgeons plan was. They have a vested interest in having successful patients so they are going to direct you in what they KNOW works based on past experiences. I definitely understand it's frustrating to see other people "having it easy" with pre-op. Just think how much more prepared for post op you will be. Have a great day!

@kalí̱ ygeía haha! DEFINITELY regular coffee (like if I don't get my caffeine in early, my headache is unbearable by noonish). Hang in there on the liquid diet - Seriously, by day 3-4 it almost seemed normal for me. I was lucky and only had to do a week. Jello, sugar free popsicles, and broth were my best friends during the first few days just to keep me occupied. I SWEAR, when I COULDN'T eat, I become obsessed - Especially when I was still cooking for my husband and aunt. Finally, I got so sick of shakes after a bit, I didn't even care about eating. How long is your liquid diet pre-op? And as long as I can still be the favorite child... I'll pitch the idea! FYI, they are kinda high maintenance though!!

Hi STLoser - We sounds pretty similar with regards to recovery - No major issues, tolerating everything fine, etc. I experienced the same thing once after eating too fast (and even with pork). So far, since then no other issues - I would say if it continues to happen, call your doc, otherwise - Lesson learned.

@ Kali - So far no hair loss, BUT I'm only just over 2 months post op. Either way, I figure a little hair loss is just extra pounds lost (well, probably milligrams, but what the heck!). So... to be honest, I didn't bother to ask what I could put in the coffee, but I did just drink it black with stevia. Regarding the clothes - Actually I was BEYOND happy to start tossing out clothes. I have given many to a couple of friends, but it's been kind of fun to just pack em up in a bag and send them off to Goodwill. My closet is starting to get more and more empty and I LOVE it. I'll buy one or two pairs of dress pants every 20 lbs just so I have something presentable for work, Fortunately, most of my shirts still look "ok" for now. My father has offered to completely replace my wardrobe when I get down to my goal weight - It's been fun to start browsing and think about what my new "style" will be once I can get what I want vs. what will fit.

OMG! Don't even get me started on the coffee! 3 days after starting my liquid diet, the nutritionist said I could in fact have 1-2 cups in the morning. So far, this is by far one of the best decisions I have made in my life. Not going to lie, the adjustment was a little rough at first. Total lifestyle change. The first couple of days on the liquids were insane with... boredom...total boredom...I can honestly say that I never really felt hungry, just bored - You know, that open the fridge door 50 times to see what's in there kind of bored. BUT, after about 3 days it wasn't bad at all. Post surgery, I feel like I was really lucky - I walked laps all night in the hospital and went home with no gas pain at all. Drinking those first few hours was different. Each sip felt like it got caught in my chest (sort of like heartburn). HOWEVER, it went away pretty quickly (within a few days). Now, all the good parts - Once you get past the liquids post op, you get full so quickly - Like 1 egg quickly... You find ways to modify recipes that you like - Example - My "bariatric nachos" - I use quest chips, ground turkey with taco seasoning, salsa, and a splash of low fat sour cream - I can only eat about 4-5 chips before I'm full, but it satisfies the craving (and crunch). The weight comes off, so it's pretty hard to get too worked up about anything you feel like you're "missing" out on. Energy comes back (I was super nappy the first week or so, but now have all kinds of energy). Best thing I've learned on here.. You most likely WILL hit a stall - Mine lasted almost 2 weeks. It sucks... REALLY sucks and you dwell on it while choking down ANOTHER protein shake and overthink everything you're doing. Chill, wait it out, then jump up and down when it breaks. My biggest hints... drink lots of fluids, get up and move around if you can, and follow whatever plan the doctor gave you. Best of luck to YOU!

Perfect time of year to “hide” your liquids in a thermos and call it soup!

Are you looking for a specific flavor? (Mexican, spicy, Italian, etc.)