RichelleGetsFit0309

Perfectly normal and I found out 2-3 weeks after my surgery I was able to drink more. Just keep taking small sips. With my program I didn't have to worry about protein until later on so I mainly had water, Jello, broth. Hang in there it will get better!

Hello,
I'm 5 days post op (vsg) now and am still struggling to get enough Protein and fluids. I'm up to 25-30 grams of protein but need 60-90.
I'm also hitting approximately 32oz of Water but can't seem to increase from there.
I'm sipping everything but after only 1 or 2 sips I feel a tightness in my chest and throat like I'm going to regurgitate whatever I've swallowed.
Is this normal for everyone?
Any suggestions? I've switched to flavorless Protein Powder in water as I can tolerate water better than any Protein Shakes and I've added low carb, high protein yogurt but the struggle is still there.
Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I am now 2+ years out from surgery and still maintaining my goal weight. VSG has changed my life in so many ways. But there are negative things or challenges I rarely see people talking about. I'm listing mine in hopes others won't feel alone, please add yours if you'd like. I'm thinking this might be a bit therapeutic as I don't talk about this in real life as no one really understands unless you've been through it.
Things that have become very real for me:
*Body Dysmorphia is real. I currently wear a dress/jean size 6 and tops in XS/S. I know those sizes are amazing and I never would have imagined that's where I would end up. BUT...when I look in the mirror I don't see that size. I still see my butt as huge, My sagging stomach doesn't help but I just can't shake the "fat" thoughts when I see myself.
I recently read that part of this is due to the fact that we tend to over exaggerated what we looked like when we were overweight, so losing that weight still doesn't give us an accurate depiction of who we really are. I try and keep this in mind but I don't know if this will ever go away.
*Addiction Transfer. It took me awhile to realize this but I most definitely transferred my addictive eating to compulsive shopping. I've spent way too much money since going through this process. It's a constant struggle.
*Confidence and Self Worth. This is a good thing for sure. But, I have been struggling in my marriage for a long time. And for years I felt trapped because of my fear for being alone forever - which was driven by the fact that I was overweight and told myself no one else would ever want me. I have a different view now. I've changed physically and emotionally. My spouse has always had different philosophies on life than I have. He has never eaten well, never exercised, and has never wanted to become healthier. I had hoped my success would give him some motivation to do better but it hasn't. That combined with other major issues we have had led to my decision to end my marriage. It's ultimately a positive thing for me as I'm in a toxic relationship but finally have the emotional strength and confidence to do this. It's sad, but it's reality.

Both my surgeon and my dietician said tablets and capsules are fine. They don't want their patients taking gummies or softgels, though.

I've been tolerating the Multivitamin just fine, thankfully. I did NOT tolerate the Calcium I had, though. I'm now taking soft chews for that.

Sent from my SM-T290 using BariatricPal mobile app

I agree with Arabesque. I take mine shortly after a meal and after my food has "settled" a bit (maybe 15-30 minutes). I take it with only as much Water as is necessary to swallow the pill.
I have found that if I take it on an empty or nearly empty stomach, I will get nauseated. The more empty, the more nausea.

Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope everyone can be with someone they love, even if it's by phone or Zoom.

As we start this Thanksgiving Day in the USA, let's remember that it's not about the food. It's about family and relationships and giving thanks.
I'm thankful for the Sleeve WLS and what it's done for my health, mobility, self-esteem, and confidence.
I'm thankful for these forums to support and encourage one another through our WLS journeys.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Fridays dinner was my burrito bowl again but with shrimp and Saturday’s was take out. Ordered the beef loc lac and spicy Thai wings. Ate two wings and like three bites of the beef dish. Unfortunately on Sunday I tried eating the leftovers but I threw it all all up. I think the meat was too tough on my stomach.

Imitation crab salad. Spicy style. About 190 kcals. For the after, imagine an empty plate. The number one benefit to working from home again is my lunches look much more appealing. 😂

This is how I eat ice cream post-op. 50 ml at a time (i.e, 1.7 fl oz OR 1/5 of a cup).
50ml of Haaggen Daaz coffee Ice cream: 107 calories.

Tofu, spinach and red onion in a yellow curry sauce (yellow curry paste and coconut milk) over sticky rice.

ETA: it never ceases to surprise me how a truckload of spinach seems to cook to almost nothing, even when using frozen spinach.

I literally climbed a mountain today, so I am splurging and enjoying a delicious poke bowl with tuna, scallops, and spicy salmon. Seaweed salad base instead of rice and loaded with veggies and avocado.

banana ALMOND MILK is my savior. I love it so much. Far less carbs than bananas which I love in smoothies and have missed terribly.
I mix 1/2 cup with chocolate PB2 and a single serving Fage Greek Yogurt along with a couple drops of chocolate stevia. This is my 23 gram Protein Shake I drink every morning. 180 calories 13 carb 23 Protein.
The other things I eat at least a few times a week and always need in the house:
1% cottage cheese with a teaspoon of REAL Ranch dressing and a small finely chopped Tomato.
Crack An Egg with the ham or bacon added only.
Peel and eat shrimp with cocktail sauce from Whole Foods.
Old Wisconsin Turkey bites
Rotisserie chicken.
Riced cauliflower
Fresh Apples or right now Pears (perfect this time of year but a lot of sugar so just a slice or two at a time)
93% lean cooked Ground beef and crunchy taco shells with a good fresh pico.
Brie
pretzels
This is pretty much my diet at 4 months post op.

Manage your expectations and try not to compare yourself to others (technically, that's 2, but you get what I mean, lol)

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!

Hello! Newbie here!
I received my insurance approval a week ago. My pre-op appointment is on the 21st and I'm scheduled for surgery on Nov 6th. I have read hours upon hours of people's experience. I have devoured this site and others as well. I want to believe that I'm mentally ready for what's to come, but the reality is that I won't know if I am until I'm fully into the process.
Thanks to all of your contributions to this site, I have a clear picture of the many possibilities. The gas pain, the incision sites, the stalls, the liquid stage, the emotional roller coasters... the list goes on and on. I'm praying for the best, but preparing myself for anything. All I hope is that I won't regret it. I've read enough to know that there is a regret phase that most go through. I just hope I don't stay there! LOL
I am 5'5 with a BMI of 34. I tend to fluctuate between 200-210 for the last 7 years and at most have never weighed past 213. I am a Type 2 diabetic. My A1C climbed to 7.4. My body responded well to a low dose of metformin so after 3 months I'm at 6.6. I DO NOT want to travel down the road of medication and I also want to do away with fatty liver. My stomach looks as if I'm 8 months pregnant, because my weight is mainly distributed towards my stomach. I've slowly stopped living life to the fullest. I am holding on to the thought that the gastric sleeve surgery will help me move towards a healthier self.
I look forward to the support from those who are walking this journey.
Please share the greatest and most important thing to keep in mind while going through the journey.

I had this yesterday and it was good. Thought I share in here.

I had this yesterday and it was good. Thought I share in here.

Hi! I prayed and prayed and prayed that I was making the right decision. Then one day I felt at ease and I never looked back. I was sleeved last month.

For the first time this week I had a FULL bowl movement and no straining. So I think that combo of prunes and stool softener worked.

Can you let me know how the prunes go? I’m really sick of Miralax and enjoy fruit.

Saw my surgeon and told him about the discomfort. He said it’s most likely due to a stitch that hasn’t popped yet. He also put me back on stool softeners as well. Hopefully this and the prunes will get things going in the right direction. How is everyone doing?

Thank you for giving me that final push. I’ve been hanging on to my XXL and now I can get rid of them.

Get rid of them!! In the future, after you are at goal, if you gain a few pounds and your clothes feel tight, it will be incentive to lose the weight. Having bigger clothes as a Plan B, means that you have a Plan B. No Plan B! LOL!! Only Plan A which is success!!

Congratulations! I had sx on 8/19/20 and have gone from 241 the day of surgery to 212 today. Tired of eating the same things every day but happy to see the weight loss. I went from a 3xl top to an xl and a 4xl bottom to a 2xl. I also have the straining or not at all problem but found out that more Water and two prunes a day are helping. Hope you get help too.