Victoria_Faith

I am almost 5 weeks post-op, and am frustrated. I joined another site to help me track my foods, and yesterday I consumed less than 300 calories for a whole day and was nowhere near my Protein goals. Last week I was able to make some egg whites and I had a 1,000 calorie day and felt like that was too much. My dietician told me to aim for 700 per day, with a minimum of 80g of protein. I feel like there's no consistency.

Yall, I am really struggling. Do I need to go back to my liquid diet where I was getting all my protein? I've been at a stall for almost 2 weeks and don't see my dietician again until mid-April.

Everyone talks about the post-op weight loss stall - when does it pick up again? I'm trying not to compare myself to other people's successes, but honestly am frustrated. I am 3 weeks post-op and still on the pureed foods program. I'm only getting about 4-600 calories a day and reach for about 80g of Protein and make it there most days thanks to my shakes. The scale hasn't moved in a week - I guess I should be asking my surgical team, but when can I expect that to change? I know I don't walk like I should, I suppose I should do more than 30 minutes a day. My doctor also told me to take a laxative every 3-4 days due to the dietary restrictions causing Constipation. Any encouragement would be appreciated.

I started following a VSG/WLS influencer on Instagram and decided to try her recipe for Protein coffee.

My life is forever changed.

16 oz - Cold Brew Decaf

1 x 11.5 oz bottle of Premier Protein Caramel Protein Shake

2 Splashes of Jordan's Skinny Syrup - Salted Caramel

This helps me to not miss my lattes and frappes! If you're like me and live under a rock and haven't made a protein coffee (and you like coffee) - you need this in your life!

I have been using Jordan's Skinny syrups to add a splash of flavor (found on amazon), splenda, and a sugar free liquid creamer. I like blended coffees, so I add everything in a blender cup with some ice, and let it go to town.

I really like the vanilla caramel, and the vanilla pecan Syrup flavors. I found these back in my Optavia days and actually kept using them even when I wasn't actively trying to lose weight or eat healthier. Topped with some sugar free whipped cream, and it's actually better than a frappe from that place that's lovin' it.

9 hours ago, smanzi40 said:

I had my sleeve on 2/22. Feeling pretty good. Today is the first day I actually feel hungry. I am still on a liquid diet until week 3. If I drink too fast or too much my chest hurts getting it down then I get a pain in my stomach. I am down 13lbs since DOS. Excited for that, but also nervous once I start eating solids I am going to be at a stand still.

Yeah - I hit a stall and am still on liquids. In a couple days I get to move to pureed foods. Hopefully will get over this hump and see continued progress as I move on to real food and keep my activity up. I've experienced everything you're talking about the chest pressure and stomach pain, too - I think that's just the new normal to watch out for.

Try not to worry - it could be something simple that was just flagged as abnormal and could be an anomaly. I hope it's quick process to get you through to an actual surgery date!

I know that a lot of programs do things differently. My program calls for 2 weeks post-op liquids only, followed by 2-3 weeks of pureed, before moving on to soft foods.

I am near the end of my second week, and have been using beef and chicken bone broths along with cream Soups to keep some flavor sliding past my pallet.

My question is - Why does it feel like I can have an endless flow of liquids going into me? How does this tie into actual food, where I've been told that I will be able to eat a maximum of 2 tbsp of something like scrambled eggs? Maybe I'm not understanding how liquids don't rest in my pouch anymore? I'm getting in like 70+ oz a day between Protein Shakes, gatorade zero, Water, and broths/cream soups.

I feel like this is too much - am I doing something wrong?

33 minutes ago, Erin18 said:

I'm having trouble getting enough Fluid and Protein in. I'm trying but I end up taking a nap during the day and it makes me lose out on those goals. And when I wake up it's hard to get everything in before the end of the night. I need to stay up, but I just get so sleepy. It was a problem before surgery too. But as a result of the lack of fluids, I think I may be getting a UTI or something.

I'm so sick of the Protein Shakes, I bought a tropical punch Protein Water powder stuff by Isopure and its pretty bitter, but im going to try to add one of those flavor packets to it to enhance it.

Things go down good tho. The first few days it felt bubbly, but each day things got better. Nothing has made me sick yet. I think thats because I haven't tried new things lol.

pureed diet will be another story, hopefully nothing makes me sick.

Are you still on full liquids still or did you move to puree?

I found that gatorade zero with protein, and the Premier Protein clear drinks are a nice change from the Protein Shakes. They aren't bitter, and when I serve them over ice and let the ice melt a bit it waters it down a little and it tastes like juice.

55 minutes ago, CK77 said:

Recovery is going okay. No nausea or dizziness thankfully. Managed to get 33 ounces of Clear Liquids in yesterday. I am post Op day 5. Struggling with Protein only because after 2 ounces I am stuffed. My taste hasn't changed so far Everything I tried sits well. Also. I can drink any temperature. So hopeful

Sent from my LM-Q730 using BariatricPal mobile app

I would definitely touch bases with your nutritionist about the Protein part. Staying hydrated is the most important thing. My annoying phone alarm trick helped me. I just kept a medicine cup near me, and filled it every 15 minutes and just kept sipping. It's really challenging if you're feeling tired and resting/sleeping a lot.

7 hours ago, Jaijai said:

Hi all. I am 2 days post- op sleeve and not hungry at all and struggling to sip enough Water. Any tips please. Mew here, tried the search but not getting anywhere with it. Thanks

Sent from my SM-A528B using BariatricPal mobile app

I set an alarm on my phone to go off every 15 minutes for a few days. It got me into a routine of constantly sipping. My dietician said if I'm not getting the Protein Shakes in to make sure I'm at least getting Water to stay hydrated. It will help with feeling nausea. After a few days I just kept doing it. It gets a little annoying at first to have the constant reminder to sip, but it helped me. Stay hydrated my friend!

I had a sleeve and recovery is going amazingly well. Still on liquids until next week, but feeling overall good. Down a total of 33 pounds since I started the program. Super excited to hear and see everyone's progress so far!

This could be a hormonal response to the procedure. My primary care doctor did give me a derm referral because prior to my surgical date I was having rosacea flare-ups as the result of dietary changes. Our skin is so sensitive. If your primary care doctor can give you something to get you some relief - I'd go that route and wait to see the specialist. I agree that your surgeon's office may not be equipped to handle such a specialized 'symptom'. My doctor prescribed Metronidazole gel which I use topically once a day. It's just a thin clear gel that dries quickly, but my face has appreciated the break from the flare-ups.

I hope you get relief soon!

I feel like I'm losing my mind. I am 6 days post-op sleeve and haven't had this much energy in YEARS. Is this all nerves or residual excitement for this life change? I'm (of course) still on full liquids for at least another week. I want to start walking more but am worried about feeling hungry if I do too much before I'm eating again.

Don't get me wrong, I'm up and walking around, and trying to keep busy for at least 10 minutes every hour, but tomorrow I'm back to work at a sedentary job.

I have my first post-op appointment in 2 days, and another 6 days after that until I see my dietician again. Hopefully I'll get to move on to pureed food stage next week.

Hey there. If you're only a few days post-op like me, your body is probably still retaining Fluid from when you were on an IV in the hospital - it will take several days for that to disappear. I was sleeved on 2/21/23 and have been struggling with the liquids too - but the system I'm using seems to be working well. I just have a timer going off on my phone every 15 minutes while I'm awake reminding me to drink. It is a very slow path, but it will get easier over time. I was lucky to get in 50 g of Protein and 50 oz in one day for the first few days, but now that I am getting up and moving around more it seems to be easier.

I promise it will get easier - just stick with it. It would be awful to be dehydrated and nauseous at the same time.

17 minutes ago, Charisse Jordan said:

Just approved, no date yet but I am obsessing over sleeve vs bypass. My Dr wants me to have the sleeve and I agreed but I’m worried that it won’t be as effective as bypass and because I’m an emotional eater and addicted to sugar, I’m worried about gaining weight back. My husband had bypass 3 years ago and lost 120 and said it made him lose desire for certain foods like sugar. I need to lose 70 or 80, I’m 5’6 and 220 and my Dr thought I don’t need to lose that much so sleeve is best but I disagree on how much I should lose. I do have to take a baby aspirin for risk of stroke along with antidepressants so I know he is worried about ulcers but my husband takes a aspirin every once and awhile and is on Prozac and never had any problems. If anyone can put my mind at ease that the sleeve is best I’d appreciate it! 

Regardless of which procedure you decide on, this is a lifestyle change. If you don't already have one I suggest talking to a mental health professional before scheduling your big day.

I was leaning towards a bypass, but my doctors shared with me that the bypass comes with a lot more risk, and that for the types of medications I take, a sleeve would be best. I am now 3 days post-op and while I used to have a severe sweet tooth, I can honestly say that it's been difficult to choke down some of these Protein Shakes because they're simply TOO sweet.

This is a big change, and I hope that you can find a comfortable place emotionally/mentally to pick a date.

Good luck!

2 hours ago, GeorgieLynn said:

Im a little late to the party but how did it go? Being this is cold and flu season and it seems so many people are having symptoms which linger for weeks I imagine there will be others who will run run across this sinerareo. 

I hope you are recovering well at this time!

I went to see my primary care doctor. He loaded me up on antihistamines and nasal sprays, and encouraged me to get a neti-pot to clear out my sinuses. By the time I got through using all of that for 2-3 days my sinuses cleared right up, and there were no issues with keeping my surgical date. I am 3 days post-op, and feeling a little sore but overall good.

13 hours ago, itami o said:

To be honest, I don't have a plan. I allow myself to eat until I'm satiated and lately, I've allowed myself to eat mostly whatever I want since I'm fine with maintaining the weight that I'm at now.

Are you taking 30 minutes to consume your meals? Are you avoiding drinking 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after your meal? If you're questioning whether or not to be concerned, there's probably a reason you're feeling that way.

food is fuel. It's taken me over 40 years to truly get a grasp on the concept. My understanding is that you can have whatever surgery you want to drop some weight, but if your habits don't change, you may end up right back where you started, or even heavier.

These procedures are tools - there's still a lot of work that needs to be done to maintain weight loss that resulted from one of them. WLS is not an easy way out - and it doesn't give you a free pass.

I agree with the suggestion to talk to a therapist about your relationship with food - I had to do that and it's been helping me a lot. I used to binge eat, skip meals, then scarf down dinner right before bed.

The greatest path to success on any program is loving yourself enough to sacrifice the 'wants' so that you can improve your quality of life.

Best of luck to you!

I'm two days post op and feel mostly good. Any time I transition up or down, it's like incisions burn. Also, my whole body feels swollen and puffy, and I think I have gained a pound since my surgery, even though I've had practically nothing in the hospital and now at home I'm drinking about an ounce every 15 minutes. How long should I wait before attempting to measure my weight again? Will all this swelling go away?

Sent from my SM-G996U using BariatricPal mobile app

Tomorrow is my big day. 2/21/23 - my Belly (re)Birthday.

I can't sit still due to excitement, and it's aggravating the people around me.

They can bugger off though - this is MY day. I am taking control back over my body and my life.

Update: The surgeon asked me to send him a picture of the wound. We are keeping my surgery date for tomorrow. So excited!!

Thats crazy - with the whole big internet in front of me I never thought to try youtube. Thanks!

I got rid of my cold, and today I was involved in an accident with my dogs that resulted in me getting bit. I was put on some strong antibiotics (fortunately there's a liquid version), and given 4 stitches in my leg. I'm assuming this may be a provider-specific question, but what do you all think the chances are that they're going to push my surgery out because of this? It's scheduled 3 days from now. Frustrated, scared, and disappointed. 😭

I am scheduled for a gastric sleeve in 3 days. I have the luxury of working from home, but was planning to take a week off after my procedure, and work from home for a week before attempting to go back into the office. I have a sedentary job, but a really nice walking path available to me at the office (along with my walking pals who I can meet up with on my breaks and lunch).

I have heard a myriad of responses to this among my friends who have had this procedure, but was hoping that medicine has evolved since then, and I'm curious. For anyone who has had their surgery in the last two years - How long after surgery were you able to return to work?

9 hours ago, Recidivist said:

I had one of those installed as well at the end of surgery, and you are the first person I've heard from who is also getting it!

I had essentially no pain after surgery, so I assume it worked, although I can't say whether that was directly attributable to the pump. Like you, I was completely freaked out at the idea of removing it myself. However, it turned out not to be a big deal at all. In my case, the nurse was on the phone with me and talked me through it, which helped a great deal in terms of my anxiety.

Yes, it seems to be somewhat of a unicorn. Can you tell me how long yours lasted?

I have been working to normalize talking about WLS among my friends and family. I even went so far as to start a daily post counting down to my surgery day, educating them on the process I'm following, my emotional journey. Each day I hit on a different topic that might resonate. Sometimes people don't realize how hurtful words can be. I think I'm in the minority of folks when I say I will have no issue sharing my experiences.

So far it's been nothing but positive feedback, but if/when someone asks me why I took the 'easy' way out - I will ask them why they took the easy way out of being a decent human being by asking judgemental questions.