i1Linda

Megan - I was hungry early out also. Liquids just didn't do it for me. I'm sure it was head hunger (still have it) but it definitely gets better. Mushies were much easier for me. I got full quickly on just a few bites and it seemed to stay with me a lot longer. On solids foods, it's even better. Remember that liquids just go straight thru your sleeve as they would normally. Let your new little tummy heal because it gets so much better. Now, for head hunger, I'm still battling that one. I do great all day long until just about bedtime and then I get the munchies. I have tried to control it and deny myself without much luck. So now, I just work with it. I only eat about 600-650 calories during the day and save an extra 150 calories for my "bedtime snack" and then I eat a Bariwise Peanut Butter bar or caramel crunch bar (like a Protein candy bar - they are yummy). I am usually not even hungry, but I mentally have to have it. I know I shouldn't eat just before bed, but I am struggling to win this battle so I have just worked it in to my plan. Hang in there, it really gets so much easier. :001_tongue:

I also drink right up until the first bite. I heard it didn't matter (the 30 minutes before) with the sleeve.

good idea!

Funny you mention the $1 gloves - I have a pair right here. I couldn't type with them on, so I went an got my hair dryer. I'm sure I look funny all bundled up, in the house, with the hair dryer blowing hot air on my hands, but I am tired of being COLD. I had my blood work completed in November and all was well. I may mention it to my Dr and see if they have any thoughts. I really think my body is just conserving energy - trying to be more efficient (maybe I can qualify for the energy savings tax credit:lol0:).

Okay, I now the weather is frigid outside, but I can NOT seem to get warm, especially in my extremities. I am working from home today, fully dressed (long sleeved shirt, pants, socks, shoes, sweater) sitting at the table with my legs wrapped up in a blanket, the fire place on, heat set to 72 and my hair dryer blowing hot hair on my hands as I work on my laptop. My husband says our house is warm - I'm just not. I figure my body has basically decided it isn't generating any additional heat, its conserving what energy it has. It's basically telling me, "you starve me, I'll freeze you" - it doesn't want to use the extra energy stores (aka fat). I have never before wished for 100 degree days in Texas, but I am wishing for them now. Sorry for the rant.

kids Flinstones / Onesource - whatever. Again, they don't have iron. I take the BA chewable iron a couple times a week to supplement. I don't seem to be low on iron so I haven't worried about it.

I am 5 months post-op and can eat ANYTHING. And, I often don't chew my food very well. I am trying to slow down, but old habits die hard. Of coarse, since I am still trying to lose weight, I am careful about my choices. But if I really, really want that Cheeseburger (or whatever), I have it. The sleeve just limits me to a couple of bites. My sleeve is EXACTLY what I was hoping for when I signed up for WLS. :thumbup1:

One-a-day makes an adult gummy (which I have purchased), but I often just take my kids' gummy vitamins. They don't have iron, so that's why I take a chewable iron a couple times a week. You should also spread your calcium thru out the day - you can only absorb about 500mg at a time. You also don't want to take your calicum the same time as your iron (whether in a multi vitamin or separately). I usually start my day with my gummy vitamins and 2 petite Citracal. In the afternoon, I will have a calcet lemon bite for a snack. I usually sneak the iron tablet after dinner - iron is best absorbed with food during the digestive process. I hope this helps.

Congratulations on getting your surgery date!!

Kermit - Congratulations on your weight loss. Sometimes you get to take the GOOD with bad...

Glad to hear you are feeling better. Take care.

I'm so glad you're feeling better today!!!

Hi Ana - No problem. I have two young children too, so I can relate. You may still be pretty tired from the trip (I would be anyway), but I remember the 14 day post-op day very vividly. It was like someone flipped a light switch and I had energy again. Good luck on your journey.

Shanda you look AMAZING. You are doing so well. Keep it up. It's pretty cool that you started just about the same weight as I did, just 6 weeks later. Looking back at my weight tracker, I was right about the same (180) at 4 months post op too. It really works, it just works. You are going to make a beautiful bride. Can't wait to see those pictures.

Kermit - Did the meds work? Worried about you....

Absolutely - just let me know if you need anything at all.:001_tt2:

Congrats Stephanie! Dr. Nick and his staff are wonderful. You will love them! :001_tt2:

Barbara, Yeah - I did have a "tightness" behind my boobs early out. Kind of felt between my boobs and ribs. I think it may have been muscular. Its gone now.

Midwest Girl - I'm so sorry you had a rough night. I would definitely go in to see your surgeon this morning. It could very well be all the swelling in your stomach - some people swell more than others. But for me, I would want to be checked out. Let us know how you're doing later.

Exactly - kind of a crampy pain. Good description.

I had a similar experience. Since I wasn't sharing my WLS with anyone, and was stuck in a business dinner, I just told everyone that my stomach hurt and thought it might not stay down if I ate (not far from the truth) and didn't feel like eating. It really wasn't a problem.

Okay - here's my two cents on this. Early on I experieced exactly what most of your are describing - a rumble, an uncertainty for the next bite. I took that as my full sign. As my tummy healed, full is now very similar to what it was pre-op but I achieve it much faster and it is very finite. It's kind of like once I get "full", a lid closes on my stomach and nothing else is going in, no "last bite", nothing, zip, period. It's not unpleasant, I just get a strong signal from my stomach that my stomach is "now closed for the meal". If I push it, I usually will have stomach pain for 10-20 minutes. So I've learned that the additional bite of food better be darn good or else I'm not suffering. LOL:)

Yay Barbara - and it only gets better and better :001_tongue:

I drink a 16oz bottle of water in 15-20 minutes. I timed it the other day (about 18 minutes). I'm like Tiff and don't like really cold water (ice water), never have. I like my water cool but not cold. I'm not sure I could drink ice water that quickly.

Woo Hoo! Congratulations!!!!