foxgirl74

I am 7 weeks post-op and that knot feeling is still with me. And it's very uncomfortable if I over eat! Feels like a softball or something between my stomach and ribcage. Sounds like you are having head hunger. Your tummy is satisfied and full, but your head and mouth are demanding more. It does get better when you can fit a littler more, but for my I still struggle a LOT with it. My head is still trying to comprehend the tiny portions, and I am rarely satisfied mentally with the portions I consume despite the fullness of my stomach. But that is what got me fat in the first place, listening to my head and not my stomach being full.

I have always paid attention to "fat" people. Constantly comparing myself to other's sizes, and now I think I notice even more. It's not hard to do when there are so many people overweight and the problem it's becoming for so many in this country. I tell people my goal weight and they tell me I am crazy, but I think because so many people are overweight now we don't think of lower weights being ok. I feel bad for the people I see with such huge amounts of fat they need to loose, because I know how they feel! Wish I could help more people with this struggle!

Having one or two cheese sticks a day is great!! I have one a day usually, for reasons you mentioned, low or no carbs and higher-ish protein!! They are one of the fews things that don't make me nauseous and I can eat easier. Don't worry too much about the fat, we get so little food and fat from everything else, and our body's need some fat. Besides they have reduced fat cheese stick that taste just as good in my opinion! While we are on the cheese eating topic, if you like colby-jack cheese, Land O'Lakes sells a package with little individually wrapped cheese slices and they are SOOOO delicious! And same calorie, carb and protein advantages as the cheese sticks. Try them out!! And protein in general is going to make you have some constipation, so get your fiber other ways or use some miralax when needed!

It is 100% normal!!! Just think of the tiny amount of fuel you are giving your body to live on right now, so it's trying to conserve it and tap into all of that excess stored fat to survive. I was exhausted until at least 3 to 4 weeks out, and some days I still get super tired because it's hard to get enough calories in still!! It will get better, especially once you start on vitamins and start exercising more. Take it easy for now and just gradually increase your activity and I can assure you it will get better!!

My surgery weight was 236, I will be 7 weeks next Wednesday and will down about 32 pounds. I lost about 10 preop. I am 5'3. Seems like a "safe" average is about 30-40 pounds 7-8 weeks out from surgery, but we all lose differently so it's hard to really know. I have not notice any difference in my feet, but I have small feet and have not ever noticed much difference with them even at my heaviest. Since you have another month to go I would be pretty such you will lose at least 15-20 more pounds if you are following the diet and adding some exercise.

I had pizza about a 3 weeks out...well, I had the top of the pizza anyway and a tiny small amount of the crust/bread part. It was all I could fit after the toppings. If you are going to, make sure you eat slow and have the cheese and protein toppings first, see how that does then have a little of the bread if you still crave it. Just be careful and don't over do it, because like others have said, just because my stomach handled it fine doesn't mean yours will!! You will get full very fast even though your head says you want/need more. And try to really put in your mind it's a treat, even if you are eating it the "sleeve friendly" way. There are still better options, but sometimes we just need a little fix!

I am nauseous just about every morning, especially right after I eat/drink my first Protein Breakfast, and force in Vitamins. I feel major restriction in the morning, but just plain sick half the time so it doesn't even matter that I have restriction because I don't feel like having anything anyways. I take a PPI every morning, but maybe I will switch to taking it before bed each night like other suggested and see if that helps.

It is hard because it depends on what your doctor told you to do. I was not given a calorie limit or requirement, but I was told to get at least 55 grams of Protein a day and to only eat 3 times a day, NO snacking whatsoever! Well, I can only fit about 200 calories in per meal. I am lucky if I get 700 calories a day. And my surgeon does not seem to see a problem with that. And now it's created this guilt feeling if I consume more then that amount of calories, because that means I snacked and feel like I am cheating my sleeve somehow.

I was sleeved March 16th also!! I have lost 38 pounds so far, so pretty close to where you are. I manage to stay under 30 carbs or just about that intake each day by having two protein shakes a day and one small protein filled dinner. Meaning a cheese stick and a few slices of turkey or other meat. I am on solids and have had no issues with any of what I have eaten. I feel lots of restriction when I eat after about 3 ounces of anything dense. But if it's carbs I can fit a lot more in, so I am careful of them!! I have over eaten a few times and had horrible stomach aches. My head is yet to catch up still, but slowly coming around to the fact that I just simply do not eat the portion sizes that I used to. But I am kind of glad for the experiences I have had with the stomach aches or just feeling sick when I eat something with just too much sugar or carbs as it is a reinforcement for my head not to do it again. I had a stall around week 3, increased calories and carbs for a few days then went way back down like the guidelines suggest and broke out of it pretty easy. Plus, I put the scale away!! I only weigh once a week or sometimes once every two weeks! Ensures that I will see a loss no matter what for when I do step on. Anyway, congrats so much on the weight loss!! You are doing great it sounds like so far so keep up the great work!

Wouldn't you know, according to my surgeon "milk is not for people over 5 years old".....lol ok buddy, we all just need it for the taste now and again!!

That is no joke about the quick journey to getting your sleeve!! Holy cow! But that is awesome. I too feel so bad for those who have to struggle to get the surgery, it's such a waste and just more harm on the body in the meanwhile. It was funny, well now looking back it is, because I really did not think I would be approved so I did not apply for surgery. Then once I did the approval was so quick and within two months of my first meeting with my surgeon I had surgery!! All that worry for nothing! Although I did have to gain a little weight to qualify, how sad is that?? But having two younger children myself I totally understand your reasons. We have a responsibility to them, not only to be good and healthy mothers, but to teach them how to be healthy as well. Congrats so much on the loss so far!! It's amazing!! And so much more to come, it is only going to get better!!

Moving helps jump start healing. You get your blood going and circulating and it naturally goes to places in your body needed to heal. But there is a good point mentioned, heavy lifting! Don't do it yet, or ab work outs. Just because the outside healed doesn't mean the inside is done healing yet. Glad to hear you bounced back so quickly!! I am 25 and feel great, have since 2 weeks outs. And the first two weeks was just exhaustion from lack of calories!!

Sometimes I am not sure if people get that this surgery IS a diet and exercise. There is no difference. Your body just forces the diet part. So, why can we not just say we are doing that? On a diet and have been exercising? You could even say you are doing a medically supervised diet that begins with liquids and moves gradually. If they put the pieces together good for them, but who cares? They probably won't have the guts to say anything if they figure it out anyway. And trust me, this is not going to be a walk in the park, you are going to be exhausted the first two weeks and you probably do need a story if you don't plan to admit to the surgery. Which I don't blame you, I don't want very many people knowing either. But I am honest, I am on a diet and I am increasing my exercise. That doesn't change just because we have surgery. It's about you taking control and changing your life. The sleeve is just a little tool that you are utilizing to do that. They don't need to know about the extra tool you bought for the extra guarantee of success.

Thanks for the reply, support and info Court!! I was using a whey protein prior to surgery so I will for sure check it out and get back into it! Funny how the inches don't make use as happy as the pounds but are just as important for our appearance!

I feel selfish being fat. Let me explain. This consumes me. It has consumed my life for a long time. I think about it all the time. Maybe even more so now because I am on this incredible journey with finally an awesome opportunity to lose weight. And that is something I have obsessed for .....for a very long time. Now, I feel like I have to focus even more to ensure I don't fail. I feel so self-consumed. So selfish. I am a stress eater. Well, I used to be. I would eat, no binge like crazy when stressed. I was stressed often. Unfortunately, weight loss surgery did not cut out 85% of my stress. I am watching my mother in law die from stomach and colon cancer. She was forced to be readmitted to the hospital tonight because she refuses to eat. Here I am with an eating issue, and here she is on the opposite end of it, but needing food if she wants to survive. So, first I feel selfish to go through this, while she and my husband and his family are dealing with something so much harder. So it stresses me out. And I want to eat. Tonight I did what any weight loss person could do. I binged....on some chocolate milk. In reality, I only had about 7 or 8 oz, but it was 2% and was, like I said, chocolate. Luckily I did good all day with my carb and calorie intake so I did not go over 800 calories for the day, but the point was I did not have the control over it in this time of intense stress. I feel so sad to see my family go through this, and so selfish to still be focusing on something so...I don't want to say not serious, but in comparison...it seems like it. I feel selfish that I needed this surgery. That I needed the help. That I needed this me time. Right in the middle of all this. I just don't want to put my kids through anything that I can help later in life. It just hurts too bad too see the family like this....I guess I am just justifying my feelings of selfishness by thinking it will prevent any pain in the future. Who knows....

Friend and Enemy!!! There are those weeks you will hate her dearly, but she is still a good idea to have! I had to put mine away as I found myself weighing WAY too often. This is pretty common. If you can only weigh once a week or even every two it's best. And don't forget to take measurements. On the days where you hate your scale, you'll be glad you have your measurements to compare!! And congrats!!! Only 16 days to go!! Woohoo!

I *hear" StriVectin does work some. But this is not from personal experience. I have also been told that tanning can help, or doing chemical peels. Both of which can be harmful in the long run to your skin so I would consider them carefully. Hopefully you find a cream that works! If so, I need it too!!

Oh gosh me too!!! Some days I have no hunger and other days I have tons!! Not sure why, just something with the way our body tries to balance things. Maybe your body has adjusted to the amount of calories and knows the normal intake you have had for the last 4 months has been sufficient so it stopped craving food and telling you it was hungry? Either way, I would be thankful for it!!

I used to hear that when I worked at a bar. I just used against the person and made them buy more and tip me better, but it didn't change that fact that it hurts. But LOL @ Tiffany's response!! Would have been a priceless look on the guy's face!!

What better way to reward yourself then with something that will only aid in losing more and keeping off the weight you already lost?!? I think it's a great idea, gonna have to convince the husband of that too once I reach 100 lbs lost

Do you like Pork Rinds?? They are all protein and zero carbs. Be careful with the fat content, but the calories are pretty low. I cannot even fit a full serving and I am almost a month out from surgery. They sure solve the crunch factor for me!! I have tried dipping them in cream cheese prior to surgery and may try again, just gotta watch the carb, fat and surger intake. Also, just make sure you chew really good, and eat one and test it out on your new tummy. Some tummys handle food way better then others. Mine so far has done great with just about everything. If you don't like them, I know Walmart sells little snack packs in their diet section that are suppose to be high in protein and are this crunchy little snack thing. But if you go to Eggface's blog you might find some good ideas too. I know there are these cheese thingys sold at Trader Joe's or you can order them through Amazon. Just The Cheese Rounds I am pretty sure they are called and they come in a variety of cheesy flavors!!

HAHA! Ahhh your post cracked me up! I have had very violent threatening conversations with my scale. So he issued a restraining order and is now safely tucked away in some closet of the house! Because I swear if I stepped on him one more freaking time and saw no weight loss I was going to strangle him. So it's for his own good, and mine.

OMG I love her things so much!! I just had my daughter's first birthday party and made about 6 appetizers all from her recipes!! They were all a major hit and for the most part healthy!! It was awesome, cannot wait to make more of them!! Anyone who needs ideas for new things, or hasn't tried some of her stuff have seriously got to try it!!

It gets easier every day to get both in, so I am thankful for that!! Thanks for the comment, and for reading my rant!

Thanks for the replies guys! And you are both 100% right! It's just a head thing, and being back to "normal" life in every other aspect makes the surgery seem like a surreal experience. In order to qualify for insurance I actually had to gain some weight, so that messed with my head some as I was not keeping track and gained 60 pounds in less then 6 months. As for my intake, I have been drinking these Premier Protein shakes from Costco. They literally have 30 grams of isolate protein per shake, and only 160 calories. 5 carbs I think. I drink two of those a day as directed by my surgeon. Often I only have that for the day and that reaches my protein goal and has me at only 320 calories. My surgeon said I could have a third "meal", and to have a small piece of cheese or something similar with protein, low carb. At only fitting 2 - 3 oz at a time I only get about 80 calories from this "meal". So, I am getting about 60 - 65 grams of protein, and only 400-450 calories a day on the days with the extra meal. But I think I need to play with that a bit and increase them. I just get paranoid thinking I will somehow gain weight on 600 or 800 calories. I would have killed to stay at that range pre-surgery!! It just is hard to think of myself as being a slow loser. I was not before when I would lose weight, but I just couldn't keep it off. So I guess if that is what it takes to keep it off, then so be it! Once again, thanks for the feedback and input, this is hard, but we all go through these stalls, and I am officially packing up the scale and only going to weigh once a month. AND, I am going to take my measurements and check those once a month.