Search the Community

Well I was sleeved on march 15. The first night was horrible. I was vomiting, had an allergic reaction to the morphine, and could barley get up to walk. Today is my 3 rd day out. I had to stay in the hospital for 2 days, because I could not keep anything down. I do not have a leak. Today has been really hard, I am taking the liquid hydrocodone mixed with a little juice because it taste so nasty. It does help with the abdominal pain. I have been walking as instructed and trying my best to get in the fluids and protein (not easy to do). I have bad neck pain that stays regardless of pain meds. Everyone says it's gets easier, I hope this is true because right now I have a bad case of "what in the he'll have I done to myself". I am not hungry, but at the same time want so badly to have real food. Of course I will not steer from my instructions from the Dr, but this is so much harder than any diet I have ever been on. For those people who say that WLS is the easy way out, well they couldn't be me wrong. I could really use some words of wisdom from the experienced sleevers out there.

Ditto the hummus! It's tasty and has protein as well. I like to dip raw veggies into it, especially peppers. It's definitely one of my favorite "less guilt" snacks. Enjoy!

I am going to Mexico in October and not really sure of the best things to take with.... I have heard gas-X, protein shakes, but I want to know what you wish you would have had along with you... Thanks

Congratulations on your weight loss & maintenance. To lose more, go back to the basics of what you were eating & doing when you first stabilised. Your old protein & fluids goals, watch portion size, keep your carbs, fats & sugars low & track your food. You’ll then need to reduce your calorie intake to lose weight. (Remember, exercise only accounts for about 10% of your weight loss so upping your activity to help your weight loss will only help with the loss of about 2 lbs in your case.) Given that you’ve been stable all this time, the weight you’re at may be your body’s set point - the weight it is happiest at & functions best at. It’s easer to maintain this weight & much harder to lose more & then maintain a lower weight simply because your body doesn’t want to be at a lower weight. To maintain weight lower than your set point will require you to always work at it & to eat fewer calories than you do now to maintain. Will this be sustainable & manageable? Will a lower weight & reduced calorie intake limit or restrict your lifestyle? Just something to consider.

not me. Although supposedly it can happen after any surgery - but you probably see it more in bariatric patients since you're taking in so few calories those first few weeks and months post-WLS. But that won't be the case after plastics, so your chances are probably not as great. My plastic surgeon did recommend really increasing my protein for the first few weeks after plastic surgery, though. I usually average around 100 grams/day (I have to because I malabsorb it), but after plastic surgery there were some days I was up to around 150. But anyway, no - no hair loss.

fccm- sometimes i feel 'hungry', especially at lunch time and mid-afternoon. those seem to be my only times when i actually 'feel' like i want to eat. i've had no true big hunger and don't expect to for a while. at just about 4 wks out, i'm trying to establish some routine in my eating: breakfast, snack, lunch, mid-afternoon snack, dinner. every plan is different. but the plan from my nut also includes your Proteins, waters, etc. so even though i'm following that, i'm also trying to set myself up on a healthy routine. i have small kids and really want to be able to eat as a family eventually for our dinner.

I can't stand it anymore! *A little dramatic huh :eek:* I have tried every Protein powder and protein liquid that I can get my hands on and they're all NASTY-I am very sensitive to gross stuff lol I cant even take cough syrup. and after surgery it was REALLY hard for me to take liquid lortab. I started with Proteinex liquid...It really did make me vomit it has been the nastiest so far but I got it as a free sample. I have tried to protein powders from Walmart and GNC I just cant get over the flavor and TODAY I bought a protein liquid its 3tablespoons at a time and you get 18g protein...I just cant do it its nasty even though it has an orange flavor.....so tell me is there just a protein pill? Now powder, no mix no shot no liquid just a pill? Thanks bunches!

The best thing to do is take a look at the things you can control and change in your life. -How many calories a day are you eating? -Are you getting in all your Protein? -Are you sticking to a cup or less of food per meal?

I am 5 days post-op and I am having serious issues getting my protein drinks in. I was given protein slams in the hospital that have 42 gramsof protein in them, but I just can't get them down. They are so nasty! I try to sip on them and I gag everytime. I also tried putting some protein powder in jello but it doesn't really dissolve and just settles to that bottom, yuck again. Does anyone have any suggestions about getting any protein in? I'm only really eating jello and broths right now and I'm worried that I am going to start getting weak from the lack of protein. Why can someone make a protein vitamin?!?!?

Just an FYI it's 4 times a day. That is what I was shipped from Insurenutrition.com they also provided Protein shakes, and scar cream. All covered by my health insurance. And they are a sponsor here on bariatric pal.

The Protein levels that are typically recommended are our basic maintenance needs, or a little above - the amount needed to do the normal replacement of our muscle and organ tissues over the course of our daily living, plus what's needed to supply the amino acids that drive various biological functions in our bodies. These maintenance levels generally correspond to our lean body mass, so most women are fine in the 50-70 gm per day range while most guys need in the 70-100 gm per day range (more if one is particularly muscular, and still more if one is actively trying to build muscle mass.) Think about it - 100 gm protein is 400 calories, or 10-20% of our typical pre-op couch potato diet, so hitting those basic levels is largely incidental amongst all the other things that we are eating. However, post-op, we still need that basic maintenance level, plus a bit more for healing, etc., so we work to minimize most everything except protein in our post op weight loss diets - we may be running 50-80% protein, representing the dramatically lower proportions of carbs and fats during that time. Also, protein tends to be more satisfying, and longer, than carbs or fats, so there is another emphasis on protein there - it's easier to eat less overall if we eat protein forward so many eat more protein than the minimum for that reason.

I lost 90 pounds through diet and exercise back in 2010/2011 and one of the ways I did that was by tracking every bite of food I ate. The site I used for tracking back then set target ranges for my macronutrients based on my height, weight, activity level, and weight loss goals. I was supposed to eat 60-90 grams of Protein a day and stay under 60 grams of fat per day. I was allowed a pretty outrageous (by my current standards) amount of carbs... something like 240 grams! I really got in the habit back then of checking the labels of everything I ate and making sure it had more protein than fat. That was the easiest way for me to to make sure I got enough protein and not too much fat. I pretty much eat the exact same things now as I did back then, minus the carbs. If I go back over my food logs from then, the meals we had for dinner are identical to what we eat now, except I no longer have the rice, Pasta, bread, or potato components.

Yes, I do fully appreciate the weight loss and satiety benefits of high Protein and low simple carbs. For 40 years, it was the only way I could lose weight. I was simply looking back at many popular diets that have very little protein (Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, etc) and noting their relative success.

I am having a hard time with finding time and eating protein, eating snacks, and not staying on track

Actually, I was having awful sugar cravings until I increased my carbs. I was trying just to eat lean protein and veggies - once I added a little bread, it made a big difference (I eat the crust and throw away the soft middle). Eileen

Alexandra, Thanks for the suggestion about swimming. My gym has a pool, and I think its past time I check it out and do some laps. It's been a really long time (like childhood/college years) since I actually went swimming vs going to the pool and laying out in the sun. I was normal body weight through college, but piled on the weight when I started doing office work and eating all the bad food in the vending machines and the ubiquitous meeting donuts. I've also been trying to do a more "Atkins" or maybe it's "South Beach" or "Zone" or whatever, but I'm definitely trying to concentrate on eating more protein and forcing down some vegetables. Good suggestions, thanks.

Definitely stop the Vitamins if your pre-op diet requires you to drink Protein shakes. The shakes are full of vitamins so you'll be getting a double dose if you take a Vitamin on top of that. My surgeon didn't require me to stop taking my thyroid medication or my blood pressure medication, ever. They even gave it to me in the hospital still after surgery. I was instructed to stop taking NSAIDs (like ibuprofen and aspirin) at least 7 days before surgery. They also gave me a long list of meds to stop taking 7 days before surgery but I can't recall any of them specifically. As for post op, my primary care doc said I should be able to get off the blood pressure meds within the next month and my thyroid medication may need a dosage adjustment as I start to lose weight so I'll have to get regular blood draws (like every 3-6 months). Best of luck to you on your journey!!

Hello! I have been avidly researching this forum in preparation for my sleeve on March 25th with Dr. Alvarez. I want to be prepared for after surgery as much as possible. First of all, thank you so much to everyone who posts all of this useful information. I would not be anywhere near prepared without all of the insight everyone openly shares! :0) As I have been preparing, I have come across a lot of information on Protein shakes. I see that some of you use Torani sugar free Syrup in them to offer variety in the taste. I am debating on buying a six pack of the SF Torani syrups, but I want to know are there other things you can use the syrup in besides Protein Shakes? I apologize in advance if this is a silly question.

Keep your chins up everyone. Every thing will fall into place and the weight and inches will fall off. I would encourage you to stop stepping on the scale. The scale can be your worst enemy during a stall. Find another way to measure your success. Stay focused on your plan and remember that we did not gain weight over night and our bodies will not lose it over night. Please don't compare yourself to others because we are all so different. It will just cause you more stress. For those still under the 3 months mark - give your bodies a chance to heal and catch up to all the changes. We have just completely messed with our bodies. You could be in starvation mode and your body is throwing a temper tantrum. It wants to hold onto everything you put into it. It believes you are never going to eat again. Finally Get in your Protein, Water and exercise. Stay positive and try not to stress out as it will only make your body madder at you. My final thought on this - instead of making your goals all about the numbers and scale think of a new goal. Write on a piece of paper the non scale victories you want and when you reach them scratch it off. For example here were a few of my goals: Play soccer without pain Get into the police academy Fit into a size 16 Run a 5k As I meet some goals I add new ones. You are changing everyday and the journey will be very rewarding and you will learn so much about your self. Please stay positive and reach for your dreams! They are possible!

I am 6.5 weeks and have lost 27. I feel discouraged too. So many others have lost more. I didn't start with a low bmi. I get all many Protein & Water. I don't do carbs. I don't cheat. You always hear how its simple calories in vs calories out. I call BS!

Well this is my first blog so it will be a learning process. My sister, Vicky, told me to keep a diary of my Lap-Band surgery process so this is what I am going to do. In January, 2009 I decided to have Lap-Band surgery to help me lose weight. I have a friend, Shelli Giardino, who was also wanting to have the surgery and she had investigated the process, doctors and what our insurance would pay. She works with my husband, John at Tallgrass Creek. There is a clinic in Overland Park, KS, The Maley Surgical Clinic that does the surgery and they are on our insurance plan so I contacted them for information. The present seminars on the process almost every Saturday so I went to one of the seminars to see about the surgery. They have two doctors, Dr. Maley and Dr. Hitchcock. Maley is the main doctor but it would be 3-4 months to get into him so I made an appointment with Dr. Hitchcock. After the appointment, they contacted my insurance to see what they required to pay for the surgery. Insurance required: 1. 6 month doctor supervised weight loss program 2. Psych evaluation 3. Nutritionist evaluation 4. BMI of 40( 100 lbs over ideal weight) 5. Co-morbidity factors. (high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea things like this) In January I started my 6 month doctor supervised weight loss program with my general doctor (GP), Dr. Wendi Bissett. What is so strange about this requirement is that weight loss is not required, they just want to see if you will stick with anything for 6 months. With my GP, I established that I have a BMI of over 40, I am borderline Diabetic, I had sleep studies done and I have Sleep apnea, my cholesterol is high, I have acid reflux and all of the medical issued are considered co-morbidity factors so I qualified there. I had my psych evaluation and also my nutrition evaluation so by the end of summer, August, I had all my requirements met. Now the hard part started, getting insurance to approve the surgery. First we gathered all the doctor notes from all the doctors to be submitted to insurance because the doctor required a letter from the insurance saying that the surgery was medically necessary and it was a covered procedure. I required the doctors notes from my GP and was told that it could take up to 30 days to process the request so I went to the Medical Records department and gave them a sad face and Dr. Hitchcock office had them the next day. The nutritionist sent her notes over as well as the psych doctor. The nutritionist and the psych doctor were choices from Dr. Hitchcock's office so I thought their notes would not be a problem, I was worried about the notes from my GP. Everything was gathered and late in the day faxed, 30 pages, to the fax number insurance said to send them to for pre-authorization of a surgery. The next morning when the insurance person got back into the office, all 30 pages had been faxed back to her to say that they do not pre-authorize out patient surgery. This was a real problem because the doctor would not do the surgery without the letter. The insurance person said she was also told this but they would always go ahead and send the letter. Well my insurance would not do so, so she asked me to call them. I got the same answer she got. They would not send a letter for out patient surgery and lap-band surgery is done out patient. I argued with the insurance for 3-4 days and got nothing. At this point to have the surgery, I would have to pay for the surgery upfront $20,000 and take my chances with insurance paying for it, I could not do this so we had to have the surgery approved as an inpatient procedure. Stupid, instead of giving a letter, it would cost them more money to do the surgery in a hospital and stay one night. Well we got it approved by the doctor to it the surgery in patient at a hospital and sent the information in once again to the insurance but to their pre-approved outsourced company for the letter. I checked almost everyday to see that they had received the information and to see if had been assigned for review. Finally after 7 days it was assigned and reviewed and DENIED. It was denied because the psych doctor had not put in his final notes that I was a good candidate for the surgery and that I was released to have the surgery. This really made me mad because this was a doctor that had been doing these evaluations for my doctor for a long time. We had to get corrected notes which took 3 days and than it had to be reviewed again. Now it was the Labor Day holiday so everything came to a halt due to everyone being on vacation for I had to wait a few more days. Finally during the first week of September I received the letter approving the surgery and it has been scheduled for October 5, 2009. Most of my family and friends are happy I am getting the surgery done but my older son, Ray, is not to excited. Not sure if it is because he is worried about his mom having surgery or if he thinks I should just be able to lose the weight, but either way I know he loves me and is just worried. I had to get a big list of vitamins to take before and after the surgery and also started my 2 week pre-operative low fat, low calorie diet. This is needed to shrink the liver that stores fat and toxins. The diet is very exciting. Mostly liquid and one low fat, low calorie meal. Today I started this diet in earnest. I can have protein drinks, jello, broth, tea, coffee, one meal a day and 2 cups of sherbet a day. I am going to cut out the diet soda at this time because after the surgery, I cannot drink soda of any kind so might as well start now. My weight today is 262.5 lbs and this is the most I have ever weighed. I hope to get down to about 150-170 after the surgery and I know I will make it. Lap-band is only a tool, not a quick fix. All for today.

Well this is my first blog so it will be a learning process. My sister, Vicky, told me to keep a diary of my Lap-Band surgery process so this is what I am going to do. In January, 2009 I decided to have Lap-Band surgery to help me lose weight. I have a friend, Shelli Giardino, who was also wanting to have the surgery and she had investigated the process, doctors and what our insurance would pay. She works with my husband, John at Tallgrass Creek. There is a clinic in Overland Park, KS, The Maley Surgical Clinic that does the surgery and they are on our insurance plan so I contacted them for information. The present seminars on the process almost every Saturday so I went to one of the seminars to see about the surgery. They have two doctors, Dr. Maley and Dr. Hitchcock. Maley is the main doctor but it would be 3-4 months to get into him so I made an appointment with Dr. Hitchcock. After the appointment, they contacted my insurance to see what they required to pay for the surgery. Insurance required: 1. 6 month doctor supervised weight loss program 2. Psych evaluation 3. Nutritionist evaluation 4. BMI of 40( 100 lbs over ideal weight) 5. Co-morbidity factors. (high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea things like this) In January I started my 6 month doctor supervised weight loss program with my general doctor (GP), Dr. Wendi Bissett. What is so strange about this requirement is that weight loss is not required, they just want to see if you will stick with anything for 6 months. With my GP, I established that I have a BMI of over 40, I am borderline Diabetic, I had sleep studies done and I have Sleep apnea, my cholesterol is high, I have acid reflux and all of the medical issued are considered co-morbidity factors so I qualified there. I had my psych evaluation and also my nutrition evaluation so by the end of summer, August, I had all my requirements met. Now the hard part started, getting insurance to approve the surgery. First we gathered all the doctor notes from all the doctors to be submitted to insurance because the doctor required a letter from the insurance saying that the surgery was medically necessary and it was a covered procedure. I required the doctors notes from my GP and was told that it could take up to 30 days to process the request so I went to the Medical Records department and gave them a sad face and Dr. Hitchcock office had them the next day. The nutritionist sent her notes over as well as the psych doctor. The nutritionist and the psych doctor were choices from Dr. Hitchcock's office so I thought their notes would not be a problem, I was worried about the notes from my GP. Everything was gathered and late in the day faxed, 30 pages, to the fax number insurance said to send them to for pre-authorization of a surgery. The next morning when the insurance person got back into the office, all 30 pages had been faxed back to her to say that they do not pre-authorize out patient surgery. This was a real problem because the doctor would not do the surgery without the letter. The insurance person said she was also told this but they would always go ahead and send the letter. Well my insurance would not do so, so she asked me to call them. I got the same answer she got. They would not send a letter for out patient surgery and lap-band surgery is done out patient. I argued with the insurance for 3-4 days and got nothing. At this point to have the surgery, I would have to pay for the surgery upfront $20,000 and take my chances with insurance paying for it, I could not do this so we had to have the surgery approved as an inpatient procedure. Stupid, instead of giving a letter, it would cost them more money to do the surgery in a hospital and stay one night. Well we got it approved by the doctor to it the surgery in patient at a hospital and sent the information in once again to the insurance but to their pre-approved outsourced company for the letter. I checked almost everyday to see that they had received the information and to see if had been assigned for review. Finally after 7 days it was assigned and reviewed and DENIED. It was denied because the psych doctor had not put in his final notes that I was a good candidate for the surgery and that I was released to have the surgery. This really made me mad because this was a doctor that had been doing these evaluations for my doctor for a long time. We had to get corrected notes which took 3 days and than it had to be reviewed again. Now it was the Labor Day holiday so everything came to a halt due to everyone being on vacation for I had to wait a few more days. Finally during the first week of September I received the letter approving the surgery and it has been scheduled for October 5, 2009. Most of my family and friends are happy I am getting the surgery done but my older son, Ray, is not to excited. Not sure if it is because he is worried about his mom having surgery or if he thinks I should just be able to lose the weight, but either way I know he loves me and is just worried. I had to get a big list of vitamins to take before and after the surgery and also started my 2 week pre-operative low fat, low calorie diet. This is needed to shrink the liver that stores fat and toxins. The diet is very exciting. Mostly liquid and one low fat, low calorie meal. Today I started this diet in earnest. I can have protein drinks, jello, broth, tea, coffee, one meal a day and 2 cups of sherbet a day. I am going to cut out the diet soda at this time because after the surgery, I cannot drink soda of any kind so might as well start now. My weight today is 262.5 lbs and this is the most I have ever weighed. I hope to get down to about 150-170 after the surgery and I know I will make it. Lap-band is only a tool, not a quick fix. All for today.

I started back to work today...administrative in an adult day care. Loved getting back to what i love but tired a little easily. Am two weeks post op tommorrow. drinking and eating pudding and potatoes is too easy for me....i can't help being scared that i could just keep on eating, even though I am following instructions and taking 30 minutes or more to finish 2 oz. of creamed food or 1 cup of liquid. My doctor assures me that if I ate fast or more i would know i couldn't. Maybe i should just try to stop this crazy worry. years and years of having success and gaining back has made me worry that this isn't going to work either. Is that crazy? any councel out there? another thing- when did you start soft protein like tuna or salmon? I started my journey at 300 pounds and now I am at 276 so I am happy with that, but just afraid I will just stop losing. I probably needed to get back to work:001_smile:

Since I got banded I've been a basket case. I was a VERY happy 300 pounder, I stopped dieting in 1999 and was enjoying life. My kids prompted the band, keeping up with them that is but my mental health has taken a digger. Since getting banded I stress over everything I eat.. it's like being stuck on a diet that I can't quit. I find myself snappy with my kids too =( I know that I've lost 60 lbs already... but nothing since Oct 1st has me even more stressing about everything. Nothing I can do will break this 60lb mark!! I track everything I eat, I count carbs and Protein and Water... I walk... nothing!!! Someone always asks... I'm not losing inches either. I havent been on anti-depressants in ages.. well.. since I swore off dieting. If you were me what would you do?? Would you seek out some anti-depressants, some Phentermine? Maybe get the band out... shorter life but at least I was happy you know? Is anyone else healthier but mentally worse since getting the band??

Thank you for asking: yesterday was 3 weeks post-op! i have completed my Clear liquids...my Protein liquids...my pureed foods and am now on "mechanical soft and mushy"... this menu until June 2 (1 month post-op) then i am on regular diet ... I have to admit, a little nervous about that... Have to make sure i MEASURE everything.....and i don't think i will add carbs back...they are my down fall.... I love bread, chips and Pasta... So instead of tempting myself i just won't add them back... Per my NUT, i am eating over 60 protein and eating between 600 - 800 calories ... Eating 1/4 to 1/3 cup food amounts... I have my next NUT appointment on June 2 - so i am sure we will discuss regular diet and i will talk to her about carbs... As of yesterday, 3 week post-op, i have lost 30#.... i am very happy with my progress... Today was first day of no loss, but no gain either.. .. because i have been on this site, i know plateaus happen... Not stressing because i am sure my body is catching up with all the weight loss... Inches are changing, clothes fit differently .... I am very happy with my sleeve... tjmom