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I was starting to get worried that my stomach was too big, or that I'd never even HAD the surgery! (I know, super silly thoughts.) I've been able to get down liquids and soft cheeses and even little rice crackers, no prob! Yesterday I had a single serving microwaveable bowl of mac and cheese, and even a tiny piece of chicken (all well-chewed, of course, and I stayed within my calories and hit my protein). No problems at all. BUT! I just made myself a cup of turkey chili, and I couldn't even get through a third of it. It's weirdly comforting to feel that full. ????

It sounds like you are asking if there are options to help you gain weight, but I suspect you really are asking if there are options to help you continue to lose weight or to fight weight gain? One suggestion is to go back to basics if things get out of hand--substitute protein shakes for one or two meals. You can also track your food intake if you don't usually do that and see exactly how many calories, how much protein, etc., you are getting. I find the MyFitnessPal website useful for this. If I've misunderstood your question, I apologize.

Hi, I drink at least one ( sometimes 2) bottle of clear Isopure drink (40 g. of protein each) from GNC daily and also take a Centrum chewable. I haven't felt weak at all except the days I don't get enough protein.

I am 8 months out and I eat about 1100 calories, 80-100 protein, 6-100 carbs a day. I seem to lose about a 1 lb a week.

I'm 7 weeks out lost about 36 pounds - eating protein mainly - no carbs - and just started eating veggies - lettuce , cabbage and tomatoes ( light oil and salt ) dressing .

I'm 6 weeks out and I've lost 27 lbs since surgery....i eat eggs, fish, I made grilled cheese on a flat out wrap....I made stuffed pepper soup and just are that.....grilled chicken....basically anything I want that's good protein....no room for veggies or carbs

You probably don't need more than a week tops. Just have to watch the bending over and making sure you are getting your water/protein drinks in. I had pain while driving that lasted for 3 weeks and then it disappeared as fast it came. Other than that I was actually feeling great a week out. (As someone mentioned above there is a high level of fatigue so make sure you get lots of sleep when you can)

I'm right there with you! After 5 weeks I was ready to lose it. I get me protein in, water in and have been exercising 4-5 times I week. Finally emailed the nurse at my doctors office and gave her MFP username and password for her to look at my log. I log everything.. She looked and suggested I up my calories. I'm trying that now. I was sleeved almost 6 weeks ago and I'm down 12 pounds which most of that was lost week 1! She told me I'm doing a great job and to keep up the good work!!

I think I’m around 14 weeks out, a few sips of water and I get that taste in my mouth that I’m about to be sick. I’ve had a lot of trouble with drinking water post op. I did start having some difficulty prior to surgery with nausea and swallowing. But afterward I barely drink. I get nauseous no matter what I drink, I’m still on liquids with some soft foods every so often like BariatricPal soup with pasta since it’s easy to chew and get down. Still the nausea though. I drink a protein shake in the morning to get 30 grams protein. I take it slow and push past the incessant nausea. I don’t know that I can offer advice but shortly after I got out of hospital I started having intermittent fevers and went to the ER. Turned out to be aspiration pneumonia and that I have some form of dysphasia. All they know is it could be neurological. Which has nothing to do with my surgery (but my chronic illnesses) but there are other forms of dysphasia, or a stoma stricture that might make things difficult. I wouldn’t jump there just yet but do tell your doctor everything so he can order tests if necessary. And don’t hesitate to ask for anti nausea medication, they come in sublingual form. I do have to ask, what form is your medication? I was told no pills for a few months and even then they need to be small pills and not slow release. I was advised to crush the pills or take medication in liquid form (which is hard to get in certain medications) but definitely no pills.

The shakes have been a hard part for me too. I've been using VegaOne. It is pea Protein based, has 20g of protein per scoop, plus has Fiber and vegetables. 10g of carbs, but 6 of that is fiber. It is not chalky, but can be gritty due to the veggies in it. You mix it with 12 oz of liquid. I was having a lot of trouble getting it down when I was mixing it with just Water. I found it much smoother and easier to tolerate when I started using almond milk - 8 oz almond milk, 4 oz water. For the first 2 weeks, I was only mixing up half a shake at a time, because it gets too thick if you let it sit too long. I also tried Vega's "protein & greens" line. Also vegan, but really gritty. Someday when I can make a smoothie, I'll try that again. I've been using Isopure unflavored to stir into food. This is whey protein.

I'm still exploring surgery, but I use vegan protein powders every day. My favourites are Progressive's VegEssentials All-In-One which has vitamins and minerals (but no iron); I use the vanilla mixed with cold water and one or two tablespoons of frozen orange juice concentrate. Their Harmonized Vegan Protein in chocolate and natural vanilla are really good in unsweetened almond or cashew milk. I've found this brand to be the best tasting and least gritty of the vegan powders I've tried over the years, and they don't contain soy. The All-In-One was a welcome product after VegaOne changed their formulation a few years ago.

I'm just over 2 months out and I've been stalled for almost 3 weeks. I think this is a pretty normal thing so don't let it get into your head. Up your protein and water, take your vitamins, and soon you should see the scale move. Like others have mentioned, my clothes are still getting looser and I can see my face slimming down. Also - get off that scale! Best thing I ever did...I weighed every day for a month and a half and the stress of a stalled scale was really affecting me.

I would like to know if anyone's insurance approved Insure Nutrition for Protein shakes. I completed their online questionnaire and eventually had them fax the paperwork to me. I'll take it to my doctor Friday. I'm really hoping it goes through.

I have a question, my doctor has a specific plan pre-op with packaged meals ( medifast packets ) and i might use the jello (with protein) but have no use nor want to keep the remaining packets. Anyone know of a good use for them or anyone need these? Send me a message.

So I'm about a month and a half post band to sleeve revision (5/10 surgery) and I'm feeling very frustrated and confused about my lack of weight loss. I started at 236 and shortly after surgery (2 weeks postop) was down to 220. I'm now down to 214. I haven't moved for about a month. I was logging my food whole hog at the beginning but fell off the wagon for a couple of weeks but in the past week have gotten back at it in order to get a handle on things. At my last follow up appt my surgeon asked how much Protein I was taking in (when he found out I stalled) and I told him I was aiming for around 60 grams. He told me to only aim for 40. That seems counterintuitive to me especially being pre-diabetic with PCOS. His office doesn't have a NUT so I only have him to rely on. At this point I'm beyond frustrated. He wants me down another 20 lbs by the time I go back to see him in a month. Everyone else on here seems to have the weight melt off and I'm sitting here much like I was before with the band - feeling very frustrated and wondering why I did this. I'm committed to tracking my intake, getting more exercise, and getting my protein in but beyond that I'm at a loss. Any suggestions - especially from those who have done a band to sleeve conversion?? Thanks for "listening".....

My doc told me to increase Protein, not decrease. So weird! He also said if you're in a stall, to up the calories for 2-3 days, then drop back down, that should get things moving again. Plus exercise is important, maybe switch up your routine? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You have take drink fluids!! do you have protein drinks? I had trouble with food and was very nauseated, dehydrated from feeling so weak I did not drink. When I would eat solid food it hurt bad. Then I started waking up with acid the worst I have ever known and had always had it before. Called Dr. and they put me on new med. The solid food still was a problem nausea and pain. Called and they wanted to send me for a scope. I have a long history with my gastro Dr. and called and wanted a consultation first. I had started taking my Librax which is a smooth muscle relaxer for IBS and it was helping. My Dr. told me I had made the right choice. I had Surgery April 10, 2013 and I am just now starting to eat a little solid food. Fighting with my old self of eating too fast and too much seems to be the problem now. Food will not stay down when you do not take care of your new self. I hope you call your Dr. and get some help. Good Luck!!

Protein shakes!

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I am 5 months out and could probably eat a burrito, but as I am pretty much on a diet right now, I count my calories, my protein and only put 4oz of protein on my plate with some veggies and maybe a small carb. Regardless if I am still hungry or not when I am finished, I am finished. I wait an hour, dring lots of water and snack on fruit or veggies if I am still hungry. Your first 6 weeks are for healing and getting into some good habits. My first fill didn't come for 6 weeks and it was 1cc, 1cc, 1cc,1cc.........5 months, 5cc's. It is a journey not a sprint.

Hi there my fellow sleevers, (sleeved or going to be sleeved). It has been a very rainy and dreary day here in Alabama. I have been doing so much research on everything. One thing I was very concerned about was having to do Protein shakes. I know my taste buds are very particular. I have done Protein Shakes in the past. I would just gag, force myself to drink it, and then wondered why I put myself through so much agony (all in the name of dieting). Some of the research I have done has opened my eyes as to why some protein (I am talking mainly powders here) are palatable and why some are just down right nasty. The reason is, and I quote from the unjury website is, " 1. whey protein sources and quality. Not all WHEY are the same. They differ in purity as well as taste. 2. Some whey protein is stripped of the good stuff, so that affects the QUALITY of the protein which in turn affects TASTE, MIXABILITY and PROTEIN CONTENT." I recently ordered some Unjury chocolate Splendor and let me tell you it is AHHHHHHMAzing. I could not believe how good it tasted. I mixed one scoop of powder with 8 ounces of unsweetened almond soy milk (35 cals and 1 gm protein). I also added a couple of ice cubes and blended in my Magic Bullet (finally found use for a late night tv infomercial purchase, lol) and it was like a glass of chocolate milk....absolutely divine. I can only imagine what adding a tsp of Peanut Butter would do for it!!! I know cost is a factor for many, but when I figured it out, one scoop which makes one 8 ounce shake with 21 gm of protein is $1.35 (minus whatever you use to mix it in....not getting that technical.) Well, I know that I don't mind spending over $6 on my 3 piece chicken strip meal from Chik Fil A. One canister of Unjury has 17 scoops. One canister is $22.95. I hope this information helps those of us who are (or for me, was) dreading the protein shakes or are having difficulty with them now pre op and post op. If you would like to read the article go to www.unjury.com and click on "newsletter" then scroll down to the very bottome and you will see 2 topics. They are both short and sweet. Good luck and God bless.

Just had mine on the 25th. So far so good. I am almost scared that things are going to well, and the walls are getting ready to come crashing down around me. 75grams protein, and 80oz of water today, and all three meals down, and staying down. Please pray for me to heal quickly!

Hi. I'm 3 1/2 months out. Lost 40 lbs before surgery and 30 lbs post-op (month and a half) then absolutely nothing. I've been 305 for two months almost. It's like my scale is stuck. Probably I am. I must be honest, I don't think I'm getting enough Protein in on some days, most of the time I'm spot on. I drink like a fish. Water, diet green tea, decaf (yes, I subtract that from my daily intake), Propel, herbal tea, decaf tea. Drinking is no problem. I eat a cup, cup and a half of a protein laden meal at meals, but I do not eat my recommended Snacks all the time. t's really hard to eat. My NUT said something about Grehlin and that my appetite will return. But I'm out 3 1/2 months, when will I start losing weight! Should I go back on liquids for a week? Or fast for three days? Or what? All you guys are losing massive amounts of weight, and I am literally stuck on 305. I feel like this surgery was a flop. I feel like a failure. I lost enough weight that my Pulmonologist took me off all forms of supplemental oxygen. THATS awesome! I'm trying to walk the halls at work without my Rollator, and I'm doing better. No where near normal, but better. I walk kinda funny. My coworkers know I had the rny, and are waiting for me to lose all sorts of weight, but I'm not. I'm embarrassed and ashamed. If I were gaining, I'd have something to look at, but I'm not. I have NO food sensitivities, no dumping. However, if I eat to fast or not chew enough, I throw up the stuck food. No diarrea. No constipation. TMI here: my bowel is always a light beige, if that means anything. Doc put me on an anti-gall stone med last month. Its supposed to be for 6 months. Help? I'm stuck and severely depressed.

Hi Jewel -- I'm not caring for my spouse, but I have six kids, four of them are age four and under, and they similarly require lots of hands-on care and many Snacks I'm 4 1/2 months post-op, and down 70 pounds. What has worked for me thus far is scheduling meals and measuring/weighing portions. I eat 5 times a day: at 9AM, noon, 3PM, 6PM, and 9PM. I go to bed between 11PM and midnight, so if it works for me to go to bed earlier, I drop that 9PM snack as I am not supposed to eat within 2 hours of bedtime. The most challenging thing for me during this journey has been the head hunger. I'm used to snacking with my kids, or finishing their plates, or eating when they eat, which with so many is all the time. Having scheduled times to eat and measuring my portions really helps keep me in check, because then I can tell myself I am not really hungry, I've had an appropriate portion, and I can eat again soon. After doing this for a while, there I have been times I've gotten to my appointed meal/snack time and realized I wasn't legitimately hungry, and found such relief! I generally still will have a very tiny snack if I'm not super hungry just so I'm not mentally famished an hour later. Maybe a few almonds or a cheese stick, etc. I otherwise follow doctors orders by having 2-3oz dense Protein plus 1oz veggie at mealtimes, or no more than 1/2c food in a serving (so 1/4c cottage cheese and 1/4 diced light peaches as a snack). Best of luck to you!

Jewel, I'm sorry to hear that you're having trouble ....it is always difficult to have a weight loss journey while attempting to care for someone else ....for a lot of people this journey is about getting healthy and putting ourselves first.. You unfortunately do not have that luxury if your husband is unwell ....it will make it more difficult to meet the nutrition goals that you have. One of the most important things in this journey is to have a strong support system ...try to find people that will help you help your husband so that you can focus on your self. ....If you went through the challenge and pain of going through surgery it is important that you stay committed to the in the goal...... I recognize that your husband is also a large priority but you will have to carve out time to prioritize your self. One of the best ways to start focusing on your weight-loss is to go back to square one with the foods that helped you start losing in the first place ....soft foods, lean Proteins, sugar-free Snacks.... If your lifestyle does not accommodate a great deal of exercise be sure to find ways to situate your husband so that you can do some exercise while remaining in your home.... this is going to be very important for your well-being as well as his well-being. My final word of advice is Water, water, water ....if you can meet your water goals you will recognize a big difference in your mobility and your ability to cope with caring for your husband and caring for yourself .....please continue to reach out to this group.... we are all finding ways to cope with various different situations at home. Although you may feel alone, know that you are not alone.... many wives or spouses or partners are primary caregivers for an unwell mate....know that we care about you we want to support you on your journey and most importantly we want you to succeed both with your weight loss and with your husband....take care. Sheldon