any help would be great.

1. is it normal that i get some pain when swallowing and when the soft food is settling in my stomach?

2. does eating feel normal eventually?

3. since moving from liquid to soft, i am not really losing any weight. in fact i gained 1 pound. is this normal? i am worried that my losing is over!

any advice or help would be great. thank you so much!

1-The discomfort you mention usually happens from eating/drinking too much or too fast. If you eat or drink too much or too fast, it can back up into your esophagus and cause discomfort/pain in the chest area.

2-Eating will feel normal except that you will always need to eat more slowly and eat smaller bites. Remember to chew, chew, chew.

3-This early on, weight can fluctuate somewhat as your body is adjusting from the trauma from surgery. Also remember that body weight can vary a few pounds due to Water weight alone which of course can vary even more during your monthly cycle.

Don't worry, if you follow your surgeons plan for you, your sleeve will work for you.

The most important things for you right now, are getting in your liquids and as much Protein as you can handle this soon out. Take your Vitamins and walk when you can. Things will even out for you soon, hang in there.

Yeah, what she said!

I'd also add that right around 3 weeks post op most folks stall out for a bit. It could be just the body adjusting or it could be the transition to soft foods, but it's very common.

Hang in there. Small bites, slow meals, and back up a stage if you continue to have pain or discomfort. Move slowly into each stage - if eating causes you pain and therefore you can't eat or meet your calorie and Protein requirements, make one meal a shake instead so that it's easier on your body.

This too shall pass! Before you know it you'll eat "normal" food, and forget you even have a sleeve. That is, until you eat one bite too many or forget to chew!

~Cheri