My experience

[Robeania 0]

I had my gastric sleeve surgery August 18, 2010. I am older, in my late 50's, so I was worried about my recovery. Everything went extreamly well. I only had a couple days of real discomfort, then each day was better and better. I really like my Doctor, though I would not ever go back to the same hospital. The staff was horrible. Once I got home I recovered quickly.

In my first week I lost 20 lbs! I was elated...then nothing. At my one month check up, I had lost 5 more lbs. So, it felt very disappointing that in 3 weeks I had only lost 5lbs. Then again, I am not sure what my expectations should be?

At first I was not hungry at all. I could have skipped every meal. Then, as I was able to add solid foods, my hunger came back with a vengance. Luckily, I get full quickly, about half a cup to 3/4 cup, but then I am hungry again in a half an hour. I try to resist as much as I can, but I find that I have to have a snack. I try to keep the snacking to sugar free Jello or fruit, but the pattern of hunger bothers me. It is worse at work, during the day. I am not quite as hungry in the evening, though I do usually have an after dinner treat of fruit or a sugar free popcycle.

I am getting my 40 grams of Protein every day, and drinking about 32oz of Water. So, I am not sure what to do at this point to keep the hunger at bay. It reminds me of the same problem I had before the surgery, except I need less food.< /p>

I exercise 30-40 minutes each day, either walking a mile and a quarter or lifting weights. If my weight loss stays consistant that will be great, but I fear it will just stop, as it is so slow in these initial stages when the weight loss is supposed to be at the highest peak. I have not been able to find a good support group in my area so finding this forum has been a wonderful surprise!:thumbup:

Edited September 23, 2010 by Robeania

[mightymouse 0]

25 pounds is great 20 from first week plus 5 more in next month. I think if you increased your Protein it would help. Aksi uf your having gurglung noises it could be acid reflux, that is causing the hunger sensation.

[ozzy22 0]

Also, I bet if you increased your Water intake it would help!

[Robeania 0]

Thank you so much for the advise! I am going to try more Water and Protein. I thought I was getting enough, but my stomach does gurgle a lot, so that may be the problem!:thumbup:

[Tiffykins 672]

You're doing really great ! ! ! With the hunger, are you on an acid reducer like Prilosec, Nexium? The reason I ask is because I had some false hunger after I ate and it's really from acid overproducing. I went on Prilosec and I've felt hunger again. Some people also experience a hunger after sugar even natural sugar like fruits. Protein will definitely help, and beef Jerky was and still is go to snack for me. They also make these turkey steak bites that are Protein packed, less fat, and super moist that you can find with the beef Jerky. Getting in at least 64oz of Water will definitely help.

See if adding in more protein help, maybe a string cheese.

[Robeania 0]

Thank you Tiffykins! I am getting some really helpful advise!! I just put the Beef Jerkey Turkey Steak and String cheese on my shopping list! I will also stay away from the fruit for a while to see what happens. Maybe 40 grams of Protein is not enough for me? Do you know what is the average goal?:confused1:

[Globetrotter 1,340]

Robeania,

I noticed that all of your Snacks are sweet, popsicles, fruit, and sf Jello. Personally, I've noticed a "craving" for more food when I eat something sweet, sf or not. Also your Protein is really low, again that's just a personal opinion. My surgeon has me on 70grams of protein a day. I know that a lot of us have discovered that the more dense protein we eat, the less we are likely to or even desire to snack. I've noticed that if I wait at least 30 minutes after I've eaten before I drink anything the fullness/satisfaction lasts much longer.

You're only a month out and you are lifting weights? Wow, my surgeon only just cleared me for weights and I'm 2 months out. How many calories a day are you on? Are you tracking your food? If not, I recommend an online tracker called fatsecret.com If you want, you can check me out there and look at my diet calendar to get an idea of how I'm eating at 2 months out. I'm globetrotter there too. Hope this helps!:lol0:

[Robeania 0]

Hi Globetrotter, thank you for the tips. I did not realize how short I am on Protein. I thought I was getting a good amount. Yesterday, I did up my Protein and did not have any cravings. I guess I need to find ways to work more in. I am not crazy about the Protein Shakes, I do force myself to have one a day, but I guess I need more than that. I am careful not to drink within 30 minutes before and after I eat. I am tracking my calories on a program called My food Diary. I am getting in about 800 a day. It seems like a lot, for the amount I am eating. My surgeon told me that I could lift weights, but no abs for now. It doesn't seem to be a problem. Anyway, I will find ways to add in more Protein. If I am not hungry, sweet Snacks will not be tempting. Thank you for the advise!

[thinoneday 445]

I had my gastric sleeve surgery August 18, 2010. I am older, in my late 50's, so I was worried about my recovery. Everything went extreamly well. I only had a couple days of real discomfort, then each day was better and better. I really like my Doctor, though I would not ever go back to the same hospital. The staff was horrible. Once I got home I recovered quickly.

In my first week I lost 20 lbs! I was elated...then nothing. At my one month check up, I had lost 5 more lbs. So, it felt very disappointing that in 3 weeks I had only lost 5lbs. Then again, I am not sure what my expectations should be?

At first I was not hungry at all. I could have skipped every meal. Then, as I was able to add solid foods, my hunger came back with a vengance. Luckily, I get full quickly, about half a cup to 3/4 cup, but then I am hungry again in a half an hour. I try to resist as much as I can, but I find that I have to have a snack. I try to keep the snacking to sugar free Jello or fruit, but the pattern of hunger bothers me. It is worse at work, during the day. I am not quite as hungry in the evening, though I do usually have an after dinner treat of fruit or a sugar free popcycle.

I am getting my 40 grams of Protein every day, and drinking about 32oz of Water. So, I am not sure what to do at this point to keep the hunger at bay. It reminds me of the same problem I had before the surgery, except I need less food.

I exercise 30-40 minutes each day, either walking a mile and a quarter or lifting weights. If my weight loss stays consistant that will be great, but I fear it will just stop, as it is so slow in these initial stages when the weight loss is supposed to be at the highest peak. I have not been able to find a good support group in my area so finding this forum has been a wonderful surprise!:lol0:

Good morning! Unfortunately alot of us have this hunger issue still with us. . what has helped alot though was eating more dense Protein and waiting 30 - 40 minutes after you eat with drinking anything. keep yourself very occupied helps too. . .you are doing great so far! Wow exercising, Water, eating less. . . you are doing fabulous! keep up the good work and look at it this way, your losing, not gaining. . .it may be slow but it's coming off. . . rome wasn't built in one day either! Good luck!!!

[Robeania 0]

Thank you so much! The encouragement has been so helpful!:lol0:

[GayleSBennett 0]

Right now I'm only on a liquid diet as I am only 7 days post op from surgery. I do not like regular Protein Shakes, but i do like 1% milk with Slimfast / Protein and then i put an additional spoonful of protein in my glass of milk. The Slimfast / Protein version is delicious. You may want to try it.

[heathernowak 0]

So Gayle, you add milk to your Slim fast and then add powder also? How many grams of Protein do you end up with at the end? I also hate all these Protein Drinks and would like to find something better. I just had my surgery on Monday.

[Robeania 0]

Thank you! I will give that a try:thumbup1: