Hi Everyone,

I had surgery on Aug. 30th and my recovery is slow. I'm in the puree stage for 4 weeks which will be over Oct. 11th. However, my recovery is going very slow. I still have pain and leakage from my belly button. I get weak and feel like I'm going to vomit and my temp rises. I can't seem to find a food that works long enough for me. Yougurt was fine for a while, then ensure shakes, grits with cheese and now nothing really other than baby food and mashed potatoes. I'm afaird to eat too much of the mashed potatoes and grits because I want to lose the weight and I think the starch isn't good for me.

Also, I realized that my mind wants to eat more than my stomach does. Since I've been home recovering all I do is watch the Food Network or The Golden Girls. Yes I realize some people can't watch anything to do with food but I'm completely the opposite. Watching the Food Network relaxes me and just gives me ideas of what to cook and eat when I can again. I do find that meeting friends and family at restuarants is very difficult for me. I hate being out in a food setting and can't order anything other than Water.

Just wanted to know how everyone is handling this recovery process and weight loss is going if they had surgery on or around Aug. 30th. I'm 28 days post-op and 23 pounds lighter.

I was sleeved Aug 30 as well, and I'm still on pureed foods as well. I'll admit that I'm no longer running scrambled eggs through the magic bullet, though. I just take tiny bites and mush them till they are applesauce consistency. I tried Eggface's Ricotta Bake and it is YUMMY! I was SO hungry for something different. I also bought some canned beef stew and just mush it up with my fork, then eat it very slowly...bean with bacon Soup is good as well.

All of my incisions (6 of them) are pretty well healed by now. My drain hole is the only one that even still has a scab, and I've been putting a bit of triple antibiotic ointment on it when it itches. I'd say you should see your doc if your belly button incision is still leaking that much. Although, I had my tubal ligation years ago through my belly button and it took a long time to heal. I think it's because the belly button stays moist. Some guaze in my belly button helped me keep the area dry, but talk to your doc before you do that.

I'm not sure what your plan says, but mine allows SF Jello and SF popsicles, which allows me to change up what I'm eating, plus lets me feel like I've had a treat. I'm OVER Protein shakes, so I've been working to get my protein in other places. I add a little Protein powder to other things, usually unflavored powder to Soups or the ricotta bake. I don't add a full serving, but about half a scoop in my soup or my scrambled egg isn't too bad.

Also, not sure about your plan again, but I'm drinking only Water or decaf tea. I am so tired of crystal light, although I'll probably do a protein water today because I am needing it's anti-constipation benefits right now.

Your puree stage should be over October 4, if I'm calculating mine right. Yesterday started my 4th week out from surgery and October 4 will start the 5th week out, so 4 full weeks of purees will be over then by my calculations. Am I wrong? I'm planning to start introducting solid foods next Tuesday, probably with some grilled chicken and yogurt dressing.

I was sleeved Aug 30 as well, and I'm still on pureed foods as well. I'll admit that I'm no longer running scrambled eggs through the magic bullet, though. I just take tiny bites and mush them till they are applesauce consistency. I tried Eggface's Ricotta Bake and it is YUMMY! I was SO hungry for something different. I also bought some canned beef stew and just mush it up with my fork, then eat it very slowly...bean with bacon soup is good as well.

All of my incisions (6 of them) are pretty well healed by now. My drain hole is the only one that even still has a scab, and I've been putting a bit of triple antibiotic ointment on it when it itches. I'd say you should see your doc if your belly button incision is still leaking that much. Although, I had my tubal ligation years ago through my belly button and it took a long time to heal. I think it's because the belly button stays moist. Some guaze in my belly button helped me keep the area dry, but talk to your doc before you do that.

I'm not sure what your plan says, but mine allows SF Jello and SF popsicles, which allows me to change up what I'm eating, plus lets me feel like I've had a treat. I'm OVER Protein shakes, so I've been working to get my protein in other places. I add a little protein powder to other things, usually unflavored powder to soups or the ricotta bake. I don't add a full serving, but about half a scoop in my soup or my scrambled egg isn't too bad.

Also, not sure about your plan again, but I'm drinking only Water or decaf tea. I am so tired of crystal light, although I'll probably do a protein water today because I am needing it's anti-constipation benefits right now.

Your puree stage should be over October 4, if I'm calculating mine right. Yesterday started my 4th week out from surgery and October 4 will start the 5th week out, so 4 full weeks of purees will be over then by my calculations. Am I wrong? I'm planning to start introducting solid foods next Tuesday, probably with some grilled chicken and yogurt dressing.

Hi

Thanks so much for replying. My incesion has gotten a lot better and I was using gaze. The last of the glue has melted away so things are looking up. Thanks for the food ideas. I'm allowed to have sugar free items but I'm over those things. I just drink my water and ensure for the most part.

My doctor had me on liquids for 2 weeks and puree for 4 weeks. Therefore unlike many others my puree stage is 2 weeks longer than most. I'm sure its because he wants his patients to lose as much weight as possible before moving to the semi-solid stage. I've learned my lesson with eating and certainly have some regrets about this surgery. Nonetheless I just want to get to a point where I can eat normally without a problem and I know I will make healthy food decisions.

Hello. I was also sleeved on the 30th. It amazes me how different the diets are from doctor to doctor. By week 2 I was allowed yogurt, pudding, eggs, oatmeal, and soup. I just hit week four and was allowed to add in meats, that are soft, Peanut Butter, toast, and crackers.

Regardless of te diet I think we all have that mental thought....I need to (or can) eat more. I'm trying to learn to really slow down and listen to my body. Which is new for me. For years, I have just mindlessly ate and ate. Not anymore.

It sounds like you are healing well! Good luck! I am down 27lbs!

Hi. Your progress is amazing! I wish I could have Peanut Butter and bread. I'm in week 4 and still eating baby food and yogurt. I want to do my best to follow the doctor's orders but it is a little discouraging to hear that other doctor's have allowed their patients more options than mine in week 4.

Nonetheless I will continue to follow the rules because I don't want to set myself back or cause any complications.

Wishing you all the best with your recovery.

I was sleeved on Sept 1 and I feel miserable. I can't keep anything down, maybe the occasional soup or popsicle but anything with bulk in it and im running to the bathroom. I vomit maybe 12 a day and all i really get down is my protien water. I wanna cry all the time cause I can't believe I did this to my body. I go to the dr. on Friday for my 1 month check up and I have lost about 30 pds, but certainly not the fun way. I am trying to get more active to keep my spirits up, doesn't help that im unemployed right now even though i don't know if I could work. Is anyone feeling this way or know what to do? Help please.

Well, first of all my surgeon made it clear that vomitting or pain are NOT normal. I'm sorry you have had such a hard time. I hope they can give you answers at your follow up. Have you talked to your Doc about it? I would be demanding some answers! Good luck!

@ April -- I think that you should post this question as a new topic instead of part of another existing thread. I think that your situation sounds very important and more of the experienced "old timers" will see your question and respond. My heart goes out to you. Call the surgeon's office and if they have a good staff they will get this worked out for you. Definitely don't stay quiet about this -- what is happening to you is not typical and needs to be addressed asap. Of course you are in despair -- you are not able to function mentally or physically if you can't keep in enough Protein and nutrition. It will not always be this way.

Please let us know how you are doing.

My surgery date was August 31st and It has been slow for me too.

I haven't had much nausea or any wound leakage, however I do have incision pain throughout the day and night. It does make me take pain medication. I must admit in the beginning I did not feel like eating. Now that Im 4 weeks out, Im hungry every 3 hours. Im not sure what to do about this. The scale has not moved for me for 2 weeks. I am completely discouraged and really think I should have gotten the RYN. Im hoping that is only happening because of my cycle (TOM). Otherwise I dont know what Im going to do. I don't want to go through another surgery. But I don't want to be fat either. Even my Dr. say's my weight loss sucks. I have a friend who had surgery the same day and he is down 50 lbs.

Hi Dream,

Sorry to hear about your slow recovery. The weight will come off its just a slower process for women than men. For some reason men lose weight faster than women. I'm a little jealous of your friend because I've only lost about 30lbs. I find that I'm hungry about every 3 or 4 hours as well. Its because we are intaking small portions at a time so eating is more frequent. I sometimes realize my hunger is completely mental at which time I take a moment to get to the root of the problem. Not sure if your up for walking but I push myself to walk at least every other day to help with the healing and weight loss process.

I wish you all the best with your recovery.