Hello Everyone! This is my first time posting to any forum, just not something I've done before, reaching out to strangers. But in my case, I decided not to tell any family or friends about my sleeve. Only my husband and doctors know. It's a long story to get into, but not why I'm here now.

I was sleeved last Monday, Jan 30. From what I've been reading for weeks, I'm very thankful that there were no complications and I was able to take on fluids and Protein right way. I have not vomited once and nausea is manageable without pills. Went home the next day and have been able to get in fluids and Proteins everyday. Only complication is that I may be lactose intolerant, trying to figure that one out. The gas pains were horrific and I went an entire week without a BM. But after 3X daily doses of Benefiber and mega does of Milk of Magnesia, that problem seems to be getting better. The most disconcerting part is that my guts feel like an alien trying to escape my body. The sounds they make at night wake my husband from dead sleep. Walking does help, but that's been a bit problematic due to other reasons I'd rather not get into. I am getting 20-40 minutes of walking everyday, if it kills me.

Now, my biggest problem is the depression. It hit hardest on Days 3-4, then 5 was OK I think because my husband was around. Today has just been a complete mess. I don't think I can do any more of these disgusting shakes. I hate sweet things - cherry, vanilla, chocolate - all of it is just horrible. I was not a big sweets person before either, so not a shock to me. Even the Jell-O and Popsicles make my tongue and teeth ACHE. I try the chicken and beef stuff, just takes like wet mud to me. Then I'm confused when I see some people on here talking about eating yogurt, applesauce, cream of wheat, oatmeal, tuna, etc. less than a week out. My doctor told me I have to be strictly on these protein torture drinks for another 1-2 weeks. A lot of the things I'm complaining about -- the gas, bloating, walking problems, etc. -- I think I can get through that. But the idea of another 7-14 days of NOTHING but SWEET, SWEET, SWEET and MUD absolutely makes me want to stop eating all together. I miss flavor, real flavor. Not talking fattening junk food, but just the taste of a tomato in vinegar, and nice tuna salad with fresh celery and dill. I'm dreaming my teeth are going to fall out because they ache so much.

Can anyone advise?

Thanks for checking in, Debi!

I have been doing much better for the past 10-12 days now and am in a MUCH better place. The depression lifted going into week two, with some ups and downs around my TOM. The shakes are much easier to tolerate, and I have been introducing mushy foods for the last week. So far, that is going well - still no vomiting, pain, or nausea. I'm a little tired of the lack of variety - cottage cheese, yogurt, eggs, tofu. But I know that will happen in due time. I've had a bite here and there of my husband's cooked broccoli, some extremely tender pieces of chicken I chewed thoroughly, and some vegetable Soups. I'm walking an hour most days, and my husband says my pace is much faster than even a week ago. Can't wait to test out a few gyms in my area this week to work on other parts of the body!

The scale showed 234 this morning, so I've lost 15lbs in 21 days (plus the 8lbs in fluids I came home with from the hospital!) No complaints! Bought a bra one size down yesterday, and I'm already in my size 20 jeans, feeling like 18 could happen really soon. My husband said it was easier to wrap his arms around me, which I'd never even thought about before.

I'm going to see a psychiatrist this week to see if he recommends anything. Not sure if I'll go down that road, but I'm curious if there is something to help me through. My hormones were completely out of whack last week and I had a very painful period. I'm sure it's PCOS related and my doctor is monitoring it. I find that's when the depression gets worse in the 10 days before. So while I'm feeling good now, I really don't want to go down that road again next month!

Everyone's suggestions have been great, and I hope this sticks around long enough to help others out going through the same tough period that is the first week