Hi Everyone,

My name is Ty, I am a SAHM to 3 little boys, from Kentucky. I had my Vertical Gastic Sleeve on Monday, February 13, 2012, in Huntington, WV by Dr. Blaine Nease. Tomorrow I will be 2 weeks post op. I have lost a total of 44 lbs, and 29 lbs of that has been since the I was released from the hospital on 2/15/12. My total weight when I started my journey was 325, but I am currently down to 281. My overall goal is to get back down to my high school weight of 150.

I am currently on stage 2 of my diet, can start stage 3 this week, but I am taking it slow. I am having a very hard time getting my Protein in each day, as the only thing I crave is Ice Water. I'm only getting about half of my protein and my daily water that is needed. I have started my Vitamins as of yesterday, and I hate it. I actually got sick from taking the multi-vitamins last night, first time I have been sick since I was in the hospital.

Anyways, I look forward to learning more of your stories, tips, adventures, etc. Thanks for letting me share!!

Glad to have you here! Listen to your body and take your transitioning easy.

You speak of going from stage 2 to 3 but if you aren't getting in enough at 2 then you may want to consider staying at 2 awhile longer and forcing yourself to get in protien. Freeze your protien shakes in ice trays and throw 4 pieces in a blender to chop it up. If u like crushed ice that might help...

Successful transitionign in a big part due to correct healing, and you have to have your protien and Water. Multis are important too - maybe u could get a prescription liquid.

Good luck!

Wow! I wish I could go even to stage 2!! I am on full liquids for another week and a half and I had my surgery on 2/8. I feel like I am starving all the time! I drink a ton of water, propel water so it has vitamins as they don't want me to start my vitamin chewables until 4 week mark. I am getting my protein in and liquid goal, but can't wait to actually put a little food in my mouth!! Good luck to you and CONGRATS on your huge wt loss so far!

Glad to have you here! Listen to your body and take your transitioning easy.

You speak of going from stage 2 to 3 but if you aren't getting in enough at 2 then you may want to consider staying at 2 awhile longer and forcing yourself to get in protien. Freeze your protien shakes in ice trays and throw 4 pieces in a blender to chop it up. If u like crushed ice that might help...

Successful transitionign in a big part due to correct healing, and you have to have your protien and Water. Multis are important too - maybe u could get a prescription liquid.

Good luck!

Forcing the Proteins is so hard! I crave the water so much, thats all I want...I wish I could find a Protein powder in a fruit punch flavoring, all I can find like that is Creatine. I am drinking more water, but I always worry I am going to make myself sick! I hate throwing up!

I have started walking though, just a little, but I am hoping to pick the pace up this week. Walking really does make me feel so energized and refreshed!!!

Wow! I wish I could go even to stage 2!! I am on full liquids for another week and a half and I had my surgery on 2/8. I feel like I am starving all the time! I drink a ton of Water, propel water so it has Vitamins as they don't want me to start my Vitamin chewables until 4 week mark. I am getting my Protein in and liquid goal, but can't wait to actually put a little food in my mouth!! Good luck to you and CONGRATS on your huge wt loss so far!

Thanks hun!! I am still on full liquids, but my nutritionist told me to start stage 3 of pureed and blenderized foods this week. I am really nervous about it, but tonight, I tried just a small taste of mashed potatoes, and it was amazing! I have had a hard time finding anything that I feel worthy of eating in full liquids. My nutritionist said sugar free pudding, popcicles, and Jello, broths, etc, but I feel guilty eating pudding after having the sleeve.

BTW...I never feel hungry, at all!! I love that!!!

Does anyone else CRAVE water...I used to be a Cherry Pepsi/Cherry Dr. Pepper girl, but now all I want is ice water, not even flavored!!! But it makes me feel much better though!!!

Welcome,congrats on your sleeve!! Take it easy! I would agree with Pookeyism that is you are having troubles at stage 2,maybe you should stay there utnil you are more comfy with it,then transition on. I had to make the desicion to do that after my surgeon told me i could pretty much eat what I wanted after a week! My fave trick to getting in liquids and protein is mixing either strawberry or unflavored protein in crystal light. YUMM! My fave is 20 ozs of water,one pack of lemonade crystal light,and one scoop of strawberry sorbet unjury protein. There's 20 ozs of water and 20 grams of protein. Very refreshing as well. Unjury is now the only brand of protein powder I will drink bc it is so light and yummy! They also have little sample packs that you can buy-they are one serving each. www.unjury.com Muscle milk lite is also great to sip on,it has 20 grams of protein as well.

A hearty welcome!

44 lbs in 2 weeks?! Now I'm jealous LOL. You are doing great! I'm struggling with getting in the Protein and I'm still falling short of the required amount. But I'm going to up the protein intake from today. And I agree with all the responses. Stay hydrated and concentrate on the Proteins and take it easy!

All the best in your weight loss journey!

I use the deink mixes at www.bariatricchoice.com I am addicted to the pineapple one, but I also enjoy the grape. It really helps me get my fluids in.

A hearty welcome!

44 lbs in 2 weeks?! Now I'm jealous LOL. You are doing great! I'm struggling with getting in the Protein and I'm still falling short of the required amount. But I'm going to up the protein intake from today. And I agree with all the responses. Stay hydrated and concentrate on the Proteins and take it easy!

All the best in your weight loss journey!

44 lbs from my highest weight. I weigh in again on Wednesday, but in 10 days, I had lost 29lbs after my sleeve. It is exciting!!!!

Thanks everyone!!! I have a few of the single packets of unjury, the chocolate Splendor is my fav, but I'd love to try the strawberry Sorbet! The chicken Soup mix they have is so terrible!!! Blech!!!!

Can you tell me more about how Dr.Nease does things? I am so excited! He is who I am seeing too! We are shooting for an early May surgery date and I have so many questions! How many days were you in the hospital? Does he use a q ball? I could go on and on lol! Any info would be great. Thanks in advance!

Can you tell me more about how Dr.Nease does things? I am so excited! He is who I am seeing too! We are shooting for an early May surgery date and I have so many questions! How many days were you in the hospital? Does he use a q ball? I could go on and on lol! Any info would be great. Thanks in advance!

Dr. Nease and staff are amazing! I had my surgery on a Monday, and was released on Wednesday. he uses a JP Drain, and then when you go back for your one week post op, he will remove it. The JP drain was the worst of my entire experience....apparently, they suture it to a muscle, so it tugs and pulls a lot, and causes some discomfort. But, after the drain came out, I have been smooth sailing. I am 3 weeks post op now, and have hit a weight loss of 35lbs since surgery, for a total of 50 lbs loss since I started seeing Dr. Nease.

Welcome "Fellow Kentuckian"...

I agree with the suggestion of staying at the stage you are now if you are having a difficult time getting in especially your protein. Of course water is important as well. You don't want to get dehydrated. I suggest trying different protein products. I spent over $100.00 on Mercola: http://proteinpowder.mercola.com/pure-protein.html

It is Organic and I really liked it before surgery and now am having a hard time drinking it. Right now I am drinking the EAS shakes, but they can get so costly. I am eating pureed food, so able to get in some protein eating. Rotisserie Turkey breast today! Best of luck to you and I hope you find something soon that works. The folks here have been so helpful and that is such a Blessing! Melanie:)