Ok so I am just over a month out from my surgery so I thought would share what I am feeling, doing, ect.... Of course in hopes that either someone may find encouragement that someonelse is going through the same thing or that I will find reassurance because someone tells me they are going through the same thing.

So... I had the sleeve on May 16th. I am currently approx 40lbs down since surgery, though I have sworn off the scale for a few days because I have hit a platue and I would rather swear at that darn thing and throw it out the window than to see the same number staring me in the face that had the day before. I can not complain though because i suppose that 40 in a good number for now. I am a perfectionist though and am my own worst critic so I can't help but to beat myself up that the scale is stuck in number limbo... how low can you go, obviously not to low right now lol. On top of the lose since surgery I will add that it puts me at a total of 136lbs down since I started my journey a year ago. I still have such a long way to go, but with a start weight of 570 I feel very accomplished already.

As for food. I am on a regular diet and can eat anything as tolerated, within reason of course not about to bring my spoon to an all you can eat chocolate bar just beacuse I can..... Do they have those, what a grand place that would be. I am finding "as tolerated" means 4 to 5 bites of whatever it is I am eating because anything past that is a no go. I mostly eat chicken and eggs.. meat really. If it doesn't have Protein I don't bother. How do the rest of you get your protein in eating anything other than meat??? I am serious I am barely making it, lets face it most days I am not, but if I were to waste my time with something other than protein forget it. I can't stomach Protein shakes anymore... puke... Not literally, but yuck!!

Now here is my issue. No matter what I eat, after the first bite I instantly get a belly ache. At first it would turn me off and I would stop eating at that point and throw my hands in the air surrendering to my tummy. Now though, I know it is going to do it so I just continue to eat the correct portion. I figure I wouldn't allow myself to die of obesity so to turn around and die of malnutrition would be a little sensless. My stomach ache lasts about a half hour then once I feel the rumbling of digestion, it goes away, and I know it is now ok to drink. I talked to the nurse coordinator on my bariatric team and she said she has heard this from a few other patients and it lasted about 6 weeks and they were all the sudden fine one day and never had an issue with it again. Holy crap is it 6 weeks yet because it makes me so aggrivated. I am finally able to get my fluids in. I tought that would never happen but all the sudden this weekend I have started accomplishing that goal.. yay me!! The secret was tea... decaffinated of course, but tea, it is all I drink. It goes down better than Water and actually settles my stomach. That is another frustration.... I use to love water, I would get the biggest coldest glass of ice water and down it, there was nothing more refreshing, now, water gives me an upset stomach. Seriously, water!! So tea it is. My urine is still concentrated but I figure it will take a few days of gettting full fluids in to get that regulated. I hope anyway.

Excercise... ahhhhhh I said it the ugly word. I have not been the best at this as of yet. I am FINALLY released back to the pool, which is wonderful because I had developed quite a routine at the pool before surgery. So I am hoping to get back on the ball. Mostly with this though I have to get out of my head. I am so used to living in a 570lb body that doesn't allow to walk far or stand long before my back feels like it is going to explode under pressure. Well i am not in that body anymore and it will allow me to do more and go further so now I just have to forget that old body and learn this new one that is coming into play. The only physical alligments I have right now is my back is a little sore, but i have heard from several on this board they experience the same thing and it is just the body adjusting. hat and I have not done much this last month and my body is telling my to get my lazy butt up and get moving.

Well I really guess that is my journey so far, thoughts???? Am I normal, please say I am normal..... oh heck who am I fooling, I have never been normal

I think you are normal. I am only 2 weeks out and my gosh, you should be so PROUD of what you have accomplished so far!!! 136 pounds since the start of your adventure and 40 pounds in one month!!!!!

I do understand the stomach cramp you are talking about. I get it off and on. When I'm drinking clear (like Isopure) I don't have it, but since surgery I can't seem to handle Protein shakes anymore. One sip it feels like someone grabs my stomach and squeezes, and I usually have to stop. I have tried to plow at least 3 more ounces in and the next thing I know I'm running to the bathroom non-stop. The taste of protein shakes do make me nauseated. I used Pure Protein Frosty chocolate prior to surgery and I loved my little magic bullet and now I can't stand anything blended like that because it makes everything so gassy and bubbily and foamy, which then makes me feel nauseated. I really am sorry that you are having problems with Water. Are you drinking water out of a glass or are you using Med cups? I really believe the Med cups have helped me learn how to drink water without taking too much air in and I am still using them. I just started being able to handle cold water again and the first time I put the ice cold water in my mouth and it rolled around, I was so happy. Maybe try doing your water with the small med cups (if you aren't doing that).

I'm so happy you are released to go back to the pool!!

I hope someone else has good advice for you, but I think you are doing fantastic and I look forward to hearing more of your journey!!!