Hi, I was sleeved January 9th, 2013. Everything seemed to be going well, I was struggling to get in all my fluid and protein but I was assured this was normal in the first few weeks and to keep working hard. At my one month post op I was talking to my surgeon about how exhausted I was. I was always tired and wanting to sleep. It was a struggle to even get up and take a shower. Also I was very dizzy and shaky. He asked if I was getting 1000 calories minimum a day and I laughed... No I wasn't, I couldn't even eat 2-4 oz of food and I was getting at most 400 calories a day. He went on to explain at this point I should be eating 8 oz per meal and getting 1000-1200 calories a day! What!? He then put me on a very high dose prednisone steroid for 7 days to see if I just had some residual post op swelling that could be preventing me to eat. He also wanted me to drink ensure (for more calories) and to eat higher calorie foods for that time frame as well. Might would've worked if I could get things in. Also I did not have any vomiting, only nausea when trying to stuff it all down. I still can't eat and I still feel awful. My body hurts all the time and I am having trouble everyday. Now my surgeon believes my sleeve could be "to tight" and he wants to perform an EGD and stretch out my stomach so I can handle eating more food. I'm hesitant... I know I need to be able to eat but I also don't want to fail before I've even started because of stretching the sleeve out. Has anyone ever heard of this happening?

Wow your surgeon is very proactive....too proactive? I don't know but in my case, I'm four and a half months out and I could no sooner eat 8oz at a meal as I could eat an entire horse. (And I like horse meat LOL)

I had complications which made my stomach smaller than it should have been...it's a concern, but at this point in the game we aren't going back in to do anything. I just carefully watch my intake and make sure to get in my Protein, Vitamins and fluids. I rarely hit 800 cals even if I've had a couple of glasses of wine in a day so 8oz and 1000 calories....yikes

I do get very tired, but that seems to come and go. It's not regular for me. You're so early out it's actually in the pretty high realm of normal, so your surgeon's choices surprise me a bit.....But what do I know Best of luck.

Leann I am drinking most things room temperature. Things that are cold hurt my stomach quite a bit. Also I'm still between the pureed and soft food phase because my surgeon does not want me to advance to full solids because of the issues I am having. I eat a lot of greek yogurt because it goes down very easily and doesn't upset my stomach. Mashed potatoes, the inside of a baked potato, and eggs also sit very well. Meats typically hurt, I've tried tuna and chicken salad and both are very hard to get down and it hurts. I'm so glad everyone is doing so well. Mander I feel full for hours after I eat the tinest bit. I think that is another reason he is so concerned. I can't drink a protein shake and then eat 30 mins later. I am so full! I've been trying to eat 5-6 meals a day but I physically can't do it. My surgeon said there could be a stricture between the opening at the end of my stomach and the beginning of my intestines and that food may not be passing out of my stomach fast enough. I don't know anymore everytime I talk to him he thinks it could be something else lol.

I'm sure he's right, it could be many things. My coworker had the same issues and as soon as she was dilated 3 weeks post op, everything was fine.

Just take it slow. Get what you can in. Maybe get some of the unjury chicken broth so you can maybe get some protein in. No matter what we are here for you and praying for you as well.

Just take it slow. Get what you can in. Maybe get some of the unjury chicken broth so you can maybe get some Protein in. No matter what we are here for you and praying for you as well.

^^^^^^^ what leeann71 said. The dr will figure out this for you but since you can only get in so much at a time push for the most protein as possible. Add protein power to your potatoes. The injury protein Soup is good too. We are here for you on the support side.

I was also sleeved on the 9th. I work all day to get in 600 calories. I am not getting enough liquids in. I have to wait 60-90 minutes between eating and drinking so it's really hard to get them all in. After I got a vit B-12 shot, I felt so much better and now have a lot more energy. Good luck to you.

I had a lot of trouble getting in enough grams of protein for at least the first 4 months. I also had a real tough time transitioning to mushy foods. They made me sick immediately. Every transition towards solid food was a challenge for me. Sounds like you aren't getting enough calories but at one month out expecting you to get in 1000 calories daily is to me unrealistic. Plus it takes nearly one year to be completely healed. I was still swollen at 4 months and longer - my surgeon had me getting in as many shakes as I could - which was hard enough and the suggested adding calories with soup. A few of the bariatric soups that have high protein aren't bad tasting but you can make your own too. Try making chicken soup and purée some of the boiled chicken and putting it in your portion of soup. I am talking a very small portion of soup...I. The beginning a 1/4 cup took me more than an hour to eat... Warm it up in the microwave and keep taking a teaspoonful or less. More calories will give you more energy. Your doctor maybe doing the endoscopy because of you other physical complaints just to see if you have a stricture or are very swollen. S/he wants to see if there is a physical issue with your sleeve that is making you feel so sick. It doesn't mean stretching your sleeve will be necessary he is just being cautious.

Good luck. Asks lots of questions if your surgeon. And keep asking questions on VST. We have all been there... Everyone has a different experience. I was nauseous for months after I was sleeved - my nausea fairly constant though less intense lasted 6 months. Other people topped feeling nauseous right away. Try doing little things to stay hydrated and get in as much protein (ie. calories) as you feel you can without feeling sick. I was no where near 1000 calories daily after 1 month - no way.

Just an update... My surgeon did an EGD yesterday. He said the area where my esophagus turned into my stomach was very narrow as well as the area where the stomach bends toward the intestines. He decided to dilate both areas. He also said he seen stomach spasms while doing the EGD so he gave me Reglan and said that would help with the spasms. Hopfully this will help and I will start feeling better in the next few days and be able to really utilize my sleeve. Thank you all for the advice and support, it was really needed.

Just an update... My surgeon did an EGD yesterday. He said the area where my esophagus turned into my stomach was very narrow as well as the area where the stomach bends toward the intestines. He decided to dilate both areas. He also said he seen stomach spasms while doing the EGD so he gave me Reglan and said that would help with the spasms. Hopfully this will help and I will start feeling better in the next few days and be able to really utilize my sleeve. Thank you all for the advice and support' date=' it was really needed.[/quote']

I sure hope that helps! Best of luck.

My surgery was Dec 17, 2012. I cannot eat 8 oz of anything, unless it is liquid. And I am no where near 1000 calories a day. The PA at my surgeon's office said I need to at least strive for 600 calories a day.

Um there is no way you can get 1000 calories in. I was dizzy and shaky too. Just sip on your water and eat soup! I ate chilli. Your doctor is retarded. Stop taking drugs and just find foods that work for you! I ate soups and puréed them for six months.

Hi, I was sleeved January 9th, 2013. Everything seemed to be going well, I was struggling to get in all my fluid and protein but I was assured this was normal in the first few weeks and to keep working hard. At my one month post op I was talking to my surgeon about how exhausted I was. I was always tired and wanting to sleep. It was a struggle to even get up and take a shower. Also I was very dizzy and shaky. He asked if I was getting 1000 calories minimum a day and I laughed... No I wasn't, I couldn't even eat 2-4 oz of food and I was getting at most 400 calories a day. He went on to explain at this point I should be eating 8 oz per meal and getting 1000-1200 calories a day! What!? He then put me on a very high dose prednisone steroid for 7 days to see if I just had some residual post op swelling that could be preventing me to eat. He also wanted me to drink ensure (for more calories) and to eat higher calorie foods for that time frame as well. Might would've worked if I could get things in. Also I did not have any vomiting, only nausea when trying to stuff it all down. I still can't eat and I still feel awful. My body hurts all the time and I am having trouble everyday. Now my surgeon believes my sleeve could be "to tight" and he wants to perform an EGD and stretch out my stomach so I can handle eating more food. I'm hesitant... I know I need to be able to eat but I also don't want to fail before I've even started because of stretching the sleeve out. Has anyone ever heard of this happening?

I had the same issues due to the funky shaped "sleeve" I got which is more figure 8 shaped with a very narrow openning between the upper and lower lobes. I had a total of 4 endoscopic stretches over a 2 - 3 month period before it really improved. Still have issues with some days/meals better than others, but much better and I am now eating adequate amounts. The stretches aren't fun, but not that bad and worth it. I have no regrets and happy with my progress. Good luck.

My friend had a stricture and it wasn't discovered until about 3 months post op. She was struggling to eat and had lost about 70 lbs in a 3 month period and she wasn't a high BMI either. I would definitely get it checked out. I can eat about 1000 cals and fluids go right through me. I don't count calories. If I were in your situation I would get it checked out because how much longer do you expect to exist on such a small amount of cals? dizzy and shaky isn't good and it's probably a sign of low blood sugar, low iron, etc. Of course it's great to have restriction but too much restriction is bad.