Hi everyone, I am new to the post-op board. I spent a lot of time on the pre-op even after my surgery. I was sleeved Jan. 21st, and am excited that I am on my 3 month sleeve-versary! I am getting about 90-100 grams of Protein per day. A Protein shake in the morning sometimes with Peanut Butter, and Isopure protein Water (40grams) in the afternoon. I barely get food in, because I'm focused on my protein, I might have a small salad, or 1/4 of a half of sandwich at lunch time, but by 3:30pm I start sipping on the Isopure and it normally takes me until about 8:00pm or 9:00pm to get it all day. I have yet mastered the art of sipping slowly because I'm always thirsty, but I take large sips...not gulps. And chewing...am I the only one that hasn't mastered the art of chewing slow and taking 45 minutes to eat? Am I the only one that doesn't take 30-45 minutes eating?

I often have nightmares that my stomach is stretching. I am steadily loosing, and have lost about 32lbs since surgery.

I've been told by post op patients, and others that your stomach will stretch eventually, but my fear is will is stretch this soon.

Does anyone else have the same concern? How would you know if it is stretching? Would it stretch this soon? Would I feel it? These are the questions that haunt me!

Fatdiva I too have fears of not loosing enough weight. I walk, jog, spin, and treadmill everyday, sometimes 3 times a day. I always burn more calories than I take in which has never been more than 350 calories. I had my surgery Feb 20, 2015. From day one I have struggled to get my Protein in. I absolutely cannot stand the taste and I've tried many different types and in may different ways, (in food, as a shake, with crystal lite, yada yada yada). I just hate it. I pretty much hate most sweets now. The taste of sugar makes me spit all day, yuk. I see my doctor tomorrow because I'm at a lost as to what to eat or do. I eat so slow that Breakfast always runs into lunch. One, I've never been a breakfast person; so, it is difficult to eat breakfast because I'm never hungry in the morning, for 49 years I've skipped breakfast. I pretty much can't stand another cup of yogurt. Now I'll have 1 Sargento Pepper Jack cheese stick and Water. I've always loved ice cold water, wish I could drink it like I use to, but my stomach says no way, can't drink fast. Any suggestions from you guys would be greatly appreciated. I feel so confused right now and at a lost. Scared to death that I'm not even going to loose anymore weight. Further, how many calories should I be eating per day anyway. I can never get a straight answer out of the nutritionist.

confused

@@AELee

congrats on testing the waters

jumping in with your first post

unless your doc told you differently

2 months PO you might not have to drink Protein shakes any more

ask doc/NUT

before WLS you were probably eating many, many, many, many calories

now you are taking in so few calories, the weight WILL come off, it has to, really

your exercising sounds great

doing it so often too, good for you

for 49 years you didn't have/want breakfast

KNOCK IT OFF!!! - DEAL WITH IT

you need to have breakfast

gets your metabolism going

protein bars can be used for quick/easy breakfast (lunch, dinner or snack)

Quest Bars are terrific

20 gram of protein

there are "recipe" sites on the computer/boards

According to Egg Face is a great one

many suggestions/thoughts/recipes are given

tells how much protein, carbs etc that the item has

that is great that you love Water so much

sorry you are unable to drink/gulp like you did pre-op

that time will/should happen eventually

for now, drink your water slowly

put glass down, and drink again, glass down drink again and again and again....

you get the idea

continue alllll day

slow and steady wins the race

do you have any problems eating chicken, fish, meat???

these foods are chocked full of protein

track your food on MFP (my fitness plan)

or any other site

keeping track of what you eat, drink, how much you exercise is wonderful

this is helpful

you might be doing better than you think

not being able/want to have stuff with sugar in it, is a good thing

i was told a meal shouldn't last more than 1/2 an hour

even though you didn't eat much within 30-60 minutes

i would stop eating

eating, spreading food over too long of a period is "kind" of like grazing

definitely check/talk to your doc about this situation and he'll advise/help you

don't remember for sure, but at 2 months i "think" i was eating 600-800 calories a day

hold your NUT hostage for partial/guestimate answers to your questions

as long as you continue to follow all the rules you will loose the weight

sounds like you are are on the right track

loosing 10+ lbs a month is average/good

54 lbs in 2 months is great

some of that loss might be pre-op, but you are still doing terrific

don't worry too much

it causes wrinkles

keep up the good job

kathy

@@Fatdiva14 oooops - sorry i hijacked your question

what was the question again??

@@kathy0529

never heard of Protein cereal.

@@kathy0529 @@Fatdiva14

try Kellogg's Special K Protein

10 gr protein

advertised on box it has 14 gr

(wish i understood how to take pic from box and post in this spot)

I'll buy you a Quest bar to the sweetie

hint hint if anyone wants to teach me how to post pic/item??I

@@LipstickLady you look like a smart cookie

then they specify on box

10 gr from cereal

4 from milk

120 calories

cereal isn't recommended that often

lots of carbs

this brand "only" has 19 gr carbs

it is a treat once in a while

enjoy

kathy

Special K has 2 Protein cereals.

@@kathy0529

oooooops

both of us are named Kathy

but YOU Kathy were quicker on the draw with your answer

just read your earlier informative post about the yummy cereal

must have missed it before

10 whips with a wet noodle for me

(full of carbs )

take care smarty pants

kathy

Fatdiva I too have fears of not loosing enough weight. I walk, jog, spin, and treadmill everyday, sometimes 3 times a day. I always burn more calories than I take in which has never been more than 350 calories. I had my surgery Feb 20, 2015. From day one I have struggled to get my Protein in. I absolutely cannot stand the taste and I've tried many different types and in may different ways, (in food, as a shake, with crystal lite, yada yada yada). I just hate it. I pretty much hate most sweets now. The taste of sugar makes me spit all day, yuk. I see my doctor tomorrow because I'm at a lost as to what to eat or do. I eat so slow that Breakfast always runs into lunch. One, I've never been a breakfast person; so, it is difficult to eat breakfast because I'm never hungry in the morning, for 49 years I've skipped breakfast. I pretty much can't stand another cup of yogurt. Now I'll have 1 Sargento Pepper Jack cheese stick and Water. I've always loved ice cold water, wish I could drink it like I use to, but my stomach says no way, can't drink fast. Any suggestions from you guys would be greatly appreciated. I feel so confused right now and at a lost. Scared to death that I'm not even going to loose anymore weight. Further, how many calories should I be eating per day anyway. I can never get a straight answer out of the nutritionist.

Wow! You are two full months out and only getting in 350 calories, plus you are working out??! That seems horrible! You really really should be getting more calories than that. Especially if you are exercising. At two months out you should be able to eat solids, right? I was allowed solids at 40 days. What meats have you tried and how have you handled them?

I get my protein daily from Protein Bars, Protein shakes, cheese sticks, greek yogurt and meat. I have meat for lunch and dinner every day. How are you with eggs? That's another good source of protein that is usually pretty easy to stomach.

Jamie I've eaten minute pieces of chicken but it seems too heavy or coarse for my stomach right now. I tolerate tuna well and salmon if cooked properly. No steak or beef yet. I love eggs but scrambled still working on that soft scrammbled technique. It seems the moment I start to chew that gurgguling starts in my stomach and if I continue to eat I get the pain and then vomiting. I was told to try deli meats but I didn't do well at all. In fact they were the worst. I tied shrimp and did very well with them but who eat shrimp slow. LOL I also do good with cooked spinach. Any suggestions is appreciated.

If it can't stretch why do people have to get re sleeved? I'm just curious because I've read both that it can stretch but many say it can't???

If it can't stretch why do people have to get re sleeved? I'm just curious because I've read both that it can stretch but many say it can't???

I read a paper about re-sleeve procedures that explains more. It's a loooong but interesting paper.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/16469218/

Edited April 20, 201511 yr by tomi71

@@AELee Do you like Egg Beaters? I eat them every morning and it's nice and easy to just pour it in the measuring cup, then cook them.

I had my surgery a month before you (Jan. 21st) and I get most of my Protein from a Premier Protein Drink a day - 30 g.

I just got a Protein Bar that has 20 g in it that I'm going to try. I won't have the bars every day, but it's nice to have when I'm out shopping, then to bring a cooler w/my Protein shake in it. I did try the Premier Protein bars, but didn't care for the taste. I have to get some Qwest bars to try, right now I have Think Thin to try, then a Nature Valley one, but it's only 10 g of protein.

For dinner, I'm a very picky eater, I pretty much have 2 ounces of chicken or turkey w/a side of mashed potatoes or carrots.

Good Luck!!

I have no doubt my pre-sleeve stomach was very stretched out from years of overeating. So, it would only make sense newer sleeved stomach could stretch with abuse. That said, I eat 5 times a day. I don't graze. I don't cheat. But, I eat maybe 2 Oz. of meat OR 1 cup of Cottage cheese as examples of quantities I'll eat at a meal. I also take maybe 5 - 10 minutes max to eat. I chew everything up and don't rush but couldn't imagine taking an hour to eat. I do measure everything and when I'm done, I'm done. It's been working for me. Down 130 lbs. in just over 7 months. About 7 pounds from my college weight and goal. I know the way I do things may be different than others but it works for me.

Edited April 20, 201511 yr by cornhusker

If it can't stretch why do people have to get re sleeved? I'm just curious because I've read both that it can stretch but many say it can't???

Because it stretches

Whether it stretches (dilates) or not at end of day what matters is what goes into our mouths.

If it can't stretch why do people have to get re sleeved? I'm just curious because I've read both that it can stretch but many say it can't???

Because it stretches

A correctly done sleeve should not give much. It will "stretch" slightly with continuous abuse. At least according to the research I've done and the surgeons I've consulted.

We will have to agree to disagree.

Whether it stretches (dilates) or not at end of day what matters is what goes into our mouths.

Yes, I agree completely, however if It was just that easy, why would anyone have had surgery to begin with ? We obviously needed a tool and I can only speak for myself but when mine stretched out I had NO tool to help me at all.

Interesting that you posted this, as I just posted a similar thread on the 'other board'.

My VSG was on 17-Apr, and I am basically 4 days post-op as I write this.

I had no severe pain post-op and was able to start to consume liquid at a pretty brisk pace immediately.

In fact, I can consume 8oz of Premiere Protein drink in only a 3-5 minutes.

Also, I can drink (not sip) Water throughout the day with no discomfort. Not big gulps mind you, but normal swallows. Before surgery, I could drink 8oz water in only 2-3 swallows, as a reference.

So, my experience, plus those replied by others ... suggests the post-op situation is not 'one size fits all'. Perhaps some of us that had 'cast Iron stomachs' pre-op can adjust quicker than others. I also think that females may be a bit more fragile in their recovery and immediate post-op capabilities.

Thanks very much for your post, as I was thinking "is this just me"!!!

RC