Less than 2 weeks post-op sleever....Am I Normal?

[flipper72 36]

I was about 400lbs at surgery....having lost 37lbs before surgery...so I'm definitely on the larger side of most people I read about on here. This coming Tuesday will be the 2 week post-op mark for me. I feel like I'm eating too much....and too fast.....but am surprised I'm even able to. I'm having about 2 Protein Shakes a day and 1 bowl of Soup with Protein added....at first it took me almost an hour to get thru my protein shake.....now....maybe 20mins...maybe! I have been having about 48oz of Water per day...no problem! And I am started to feel constant hunger......It's hard to feel hunger...because it makes me think of FOOD.....I'd give my right arm to CHEW...lol....I'm wondering if this is normal in the clear/full liquid stage?

[avRose 20]

I'm 12 days post-op and also now able to do my shakes in like 30 minutes or so and have had no problems with fluids. From what I've read on here, that's normal and most people don't start to really feel their restriction until purées or even sometimes soft foods.

[Niki15 198]

My Hw was 363 was at 340 after pre op and now I am 11 days out at 329 but I am in the pureed foods stage when can you start this fase ? You should not be hungry that may be the head hunger people talk about but try to take your time drinking those shakes it should take you about an hour to drink one as they want us to sip ..

[flipper72 36]

So basically...just because I'm ABLE to drink shakes faster..doesn't mean I should....makes sense! I think the head hunger is definitely part of it....I miss chewing and that's probably manifesting in other ways.

I am, however, glad to hear that not feeling the restriction is somewhat normal..that part was freaking me out the most!!

I meet with diet group/nutritionist on Wednesday, the 19th.. I think i'll start the next phase of pureed foods after that.

thanks so much for the feedback!

[mykdzmom 387]

I am not in the position to offer any good advise, but just wanted to say YOU CAN DO THIS! I am rooting for you

[flipper72 36]

Thank you very much!! that means a lot!

[Babbs 14,680]

Just remember, liquids go down easier. I could drink quite a bit pretty quickly too that early out, and it worried me too.

Wait until you actually start real food. You'll feel the restriction then for sure when you can only take a few bites at a time And the "hunger" will subside when you can actually chew.

[Debbieduck4 399]

First off, congrats on your surgery and your decision to make a positive change in your life! I'm glad it went well for you and that you are recovering nicely I remember feeling more restricted than it sounds like you are, but everybody's journey is different so just be sure to follow the guidelines given to you by your surgery center. I do know that in the days before I was allowed pureed foods and then solid foods, I was literally salivating at the mouth for them! haha! The surgery is only one part of the process; the physical part. The other part is the mental part... breaking the old habits, thoughts, and feelings we have about food and eating. Maybe a good place to begin for you would be to try to force yourself to slow way down while drinking your Protein shakes and take the full 20 minutes? You're going to need to retrain yourself to know when you are really physically full so you don't over eat later. It also takes that long for our bodies to feel satiated, so maybe it will help with the hunger? Best of luck to you and keep us posted on your progress!

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

I am a month out today. I was questioning my sleeve for a while. You don't feel the restriction until you start on soft foods.

I am not sure if you had a swallow test or if you were able to see the results in real time. I was able to see my swallow test right in front of me. When you drink liquids, they empty into your intestines immediately, they start draining through. That is one of the many reasons you shouldn't eat and drink. Once the swelling goes down and the pain, you can drink a lot. Right now I can drink 22oz of Water in 33 minutes on the elliptical at the gym. I can reagularly drink 24oz at a time in a 30-45 minutes. All of my powder Proteins mix to the consistency of Water. I can drink them in 10 minutes easily. The Premier ready are the only thicker shakes I drink if I have to grab something and go and those take me about 20 minutes.

I struggle to finish one egg. I can eat about 3 oz of soft cooked white fish. When you start eating you will really notice the difference, then it is a whole different set of things to worry about.