babygirl2013

I am 12 weeks post surgery and can't eat more than a couple of ounces of solid food at any given time. It really doesn't matter what the food is, but I will give you some examples.

Three bites of pot roast, two bites of broccoli, one small piece of carrot. Full.

Lettuce wrap (4 small (1/2 inch cubes) pieces of chicken, zucchini, carrot, sauce). Full - had to throw up.

6 blue corn tortilla chips with a small amount of low fat cheddar melted on top. Full

I can't eat any potato products or any pasta products without dumping. I never get to eat fruit and very little veggies because I am always trying to get protein.

I feel like I am getting weaker because of lack of caloric intake and protein grams.

Anyone else have this problem and how did you get through it? I know I should go to the doctor, but I lost my job in January and have no income nor insurance any longer. Trying to get through this without additional medical costs if at all possible.

Thanks for your suggestions and help.

Lorraine

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I have a problem with food getting stuck. Actually I don't know if it is food getting stuck or my stomach just being so small that by a fourth bite of anything carb laden or stringy I suffer from pain. Then I end up panicked and the only relief is to throw up. I don't know that this is common, but it can happen so I wanted to let you know.

I read somewhere in the forums about products by SDC Nutrition called About TIme Protein Shakes. So far every flavor I have tried has been very true to the description. I have tried Chocolate, Chocolate Peanut Butter, and Birthday Cake. I almost always add flavor enhancers to my shakes, but I did try the chocolate peanut butter without any additional flavoring and it was really good.

The biggest reason I love these are because they are 24-25 grams of protein in one scoop (large scoop) and they mix really well in water. Also, they are made with very few ingredients and are sweetened with Stevia - so no artificial sweeteners.

Other than that, I love Click Mocha for the caffeine boost, though it only has 15 grams of protein.

I will have to look into the Unjury projects though because I am looking for something other than sweet shakes. - Thanks for the info.

fabUless,

The nutritionist will give you a goal based on your weight, height, BMI and % of fat. The goal is really about BMI and fat, not the weight on the scale. I was told my goal should be 160, but my personal goal is 148.

I just had surgery 12 days ago, and I am losing an average of 1 pound a day. Although I haven't weighed since Thursday. The amount of weight is different for everyone, and the speed at which you lose will too. If you decide to go through with it, I am sure you will feel it is worth it. I would absolutely recommend Dr. Ortiz and Obesity Control Center. Everyone there was great, and I felt like I was surrounded by highly qualified personnel from the receptionist to the two surgeons in the operating room.

I am sitting here freezing. It is driving me crazy. I was always the one that was hot. Now my hands are always cold. I had surgery 12/9/13 so 12 days ago. Of course it is winter and in the 30's or colder at night.

I read this is normal because we lose insulation, but since I have only lost 10 pounds since surgery, I would have to say it is the slowing metabolism.

looks like I will be buying an electric blanket tomorrow, and some gloves that I can type with for work.

of course this is worth it for the benefits. Diabetes under control since the day after surgery and 10 pounds gone.

Jnlebean here are my answers to your questions. I'm not a revision patient but did have sleeve surgery with Dr. Ortiz in June and I am down 76 pounds!

I currently get food stuck, almost like my band is to tight, although I am completely empty. Do patients with VSG, get food stuck, like Lap-band patients? I have never had this issue. I believe if you eat too fast or too much you can get that stuck feeling. It's like a pain in your chest. They tell you to get up and walk it off. Do not eat anymore or drink anything.

Do you have to chew the food until there is just nothing left to chew, like you do with the Lap-band? You are encouraged to chew your food VERY thoroughly. I think this is even more important when you start adding solid foods back. It also makes you eat slower which is a very good thing. Me....I'm still stuck in my old habits more times than not and eat quickly and don't chew as much as I should. I think I just fill up faster. I noticed if I am out at a restaurant or a party and am talking I tend to eat slower - maybe it's grazing - and seem to eat more.

Are there no no foods, like there is with the lap-band? It was years before I could eat a sandwich after having the lapband put in. I still to this day can’t eat dry meat, like steaks or pork. I stay away from rice, pasta and fresh bread. Rice and pasta just swell in your stomach along with being carbs. I tried a bite of a sandwich at about 4 months out and it went down fine and I didn't have any problems but I could really feel what I call restriction. Chicken does that to me too. I don't know what it is but turkey, pork and fish I guess aren't as dense and are easier for me to eat. Maybe it's I can eat more of that without feeling so full quite as fast. I agree dry meats are harder to eat. Pork is one of my go to meats and I haven't tried steak. I think I could handle it if it were a good cut and not dry.

Are you able to drink when you are eating, unlike the lapband, where you should wait at least 30 min. No! They say stop drinking 5 minutes before you eat and nothing to drink for an hour after. Not drinking keeps the food in your stomach longer which makes you feel fuller longer and doesn't wash the food/nutrients out of your stomach.

How long was it after your VSG surgery until you could really eat solid foods? The OCC recommends you start mushy foods in the 21st day and I want to say about 2 weeks later slowly start adding solids.

How much food can you eat? Let’s say a year after surgery are you still only able to eat 1/2cup of food at a time? I am 6 months out and if I do the cottage cheese test I can hold about a cup of food. This has been the case for a while. I didn't do that test until about 4 months out I believe. The swelling when down in my stomach relatively fast (2.5 or 3 months maybe) and I think I am pretty much to my 'normal' stomach.

Can you go out for dinner and order a meal? Girl YES! I end up splitting an order usually with someone or I take it home for leftovers. I was going out and eating soup or broth not long after my surgery. Chili is always a good option for me in a restaurant if the menu seems limited. Just recently I tried salad again and I can eat a VERY small salad. I say very small because I want to be able to eat my entree too. OK half of it, or 1/3 of it! I think Dr. Ortiz advised a friend to wait 10 weeks before trying salad.

I have a friend that had the surgery about a year before me with Dr. Ortiz and she says the good news is I can eat almost anything. The bad news is I can eat almost anything! I find that true for me too. Luckily I can't eat the amount I used to. I finally really understood that the sleeve is definitely a tool. If you can make good food choices, it will help you take off the weight. If you make bad food choices, luckily it will stop you from eating pre-surgery portions.

Dr. Ortiz is such a great surgeon and I am 100% convinced his skill is what makes his patients so successful. Feel free to send me a message if you have any other questions. I don't log on to the forum much but a private message comes to my email!

Laurie

Thank you for such thorough answers. I knew some of this based on my boyfriend's experiences over the last year since his surgery, but I think women face different problems or demons with regard to food, than many men. Comfort can be important, but with all things it is moderation that we need to learn. It is a long road, but I am glad I am on it.

Just started the pre-op diet.... No problems. I just can't wait for December 9th to roll around. I figured if I could stay on a liquid diet on Thanksgiving, I could handle anything....lol

Hi Melanie,

I am having the Gastric Sleeve surgery in December also, but on the 9th. I wish I could do it tomorrow because I am that excited. Good luck to you on your surgery.