One week post opt :( please advise/reply. Please

[Udesirekye]

Hi everyone,
I'm still new here. It's been a week since I had my sleeve. My pain just lessened like the other day which had me concerned but at least it's better now. I can bend down and put my shoes on without severe pain.
But here's the thing, I've been so depressed lately. I was so excited about my sleeve but 1, idk if it's the holidays that's making me sad becuz since I've been away from all of my fam holidays are pretty hard.

2, I know it's only been a week but I've barely lost any weight. Am I just being impatient?
And also I feel like I can totally eat anything. Though I haven't. I did mess up n try to eat some of a pizza slice and threw it up..which I'm hoping is good in meaning my stomach is in fact way smaller.

3, I can now drink a full premier shake a lot faster. I'm not always as full I think I should be. Even with the shakes and broth that I'm so sick of.
I guess I'm ranting on. Don't have anyone to talk to about it. Is there something wrong with me? I also ate a broccoli cheddar soup which I know I'm not supposed to but my stomach seemed to handle it unlike the pizza. I just feel like a loser. 😔

[Sandra3]

One week after surgery you're not supposed to eat pizza or even broccoli cheddar soup! You need to follow your guideline, you should be on full liquid right now.
Eating pizza!! that could send you right to the ER!
You need to contact your surgeon, explain that you don't know what to eat and that you need help. You should meet with the nutritionist as well.

I came back from the hospital with a weight gain. Weight right now is not the main thing. Drink your protein, your water and focus on your health.
You will lose weight at some point, but the most important is to protect your sleeve!

[Dawnislas]

You can have weight gain after surgery because of the fluids used during and after surgery. That will take some time to go away so don't worry about the weight. I agree to reach out to your dr and ask for clarification on foods post op. Solid food usually isn't recommended until several weeks out. I was 3 days clear liquids and then 5 weeks full liquids which meant yogurt, broths, protein shakes. 60 grams protein per day and 64 oz water were my goals. I have lost every week but most of the time it is 1-1/2 lbs. there are some you tube videos by a dr almanza that is really good. His last one is about the damage to your stomach tissue when you eat food before it is time. I'm sorry that you are depressed and missing family. I hope you find something that will make you happy this week. Hang in there, it gets better.

[Shannoll]

Have you been taking your anti acids? I am also 1 week out and I was feeling the same. It felt like my stomach was growling every 15 mins and my sleeve felt like it was cramping. Very uncomfortable feeling. Once I upped my anti acids it got much better. So try that. Also fill up on water as much as you can so you don't fill yourself with high calories. It's hard now because I know your trying to deal with the pain, and the psychological issues that you just want to take anything to help. Try the anti acids, protien drinks, and water, and soon you'll hopefully see the weight come off.

[RockyPeaches]

First off, you're doing great. You got the surgery which is a big deal!

Secondly, have you pooped? I've only been going 1x per week (which makes me mentally uncomfortable, though I have no physical issues from it) I had my surgery 11/2/16, first week lost 9.4 lbs, 2nd week 3.4, but now that I'm eating puree/mushy foods and just started regular foods, I find the scale not budging. Today is 3 weeks post surgery for me, and I've only lost 1.4 lbs this week, though I haven't had any real BM. I went on a rant to my husband today that I feel like a failure. In reality, most of us are used to failing diets, that I think it's hard to realize this is going to work.

(I also consume my shakes quickly, I pre-measure everything so I don't overdo. I can drink up to 6-7oz of shake at a time)

[Kindle]

I agree with Sandra, you should call your surgeon, tell him what you have been eating and ask for help with your meal plan. You could be doing serious damage. Since it's a holiday week and you may not get a sit down with a nut, here's some basic guidelines for postop diet.....60-80g of protein, 100oz of fluids, and stay away from "white carbs"..... Flour, sugar, pasta, rice, potatoes, alcohol. You should stay on liquids for now and progress to pureed and then soft food as instructed. You can eventually experiment and find what works for you, but for right now eating on plan isn't about weightloss, it's about safety and not killing yourself with a leak or abcess.

You should not be aiming to feel full. First off, you will never feel full on liquids. Your restriction will kick in once you are on solid foods, which shouldn't be for several weeks. Second, eating to fullness is what got us fat in the first place. It is one of the bad habits you need to stop if you want long term success. Taking a PPI can help with the hunger pains.

Even if you were 3 months out, totally healed and cleared for solid food, you should not be eating a piece of pizza. Not if you want to lose weight, at least. Again, dietary guidelines are something you need to be addressing with your surgeon. For now, you should concentrate on protein and fluid goals and STAY OFF THE SCALE. You have the rest of your life to lose weight. Right now it's about healing and staying out of the ER. The scale will only distract you from what's important.

And yes, holidays can be hard when you are away from family. In fact, the things in life that make us sad or happy or depressed or stressed are all going to still be there after WLS. I know I was an emotional eater and it sounds like you may be, too. I highly recommend seeking help from a therapist or counselor to work on developing new coping mechanisms that don't involve food. I couldn't have been as successful as I have been without the psychological help from my therapist, several self help books and an antidepressant. Obesity is about more than just the size of our stomachs.

[RehabNurse]

I know it's only been a week but I've barely lost any weight. Am I just being impatient?

Yes, you may be impatient as well as unrealistic. Here is the deal...

Carbohydrates are stored in our liver and muscle tissue as glycogen. This contributes to water weight and a resulting bigger number on the scale because the body stores 2+ grams of water for every 1 gram of glycogen stored in our tissues.

If you eat carbohydrates such as pizza and mashed potatoes without being active, your body will store water along with glycogen. This results in a heavier weight as well as possible bloating. Remember that 1000 grams of carbs requires 2000+ grams of water for storage in your body's tissues.

In other words? Stay away from pizza and other white carbs during your active weight loss phase unless you do not want to lose anymore weight. And, most importantly, stay off the scale for a good six weeks. The weight loss will happen if you follow the proper nutritional plan.

[garrison36]

Oh my, Don't eat Pizza or anything you can't, it's tooooo soon and your stomach has not healed. you can end up with a leak. I had a leak and I followed all rules and was in the hospital for 3 weeks til they found it and I had to get a stint in my esophagus and stomach to go home on TPN(IV liquid feeding for another 3 weeks).

[jerzeygirl]

You've been given some excellent advice and now it's up to you to follow the program. You can do this, but this is the "honeymoon" phase and you will be much more successful in the long run, if you begin to change behaviors now. You didn't get the surgery to fail now, did you?
Give yourself some time to figure this all out because this journey is much more than food, no food, etc.; it's a lifetime of changes to better health. Good luck!

[saramichelle]

I really loved Kindle's post. If we had only eaten when our bodies needed food, many of us would never have been obese to begin with. I had my surgery 8 days ago and the first thing I had to contend with mentally was smells. I know, sounds strange BUT I've realized smelling foods I used to gorge on is a trigger for my brain even when my body isn't hungry. So much of it is mental and emotional. Get some support. I am really lucky to have besties and a great therapist.
Above all, don't hurt yourself. Eating when your body isn't healed can kill you. Really not worth it!

[319please]

I haven't had the surgery yet but I just wanted to tell you that when I had my "in depth" consultation with the surgeon I asked about the risk of serious complications or death after surgery. He told me point blank that the #1 thing that causes serious infections/complications post surgery is eating food before you are allowed to. Think about that - eating that pizza or anything else can cause an infection so bad IT COULD KILL YOU.

I'm not trying to be dramatic, truly, I just hope you read this and understand the seriousness. As awful as it must be, please stick to the liquid diet and don't cheat. I'm wishing you a safe and speedy recovery!

[Udesirekye]

ThAnkx you all. Since I've tried the pizza that one time I learned my lesson. I've just been basically on protein shakes and water. My doc told me I could have a lil yogurt on thanksgiving so other than that it's the same. I have lost but I'm not gonna look at the scale again. I'm just gonna follow directions and wait my time out. I've actually been feeling better and I'm not at tempted by foods as much.

Thanks again everyone on the input and advice!!

[Lisa73me]

Thanks for the update and please get well soon!

[Sandra3]

I learned my lesson.

Hello!!
Glad you are doing ok! Gee...pizza...that was a very very bad idea...since you are fine now I can tell you that my surgeon had a patient who got really really sick and almost died after eating a burger a few hours after surgery....so it's serious stuff...

You know, we all learn from our mistakes....I made many mistakes too: bought too much protein powder that I couldn't stand post-op (taste did change post-op), tried soups with mixed veggies to discover that I couldn't stand cruciferous veggies anymore (stomach cramps) and I should try one food at a time only, at six months I was drinking too much water and too fast after exercise, came up etc etc...

But it's simple to follow the guideline and stay safe. Have it near you and read it when you are not sure.
I did read many great books about bariatric surgery or look online and find info!
Many great videos on youtube Dr Weiner or Dr A, I like them both. Always good advice.

Right now you are in the first month, it was not a walk in the park for me, I was really tired. But things got better little by little. It was all worth it!
You will have multiple stalls so don't look at the scale more than once or twice a week. You will lose weight if you stay focused on your program.
And if you have questions, come in here! many friends will take a few minutes to answer a fellow sleever!
Take care.

[Christie13]

Forget the scale. Have someone take weekly progress pictures. Wearing bra and panties or a swimsuit. Pose the same and in the same place for accuracy. Also, measure yourself weekly. I can tell you the scale isn't as impressive as the rest. I had surgery 11/3/16 and I've lost a little over 14 lbs. ((I lost 20 pre surgery.) I can honestly say that although it hasn't always been easy you can do this and it's worth it. I tired quickly of the sweetness of the shakes. I used low calorie creamed soups and broth after talking to my nutritionist. You've got this. Remember to keep asking for support. You're not alone.