new surgery

Hi, I had my surgery 2-22-2007 almost 4 weeks ago----I have lost 20 lbs and am not happy with that should I be? I am also having a hard time drinking all my water. any suggestions? My name is pat mayer

Pat, 20lbs in just under a month is excellent weight loss. If you feel that there might be a problem, please talk with your surgeon and/or nutrionist about your concerns. I am going through something similar and was totally reassured by my doc and surgery center that everything is going fine. I had my 6-month yesterday and it was emotional for me too, because all the self doubt was flooding through my mind. It was quickly removed by my support team and I'm grateful for that. I would encourage you to get tha****er in though. Have you tried the different flavored water packets put out by Crystal Light and the like companies? They're usually in the juice isle's at the grocery store and can take away the blandenss of just plain old water. Another thing too is to drink tea. If you like hot or cold tea, it too counts as water and can make all the difference for variety. You should always have something to drink in your hand, sipping constantly, except 10 minutes before you eat and an hour afterwards. (a standard made by my surgery center--it is different at others) Good luck to you and welcome to the boards! Dee

Patricia, My best advice is do not get discouraged! 20 lbs is not bad for less than a month! I'm am a little over 7 weeks out right now, and I have hit plateaus several times. Just bear with it... your weight loss will pick up again soon! As for the water, I had a hard time with it at first, but then I found Crystal Light lemonade! There are sooo many flavors... almost anything you can imagine. You can also eat sf popsicles and jello, which counts for liquids.

Hey Pat, 20 pounds in that time period is just great. The first 4 weeks for me on the liquids were the hardest. Well the first 6-8 weeks honestly. But it gets better. If I drink alot of water it makes me sick so I drink tea made with splenda, after 6wks out I started drinking diet sodas and have been since. I'm almost 2 yrs out and was told by my surgeon that diet sodas were ok. Well his nurse/wife told me it was ok. But u r still too early out. I wouldn't try a diet soda just yet even if your surgeon allows them after awhile. It could hurt your pouch now. I drank propel waters, crystal light, stuff like that to break the monotony of water. Good luck Ange

I love grape Propel...Actually, I have some in my hand right now! Tastes like grape Kool-Aid and has vitamins!!!! At Wal-mart (at least at the one by my house), they have the 33.8 oz. bottles for $1.00. I literally drink one everyday. I freeze it at night and take it out as soon as I wake up and take it to work with me and drink it as it melts. It gets 1/2 of my fluids for the day. The other half I try to make up with protein drinks...One for breakfast and one before bed time. I read something that said that this is when you absorb protein best for some reason...may not be true, but this is just the routine that I have gotten in. Good Luck and Best wishes for your progress. I am 8 weeks out today and have lost 46lbs. I am happy with that....it is 46 lbs. less than I had to worry about 8 weeks ago!