AnneG

Beautiful! Love those heels too. :cheer2:

Definitely keep sipping and definitely take the pain meds- that's what they are for- to take the pain away. Relax- it gets better day by day. Glad everything else worked out. :-)

I was given a prescription but it was not covered so they said to just get over the counter. I've been taking two since I was released from the hospital- one in the morning and one at night. The Carafate is a bit expensive $340 but there is a generic and my insurance paid most of that- my part was only $40. It's been real helpful for me.

I was having terrible heartburn and using prilosec post op and then it seemed to get worse with waking up and feeling that acid burning feeling- in my esophagus - kind of like a little vomit was coming up - just that sort of burning feeling not actual vomiting- I called my doctor to see if I should maybe take one more of the prilosec during the day because I was just taking it 2 times a day and they said no. They called in a prescription for me called Carafate. I take it 4 times a day- it's been working really well for me so far.

Way to go!!!!

Congrats on the surgeries- hang in there!

I've been feeling kind of crappy- Lethargic, Weak, Mental Fog. I just have no energy and I feel off. I'm a bit low on fluid today- I've been getting around 650 calories per day- I'm just shy of my protein and normally my fluid goals but that's just because I'm 17 days post op and I think I have a bit of swelling- because honestly I'm eating round the clock- to meet my goals- it's just that 2 babyspoon bites of anything or 2 sips of anything and I'm full to the max. This week- I'd been really trying to watch carbs since I was eating a bit more normal foods and I did pretty good staying around the 45 mark- I'm using myfitnesspal.com to measure food, exercise and etc- love that tool. I just haven't been able to shake the lethargic mental fog- I mean there is no way I could possibly even exercise today feeling this way- my heart even seems to be beating a bit odd- I was searching through posts here about fatigue to see if there was any suggestions for me- I noticed in one someone mentioned complex carbs and I decided to check that out because- I'd seriously reduced the carbs. I went in and whipped up some veggies the family had leftover from dinner last night- mixed veggies of broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, kidney beans, chick peas and that sort with a dill,parsley herb flavor sprinkled on top and I whipped that up in my ninja with a bit of chicken broth so that it looks like mashed potatoes almost- and licked what was left over on the spoon.. maybe it's my imagination but that was half an hour ago and I feel a little better. I wonder if anyone else has any suggestions?

So, there is definitely something going on with me. This morning I felt fine. I had breakfast- about 2 teaspoons of thin grits with cheese around 6 am. I felt fine and great and was thinking that today might be a good day to go do some walking this morning. I left the house to take my daughter to school on the other side of town and halfway there- at a red light I suddenly - felt shaky, off, my hands got clammy, and I got the sort of mental fog again- like mental confusion- and I felt like I was going to pass out. I got tunnel vision and I had to keep blinking my eyes and shaking my head to sort of stay with it. You know, I had my daughter in the truck with me- the last thing in the world I'd want- is to pass out while I'm driving. It scared me half to death- I managed to tell my daughter what was happening and informed her that I might have to pull over to the side of the road but that I was going to try to make it to a 7-11 about 2 blocks away. It was not a good area of town to break down.. for sure. I got to the 7-11 and by then I was sort of having panicky feelings about what if I passed out and I was trying to think of what to get to try to help my blood sugar- with the mental fog going on - it was very difficult to think- coherantly- I grabbed a bottle of orange juice after glancing around to see what was available- I opened it before I even got to the counter to pay for it- my hands were shaking as I opened the bottle and I was worried that I might not remember my pin number when I paid for it with my debit card because I had no cash. I managed to get two sips down me in the car and tried to call a family member to let them know where I was just in case- just in case I needed to call for an ambulance or just in case.. I needed someone to come get me. My Daughter's school is very close to the hospital and also my surgeons office. After 20 minutes and fretting about the fact that my daughter was already late for school and we were just under a mile away- I decided I should at least try to get her to school- I ran back in to the 7-11 to see if I could find something other than the orange juice because I'd been having problems with acid- and the orange juice reminded me of that and the idea of orange juice coming back up my already burning esophagus unnerved me. I grabbed an apple juice and looked around for some protein- still fuzzy headed- I saw the lunchables and grabbed one thinking either I could try to chew a bite of the turkey or if not then I could try the cheese. Then I slowly pulled out onto the street and attempted to make it to my daughters school- and we got there- course by then I was just barely holding it together for my daughters sake- but feeling absolutely positive that I really could have passed out while driving and killed us both. I let my daughter out of the truck to go to school - she was clearly worried about me and I tried to ease her concerns by telling her that I was just fine and the juice helped..but.. that wasn't entirely true. I parked on the side of the road there and tried to call my surgeons office since I was so close- much closer to there than home. The nurse came on to speak to me and - she seemed to indicate that I could come in- if I felt like I might pass out but- she didn't seem promising as to if they might could check to see what was going on with me. I felt like if I went in and she could SEE what was going on then at least they might send me over for some lab work- maybe iv fluids- something to try to figure out whats going on- or to help me to feel better. I got to the office-somehow- grabbed my juice which I'd taken 2 tiny sips of and nibbled on the piece of turkey there but it tasted terrible so didn't get more than a bite in- tho nibbled on a cracker more easily- just twice- around the edge - When the person came out..and i'm not even sure if it was a nurse- she told me they'd tried to slide me in around 10- it was then 8:45 or so. She said they had 2 big cases coming in and something going on at the hospital and she scolded me for having the apple juice in my hand- and asked me WHY WAS i DRINKING THAT- AS THO IT WAS A MORNING RITUAL OR SOMETHING. I tried to explain to her that clearly I'd had less than 2 sips of that juice- the bottle was still full and that 7-11 doesn't cater to bariatric patients in a situation of low sugar- she also scolded me for having the lunchable- I mean..really? I Haven't ANY JUICE- since before my pre op diet. I haven't had anything remotely similar to a lunchable since before my pre op diet. If I could ordered salmon or tuna- at 7-11 ..surely I would have but..as it stood.. I had few options.. lunchable..or .....donut.. I figured....I made a rational and good choice..by choosing the lunchable to try.. it's not like I ate a whole cracker..it's not like I ate a whole piece of the turkey..because I didn't come anywhere close to that. She suggested I ditch the lunchable- and maybe the juice or dilute it and go down to the first floor to the cafeteria and find some protein- and relax until 10 ish..when the might could slide me in but was sure to let me know that they couldn't do anything there- that they'd have to put in an order for me to have whatever they wanted done..somewhere else. So, I went down to the first floor- and began to look for the cafeteria- right away I noticed a generic starbucks called the espresso cafe but it was closed. So, I kept walking- you know- it's not easy to walk around when you feel shaky and off- There was a small sense of relief that if I passed out in the hallway that someone would find me tho.. that was better than sitting at a red light- and passing out. Small comforts- So I kept walking around..looking for this cafeteria or some sign showing the way to no avail and I saw a tech coming down the hall way and stopped him to ask where the cafeteria was and he said there was no cafeteria there- only the espresso cafe which I'd seen a half a mile back down the other hall way.. and of course it was still closed. Somewhere in all of THAT- I began to get ANGRY. Angry that I'd be waiting for another hour and a half..to MAYBE BE SLID into the schedule.. and that MAYBE.. some tests would be ordered but probably not done today- since fasting might be required. And angry that I'd been sent away to find a nonexistent cafeteria while on the verge of passing out- and scolded no less.. regarding the juice and stuff.... And Angry because I'd thrown out the apple juice and lunchable and now there was no place open for me to get ANYTHING. Angry enough that I went out to the valet parking attendant and asked for my truck- thinking I could at least get the orange juice I'd left in there and evidently angry enough to get into my truck..and decide to drive my self HOME... I called my mother on the cell phone and put her on speaker so that she could talk to me - as I drove home to make sure I had not passed out in route. Got home- managed to find some Protein mushie babyfood- ate a bit of that and sat down- called the dr's office to tell them that I LEFT..AND I'M HOME NOW..AND IF THEY WANT TO CALL ME.. THAT WOULD BE GOOD. The program coordinator called and said I needed to eat PROTEIN- SHE SAID IT LOUD AND SLOW AS THO I MIGHT BE HARD OF HEARING OR LEARNING CHALLENGED. I wanted to say something sarcastic in my defense- but I didn't- I honestly don't remember what else she said- I don't know if she said she'd make me an appointment or anything.. the conversation is a blur.. I have no idea what the woman said to me- I do remember her name tho. So- that's what's going on with me.

I've had an experience of serious hair loss once before. A few years ago- I was taking HUMIRA Injections for arthritis and then additionally I lost a close friend to cancer- very quickly- I was devastated- I'm not sure which of the stressors was the actual thing that set my hair loss off but my doctor said both could do it. My hair started falling out in clumps- When I took a shower the entire tub was sprinkled with strands of my hair- When I brushed my hair (each time)- I had to clean the brush because it was so full of my hair. I'd never experienced anything like it. I was really scared too which didn't help the situation. For the first time in my life my scalp felt cold when the wind blew. I was absolutely positive I would go completely bald. But I didn't. My hair did look much thinner especially in photos. I didn't have any particular bald spots but it was very easy to see my scalp especially surrounding areas where I parted my hair. I cut it a bit shorter and tried to style it different. I managed ok but didn't feel like I looked like myself exactly until it started growing back. I went on a frantic search for vitamins to help it grow back - such as a daily multivitamin and mineral with iron and a supplement with biotin. The product I got was called Great Hair by Vicol- I got it from the health food store locally. My doctor and hair stylist have both said that my hair probably began to grow back in on it's own and not JUST because I began taking those supplements but I felt like I was doing something on my end to encourage growth and hair health. When my hair began to grow back in- my scalp itched and when I put my hands through my hair I could feel tiny spiky little strands of hair sticking up all over my scalp- My hair grew back in over the next 6 - 12 months. It's not exactly as thick as it was before- but I had very thick curly hair. It's also not as curly but I think that's because I'm getting older- I was 40 when it happened- I'm 44 now and have been adding color to cover the gray the past few years, so that might have also contributed to a little change in texture. I don't know if it will happen to me again the exact same way that it happened before but I guess I can just keep reminding myself that it really does grow back and I think the weight loss is a trade off that is worth it.

Congrats on this milestone of your journey! I'm not really sure about the timeline- because each insurance is different. Some people get approved right away and other people (like me) it seems the approval process is a little slower or sometimes they insist on more information which takes time to submit and review - But each step closer is a victory- for sure. I'm so excited for you!!

Best wishes on surgery - both of you-

Thanks for the suggestions everyone- I felt a lot better after having some mashed veggies. I don't have high blood pressure or any heart problems. I just have noticed when I'm going into that lethargic mode that my heart seems like it doing something funny- almost like tachycardia when the heartbeat speeds up or you can feel it but not exactly. Maybe I will call my doctor tomorrow just to check in. Thanks all

Congrats on your surgery.

I drank it the first week post op. Haven't had any problems but I only drink one cup ever- I can see how it might cause an issue for some who get full and don't drink their required other healthy fluids- Caffeine might also irritate the stomach- might be a consideration. You could check with your NUT.

I'm 16 days post op and the past few days I've got in about 600 calories but only 45g of protein. Big jump in the calories because previously I was only getting 300-400 per day. I'm trying real hard tho get the protein and fluids up- I'm using myfitnesspal.com - I think it's just a matter of continued healing- because I still feel real full after drinking or eating- like I'm overstuffed. I eat 2 bites of anything using a baby spoon and I'm just- full. I'm not sure how long the swelling takes to go down but I feel like I'm probably still with in normal range. I feel fine - other than some mental fogginess- especially mid afternoon and then I NEED a nap.

Congrats- and best wishes for your surgery. Can't wait till you get home to check in with us.

I drank decaf for 2 days when I came home from the hospital and then decided it was such a waste to pour out the coffee left in the coffee pot after Hubby went to work so I tried a cup of the caffeinated and didn't seem to have any issue with it. I'm not a big coffee drinker but I do enjoy one morning cup. I'm 16 days post op.

I smoked for over 25 years- last September while I was contemplating wls- I bought a few e-cigs and began to slowly switch over - after I went to the seminar for my group the doctor said he absolutely would not do surgery on anyone who smoked and they had to be quit for 3 months before the sleeve and 6 for bypass. So I switched over totally to the ecig 2 months before my consult appointment. When I went in for my appointment he asked me if I was using nicotine liquid or 0mg liquid. I said Nicotine liquid- he said.. it's the same as smoking as far as nicotine in the system which constricts the blood vessels and slows healing and he said I'd have to quit for the 3 months prior or 6 months if I wanted the rny- So- I switched to the non nicotine and kept vaping with that until I felt strong enough to put it down- Because honestly just having the hand to mouth option even with out nicotine was helpful- better than nothing- In the end- I had to decide which was more important- getting the surgery- or risking the testing showing continine in my bloodwork..which my doctor said they tested for right before surgery and would cause my surgery to be canceled. I worked too hard to get to my surgery date to be denied on account of nicotine showing up in my system.

Hi and Welcome :welcome:

You look fantastic! Way to go! :love:

Awesome!

Welcome to those of your posting post op. I'm about 2 weeks out and doing good. Glad you are here and hope to read about your journey.

Glad to hear that you are home and sleeved..wooo hooo!

WOW- FABULOUS! Way to go!!