educationrulz

I became dehydrated a couple of days after coming home. I attribute it to pain when drinking from the hiatal hernia repair, nausea, and lack of desire to eat or drink. In hindsight, for a couple of days I wasn't drinking much of anything at all even though I thought I was sipping all day. It felt like a hot poker every time I drank something so it was discouraging to try. The symptoms I was having were a fast heartrate, feeling like my heart was trying to beat out of my chest, extreme weakness and fatigue, lightheadedness, and nausea. I felt like my body was shutting down. This was really scary for me because my sister had left and gone back home and I was alone with my 4 year old. She needed me to do things for her and everytime I moved I felt my heart thumping in my throat and felt like I was going to pass out. Luckily, I knew something was wrong fairly early on and took myself to the doctor's office. I just knew I was going to have to go somewhere and get hooked up to an IV or get another leak test. But, they knew from looking at me that I wasn't bad off enough to be admitted and did some retraining with me on Fluid intake. I feel now that they should have given me something for the esophageal spasms so that I could drink easier, but there's not much to be done about it now. I discussed it with the nurse at my 2 week followup. I did go have an EKG that day just to be sure there wasn't a problem with my heart and it was normal, other than an increased heartrate. The experience shook me up enough to make me start forcing fluids. I stopped thinking about Protein and food and focused on any kind of fluids. Within a couple of days of basically walking around with something to drink in my hands at all times (because I could only sip small amounts slowly), I started to feel better. I was lucky to not go through what Teri went through. I'm sure there are a lot of different factors that determine how severe dehydration gets. I'm thankful that I was able to get it under control without having to go back in the hospital. Now, my ability to drink has improved significantly and I have no problem getting my fluids in. But, I do still have to think about it because it's easy to forget when you're not thirsty. I mentally track my drinking thoughout the day to make sure I'm not too far off the mark of the recommended fluid intake (64oz). **DON'T GET DEHYDRATED!**:svengo:

As long as you'll don't take the scale out onto the front porch, no one else has to know. :001_tongue:

Although I am really into my Pilates reformer machine (can't wait to get cleared to use that again), one of my favorite video sets is the "Firm" workout series. They have a lot of different videos to target various areas. I have done some serious toning with these videos in the past when I stuck with them. Some of the older ones are a little cheesy but they get the job done. I also buy my dvd's from Amazon. The outside sellers have used and surplus stock that is much cheaper than regular price. It's a good way to try out different workouts.

I think you'll be happy with your decision. I haven't been thin since 3rd grade so I have no idea what it's going to be like to be a thin adult. It should be interesting to say the least. :001_tongue:

Hey ngory, I haven't been through what Tiff has been through with the band, but reading what I've read about it is enough for me. I too was going to get the band but fell in love with the idea of the sleeve after researching it. A year or so ago when I started thinking about the band, my sister (who is a nurse) tried to discourage me due to the foreign body aspect. I didn't totally get her point at the time and felt like she was being a party pooper. Then, a year later, I did more research and started to get the point. Clearly there are people out there who have been successful with the band, but I do think you need to consider how long it would take you to loose the weight IF everything went 100% ok with the band. I too am a single mother with little support to care for my child. Believe me, I spent many nights crying in my pillow thinking about something happening to me as a result of this surgery and leaving my child motherless. That's a BAD feeling! But I kept coming back to my real reasons for doing this. I wanted a better quality of life for me and my baby (who happens to be 4). I wanted to stop taking so many medications, be motivated to get out and explore the world with her, be happier and healthier and feel good about myself. All of those things are going to benefit her. Yes, there are risks and there is the possibility that something could happen to you. This is where you do your research about the doctor you choose and don't pick a doctor that you have any doubts about. If you are confident about your doc and his/her stats, you will go into surgery much less anxious. Things were rough for me after surgery and I still feel bad because I've been kind of pitifull around my daughter the last few weeks - between the postop healing and now a sinus infection. But, I'm able to get around and take care of us. Although I don't usually have help with anything, I was able to convince my sister to come stay with us for the week of my surgery. She lives out of state so she had to take a week off, but it worked out as a good vacation for her also. I didn't really need her to do much for me, just take care of my daughter. She brought her kids with her and they had a ball. That was huge life saver. But, I would have made do if she couldn't have come. I'm on summer vacation right now, so I can't speak to aspects of you having to go back to work. It would have been a problem for me but others go back in a week or two and are fine. That's something you may have to play by ear. In the end, you will have to do some soul searching to come to a comfortable decision. I personally feel that if you can afford it or if insurance will pay, the sleeve or possibly even the new plication (sp?) surgery makes more sense to me than the band. Although I was dead set against the bypass a couple of years ago, I would have gotten that before the band now that I've done more research. I was lucky that my insurance covered the sleeve so I didn't have to make that choice. Keep researching until you find the option that seems right for you. A year ago the best option for me was to put it off and think about it some more. Then I was ready to decide. Others just know right away. Feel free to contact me if you have any more specific questions and keep us up to date on what you decide.

Try the tuna without the crackers. I only ate mine with crackers before surgery, but I am making myself adapt because the crackers are just getting in the way of you getting enough protein right now. I do plan to add a small amount of crackers back in with my tuna in the regular food phase. I love eggs in my tuna so if you think you might like that it will add some protein to your meal. Also, the wheat thins might be too much for your stomack right now. I picked around the relish in my tuna just in case that was too much to digest. You've got to keep it more basic in the mushee phase.

WOW. :thumbup:

I was actually waiting to hear back from the nurse as a followup to my 2 week postop appointment last week. The doc wasn't in that day so she was going to review everything with him and call me. I'll call today since I haven't heard back from her and try to clarify some of this stuff. Thanks.

I only buy beef hotdogs, so maybe that's another healthier option than the mystery meat brands that are out there. Of course you can't control this when you're at the ballpark or whereever, but there are lots of options in the grocery store.

I've tried skim milk off and on over the years and just haven't been able to get used to the taste and texture. I can't drink whole milk either because it's too rich. I haven't talked to the doctor about it yet but when I talked to the nurse about it she said that unless I'm drinking alot of it (which I'm not), it's not going to make much difference. She equated it to the fact that some people have surgery and eat regular cheese and yogurt instead of the low fat options and do just fine. She did acknowledge that the doctor would still recommend the skim milk. I think I'm going to focus my energy on making sure that I don't drink other kinds of high calorie drinks since those were a problem for me before surgery. I could drink enough soda and sweet tea to choke a cow before surgery, so I'll have to stick to low calorie options post op. Those types of slider drinks will add many more pounds than a half cup of 2% milk here and there.

Has anyone tried this with cheeses other than the parmesen? I was a little out of it at the store yesterday and bought mozerella by mistake instead of parmesan. I'll get the parmesan eventually but wondering if it will work with mozerella.

Hmmm...I need to try this with the sauteed veggies. That sounds great. And some Heinz 57 on the side sounds good too.

I have trouble knowing what acid symptoms are also. I always have gurgling noises coming up my esophagus and some gasiness and burping. I get a nauseous feeling sometimes too that seems related. I've had a couple of episodes of what might have been acid backing up into my throat, but that's rare. I take Prevacid right now because the omeprazole didn't seem to be helping much. I'm doing better on the Prevacid but still have some issues. The nurse at my docs office said that I should be able to stop the Prevacid since I had a hernia repair, but I'm not sure about that. My surgeon recommended Gavescon for me post op for gas and heartburn. I guess my question is, how do I know when and how much I should take this? Should I take Gavescon every time I'm gurgling and burping, or at specific times during the day?

It's great to hear that you are doing so well Jenn. I keep trying to picture how I'll look and feel at one year out and it's just impossible. I feel like I'm trying to look in a crystal ball. But reading stories like yours gives me hope. It's also good to know that you don't feel like you're having to deny yourself of things to maintain your weightloss. I definitely didn't go into this to be on yet another diet. Thanks again for the update and good luck with your new journey toward being an RN.

I've got a 40f sleeve and can only eat about 2 tablespoons of soft/mushy foods. So, unless your sleeve is WAAAYYYY bigger than the typical sizes used, I don't think this has anything to do with it. How much people can eat seems to vary widely across sleeve sizes.

To be honest, it seems like at 20 days out and on soft foods you should be having some more solid BMs even if it's only every few days. Mine firmed up after a few days on softs. It should be easier to get your fluids in also. I got dehydrated soon after coming home and I attribute it to nausea and pain from a hiatal hernia repair. Once my pain began to subside, I was able to take in enough fluids to hydrate myself. Whether you're dealing with pain, nausea, or something else at 20 days out that is keeping you from drinking, this needs to be addressed by a doctor. I went back to my docs office the week after surgery because I felt like my body was shutting down. Once I realized that dehydration was my problem, I began forcing myself to drink and didn't focus as much on the food. It was still slow and painful at that time, but I had to do it to reydrate. I wasn't getting much Protein or nutrients in at that point, but I began to feel well enough in a few days to start focusing on that again. I would have gone back for IV fluids if the problem had continued. Now I'm dealing with a sinus infection and once again stuggling with eating because of nausea from mucus. But the antibiotics are kicking in and I'm taking it day by day. This is definitely a PROCESS! Let us know how you are doing...

Can anyone who had a breast reduction and/or lift done prior to WLS comment on how their breasts have survived? I had a reduction and lift several years ago and they made it through pregnancy unscathed - but I didn't breast feed. Now, I'm wondering how they might look after the weight loss.

Glad you'll like it!

Great pics! Thanks for posting your fantastic results.

I'm in the middle of a bad sinus infection too and it has severely impaired my emotional state and ability to focus on what I'm doing in terms of postop healing, diet, and exercise. I've been like a bump on a log for the last week and a half. I went to the doctor yesterday and just flat out told the doctor that I can only eat 2 tablespoons at a time and I can't be having a bunch of mucus in my stomach making me nauseous and causing me to throw up, like it did the other day. I don't think I've ever been so happy to walk out with a prescription as I was yesterday. I know that once I get this sinus infection cleared, I'll be so much more clear headed, energized, and able to exercise. My antibiotics are in capsule form and go down just fine. I hope you're able to get your infection cleared soon because I'm sure it will make a big difference on your outlook. As for failing, all we can do is try. And this is the ULTIMATE try! We will succeed! :biggrin0:

Yikes! :biggrin0: This is scary to think about. Is it possible to have dumping without the diarrhea part? I've had couple of experiences with this cheese pototo frozen dinner dish that I take a few bites of. It was one of my favorites before surgery and now I can't eat more than a tablespoon - which is good because it's kind of greasy. Anyway, I do feel kind of wierd when I eat it, like a little lightheaded, queasy, and wierd. I've had it twice but the second time wasn't as bad. I didn't have diarrhea either time. Is that still a type of dumping?

Hey July sleevers! Congratulations on your surgeries! As a June sleever, what you are going through is still fresh in my mind. Boy was I an excited, nervous wreck. My advice would be to pay close attention to your body and don't be hesitant to call your surgeon's office when you have questions. Good luck to everyone and keep us updated on how you are doing postop.

I think your biggest problem might be the heat. I live in the Hotlanta area and at almost 3 weeks out the heat still knocks me out. I think it's probably more humid here than in Texas, so not sure what role that plays in it. But, I have had several occasions where I felt like I was going to faint if I was hot for too long and I am NOT the faintin' type. That lightheaded, dizzy feeling is not cool. So, going back into football practice mode will probably require you to put your pride aside in some cases and delegate things to others. Don't be ashamed to just plop down in a chair every now and then! Also, being on a liquid diet for 2 weeks will require that you be proactive with Water and Protein drinks. Get some sample packs and ready to drinks, but don't taste them till after surgery. Then, you can focus on the ones you like the best. Take a well stocked cooler to practice everyday. That being said, this is all very individual as others have said. I reacted totally differently than I thought I would. I've always bounced back quickly and been up and at 'em, but that wasn't the case for me with this surgery. I've had to learn to slow down and adapt quite a bit. But, at almost 3 weeks out I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel...FINALLY!

Be sure you're working the whole arm consistently (with proper form) - not just the triceps. The muscles all tie together and support each other. For example, pushups work several parts of the arm and can be very effective if done correctly. I can't wait to get back in the gym! :thumbup: