educationrulz

I think you should just wait to see how you feel. I had it rough after surgery but others don't. You may feel back to normal after three weeks and only need to watch how many books you're carrying at one time. If you still feel like you're struggling the Thursday or Friday before class starts, then contact someone to see if you qualify for accommodations in your classes.

Can't wait to hear how things went Becca. Check back in and let us know how you're doing after surgery. :biggrin0:

I honestly haven't used half the stuff I bought in preparation for surgery. There's only so much your stomach will be able to take in and by the time you might need or want something different, you'll be well enough to get out to the store. Also, you will lose your tastes for some things, so don't buy too much of any one thing. Congratulations!

Congratulations! Did you decide to get the super sleeve over the plication?

I'm excited for you mp! It sounds like you are planning very carefully with all of your docs and will have a successful experience this time.

Hey Trinity. Just saw this thread. I had my VSG surgery at Northside and it was great. The bariatric floor was nice and the nurses were very responsive and caring. I've had surgery at Emory Midtown before and that was a great experience too.

Note: I edited this post to get it off draft status so the post date has changed from when I originally posted it before surgery. *************************** I am just a few short days away from surgery and have begun preparing for my post-op phase. I went shopping today and got my popscicles, jello, italian ice cups, and pudding (all sugar free/low fat of course). I already got my Unjury unflavored protein packs in the mail and I"m praying that I can tolerate it. I ordered a Majic Bullet from Walmart.com since they had it for a good price and that's here. So, here's the post-op diet as prescribed by my surgeon. I feel very lucky to be able to progress things at a good rate but a little nervous about it. I have to assume they wouldn't be using this diet if anything bad happened to someone eating this stuff. I just plan to take it slow and go back a stage as needed. Day of Surgery - maybe ice chips if I'm lucky:001_rolleyes: Days 2 and 3 PostOp - Clear liquids Days 3-6 PostOp - Full Liquids, to include 1% milk, protein shakes (plan to continue with Atkins), low sugar/fat pudding, plain/no sugar-added yogurt, thin cream of wheat/oatmeal/grits, strained low fat cream soup, soft margarine, veggie juice Day 7-10 PostOp - Pureed/Soft to include applesauce, baby food (avoid sugary options), pureed or finely chopped moist lean meats/poultry/fish and meat substitutes low fat cottage cheese (yuck!), scrambled eggs (Yippee!), hummus (what?), mashed potatoes, cooked cereal Days 11-30 PostOp - Soft Diet to include ground/flaked meats, chopped/mashed foods, lean moist tender meats/poulty/fish and meat substitutes, low fat cheese, cooked or dry ceral, potatoes, whole grain whole wheat rye bread/crackers, toast, soft cooked veggies w/out seeds or tough skins, unsweetended cooked/canned fruit, bananas, ripe soft fruit w/out seeds skin membranes - no watermelon Days 31-45 PostOp Soft Diet to include small pieces of low fat/low sugar food easily chewed, all other foods above, incorporate pastas (preferably whole grains) Part 45 Days PostOp-Regular Diet incorporate more grains, fruits, and veggies as tolerated, gradually add more fiber, no nuts and seeds until 3 months postop

I posted this in one of the VST threads, but I thought it might be helpful to post here as well since I only mentioned it briefly in my 2 week postop update. ******* 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'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!**:tongue_smilie:

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.