M2G

So I have a cold sore (my post-op has been comical, I got my period 9 days early to coincide with basically getting home from the hospital, both of my daughters had wicked colds, one daughter came down with a flu bug today, and now the cold sore). I have suffered with cold sore since I was about 10 years old. About 8 years ago I finally started taking Valtrex at the onset of a cold sore. Well, my insurance changed this year and suddenly 20 Valtrex pills were costing about $200 out of pocket. So my dr. wrote a script for something similar but cheaper. The only thing is I have never taken them (just have them for when a cold sore hits). But as I read the label it says take 1 pill 5x a day. No way... too scary. I don't even want to try taking 5 pills today. I guess I will just use OTC abreva or something topical to help. Darn!!!

I started mushies today! I am so happy! I had an ounce of greek yogurt about 3 hours ago. All went well. So now I just had an ounce of cottage cheese. I sprinkled in a bit of seasoning to give it a bit of savory flavor. I'm am soooooooooooooooo happy that all is going well. I never would have thought I would be so excited to eat ordinary food. My NUT cautioned to keep the new foods to 2 a day and go really slow. So those are my 2 for today. She said do eggs/egg beaters last because those are the things that most people have the hardest time with. Does anyone echo that about eggs? Just wanted to share my happiness!

Sounds like you are on the right track! I agree about not sharing numbers unless directly asked. And DJ, my mom was similar, she is much more petite than I am (I'm 5'6 and she is barely 5'2, but she is definitely about 70lbs overweight) and she would buy something that didn't fit her right and always say "Oh I have a sweater for you, I bought it a tried it on and it was just SWIMMING on me" Thanks mom. Love the compliment. But she is my best friend and came and took care of my whole family for the first week after surgery. She definitely has a heart of gold, but not always the most delicate when it comes to weight issues. She definitely has her own weight issues.

That is a huge victory! Congrats! I hope to be posting the same thing next year!

Welcome! I totally agree with Pam, this HAS to be for YOU, and no one else. I think it is NORMAL to be scared, because this is a huge change. I'm guessing that part of your list of requirements is a psychological evaluation, I would highly recommend going to this with an open heart and fully discussing your fears with a qualified professional. The truth is that this is only a TOOL to help you lose the weight. YOU have to do the work, and it is best to know that before you go under the knife. In the end this is your body, your life and your decision to make. You have definitely come to the right place for support though! Good luck with whatever you decide.

I too, was told that gummies were ok!

That is great news about your results! YAY for the supportive dr.! If I had your OB thought, I might consider switching, but then again it would be fun to go back and show him how hot you are next year!

Welcome! Congrats on your decision for a VSG. You will love it here. The support is wonderful. Good luck with your upcoming surgery!

The source of the gas, is what they use to inflate your abdomen in order to get the surgical tools in and around inside of you. The way it comes out totally depends on the person. 11 years ago when I had gall bladder surgery, the leftover gas 'fatigued' my shoulders and neck something horrid (like getting the bends as a scuba diver, the gas created pressure on my muscles). Now after my vsg, the nurses kept coming in and asking if I had the "toots" (which I didn't lol) but I burped constantly for a week. One sip equalled 2 burps...every single time. Today is the first day that I'm sipping without burping (hooray!) And I think every starts feeling "normal" at a different rate too. I felt well enough to drive 5 days post-op, but then had a little setback and had to remind myself that I was STILL healing and to take things slowly. I've been a couch potato the last 2 days and it has helped to keep things low-key. I'm ready (and scared too) for mushies!!! Soon, soon!

We share a surgery date!! Welcome! Right now, I'm missing the activity of "chewing" ...lol. I would give my right arm if I could find something to CHEW! I tried a sugar-free popsicle today and it helped for about 2 seconds. It's not that I'm hungry per se, just missing being able to "eat" instead of drinking ALL THE TIME. That being said, I realize that this is all part of the deal, I'm following my surgeon's rules to a "T" and I have lost 16 lbs since Wed. Oct. 20th. That seems incredible to me, and gives me reason to keep staying the course, knowing that I'm doing everything right and making this new sleeve work. My abdomen is still sore, my drain wound is still a leaking ugly mess, my throat still hurts from the tube during surgery, so I guess I have the good, the bad and the in-between moments. This is definitely a huge part of my support group, just being able to come here and communicate with others, some who have been there, and some who are waiting for their surgery. I'm so happy that I found this forum because sleeves are new to my dr. (although he is an excellent bariatric surgeon who has TONS of experience) so they haven't really set up a strictly sleeve support group yet. I have relied on this site to help me with all the questions, frustrations, and just everything. Keep coming and talking and I'm sure you will find it helpful. Vent away, I'm guessing that what you are feeling is completely normal.

Okay, today is Oct. 29th, and it just hit me. I have not had a single piece of candy this Oct. I knew I would be having VSG surgery in Oct, and didn't want to buy any Halloween candy early on. Then I had surgery on Oct. 22, and of course now I CAN'T eat any candy but heck I am realizing what a victory going 22 days in Oct. without a single piece of candy is! Awesome!!! I did have to go and buy some for this weekend, but it is hidden (for now) out of sight out of mind.

Awwww, that is SO hard. We never want our failures to become our children's inherited failures. My oldest daughter will be 10 in about 6 weeks and she is already on the overweight side. At my psych eval I brought this up and that of course I don't want my daughter to have to go down this same path, etc. She basically said "each person needs to find their own path, you can guide her, offer her healthy choices, teach her about eating healthy, encourage her to exercise, but at some point this will be HER battle and not yours." It was a wow moment. Of course I will everything that a parent can do to ensure a healthy strong child, but she gets to be an active particpant in her own life. I thought that was very well said. I'm glad you talked to her. It is funny how other people react or don't react to OUR weight loss. It is always fascinating. I love that you told her this is NOT a competition. You are there for her and always will be and that is the best thing a parent can do!

From everything I've read, the answer is no.

So nice to read your story! It is very familiar to me! Even the part about starting out thinking I would do the lap band! You will definitely find tons of support here (you already have!) and thanks for checking in on me during my surgery. Do you have a surgery date yet? Keep us posted!

Well written JuilaRH!!! Maybe we should all write the author and "suggest" easy ways to be in control of her anorexia. How hard is it to eat a couple of donuts a day? I mean that would solve her anorexia problem right? Simple. Why didn't she think of that. Ppffftttt! What a biotch!

Welcome home! Glad everything went well! I tried to follow the one ounce every 15 minute rule and it made me crazy! I totally figured out that if I just sip like I naturally would (with resting in between) that I can get all my fluids in. It did take until about 4 days post-op for that to happen though. I figured out that 3 sips of Fluid is about an ounce. Then I wait and when it seems like some time has passed, I do 3 more sips. Alternate between protien drinks and Water. I found out that Jello felt weird going down. And pre-surgery I loved crystal lite and post-surgery I haven't touched the stuff. lol. (the leak test fluid was compared to the taste of crystal lite...maybe there is a correlation?) Anyway, I'm jealous they took your drain out before you went home...lucky girl! I just got mine pulled yesterday and I was literally counting down the seconds till it was gone! Hope you settle into a nice routine, keep getting in the fluids!!!

I got my period 2 days after surgery and it was about 9 days early! Of course my surgeon chalked it up to the anethesia and the huge shock to my system by going under the knife. I was pretty regular before without any hormones (our family is "officially" complete) so I hope it doesn't take too long to go back to normal.

Thanks ladies! I talked to my NUT today and told her what happened and she gave me more thorough instructions, etc. She said when I'm home to let it air out, and just keep it covered if I'm out and about. She said the same as you all, it WILL heal normally. Phew. She also told me what to look for if indeed there was a problem (red hot to the touch, or a boil under the skin) that I should definitely come back and have it checked. But otherwise, keep on taking care of it and it would heal nicely.

So I finally got that annoying as he!! drain tube pulled out of me today. My surgeon didn't stitch the hole, or glue it or even butterfly band-aid it. He said it would heal on it's own. REALLY???? I know he is a great surgeon that I trust, but it is hard to believe when I have a large oval gaping hole in my abdomen and blood is coming out. AARGH! Anyone else told that a hole from their drain would just heal up?

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! That is so exciting. Not long and you will be starting your new life! Woo hoo!

That is wonderful news! So happy for you!

Oh I'm so glad that I am not the ONLY one this has ever happened too. Not that I would *wish* this on anyone... Things are better as long as I'm wearing my glasses, but like Pamela I was used to only wearing them "as needed" i.e. not all the time. I had my mom be my co-pilot today and actually drove the girls to school. I'm 5 days post-op today. I have my follow-up today with my surgeon and I'm getting my drain removed. I cannot tell you how freaking happy I will be to have this drain OUT OF MY BODY. UGH! I literally cannot wait for it to go away. More than stitches, cuts, soreness, pain, blurry vision, the drain is by far the worst of everything. lol. CAN NOT WAIT!!!

Congratulations! Thanks for sharing your success story with us!

Great photo!!! Amazing how much fun you can have when you don't have a bunch of fat to hide behind! Thanks for posting!!!

Oh wow, that is scary moving the date up! Sort of takes you off-guard doesn't it? You are most likely in recovery now. I hope you are doing well. As for pain, the nurses kept asking me to rate my pain, 1 being hardly at all, and 10 being the worst. I never got higher than a 4. Truly. And now 4 days post-op I can truly say I haven't had pain meds since Sun. night, Tylenol, quick release only, and I wouldn't even say I'm in PAIN. I am more just SORE. Like my tummy is sore when I roll over in bed at night or go to pick something up. But not pain, just sore. Each day that passes I feel better. Hoping everything went well for you!