meggiep

Yippee Kelly! I am so glad to hear your progress- I was worried about you! YOu sound like you are in wonderful shape! I too felt a turnaround of energy in the past couple of days. I started walking again. My two week post op appointment is Wednesday and I really really hope to be put on mushies too- I am just craving Protein in chewable form. My doctor is adamant I get protein from the start- its funny how everyone is different! My drinks really help me feel satisfied. I posted in my day 13 post my routine for getting in 80-90 grams a day- in my hope that my protein satisfied body will turn to those ugly fat cells for THEIR cravings ! ;-P I have lost almost 10 pounds since surgery day, 28 pounds since I started my pre-op. It is so weird and hard to wrap my head around losing that much so fast. I get why people don;t feel the size they are- it is such a rapid thing to keep up with. I did notice last night on my walk that the jacket I have worn for years is hanging looses a bit. Kely does the Iron make you constipated? That is always my fear with iron....

OH my I remember how that two weeks of pre-op was! HOnestly- even with the pain, the inability to swallow at first, etc. I can say the pre-op was almost harder- because you still have the hunger of a big old stomach! I can truly say I rarely feel hunger- when I do it is stimulated by the smell of cooking more than anything. I really do have to pay attention to get those drinks going etc. LOL on the rawhide chew! My dog, by the way, is really suffering the most- his mama/spoil me with sharing food partner in crime is gone! I will indeed keep posting- and my You Tube link is in my signature- I update very regularly. I got so much help from those before me that I want to pay it forward and each day is an adventure in figuring out how this new thumby of mine works. Tonight, btw, I had cream of wheat for the first time- yumm!!! Very thinned with milk but still thicker than most of what I have tried. For the first time, eating it with a spoon- I had this feeling- I can hardly even describe it- I burped a bit (I burp a LOT!) and I just kind of knew that was enough. I felt a tiny twinge in my stomach- not pain exactly- just a little twinge, and knew I had done the right thing. Those burps- well, I=every time I drink I burp I think my body does that to get rid of the air and even though we laugh a lot about it I actually appreciate it because I have heard others mention the air hurts. Mine comes right up! Feel free to ask me questions too. My husband is an absolute darling . He takes such good care of me- it is not something new to him as I have had surgeries, several falls, and a life of pain that varies in its effect on my life. Every morning in he comes with my water, tea, and the first protein drink. He has lost his eating buddy but we are carving out new things to share. I really think my advice about the carbs will help you too. I just think over time having only the Unjury and water will wear you and keep you from getting your energy back - at least that has been true for me- that week of clears plus protein wore me down to zero energy. In addition- my own opinion is the diarrhea is just your body adjusting to the bizarre and extreme thing that happened. Mine had cleared up ( almost) and my body is getting adjusted to this new state of affairs. In any case- I am just glad I don't have the opposite condition! Keep me posted- I have been thinking about you. BTW I usually think of a week as every Monday- I was sleeved on Monday so every Monday is my surgeversary.

After a week that I can describe as ranging from NO energy to teensy bit of energy- my nutritionist prescribed plan of adding a few carbs every day seems to have worked. I am not talking out of control here- I am talking about 40-50 carbs a day instead of the 3-4 I was getting. It even took a few days! Today at last I felt almost like myself and went on the longest walk I have managed yet. I think we get so gung ho out of the starting gate- thinking of carbs as bad and thinking so much about the protein- we forget we are healing from major surgery and need to nourish ourselves. I also was getting about 400 calories a day and had not only stalled but GAINED 2 pounds. Now I am up to about 600-700, 40-60 carbs, and 80-90 grams of Protein. My main problem is forgetting to drink so I still set my phone for every 15 minutes after skipping it for a couple of days and finding myself at the end of the day and behind on my Water. This is how my day goes now In the morning my husband brings in a 32 ounce bottle of water , a 12 ounce cup of decaf tea, and sometimes a 16 ounce bottle of propel that I keep sipping at and working at all day with a goal of all of them being gone. I also start my first Protein Drink - 3 scoops of champion pro score, 8 ounces of decaf and four ice cubes bended. Like it a lot and can see keeping that in the morning for a while to come. 8 ounces of Fluid AND 45 grams of protein. Then comes my second protein drink of the day - 1 scoop chike strawberry , one cup milk, 1/4 cup greek yogurt (sometimes 2 chike and 1/2 milk 1/2 cup water) for 30-35 grams SO I am already at 75-80 grams and can then just add 1/4 cup greek yogurt to a Soup thinned with milk, or just have thinned cream of wheat with milk to bring me up to 90 grams. And sip sip sip and walk walk walk. And that is me at basically two weeks. I have to add I am bored out of my mind of liquids. I want to chew. I am hoping my doctor on Wednesday at my two weeks post op puts me on mushies, but I have a feeling it might be full liquids adding only cottage cheese. Oh well. You can chew that at least! Oh and I have lost 27 pounds since my preop started- 9 since surgery II hope this helps anyone as the head into surgery and beyond...

I had exactly that issue. I was feeling a bit better each day but at about day 7 started feeling really really weak- I could hardly hold the phone or talk. I spoke with my nutritionist and she told me to add some carbs to my day. I had been on clear liquids plus Protein drinks and was taking in about 4 carbs a day- no wonder I petered out after a week of it. SOunds like you are bot getting enough nutrition either. I started having thinned Soups (my fave trader joes tomato Soup thinned with milk and eventually with a 1/4 cup of greek yogurt too. Adding the carbs has made a ton of difference! I also have a Dreyers (Edys in the east) sugar free fruit popo every day for seven ( i think) carbs and 25 calories. Right now while you are healing is NOT the time to worry about carbs IMO. I am about to post about my progress and will include what I do at day 13 to get 80 grams of protein and all my liquids. Maybe it could help you! Get some carbs girl- after four days of more carbs (still under 60) I was able to finally do a longer walk today and I feel like a ne woman! Keep us posted!

I have definitely felt the impulse- with a big bag of movie theater popcorn (our son works there) my husband left sitting on his chair- and with a roast chicken he brought home yesterday.It was just a routine thing to reach out and grab a handful or a hunk, like always, But I have not put it in my mouth. I am Iron clad committed to this- I am NOT having 85 % of my stomach removed and not showing great results for it! It is not so much that I really do think eating real food would destroy my new thumby as that if I do end up with a complication I would have to tell my doc about what I did and it would break his heart. Step away from the pulled pork! ;-P

I take my omeprazole when I first open my eyes in the morning. I was told to do it 3 months straight- whether acid or not. I have not had acid and don't know if it is because of it or not!

Awww- I must have missed it! Happy belated- where is your three month post You know I respect totally the medical practices where you are- they are just different- that is all. There are a lot of different theories out there and to me none are 100% right and none are 100% wrong. I am just glad you are doing well. I think the first replier asked you where you live though.... xoxo

In this case she means diarrhea ;-P She was on full liquids but the doctor put her back on clear because of it. I agree with your sister- pain puts your body through chemical changes that do not help healing. Good luck! I am Day 12 and it gets better and better. I have been allowed shakes since day four.

Isn't it fascinating figuring out the new language of our thumbys? I too get that sort of rumbly pangy feeling and know to have something. The usual hunger thing is just gone. Since our stomachs were just slice open and mostly removed, I figure our bodies have to heal , become whole, and create a new language. We have to be patient and just take good care of the new thumbys as they form. I actually feel really fortunate that hunger is gone because I know some people still feel it early on and that would be miserable!

I can easily drink as much or more than that (Once my swelling went down on day five- before that no way). It's liquids- I don't use this period as indicative of anything- be happy that drinking is easy- it will serve you i good stead in the future. At this point I can easily get 16 ounces in in an hour- four ounces every 15 minutes. Everything I have seen here indicates that restriction dos not become apparent until we start eating. Don't worry!

Wow that is small 28-32! I am sorry you still can't eat a lot. However I think your husband's attitude sucks and you can tell him I said so. Man people order a full meal and box at the same time and just put most of it away. So what? You get to enjoy the lovely flavors a few different times. Surely your husband loves the results of the sleeve and you should not be punished by being denied going out for dinner . You lost 150 pounds? Seriously - regret seems to wacky to me- you know perfectly well that if you really could have lost that another way you would have. You did this to save your life and two years later are still keeping it off. I am not coming down on you- I think I am talking to myself too- I am day 12 and every once in a while I have a pang of loss of the way I used to be able to eat- like watching my husband eat the buttered movie popcorn my son brings home from work to us in unlimited quantities and knowing that is over for me. Do you mean to say that if you went back to before your surgery- at your weight then- you would NOT have the surgery? 40 seems a little large, but what do I know? My doctor uses 34- and he has few complications- he has been doing the surgery for years and most of the things I asked him about in my worry faze are things he has never had happen. Isn't it funny comparing the tiny tools that determine the new size of our thumbys! ;-P

I am SOOOOO glad you feel better. I think in the end you will be glad for a sleeve on the small side as they do increase capacity eventually and you have a good tool to help you get where you want to go- once you can actually swallow! My doctor uses a 34 bougie, and I worried that was small but am glad for it now. SO far I have had no trouble drinking after those first swollen days. And I love your honesty to rant and let it out! You speak form many. BTW I LOOOOVE me some weddings- I am a wedding photographer and never get enough- I watch all the wedding shows on TV. If you ever want to talk weddings pm me.

That does seem a bit high in calories- - and probably in carbs too. My doctor sas double digits protein- single digits carbs so that is my rule of thumb. But seriously- in this first few weeks be happy you can get Protein in. That is how I feel!

Well- one of those is warm and the other ones probably cooler- maybe it is a temperature thing. I started out unable to drink cold things and now almost prefer them. Who knows what tomorrow holds! I long for savory things that you can chew. I think my first egg will make me swoon! Hope you get much better really fast.

Day five was my turnaround day so I think you are in for good things! This- day 11- was turnaround for my diarrhea issue= it seems to be gone. We'll get there!

Yes- sorry! 1/4 cup each cold Water, milk, greek yogurt, and about 1/4 cup ice too- the 2 scoops of your Protein powder. I like tokeep the quantity of liquid small so that I can get through them quickly . This one was so delish I did not care. I use a Camelback stainless steel water bottle that keeps things cold all day.

Oh I am sorry- do they say why they think that will help? Do they think you still have swelling? If it helps- I GAINED 2 pounds today on day 11. Blech. Plus I am just kinda down- sick of everything.

Interesting. I had diarrhea every day until today (day 11) and my doctor did not bat an eye. Said my new stomach is in freak out mode so it makes sense. I have actually seen my GP for energy loss today and she too said it should resolve on its own. I was a bit worried that it was the dairy but so far today everything normal. I too was thinking it was the sudden onslaught of splenda. Hope it clears up! That idea of only one kind of Protein drink makes no sense to me either! All day long? That would drive me nuts!

SO....frst of all lets just get it out of the way- I gained two pounds today. However, I am not drinking the freak out koolaid so there. I know I am on the journey of my life and I WILL get to my destination. I woke up feelig better, which is awesome since I have been low energy enough to worry my doctor. My pain is MUCH better, and I have been getting all my fluids and all my Protein for four days at least. In fact my GP summoned me in today as my surgeon told her he thought she should see me before he is able to....so I toddled in half asleep as my appointment was morning and I don't DO morning ;-P The most interesting part of the appointment, since we arrived at the conclusion I already had - (I just had major surgery, I am losing weight fast, I have fibro, and my body is probably freaking out) was that when she looked at the huge bruises on my left stomah from the heparin my doctor actually audibly GASPED and said "what did they do to you!". She had never seen bruising so bad and told me I need to use a heating pad on it so that no hematoma forms. It was pretty funny seeing her face. It kinda justified my own concern. I think when I get to go back to the pool for Water aerobics I will have to warn everyone in the locker room since this looks like it will be around for a LOOOOOOng time. The best part of Day 11 for me is that I have discovered Greek Yogurt in a big way. I only liked it before with sweet fruit in it and was trying to figure out how I could incorporate it now that I am allowed thinned yogurt. Well- last night I stirred a 1/4 cup in to my tomato Soup thinned with milk and it was rapturous! Very sour creamy, and not too acidic at all. SO my soup, though it had 22 grams f carbs with everything mixed in, also had 14 grams of protein. Today I got the lightbulb moment to ut it in my afternoon protein shake- so I used two scoops of strawberry chike (28 grams) 1/4 cup of milk and 1/4 cup of Fage 0% greek yogurt- the milk and yogurt added SEVEN grams of carbs to bring my dink up to 35- and since I had three scoops of roscore at 45 grams for Breakfast I am already at 80 for today. Even better, the yogurt took away that sickie sweet spenda taste I hat and made the drink delish- something I can drink every day until I get to real food. Hooray! Kelly are you reading? Cause girl we have to get this going for you so you are nourishing yourself! There have to be some great recipes we can come up with that work for you- I remember you said you have a chike sampler- try one of them, 1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup milk, and 1/4 cup greek yogurt and you have yourself a 35 gram drink! The Fage 0% is lower in carbs than any other I have seen. So day 11? All about the greek yogurt.

Yipes I actually gained 2 pounds today- arrrrgh! I will just ignore it- I m taking in 600 calories a day max, all liquids. Phooey.

i Neil, I'm Meggie and I live in Redwood City with my husband, 19 year old son, dog and three cats. My husband can eat anything he wants! Myself....nope. I was always someone whose activity level tied in with my ability to lose and keep weight off. I had been overweight most of my teenage and early adult years but had gotten really fit once I found working out. When I hurt my back, had back surgery, followed by multiple falls, four surgeries, and a near invalid life the lack of activity translated to 120 pounds gained. I tried to lose but always gained it back. My doctor suggested weight loss surgery and I quickly went (in January) from - wtf? to - yes!!!!! I chose the sleeve quickly- it was an easy choice as I do not want my intestines re routed with no scoping of the stomach available- my mom just dies of a rare cancer at the opening from the stomach to the intestines. I also do not care for dumping ! I jumped through all the hoops as quickly as I could and had my surgery a week ago Monday. On day 10 I can say that though I still feel like a fresh surgical patient- especially as far as weakness- I am excited I have the sleeve and ready to move forward with this new way of living as son as they let me actually have some food! RIght now I am on thin liquids and Protein drinks. Not terrible inspiring! My family is on this journey with me and I keep expecting my husband to lose a lot of weight as he forgets to make meals for himself while lovingly caring for me. However he is a major snacker and he still has kept his self happy ;-P. Swizzly, a great member here who was sleeved in EUrpe (Switzerland I think) coined the word "thumby" for our thumb sized tummys and I love using that. Good to have you here! We are thinking of putting together a No CA recent sleevers meeting eventually- maybe in the summer and we'd love to have you and your wife come. There are some things we can share that regular peeps just do not get.

I am so glad the pain issue went away! Sorry your friend let you down- did you tell her not to say anything? Oh who cares- those problems will seem so insignificant soon as you get healthier and thinner.

Hey Steven my You Tube friend! Your fat cells are releasing estrogen and other hormones as they burn and it will have you all over the place emotionally in the weight loss period . I've heard people who have never been depressed may need a temporary anti depressant. I take one already and may need a temporary increase. You may cry every day- Crosswind described that in her wonderful day by day posts recently. I have been whining today, and may cry yet- I sure did yesterday. I am also cold all the time and then I bundle up so then I get clammy sweaty from over bundling so I figure yep- part of the process. Usually I am hot - no more! As for bow chicka bow wow- my poor husband is suffering for lack of that because my thumby is ruling as is my still tender incisions! As a woman, that happening faster could only improve things! ;-P I am currently very weak all the time. I have had diarrhea every day so that could be why. SO I don't know what causes that. I think you have to remember you had a major life altering surgery- not just mentally- physically! Give yourself time and I do think once the weight is off your emotions will level out. Meanwhile- drama queen city! ;-P

Don't worry! That inability to get an ounce in is temporary. I am at ten days but I remember crying in the shower thinking I would never be able to drink enough or get my Protein in. One thing that has helped me is to set my phone alarm every fifteen minutes and work to get 2 ounces in slowly. ow I can just take a 32 ounce Water bottle and know I will drink it all but those first few days I really had to work hard and keep track. Day five was the day it turned around and suddenly became easier to drink. Find protein that works too, but don't push yourself or feel bad if that does not happen immediately! You just had major surgery and everything is swollen. Once you do get all your protein in you can be assured your body will turn to the fat to burn- and that is what we all want! COngratulations on starting this wonderful journey!

Hooray! I know what you mean about kicking yourself in the ass- the drink I have in the afternoon I really have to force- I know if I just keep drinking my coffee/chocolate one I will burn out on it so I vary with some in the afternoon and usually have to even hold my breath for some of the swallows- but its medicine. And if you realize that if you have it your body will burn fat instead of muscle it is a real motivator! Lets face it- we are eating so little we will lose weight - but that Protein keeps it pulling from the fat we want gone, Fat be gone! I think that also has you getting smaller at a certain weight than you may have been before- your fat is burning and before it might have been muscle. I am so proud of you for pushing yourself- that anemia is nothing to play around with. I put three scoops on my morning drink for 45 grams. If we have a NO CA recent sleeves get together I will bring you some to taste. Maybe we can all swap protein powders ;-P xoxo meggie your RV sleeve sistah for life