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I still only eat a few tablespoons, sometimes less depending on the food. I seriously eat on the run though. I'll take a bite as I'm passing through, then pass through again and take another bite, etc. etc. I never sit down and eat because I tend to eat to fast so even though it's 1/4 cup, I eat it to fast (or to much!) and then end up sick. Taking a bite at a time every few minutes works for me but still, yeah, only a few tablespoons at a time and then I'm done. Renee`

Congrats! Dr. Cirangle is a wonderful surgeon and you're going to do great!!! Renee`

Do NOT go over your 4 ounces! You don't "feel" hungry because things are still numb there and your brain isn't getting the msg that your tummy is fully. That takes time. What I personally would do is have 5 or even 6 small meals a day. I don't go over 2 hours without putting something in my mouth. I can't eat 1/4 cup of anything still, but I make sure I take a few bites of something. So maybe you'd do better with several small meals instead of 3 "large" ones. Keep in mind, this is my body, my sleeve and so I'm doing what feels right for ME. Whats right for you may be totally different and you may not feel comfortable going against doctors orders, and that's fine too. My doctor doesn't want me eating only 3 meals a day, he advocates eating about 5 times a day. Renee`

I'm so glad you posted, I was just wondering about y'all this morning. AWESOME news that she's doing so well! Renee`

I have to disagree with Kathy here. Remember, this is a major surgery and if CB is anything like me it took a lot out of me. I NEEDED that sleep because when you're sleeping, you're healing. I also happen to have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, but I don't think either of those played a part in it, I was absolutely exhausted and recovering from surgery and my body was adjusting to having zero to very little nutrition. CB, take it easy. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! If you need to sleep, don't feel guilty, sleep! You're not very far out at all and there is plenty of time to get up and get moving. Right now, focus on recovering and getting your fluids in. As far as BM's go, sometimes the dye they give you for leak tests will make you go, but right now there just isn't anything to "move" through you. It'll happen don't worry and probably in the form of diarrhea because you're on liquids. Good luck and grats on the surgery! Renee`

glad you're better Driver!

ohmygosh, I'm so sorry you're going through this! You've had more than your fair share of a rough time of it all. I vote you get better quickly and leave the complications behind for a while! We're all pulling for you and thinking of you. Keep us posted sweetie *HUGS!* Renee`

This is SO important! Thanks so much Diva for this information. Iron is another one that can be dangerous so be careful what you're taking and only take or do what YOUR doctor tells you. Renee`

Actually, with the big circle around it, you may want to just hop over to urgent care or something and let them take a look. It sounds like an infection but who knows? We're not doctors here but I'm telling you what I personally would do if it were my body. I would go have it looked at ASAP. The sooner they give you antibiotics the sooner it will clear up instead of getting worse. OR, they'll tell you it's fine and just keep washing it gently with antibacterial soap. Renee`

If you're going to Mexicali you'll be fine. Any place other than that, I dunno, I only have experience with Dr. Aceves lol Honestly, you'll be fine. You may want someone with you for the first few days, especially if you have small children. It's not because of pain, it just totally wipes you out. Don't forget, you're going through major surgery and it takes a bit to bounce back from that. The pain afterwards seriously only felt like I'd been doing situps for a bit to long and I was moving a bit slow. Other than that I had horrible nausea from the anesthesia but once that was fixed I was pretty much ok. You'll be fine, just make sure you have a wonderful surgeon. Renee`

Also wiping your tongue with a paper towel or a towel before taking it will lessen the taste. To be honest, one night without a/c and I would have been killing someone. Seriously, you may think since I live in Vegas that I would be more used to the heat than others. NOT TRUE! I live in my house with the a/c cranked as low as it goes...I'm a fat girl and I need cold air dangit! Seriously, if I found out about the no a/c thing before surgery, that would be a deal breaker for me. I'd cancel. I stood outside while in Mexico for a few minutes at a time while I smoked. I came in and my face was totally red and I was sticky, hot and miserable. I'm glad you were ok and it was cool enough for you! Renee`

This was the first thing I noticed after surgery, no need for a pantyliner anymore! I was so happy because my family always joked that I have a hamster bladder. I just couldn't hold it as long as other people, I had to go more often. Now, I'm like you, 3 or 4 times a day and I'm ok. At first I was like AHHHHH! so THIS is what it's like to be normal! lol

Sorry, I'm always the "better safe than sorry" and I might go have it checked out if it's feverish. The itching ..YES! I experienced that as do most people. Mine were never red or feverish though. Is it the incisions, or where the tape was? I had a reaction to the tape and that area was swollen and red and hot ...it sucked but it was an allergic reaction, not infection. To ease your mind, you may want to have a doctor peek at it to see if it's infected. Renee`

Have you ever made a list like this and shown it to your husband? I did. My husband had no clue WHY I had pulled back so much but the list explained it. Actually, he read my journal that ALL my thoughts and emotions went into and yeah, he read it. At first I was kinda pissed about it but then when I saw the results, I wasn't mad at him anymore, I just wondered why I hadn't left it laying around sooner lol I feel for you because I'm a lot like you. I'm socially phobic on top of everything else but I'm taking baby steps to rectify that. I weighed in at 287 in Mexico the morning of my surgery and I thought omg...HOW did I let myself get so out of control?! Then I remembered I was there to do something about it. Instead of just being along for the ride of my life, I was being proactive. You are too and you should be so proud of yourself right now! xoxo's, Renee`

Good luck Spivey and Welcome to Vegas!!! I know you'll do well and you're gonna love your sleeve :welldoneclap: <---see? Everyone is pulling for ya! :wink_smile: I too have seen that story (who hasn't by now?) and feel bad for the girl it happened to but I'm not sure I would have posted it here. It IS scary and let's be honest, complications do happen but they are very very rare. Spivey, it sounds like you have a good team put together. Surgeon, mom, cardiologist...I believe all these things lower the odds of complications occurring. At the end of the day you are doing what you feel is right. You're helping to ensure that you'll be around a long long time for your children and you'll be a heck of a lot healthier! Congrats on your decision and may the force be with you! lol xoxo, Renee`

Meggie, maybe it was the high Fiber and high Water content that got to your tummy? I go through that a lot with salad and fresh fruits but I have IBS and those things definitely put the RUN! in runs. Renee`

This is what I try to tell people but you have a way with words that I never will so thanks for the post Crosswind! The sleeve is all about what YOU make it. I don't low carb, I don't watch calories (I don't eat enough calories to be honest about it) this surgery was for me. Right now it's all about me and what I make it. I will make it, maybe not as fast as others but I'll get there and have no complaints. I eat what I want (but like Crosswind said, normally my body craves healthier things) and make sure I put something in my mouth every 2 hours. period. That's what I do and will continue to do.

I'm on Nexium twice a day (20 mg each) and for a while it was better. The last few days it's been hell. Even to the point of the acid reflux choking me and waking me up and when I inhaled it felt like my lungs were on fire. I can't wait for this stage to be over.

This is what I've read too. puddings, ice cream, cream cheese...things that "slide" down the throat. I've also heard of gravy and ranch being used to coat things to make them slide easier.

I wouldn't go below 500 calories, no way, that's just asking for trouble! I have so far lost 37 pounds and I can't see a difference at all. I have a lot to lose, so I'm not expecting myself or anyone else to notice it right away. As far as depression goes, that's very normal at this stage so try not to stress over it. Stress is horrible for your body and mind. Try to be patient, it won't happen overnight, but it will happen. Renee`

I don't feel comfortable telling you what to do, only that I had a very bad situation arise with a close friend of mine and I almost cancelled my surgery to be with her. My family convinced me that for once I needed to be selfish and do this for myself so that I would be better able to take care of others down the road. I had my surgery without guilt and haven't looked back. This is the key phrase, if you can have your surgery WITHOUT GUILT! I think that any negative feelings may hinder healing and that's one thing you don't need. My sincere condolences to you and your family, Renee`

Thanks Leslie!

I made a video response on Youtube for you. I'm so sleepy right now that I figured if I tried to type it all out it would just come out all jumbled and mixed up ...which it may have anyway LOL Your video is called "In response to a question I was asked" because I know you don't want to search through all of them looking for THAT particular one lol xoxo, Renee`

you will! You're in the rough part of it right now but it will get easier and better everyday and then *Presto chango!* you're losing weight! lol **mkay I'm not a magician but those are the magic words, right? lol Renee`

mine always runs a little high as well. At first when I have a new dr they always freak out a bit but they get used to it.