Tamz

Hello, I have 11 more lbs. to loose before I can set my date to get sleeved. I have always been fearful of going under and not waking up. I have only been under once to have my wisdom teeth taken out and have never had any other surgery. Have any of the members had the same fear and if so how did you conquer it. I would appreciate your experiences.

Thank You,

Joe

Hi Joe!!

I had my surgery 10 days ago.. and these ppl here will tell you how many times I posted saying i was scared!! Also, I had my date set but my blood sugar was running high.. and they told me that i had to get it down or they would postpone my surgery. I wasnt having that... so I worked hard and got it down in 5 days

Anyways... I was a nervous wreck the day of surgery. To make matters worse mine was not until 3pm so I had all morning to freak out, nice right?! Once I got to the hospital it got worse.. I was like in a sweat and anxious beyond belief. Once you change into the gown, and the nurse sets up your IV and all that.. the anesthesiologist will come in and talk to you briefly.. at that point they will wheel you to the operating room.. I remember having to scoot over to the operating table from the bed.. and the next thing I know... i woke up in recovery. SERIOUSLY. lol Once you start changing and getting your IV set up.. and all that.. you dont have time to be nervous at least I didnt. It was very quick after that, that they took me in the operating room.

I had a lot of nausea in recovery. They gave me dose after dose of meds for it while i was out of it, and could only remember moaning and the nurse saying "Whats your pain level, whats your pain level" LOL ... its kind of amusing now that i think back about it. I was really gone, done, and just in la la land. Once i was not as nauseated.. they sent me up to my room where I had a morphine drip for 3 days and could push it whenever I want it. Lemme tell you, this is the best thing that they ever thought of

Anyways Joe.. you will be fine!! I worry about EVERYTHING.. and really the hardest part of all this has been sticking to this damn full liquid diet now that I am 10 days out. This is the part where you will need to hang on tight and just get thru each day. - The surgery was the easy part.

Feel free to message me if you need anything! Im rooting for ya, you can do it!!!!!

I just realized in my paperwork.. that I go from the 5 wks of full liquids stage to solid food. There is no mushie/puree stage! WOOOO HOOOOOO

of course it says to eat tender things, chew 230942304 times, no steak yet etc etc.. BUT IM EXCITED. YESSSSSSSSSSSS

I guess I can live thru 4 more wks of full liquids

I , too like spinach pies. However, the ones that I have had had a crust similar to a pita bread.. I would not consider eating them until I got to the "regular" food stage. They are in no way soft or mushie. Just my opinion, but I'd rather wait than get sick or do damage

Valentina

Yeah ive had those too. But these are homemade, using mininal dough. The ones ive had at restaurants are harder, even crunchy on the corners and thick dough

Just for the sake of knowing ....... Im going to ask this question and no one think that Im silly please lol .. I just wanna know so then I can stop wondering and happily wait for that day.. so..

So my ALL TIME fave food to eat are Spinach Pies. Its spinach, a little lemon juice, and onions all mixed together. You then get dough (whole wheat for me now) and you cut out a little dough and put the mix inside. You fold the dough over the mix in the shape of a triangle. Then you bake it. You can use as much dough as you want depending on the thickness you like .. I have always liked mine with just a little dough. They come out really soft, not hard or tough.

My question is .. WHEN THE HECK CAN I EAT THIS!!!! This has been the only freakin food I have been craving lately. I think once I know when I can have it.. I will just be working hard to get to that point.

Anyone have any ideas? Love you guys!!

Yeah water.. Or milk if u like it. Right now I dont. Maybe half and half Water if u want... Up to u but yes I do just water. canned fruit like the no sugar added peaches are what im gonna use later.

On my routine, instant individual packs of hot Cereal are NOT allowed. Check your list from your nutritionist. I bought the Protein shake that you are drinking and find it too fiscous. I only use one scoop at a time and will finish the container (too expensive not too), but will go back to "TopCare" from good of Price Chopper. It meets my requirements and I have fun "dressing it up" with xtracts and flavorings.

Have you tried grits?

Good luck,

Valentina

The Protein stuff I always do in the blender... Did u try it that way??

never had grits .. What do they taste like ? Do u put anything in with it?

What Protein powder do you use? I have yet to find one I can even tolerate

I use GNC's Pro Performance AMP - Amplified Wheybolic Extreme 60

Heres the 411 on it:

1 serving (3 scoops) is 60 grams. I need between 40-60 a day.. so depending on what else im having for the day sometimes i do 2 scoops, sometimes I do the full 3 scoops. You cannot digest 60gr of Protein in one sitting of course.. so usually I do one scoop when I first get up, another during the afternoon a few hrs before dinner, and if i do a 3rd I do it at night. Anyways...... its 280 calories for all 3 scoops (60Grams of protein) .. of that 280, only 10 calories from fat, Total carbs 7grams, total fat 1gram, and total sugar 2grams!! I have not found ANYTHING that is as lean and I have been on a mean search for months lol ........ anything that I found that was less calories tasted like butt. My dr says this is a GREAT choice.

Flavors - Vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, Cookies n Cream, and fruit Punch........ I have tried all except fruit punch.. and LOVE them all.

TRY IT

So yesterday i was grocery shopping and was trying to think of some new ideas for what I can blend.. as I am sick of yogurt, Soup, and cream of wheat. Also sick of my same old Protein powders mixed with Water. (Milk is not agreeing with my sleeve at all).

I love the flavors of my Protein powder though... so I know I dont want to change them, they are the leanest I have seen yet. Anyways, today a few hrs before Breakfast I mixed up my vanilla Protein Powder, 1/4 banana, a lil spoon of FF strawberry greek yogurt, water, and splash of Diet V8 Splash Tropical Medley.. and blended away. It .. was . .AMAZING. I SO LOOK FWD TO DRINKING THIS AGAIN LATER! lol

Additionally ... I love cream of wheat but im tired of the original one. I found the variety pack.. which somehow I never noticed before. Has anyone tried the other flavors? any good?

Tamz you are not really asking us to give you permission to do something your doctor is not allowing ? nice try girly! ;-P Your doctor gave you instructions for a reason- and you should follow them, you know that!

That said- things like Jello, pudding, etc. are Snacks and don't need to be meals. I am surprised you are limited to 1/4 cup three times a day though- I could easily have a cup of thinned cream soup- to limit you to full liquids for five weeks AND only 1/4 cup at a time, 3 times seems way too restrictive. I really suggest that you talk to your nutritionist about exactly what to do.

Also- make sure you are looking at labels- sugar free ice cream is not the best choice...

nooo lol i wasnt asking permission just thinking that maybe i should consider asking if i can progress a bit since it seems all the full liquids go down fine (even chunks that i miss in my Soup :/ ) yeah only 2 oz 3 times a day are my "meals" honestly though, after the 2 oz of soup i am satisfied and start burping hiccuping etc for a few min then im good. they all go down well. 5 wks just seems so long on full liquids.. i know i shouldnt compare myself but it seems most others were not on full liquids for 5 wks! Also, i couldnt even find sugar free ice cream today at the grocery store.. lol i guess i should shut up and stop thinking about it.

Just seems to me at least.... that 5 wks is not necessary. i guess i will talk to my dr on wednesday. Maybe its because i need to lose more! who the hell knows. lol

Didn't you meet with a nutritionist or at least get paperwork from your doctor explaining these things to you? If I remember correctly you said in an earlier post that you are on full liquids for 5 weeks, is that correct? If so I would stick to the full liquids. Refried Beans and cottage cheese are on my soft foods list. You should have a detailed list stating what you can eat and when and what kind of diet you should be on. I still have my list from the surgeon/nutritionist that I met with in the US and I was also given paperwork and met with a nutritionist in Mexico that explained all of this to me before the surgery.

I had to be on Clear Liquids for 10 days, full liquids for 10 days and soft foods for 10 days and then could resume regular foods. (I am currently on soft foods).

All doctors have different requirements which is why it's best to check with your doctor and see what they require for you specifically and then stick to it.

obviously i met with a nutritionist and yes i have paperwork. I am not completely stupid.. maybe at time yes. all im saying is that i frequently see ppl who are on full liquid but eating thicker things. so i wasnt sure, if im finding that chunks that i accidentally leave Soup is going down fine.. if that meant maybe i need to ask my dr about progressing. 5 wks seems long to be on full liquids.

I am to eat 3 full liquid meals a day at 1/4 cup each. -- so I have been doing 1/4 cup cream of wheat for Breakfast, 1/4 cup yogurt/soup for lunch and 1/4 cup Soup for dinner. I do Water, crystal light and popsicles in between. My question is...... what about things like sugar free ice cream, and Jello? are these considered "meals" .. because if it means i have to substitute the cream of wheat or soup for ice cream then I dont want to. Im not quite sure how this works.

I am 9 days out today and things seem to be going down fine with the exception of milk. I tried it again today with my Protein mix and my stomach has been hurting since. Although other dairy like yogurt/pudding etc is fine. Its the actually milk that makes me blah i guess. Anyways..... my Soups i put in the blender and sometimes miss a few chunks of peas, or potato or carrot.. and i just chew it really really good and its fine. Is this ok, and does this mean that I can maybe try cottage cheese or refried Beans or something??

Still learning :/

My Dr. has not mentioned calories at all. Basically my "worksheet" says to have 3 meals a day 1/4 cup each- of Full Liquid.. and to drink Water in between and get 40-60grams of Protein in one way or another. Basically that is all it says. It seems to simple?? I have heard others talk about counting calories..... but I have not heard of anything like that yet. He just told me to simply follow the worksheet and if i cant do 1/4 cup 3 times a day yet then do what i can.. but make sure to get liquids in.

Any insight? Is this basically the concept or am i missing something... lol

ok I ordered the Bariatric Advantage Calc citrate chews in Caramel and I just got them today... I know they are 250mg each meaning i need 4 a day but can i have all 4 at once? or 2 now 2 later?? how long do i have to wait to eat after i take them? I know my dr said to take them at a diff time than my Multivitamin.. which is fine bc i take that first thing in the morning.

Help? I just wanna make sure im taking them correctly.

Thats exactly what I was sayin!!! I dont want to always have to freakin count between meals! I wanna eat breakfast... Maybe if I want some cheese later fine.. Then I wanna go to lunch with friends etc etc without time frames!

This just randomly crossed my mind........ so u know how right now we have to wait to eat.. only eat 2oz per whatever.. 4 oz per whatever etc etc Water in between bla bla....

is it always going to be like that? like 2 or 3 mos from now am i going to still have to remember that if i eat Breakfast i cannot eat again till a certain time? what if i want a snack in between? am i going to get sick if i dont stay on schedule?? Im just thinking you know... I have lunch.. and what if i want some crackers and cream cheese a few hrs later before dinner or a cupcake after dinner?? ... will i able to do these normal things like an average healthy person does??

I guess i am worried that i will not be able to go out to dinner with friends like normal ppl do .. and maybe have a small dessert, or a few bites of an appetizer.. ugh.

Hi guys,

I will be starting mushies in the next few days and I'm feeling a little nervous. I imagine choking or feeling pain. Anyone have any tips on what would be a good food to start with? Quantity? Any experiences to share? things to avoid. Any help or ideas are greatly appreciated. My best to all on your journeys!!!

Congrats on graduating to mushies!! I am counting down till I can eat them lol ... I have not yet, however my friend who has been on mushies for 2 wks says that mashed potatoes and canned green Beans are her best friend lol. Later of course you'll have to watch the carbs on the potatoes, but for now your intake is so small i dont think it matters. She also does shrimp as its easy to go down.. and chicken salad as long as its tender enough and she chews well. Good luck let me know how it goes!!!

My surgery was 6/9/11. I am doing ok for the most part I guess. I am ready to start mushies that much I know for sure lol .. I am sick of pudding, cream of wheat, and applesauce.. and greek yogurt I LOVED before .. now I cant even stand to smell it :/

I bought regular vegetable Soup yesterday, and some italian wedding vegetable, and minestrone .. all the Light version. I tried the Vegetable one today and did it in the blender. SO GOOD. Dr said its more than fine as long asthere are no chunks. I dont know about you all but creamed Soups made me gag after surgery.. the creaminess in anything is not appealing to me anymore.

Im having some pain in the area where my draining tube was.. feels like muscle pain.. so im not worried about it for now. Other than that... its going ok for the most part. I cant wait to start mashed potatoes!!!!!

If Im on the full liquids stage... is Jello considered one of my "meals" or is that like a free thing...... I cant remember. . I kinda want some, but if its going to replace my dinner Soup then ill skip it lol

I was sleeved on June 6th and I have the exact same pain you are describing. It hurts especially after I eat something, but it comes and goes at all times during the day and night. Right now it's intense, and I am getting ready to email my doctor. i'll let you know what he says.

Update!! So my surgeons nurse called me today regarding my question about the pain. She said its the full sensation. Told me to do 1.5 oz of full liquid meals instead of 2oz. and said she didnt even need to check with Dr. Said if its not the full sensation from the food, then its drinking too much too fast. I said i was concerned about a leak.. she said no way.. because I would really know if it was a leak bc Id be in a lot more pain. So... we'll see for now. My next follow up is wednesday in the office.

At my PCP follow up yesterday I told him that my throat has been a bit sore the last few days.... he said that it looked normal and could have just been from the breathing tube. He took my temp and it was 99.8 so he ordered labwork to check my white blood cell count.

So this morning his nurse called to tell me that they came back a little bit high but the dr said it could be due to the sore throat. I AM WORRIED NOW .. what does this mean???

My surgeons office is not open till 9am so I am waiting to call them then..... my fever was running the same off and on in the hospital but no one seemed to think it was an issue. I am so worried that something is going on with me now

Not to mention.. I get this off and on pain near where the hole from the draining tube was.. its like that pain you get on your right side when you run too much ... except this is on the left side near the hole.

I hope nothing is wrong :(

Hi Tamz,

I spoke with my surgeon today, and he's having me go in to see him tomorrow. He said he wants to make sure I don't have a leak!!! He doesn't really believe it's a leak, but is going to send me for an upper G.I. again just to make sure. He said it is more than likely acid, but wants to be on the safe side. I will post tomorrow night when I get home and let you know what he says. How are you doing with your pain?

Oh noooo! I am so scared now.. lol ..well my pain is a little less still there. Happens after i eat.. i think im eating a bit too fast. I went to my PCP today for a follow up... and i asked him .. he said it happens when eating too fast.. he seemed to not really be concerned and said all this is normal. So.. we'll see.. i meet with my surgeon again on the 22nd. Im going to call in the morning though.. im worried now :/

Maybe some motivation to deal with those Soups , eh? ;-P

Any talk of you being able to move to purees sooner than you thought?

Not yet! But .. I just went out and bought a whole bunch of diff kinds of light soups... And tried one in the blender... It was cajun vegetable.. Sooooo goooood. And went down super easy!!!! I am happy with my variety of soups now

I am 1 week Post Op today and I cant believe I made it!!! I have been up and down and all around with my moods lately .. thank you to everyone here who has helped me relax!!!

I went in for my 1 week follow up with my PCP today (had follow up with surgeon on Tuesday) and he informed me that I have lost 18 lbs since June 1!!!! ANDDDDD .. Since my visit with my surgeon on Tuesday I have lost 5lbs I AM SO FREAKIN HYPED UP RIGHT NOW lol

Is this for real?? I feel like I need to pinch, slap, and punch myself to make sure im not dreaming.. this is SO CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was in tears on the way home.. .this has been such a long time coming for me .. sigh..

I even took a new pic today and update my profile pic.. although im not sure if its showing lol

YAAYY!!

I fly often and have no problem asking for an extender from the stewardess when i first come onto the plane. Better safe than embrassed but i am certain your "skinny" little butt will surprise you and you will not have to worry about either. Happy Birthday and safe flying. DON'T GIVE UP, YOU ARE WORTH IT!!

Thanks! but.. its not the seatbelt im worried about.. its just fitting my butt into a seat with no moveable armrest! ugh

Hi!

Dont fret it... get a window seat, towards the back of the plane. I am a frequent traveler and alway get window towars the back, I always take a sweater and I pull the seat belt towards the window, put my sweater over me (but the seat belt show some) and it looks just like you are safely buckled in... no problem! I have been flying this way for years!

Hopefully some day I will fit comfortably in a plane seat.

Safe travels

yes but you are able to move the armrest right? I wont have that option