AbacoRaveness

I am seven months post-op and have had a DREAM recovery. There are no foods that I have found that I can't tolerate. I COULD eat pretty much anything I want at this point.
I do occassionally (very rarely) have a coke zero or diet dr. pepper. I can't drink a whole 12oz can and I have to drink it VERY, VERY slowly. The carbonation just makes me uncomfortable. But, sometimes I will have it as a treat because it tastes SO GOOD! Often, I will find myself having a diet soda instead of ice cream when my husband wants to go to the DQ. It makes me happy and it still has fewer calories and carbs than even sugar free ice cream.
I don't eat steak much any more. I used to love a good rare (raw) steak. Now I have to chew it into oblivion for it to be anywhere near comfortable in my sleeve and that ruins it for me. I think I've had it once in the seven months since surgery. I still like the taste, and can eat it if I just absolutely have a craving and have to have it, but I really don't miss it at all.
I don't like fried foods anymore. I will still sneak one of my husband's french fries every now and again, but ONE is about it. I also have given up chips. Will occassionally have corn chips with ALOT of pico de gallo and LOVE vegetable chips. But those greasy potato chips that I used to love... gross!
So, don't think of it as stuff that you "can't ever have again". It will be more like stuff that you could have, but won't really want anymore.
Good luck! This was a fairly easy decision for me and I don't regret it at all! But, its different for everyone and I'm glad you're considering all the pros and cons up front!

I am seven months post-op and have had a DREAM recovery. There are no foods that I have found that I can't tolerate. I COULD eat pretty much anything I want at this point.
I do occassionally (very rarely) have a coke zero or diet dr. pepper. I can't drink a whole 12oz can and I have to drink it VERY, VERY slowly. The carbonation just makes me uncomfortable. But, sometimes I will have it as a treat because it tastes SO GOOD! Often, I will find myself having a diet soda instead of ice cream when my husband wants to go to the DQ. It makes me happy and it still has fewer calories and carbs than even sugar free ice cream.
I don't eat steak much any more. I used to love a good rare (raw) steak. Now I have to chew it into oblivion for it to be anywhere near comfortable in my sleeve and that ruins it for me. I think I've had it once in the seven months since surgery. I still like the taste, and can eat it if I just absolutely have a craving and have to have it, but I really don't miss it at all.
I don't like fried foods anymore. I will still sneak one of my husband's french fries every now and again, but ONE is about it. I also have given up chips. Will occassionally have corn chips with ALOT of pico de gallo and LOVE vegetable chips. But those greasy potato chips that I used to love... gross!
So, don't think of it as stuff that you "can't ever have again". It will be more like stuff that you could have, but won't really want anymore.
Good luck! This was a fairly easy decision for me and I don't regret it at all! But, its different for everyone and I'm glad you're considering all the pros and cons up front!

I am seven months post-op and have had a DREAM recovery. There are no foods that I have found that I can't tolerate. I COULD eat pretty much anything I want at this point.
I do occassionally (very rarely) have a coke zero or diet dr. pepper. I can't drink a whole 12oz can and I have to drink it VERY, VERY slowly. The carbonation just makes me uncomfortable. But, sometimes I will have it as a treat because it tastes SO GOOD! Often, I will find myself having a diet soda instead of ice cream when my husband wants to go to the DQ. It makes me happy and it still has fewer calories and carbs than even sugar free ice cream.
I don't eat steak much any more. I used to love a good rare (raw) steak. Now I have to chew it into oblivion for it to be anywhere near comfortable in my sleeve and that ruins it for me. I think I've had it once in the seven months since surgery. I still like the taste, and can eat it if I just absolutely have a craving and have to have it, but I really don't miss it at all.
I don't like fried foods anymore. I will still sneak one of my husband's french fries every now and again, but ONE is about it. I also have given up chips. Will occassionally have corn chips with ALOT of pico de gallo and LOVE vegetable chips. But those greasy potato chips that I used to love... gross!
So, don't think of it as stuff that you "can't ever have again". It will be more like stuff that you could have, but won't really want anymore.
Good luck! This was a fairly easy decision for me and I don't regret it at all! But, its different for everyone and I'm glad you're considering all the pros and cons up front!

I am seven months post-op and have had a DREAM recovery. There are no foods that I have found that I can't tolerate. I COULD eat pretty much anything I want at this point.
I do occassionally (very rarely) have a coke zero or diet dr. pepper. I can't drink a whole 12oz can and I have to drink it VERY, VERY slowly. The carbonation just makes me uncomfortable. But, sometimes I will have it as a treat because it tastes SO GOOD! Often, I will find myself having a diet soda instead of ice cream when my husband wants to go to the DQ. It makes me happy and it still has fewer calories and carbs than even sugar free ice cream.
I don't eat steak much any more. I used to love a good rare (raw) steak. Now I have to chew it into oblivion for it to be anywhere near comfortable in my sleeve and that ruins it for me. I think I've had it once in the seven months since surgery. I still like the taste, and can eat it if I just absolutely have a craving and have to have it, but I really don't miss it at all.
I don't like fried foods anymore. I will still sneak one of my husband's french fries every now and again, but ONE is about it. I also have given up chips. Will occassionally have corn chips with ALOT of pico de gallo and LOVE vegetable chips. But those greasy potato chips that I used to love... gross!
So, don't think of it as stuff that you "can't ever have again". It will be more like stuff that you could have, but won't really want anymore.
Good luck! This was a fairly easy decision for me and I don't regret it at all! But, its different for everyone and I'm glad you're considering all the pros and cons up front!

I am five days out and I have no regrets so don't worry!
The best advice: as soon as you're in your room and fully out of anesthesia, take a shot of pain meds and GET UP! I was lying there in alot of pain and my nurse said getting up would help. I was skeptical, but on trust I did it... three hours post-op I was on my feet. It was totally worth it to break loose that gas that they inflate you with. After that I got up every time I woke up and it really helped.
Also second the recliner. I don't have one, but I've always been a pillow hog and luckily had enough to prop myself up as much as I wanted. There was no way I could have laid flat the first few days.
Lastly, that Powerade zero (or Gatorade g2) will be your best friend. I had problems drinking as much as I needed to, so I set up a bottle of half Water half Gatorade and forced myself to take two small sips every five minutes. I felt super full and didn't want to, but it was doable. It staved off dehydration and helped me work up so that I can tolerate full liquids pretty well now.
If I come up with anything else I'll let you know!

I am seven months post-op and have had a DREAM recovery. There are no foods that I have found that I can't tolerate. I COULD eat pretty much anything I want at this point.
I do occassionally (very rarely) have a coke zero or diet dr. pepper. I can't drink a whole 12oz can and I have to drink it VERY, VERY slowly. The carbonation just makes me uncomfortable. But, sometimes I will have it as a treat because it tastes SO GOOD! Often, I will find myself having a diet soda instead of ice cream when my husband wants to go to the DQ. It makes me happy and it still has fewer calories and carbs than even sugar free ice cream.
I don't eat steak much any more. I used to love a good rare (raw) steak. Now I have to chew it into oblivion for it to be anywhere near comfortable in my sleeve and that ruins it for me. I think I've had it once in the seven months since surgery. I still like the taste, and can eat it if I just absolutely have a craving and have to have it, but I really don't miss it at all.
I don't like fried foods anymore. I will still sneak one of my husband's french fries every now and again, but ONE is about it. I also have given up chips. Will occassionally have corn chips with ALOT of pico de gallo and LOVE vegetable chips. But those greasy potato chips that I used to love... gross!
So, don't think of it as stuff that you "can't ever have again". It will be more like stuff that you could have, but won't really want anymore.
Good luck! This was a fairly easy decision for me and I don't regret it at all! But, its different for everyone and I'm glad you're considering all the pros and cons up front!

I am seven months post-op and have had a DREAM recovery. There are no foods that I have found that I can't tolerate. I COULD eat pretty much anything I want at this point.
I do occassionally (very rarely) have a coke zero or diet dr. pepper. I can't drink a whole 12oz can and I have to drink it VERY, VERY slowly. The carbonation just makes me uncomfortable. But, sometimes I will have it as a treat because it tastes SO GOOD! Often, I will find myself having a diet soda instead of ice cream when my husband wants to go to the DQ. It makes me happy and it still has fewer calories and carbs than even sugar free ice cream.
I don't eat steak much any more. I used to love a good rare (raw) steak. Now I have to chew it into oblivion for it to be anywhere near comfortable in my sleeve and that ruins it for me. I think I've had it once in the seven months since surgery. I still like the taste, and can eat it if I just absolutely have a craving and have to have it, but I really don't miss it at all.
I don't like fried foods anymore. I will still sneak one of my husband's french fries every now and again, but ONE is about it. I also have given up chips. Will occassionally have corn chips with ALOT of pico de gallo and LOVE vegetable chips. But those greasy potato chips that I used to love... gross!
So, don't think of it as stuff that you "can't ever have again". It will be more like stuff that you could have, but won't really want anymore.
Good luck! This was a fairly easy decision for me and I don't regret it at all! But, its different for everyone and I'm glad you're considering all the pros and cons up front!

Well here is my story, I'm sitting here in my living room thinking how good I feel, I just got home from my daily trip to the gym, yes I'm sweaty and tired but 3 months ago I could barely walk to the bathroom without being out of breath, I had high blood pressure, heart problems, back problems, swollen legs and ankles, headaches every day, I was in MISERY! I started this journey at 334 lbs and today I weight 259 lbs, that's 75 lbs gone forever! This is the best decision I could have ever made for myself and I would do it over again in a heartbeat! My husband has been telling everyone that he feels like he's having an affair because my whole body has changed. Here are some pics of before and 75 lbs down, I still have 80 more to go.

OMG! I am the best person you could have asked for to stumble across this! I should be the poster child for this surgery because I have had a DREAM recovery. I mean... freakishly good. So, therefore, take this all with a grain of salt because it's not really the norm.
I had my surgery Jan. 31, 2012. I was supposed to be first of the day, but ended up getting bumped and didn't go to the OR until 2:30pm-ish. I woke up in recovery close to 5pm-ish and was totally lucid... to the point that I explained cell surface receptors to the nurse when I told her that she couldn't give me a morphine drip because it wouldn't work (I got hydromorphone instead).
They wheeled me to my room where I said good night to my husband because he was leaving (end of visitor's hours) and promptly hit the button on my drip and had another four hours of blissful sleep. I'm usually an insomniac so I was making the most of that drowsiness!
I woke up around 10pm with some pain my chest/abdomen. The nurse told me that walking would help. So I got up and walked maybe a total of 15ft down the hallway before I started to feel neauseated, but by the time I laid back down I guess the gas had shifted and I was back to being relatively comfortable.
I consider myself lucky that I did have a catheter, so I didn't even have to get up to pee! I slept the rest of the night away and only pushed that "pain button" once or twice.
The next day was the leak test... WORST part of the whole thing. That stuff is NASTY and made me feel kinda sick, but I got through it. chicken broth is ridiculously delicious after that! So, day one: spent either sipping, walking, or sleeping. I think I walked half a mile that day all total.
Day two was more of the same and I finally made it up to the volume they wanted me to get. I also walked a mile on day two. They discharged me on day 3.
The rest of it is history. My pain was seriously minimal. I've had achilles tendonitis that hurt much worse. My first few days I had to force myself to drink small sips every five minutes to get my fluids in. But other than that, I was back to good in two weeks.
I added foods back slowly like you're supposed to, but I've never found one I couldn't tolerate. My energy level was fine and I went back to work full time at two-weeks post-op. I lost about 25lbs the first month. Started exercising at two months. And haven't looked back.
I love this life and I'm so glad I made the decision to go for it. Again, my recovery was freakishly good and most people have at least one thing that bugs them. But, you wanted a positive story and that's what I've got!

I don't know about Spatters3, but I don't drink Protein Shakes either (I'm 7 months post-op). I easily get 50-60g of Protein daily. I think it's because I LOVE meat, cheese, and Peanut Butter and I'm lucky that I can tolerate them all. My meals are always focused on protein (usually some kind of meat, although at Breakfast its either eggs or low-fat cottage cheese) and my Snacks are the same way. I eat the protein first, then the veggies or fruit. Sometimes if I'm running late or something, I will start the day with a Protein Shake, but that's rare.

I am seven months post-op and have had a DREAM recovery. There are no foods that I have found that I can't tolerate. I COULD eat pretty much anything I want at this point.
I do occassionally (very rarely) have a coke zero or diet dr. pepper. I can't drink a whole 12oz can and I have to drink it VERY, VERY slowly. The carbonation just makes me uncomfortable. But, sometimes I will have it as a treat because it tastes SO GOOD! Often, I will find myself having a diet soda instead of ice cream when my husband wants to go to the DQ. It makes me happy and it still has fewer calories and carbs than even sugar free ice cream.
I don't eat steak much any more. I used to love a good rare (raw) steak. Now I have to chew it into oblivion for it to be anywhere near comfortable in my sleeve and that ruins it for me. I think I've had it once in the seven months since surgery. I still like the taste, and can eat it if I just absolutely have a craving and have to have it, but I really don't miss it at all.
I don't like fried foods anymore. I will still sneak one of my husband's french fries every now and again, but ONE is about it. I also have given up chips. Will occassionally have corn chips with ALOT of pico de gallo and LOVE vegetable chips. But those greasy potato chips that I used to love... gross!
So, don't think of it as stuff that you "can't ever have again". It will be more like stuff that you could have, but won't really want anymore.
Good luck! This was a fairly easy decision for me and I don't regret it at all! But, its different for everyone and I'm glad you're considering all the pros and cons up front!

I am seven months post-op and have had a DREAM recovery. There are no foods that I have found that I can't tolerate. I COULD eat pretty much anything I want at this point.
I do occassionally (very rarely) have a coke zero or diet dr. pepper. I can't drink a whole 12oz can and I have to drink it VERY, VERY slowly. The carbonation just makes me uncomfortable. But, sometimes I will have it as a treat because it tastes SO GOOD! Often, I will find myself having a diet soda instead of ice cream when my husband wants to go to the DQ. It makes me happy and it still has fewer calories and carbs than even sugar free ice cream.
I don't eat steak much any more. I used to love a good rare (raw) steak. Now I have to chew it into oblivion for it to be anywhere near comfortable in my sleeve and that ruins it for me. I think I've had it once in the seven months since surgery. I still like the taste, and can eat it if I just absolutely have a craving and have to have it, but I really don't miss it at all.
I don't like fried foods anymore. I will still sneak one of my husband's french fries every now and again, but ONE is about it. I also have given up chips. Will occassionally have corn chips with ALOT of pico de gallo and LOVE vegetable chips. But those greasy potato chips that I used to love... gross!
So, don't think of it as stuff that you "can't ever have again". It will be more like stuff that you could have, but won't really want anymore.
Good luck! This was a fairly easy decision for me and I don't regret it at all! But, its different for everyone and I'm glad you're considering all the pros and cons up front!

Hi, I am pre-op, but I can tell you just from doing my research here that YES, Hair loss is very common, most people experience it after wls. However, for the vast majority of people, it stops about 3 - 6 months after it starts and your hair grows back.
A lot of people have different theories about Vitamins or minerals that can be used to help with hair loss: Protein, zinc (be very careful with zinc supplementing as too much zinc is very dangerous), B-12, Iron, etc.
If you want something to help cover up any thinning spots temporarily, look into products like Nanogen, Toppik, or Sally Jessy's Great Hair Day. They are powders that you shake into your hair and thicken it and cover up any scalp that might show through. This part I am experienced with b/c I have pretty bad hair loss even before surgery and I use these products myself already. You can Google them and find places to buy them. My personal favorite is Nanogen but they are all good.
Good luck!

Ugh! I hate that for you! I didn't hit my first stall until 7 months post-op, so I can't really offer much advice to you other than to say that I'm a freak and pretty much EVERYONE else that I've ever talked to bemoaned the week-3 stall!
It's totally normal and I think duration is probably different for everyone. Don't panic! Just keep on focusing on Protein and fluids and you'll get through it!

I'm in too! I need some friends on MFP that are going to call me out if I skip a day! Also, need people to ride my butt about fruits and vegetables. Please add me - same user name as here (AbacoRaveness). Let's do it!

I'm so excited!!! As of my weekly weigh-in this morning, I am OFFICIALLY under 200lbs! Whoo Hoo! That sure has been alot of years in coming!
I have lost 58lbs so far. I was carrying around my all leather western saddle this past weekend, it weights 45lbs, and I was thinking how I can't imagine carrying that thing around all day! But I've lost that plus another 13lbs... it would be like carrying around my saddle with my cat in it! (Stupid cat!)
I'm also now able to wear shorts that I haven't fit into since college! They looked better back then, but that was over ten years ago!!!
I'm loving this sleeved life!!! Pictures below!

I'm the odd duck on this site. I had a dream recovery! Progressed along with no trouble, haven't found a food yet that I can't tolerate, and haven't hit a stall (knock on wood) yet. Probably when my time comes I will be hit with something horrible, but in the meantime I'm using my ridiculous and disgusting positivity to be a cheerleader for others.
That said, I started seeing a therapist about a year and a half before my surgery. I had always been kinda tightly wound and had bouts of anxiety on and off, but around that time I had several life events that just pushed me over the edge.
I continued to see my therapist through the whole pre-op process and I'm still seeing her. I don't know how I would have done most of this without that support. If you're having depression or anxiety I would highly highly recommend seeing a therapist. It's hard to find a good one, but once you do you will find relief and solace there. It can be hard at times, but will help to bring about so many positive changes in your life. AND, like this surgery, a few months later you will wonder why you ever waited so long to do it.

Welcome!
It's nice to hear from someone else that has had a relatively easy time so far. I was starting to worry that maybe I was just a FREAK! LOL.
I was sleeved on Jan. 31st 2012. Feel free to friend me!
Tiffany

I'm so excited!!! As of my weekly weigh-in this morning, I am OFFICIALLY under 200lbs! Whoo Hoo! That sure has been alot of years in coming!
I have lost 58lbs so far. I was carrying around my all leather western saddle this past weekend, it weights 45lbs, and I was thinking how I can't imagine carrying that thing around all day! But I've lost that plus another 13lbs... it would be like carrying around my saddle with my cat in it! (Stupid cat!)
I'm also now able to wear shorts that I haven't fit into since college! They looked better back then, but that was over ten years ago!!!
I'm loving this sleeved life!!! Pictures below!

I was never specifically told anything about my spleen. Although it was just my automatic assumption that anytime they are cutting part of an internal organ out there is a risk of internal bleeding.
I had a JP drain for two days after my surgery and had some bloody stuff coming out, but that is totally normal.
Although, that said, it depends on how much you bleed anyway. I'm not a bleeder and never have been. In fact, my surgeon was so concerned with my lack of bleeding during the surgery that he proceded to give me heparin every six hours post-op to prevent clots (DVT or PE etc).
So, if you know that you have a clotting problem, it might be a reason to get concerned. Otherwise its probably one of those "adverse events" that affects 0.01% of people who have the procedure.

Welcome!
It's nice to hear from someone else that has had a relatively easy time so far. I was starting to worry that maybe I was just a FREAK! LOL.
I was sleeved on Jan. 31st 2012. Feel free to friend me!
Tiffany

Hello! My name is Samantha and I'm 23 years old. I'm currenlty living in New Orleans, La and I'm a full time bar tender. I was sleeved just 8 short days ago. So far I'm feeling amazing.
I had my sleeve done by Dr. David Treen at West Jefferson Hospital in Marrero, La on Monday April 30th at 7:30 am. It was a pretty easy time for me all and all. He said the surgery went perfect and there was nothing to worry about. I went to my mothers house after a one night hospital stay. I took my last dose of pain medication on Tuesday May 1st at 8:30pm. So far I haven't had any real pain to speak of.
I guess that I'm posting this to inruduce myself. When I started my jounrey I joined another forum, that I love, but have found that there is not many sleevers on there. I came here in hopes to find some of the answers me and the other sleevers are looking for.
I hope to be a strong part of this forum and that I get to make lots of new friends a long the way.
-Sammie

I got it from my dentist (Coast Dental), but I've since learned that you can get it at Walmart!

The weird taste is probably ketosis, which is the process that your body uses to burn fat for energy so it's a good thing.
The best way to manage it is to invest in a tongue scraper. There is a kit from a company called BreathRx that has a tongue scraper, mouthwash, and breath freshening spray that was my lifeline during the ketosis phase.

I'm so excited!!! As of my weekly weigh-in this morning, I am OFFICIALLY under 200lbs! Whoo Hoo! That sure has been alot of years in coming!
I have lost 58lbs so far. I was carrying around my all leather western saddle this past weekend, it weights 45lbs, and I was thinking how I can't imagine carrying that thing around all day! But I've lost that plus another 13lbs... it would be like carrying around my saddle with my cat in it! (Stupid cat!)
I'm also now able to wear shorts that I haven't fit into since college! They looked better back then, but that was over ten years ago!!!
I'm loving this sleeved life!!! Pictures below!