LoserMama

Hmm, maybe we both need to make another call to the doc, bcole.

Mine is yet again different -- Day of sleeve- nothing First week -- clear liquids only (including Protein clear liquids, like Isopure,

it actually doesn't hurt, just looks yuck. I called the oncall for my bariatric clinic, and sent him the picture. he said he felt by my description (clear ooze, not pus) and that it happened at this stage, and that there is no pain or heat or fever, that it is more likely a seroma. I'm supposed to keep an eye on it, and watch for expanding redness, pus, warm to touch or fever.

that is awesome,,, so inspiring, great work!

Well I guess I should clear up that it is not oozing now, it was yesterday, and pretty minimally. And now it's all scabbed over. Disgusting but here is a pic, one with the tape off on the bad side, one with it on. http://s227.photobucket.com/albums/dd230/glassjules/?action=view&current=881569e8.jpg&evt=user_media_share http://s227.photobucket.com/albums/dd230/glassjules/?action=view¤t=afdbf662.jpg&evt=user_media_share

I am always itchy when healing. from healing itself and from the adhesives. Doc said tit was ok to use hydrocortisone around, not on, the incisions. It helps.

This isn't about watching people eat, but sorta related. I have already found myself noticing people like me (obese) and wondering what their story is and what they want to do about their weight, too. its a very weird feeling that I feel ashamed of I just feel like I am on the road to feeling better physically and about my appearance, and I wish that for them too, but its very patronizing and I need to cut it out. I think its kind of like the phenomenon of when you have a new car or something and suddenly notice that car everywhere. I think it will fade. I am counseling myself about it.

Hi gang, Questions for those down the road what your experience was with your incisions during recovery. Early out my incisions were fine, when the staples were in. A little irritation from the staples on the middle top one from bra rubbing, that was fine once staples were out. Then they took out staples and put on the steristrips and a week out from that, the first set of steristrips came off. When they pulled off I noticed one side of the largest incision on the right was gapping open about 1/4 inch. No infection or pain. They told me to get some wound closure strips and reclose it. Did that. That seems to be doing well. Yesterday, my middle large incision felt like a little twinge when I got up. The steristrips were coming off that one so I thought at first the twinge was from the steristrips pulling away. Later took those steri strips off, and this one has some ooziness that it didn't have at all before. This one had some ooziness in the hospital, but it stopped in hospital and was fine until yesterday. So I dripped some antiseptic wound cleaner over it, let that dry and put wound closure strips over that one too, but wasn't sure if I should do anything to clean the **** out, or just leave it to scab over again -- what's the best approach?

I am like you too and I guess its ok. I move to soft foods this coming wednesday and wonder if it will be different. i've already been able to eat two poached eggs (very very softly poached and quite liquidy) I hope that its all ok. I can only imagine as soft as I poach those and then smash them up that it is not too different from liquid. I am able to get in 60+ oz of Protein, have been able to since about 1 week out. I was told 40-60 oz for this stage, so in vain interest of my hair, I tried to do so as soon as possible.

I think national averages are somewhere around 1%. My doc has a percentage rate of 2%. Hoping that I don't develop one, so far, no symptoms, but I'll be paranoid for quite a while.

you know, I have this weird thing about thinking about how we can help ourselves....I'm visualizing that little leak being soothed by the care you are getting, and being able to close itself. visualization and positive thinking are powerful things. you are strong, imagine that leak sealing and you getting better and better! Much love.

So how did it start, how did you know? I am so bummed for you and am saying prayers. Just been thinking about you since I first saw your post. Hugs honey!

I grudgingly have grown accustomed to the costco Premier Protein shakes, like PDXman, as my primary. I got a ton of samples from Vitalady, and found the gaspari myofusion are my favorite samples. I also like nectar Fuzzy Navel. Pre-Op, I liked Isopure zero carb rtd drinks, and now I hate them. They make my mouth feel dry and the aftertaste really bugs me. I think everybody has really different things that work for them. I ordered some chike samples, waiting for those. I have some click samples, and LOVE them, but they have caffeine, I realized, so I am not using the other one I have until much later.

No bloodwork here, and no mention of when it will be. I had a one week appt. and have another one at six weeks post op. That's all I am aware of at this point!

Amen!

This is cracking me up. I haven't named my sleeve, but I will tell you that my little tiny pillow that I've carried around to protect my tummy from kids and dogs post-op and to push against me when I'm achy, I named him. I have a history of naming essential pillows. My body pillow during my pregnancies was Phil. And this little pillow is called Bobby B. Said like the person who does the Whitney Houston parody on SNL. Now, to think of a name for my sleeve. Hmmm.. It better be unique.

Funny that you mention carpal. I have the companion issue to that, ulnar neuritis, affects my ring and pinkie fingers. In the last week or so, my fingers have stopped falling asleep at night. I didn't think about it being related to weight loss....interesting!!

Totally right. I admit at this point (2 weeks out) I'm still using Protein shakes as a primary source of protein, but I learned from my NUT quickly about the protein shots and have an unopened box of New whey bullets now. She was clear that the type of protein they offer is not well utilized by the body unless you are already getting significant protein from animal sources. Bad advice from that Before and After book. I am looking forward to getting to soft foods and beyond and being ABLE to get my protein from sources other than the shakes. And it really does vary on taste. I liked Isopure drinks before surgery, ordered two cases, and now, like PDXman, they are isopuke to me. I guess I have to use them up, because ironically, even though bodybuilding.com is approximately 2 miles from my house, I can't return them to them without shipping them back and paying a fortune to do so. The ones I didn't like, Premier Protein shakes from costco, I've now grumblingly become accustomed to and while I don't love them, I like that they have a decent amount of protein, are portable, and have some other nutrients in the mix. I also second the opinion on getting samples from Vitalady. I ordered a bunch of them and am working my way through them as supplements and seeing what I like . I learned that Gaspari Myofusion is one of my favorites and I would not have even known about that without vitalady. In the spirit, however, of my work background for many years in patient education, I do encourage people to research and consider their own options. Even though they get paid the big bucks, I spent seven years interviewing and working with healthcare folks who didn't take the time to update their knowledge, or applied a one-size fits all approach to everything they do. Not all do this, of course not, but some do. So ask questions, look stuff up, verify what you find with your healthcare team. (This is not in particular about the protein, just my general soapbox about being the head of your healthcare team)

Totally agree. I'm actually glad overall that while we all share a common health issue, that there is a nice variety of people, male/female, backgrounds, situations. Love that. Gives us some great perspectives.

I feel a tightness behind my breastbone. I've not noticed any hiccups or burps thus far.

Peacequeen, I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing this leak -- so what are the next steps? Do they have a good handle on where it is and how to fix it?

I dunno, its weird. I don't feel cold, I just got the chills, if that makes any sense. I have felt more cold in general since surgery, but not really THAT different. Well, it hasn't repeated, and nothing else weird, so I'm going to guess just weird body tricks!

good to hear. I do have to add one new thing to the mix. took a nap and had chills as I was waking up from my nap. no fever though. Had this a couple of days after the surgery, too, and it went away, so I'm thinking just body adjustment, but....not sure.

Thank you!!! I go back to work tomorrow so might like to look less lumpy.

Hey there, I am two weeks post op and have been noticing some dull back pain basically right behind my stomach area, most noticeable when I am sitting up straight. Anyone else experienced this, is it related to vsg or just coincidental do you think? It's not sharp pain, just dull.