Lila21

I, too, think it's great you are trying to understand this for your mother. I think a lot of her success will depend upon her ability to make changes, but this is also a powerful tool to help her in that. Whether this will help her or not is somewhat dependent on what her particular eating issues are. For example, if her main problem is that she eats a lot of sweets, this might not be the best solution for her because restriction works best on the volumes that she is eating. So, if she has a hard time sticking to a program, I think it's best to evaluate with her why she has a hard time. Also, she should be aware that many programs require you to follow strict diets both prior to and directly after surgery. For some people, this can mean as much as month of mostly liquid diets. For me, it was 2 weeks of semi-liquid diet pre-op, and 2 weeks of liquid diet post-op. You MUST be able to follow those guidelines to a 'T' if you want to use this program because they prepare your body for surgery and maintain your stitches safely post-surgery. I don't want to be discouraging AT ALL, but you want your mother to understand that there's no "cheating" on these aspects of the surgery, so she needs to have those eating habits in control BEFORE surgery. I am not trying to be a naysayer by any means, but I want her to have a healthy dose of fear in her about breaking the rules for that month long period. It's hard, and it's life-threatening if you don't follow it closely. But, I believe once she gets past these super strict periods, her smaller stomach will make it much easier to maintain smaller portions into the future. I chose this tool because I lost a total of 160 lbs on my own but gained it back. Clearly, i can diet, but I needed a tool to help me to keep it off. I hope this helps you in supporting your mom!

Hey TT3, I have a few suggestions. Healthwise makes a sugar free hot chocolate that has 15 g of protein. I've been drinking it every morning to help get my protein in . Also, Healthwise has a grape drink with 15 g. of protein that is really thin (basically the consistency of grape kool-aid) that I have been using to get my protein in. I find that the thinner the liquid, the easier it is to get down. Similarly, I have been using a protein broth. I get most of my protein from these sources and then I add in one shake per day. Also, are you on an anti-nausea med? That might help a lot! I am on reglan, and I plan to stay on it for a while. I came out surgery retching so much that my doc said he thought I was going vomit my intestines out (nice bedside manner, huh? :-)), but I've been on reglan ever since and I feel no nausea. Try to get your doc to put you on that. I think there's no need to suffer right now when your sleeve is so new. You can try to get off the reglan later when your stomach is more healed. Hope that helps!!!!

That story is actually pretty hllarious! I feel so bad for that lady, but she must have gotten a little chuckle herself when she found out that she was the catalyst behind your new look :-)). I know I'd feel rotten if I puked on someone, but much better if I knew the other side of the story ))

I was given several heparin shots in the hospital. They didn't hurt any more than any of the other shots I've experienced.

glad you are feeling better! I am on the same trajectory. I felt pretty craptastic on day 2, and day 3 a bit better, but today is for sure the best yet! Honestly, considering I just had surgery, I feel pretty good. I got a little cocky and cut off the pain meds today. Turns out that was a bit too early. So, it's back to the Vicadin for now... Keep up the great work! Hugs!!

Oh, how did that sneak past me!???? Tiffykins, happy birthday to an amazing, helpful, and gorgeous woman!!!

I was sleeved on December 14th. The first couple of days were a bit rough, but everything seems to be evening out now. Every day gets better!!! Good luck to all my December sleeve sisters and brothers!!!

I'm not sure if this is still relevant, but I also agree with the folks who say we should take all the meds we need. It's temporary, and we won't need them for long. We'll get though this phase!

Well, first of all, are you taking a daily heartburn pill right now? If not, I highly recommend that as your first step. I think heartburn issues are to be expected early out, and most doctors put you on a daily dose. Mine is Prevacid, I belive. I take it once a day in the morning, and I don't experience any heartburn.

phew! Thanks you guys!!!

I am 3 days post-op and I just noticed that I have a really big bruise on my lower belly (sort of on the underside of my "apron") about the size of a fist. Did anyone else have this? I didn't see anything in the warnings that said anything about this, but I thought I'd just check... thanks guys!

Hey there, I was sleeved on the 14th and also had hernia repair. I also have a scratchy throat, which i'm told is pretty common. As to the blurry vision, could that be from the pain meds? I find it hard to focus on reading when I am on Vicodin, maybe it's similar.... but every day it gets better, so hang in there!!!

2 days post op, and I am just curious how long people stayed on pain meds, and how long they were bloated and gassy... thanks!!

thanks everyone. The sleeving went well. Aside from some initial nauseau, recovery is going pretty smoothly. Every day gets a little better. It's so good to be home!!! More later.... xoxoxo thank you to all who sent good wishes!!!

Thanks to everyone for all your well-wishes!!!! I absolutely believe in positive energy so I really appreciate your thoughts and prayers!

You can do it! I lost 10 lbs on the pre-op diet!!!

Hey there, Amber! I hope your surgery went well today!!! Just wanted to you to know we are cheering you on!

I think you should do whatever will make you feel most comfortable right now. You will have challenges as you adjust to your new stomach, and you need to consider what will cause you the least stress. I also decided not to tell people before surgery because I don't want to have people talk me out of it. But, I think you should just do what is most going to be the most supporting of you. Best of luck!

Hi folks, After much todo, filling out of forms, meeting of doctor's and starving on the 2 week pre-op diet (10 lbs down as of today!), I am ready to be sleeved tomorrow, along with my pals KGremmy and Bumblestich.... anyone else I've forgotten who is getting sleeved tomorrow??? I just want to thank everyone for all your input, and for sharing all your stories. I can't tell you how reassuring your friendship has been and how much I appreciate all the time people have given in sharing their answers to my questions (Tiffykins and LilMissDiva, you guys are truly amazing resources!). You have really helped me to prepare, and to feel optimistic about what I can expect. I feel ready for possibly having trouble swallowing, hating my Protein shakes, feeling a bit blue after surgery, and on the upside, feeling ecstatic as I drop this weight that has plagued me on and off the better part of my adult life, feeling stronger as my workouts get better and better, and as someone else said, "telling food we can just be friends." Thanks so much to everyone who has supported me in this journey, and I'll see you on the other side! P.S. Your thoughts and prayers are DEFINITELY welcome!!!

Me too!!! Best of luck, Kathy if I don't touch base with you before then!

I think if you are supposed to be eating 1200 a day, and it doesn't specify anything beyond that, then you probably just fine. I think the time to be really careful about keeping to liquids is the day before surgery and the 2 weeks after.

Wow, I am so impressed with you! I've been doing the pre-op diet, too, but if I had to quit smoking on top of that, I think I would have lost my mind!! You deserve major congrats, and you are soooo ready to be successful!

Hey you Monday sleevers! Just wanted to say good luck to you!! I hope all is well with you and you feel ready!!! My thoughts will be with you!

Awww, I hope you are doing better now. From what I can tell, post surgery can be rough, but it gets a tiny bit better every day. As to the weight loss, I wouldn't worry too much about that right now. Your first order of business is to recover from surgery. Once you are on the recovery side, your sleeve can do it's job! I hope things get better soon!

Happy, happy Birthday to an inspiration!!!