sirensiren

I know certain drugs can trigger ulcers or be irritating to the stomach, but has anyone been forbidden to take certain supplements or medications that would be an issue long-term? There are none on my list from my surgeon, but I would hate to get a headache and take the wrong thing, or be prescribed something that would be an issue.

Raw egg whites are only a tad bit thicker than Water, and are an amazing source of protein- many body builders drink liters of them a day. So I'm wondering if anyone knows if that would likely be a problem as a Protein source that is "liquid"? Is it just not brought up much because people find raw egg whites gross? I would think in terms of nutrition this would be MUCH more bioavailable than a processed Protein powder. Thoughts, experiences? Anyone add raw egg white to their shakes?

Thanks Getinmybelly, it looks like everything turned out pretty normal after your ultrasound? How are you now? I'm fearful it could be from lifting too much. I made the (likely foolish) choice to bring my feeble mother as a traveling companion, and I'm the most able bodied person on this trip. When I won't help her with her bags she gets upset, even knowing I'm supposed to avoid lifting more than 10 lbs. Dr. Kelly called me and told me if I don't have a fever not to panic, but to call back if it gets worse.

I've already sent my surgeon an email about it, but I figure it helps to see if others have experienced this as well. I'm 4 days post op. My stomach seems to be having sharp sudden pains, sometimes one happens every hour, sometimes they happen every minute for 5 minutes- super random. Is this part of the healing process? I'm trying not to panic. Please don't respond telling me to call 9-11, I know only a dr. can truly diagnose this, I'm just trying to see if others have experienced this. I am 2 hours and a national border from my MD.

Same experience! Dr. Kelly is letting me leave today (1 day early) because I asked to, to see my husband. He and his wife visited me personally with instructions and prescriptions, I was really happy to see them and hear I looked to be doing so well. The Lucerna is OK, our room (just our room) lost power 4 times, and the problem eventually just stopped. It's in a very nice part of Tijuana, you can walk to a lot of shops from here. I could think of nicer places for sure. They understood the post-op diet though, I ordered broth and they really brought me broth, with a few lime wedges to squeeze. I had a great experience with my coordinator (Sandy), but I think people get way to involved with concerns over who is there coordinator. When it all comes down, it's your surgeons face and surgical team looking at you as you go under, it's him doing the work, and it's his nurses and medical staff that will take care of your medical issues in your recovery. The front line person who you talk to before you go to Mexico may provide some emotional comfort, but your decision should be based on the qualifications and authentic reviews of your surgical team.

I have to tell you, there is some truth to the suspicions behind florence hospital not allowing "low BMI" patients. Just 10 minutes prior to surgery a female dr. I had never met came in and coldly told me "we will not approve this surgery for you, you cannot have surgery here", as my tears came down (I've had this scheduled since august, sold my car, and scheduled my whole year around it!) she actually said "why dont you just get liposuction?"....isn't that sort of like telling a person with skin cancer to go buy concealor? :0 Needless to say, I was outraged, but dr. Kelly faught for me and I had my surgery. Apparently this happens to a lot of patients under 40 bmi at Florence Hospital. Dr. Kelly and staff are AMAZING. I do not know who the female dr. with short curly auburn hair is, but her cold treatment of me was really disturbing.

Congrats! I was sleeved by dr. Kelly the same day as you, the staff was attentive and dr Kelly is a DREAM! His bedside manner was perfect, and he was with me every step. I met his new coordinator just now at the Lucerna, along with his wife. He was so sweet and comforting, and his nurses were great. I have a major complaint about a dr. with the florence hospital, but I'm saving that for another post.

Thanks for the responses! Though everyone has said "yes yes it's gas" around the hospital, I always wonder if they're just trying to get me to quiet down The feeling is unsettling as well, because it feels a lot like hunger. Things are getting slowly better!

I am 1 day post op and I've been having severe pain in my chest and rib cage, I have been told it's gas pain but I just want to check in. Did everyone else experience this?

It is interesting, I was consulting heavily with one (reputable) surgeon who required I do no pre-op diet and just 48 hours of full liquids. My chosen surgeon has me doing 7 days of a strict Protein shake diet, and 3 full days of a clear fluids. I'm sure people do "cheat" and eat despite being instructed otherwise, we are mostly in this position because of not being able to control our eating- lets get real! That said, I have been good and not cheated, and I try to remind myself that this is the hungriest I will feel for the rest of my life! I think for some Dr.'s who don't have the ability to do post-op care in the long term (surgeons in Mexico, surgeons who work in facilities that people often fly in to etc.) it's a precaution thing to assure the surgery is as easy as possible, and your recovery is predictable. I could be wrong. I see my MD's strict guidelines as being a sign that he truly takes as many precautions as possible and wants to assure he will get the best possible leak rate and recovery. Surgeons know that we go on here and rant or rave about our experience, and I imagine that in the decision making process, a huge portion of their business is from people who have viewed this forum and others like it.

I love your name! I think with issues this serious, we have to have a sense of humor. I am in Southern CA as well (LA), and getting sleeved TUESDAY!

I was drinking pretty regularly until 3 weeks ago, so I just figure my liver is this black inflamed sad thing (LOL!), I'm sure it's not so bad, and all I ca do is my best. I have no way of knowing how small or large it is right now, and I doubt it's so huge it's going to interfere with surgery.

Thank you! I'm quite excited, I thought I'd be more nervous but I have (cautious) faith in my surgeon. I love all animals, I have a fat little pug and 2 cats. I am excited, and enjoying blue gatorade instead of Jell-O (I actually detest jell-O and the idea of it being random animal cartilage grosses me out to be honest). When/where was your surgery? I would imagine as a nurse you made a very informed decision, but I'm sure it was a tough one for you regardless.

Thats good to hear about the clears feeling sufficient after! "Manna" is funny, because I've been adding manna (a paste made of pure coconut) to my Protein shakes, now that I'm on clears I miss it! LOL...quite coincidental I am hoping I feel alert and "with it" at some point in the days after surgery. I expect to feel a bit out of it for the first few days, but I'd hope I wouldn't have to put up with being an airhead until I'm on "full" liquids and able to get some protein in.

I'm 24 hours in to be liquid/clear portion of my diet (YAY! Just 3 days away ) but I've felt loopy, low energy, and hungry all day. I'm worried I will feel loopy from the lack of calories I intake after surgery. What has your experience been? Does your body seem to adjust? I am also concerned about the hunger, but I assume having a huge portion of my stomach (and the ghrelin producing portion of it gone) will make that an unlikely, or lessened issue. What are your thoughts? Does feeling light headed stop once your body adjusts to the major deficit in food/calories, or is this just part of it?

Thank you! His assistant said it was OK. but I hate Jell-O and I'm going to avoid it because what you say just makes sense- red is the color of blood, it's probably best NOT to stain my insides the same color as my vital fluid! =0 At least I found this out 3 days prior to surgery, rather than the day before. This will give me a chance to really "clear" things out. I'd rather have my broth and just chew some gum or suck on a mint if I need something "sweet".

Thanks Fatticus Ratticus- I love your name (and fat rats! LOL) It seems to be just the combo of the red dye and the fact that I've been told to take laxatives. I've called up my surgeons assistant ad left a message, so hopefully I'll fid out soon. I am perhaps panicking a bit- it stands to reason that if I just ate a giant bowl of cherry Jell-O, that the red dye would need to make it's way out somehow. What appeared to be a "chunk" (sorry. I know, gross!) is an undigested Gelatin capsule full of Fiber, not some vital organ falling apart in side of me Jell-O of all flavors is on my "OK" list, but for my own peace of mind, I'm going to stick to my clear broth instead. Jell-O seemed to be a good option to feel like I'm chewing on something, but I'd rather tough it out than worry about red dye coloring my stools. I am so excited to be sleeved! I am already seeing my face get a little thinner from the pre-operative diet, and that's encouraging for the months to come!

I just started my pre-operative "clears", which consists of cherry sugar free Jell-O, chicken broth, and laxatives. I am a bit concerned by the red chunks I saw after my laxative started to work. I am hoping this alarming color is likely from the red Jell-O, so before I panic- did anyone else experience this alarming affect? I know it's a bit of a gross question, but I do not want to worry and, after all, we are all here talking about a medical procedure affecting digestion so I figured a "poo question" wasn't too out of the ordinary.

That is so exciting, October 25th was last week! I am hoping to back to the eliptical in a couple weeks. I figure hula hooping (because it's going to hit my mid area over and over) is going to be more of a direct issue, but we shall see.

It's interesting, I had MASSIVE fears of pre-op dieting, but I am 5 days in to it and I'm OK. I was very emotional about the idea of no longer having the option of having the food I enjoy be an option for entertainment- we are likely here because we all can relate to food being an emotional outlet, or a constant self reward we give ourselves. The day I started me pre-op diet I realized "wow, this is it- from here on out I am going to be eating less and less, and I won't have the option to eat things for fun". Obviously, once I am healed and back on solid foods, I have my options- but I will never have a lifestyle where I pig out or stuff myself with food by myself or friends. It's actually been do-able. I find the pre-op diet has set me in to a mode where I realize I HAVE to eat like this in order to have a safe surgery, it's no longer just about weight. It's tough when hunger kicks in, but you truly can avoid being hungry with the sugar-free Jello until it's time for your next Protein shake "meal". Also, try glucomannan- it's (in my opinion) the best Fiber to keep you full without giving you stomach ache or resulting in urgent bathroom use. I also give myself variety with the things I AM allowed- lots of different types of tea, pre-made Jello in different flavors, sugar-free hard candy to suck on, gum, and sugar-free merenge (sp?) Cookies (all egg white, only 10 calories each!). I also distract myself by staying busy, reading this forum, and checking out the web for clothes I plan to one day fit in to.

You didn't have a pre-op diet? I'm on the very low end of the weight spectrum (31 bmi), I work out daily, and my Dr. still requires a week of pre-op dieting and 3 days of pure liquids. Lucky you! Though I find myself adding Protein (a bit) right now, I'm fearful of actually cheating on the pre-op thing, as I want my liver to be as small as possible for him. If I can't stand it at night, I have one hard boiled egg. I am hoping this is not going to cause any major harm. I have experimented with agar gel (I work in an Asian area, lots of brands of the agar flakes and super cheap!) and it's not pleasant but it does give the illusion of being fuller!

As a pre-sleever, about to get sleeved November 8th, it's VERY exciting to hear how little everyone eats- right now, I can put always a 1500 calorie meal from iHop, and want ice cream in 30 minutes after the meal. I'm intending to stick to sharing appetizers when out, and taking my time. In Los Angeles, people are used to seeing people go out to eat on a diet. I see only being able to eat small amounts of food at a time as great, and worth the stares!

Thank you for the replies! You really explained it well Emily- I now get why so many people are simply instructed to do an Atkins phase 1 diet. I am hoping my liver will be nice and shrunken after me week of this torture diet Anything to make the surgery go as easily as possible. Did your surgeons have you do two days of Clear Liquids only prior to the diet? I am required to do this.

Thank you for all the great replies! I was confused as to if immediate sudden weight loss was what shrinked the liver, or if it was specific to being "low carb". My surgeon typically has patients do a 2 week diet of 2 Protein shakes and a green salad each day. I was cut down to a week due to being a "light weight". If it was just straight up "Atkins" (very low carb, but eat normal portions) I would not be worried about hunger- I LOVE eggs, protein etc. I'm not actually a fan of sweets or bread. I know I can do it, I've done far more extreme diets in the hope of losing this weight (I'm sure we all have). I want to make sure I do all I can to make the surgery as easy as possible for him, and me. I'm just about 2 weeks a way (yay!) so rather than enjoying the final week of no pre-op diet too much, I think I may be smarter to start cutting out sugar, bread, and Pasta now. Ever since my surgery was scheduled, I've been quite motivated and been more active (I do 45 minutes of cardio a day, I started walking every where). It has not helped me lose any weight, but it's helped me be stronger and more prepared to be active once I recover from surgery. I think success is dependent on how I use this new "tool"- sure, I'll only be able to eat small amounts, but if I'm not working out and making those small portions unhealthy food, I'm not taking full advantage of this new tool. I do wonder if this process will "cure" me of emotional eating in any way, but I figure that will always be something I'll have to struggle with and address.

I'm aware that the pre-op diet is typically in place to shrink your liver- does anyone know why this is so important? Is the liver typically "in the way" during surgery? What is it about the diet that causes the liver to "shrink"? My surgeon is having me do a pre-op diet that consists of 2 small Protein shakes and a green salad with "clear" dressing (Italian, balsamic etc.) I know for certain, this will have me very very hungry all week. I intend to do my absolute best and follow all instructions, but going from eating (I'm not a huge eater actually) to a diet that's roughly 600 calories a day is intimidating. I worry a bit, because though I am stopping drinking now (surgery is November 8th) I drink fairly regularly (4-5 drinks a week). I wonder if I have some giant liver! I have had my liver checked, and my function is healthy- but I am a bit fearful. I am "low" BMI (32) so my surgeon only requires this diet for a week. How did you deal with the pre-op diet?