Back~To~Amy

It will get better and you will be so happy you had this surgery. You are still in the very early stages of healing and it seems to be a time of emotional ups and downs for most people. Know that what you are feeling both physically and mentally is totally normal and one day it will all be a remote memory. Take care!

Meli01---Definitely no need to be sorry. I apologize if I sounded harsh. I certainly didn't mean to! My Mom has a very long term medical condition and has to take calcium. Her doctor is world renound and the informaiton I got about only absorbing 500 mg. of calcium at a time came from my mom via her doctor.

I've had several surgeries and the thought of someone cutting the majority of my stomach out scared me too. However, after much research I came to the conclusion that this surgery was best for me. I'm now 4 weeks postop and have no regrets except that I should have done this years ago. What to expect postop? That really varies from person to person. My first memory was waking up severe pain with my back arched and begging for pain meds. This may not be your experience. If you want to read about my journey, check out my blog. I started it pretty much when I decided to have surgery. My preop diet started May 21st or 22nd and my surgery was on June 5th. That gives you some starting points if you are interested in my experiences. Oh, and if you view it from a laptop or desktop, I have lots of information on the right side bar for people in the early stages of their journey. Best of luck to you in your journey.

Is that like sausage? If so, I'm 1 month out and can only have meats that are shredded, cooked and chopped up like you would for spaghetti and shaved deli meats. I'm not supposed to eat any meat in it's whole form until 6 weeks postop. I supposed you could put hotlinks in a food processer and break them up. Also, I'd be careful of the skin on them this early out. I'm not supposed to have fruits until 6 weeks postop because of the skin. I'm not sure how this translate to meat.

Yeah, Gas X strips. They gave me 2 or 3 at a time multiple times a day in the hospital. I don't think there is a limit on them. Also, walk, walk and walk some more. It helps. Best of luck to you. I hope you feel better real soon.

I just tried to send you a request and it wouldn't let me. You can friend request me: BackToAmy. Also, look at my other friends. They are all from here. You can send them requests too.

There are several posts on this site with lots of MFP user names. Do a search using "my fitness pal" and doing "mfp" and you can find others using MFP and what their user names are. I will send you a request though.

You know you can only absorb 500 mg. of calcium at a time so you shouldn't take more than that in one dose? You should also wait at least 2 hours between doses or you risk not absorbing it all.

I'm allowed any soft food---yogurt, refried Beans, Jello, pudding, popsicles, cottage cheese, cream of wheat, oatmeal and other sorts of things along this line. I cannot have any "bread type" soft foods like pancakes, waffles, untoasted bread, rice, Pasta, etc. I'm allowed cooked veggies except the starch ones like corn and potatoes. I'm also allowed sea food, shredded or crumbled meats like chicken, turkey, pork or beef. I'm allowed only bananas with the strings removed and fruit in a cup in its own juice except cherries or acidic fruits. Also on the mushies stage I can have well toasted bread and crip crackers. What I can't have until 6 weeks postop: bread of any kind, tortillas, nuts, uncooked veggies, pasta, pancakes, waffles, muffins, any fruit exept what is mentioned above. Chunks of meat such like a whole chicken breast or a hamburger patty such that would be on a burger. I think that pretty well sums it up. I hope this helps you.

I've lost 35.8 since my preop diet began on May 21, 2012. I've lost 21.6 since surgery 4 weeks ago today.

I'm 4 weeks out today. I started sleeping on my side within 3 or 4 days. Several days after that I was on my belly. Then, last Wednesday I started back to work. I had an exacerbation of extreme pain and am now back to sleeping on my back. Even sleeping on my side isn't comfortable. I so cannot wait to get back to belly sleeping. I miss it!

Calcium needs to be taken at least 2 hours after Iron and taken in no more than 500 mg. doses at a time at least 2 hours from the prior dose. My physician has told me that VSG patients need 1500 mg. of calcium a day. I usually take my multi when I'm getting ready in the morning. During the week while I'm at work, I take my calcium doses usually mid morning, lunch and mid afternoon. I hope this helps and this is what you were looking for.

I didn't have any complications. I have had issues with significant pain though. I'm 4 weeks out today. Would I do it again even with all the pain issues I've had? 100% heck yes!

I was told no straws because it causes more gas. I've had no issues at all with gas except for the first 3 days postop. I've been drinking from a straw pretty much since 1 week postop with no problems.

I was allowed mashed sweet potatoes starting day 22. I'm not allowed watermelon until after 6 weeks.

I am 4 weeks out today. I get head hunger....cravings. I never feel real hunger though. I eat because I know I have to. I still struggle getting in enough protein. I just don't have enough room in my tummy.

I hope you get what you need to ease your pain. Keep us updated.

Well that sucks! I hope you find a new physician soon.

Please try and ignore that comment. Even if the poster was trying to be funny, it isn't especially when you are in such pain! The left side pain is totally normal. The doctor cut through your muscle. Yes, a lot of people don't have much pain but some of us do. I'm 4 weeks out and still having pain issues. I called my doctor crying last Thursday because I was in so much pain. If you don't have a compression garment, het one and wear it all the tome except while showering. It will help. Oh, you can also use some control garments like Spanx or the knock offs they sell at Walmart. Just get one that goes up high...as close to under your breasts as you can. That alone has done wonders for me. Another tip, use a heating pad as much as possible. Also, it sounds like you need a stronger pain med. I had to get one 3 days out. What they discharged me from the hospital with was like candy. It did nothing. Also, last Thursday I was prescribed Flexeril to help with the muscle pain. Try calling and seeing if you can get additional pain meds. If you can't and you don't talk to the doctor directly, I'd make an appointment to see him or her. Pain control is everything at this point. It makes all the difference in your mental outlook. When I was in bad pain, I wondered what did I do to myself. When my pain is under control, I have no regrets. Don't worry about feeling like a baby. Trust me, I've felt this way a lot! I've been told by more than one doctor in the past that I have a high pain tolerance. This surgery knocked me to my knees....and still does at times. I'm still working through healing and having some pain. One more thing, I'm going to send you a private message with my cell number. If you want real time support, pleas don't hesitate to contact me. I understand totally where you are!

Are you talking about pain on your left side onto your back? Of so, it is totally normal. I was 3 weeks and 1 day postop last week when I called my doctor in crying in severe pain. Mine is more of muscle pain where the big incision is and where they did their work. If this is your pain, let me know and I will elaborate more on this post and the helpful advice I got.

There is something to that statement. I'm 4 weeks out today and much more sensitive to sweet things. I had something fairly sweet to drink in the liquid postop portion of my diet that I used to love once in awhile preop and I could only stand a couple of drinks of. It was too sickenly sweet. My Protein shake also doesnt taste the same to me. I still cannot get one full one down. Maybe its more my brain influencing these tastes but it sure feels like my taste buds and tummy saying no. It is really hard to explain unless you've been there. Preop, I too was skeptical of that "your taste buds may change" statement. Postop, I'm here to tell you there is something to it. I support your doctor. Don't buy too much of anything. It may be wasted postop. Good luck to you!

Good luck at your consult today! Here's hoping you come back here with good news to share!

I've been taking pills since 3 days postop and have no issues with them.

Thanks. The regimen the PA seems to be helping especially wearing a binder.