WillowsKnot

Glad to read this. I am 4 days out and I have a lot of gas bubbles when I eat almost anything or drink anything and man do they hurt. I have started using the Gas-X and it has helped, but it helps to know that this will continue to improve over time.

Hi everyone. Just wanted to post an update. I had my surgery the 16th. I got home from the hospital yesterday evening, so I spent two nights. I was glad that I did. I was in a bit of incision pain and gas pain. I also had quite a bit of nausea. I walked a total of two miles while I was at the hospital. Today, my first full day at home was ok. I walked outside twice and took one nap. I was able to eat two popcicles today and I got down 1/2 of my protein drink in 15ml incriments. My doc told me not to rush things. Slow was better. When I drink more than 15 to 20 ml at a time I get what feels like huge gas bubbles even though I am being careful not to swallow air. I think age and total amount one needs to lose may have something to do with recovery. I am glad I took two weeks off of work because I can't imagin going back to work this coming Monday. I know that every day things will get better. I also had that "oh no, what the heck did I do to myself" when I saw my first food commercial that was for something I really loved, but then I reminded myself that in time, I should be able to eat anything, within limits and after all, this is all about learning to eat healthy and within limits. So no regreats, only moving forward, healthing and living a healther life. I will continue to walk, walk, walk, and sip, sip sip as we all move forward.

Well, I am sleeved!!!! I was sort of disoriented when I woke up in post op. I could not recall where I was of why I was in pain. Then it sunk in. My longest incision hurts quite a bit and is bleeding a bit. I think I walked too much. I did 10 laps around the nurses station. I am still taking pain meds. Sipping water. Took one tiny bite of orange jell-o and that did not agree with me at all. So, I am going to sign off for now and get some rest. My best to the rest of my fellow April 16th sleevers and to all.

My surgery is also tomorrow morning. I have to be at the hospital at 5:30 in the morning and I was told that the surgery will start at 7:30. I forgot to ask them how long it is expected to take. Can anyone give me an estimate? Believe it or not, I am not nervous at this point. I just feel like I am sitting around waiting. I did all my pre-op. Made it through the mag. citrate... well.... still making it through that and hope that stops soon, and I am on just clear liquids yesterday and today. Lemon Jell-O, chicken broth and water. That is about it for me. I know... exciting. Well, my best to all my fellow April 16 surgery buddies. May we all do wonderful and may we all get some sleep this evening. LOL

I share the same allergy issue and even though I have a room air purifier, I still suffer this. I also use sugar free lozenges at night at times. I have found that when I use saline nasal spray that this has helped to cut down on my coughing. I have started using it throughout the day as well.

Mine has lasted longer and since I also have migraines, it got so bad that I had to break down and have a few sips of something caffeinated. Just those few sips would help. If I did not, I would not have been able to work. Caffeine dehydrates. As far as I know, this is why they don't want us to have it. I have been increasing my water to compensate. I have not "slipped up" on anything else, so I am not going to beat myself up for this one. Not advocating that anyone else do what I am doing, mind you.

Anna, I don't think you are doing anything wrong. I was losing some and then these past few days where I have been eating the least amount, my weight loss has slowed. I know from past experience that once I eat below a certain amount of calories, my body goes into super conserve mode like it is afraid of starvation - as if I don't have enough to spare!!! I am not getting overly upset about it. I know along the way we will all hit those stalls and it is all part of the process, so I am just taking it in stride. I already lost the required 10 pounds. Are you not meeting some minimum requirement for your surgery? Only 3 days to go if you count today. Now I am starting to get a bit nervous. Hope to keep busy around the house this weekend. And for those of you that are in the path of the upcoming possibility of tornados and strong storms as my house is, may we all be safe and sound. My thoughts are with all of you.

Arj1016 glad you are now home and feeling a bit better. Hang in there girl.

Southerngirl, you are so right. April and spring is a time of renewal. Let the new us spring forward into a new healthy life.

All my best to you on your surgery today. My thoughts are with you.

That is wonderful news!!! Yeah!!! Have a wonderful first day back home and hope you continue to improve and feel better every day.

Rootman, that is really good to hear and what a huge success it has been for you. That is an amazing weight loss. Every time I see these types of posts from people who have "been there, done that", it really gives me confidence that I am so doing the right thing.

So, I have to ask, have any of the rest of you who are pre-op (and of course, post-ops can weigh in on this as well) updated or done a will, a health care power of attorney, a health care prime directive and a regular power of attorney? As a single mom about to go through elective surgery, I found myself getting all this together. Sure, I had a basic will, but through work we have the option of doing our will with a company, so I opted to do that. I also went to the Missouri State Bar Association web site and they had a wonderful form to fill out for a health care POA and a Health Care Prime Directive, so I knocked that out as well. I then remembered that I had my parents POA which was prepared by an attorney, so I basically typed that puppy up for myself and got the whole shebang witnessed and notarized. When I talked to my mom about getting this all together and talked with her about my burial wishes she said "wow, you sure are calm talking about all of this". I think it just hit me...because I really am expecting a good outcome, but what kind of mom would I be if I left my kids in a slump because I did not tend to these things ahead of time. Oh, yes, one last thing. I also signed a HIPAA form which gives my mom and my 22 year old daughter rights to my medical records...just in case anything happens, they can see the records to help them make decisions about my care. So, now with all the legal stuff basically "out of the way", I truly feel ready for this procedure. I feel like I have done everything that I can to prepare both myself and my household. I guess I was just curious if anyone else had these feelings of needing to get these legal matters taken care of before going into surgery? Thanks in advance for sharing.

So sorry you are having a rough time of it. I sure hope it gets better soon. Sending you a very soft cyber hug. Hang in there. My thoughts are with you.

Best of luck from me as well THYCK747. Too funny on the song as I was thinking the same thing when I read that. LOL

Glad you got the test done last night Little bits. Even if you need a C-pap for now, once the pounds start to come off, that could change in the future and better to protect that heart of yours. Continue to keep us posted. My thoughts and well wishes are sure with you on getting these things cleared so you can move on to your surgery.

Well, all you fellow April 16th sleevers.... Only 5 more days to go!!! ummmm...errr... but who is counting. LOL Every day I get more and more excited. I dropped another two pounds, so I am happy about that as well. So, while this liquid diet is not fun, it is fun to see the scale go down and I already fit into some of my spring clothes that I could not fit in before, so that has really made my day. Here is to counting down our last days before we get to join the losers bench.

Tami...I feel the same way. I am getting very anxious to have my surgery as well.

I just got my EDG results from the biopsy they took on Friday when they did the scope. No H-Pylori, no other abnormalities. Yippee. So, just the ulcers that I am now taking the Prilosec for, and so that treatment is already started. This was truly the last hurtle I had to clear - if I did or did not have H-Pylori. I am so very excited about this. I have been trying not to get overly excited about my upcoming surgery date until I cleared all the obstacles, but now, ok, now I am just busting at the seams. I am so ready.

I just got my EGD results from the biopsy they took on Friday when they did the scope. No H-Pylori, no other abnormalities. Yippee. So, just the ulcers that I am now taking the Prilosec for, and so that treatment is already started. This was truly the last hurtle I had to clear - if I did or did not have H-Pylori. I am so very excited about this. I have been trying not to get overly excited about my upcoming surgery date until I cleared all the obstacles, but now, ok, now I am just busting at the seams. I am so ready.

Disneytikifan - All my best to you today on your surgery. Can't wait to hear how you are doing. Sending lots of well wishes your way.

Can't wait to hear how you are doing now that you are "on the other side" Hope this finds you doing well. Hang in there!

Excellent. That is wonderful news. Keep us posted as you finish your final testing and get your date Little bits.

Way to go Dee. It has now been 8 months since I did the same thing you are doing right now. Time has flown by and when I went to my first meeting I thought it would take so long to get where I am now... surgery next week. I feel you excitement and am so happy for you.

I got the Syntrax nectar Roadside Lemonade mix. Once you mix it with Water (it does foam) you need to let it settle or pour it into another glass. I wonder why you can't do chocolate? I do the premier shakes for work as they are easy to transport and I do Nectar at home. We have a place called Manna. It is a local shop and they mixed the different flavors of Nectar up for me to try. Most of my friends swore by the fuzzy navel. I hated it. LOL Taste is such an individual thing. Syntrax also now has Nectar Naturals with no artificial colors, sweetners, or flavors. There is fruit punch, peach and orange I think. I have not tried them yet, so I have no idea what they taste like, but if food dyes are a problem, they might be an answer for you. I do know that unjury has a sample box you can buy at their on-line store for 21.00 - I think that is what I paid and I also think that Nectar has one as well, so maybe that is the way to go to get some variety and give them a try. You should be able to have chocolate after your surgery. Just a thought. I am allowed to have propel and fruit 2O water as well so that has helped me out. Not in the Protein dept., but just in getting fluids in. Best of luck on your "hunt".