Alithinos

Zyrtec or Zyrtec-D works for me when I run out of Xyzal.

She sounds pretty toxic. Friends don't undermine efforts to get healthy and they definitely don't enlist their children to manipulate you. The fact that she's got her kid calling you names is appalling. Anybody who thinks that's appropriate has some serious problems. I have definitely outgrown friends before and wonder if this is what you're dealing with here. It is sad, especially if their kid is so close with your daughter, but I'd rather be friendless than abused. It will most certainly affect your kid's relationship. At the same time, do you really want your daughter to associate with this nest of vipers? The cheating thing just kills me. Having 85% of your stomach removed is akin to having the majority of your troops wiped out to win a war. It helps reset your metabolism (for a short while), which you kind of need. (Also, the surgeons at Johns Hopkins automatically push for gastric bypass instead of sleeve if you have diabetes - has your surgeon gone over the pros and cons?) The emotionally healthy and intelligent are going to get this. Join a support group now and start backing away from the frenemy for your own sanity...

If just one or two of your incisions is red, call the surgeon to make sure you're not infected. If all incisions are red and itchy, you may be allergic to the glue used to seal them. I had that happen; it was awful and is rather common. The doc approved me to take benadryl pills but not for any topicals.

I was told Protein helps with healing as well. I am 5 months out now. My 3 month post op testing said my protein levels were too low when I was shooting for 60 g a day. The surgeon advised me that my goal should be at least 80 a day for a while, and her assistant noted that the patients who stay on supplements long term do better with weight loss as well. So I am having at least 2 unjury shakes a day for the time being...

At two weeks post-op, the last thing I wanted to think about was food. Now that I'm about 4.5 months out, going out to eat just doesn't hold the same attraction for me that it once did, and we were big fans of tasting menus... I kind of get bored when we're out to eat now. Agree with the posters who recommend starting new traditions to celebrate. What about getting tickets to a concert, a show, seeing a comedian, the couples massage idea (massage is great for healing), take a walk on the beach (if you are in Naples, where your surgeon is located) or down on 5th Avenue, which is so cute. That movie theater at the Mercato is something special too. (I have family in Naples - love going there for Christmas.) At the same time, it is normal to feel down and to mourn food a bit, particularly at this time post-op. This is a good time to start new traditions, habits, and to focus on the years you've gained with your spouse as a result of this surgery.

I'm getting to this party kind of late, so sorry about that. For the original poster - I live in NoVA and used Johns Hopkins' Bariatric Surgery Center up in Baltimore because it was a surgical center of excellence (which is what my insurance required) and I knew I'd get excellent care from them. I'm concerned that you're not being provided with good information from your surgeon and would recommend you consider contacting Johns Hopkins to see if they would see you (and if it is covered by your insurance - I realize that this is a major consideration). There is also a group at Howard University that you could check with. My surgeon was Dr. Anne Lidor - she has offices in Columbia, MD. She is great. Yes, it would be a haul to get there, but I do it. Any of the surgeons in the Johns Hopkins Bayview Bariatric practice will be good. I hear great things about Dr. Schweitzer's skill as a surgeon even though his bedside manner might be a bit rough. A colleague of mine used him and has been very happy with his gastric bypass. Somebody else mentioned the quality of your Protein supplements, which is another good point. I use unjury - it was highly recommended by Johns Hopkins nutritionists and I'm lucky enough to enjoy it. I use their protein powders with unsweetened almond milk.

Did your surgeon have you taking something to help prevent gallstones/gallbladder problems post-surgery? Mine has me taking Ursodiol twice a day - I think for at least the first 6 months. A friend of mine who had the same experience as you (and who had the surgery two years ago) was not on Actigall or anything post-surgery. She had her gallbladder removed pretty much at the two year mark and believes she started having gallbladder issues about 6-9 months out.

Except for some fruit, my surgeon and nutritionist said no raw foods for 3 months. They are hard to digest and you don't want to cause issues since you are still healing. 5-6 weeks is too soon IMO.

My energy levels returned around the 3 month mark. The first 6 weeks were pretty tough despite having my parents along for the first three weeks and a very supportive husband. Hang in there. You will notice improvement as you go. I also recommend getting a weight loss surgery specific cookbook. Also, you might consider looking into joining a support group. I dont think they have requirements that you must have surgery at their center and they are usually free.

ER ASAP. They will work out a payment plan with you. I went about a week after my surgery due to dehydration and terrible acid reflux and it helped get me back on track. It also helped me make sure I didn't have any other issues such as a leak, a clot, etc... Don't feel badly if you need to put the baby on formula - they will be fine. You need to take care of yourself right now.

Hoo boy. This is so common, so do not fret. My doc has me on colace - a stool softener - twice a day. After surgery she advised using Miralax for two weeks to get me straightened out. It is very gentle, but you might want to get some flushable wipes as well.

Ah. Sorry - did not see that in your profile. Try using almond milk (unsweetened and unflavored) instead of regular milk in your shake. Lots of people find themselves lactose intolerant after surgery. If that does not help, you might need to use a different protein shake, such as egg- based instead of whey. Everyone has such individual reactions to surgery. Still good to bring up with your surgeon.

You would feel symptoms of lactose intolerance anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating or drinking dairy. This sounds like something else. Would definitely recommend you have it checked out by a gastroenterologist before you consider surgery.