Webchickadee

Wow! That is awesome. Already a whole new world opening up to you and this is just the beginning! Keep up the great work.....don't forget, stalls happen to everyone and you've ROCKED your sleeve so far, so don't get discouraged if you should happen to hit one. Continue to be amazing!

Yeah, the mouth taste is tough. I chewed sugar-free gum, and brushed my teeth several times a day. The fluids are tough, but prior to surgery, we drank alot more liquid that we probably realize. Just think how often you would down a whole bottle of Water in a few gulps, or a whole can of pop? Now it takes quite a bit of time to consume that same amount of liquid, which is why the sip, sip, sip thing happens. And despite that, you were still dehydrated yesterday! It does get better! You're 8 days post-op now...I'm 17 days post-op and feeling WAY better than I did on day 8. I know everyone says "be patient" (how irritating), but it's really true! LOL

About 7 days post-op for me. Until then, I found that if I took a drink too big (bigger than a small sip), my stomach "cramped" up terribly and it hurt like a son-of-a-gun! At about the 7 day mark though, I guess a lot of the swelling had gone down and I could start to take more normal mouthfuls (still not as much as I used to, and no chugging of course!). Now I'm 17 days post-op and I can take a couple of mouthfuls (moderate amount) one after the other.....though I've developed a habit of holding a bit of the liquid in my mouth so I don't overwhelm my stomach with too much too fast.

It's probably going to be a tiny tiny needle, just like an insulin needle. Seriously, you won't even feel it. You just take the tiny little needle, removed the cap, pinch your stomach fat and push the tiny needle in. Done! Try it.....it really will be simple. I guarantee it. It's all about mind over matter.

I received injections in my stomach for 2 days after surgery. The needle was TINY and I hardly felt a thing. If i had to, I could have easily given it to myself (but the nurse did it for me). I would confirm the size of the needle (thickness and length), but I'm sure it will not be anything as painful as what you're imagining! These injections are usually just subcutaneous (SQ), which means just under the skin. Not in the muscle like it would be if it was a rabies shot, for example! Try not to freak out!

Could be that you need a PPI (proton pump ihibitor) such as Prilosec (Omeprozole). That feeling in your throat could be from some reflux.

Toning your abs will help with belly skin as well. Try crunches or sit-ups. You're still pretty early post-op so you should start VERY slowly with crunches and sit-up as your stomach muscles are still healing. And you may not be able to do much right away. But whatever you can do without pushing too hard is a start. Then aim to push it just a tiny bit further every few days. Before you know it you'll be done lots of crunches and feeling the "core" benefits!

Complain away! It's important to get those feelings OUT in the open and not let them eat away at your motivation! You mentioned BC pills and TOM. Another 2 factors that will affect you weight dramatically from day to day and week to week is your hormonal levels! So you've got lots going on "in the mix" right now! And of course the healing and recovery overlays everything else. Feel free to feel down for a moment when you're comparing yourself to others (hard not to, I know). Then let that pass and turn to the positives (and grab that drink container and drink to it!) Try Protein shakes.....they will help you deal with 2 challenges simultaneously....protein and fluids! The more protein you do now, the better for weight loss, muscle preservation, long-term preservation of your hair (hair loss sometimes doesn't make itself known for 3-4 months, and early protein helps prevent or at least reduce it!). And of course, I forgot to mention that you should be taking body measurements! If you didn't do this just before your surgery, start now! Often times the body is changing dramatically and the scale doesn't reflect these changes. And many of us can't see the changes when we look in the mirror! Measurements done on a regular basis (I plan on doing mine monthly....so another 2 weeks for me to compare to my starting numbers) will help you see your progress even when the scale is being stubborn. Good luck, and don't worry about venting. That's why we're here! Who better to understand how you feel, and to help you feel better?

Try to not panic! First thing to remember is that your starting BMI is quite low in relation to many people this forum. So for those of us who have higher BMIs, we've been eating many more calories a day to maintain that weight (prior to surgery). Suddenly, following surgery, we are eating 400-600 calories (and sometimes less) per day, whereas before, we might have been eating 3000+. Of course we're losing weight like crazy in the beginning! As your weight (and therefore your Basal Metabolic Rate) is lower, you may have been only eating 2000 calories (or even less) to maintain your preo-op weight. Now, following surgery, you're probably in the 400-600 calorie range (and possibly higher if you're doing well with the protein). So you're calorie difference pre and post surgery is only about 1400 calories a day (maybe a bit less). That means it will take you approx. 2-3 days to lose a pound (without exercise)! Whereas for me, my calories difference is probably at least twice that, and I'm losing a pound every 1-2 days (or better, since I'm also exercising!). This is also the reason people weight loss slows down as they get closer to their goal. Their intake/output difference shrinks down to very little and it makes it much much harder to lose the weight without ramping up your exercise (since there's not much room to reduce calories any more at that point!). I know, your response to that will be....."yes, but that means in 3 weeks, I should have already lost at least 8+ pounds". Maybe, maybe not! Have you been drinking all your fluids? You may be retaining Water. Have you had good bowel movements? That's very difficult to do in the beginning and you may be carrying a few pounds in your intestines! Also, as we eat less suddenly, a survival mechanism in our metabolism kicks in, trying to hold on to calories by slowing the metabolism down (because it thinks we are starving). Sometimes you have to actually increase your calorie intake a bit to fool back into the proper metabolism rate! Try to take the long view and be patient (DAMN DAMN hard, I know!). You will get there. Try to keep the things I've mentioned in your mind and work on getting your Protein, fluids and exercise (even if it's just walking!) in. I know this will work for you. Don't give up!

Best of luck to you! My advice? Start trying to develop some good post-op habits now. - quit drinking carbonated drinks - try not to drink during meals - take smaller bites and chew, chew, chew - drink lots of fluids....in smaller sips - weak yourself off caffeine now, or post-op will be brutal - follow your pre-op diet to the letter, it will make your surgery and recovery a lot easier! And if you're located in Toronto, or the GTA, I'd be happy to talk to you in person! Private message me and I'll give you my email and phone. Good luck!

My surgery was also performed by Dr. Kelly on May 14, 2012. I am now 16 days post-op, down nearly 25 lbs (this includes 11 lbs lost on the pre-op liquid diet for 2 weeks due to my BMI being over 49). A truly fantastic experience. I was picked up by Dr. Kelly's wife in San Diego, driven across the border to Tijuana (a 30 min drive). Taken directly to the hospital where all the pre-op tests were completed (x-ray, ECG, urine test, blood work), consults with the Anaesthetist, Cardiologist, Internal Medicine Specialist, and of course, Dr. Kelly himself. I have an anaphylactic allergy to Latex, so they were careful to make sure EVERYTHING (including the complete O.R.) was latex-free. I also have bad asthma, so they gave me an aerosolized asthma treatment both pre and post-op. Arrived at the hospital on Monday at 11 am, was in the O.R. by 2 pm! And back in my room by 3 pm! Surgery was 48 minutes and would have been even shorter, but I had some abdominal adhesions due to a previously ruptured gall bladder. Spent that night and the next day in hospital and was discharged on Wed. morning! A final leak test (done at another hospital where Dr. Kelly prefers the higher resolution of their imaging equipment), and then off to the hotel for 2 days! I didn't even need pains meds after the 2nd day. I had minimal gas discomfort, showered on my own the day after surgery (and every day after that). It has been a VERY easy road for me physically. Mentally I'm still learning about head-hunger, learning that I really can eat "just that little bit" and be full, etc. I could not have asked for a greater surgeon (his skill, his bedside manner, his wonderful family - who is very involved in his medical practice!). Omar, his coordinator is great. He's very caring, detail oriented and quick to respond to questions, concerns, etc. I highly recommend Dr. Kelly!

My understanding of the plateaus is that the body and our metabolism get used to a certain weight range. When our bodies are shrinking following WLS, the metabolism can "deal" within that range, and once it realizes we're below a certain weight (which is really just a new Basal Metabolic Rate), it has to "recalibrate". So in other words, we have "set points" that our metabolism can work within, and once we stray outside of that range (up or down), it takes a long time for the body to restore it's metabolic pathways to the most efficient model it was in before. That can take a short time or a long time, depending on the individual. And there's no way of knowing what it is for each of us....until we go through it! Frustrating, but scientifically, it makes sense to me.

I'm in Toronto and my understanding is that OHIP must help you if you're in emergency medical need, especially if you've encountered a complication after this surgery (which would be serious and possibly life threatening!). We pay into OHIP, so we should be able to get emergency care when we need it. A complication following this surgery is NOT cosmetic or elective. OHIP has complex rules for approving any WLS in this province, and certainly doesn't cover anything that is considered cosmetic (ie. abdominoplasty, etc.), but if you get a blood clot, are dehydrated, develop a leak, a stricture, etc. I am SURE any ER and/or MD will help you, and you count on OHIP covering the costs. That being said. I don't know this to be FACT. But I think (hope) that's the way it works.

Right there with you! I have been overweight most of my life (from about age 9 onward). When I was a tween, I remember my mother sewing Patches on my jeans to wear to school. Walking had rubbed them open between the thighs. Rather than throwing them out, she patched them, and made me wear them to school. I had never been so embarrassed in all my short life! The next day I refused to ever wear them again, and I got grounded for "talking back". She did however see how much it upset me and bought me new pants and never patched another pair again. Since then, I can't tell you how many pairs of perfectly good pants I've had to throw away due to the inside thighs being worn through. I can't wait until my thighs don't rub......forever!

Thanks for the advice! I did a shake for Breakfast this morning and did 1.5 scoops of powder rather than my usual 1, so I get 50% more Protein in the for the day. I'm probably going to stick with basic liquids for the day and try to let my stomach settle and get things moving in my intestines a bit. I've been having problems with diary, so I've switched to unsweetened almond milk rather than skim, or 1%. It's very low in calories (30 / cup) and carbs (1 g / cup), but also low in protein (1 g / cup). Ah well, at least it doesn't give me any distress! I'm hopeful that the dairy issue clears up because I love my dairy products! Milk, cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt.....I love them all. I would HATE to have to give them up permanently. One day at a time..........

I've been SO tired of full liquids that I did a bit of mushies yesterday (about 5-6 days ahead of schedule). Thin mashed potatoes with a bit of gravy. It went down very very easily (they were the instant mix kind), and didn't bother me much. But today I feel like I have a build-up of food in my intestines and no ability to "eliminate" just yet. Quite the opposite of last week when I was "going" several times a day! What a rollercoaster ride this is. Everyday you're dealing with new conditions! I know it will settle down as time goes on. I'm just finding I'm surprised when things change, even though I'm not introducing huge changes in my daily eating routine (though mash potatoes could count as a huge change, I guess!) I can't wait until I get to actually CHEW! LOL

Wow, sorry...my phone went nuts and posted about a million times. And I can't delete....sorry!

We are ALL sending you positive healing vibes! You WILL get through this , and on track to start your journey as it should have been from the start! Prayers and blessings being sent your way!

We are ALL sending you positive healing vibes! You WILL get through this , and on track to start your journey as it should have been from the start! Prayers and blessings being sent your way!

We are ALL sending you positive healing vibes! You WILL get through this , and on track to start your journey as it should have been from the start! Prayers and blessings being sent your way!

We are ALL sending you positive healing vibes! You WILL get through this , and on track to start your journey as it should have been from the start! Prayers and blessings being sent your way!

Ah, my blog is woefully lagging behind! I'm spending too much time here on VST! LOL Maybe I'll do a little updating....

I love those little babies! I'm just about to start mushies.....but I can't wait until I'm able to have Babybels! We buy the 22 pack at costco and it's certainly much cheaper that way. My husband loves them too, so he's eating my share until I'm back in action again (LOL). There's just something about pulling the wax off of them that makes me feel like a kid again.....and that satisfying feeling of sinking your teeth into the little round ball..........hmm. Can you tell I miss solid food?

I bought one while I was in San Diego, just before my surgery (bought at Brookstone). They don't sell them here in Canada, but you can order it and have it delivered. I figured I would save the shipping cost this way! I've been using it regularly every day. You set up your profile online and it uploads your "stats" everytime you come within 15 ft of the base (which is tiny, by the way), which must be connected to your computer (with Internet). The Fitbit itself is very small. You really can have it clipped to your pants, carry in your pocket and even clipped to your bra (down in between the girls! ) It reports steps walked, distance traveled (in miles), floors climbed (stairs), calories burned (based on your profile settings) and your general activity level for the day (a flower with a stem and petals....the more active you are, the more petals and taller your flower!). It even has a stopwatch feature (if you hold the button...and it only has one button!). Then you can time how long it takes you to go a certain distance and try to improve your speed over time. It won't track your stopwatched times though, you have to do that yourself. It will even track your sleep patterns for you! You can wear the Fitbit on your arm (it comes with a comfortable wrist sleeve) while you sleep and it keeps track of how many times you woke up in the night! I really like the online profile and "dashboard". It gives you (at a glance) your stats for the current day and you can look back at any specific day or range (say the last month). It graphs things, lets you earn "badges" for goals and achievements (which you can set for yourself!) and also lets you connect with other Fitbit "friends" who you can compare results with (you set the privacy level you wish to disclose). There is also an area on the online profile that lets you log food, other activities, your heartrate, blood pressure, body measurements, glucose measurements. It's got alot going on and you use as little or as much of what's available as you wish! And, best of all, there are also iPhone and Android apps that let you view and update your profile, food, activities, Water intake, etc. online using your phone! I love mine and I can't wait until my of my friends start using them so we can "friend" online and have some friendly competition/motivation!