Webchickadee

As you said, everyone is different! I had my surgery on May 14th and didn't need any pain meds after day 2. I have slight pulling when I turn the wrong way, but I can roll around in bed without problem. Also no throwing up for me (not even once!) and I'm getting much much better at drinking too. I don't chug the way I used to, but I can take several reasonably-sized mouthfuls one after the other and no real discomfort or pain during or after. I'm starting to introduce thinned out cream of wheat, so that might give me a better idea what my stomach size is. And I've had some "hunger" that was really more like pain from too much acid, that was resolved by eating a bite or two, or having a drink. I do take 2 omaprazole capsules every night to help control acid. So if you wanted to hear about someone else who's doing pretty well (even if it's a bit further along than you), you got me!

I'm so glad this topic was posted. I've been having this issue as well, but too shy to post about it! I am currently 8 days post-op (May 14) and have been having yellow liquid BMs since day 4 post-op. They are quite odourous as well! Initially I thought it might be a reaction to the barium I drank for the swallow test on day 3 post-op, but it's been 5 more days since, and they are still happening. Sometimes it is right after eating or drinking (not usually after Water though). Other times it's hours after eating. I go about 4-5 times a day. It makes it tricky to keep hydrated, since I seem to be losing quite a bit of hydration this way! I also had my gall bladder out 13 years ago and have had digestive issues ever since. Quite normally (though not always), approx. 30 min after eating most meals, I had a sudden urgent need to go to the bathroom and it was often very loose. I didn't get sweats, flushing or the shakes (then, or now). I am assuming (and hoping!) that once I get to mushy and then solid foods that my BMs will settle down, become more solid, less frequent and more normal in composition and colour!

Sleeve-sister...just saw your post! So sorry you're having this issue! I've had a few minor things, but honestly, everything's gone pretty well. I am confident that they will be able to dilate your stricture and you'll be back on the easy road again. Keep the faith. I am just like you.....always wanting to find out everything, and then planning for the worst to happen. And it never does (almost never).....and I've worried myself into a tizzy needlessly. Just look forward to the fix and then a quick recovery and back on the journey towards your new healthy, slimmer you. You did this for your 17 month old, so you can enjoy a long, healthy life together. I'm sure it will work out well. Just keep the faith that this is just a little "bobble" in the road. Hugs to you!

OMG, that could have been me posting tonight! I am 1 week out today and I am SICK TO DEATH of the liquids. I did it pre-op for 2 week, so this makes 3 now. and I too would give ANYTHING to chew and swallow some real food. My poor husband had to listen to me all day today (he's a saint and never said anything but encouragement). I know it's dangerous. I know I shouldn't (and won't) stray from the diet. BUT GOD, DO I WANT TO!

Ditto on the thanks for the support. I could not have made the decision to have my sleeve without reading so much valuable, sincere and honest information that everyone here has posted. I'm now 4 days post-op and doing great. I'm at my hotel (been here since Wed!) and getting ready to fly home to Toronto tomorrow to see my wonderful hubby. Skype is great, but no substitute for his loving arms! Can't wait until I actually start to eat (mushies are better than nothing!) in about 2 weeks!

I had my sleeve done the day before yours (May 14th). Most of my stitches seem to be on the left side of my midline. I previously had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gall bladder), so I might have presented as a small challenge for my surgeon with some adhesions. That may be the difference. I have has some minor pain, but I'm off pain meds since day 3, and can now actually sleep on my right side and even on my left side for brief periods of time with minimal discomfort. Mostly I've got the most colourfull bruising that is still getting more distinct, but will probably start to fade in a few days. All in all, I feel pretty lucky that my pain has been minimial with the incisions. I do get some pain when drinking, not right when swallowing, but as the liquid goes down into the stomach. I think it's mostly when I've taken a slightly larger drink than I should. I find that if I take really tiny sips, it's all good. Some say this may be due to risidual gas as well, so I'm hoping it also starts to clear up over the next few days/week.

Be strong! My surgery is in a couple of hours too, and I am also alone at the hotel here in ! San Diego. I'm sure your hubby only fought with you because he's nervous and worried. He'll be at your bedside, I'm sure. You can do this! Be selfish and do this for YOU (rather than doing everything for your family, the way most of us women live our lives). If your health and happiness are good, everyone benefits! Chin up, sleeve-sister!

Getting ready to to to the airport! I can't believe I'm on my way! Just 2 days to my surgery....I'm nervous and super excited! Hubby's going to cry when he drops me at the airport (I just know it!). He's so sweet! I'll check in again from San Diego. Wish me luck!

Surgery day is finally here! Waiting to get picked up at my hotel and taken across the border. Apparently there was a long delay and the driver (Dr. Kelly's wife Cece!) has to drop off NJSharon at the airport first. Too bad, I thought I might get to meet her before she went back home! Apparently she had a perfect surgery and a flawless recovery. No gas, no pain. In fact, she's leaving me her Gas-X Strips. I looked in 6 different pharmacies here in San Diego, and no one had the strips, just tabs and gel pills. Thanks NJSharon! Hopefully I won't need then, just, like you, but knowing I have them is a huge relief. I'll check-in again after surgery.

So he didn't cry....but he has sent me 6 text messages in the last hour! LOL There's nothing wrong with a man who cries....I'd rather have a man who shows and shares his feelings than a stoic who never shows his humanity! I'm in the Maple Leaf Lounge (first time!). It's pretty nice, but I'm missing the chance to eat all the yummy food (for free!). They even have free alcohol (at 9 am!). Ah well, maybe next time.......(only little bites though...LOL). More updates coming later.

I'm right behind you dear! I leave for San Diego tomorrow morning and having my surgery on Monday! Same thoughts are already rolling around in my mind, but Lissa is absolutely correct. I lost 100 lbs using my own diet and exercise plan in 2006. Then my Mom passed away unexpected, followed 5 months later by my brother. The stress packed on the weight and I regained 80 lbs of that! Since then I lost 45 lbs for my wedding (which I promptly regained the year after.......) So we may be really good at losing, but keeping it off is impossible (at least for me). I NEED this surgery to help me stay at my idea weight and extend my life, give me back the ability to do the things I'm missing out on now, and to remember what it feels like to REALLY succeed when it comes to my health. We can do this!

I did a quick look online and found a product that might help you get more Protein in without dairy! It's a hemp-based product from a company called Nutiva. You can read more here: https://store.nutiva.com/hemp-protein/ and apparently it's even cheaper if you buy it from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Nutiva-Organic-Hemp-Protein-gram/dp/B001JU81ZG/ref=sr_1_1?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1336582480&sr=1-1 I haven't tried it myself (but I might need to after surgery......lactose intolerance could be in the cards for me too!). Just an idea that might work for you!

I'm really hoping that your last statement of regretting your surgery is something you can look back on in a year and say "yes, at the time that was true, but no more"! Once all these crazy complications and hurdles are passed (!), I'm hopeful this will be a good decision for the rest of your life. You just have to find a way to make it through each challenging day right now, so you can get to that happy place.

OMG, you have having the roughest time EVER! I am so sorry you're suffering so much with so many complications and difficulties! Hopefully the dairy sensitivity will pass in a few months and you'll be able to get back to all the diary goodness out there. Good luck and keep us posted. I'm following you closely and praying for a smoother ride for you very very soon!

I think it's probably because we actually consume alot more liquid in the average course of a day than we think we do. Just think about how often you get a pop, a coffee, something to drink with Breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc. And of course we have liquids in our meals as well. So plenty of fluids in the course of the average day. Now, we have a tiny stomach, so during our meals, we are not drinking (no room!). We can't just quickly guzzle down a bottle of Water when we're thirsty. We're not drinking the endless cans of soda we were before our VSG, and probably not having as much coffee, tea, etc. either. So we're getting dry.....alot more dry than we were when our stomachs were at our original size. I could be wrong, but this is what makes sense to me........can some of the local "experts" chime in on this?

My surgery is on Monday (14th) and I completely understand your misgivings! I'm in the same boat, rowing with you! I KNOW I need this surgery. I have struggled with my weight my entire life. I am 42 and with a family history of high blood pressure, diabetes and breast cancer, my good health is going to explode into multiple co-morbidities in the next 10 years if I don't do something NOW! I'm not worried about the pain from the surgery (it will be temporary). I'm more worried about the small yet very real chance that something will go wrong and I'll die either on the table or within a few days of the surgery. As I'm going out of country (Mexico) and alone (my husband can't get away to come with me, as much as he wants to!), I don't want to leave my husband with a mess to take care of if I'm suddenly gone! I know it's irrational, since the odds of anything going wrong are so very small. My health is very good right now, and I've chosen a top-notch surgeon. But it's still keeping me up at night! Sigh. I'll probably look back on this in a year and laugh. I'm going through with it..........I just have to get there and on the O.R. table (wish time would move faster!) so I can stop worrying!

Wow, killer morning! But on the bright side, after all that hassle, instead of getting yelled at for being late to your new job, and feeling like you've got off on the wrong foot, at least you now have another week get to into a routine and get some more rest. Try getting up at the usual time you will be getting up for work, all this week. Then you should have your morning routine in a pattern for when work REALLY begins, next week. And you'll have a better idea of how the trains and commute might go also, and can add some extra time into that commute planning for these transit headaches. Good luck!

Hey Raven8888 and 17jrs, I'm a May 14th sleever too! And let me reiterate as well katby, how much I appreciate you taking the time to post as well. I previously had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy after my gall bladder ruptured. So it was a big surgery that has probably left me with a lot of adhesions. My surgeon is prepared for that, but we won't really know how it will go until he's in there, looking around! So I'm a bit nervous, and reading your posts is definitely helping me have a better understanding of how things may go for me in 10 days! Keep getting better........one day at a time!

You look terrific! And I can see the top part of your "six pack" abs! That's is WAY WAY cool! Great job. Keep it up and you'll be at your "goal" soon enough, and there for life!

Funny you should mention that. We went to our PCP on Monday and asked her about getting a vasectomy for my hubby. We don't want kids (I have a 20 yr old stepson and an 84 yr old Dad with Alzheimer's to take care of .........that's got me more than busy!).

I hadn't thought about that! When msaprildawn mentioned she hadn't lost inches, I assumed she was taking body measurements! But based on clothing (especially + sizes), there is alot of variability with each size. For example, I think I could be +/- 20 lbs before I would have to change from my current size 28 (!) down to a 26, or up to a 30 (not going there ever!). But I think this shrinks as the size shrinks. I'm pretty sure as you get down in the lower 20's and high teens, that 15 lbs will force a change in size, and then the lower teens it's probably 10 lbs, and so on! I have a skinny friend who gains 5 lbs and complains that her clothes don't fit anymore (I think she's a size 2 or 4).

Right there with you! My hubby and I have talked about it and we're both looking forward to positive changes too!

Who would have ever guess that "play more hopscotch" would be one of your NSVs? LOL

Fantastic!

Don't forget, we have fat distributed all through our bodies. And most especially important, within our torso, around our vital organs! This is the most dangerous fat! So if you're losing weight, you're possibly losing it "internally" in a way that isn't being reflected on the scale, but is an important contributor to your improving your health! Also, it is possible (hopefully not!) that you're losing muscle in a larger percentage than preferred. Muscle is more dense than fat and therefore causes more weight loss, with less of an effect on inches. Basically, if you lose a certain volume of muscle, it may not be reflected in lost inches as much as if you lost the same volume in fat, but the scale will go down. After all, a pound is a pound, whether it is fat or muscle. But they look very different on the body! The best way to combat muscle loss is to make sure you've got sufficient Protein in your diet (which helps build muscle and guard aroud loss) and to regularly participate in rigorous exercise that not only builds your cardiovascular system, but also builds muscle (weight lifting, etc.). "Stay the course".......you're doing great!