Webchickadee

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!

I learned to ride when I was 18 and owned 3 bikes before I had a terrible accident (at age 29) (just me....hit something small on the road, slide onto a dirt shoulder and flew about 30 feet into the ditch!). That was 13 years ago and I broke my wrist (needed a plate inserted), broke 3 ribs and punctured my lung, ruptured my spleen, dislocated my shoulder and had crazy-bad road-rash (think burn-dressings for a month afterwards just to get them to heal enough for regular bandages) on my elbows and knees. And as if that wasn't enough, I must have had a small gallstone I wasn't aware of. The force of the crash impacted the stone into the wall of the gall bladder where it festered. A month later, I was admitted back into hospital with a burst gall bladder, septicemia, and EXCRUCIATING pain. I nearly died! Gall bladder bits were removed (my first laparoscopic surgery!) and I eventually recovered. Luckily no long term effects (and thank God, no head injury, though my helmet was caved in on the side!). I swore that day to my family that I would never ride again. That doesn't stop me from wanting a bike again, especially every spring when I see them first appear after the long cold winter. There's a reason they call motorcyclist's "organ donors". And most of the time it's not even due to our own negligence in riding. It's circumstances, other drivers, etc. But there's no protection, and too dangerous, in my opinion. If I had kids, I wouldn't even consider it.

Do you have a fever? Diarrhea? Vomiting? Nausea? It could be the flu, which when it causes fever can also cause "heart flutters". Could also be anemia (when was the last time you had blood work done? Are you taking Iron supplements since your VSG surgery?). These are some benign causes of heart flutter, but there are more serious ones (heart disease, overactive thyroid, etc.). So I think you might want to get checked out. And I probably wouldn't wait around....sooner rather than later is wise where heart questions are concerned. Especially if it turns out to be nothing serious.....and you spend time worrying for nothing! If you do have the flu, you might need some medical care, as you can get dehydrated quickly this early following your surgery and that will probably land you in the ER to get an IV. So be proactive! And feel better soon. Let us know how things go.....

I would say yes. But to be on the safe side, why don't you figure out how many servings you require prior to surgery and only take that amount? And leave the rest home. That way you don't have to worry about bringing it back home. You won't be drinking protein right away after surgery anyways (you'll be on clear fluids for the first little while).

Count me in!

Deepest condolences on your terrible and sudden loss! I know you've been planning and looking forward to your surgery, but right now your world has shifted right beneath your feet. You need to focus on your family and your own emotional health. There will be time for your physical health to be the first priority, and you will know when that time is just right. I am certain your surgeon will understand. This surgery requires your full attention, dedication and the wide support of your friends and family to be successful long-term. At the moment, none of you are ready to do that.....you need time to mourn, to heal and to understand what your lives will look like going forward from today. There's no way to know how it will all go......just take each day and each moment as they come and know that love surrounds you in your loss and in your recovery from this shock. I lost my mother suddenly and unexpectedly and my brother 5 months later. It took a VERY long time to "normalize" after that. My thoughts, prayers and support are with you.

Pain, fever...if you had a leak, you wouldn't be "thinking about calling your doctor". You'd be in the ER demanding attention (or your family would be on your behalf). You would be DEATHLY ill! A VERY strong chance that your symptoms are not a leak, but please, do get checked out tomorrow. Just try not to drive yourself crazy worrying about that tonight (unless you DO have a high fever, excruciating pain and feel deathly ill....which I pray you don't!)

Congrats! Woohoo! Keep up the FANTASTIC work! Onederland is about 96 lbs away for me (I'd LOVE to get there by my birthday, Oct. 20), but that's a pretty aggressive timeline. I'll take what I can get. I can't wait until I can start working out and really rockin this sleeve! Walking is good, but I would love to swim and start weights and cardio. Just another 4 weeks and I'm joining the YMCA (and signing up my hubby too!).

If you're allowed full liquids, you could try having a Protein shake. It will definitely make you less hungry. Take VERY VERY tiny sips. It will take you a long time to get through a whole shake, but you'll be less hungry and cranky. I started on Protein shakes a bit earlier than I was supposed to (allowed at 10 days post-op, but I started at 7 days post-op) because I had no energy. I still had the pain for the first 2 days of shakes, but it was worth it! My energy went up, my hunger pangs diminished significantly and eventually the pain went away too. Just a thought.....you know you're body best! If it hurts too much, or you react poorly......stop!

Sounds almost identical to my experience on the day of surgery on May 14th! So today, you are no doubt sleeping a fair bit, may have already had a shower (so nice, but very tiring!) and walking the halls with your trusty IV pole, getting ride of gas! I was in room 211! Don't forget to use your incentive spirometer (the little 3 ball breathing thingy) as often as possible. And get as many of the balls up (and stay up for a second at least), as often as you can. Very important to re-inflate those lungs! Good luck and keep us posted!

I had this too. Mine was mostly after I took a drink (even small sips, but was worse with bigger sips). And DAMN was it painful. Sometimes I would wince so badly my husband would turn white, thinking he was about to take me to the hospital! It went away after 7-8 days post-op for me. I think it was the swollen and raw stomach just "cramping" when anything hit it. Yours could even be reacting to any saliva you're swallowing (!). If it continues on for much longer, contact your doctor for advice. If you're not satisfied with the answers you get, go to the emerg and tell them what's going on. They can run tests to make sure all is well with the sleeve.