karenb4729

I would say to take it a bit easier first. My instructions as I go through each phase say that if there is anytime when I'm not tolerating a food to just back up. Are you able to eat yogurt? Its a good protein source and one that's easy on the sleeve.

I'm so sorry to hear that you are dealing with the acid reflux! I have had GERD for a few years and boy, its the worst feeling ever. Since my surgery I have been able to keep things pretty calm with doubling my dosage of my Omeprazole but in your case I'm guessing they have already tried that with you. I can tell you that if I was dealing wtih this everyday with no relief and surgery would offer relief -I would do it.

Have you talked to your nutritionist about this? They can look at what you are eating and give you guidance.

My Doctor doesn't do leak tests other than while you are still in surgery. I wouldn't worry - if you had a leak you would know it!

So from my consult to my surgery here in the States was a little over 2 months but most of that was due to the timing of all the different tests that were required. I wouldn't have done it any other way. In fact, because i'm over 50 one of the required tests was a colonoscopy which I had been avoiding for the past 4 years. I'm so thankful that I was required to get that test because they discovered 6 pre-cancerous polyps that were removed. If I hadn't been required to go through that as part of the surgery I probably would have postponed it until I got closer to 60 and according to the Gastro and My PCP - I would probably be looking at colon cancer. Truely, this surgery has saved my life!! Anyway - went in for consult on 3/27 and surgery was on 6/4.

I think what makes this surgery hard is the lack of support from people if you mention that you are having weight loss surgery. I have told very few people because in the past when I mentioned WLS they were all horrified too that I would think of "mutilating" my body for no good reason... after all if I diet on my own and stick to it I would love the weight. Anyway - I learned that the only person that can really support me, is me!! My husband is supportive but clueless but I will take it anyway.

I'm sorry to hear about the problems you are having. If you are on an IV then your weight gain is probably related to fluid retention. At this point you should just focus on getting better and don't worry about what the number on the scale says.

I agree with the others on those hospital oz size cups. My Doctor wanted me to get in 32oz a day and slowly work up to the 64oz so it didn't seem as big of a task. Also, any of your liquids used for you Protein counts too. It was the one part of the surgery that I was concerned about as I'm not a big liquid drinker - in fact, I drink more liquid now than pre-surgery.

Oh that's kind of scary. I start pureed next week and I sure hope this doesn't happen as I try other food. All you need is one experience with it and then you pray it doesn't happen again.

I'm also 2 days away from pureed and have pretty much planned out my menus for next week. I can't wait to have something with some flavor that ISNT sweet. Eggs with little ketchup sound wonderful.

Congratulations! I remember feeling slightly nauseated and nervous when I got my approval. I went back and forth so many times because the idea of surgery just terrified me. I was so tempted to run out of the pre-surgery area.... but, I also know that no diet is going to work for me for the long term and I want to get rid of my CPAP machine, my GERD, and the potential of a multitude of other weight related problems. I'm 54 years old and now is the time to make a change so I can still enjoy the years I have left!

My Dr doesn't do the leak test either, he prefers not to stress the suture line when you are first sleeved so he does a test while you are still in surgery and he does put in liquid and goes over the entire suture line. I think what you are feeling is gas from the broccoli in the soup - broccoli is known to produce a lot of gas. Maybe try a different soup.

You do look great and I can really tell the difference. I'm impressed - a 3 mile walk at 2 months - that's awesome! I'm two weeks out and can barely make it through the grocery store. When did you start getting some of you endurance back after your surgery?

Hi Sandy, I'm only on liquids right now because I was just sleeved on 6/4 - do get to start the pureed phase next week but will have to do that for weeks. I just wanted to say hi because I'm from Lynnwood. Who was your surgeon?

I have had mine since January and love it! I had surgery almost 2 weeks ago and haven't used it since I have been home but next week might be a good week to get it out and get back in the grove.

I quit in 2004 and realized at that time that I couldn't have one cigarette pass my lips because I would be right back to a pack a day in no time. It was the best thing I ever did for myself and one of the things that I used in preparing for this surgery. After all, if I could quit smoking, which was something that I really loved to do, then I could quit eating food that wasn't good for me. Now that I have said all that I do find a passing craving for a cigarette now and then, its usually when I spot a butt on the ground that was barely smoked.... never in my smoking life would I have picked a butt up off the ground but in my non-smoking life its been a temptation... go figure!

Unjury gets a thumbs up from me!! I don't know how I would make my daily protein level without their chicken broth.

Oh yea, my morning routine right now is to open my Prilosec in some SF pudding, adding into it a few of my other meds. Mix it up and .... yuck!

Have you tried Lactose free milk? I am a big milk drinker and am glad that i can tolerate the lactose free milk.

Maybe you have some water retention going on? I'm always frightened when I step on the scale that I would see the number go up.. it must be part of the old dieting cycle we have been in.

Thanks for letting me know! My favorite RTD is the Cytopsport Whey Isolate in the tropical flavor. Vitamin Shoppe is the only place I know that carries this brand and it taste so much better than Isopure.

I love my husband, he has been by me through thick and thin... well maybe more thick than thin. Anyway he has been great through all of this but I am really really frustrated because his cooking is just killing me. I'm 1 week post op and of course on full liquids but here I sit on the couch while he is cooking away for his dinner. It smells so wonderful and my husband is a vocal cook-all I hear is yum, that tastes good, etc. I hate to nag him about keeping it to himself because he has been such a great support but its driving me crazy.

I remember saying that I wish I could wake up a month later.... I really am not all that fond of pain. That being said, it hasn't been a horrible experience. Yes, I had the drain but since I had very little Fluid coming from it my Doctor took it out the day I left the hospital. He really asesses each patient individually. The pain is pretty much the same as a previous laprascopic surgery so that wasn't too surprising and I made sure that I got plenty of drugs for nausea. I found I was much more comfortable sleeping in the recliner in the hospital - the bed bothered my back. I wasn't allowed up for 24 hrs after the surgery because I had a big blood loss but once up the walking was ok, as long as I clamped a pillow to my belly. The best thing I think that I did for myself in the hospital was to have an ice pack consistently on my stomach. Maybe it's more mental but I think it helped my stomach from becoming too swollen. Ice chips were also my friend. You are going to do great!! Now at 10 days out I can say things are getting lots better!

I agree with the others about low carb. When I first met with my Dr he said one of his requirements was that I lose 5% of my body weight before surgery. I nearly cried because I had been trying to lose weight since the beginning of the year and had only lost 10 lbs following a 1200 calorie a day diet. But, the other thing my Dr requires is a pre-op diet of 30 total carbs or less per day so I figured that I would start that early. Low and behold the weight just started melting off and in fact I orginally went into his office weighing 258 and the day of surgery I was 229, almost 30lbs lost. It was easier to stay on the diet knowing what the goal was in the end but it also made me realize why I needed the surgery.... without the incentive of the surgery I would not have stayed on the diet. You will get there - I just know it!!

I'm doing STD as well. At work I actually have up to 26 weeks paid at 100%. My Doctor requested that I be off 4 weeks. The first week I was requied to use my sick leave and then everything else will be covered under STD. I'm not sure why anyone would want to use up their vacation if this is an option to them.