lollyfidy1965

Well...that will depend entirely upon the post-surgical diet plan you've been given (assuming you intend to follow it "to the letter"). I had to wait until I was released to reintroduce real food (as opposed to "soft/pureed/etc) to attempt any fresh veggies (and I was dying to have some!). That happened at about 8 weeks post-op. I'm still only able to eat cucumbers after removing the seeds (just scrape a spoon down the center of a cuke sliced in half...very easy). I ate canned green beans when I was eating "soft" foods...because they're cooked half to death prior to canning. Thinly sliced deli meats (including ham) fell into my "soft" phase...but not in a sandwich. My plan discourages the use of breads, pastas, rice, and potatoes throughout the losing phase, post-op....because they're too high in simple carbs, and because the first three tend to expand in the stomach, reducing your ability to eat the Protein you need to be eating. Salad falls under "fresh veggies" for me. When I was released for fresh veggies, I was told to only eat "shredded or finely chopped lettuce," to make it easier for my sleeve to digest. Again...your individual nutritionist should be able to give you plan-specific recommendations regarding each of your questions.

Perhaps this has already been suggested here (I've not read every post), but if you call the old dentist's corporate office, and threaten them with the words "insurance fraud" I'd be willing to bet it won't take 6 months for them to review, and pay, the refund to your insurance company. Better yet, if you have a friend who happens to be a lawyer, have them make that call. Sorry for all your frustrations....I hope all turns out well for you!! Laura

This might seem like a silly response, but my suggestion would be to reach out to your nutritionist, and see if they can offer any suggestions (re additional food options you could have now)...as well as an answer to your question. As Gustavo points out...."normal" is a relative term. Do you mean "normal food" (as in not liquids/mushy/soft/pureed foods)? Do you mean "normal amounts" (as in anything resembling how much you ate prior to surgery)? Based on my own research, conversations with my surgeon and nutritionist, and the post-surgical plan that comes with my program, I understand that I, personally, will never be able to eat "normally" again....at least in terms of many types of foods, and quantities, eaten prior to my surgery. And I'm very ok with that. Best of luck to you!

That's what I call (and have heard called in the medical community) acid reflux that a person experiences...even though they're being medicated for acid reflux. In other words, the acid level "breaks through" the effects of the medication being taken.

I had terrible reflux immediately following surgery, and came home with a prescription for liquid Zantac. At 3 weeks post-op I developed breakthrough reflux, and had a daily Prevacid solutab added to my meds. (In addition to that, I was bumped back to full liquids for an additional 3 weeks.) Today, I'm 10 weeks post-op, still taking both meds, and haven't had another moment of acid reflux. Make your surgeon aware of your issue, and ask for something to take (or something additional, if you're already taking something for acid). Don't take anything OTC without clearing it with your surgeon first. Best of luck to you!

I hope you took a moment, privately, to share your feelings with him. I'll assume the best, and think he wasn't even aware of what he said, or how it would affect you...but he really needs to be more conscious of his words...at least until you've gotten past the point of caring (quite so much) about what you can't have. I went through periods of anger related to what I will never be able to eat again (even if that "never" is strictly by my own choice), but it has gotten much better. I want so badly to be at a healthy weight....and that far outweighs any fleeting desire I might have for a particular (and unhealthy) food item! Best of luck to you!!

It would depend entirely on where the lump was. If it was on the part of the stomach that would've been used to create the sleeve, the wall of the stomach (in that area) may no longer be strong enough to be integral to a sleeve. (A thin spot in the wall would (I would think) be more likely to rupture, or leak, post-op.) If I were in your position, and determined to do whatever it took to get my weight off, I would go with the bypass procedure. When I went through the process of evaluating procedures, I was actually going to have a gastric bypass. After long discussion with my surgeon, however, he convinced me to go with the sleeve. The tipping point in my decision process was the decreased risk of malabsorption issues (commonly seen in bypass patients). In reality, though, if you take ALL the supplements prescribed by your doctor, and following the guidelines for diet after the bypass procedure, you should be fine in that regard. I hope it was biopsied, and that it all turns out to be negative. Keep us posted on your decision!! Laura

Gotcha. In that case, I'd be sure to clear it with my surgeon before taking...just to be on the safe side!

Doesn't Midol have ibuprofen in it? If so, its off-limits for me....my surgeon doesn't allow NSAIDs of any kind after surgery (increased risk for marginal ulcers, which are very nasty).

When I was in the hospital, recovering from surgery, I had a roommate who was in for the repair of a marginal ulcer...caused by her taking 2 Advil. My surgeon doesn't allow it...because of the increased risk for marginal ulcers...and, having seen her pain, I'll take his advice and skip NSAIDs altogether.

My taste did change, at least in regards to some things. Something you might try...Manishevitz (sp) chicken consommé, with a scoop of Unjury chicken broth protein powder mixed in. The chicken consommé is the only brand/type of chicken "broth" I truly enjoy...its got a wonderful flavor (like matzah ball soup, but without the matzah balls!!).

My suggestion would be that you call your surgeon, or your primary care doctor, to be sure you get an accurate explanation for the way you're feeling. And make sure you mention that your vitamins were making you feel nauseous...maybe they can give you a recommendation for an alternate that won't bother you. Best of luck!

Yeah...another item that isn't on my post-surgical diet plan...pasta, of any kind.

Uhhh....milkshakes are not on my post-surgical diet plan. Period. If I want something that reminds me of a milk shake, I drink an ice cold chocolate Muscle Milk Lite...8 oz has just 100 calories, its sugar free, and packs 15 grams of Protein. Its all about making healthy choices

Sorry if this sounds tough, but.....You might want to take a second look at your diet recommendations from your nutritionist/surgeon...I'm betting neither of those is on it. Do yourself a HUGE favor, and do your best to make HEALTHY food choices! Your sleeve isn't going to cast a magic spell, and cause you to lose weight. Your weight loss is entirely dependent upon your ability to eat healthfully, both in terms of content, and quantity. (And I totally understand cravings....I've been jonesing for a corn dog for a couple weeks...I just haven't gone and gotten one!!) Best of luck to you

Let's hope not!! LOL

I've never been a user of aspartame (it gives me horrible migraines), but I'm definitely not eating as many carbs as before surgery. I've read information about carbs, chemicals, etc causing issues with memory, but I've also read that ghrelin (the hormone produce by your stomach, and which causes us to experience "hunger") has a positive impact on memory...and that some people find they have diminished memory, post-VSG. I'm hoping it'll be a wash for me, and that my memory won't change much, one way or the other.

Welcome! I think pain is a purely individual thing. For me, I had some minor complications, immediately following my surgery, and ended up staying in the hospital for 6 days. After the third day I only needed my pain meds (I was still on a pump at that point) to help me sleep at night. The fifth night I didn't use anything, and didn't use any of the pain meds they gave me when I came home (not even Tylenol). But, I have a relatively high tolerance for pain (lifetime migraines and chronic lower back pain). When I was on full liquids (from the day I came home from the hospital) I enjoyed chocolate Muscle Milk Lite (its sugar free), decaf hot tea, powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chicken broth flavored Protein powder (especially when made with chicken broth instead of straight water), whipped cottage cheese, unsweetened applesauce, Gelatein 20 (a high-protein Gelatin...20 grams of protein in a 4oz cup), and cream of tomato Soup (made with skim milk). I never actually "pureed" anything, when I got to that stage. I ate a lot of tuna salad, and fish, ground turkey, fat-free (but not whipped) cottage cheese, hummus, thinly sliced deli meats (turkey, chicken, and roast beef...all very lean and low-sodium)...anything "soft", "ground", or easily flaked. I was initially on this stage for a week, then developed breakthrough acid reflux. When I called my surgeon about it, he added a daily Prevacid solutab to my meds, and put me back on full liquids for an additional 3 weeks. (I still ate fish and tuna salad, and had no problems with that.) Everyone who is anyone in my life knows I've had surgery. I've been very open about it, and don't bother myself with what anybody else thinks. On the whole, I've found people to be very supportive, and thrilled with my progress so far. I make jokes about my eating...when waitresses look at me funny, because I don't order anything to drink, or when I ask them nicely to please only put 2 oz of fish, and 2 TBSP of veggies, on my plate, and to please put the rest in a to-go box before bringing it to the table...and it takes all the discomfort out of the situation. I felt an increase in energy within 2 weeks of surgery, although I still had days (for several more weeks) during which I had NO energy. I began walking on a treadmill 10 days after my surgery, and progressed to walking an hour (at 3.0 mph) twice a day, each time followed by an hour of Water aerobics. Yeah...call me crazy, but I am thoroughly LOVING losing this weight!! My complications were related to increased inflammation in my sleeve, immediately following surgery. The morning after surgery, I was taken for a leak test, during which they found my stomach so inflamed the dye wasn't able to pass through...at all! I went back to my room, they put an NG tube back down my throat, and left it in another 4 days. I was NPO during that entire time...not even ice chips to suck on...in order to give my sleeve time to settle down, and the inflammation to resolve. The evening of the 5th day they removed the NG tube, and let me try sips of water during the night. The following morning they allowed me to move to Clear Liquids, and I enjoyed some beef broth. (I tried Jello that day, but it didn't feel "good" going down...I still haven't had regular jello. LOL) The day after shifting to clear liquids I was moved to "full liquids", and allowed to drink my first Protein shake (I love the chocolate Muscle Milk Lite!). When I had no problems with that, they decided to let me go home (YAY!). With the exception of the wicked bad acid reflux (which I never had prior to surgery), I have had no problems at all. I follow my surgeon's/nutritionist's directions, take tiny bites, chew them like crazy, and take 30-45 minutes to eat my meals....and I'm steadily losing weight. If you, or your husband, have any additional questions, feel free to reach out...I'm happy to lend any help I can. Laura

Nice! I went to a physical therapy appointment, this past Thursday, with someone I had sessions with back in March/April (2 months before my surgery, when I was at my highest weight). She said "You look like you've lost a little weight in your face." I smiled and said "Thanks! I've lost 90 pounds from all over...including my face!" LOL She was stunned, and couldn't get over the difference!

I've already had to go bra shopping...dropped from a 50F to a 46DD. I couldn't be happier...and love having more options when I go shopping!!

And try sweetening with Splenda, or Splenda brown sugar, to eliminate the use of simple sugars (table sugar, or honey). Personally, I love oatmeal, but don't eat it now. It's far too many carbs for me...kicks me right out of ketosis.

The only time I've experienced that feeling has been when I've eaten too quickly. Slowing down, and taking very small bites, works wonders!

When I'm "full" I'm ok....the problem is "OVERfull"!! When I've had as little as one nibbly bite too much my chest (like behind my sternum) starts to HURT...it becomes difficult to take in a deep breath...it feels like there is food filling my esophagus...I start burping non-stop...it's extremely uncomfortable, and can last as long as an hour or 90 minutes. I try to avoid the feeling as much as possible by taking small bites, and eating very slowly. A "comfortable full" feels much the same as before surgery. But now I find I miss that point very easily if I don't eat slowly (to give my body the time it needs to recognize that it's full)...because it really is as little as one bite between "omfortable full" and "I want to die OVERfull"!! Best of luck!

Before making a medical decision based on how you "feel", or on someone's opinion on this website, call your surgeon, and ask them for their opinion.

I'm also having more of an opposite issue. Some things (foods in particular) smell awful to me now. I think it's related to my lack of appetite....my body's reaction to not wanting food put into it. Makes it challenging to eat out, where you have no control over the smells around you.