KS Fort Worth

I'm 12 days post-op, on full liquids. I mix one can of cream-based heart healthy soup with one can skim milk and one scoop protein powder, mix that in the Bullet, and put it in the 'fridge to settle out. I then heat 2 to 2-1/2 ounces in the microwave every 15 to 30 minutes (slowly - if you go over 130-140 degrees the protein coagulates.) I also drink the protein shakes I was using pre-surgery, and enjoy a few ounces of coffee in the morning. All that and plenty of water. As long as I don't drink too quickly, I can get all the water I need, even as hot as it's been.

Probably for the same reason I am, REAL FOOD, and they taste good! Only 10 days postop, so I've got a wait, but I DO want eggs and a bite of toast! Hang in there, we'll make it!

July 17th? At only 15 days out, you're still in the healing phase, so be sure to take care of that end of things first. You're doing fine, but you do NOT want to jeopardize your long-term health for the sake of a few extra pounds lost now. Be patient, this is a lifelong change, not a six-week miracle diet.

Be thankful though, in that if your surgeon was not confident in his ability to make it work and had tried anyway, disaster would have followed. Perhaps your new surgeon will have more experience with revisions. Good luck!

I got some of the GNC Pro Performance unflavored and used that in my broth during the clear liquids stage to get my protein up. Got to where I just about couldn't stomach it anymore, but I tolerated it fine. Transitioned to full liquids yesterday, six days post-op, and find that the GNC powder mixed in with the strained cream-based heart healthy soups is quite doable. I've used it it cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, and cream of celery. I find it works better to make a whole can in advance (using our Bullet, then strain it) and let the foam settle for a few hours. Then I just heat 2 ounces at a time. I wouldn't want to drink this for the rest of my life, but it's not too bad, and still better than the BariEssentials protein shakes. Those were fine before surgery, but now just taste too sweet.

If your surgeon is out of state but agrees it needs attention, any competent local doctor should be able to apply new sutures. Yes, it's surgery-related, but at this point it's just a belly wound. I would imagine even an urgent-care clinic could take care of that.

Agreed, but the poster I was responding to (tamantha0) is only 4 days post-op. Healing is more important than weight loss right now, IMO.

Definitely call your doctor. I do find it interesting that my doctor's instructions also said neosporin, but the discharge nurse emphasized leave it open to air. My surgeon used staples to close mine, what did yours use?

Lots of water, and just keep telling yourself it's only one day. Keep your eye on the prize and don't worry too much about the moment. You WILL make it!

If you have an open wound, it's a no-brainer. Tell your boss you still have an open wound, take some extra time, AND talk to your doctor to find out why it hasn't closed. After almost three weeks, that does not sound right.

Calories are not the most important thing right now, PLEASE make sure you're well hydrated. Dehydration can also make you feel lightheaded, and slows the healing process. get your liquids in first for now, and add calories and proteins later.

You must decide what is more important to you - instant gratification, or your health?

I learned recently, when your body is losing weight rapidly and goes into ketosis, your mouth actually makes acetone. Seems reasonable this would affect the way things taste. If you have that icky white film on your tongue, get a tongue brush or scraper. I also recommend Therabreath mouthwash. It helps cut the 'film' that seems to form on the teeth.

I feel fortunate in that my massage therapist also has a sleeve, and has been an invaluable source of information! She's quite the inspiration too. She was sleeved last September, has lost over 100 pounds and runs marathons!

You should kick those anyway. Even the artificial sweeteners of the diet versions screw with your blood sugar levels, from what I've read.

@Justine13 - If you're using it and have less than a year, that's great! You clearly have a good employer who's going above the requirements of the law. But legally, FMLA requires 1 year service AND at least 1,250 hours worked in that year AND the employer must have at least 50 employees within 75 miles. There's nothing in the FMLA act that requires them to give you PAID leave beyond what you're entitled to otherwise, they just cannot fire you for taking the time off. You still must use sick leave, vacation days, PTO, or whatever you have to avoid losing pay for the time you are off.

@@@ HAPPY DANCE ! ! ! ! @@@

That is correct. There are some other stipulations as well. How long have you been working there? Are you past any probationary period? If not, bear in mind an employer needs NO REASON to fire you if you are in probationary status. If that is true, it may be worth putting it off a few months. http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/fmlaen.pdf

Awesome! I'm sure you'll have many more great milestones in short order. **happydance**

As a supervisor, she should respect your right to privacy. You're right to want to tell her in advance, and that shows maturity on your part, and respect for your coworkers. I can't advise you exactly on the timing, but I told my supervisors about two months out (since our schedule is not 9-5) and told my coworkers two weeks out. That being said, if your six-month process is one that has to start over if you miss an appointment, and you think there is a chance of someone sabotaging that process, you might wait until you have approval and then tell her. Adjusting a surgery date is much easier than starting over. When you finally DO tell her, be confident in your tone. You KNOW it's the right thing to do, that attitude should come through in your conversation. I think your decisiveness will impress your boss. I received nothing but encouragement from my bosses and coworkers (save one) but I don't work with a bunch of high school mentality folks. (JUNIOR High sometimes... )

Feel pretty darn good! I feel blessed that I've been fairly pain-free, only using my prescription the first two nights at home so I could sleep easier. The only nausea I had was the morning after surgery, and only lasted a few minutes. I'm sure it was just a post anesthetic reaction, but they gave me some nausea medicine in my IV. I've already progressed from clear liquids to full liquids, thank God! I'm not sure how much more broth mixed with protein powder I could stand.

Six days post op, down six pounds, and I just realized that yesterday I went from "severely obese" to just "obese." I still have a long way to go, but i started out "morbidly obese" in February, and have not been this light in TWENTY YEARS! Not that long ago I thought I'd never be here again.

I was sleeved last Tuesday, and my best preop diet advice is to start cutting your meal size now if you haven't already, and work on getting as many carbs out of your diet as you can. My surgeon required a strict 2 week preop diet of protein shakes for all the nutrition, with unlimited zero calorie liquids. I SO want to succeed that I have been slowly cutting back since March, and it was not nearly the shock to my system going to all liquids that it might have been. Even at my "last meals" I avoided gorging myself, savoring the flavors and keeping my eye on the prize. When your body enters ketosis, your mouth will taste and feel funky. Therabreath does help a lot; I found that recommended here.

You're going to be quite the inspiration to other young people to take control of their eating lives, and stop letting it control you. I considered weight loss surgery years ago, but convinced myself I could lose it on my own. I failed. So, like so many others here, my only regret so far is not doing this sooner.

I misspelled it, but ghrelin is a hormone that your stomach produces that triggers hunger. It is mostly produced by the greater curvature of the stomach, which is excised as a part of the sleeve operation.