Stacie

Wow, that is a weird response. Very condescending and not a sincere apology at all. But thanks for sharing! I am also going to make my album private.

Thanks everyone! I am overall doing really well. I have lost 63 pounds and am over half way to my goal. So that is wonderful. I am so happy to have the feeding tube and drain out and be able to shower normally. I am going through clothes so quickly, it is really fun to fit into things so nicely. It is just the eating thing. I try not to let it bother me, but then I realize the day is over and I haven't eaten anything and I don't want anything either! Which is fine if it weren't for that darn Protein issue! So thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and your food suggestions. I really appreciate it.

Can I eat pistachios? Cuz I got some today and they have teh crunch and protein and I am tolerating them. But are they okay for the tiny stomach?

Saying a prayer right this minute!!

I wanted to let you know that you are not alone, I just posted a similar concern and I am out from initial surgery about the same as you. I have zero appetite and no desire to eat, ever. I am unable to force myself with protein shakes. Today I ate a babybel cheese and that is it. And it is 3:40 pm. It is awful. I have no energy and really would like to work out...but it is just not happening. I am hoping it gets better soon!!!

Wow - this is great MG!! Congrats to you!! And I really know what you mean about liking clothes and before you know it they are too big! I am so used to trying to squeeze into pants, it is so weird!! You are doing so great - keep up the amazing work!

Thanks MidwestGirl! What are you eating now? Can you eat a taco? We should be in the same place now =(

I am not sure what to do. I never feel like eating. Nothing sounds good or tempting or even satiable. I can eat two to three spoonfuls and get full (and I am using baby spoons). I worry that my sleeve really shrunk during the time I was on the feeding tube. Essentially I had nothing in my mouth/stomach for 3 full months. And now that I can eat I am really struggling. My biggest concern is that I am not getting more than 20 g Protein in a day. I know this is horrible. I am not looking for a lecture. I am unable to get anything in. I have tried every Protein Drink. I literally throw up, walk around the house gagging and trying with all my willpower to keep one sip down. I have tried holding my nose, a straw, anything. I mix with Water, or milk, both make me sick. Surprisingly my labs last week were all fine. I was shocked by that, I wondered if my body is just really good! or if that is just still from the tube feedings. My nut says I can have any thing with protein, not to worry about carbs, etc. But even the premixed drinks (carnation, etc) make me really ill and nauseous. I just want to have something crunchy, when can I eat a chip and salsa? Or a tiny chicken wing? Ir a taco shell? please don't flame me! I haven't eaten in 4 months and I just can hardly take it anymore! But I am so scared to even try anything!!! Sorry this is going a few different directions, any suggestions are welcome. I was on full liquids for two weeks and now am doing mushies and trying to advance to more. My husband tries to get me to eat, you can have anything, just small amounts, but I am scared, why? I have no idea!!

Just wanted to let you know that I am thinking about you. I am so sorry that you have to deal with this complication. I hope that everything is resolved quickly.

Hey Lan2K! Thanks for the well wishes. Did they tell you to take a liquid only? I cannot drink that stuff. I bought that and used it in my feeding tube. I must be the pickiest taster ever. That should have tipped me off that this surgery wasn't for me in the first place. oh well. I like pills over liquid, but I don't want to do the wrong thing....

Hey Mary! Thanks for thinking of me! I am doing much better. Two weeks ago my leak was healed and I got my drain tube out. Today I got my feeding tube out! And I am eating my first mushies today! I had some FF refried Beans for lunch and I am trying a little pureed egg salad now. YUM!! This is the first decent food I have eaten since DEC 16th! It is so weird to think that!! I am excited to sleep tonight with no tubes to adjust, etc. So things are finally moving along, though I am still struggling with Protein drinks, and getting much of anything in. I think the surgery combined with 3 months of no food really shrunk my stomach something fierce. I can eat about 3 baby spoonfuls and I am full. But overall much better. Thanks so much for asking! I have had a headache today, but I hate to take anything. I can take most any size pills, got used to that early with all the antibiotics. So that shouldn't be a concern. I just don't want to upset my little tummy. Thanks!

My stomach stopped making those crazy noises about 2.5 months out, but it got less and less and now is fine. I am 3 months out and still feel some pain if I drink too much or too fast. No idea on the dizziness, make sure you are getting enough liquids and rest. Every month I have stopped losing the week before and the week of my period. Just quick answers, but I wish you all the best! Take care!

Just curious what you have found/been told is safe to take for a headache. Thanks! Stacie

I am wondering if there is a good lotion I should be using to help with loose skin...Do you use one you recommend? I have a recollection that someone said they used something that worked well, but now I can't remember the details. I lost so much muscle mass with two weeks in the hospital. And I am already really sagging. I figure lotion might not work, but it doesn't hurt to try!!

It looks like my leak is healed!! I had surgery on 12/24, but since I haven't eaten in 3 months, I assume I will start back up like I am a new post-op surgery. I will have to wait to hear from my surgeon and dietitian for more details. I am just still in shock right now. In all honesty, I have no desire to eat at all...that is pretty scary and kinda worries me. I will just take it slow and hope for the best!! Many thanks to all the people who having been praying for me. I really appreciate your concern. =) Stacie

Hi ladies, another WI girl here! Hope all is going well for both of you!! We should all get together and go shopping when we get to goal!!

I am freaking out a bit because there is a staple in my drain. This happened in the hospital too. Everyone dismissed it. But it freaked my DH out a lot. Friday my surgeon pulled my drain back quite a bit (6 inches). He thinks that the drain was close and keeping the leak open. Now we are concerned about an abscess forming, but that is just a risk I guess. I am back on antibiotics now (took off for a while due to the c diff) Could me entire staple line be coming undone? Still? I am well over 2 months out of surgery. Could it just be a staple that was sitting there and just happened to get sucked out now? I just found it and am so nervous. I am off to church and for a long day. Things have been going all right, but now I am a bunch of nerves. I know that I am not always positive here, but that is because I am working so hard to stay positive and upbeat at home. I appreciate you all for being a place I canb vent. I will call my doctor in the am, but I couldn't find anything related to what happens to the staples after surgery when I googled. Thanks.

I am sorry you are having trouble. Can I ask what your BP is? I am just curious, how low is low. But I think that the more serious issue is episodes, what are your symptoms for an episode? I hope they figure it out soon, it is so great that you are being proactive! ...and what are cheese poofs? =)

Hi all, I am still around. Surgeon pulled my drain back a little more yesterday. On Friday I will be doing another upper GI with the surgeon present. Next step sounds like EGD with fibrin or stent. Surgeon is reviewing my chart with the GI do who does the stents. I will talk to him more Friday. Thank you Cajun for the PM, and for everyone for their prayers. I am doing fine. Doing a lot of research (Bariatric journals,etc) and then get scared and stop. Just staying positive... hoping for no leak this Friday. And in more fun, my little girl (3 years) broke her arm last night, as DH and I were headed to a funeral. It is just a bit humorous if you think about it!! I feel proud to be doing my part for the health care system!!

Congratulations on your anniversary and all the lost weight! Wow ~ you look amazing!!!! Enjoy the new you!

I love these!! Totally lol at the crossing legs and needing to wedge your foot in somewhere! I hate that! Everyone is sitting down and I have to calculate where I can sit and use something to wedge my foot to keep it from flinging out! And shopping, yes, it would be fun to shop with all my friends, who are all thin and in shape, and be able to buy clothing! Instead of just picking up a pair of socks!! I am so looking forward to getting out of the plus sizes and the ugly clothes at Lane Bryant. Oh, I would love to wear sleeveless tops again! Also for me, I know so many have a hard time giving up food, but I am so excited to go out to parties, etc and just pick at a couple things, instead of spending time and energy trying to eat everything in sight without anyone noticing. I want to live a life where I am not controlled by food. Where I can spend my time thinking of something besides food. I want to have confidence to go volunteer in my children's school, without the self loathing. I want to go places and not spend the entire time thinking of how I am the biggest one in the room. Mostly I want to experience life without thinking about my weight continuosly. Without worrying about if my muffin top is showing, or trying to cover up my arms, or not wanting to do a family activity (going to the beach, taking a bike ride, etc) becaue of how I will look and feel. Ok, mine is so long, I should just make it a blog!

Yes Shontel, that is the best thing to hear ever. I am starving. Some head hunger and some real hunger. I am glad there is still hope for some of the hunger to subside.

Ha! Me too! Bins full of awesome clothes. We will have to see if they are still in style when I lose! I agree with you on Stacey and Clintons philosophy though, good point. I forget to add the dress, except it is a gorgeous red!

How tiny are your sips? Apparently I was taking the tiniest sips ever. At about 4 weeks out, my doctor said I could drink a little more than I was at one time. He suggested about an ounce at a time, but then to wait about 15 minutes to take another drink. It made all the difference for me.

I was told to avoid gum because you swallow alot of air when chewing gum (potentially filling you up and hence not getting your protein in). Not sure if this is true. But I would wiat a while in case of accidentely swallowing it.