Donna4545

I was just sleeved 2 weeks ago and my goal seems so far away. I am terrified of "the stalls". It's just such a daunting amount of weight to lose. Congrats to all of you who have done it--it's amazing!

I like the cottage cheese test. Thanks for posting that--it makes me curious to try it.

This is probably too late, but ask for a scolopamine patch behind your ear for nausea. Much more pleasant than a suppository!

Elisa there is disagreement about straws. Surgeons tend to be conservative and say no straws, but patients use them anyway and say they are fine. I'm so glad everyone got through their recent surgeries and are on the mend--I got sleeved the 14th and am feeling great! Now I need help getting creative with the puree phase of the post-op diet. Cheers, Donna

I sing, not opera, but I haven't noticed any difference except you need to wait for the muscles to heal before you can use your diaphragm without the incisions hurting. I'm two weeks out and it's really not a problem, and I will be back singing in the chamber chorale within the month. I wouldn't worry about it. The anesthesia doesn't affect your voice, although some people get a temporary sore throat.

Sounds like: a. too much/ittle thyroid meds if you have a thyroid problem b. dehydration I would call the doc.

I wouldn't buy a dress now, because you never know how your inches are going to distribute--I think the gift certificate idea was good--it lets you get a gift now so to speak, but also be able to try on dresses when the time comes so you get the perfect dress. Also styles change--another reason to wait.

Supposedly gum gives you gas, or so they told me. I never chew gum so I don't know, actually.

I use fitday.com. It has a lot of neat features, like calculating how many calories you are burning per day.

Where are the carbs coming from? Can you cut them out? Maybe use Unjury protein chicken broth or add unflavored protein powder to your soups? (mix with warm water before adding, and don't boil). I hope this helps.

My puree stage allows refried beans, which sounds great, but all I can think of is carbs, carbs, carbs. Same with mashed potatoes and chili. I don't want to stall, but I am truly tired of full liquids and it's time to move on to purees. Should I avoid these carby, but "allowed" things? Did anyone stall at the puree stage from increased carbs?

I can see why so many surgeons say no carbonation. Lots of people have problems with gas and burping early on, so it seems like a bad idea to make it worse with a soda. Once you're all healed, 1-2 years out, the stomach does indeed stretch and gas would contribute to stretching. I'd rather err on the side of caution. It's kind of like smoking. Not everyone who smokes will get lung cancer, but I'd rather not take the chance. Same with using straws.

I'm only 2 weeks out and I already can walk without huffing and puffing--that's change enough to make me happy! But bonus, there's going to be more, like not having to ask for an airline seatbelt extender, and not worrying about if the furniture is sturdy enough to hold me. Plus the weight loss and disappearance of diabetes, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and asthma. I'm satisfied eating much less--lower grocery bills! I can't see a down side.

Glad to hear you are doing well!

If you need extra support via message or email, I'm available. I recently got sleeved, two weeks ago, and had a really good experience. Just message me and let me know what you need--also check out my blog--I wrote down my experience from Day One Pre-op, that might help.

My co-morbids were arthritis (knees); high triglycerides; high cholesterol; diabetes; elevated blood pressure; asthma (exercise-induced).

Find out how many sleeves he has done and what his complication rate is. He should have done at least 200. My surgeon's complication rate was zero--that's what I would look for. I asked the bariatric coordinator these questions and she had the answers--don't be afraid to ask. The morbidity rate for the sleeve is no different from gall bladder surgery so don't let your aunt's experience scare you. There were definitely problems with early RNYs. But you're not getting an RNY so your surgery risk is the same as for any other abdominal surgery (I looked it up). The biggest problem with the sleeve is post-op dehydration, but you can avoid this by asking for a scopolamine patch to control nausea and religiously getting your fluids in. Find out how many leak tests, and what kind are done before you are discharged. My surgeon does 4--two during surgery and two after. It's very important to have these. Also ask if the staple line is oversewn (making it extra strong).

On day two my legs swelled. I just walked as much as possible and it went away after 2 days. I checked with the surgeon and he said this was common and not to be concerned unless it became severe. I wore a really loose, empire waist, gauze summer dress to surgery because some of the incisions are waist-level and I didn't want a waistband to irritate them. That worked out well, I was very comfortable. I didn't notice any swelling in my stomach, but it's so big down there anyway I might not have noticed lol.

I've probably posted this a million times, but I swear by IsoPure Zero Carb vanilla protein whey isolate powder (25 grams of protein a scoop) flavored by a DaVinci sugar free syrup--whichever I'm in the mood for. It mixes well with a small or large volume of water with just a spoon. I also mix it with iced coffee. If you're sick of sweet things, use the unflavored IsoPure Zero and mix it with chicken broth. Mix the powder with a little warm water first and then add that to the broth and heat, but don't boil so the protein doesn't clump.

I think a good talk with your surgeon should help you immensely--bring up the cancer issue, everything. Let that be your guide. Remember that the sleeve helps people with Chron's Disease--not cancer but an irritation of the colon, so it might actually be beneficial in your case. There are a lot of factors to think about--how long you have been strong and healthy after the cancer, your BMI, and any co-morbidities. The more info you get from your surgeon the better you will feel about making a decision.

I have never heard of not getting approved because you have co-morbidities that are controlled by meds--in fact that is usually part of the reason why you DO get approved!

Congratulations on your decision. Make sure you find out how many sleeves the surgeon has done (200+ is good) and what his complication rate is, since you are going to a foreign country. Make sure you get clear pre-op and post-op diet plans in advance. Good luck on your journey!

My hospital insisted on a pregnancy test, but no STD tests BUT always tell your doctor and your lawyer EVERYTHING. These are words to live by. When they are prepping you for surgery, let them know you have herpes. It will not be a big deal to them, but you never know how they might have to monitor/modify what they do with the Foley catheter so that it doesn't irritate your condition. Don't be embarrassed--hell I started my period the day before surgery and had to tell them that lol! They just deal with it. Never feel bad about your condition--it's just a medical fact, not a moral judgment. Good luck with the surgery!

Yes, it's to shrink your liver, and to lessen the fatty covering on it, because the doc has to move it out of the way to get to your stomach. For fruity protein options instead of shakes, get Isopure Plus Ready to Drink on the web. It's worth the money. Comes in fruit punch and grape flavors, not the best but definitely a welcome change from milky shakes. You can also get IsoPure Zero Carb Flavorless Protein powder and mix it in with chicken broth-25 grams a scoop. mix it with a small amount of warm Water before adding it to the broth, and then heat but don't boil to keep the protein from clumping.

Deb- 2 scoops of Isopure Zero Carb Protein powder in a glass of Water, with a flavored sugar free syrup=50 grams of protein. 10 gram shakes aren't going to do it--get some heavy duty whey isolate (25 grams per scoop). Good luck! Donna