Donna4545

So glad to hear your surgery went well! Welcome to the loser's bench!

I think your doc is the best source of info on what size you should have. I really don't think telling him how to do his job is going to win you any brownie points. He has his reasons for size--he didn't flip a coin.

I mistook your diet date for your surgery date--I see now that you are pre-op. Yes, see your doctor. And take it easy.

We weren't cleared for the kind of exercise you are doing until 6 weeks out--probably because of what you are experiencing. You are still healing, you shouldn't be straining your abdominal muscles. Just walk a lot.

Surgery weight 7/14/10: 312 Today 8/8/10: 296

That's very unrealistic. Call your doctor and tell him so.

I've seen people say increase liquids, protein, and calories to break the stall. I had the 3 week stall and broke it with the above plus exercise. And I don't cheat at all. Carbs are evil. Maybe go back to logging your food and see if there are hidden calories?

Tachycardia (superfast heartbeat) is often the only discernable symptom of a leak, along with fever.

Don't worry, your weight loss is perfectly normal, at least according to my surgeon. Keep going!

I went through feelings of anger pre-op--angry that I couldn't eat what I wanted, anger that I was so far gone that I had to have surgery. I comes out in weird ways. Get your protein and water in, and your subconscious will get over it.

My first step was having my PCP make me an appt with the bariatric clinic. She's the one who suggested the surgery, and seemed to think the insurance would pay (it did). The bariatric clinic asked her to do an ECG, blood work, a chest xray, and to refer me to a pulomologist for a clearance because I have asthma. When all of that was done, paperwork was sent to BCBS, who approved it within 3 days. The bariatric clinic then scheduled my surgery. I started the process in May and was sleeved in July. They offered a June date, but I had time conflicts. The process was really easy, but that could be because I had a high BMI and because my bariatric center was in a pilot program with BCBS for the sleeve. That said, I had tried to have a gastric bypass in 2002 and 2005 and got stopped by insurance issues both times, in another state, with different insurance (Kaiser and UHC)

I slept on my back propped up with pillows, and it wasn't bad--but I sleep on my back anyway. I wouldn't think sleeping on your stomach or left side would be a good idea because of the incisions. Mine were completely healed 2 weeks out. I never had problems sleeping at home. My pain was minimal to none. You should feel better every day.

I used Isopure Plus RTD and Unjury Chicken protein broth for clears after surgery. It wasn't haute cuisine, but it worked.

Time for Protein powder and a shaker bottle. I recommend Isopure Zero. I get hungry, but not as bad as before surgery. Or maybe I just want to eat. I can't tell. For more calories, use 2 scoops Protein Powder in your drinks.(that's 50 grams protein, 220 calories) For fruit, blend frozen berries into your shake when at home. I'm still on soft solids and I'm not allowed to have fresh fruit, veggies, or steak yet. You could buy canned fruit (in juice, not in syrup) but know it has a lot of sugar in it. You'll be able to have fresh fruit soon--for me it's another 4 days, but remember to peel apples etc as they are too fibrous for the new stomach. Anything you don't think will digest easily, peel. Also try working lowfat cheese into your diet for protein and more calories. Same with Greek Yogurt, nonfat milk. I've been running 600-800 calories easily. Hope this helps.

Until they hit bottom and admist they need help, there is still a problem. I strongly suggest attending Al-Anon meetings--really and seriously. This is from experience.

I have been devastated by both sudden unexpected death, and long, drawn, out suffering death. In the latter case, I think it would have been more humane to let the person slip away in a cloud of morphine than to have to suffer terribly every day until the end. I'm talking about my grandmother, who was basically, though she could not speak, begging us to let her die--refusing to take food, pleading with her eyes, it was heartbreaking. If I could have ended her suffering, I would have, with no guilty conscience.

I just had regular anaesthesia, so I don't know. I wouldn't want a spinal, it sounds dangerous--of course that is a completely uninformed reaction/opinion.

Call your surgeon. Mine would not operate if you had a cold, fever or not.

I went off both Prozac and Wellbutrin cold turkey before surgery, and have not missed them, and don't need them post-op. Now every situation is different, and I'm not offering medical advice, I'm just sharing my situation. After the surgery my mind felt clearer and I was more energetic and optimistic, at least so far. It depends on your state of mind. I had been on those meds for years, and I think I had just moved past them, and it was time to get off. I don't have the stress in my life that I used to when they were prescribed. But just in case your doc says "no wellbutrin", know that it can be done.

Isn't aspic insanely high in fat? If I'm gonna splurge on fat, I'll opt for the foie gras!

I love her blog, but I suspect high carbs when I look at some of the recipes. She's a RNYer I think. They don't absorb calories like us so they're not as worried about posting stats. Same with Bariatric Foodie, which is a great blog, but I have to modify her recipes to make them low cal/low carb enough. They are both great inspiration, though.

The 10 lbs is probably IV fluids. Once you're properly hydrated again, and can exercise, I'm sure that will drop back off.

Stall over!!!! I added a 3 miles daily walk (burns 300 calories), upped the fluids by 20 oz, upped the protein to 70 grams, and voila! I was finally able to use the bathroom without a laxative and that broke the stall (2 days ago). I've lost 3 lbs since the stall broke. Have hope!

I try to keep it below 30 carbs a day, but my nutritionist said more carbs from milk, yogurt, fruit and veggies were ok. No white carbs at all.

Look carefully at your surgeon's instructions. Days 1-4 are usually Clear Liquids. You can have non-carbonated diet drinks, unjury chicken broth Protein powder ( a few sample packets will do), and Isopure Plus 8 ox RTD Protein Drinks. This way you can get protein and fluids in at the same time. After that you will probably be moved to full liquids, which is cream Soups (strained), Protein shakes. This stage doesn't last very long. Baby food comes later, in the mushies stage. I wouldn't eat baby food 3 days out --you could do damage, or it too much strain on your stomach, which is trying to heal. After than you go on soft solids, and then solids. At least this is program. Did your surgeon give you a nutritional plan to follow?