DebSee

I had a band (SAGB) for 10yrs and I was sleeved in September. I can say there's no air bubble feeling - perhaps this is because there is no pouch. I fully admit I have felt over-full and on two occasions I have yakked when I've chanced that one more bite, but unlike with my band, there was no foaming or sliming.

*raises hand* I was over 400lbs on surgery day, and just under now. Just four weeks out and already 42lbs down, I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat! My knees are already thanking me. Also, there is a section here at Verticalsleevetalk for folks who have 200 lbs or more to lose:- http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/forum/39-200-pounds/ Good luck on your journey! *hugs*

I was given a blanket period of three weeks - so I've been driving since last Sunday.

Well done! Your progress is inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing!

I have long term WLS friend with whom I was first banded (SAGB) in 2000. She developed complications a good 7yrs ago and she went the revision to Duodenal Switch route. She's required re-sleeving once in the last 5 years and says she could probably do with another resleeve, but is currently unable to fund it privately. She's a major diet coke drinker. We're all different. It's just doesn't take much to work out that with no carbonated drink addiction, my own band was not removed until February 2011. My pouch was intact, the port tubing was leaky. I was sleeved on the 18th Sept. and I don't expect to ever need resleeving. If I do, I can guarantee it won't be down to fizzy drinks since that's something which is absolutely under my own control. I can't make anyone elses' choices for them, nor would I want that kind of onerous responsibility. Neither can I remain silent when I've seen first hand resleeving required in a big diet coke drinker.

I was sent home with a one month supply of omeprazole 20mg (one a day, mornings) and a prescription for a further three months. I don't generally have an acidic tum, nor do I suffer from reflux or anything. I imagine it's just a precautionary measure and to permit my sleeve to heal.

Avoid Bubbly beverages – Regular sodas are packed with sugar and high in calories, which can cause you to regain weight quickly, and also cause dumping syndrome if you had a gastric bypass. Diet sodas have zero calories, but ironically, they still can cause you to regain weight. Numerous studies show that diet sodas trigger certain hormonal reactions that cause the body to store more fat. In addition, if you drink a carbonated beverage – even seltzer Water – while eating, it forces food through the stomach pouch faster. That means food does not stay in your pouch as long and you lose the feeling of satiety and increase the chances that you will eat more. Finally, the gas released from the carbonated beverage may cause the food forced through the pouch to enlarge your stoma, which again would allow you to eat more at one sitting – defeating the purpose of the weight loss surgery. Stick with water, caffeine-free teas, and other non-carbonated beverages for best results.Dr David Provost on bariatric surgery and bubbly beverages I'm guessing the sleeve as a standalone operation is too new to have many scholarly articles on the topic, however, I will certainly keep looking. Even if there is the slimmest, most remote possibility it might enlarge my stoma, coke, soda, pop, etc is something I can quite happy never touch again.

Beautifully said, and we've taken the same approach. My daughter is 8 and has some special needs. We explained that Mum was getting her tummy fixed because it wasn't working properly. We brought her to the hospital for admission so she could see me in my room and picture me sleeping there for a couple days. For a kid who doesn't deal well with changes to routine, she's done amazingly well. What she loves best of all is being my "Special Helper!" Plenty of positive reinforcement and she's proud of her contribution to the family.

Since there is a possibility carbonation might stretch the sleeve, nope. I'd rather not need re-sleeving some years down the line. For me, it's actually an easy trade-off for healthy.

Three weeks liquids, two weeks mushies, gradually adding solids as able.

Well done with 19lbs, Paige! I'm bigger than many sleevers so had an inkling my recovery might be a bit more finnicky. My surgeon recommended a good three weeks to me on liquids, described as "anything with no bits that I could suck up a straw," so I was already prepared for that one. In the grand scheme of things, I'm content to spend another week on liquids to ensure the best healing possible for my new tum.

Welcome home and welcome to the losers' bench! One of my tablets would make a horse's eyes Water. I'm sure more experienced sleevers will respond, however, I find I can take any tablet or capsule of almost any size provided I take it with a mouthful of SlimFast. I actually have a bottle of SlimFast solely for taking my tablets. One shake bottle me a day and after tablet times, I just pop it back in the fridge again until I need it.

Hey there, glad to have eased your mind a wee bit. Just wanted to add that day 8 saw no poops at all. After such overkill, the poop break was much appreciated! Still on liquids. Currently loving: Beef & Tomato Cuppa Soup

I've been taking tablets since the day after surgery. Small capsules, I tend to find easiest, but small caplets work, too. All but one of my meds have been easily swapped for smaller tablets/capsules, and the one big booger, I find it easiest to take with something with a thicker consistency. I'm still on liquids so a swallow of SlimFast works well.

Thanks so much for all the replies! Silly as it sounds, I am actually reassured. Thrilled to report I only went once yesterday, but it seems my bladder has now awoken with a vengeance. I feel like Roseanne Rosanadanna - "If it's not one thing, it's another!" Fortunately, so far, it's all good.

Hi everyone, I am a mere 7-days out of surgery. While I've not posted much, I have been reading like a lunatic for weeks. So..."Poop!" I say. At the risk of proffering entirely too much information, I am both runny and running for the loo at least twice daily. I certainly understand the assault upon my poor stomach. Heck, I can even appreciate the notion that it's paying me back for having lopped off & removed most of it.. My body has become a temple to GIGO - what goes in very swiftly comes straight back out again. I have little problem getting my Protein down (Fuzzy Navel or just a SlimFast shake), it's just keeping it there for longer than an hour or two. Any indication of when I might begin to expect something resembling more normal service in the poop department? I'd dearly love to be able to leave my home with at least a little hope or confidence that I'll not be forced to plot the locations for all public toilets in both Wimbledon and Greater London... Hoping for some reassurance! ~DebSee

I'm a similar size and was just sleeved last Sunday here in the UK, so it's just what I needed to read. Thanks for the well-timed inspiration and jolly well done!