elise

Congratulations! Wait until you go into LB and find NONE of the sizes fit you!

Great effort and success on your will power. Keep it up!

I didn't have any gall bladder issues, but, was told that during my surgery they would check my gall bladder. If it was needed, they would remove it during surgery. Luckily, my gallbladder was OK. Part of my post op instructions was to start taking Actigall (Urisipodol) one month after surgery and continue for 6 months, to prevent gall stone formation. No problems so far. Elise

Yes I was told that all liquids count toward your liquid intake, even the shakes. But I was also told that Vitamin water (any kind water with vitamins) ar not a good thing to take because of the fat soluble vitamins in them. You are taking supplemental vitamins with fat soluble vitamins in them and too much is not a good thing. I would avoid the vitamin containing waters.

I tried about 2 oz of wine at 6 weeks out and tolerated it well. I am now at 8 weeks out and enjoy about 3-4 oz of wine every once in a while. Hard liquor, has higher alcohol content will make you a "cheap drunk" as my surgeon would say. A little goes a long way. I tried but it burned too much on the way down, so I don't think I'm ready for it yet. Carbonated alcohol drinks (and non- alcoholic) are also a no-no for at least 6 months. They expand the stomach, and can stretch it. Healing continues for a long time and you don't want to chance a leak. From what others had mentioned on this site, Treat yourself with a small drink when you reach a goal you've set for yourself. Eventually you will be able to have a little more,but, alcohol are empty calories. They can slow down your weight loss. Keep that in mind too.

I'm using the Syntrax Nectare protein shakes. They come in many flavors and mix well with water, milk, soy, etc. I started with the Vanilla Torte flavor and added flavorings to change the taste when I wanted a change. I bought flavorings in the baking section of the market like rum, strawberry, lemon. The thing I like about the Syntrax brand is that there is NO chalky aftertaste, It mixes completely with no sediment. AND it tastes grear! I bought it online though, not found in the stores around me.

Loser mama is right. Are you on a PPI like omeprazole, pepcid or such? I'm 2 months out now but at first these meds really helped with the reflux. My surgeon put me on for a month after being sleeved. Now I only have occasional "silent reflux". Maybe talk to you doctor...... It won't hurt.

Congratulations! Your weight will drop off now that you are not on TPN. That thing has a lot of calories and protein. But you needed it to heal. Now that you are on the path again- go for the goal!!!

As the holidays are here, I have been faced with the sweets-pie, cake, cookies. I don't crave them now nor do I really "feel like" eating them. I did try a very small sliver of sweet potato pie, but, it just didn't taste right. Sweets don't taste sweet. So I don't eat them. I guess in time my tastebuds will change, but, I don't miss nor want sweets now.

What's a Ricotta Bake? What's the recipe? Sounds good.

Would have liked to come to the meeting on Saturday, but, I have another commitment in LA. Please let me know of the next meeting because I will be there!

I agree with the other responders. You may be going to fast to soft food. I was sleeved 7 days ago and I believe another week of liquids is needed for me. Listen to your body, allow to it heal. Take it slow. As for the acid reflux, I was told to take acid inhibitor for 30 days post surgery. So far no problems with reflux. Perhaps and acid inhibitor is needed for you. Ask your Doctor. Good luck!

Thanks to all who responded! You really helped me in getting "my head straight". My surgery went well, no complications, and I got home yesterday. My new journey is now beginning!!!

Hi Juke cat, I'm 57 also and became sleeved on Wed Nov 16! So far so good. My surgeon said everything went like "textbook". No major complications. Only thing that happened was post-op and my blood pressure was elevated for 2 couple of days and the hospital had to treat me via IV meds. Now I did have high BP prior to the surgery but at the high levels that occurred post-op. At first I was worried, but, my surgeon came and spoke to me about it. He said it is common for the BP to rise after major surgery, and the levels were not critical. In fact 48 hrs after surgery the levels started to return to normal levels (for me). I am now 5 days post -op and my diabetes is normal,without meds! My surgeon instructed me to continue to monitior but not to take my diabetes medicines unless greater than 180. My levels are 86-114. I didn't expect so quick a response. I am basically, pain-free. I have liquid Lortab but only used it a couple of times. My incisions are small (5 of them) and healing well. They were closed with Derma-Bond, type of super glue for surgery, not stitches or staples. I am still adjusting to the small amounts of fluids I need to swallow, if too much it hurts a little, but, the feeling passes quickly and I can restart drinking again. My surgeon gave me a analogy: Think of the esophagus to the stomach as a funnel. Liquids swirls down fine unless you add to much then it builds up and can over flow, but, it still is going down. Just stop and wait for the funnel to empty. So, that's what I do. No problems- no vomiting, no nausea. So far so good. Also my cousin had it done at 58 and now is 61. No problems either. Just follow the directions from your doctor and listen to your body. Hope this helps!

Thanks you all for the encouragement and letting me know my nerves are normal. You are right I will probably be laughing at this 5-6 months from now. Thanks again. :-)

When I went to my Bariatric classes, I was told that this is not a problem with gastric surgeries ( Roux n y, gastric sleeve and lap band) because in part of all the fluid we have to drink ( 64 oz) and the body's need for extra protein to heal and maintain now that be eat less. I don't think the grams of protein will be a problem, but, you should ask you doctor. You will be monitored though with blood lab work and one of the labs measures the amount of protein. Kidney function is also monitored. If either is too high, your doctor would and should know and adjust your diet accordingly.

It's 5 days until my surgery and I'm feeling anxious. I've been getting ready for this for over a year (when I started taking classes) and now the date is looming right in front of my face! I trust my surgeon completely and know he has a very, very low leak rate. I'm prepared for the post-op stuff and my new life style but I'm still nervous. UGHHHHH! Any one else felt this way? :confused5:

I am using Pacific Bariatric in San Diego. There have seminars in many areas. Try the web site- www.pacificbariatric.com for places and times. They are a Bariatric Center of Excellence- a designation for surgery programs that have a strong and consistant record in positive surgery outcomes. They perform surgeries at Scripps-Mercy hospital in San Diego. They are also contracted with different insurance plans, including Kaiser.

I agree that you should try for the weight that makes you feel and look healthy. You should try work with your doctor and his suggestions. He should try and work with you. My doctor wanted me to get to 125 lbs at first. I wanted to be about 160 lbs. But we decided on about 145-155 lbs. At that weight I feel I will look "right". I have big bones and high bone density, so we think this will be OK. I probably would still be listed as obese, but I know I will be healthy at this weight, too. Good Luck!

Does any one heard of taking Biotin to prevent hair loss? If so, how much do you take? I also heard 2500 IUs of Vitamin A helps. Has anyone tried either of these?

CONGRATULATIONS!!! GOOD LUCK!!

If you are having trouble with getting enough Protein during the liquid phase, try Syntrax Nectare Protein powder. It was mentioned during my Bariatric classes. It has 23 grams per scoop and can be placed in Water, non-fat milk, or other liquid. It comes in different flavors. I bought the vanilla Torte and it's REALLY good! I was surprised! One drink 3 times a day will give you the 60 gm per day you need in the beginning post-op. I bought it on-line. Try Google it. Oh, yea... I bought different flavorings from the baking/ spice section in the market and use to change the flavor. Since vanilla is easy to combine, I now can make strawberry-vanilla, vanilla-rum, orange-vanilla, etc. No extra calories and only a few drops per glass. elise Surgery date: Nov 16 Kaiser patient at Pacific Bariatric San Diego, CA

I don't understand why the 2 week (or more) pre-op diet either. My surgery is Nov 16, and my instructions are to start liquid diet 24 hours before surgery, also my pre-op day. I am also supposed to take a laxative that day, I guess, to clear my gut. I am concerned whether I should start sooner with the liquid diet or not. elise

Wow! I have bad knees too. Both. Currently I get Suppartz shots every 3 months in my knees to cushion them, since my cartilage is bad. Thanks to my weight! I'm sure losing weight will help, my ortho agrees, and lengthen the time before I need a knee replacement. Hang in there! It can and will get better once the pressure on your knees is lifted. I've been trying to lose weight before my surgery and have lost about 15 lbs. Already my needs feel better and I have more flexibility. elise

Congrats! I too just found this forum! My date in Nov 16, with Dr. Taller in San Diego. Can we be sleeve sisters too?