jenniferb

I am 5 weeks out and I still feel really nauseous when I eat/drink. I am unable to even come close to getting the amount of protein/calories/fluids I am supposed to get, because a few bites and I feel sick. I vomit at least once a day. I'm still on soft foods, most of which I can't tolerate. I am trying to concentrate on consuming higher Protein foods. The things I have found I can tolerate pretty well are yogurt, cottage cheese, and pudding. Plain Water is about all I drink--its all that sounds good. When I swallow food, most of the time it feels like its stuck in the base of my throat and won't go down. So naturally it comes back up. Is that normal? And if so, does this feeling get better eventually? I have been trying all the things the doctors say to do--eating tiny bites, eating slowly, chewing food 20-30X before swallowing, etc....I take 20mg Prilosec (Omeprazole) daily. I have been losing weight pretty rapidly, but I'm worried it will come to a screeching halt if I keep taking in so few calories! (My average has been between 300-400 calories a day). Anyway, I was really hoping to feel better than this by now and its really getting depressing. I am one of the "lucky" ones who has 200+ lbs to lose, and I fear I have a long road ahead. My 6 week check up is on Feb. 23rd, but I was hoping for some insight here, as that seems like a million years away! Sorry for the depressing post....I'm just bummed out at the moment. Thanks for listening and I'd appreciate your insight.

How are things going now Keyka? I'm curious because I am almost 3 weeks post op now, and am experiencing the same issues. I threw up tonight because it felt like the food stuck right in the base of my throat. Uggh!

I am 1 week post op and was wondering if anyone knows of any skin creams/lotions that help with skin tightening/firming? I know excercise and lots of water helps, but I just wondered if there is something I could start applying to my skin everyday that would help at all? I have over 200 pounds to lose, so anything that can assist with sagging will be appreciated Maybe they are just wives tales, but I've heard Vitamin E and various other vitamin enriched lotions help.

Had surgery on Monday the 9th and everything went well. I came home the next day! Today (Jan 13th) is the first day I feel like I can do more than take tiny sips. I apparently should be finishing 4 liquid protein supplements plus 64 oz clear liquids everyday. This, for me has been literally impossible. Today I have been able to almost finish 1 protein supplement so far and maybe 6 oz of water above and beyond that. I know I am not getting enough nutrition, but it seems to be improving a little each day...Plus I am on lots of chewable vitamins, so hopefully that helps. And MTC, it sounds like you are on a lot more meds than I am. The only thing they made me stop taking were my blood thinners a week pre-op. And I was right back on my regular meds the day after.

Tomorrow I begin my 2-week pre-op "special diet." My surgery is scheduled for January 9th, 2012. I am getting the vertical sleeve--I have S.L.E. Lupus and am not a candidate for the other procedures due to my medications. I am really nervous and excited all at the same time. I know I have a long road ahead of me, as I have 200+ pounds to lose! But I am ready. Can't wait to feel better and be able to play with my kids, etc. I am hoping to make some new friends here, and get some advice and encouragement. I read some of your stories and I am so inspired! I'm glad I found this site. So many of the "cut & dry" medical sites are informative, but they also scare the heck out of me--I know surgery is risky, especially when you are overweight, but I don't want to read all the statistics and bad stuff. I have had weight problems my entire life, but since my Lupus, I have gained another 100+ pounds. I'm 35 and I figure I'm still young, so why wait any longer? Hope to get to know you all soon