traceyc

Ask your doctor to be sure. I started taking it again about 5 days after surgery.

Best of luck in your journey!

It got better for me, but not the same as pre-surgery. There are still a few things I loved pre-surgery that still don't taste right like shrimp but things gradually started tasting better for me I would say around 4 months out. I feel I am still more aware of some seasonings, especially salt. I think some of it is the fact that I used to inhale my food and now I actually chew it. For the most part though foods taste good now.

I agree, homemade soups and smoothies can be very healthy. I make soup a lot. It is packed with protein and veggies. I don't think I could have gotten through the first couple month post op without homemade blended soups. I use an immersion blender to make the veggies smooth after cooking for awhile in chicken broth. You can add unflavored protein powder for extra protein too. Maybe the Nut was just referring to high fat canned soups and sugary smoothies?

You have almost 2 months, you can do this! I used the patch to help stop smoking about 4 years ago when I first started exploring surgery. I only used it for about 2 weeks and haven't touched a cigarette since then. It does have nicotine so you would not be able to use after the 30 day clock starts. I have heard people have good results with chantix as well. You have such a great motivator to stop. Anytime you reach for a cigarette try to think about what you will be giving up for it. Is that cigarette worth not getting surgery? Is it worth it to continue being over weight with all the complications that go with it? Would you rather smoke that cigarette than lose that feeling of dread that you won't fit in a seat at a concert, on an airplane, etc? This surgery is the best thing I have done for myself. I know how hard it is to stop, the cravings are killer, but I was only successful with quitting when I really realized what I was giving up to keep smoking.

Milk of Magnesia was a life saver for me after surgery. Amazon 13 is correct, stay close to a bathroom just in case. Sometimes it can work very fast even though the bottle says otherwise! When was your surgery?

It slides out of the stomach so you don't stay full and you can eat more. It will still go through the intestines where you will be processing and absorbing the calories. At least that is my understanding.

I just realized this is in the band to sleeve forum. So I guess you already found that! :-) sorry my phone doesn't always tell me the forum of the post.

You are going to get a wide variety of responses to this but here is my perspective. I had horrible reflux before the sleeve. I took multiple ppi a day and if I skipped a dose or two I was miserable. Since being sleeved I have no reflux issues and don't even take a ppi anymore. I haven't thrown up once. I came close a few times in the beginning while learning how much and how fast I could eat. I used to feel awkward when eating in a group of people who don't know about my surgery thinking they would notice me not eating much. I don't now that I am comfortable with my sleeve and really no one notices or cares. I do wish it was easier to get liquids in, but that is really my only complaint. I still drink slowly and it is tough getting it all. I love my sleeve and wish I had it sooner. I did not have a band first but there is a forum on here for band to sleeve. Might be helpful in your research as you make you decision.

You could try a strawberry protein drink maybe to help with the strawberry taste craving or I think there is a strawberry-kiwi crystal light. It won't help with missing the bubbly, but could help with the cravings to get a similar flavor.

The drugs they use to put you out for surgery can affect your eyesight. It takes awhile to get out of your system. I would wait before getting a new prescription!

I can't even begin to imagine how dry your mouth is after 19 days of NPO. Have you talked to your doctor about being able to use a mouth moisturizer? I don't know all the names, but I believe there are several prescription options as well as some OTC rinses you could spit out like Oasis. There is some prescriptions you rub on your teeth I think. I am not sure if they are off limits because they may make you salivate too much, but may be worth a talk with them. You may have to be diligent about spitting after using.

I tried a sip of wine about 4 weeks out and it hurt so bad. Burned like crazy. I waited 3 months out to try again. You probably won't feel much like drinking that close to surgery.

I am shooting for 160 also. My doctor's goal is 170 so I split the difference on my ticker and put 165. I am a little over 5'5''. I have the same problem, I can overeat so easily now. It can be frustrating. I have been really tracking everything I eat lately so I can get down below 200 by year end. How many calories are you eating now? I try to stick to around 1000, but fluctuate some.

LOVE that dress Angela. You look great!

Wow, what a transformation! It is a good thing your badge expired because I don't think anyone would believe that was you in the older pic.

Stalls are normal. I think you are still making great progress. You could try monitoring your sodium if you aren't already to help with combating the retaining water. It seems there are several ways to break stalls and it is different for every. Some increase calories or decrease calories or change up the type of exercises you are doing. I was in a long stall and broke it just by taking in more liquids. I thought I was getting in a lot of water but once I really started measuring it was way less.

I agree, don't give up. Search around for another surgeon and get a second opinion. Or maybe get your doctor who you work with for your bipolor medications to talk to your surgeon about your situation.

She has a before picture on her profile if you can get to it. OP, you look amazing. Such an inspiration!

How are the Feb 2012 sleevers doing now at 10 months out? I have been in a major stall, but I can't exercise because of an unrelated issue. One of the reasons I got the surgery was because I couldn't really exercise anymore and was gaining weight so fast so I knew I would be a slow loser. I haven't gained so I am happy for now. I am a size 12 to 14 depending on the brand and in large tops. This is down from tight 22 and XXXL shirts. Going to try to get more active so I can at least get to onederland by the end of the year. I wanted to be at goal by my one year, but not sure that will happen.

I really like the shot glass idea. I may give it a try. I have trouble with not getting a sip or two in while eating, but unfortunately I have developed a bad habit of drinking more than just a sip or two. Still not as much as pre-op or even close to a whole glass, but I think it is allowing me to eat more and causing my very long stall. Be sure to really keep an eye on how much you are drinking when you are further out. I really didn't realize until recently just how much I was drinking with meals because it was just reflex.

Way to go!!

Agree with Catracks, a positive attitude goes a long way. That said, read up on and prepare yourself for complications. They are rare, but knowing about all the what ifs helped me to know what all the possibilities were. I have had a great experience. I was very diligent in the beginning getting in all my protein and fluid and I think this helped my recovery. I was back at work with in a week and a half. I know you have decided on the sleeve, but quick add to the Rny vs sleeve discussion. I have been on and off anti inflammatory for a couple years. You can take these with Rny but there is a high risk of ulcer at the point they reconnect the intestines with these meds. This is why I went with the sleeve after my surgeon let me know of the risk. With your on-going back issues, you may be in the same position.