Mab

Surgery was on 4-10-12.

For the past couple of weeks I have been numb (not completely, but definitely "fuzzy") from my waist to my toes. I made an appointment with my PCP and will see her next Thursday (August 2). It is constant and on both sides of my body. It may not have a thing to do with my VSG surgery, but I'm just trying to connect the dots. I also have a history of lower back pain (severe) that has gotten better since I've lost weight. By better I mean it doesn't hurt as often - it is still just as severe when it does hurt.

Any ideas? I looked it up on Web Md and basically it says I have a tumor. LOL

I lost 25 the first month and then slowed down (not complaining, I knew that's how it would be) and now at almost 3 months out, I'm down 50. Halfway there!

Yes, but can you tell me what a noni berry is WITHOUT using wikipedia?

You said you felt no restriction, but did you feel sick?

My stomach doesn't like Water so I mix Water with Low calorie G2 Gatorade. It works for me.

I'll have to try that. Thanks - and congrats to almost being at goal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

have you tried the no cal flavored waters? I like them better than making my own sometimes.

Any particular brand? I haven't tried those since they first came on the market.

I've gotten hooked on the diet snapped. They have alot of good flavors.

Just checked out the website - most of them are tea's, but there were a couple of fruit ones. I am particularly interested in whatever the hell Noni berry is. It's pink and I do like pink. Thanks!

As a former diet Coke-aholic (last one one on March 27th), I am drinking Water and only Water. Crystal Light and all other powdered water flavorings tend to upset my tummy and/or give me heartburn. Tea especially gives me heartburn.

I've never tried MIO, though. Thoughts?

Do you guys have any other suggestions for flavored drinks I could try?

It can be different for each employer. Because of my employer my requirements were quite a bit different than the standard.

You need to get access (through HR or UHC) to your benefits and coverage guide.

I used to have flawless skin - 40lbs lighter I now have wrinkles. I'm losing from the top down - wearing a smaller bra size, shirt size, finally pant and shoe size. The shoe size thing is very frustrating.

Day after surgery.

However, I do request that any new medications be prescribed in liquid or sub lingual form as I don't like the idea of pills rolling around in my sleeve. The only pills I swallow are EffexorXR and Protonix.

Eating slow is really hard for me. Like crazy hard. My husband reminds me all the time, but it's really hard.

I'm pretty sure that 2-3oz is pretty normal. I can't even eat that much in a sitting.

I don't think I regret it, although there are days when I desperately wish I could have my stomach back. I'm going through a rough time right now, having developed an aversion to all foods and having to rely solely on liquid Protein (I am 8 weeks out). However, everything that I have read, most especially here on this forum convinces me that I did the right thing even though my brain doesn't know it yet. For me, I believe there was not enough psychological prep in the world to prepare me for what I would be going through. This is the hardest thing I have ever done and I can't wait until the day that I can deem it absolutely 100% worth it as I have seen so many others do.

The successes of this surgery far outweigh the failures, even though the failures can sometimes be devastating

My earlier complications and hospital stay set me back a little and I was just curious HOW far back.

At 8 weeks what are/were you guys eating and enjoying?

United Healthcare under AT&T's management plan.

My insurance did not require any pre-surgery supervised diet.

Okay - I'd like to have a list of the different kind of SF flavor syrups (Torani, DaVinci) that you guys enjoy and where you purchase them.

I hope everyone is doing well - I've been very busy at work, so I haven't had as much time to check the board. Love to all.

So the last time I pooped was Thursday, May 17th - diarrhea if that's relevant. I saw my surgeon on May 23rd and he said to add a Fiber supplement. I asked if Citrucel was okay and he said yes. NO POOP. I have tried apple juice and Dulcolax suppositories. NO POOP. I am not in any pain, but I can tell that something needs to get the hell out of there.

Is it time for an enema? If so, is there a preferred brand? At this point, I'm willing to try a hammer and chisel.

You are going to want things you shouldn't eat. To me though, it doesn't make me miserable to know I can't have them since I know it will hurt me.

Oh - I had no nausea right after surgery. My surgeon had prescribed Emend which I took a couple hours before surgery and that seemed to do the trick. I did get nauseous the next day, probably from the morphine and the Migraine I had - but the nurse team acted SUPER FAST when we told them I was nauseous. They really don't want you vomiting.

I used my morphine pump mainly so I could sleep. And I loved my catheter. Hated my drain, though and someone already said it, but it feels freakin' WEIRD when they take it out. Not painful, just godawful strange. Remember to hold your breath while they're removing it (if you even have one).

I woke up and was in immediate pain - not from the incisions, but I had really, really bad gas. I knew immediately what it was and asked the nurse to make it go away. My pain was about an 8.

I love Smart Pop! Hope I'll be able to enjoy it again one day.

Brief history:

Sleeved on 4/10 w/hernia repair

Hospitalized from 4/27 to 4/30 - unable to eat or drink without excruciating pain.

CT scan showed inflammation and erosion (stomach and esophagus) from years of heartburn/reflux

Started on Carafate (Sucralfate) on 4/27 (still taking it now)

Doctor put me back on liquid diet (including yogurt and other things of that texture)

5/23 Doctor wants me to add chicken (soft, not pureed), fish and eggs to diet. Berries, Beans, cheese and veggies that have been cooked to death are okay, too. I am getting maybe 300 calories a day and that's probably exaggerating it. My sleeve is very tight, so I need something that packs a punch. Protein shakes are really starting to make me ill. I know it's mostly psychological, but still.

I need some meal suggestions. I have an aversion to food right now and would rather not eat anything, but of course I have to. (Never thought I would go from one extreme to another!)

Nothing acidic - so tomatoes and Tomato sauce are big no-no's.

I have a crock pot, so feel free to suggest crock pot meals. eggs don't sit that well with me. Feel free to even suggest meals including meats that I can't have yet - I'm great at substitutions.

Thanks in advance and my apologies if I don't respond right away - I'm doing school work (okay, really I'll probably be playing World of Warcraft, but I promise to read at least a chapter).

Tylenol is actually NOT okay for your liver. Granted, the amount you would need to take for it to become toxic is probably way up there, which is why people who attempt suicide with Tylenol/Acetaminophen usually destroy their livers. Tylenol IS okay for your stomach. Excedrin is the same, except with added caffeine. There is a recall right now on Tylenol and Excedrin (at least in Georgia, I don't now if it's nationwide.) CVS has store brands of both.

I'm on medicine specifically for Migraines (Imitrex/Sumatriptan) and took it before surgery and while in the hospital for surgery.