amencorner

I read in someone else's blog entry (or maybe it was a forum post) that her overweight friend who had a lap-band procedure but didn't lose any weight seemed to be negative when talking to her about getting a sleeve. Then I thought about the way I've been feeling since I was sleeved. I honestly don't think a day has gone by that I haven't had some feeling of regret -- so I can't imagine how I'd feel if I'd had a WLS and not lost any weight. Now, don't get me wrong. I have my eye on the end game and I know that in time, and as I lose weight, I will be happier about my decision. But right along through here I am like a whiney baby. At this stage in my process I can't say that I would recommend it to anyone; not that I would purposely try to discourage anyone, either. But, if asked, I would be honest about my feelings of ambivalence. Of course, what's done is done and I have to live with the choice I've made. And I'd want to tell any friend of mine of the bad just as well as the good so they can make a well-informed decision. I do have faith that it will get better, though, and I will be happy with the end result. Having said all that, I also must add that yesterday was probably the best day I've had since the surgery. Around mid-week I found that, that uncomfortable sensation of feeling food travel through my esophagus to my stomach had diminished greatly. Also, that nasty metallic taste is finally gone, which makes me less nauseous. With these improvements it is much easier for me to take in more fluids and protein sources. Thank God! Speaking of protein sources, I had my first piece of fish yesterday. Tilapia pan seared with olive oil cooking spray and light seasoning. Talk about a welcome addition to my diet! It's amazing how much better I feel. Also, after almost passing out at work on Monday, I am paying much more attention to getting my fluids in, which also has made me feel a lot better. Then I read a post yesterday about hair loss. Just what I needed. Something else to make me wonder if I should have done this. Aaaargh! So, do I still have fleeting thoughts of regret? Yes. But the fact that I'm feeling better helps me to remain optimisitic that in the future (and not-so-distant, I hope) I will look back on the decision as being one of the best I've ever made. Sleeved 2/27/12

I felt this way early on, too -- from the restless sleep to the icky taste in my mouth and acid reflux. I am now approaching week 4 and as recently as this past week still had some up days and some down days. The nasty taste in my mouth has diminished. Someone here said that's a sign of ketosis. So I guess in a way it might not be so good that it's gone, but then again, its disappearance has also helped eliminate the nausea I was feeling and helping the little that I am able to eat now taste a whole lot better, which -- for me -- makes it easier to get my fluids and protein in. This has been a very difficult adjustment to make and I'm still taking it one day at a time, but it does seem to be improving week over week. So hang in there. It does get better. This is something I have to keep telling myself as well. Best of luck to you. Sleeved 2/27/12

I hate to hear that. I heard the same thing from a friend who had the surgery in July 2010 and she said one of her coworkers who also had the surgery experienced hair loss as well. I had not heard from anyone else so thanks for this post. Just one more thing I have to be on the lookout for. Ugh!

My doc sent me home from hospital with 30-day prescription of Prevacid. Pre-surgery I would take Prilosec when I had problems. He told me to stop taking that and takee the Prevacid instead. Once I got that in me, the acid improved tremendously! I know that feeling and it ain't a good one! Good luck.

Just wondering if anyone got a call from Cigna post surgery. I'm very guarded about my personal information, especially providing it to someone giving me what I'd refer to as a cold call. When I asked the caller -- who identified herself as a Cigna nurse -- what was the purpose for her phone call, she said they like to follow up with patients following hospitalizations. I found that strange as I was hospitalized in September for another procedure and received no such call. So again, any Cigna patients out there have this happen to them? Trying to figure out if the call is legit. Thanks!

I have always felt that my weight has been one of the things that held me back professionally. You know how some folks view obesity as a sign of laziness, lack of control, etc. My boss wears like a size 2 or 4 and runs marathons and stuff -- things to which I certainly cannot relate. Last year I was passed over for a promotion and the person who got the job quit after two months. The job was reposted and, of course, I re-applied. Well, found out today that I got the job this time! This is awesome news to go along with these other changes taking place in my life. Now, I can start saving for plastic surgery.

HI Andi. I'm eating greek yogurt (Oikos is not too bad) and egg drop Soup from my neighborhood Chinese restaurant. Tried cream of wheat. Hated it, but bought some sugar-free Pollaner all-fruit to try to make it taste a little better. Cottage cheese -- don't like that, either, but I just force myself to down it. I hear refried Beans are good. I bought some fat-free refried beans today but noticed it's kinda high in carbs, too. But many here say that's what they eat and that they like it with a little sprinkle of cheese and a little bit of fat-free sour cream. Might try that tonight. I'm finding it hard to get the Protein in but I just keep trying different things. And what about eggs? Did your NUT clear you for those? Good luck to you.

Oh, and I would not have been as suspicious if she had asked for my group plan number or something, but she asked for my birth date -- a big no-no!

Got the number from my caller id and looked it up. It is a landline owned by someone named Grace L Doerfler in Oakdale, PA. No mention of Cigna. Hmmm. Glad I shut her down. I think I'm going to contact Cigna and let them know about this. If they are behind this, they need to rethink it. Too much fraud today for patients to willingly provide info via phone to what is essentially a cold caller.

Yesterday I thought I was going to die. It was my first day back at work and I had absolutely no energy at all having found it difficult to consume protein or drink enough water/liquids in the days preceeding. I finally got some greek yogurt down and drank some low sugar Gatorade and water and today I fared much better. I did decide to cut my work day in half. So, I'm going to do 1/2 days for the rest of the week and I hope I'll be ready to get back into the saddle fully on Monday. Wish me luck! And I'll be sending good vibes your way as well -- to all my sleeved and soon-to-be-sleeved comrades.

That's awesome news. You are now only 6 lbs to onederland! Hope the nexium helps.

Great advice, Debby. I, too, have wasted a lot of money on protein shakes that I had no problem with during the pre-op diet. Now I can barely stomach them.

Wonderfully.

Thanks, Dorrie. Of course I Googled ketosis. That helps me understand whath that's about. And I have lost (I need to get a ticker). I lost 20lbs on the pre-op diet and I've lost 16 since the surgery (2-27-12) for a total weight loss of 36 lbs in basically one month. So, I guess that's good. I just wish I had more energy and felt better, but I do know it's coming. I just have to get through this rough patch. Thanks again.

Good for you! My doctor prescribed Prevacid and told me to stop taking Prilosec. Not sure why.

Well, I have this awful, metallic-like taste in my mouth that makes everything taste awful. I get nauseous after a few "bites." The Protein shakes that I used to drink with no problem are starting to make me sick to my stomach. Tried Peanut Butter, felt awful afterward (perhaps too thick?). Egg drop soup is tolerable but I don't think it's providing quite enough nourishment. I have diarrhea after consuming basically everything. I was also having a problem with feeling the food travel and severe discomfort in my chest -- not from overeating, from just trying to eat soft foods. However, I finally got some greek yogurt and was able to eat that today without a problem. So I maybe the chest pain/discomfort issue is improving. What is this I hear about refried Beans? Might consider trying that, too.

I am 15 days out and I'm having trouble with all three. Can't get the protein in. Can't get all the water in and am so damn weak an fatigued definitely can't do 60 minutes of exercise. I feel absolutely awful but praying that it will improve with time. Sorry, I know mine not be an encouraging post, but it's truth. I hear everyone is different, so maybe others' experiences will be more encouraging. Good luck!

Thanks!

So, I've finally progressed from liquids to soft foods -- pudding, yogurt, eggs, etc. I was eager to eat but find it extremely unpleasant. I can feel the food traveling to my stomach and it's a very unpleasant feeling. I really feel it in my chest. It settles eventually, but not without much discomfort. I know the surgery affects people differently, but I was wondering: Is anyone else experiencing this? And those of you who are 2, 3, 4 months or more out, did you experience it and how long did it persist? I dread the thought that this could be a forever thing. That would really be depressing! Sleeved Feb. 27, 2012

Wow. Does your pre-op diet consist of milk only???

I'm hanging. I mean, what other choice do I have, anyway? I'm trying to develop a thicker skin, y'all. Thanks for all your words of encouragement. I sincerely appreciate it.

Thanks, everyone. This is happening with yogurt so it's def not a chew issue. I will try less next time athough I was only doing a little on a teaspoon already. I had my follow up visit today and I shared this with my surgeon. He told me to go back to liquids for a week then try soft foods again next week. He also said that if it persists beyond the 6 week mark (post surgery) that there is a procedure he can do to open me up a little more -- putting a scope down and stretching it a little bit. He doesn't want to do it now because it's just too soon and I need to heal. Plus, it could improve on its own, he said. I'm just glad to know that there may be a solution if it doesn't improve on its own. I can't imagine going through life with this issue. Thanks again, everyone!

I know that feeling. Good luck and God bless! Sleeved 2/27/12

There's a restaurant in Memphis called Bonefish and on their appetizer menu they have tuna sashimi. You talk about delish! It is basically tuna lighly seared on each side and served in thin slices on a plate. I can't wait to have that again. Straight protein, right? And no rice. I'm sure it'll be a while before I can try it because I am only 8 days post-op. But for those in the regular food phase, that might not be a bad menu item to try if there's a Bonefish Grill in your area.

OMG! I just posted a blog entry about this. Today is day 8 post op, but my nut told me I could start "soft foods" this week -- yogurt, cottage cheese, creamed Soups. I was so eager to try, but find that it is very uncomfortable and unpleasant going down. After 2-3 bites, I've had to stop because it just wasn't worth it. I am going back to Protein shakes now. And hoping that will be okay because last week they gave me so much gas I had to stop drinking those. I read somewhere that if you experience an intolerance with something to give it a week or so and try again. Looks like that might be working with the protein shakes and thank God since it seems I can't consume the soft foods. It's all very frustrating, but I'm trying to stay focused on the end goal and not let these discomforts discourage me from my goals. But aaargh!!!