Angelmom

Thanks. Where do you buy it?

Hi Sherri: I also saw the acid prevention meds discussed. We have to take it daily, for three months, to prevent serious complications, such as, ulcers. I have to say that today, I really don't want those buscuits anymore...the desire dropped off. I know I should eat something and heated up a left over Amaretto Capuccino, and it's still sitting on my little table. I prefer my mind choosing what and when to eat, than my (whatever it is) telling me to eat, eat, EAT! I was so glad to hear other ladies are having similar problems! It helps to know we are not alone, and that we are normal. I liked the Prevacid capsules that have to be opened to let the little balls out. Those don't taste bad like these tablets that I have to cut in half, and I think they worked better. Problem is, they're expensive, and otc. I'm sucking up the bad taste of the tablet I have to cut in half and take, in order to save money. I wonder if, when we are further down the road, and more "normal" if we should take an acid reducer to stop hunger?...or, would that just cause the food we do eat to rot inside of us, like I know can happen. Cindi

Hi, Tamara. Thank you for your reply, too. After I wrote on here, thinking my sleeve wasn't working anymore either...after just 4 weeks...I was worried and feeling a bit like a failur, but then I went and did a search. Some other women posted something similar a couple years ago...so now I don't feel the same as I did, either. I was also wondering if maybe I didn't take my acid prevention tablet early enough. I keep forgetting to take it and don't much enjoy the bitter taste of it...and as a result, I keep taking it about now, at night. I'm going to take it in the morning and see if that works. Best of luck to you, too!

Depending on what the reasons are, you can try and adjust your position with pillows, prop your legs up with pillows while raising them up on the recliner. I sleep with either a fan in the window, the ceiling fan, or a big fan on the floor blowing either on me or away from me...any one or a combination, to help me sleep. If I am hungry and cannot sleep, I eat something...even though it's late...getting my protein is the most important thing I have to do...same for you. Perhaps a nice shower, some lotion on your skin, comfy socks, and a hot chocolate...while sitting in front of the tv watching something you enjoy until you fall asleep will help. Try different things until you feel comfy...that should help.

The last few days have been more energetic, and I have not taken naps, though I was tired and needed to sit and rest. I've been to the doctor, and he said the scab is normal...but I have to tell you... I don't think it was...I say was because it loosened again, and spun around, then clinged by a thread of connective tissue, and so I pulled on it to see if it hurt. It didn't so I finished taking it off....and then began the bleeding. I can only assume it was a capillary forming a connection....or losing it's connection. Since then, the wound has run clear fluid and gotten smaller, less red and raised on the edges and the middle has filled in a lot more. I think my body was trying to get that scab off! ...amazing what a body can do, how it thinks on it's own. I went to my first post-surgery support group, and it was interesting, to say the least. There was a loud woman there, who sat next to...you guessed it!...me! She interrupted everyone who was talking, including me, and afterward another woman and I got to hear her entire life story, fraught with contradictions, and the spit that sprayed across the sidewalk, onto my arm, as she reached up and moved a hair out of my face with her grody hand, while revealing that her girlfriend who was her fiance, died of cancer! Whoa! She wants to carpool with me! I don't think so! She wiggled her parts all over and showed us very visually how the plastic surgeon who visited held her vagina in his hand, and how she has been single for 8 years...but how she is married to a man now and divorcing after one year, and how this surgeon was getting her off...good grief! Everything she said had shock value to it, and was incredibly unproductive, irritating, and funny. I found myself wondering if I behave that way-if I annoy the bologny out of other people, and I hope to God, not! You never know who is going to show up to that meeting. Today, I am hungry, like all day, I've been hungry. I did lose another pound, today, but all I've wanted to do is eat...and yes, my belly has been physically hungry. Last night, my daughter made flaky buscuits. Once or twice a year I will let her bake them. Trouble is, that's all I've "wanted" to eat. Yesterday, what was left of a gallon bag of meatballs I made in preparation for the surgery was cooked slowly on the stove with sauce for the children....they ate all the others that were in the bag at other meals. I really wanted meatballs after the surgery, and couldn't get or really have any, anyway....so these, my delicious meatballs were smelling so good, and I'm allowed meat. So, I had one, and then the rest of the day, at the other four. I wanted more than what was left over, and wished I had more. Now, I'm wondering, why on Earth am I wanting those buscuits....and what's up with the meatballs?! I know I'm hungry, and haven't been able to eat more than about 500 calories, but today, I have been very hungry...and stuck to high quality protein, except for the bit of buscuit I allowed myself to have....but, I can't have those things in the house, anymore, and told my daughter that they won't be coming back because they are not healthy for any of us. What I don't want is to feel a drive to eat whatever it might be, ever again....whether my hunger is real or not. I need to figure out how to sort this out. On October 15, I have a meeting with the psychologist, and I'm going to talk with her about it. I walked at least a half mile today, and did two loads of laundry, as well as looked after my two little buddies who are both ill...daughter with headache, and son with stomach bug. He slept for twenty-four hours straight...hopefully, he can go to school in the morning. He is very upset about missing school...which is a welcome change from previous years. I prayed for them to be well, as they have prayed for mommy. I am now down 35lbs...and as I write this, I am wondering if PMS has anything to do with my increased hunger. I do get hungrier at that time, and have more pain in my back, as well. I wonder what other ladies go through regarding cravings and hunger post-sleeve, during PMS time...and how they handle it. I have had to take those buscuits and dump water on them, then put them in the trash. I had pain that made me think I was dying after my procedure...and one thing I never want to happen is that I'd forget that suffering and trade it in for a buscuit! And I reject my own rationalizations that lead to making it ok to have one...because that one does not satisfy...another one is always wanted. I want to be successful, and this is thee last resort, it's now or never! My skin has bee so dry that nothing helped. My skin would slough off after the shower when drying with the towel. I went on a search for lotions and remedies, and found a new lotion by Dial called NurtriSkin. I bought the extra dry with shea butter version and I like it. The lotion seeps into the skin and moisturizes for a long time. I also liked the Mango Aloe Vera lotion that Sally Beauty sells, but the Dial one works well enough. The scales on my elbows that were literally sticking off my skin have smoothed and healed, and the backs of my hands are improving, as well. The rosacea is also calming down, as my face has been incredibly red for weeks after surgery.

I don't think we are allowed to eat any fruit, including applesauce, because fruit is not allowed at all for a long while. Protein has to be first...and there is, likely, no way you'll get enough protein in to even consider applesauce. I hope you get to enjoy it very much when you do get it. I thought I would be having it, but it's not on the diet.

It was just a little cheese, and it did not sit well. Though I'm allowed to have cheese, I won't be doing it again. The fat free shreds seem to be tolerable, though.

Great job! Keep your chin up! Maybe go see a thyroid doc..maybe they have a med you can take.

I never wanted anything but the sleeve, and that was before I knew they even had it. In my mind I had this idea and wanted it...only to find out it existed! The offices originally pushed for the bypass, but I didn't want that because you cannot take pain meds and a host of other meds ever again. When I got denied for the sleeve, I was approved for bypass...but I told my surgeon I was not comfortable with that, nor the Lapband. My surgeon, then, told me that if a surgery isn't right for you, that having it will only lead to regret down the road...and that's what other patients have said to her...that they regretted choosing a different surgery than what they wanted based on insurance approvals, etc. I have lost 34 lbs in 3 weeks with the sleeve. I think if you get the procedure that your "gut" sits well with, and follow the instructions, count your calories and give a care for yourself...that the sleeve will help you (and me) to reach our goals. I plan to lose 94 more lbs, and have gotten rid of 54 total. We can do it!

I'm posting this again, because the original posting seems to have not registered. Today, I had the pleasure of seeing one of the only doctors/persons who showed me any kindness during my post-op care. The doctor said my incision that is slower to heal is healing, and not infected...however gross it may get at times, to just keep after it with the bandage taped at one edge only. The doctor also said that he has never seen anyone have my kind of pain that I had after my surgery. He said I was the perfect patient leading up to the procedure, and that I did everything right. He couldn't understand why my pain was so uncontrollable...and that giving me the pain meds just caused the nausea to get worse....and in turn, caused me not to be able to take anything in--I can tell you that I was just in so much pain and so exhausted that nausea was not the reason for the lack of ingestion, though. He said he felt so bad for me and really wanted to help--and he did...my spirit felt his spirit giving a care. I thanked him for that kindness. He said that when people have enormous pain, as I had, it is usually because there is some underlying problem with the nerves. He asked if I have fibromyalgia...I don't...but, I have been asked that so many times, maybe I do. I did have shingles about 5 years ago, and that was incredibly painful, though nothing at all like what I went through with this sleeve. He said it is possible that the shingles virus attached itself to the ganglion that are associated with the areas where I was cut. At first, I thought not, because the virus was in the right lumbar region of my back, and my incisions are higher up on the belly, but who knows, maybe that area is associated with my incisions. Either way, I do have more pain in general than what I think I should. I'm always dealing with something. Standard Process Calcium Lactate does help, though. The point is, though, that underlying pain conditions will severely exacerbate the pain of surgery....something to watch out for. Wearing a bra has been a no-go since the surgery, but I did try to wear one. I have a habit of wearing my bras until they are completely worn out, and even when the underwires snap, I take the old wires out of the old bras and fix the less worn ones. I just happened to have one bra that had no underwires, laying around, and wouldn't you know it...that's the one that I was able to wear! I was so happy I never fixed it. I highly recommend a bra that fits loosely, comfortably, and that has no wires...even if you have to make a cut in the casing and take the wires out. Today, I had energy. I went to my appointments, and then went to Target to look for candy corn Oreo's for my daughter. They were out of them within a couple days, but I walked around the store, getting my exercise. I bought a personal Pizza Hut pizza, which I have been craving. I ate the top off two of the slices, and gee...my belly did not like that at all. A few days ago, I tried a super low fat cheese stick...and my belly didn't like that either. I think I have to avoid cheese. I also went to the sneaker store, and to Burlington. I looked for pants that might fit me now...that would be loose enough and small enough...but didn't buy any. I will just take in my favorite exercise pants and call it a day...when I can stand the running of the sewing machine...and the motion of my arms around my belly. Though I was kind of spent when I got home, I waited for the children to finish with school and we went and walked close to a mile. Upon arriving at home...pain set in, and I visited my chair and pile of squishy pillows for some rest. We had chicken fajitas for dinner with black beans. I had one tender and a little fat free cheese, with some black beans. I really love that, but missed my pile of spinach that I would put the chicken on. I had bought some sticky buns at the fair over the weekend, and ate a little bit a few times...but I have to say that I don't really care to eat that! I would have eaten both of them the very next day or even that night when I got home. I have had just a little a couple times, to help myself not feel deprived, and to enjoy...but I feel that it is not good food for my health. Every time I ate it that's how I felt. I am going to chop the other one up and put in the freezer for if company comes or whatever....then there will be something yummy to follow up a dinner with. Tuna is easy to eat, as is Healthy Ones smoked turkey. The doctor said the salt is of no concern at this point, as long as I get the protein and liquids in....well, I'm trying. The doctor also said that because I lost 34 lbs, I am way ahead of the curve for a sleeve, and that I can expect to not lose much during the month of October. My next appointment is on Halloween...go figure! He assured me that I will indeed lose more weight, though it won't be as much because my body is making adjustments related to the loss of so much weight up front. ...and I'm tired...going back to my chair...

Thank you both! I definitely do not want to "enjoy" my food the old ways. When I read that, something clicked inside of me, and I had a moment of clarity. What I had meant was that I don't enjoy any of my food really at all...not in the normal way...but...could there be a subconscious wrong "enjoyment" rolling around? I will work to have the right kind of attitude to feed my body correctly....and to look for more triggers. Every day I'm learning and dealing with it all.

Well...I've lost 34lbs. It takes 2 months for the stomach to heal. I go day by day, and hope that it will be worth it. I really wanted to change my health, and felt I needed something drastic to do it...I just wish that thing didn't have to be so drastic. I can barely eat anything, but actually, eating and drinking are a little better than they were . I had been exercising a lot...and now I am managing to get around more. I really believe that pre-surgery exercise has made a great difference. I actually walked the whole fair the other day...and a little more. Today I walked around at Country Junction. I did better, today....much less pain, much less resting needed afterward, much less needing to hold my belly. I just have a hard time enjoying any food, except this crystal lite fruit punch, that I'm drinking, right now. I'm hoping that will get better. I felt sad today when other people were eating pizza and enjoying things and I wasn't able to enjoy even the smallest amount of chicken....just ate because I need protein, and waited for the discomfort that seems to come so often. My incisions have been very painful, but the smaller ones are healed for the most part on the outside. The one at the top of my sternum has healed well, but the one that is just to the right of my sternum has not been healing, has been separating, getting red and swelling along the edges, while underneath the scab has been forming this disgusting cheesy gross substance. The surgeon's nurse tells me it's normal and is a serum of protein...which was believable when it was runny and clear, but the last few days it has been cheesy. I went into the tent at the fair and asked for prayer and healing, and now it seems to be healing. Praise God! I was very worried about getting a major infection or some other problem there. I have been keeping a square of bandage on it, secured by one bandaid holding it on at the top....turns out I have redeveloped my sensitivity to tape, so just a little bandaid edging is all I can tolerate. The other edges I leave free so that air can get underneath the bandage. Washing in the shower with the presurgery soap helps as well. Tomorrow I am seeing a doctor and a nutritionist in the nutritionist's office. I plan to show the wound there, after I shower in the morning. This is the choice I made, and you can't go back...and I'm not sure that I want to go back...because going back means I don't have success over the weight problems. We shall see what a year brings. It will pass before we know it...I am looking forward to what a month from now brings, and seeing how I feel in November, when my stomach should have healed on the inside.

Thank you for the comments, Tiffany. I know what you mean, and I have had years of counseling...and I am a counselor, myself, actually....I do plan to get some more counseling, however, but really, I think this whole thing is just an emotional process...it comes with the territory...and in waves.

I was told by my surgeon, that you would "be amazed at how much the sleeve can stretch."

Losing too much? I can only hope. ...to slow losing...try a little carbs.

Today, I am spent. First thing, I woke up upset,(with heartburn) having dreamt of my ex-husband, whom was a rotten prick, but whom I loved with my whole heart. I dream of him too often, but I can't help it. I've been divorced over 7 years, but I took my vows seriously, and though we had an incredibly difficult life beyone what a jerk he was, I still have a part of me that grieves, and it comes out in my dreams in the form of having him in my life...but in a way that I wished he would have been. I don't know that these dreams ever go away. I do know I am still emotionally riding a roller coaster, and that most of it is from the drama of this surgery and the whole long, drawn-out process. I just hope that the Lord is preparing a wonderful husband for me for someday in the future...a man that I can love with my whole heart and get that in return. I would never want anything less. Went for a walk this morning, then to Walmart and did actual shopping. I had to empty the cart myself, which meant bending and lifting...not what I planned to do. I couldn't push the cart up the hilled parking lot, so my daughter had to do it. She would have unloaded the cart, but I had promised her pumpkin poptarts-as a treat of the season, and she went to get them and was not at the check-out. So, that tired me out, further. Then, I rested at home, and had no desire left to cook anything like I was originally planning, so I helped make some dinner, and the twins did the rest, while I rested in my recliner with all my pillows as comfy, warm cushions. I had a little leftover broth from Friendly's for breakfast, a super low fat cheese stick that I melted to oblivion before swallowing, which made me feel uncomfortable. I had also tried to eat a Jello Active pudding for a change of pace but those just don't do it for me, anymore. I'm so sick of protein shakes, and my daughter got out the cappuccino powders, and low and behold, they are to be made warm/hot! I don't like coffee, ever since I was pregnant with the twins, but I said, "fire it up" and she did! I enjoyed it and we added a half tablespoon of non-alkalinized organic cocoa powder and it was wonderful. I warmed up in my chair, and felt good enough to take my son to scouts...but once there, I quickly fell back to pain and even holding my left side to cough wasn't enough. We sat in the van and I listened to the sounds of summer and felt the breeze through the two open windows, while listening to songs that require singing by the listener,....in an effort to be positive and enjoy myself. I had also taken another cappuccino--vanilla flavored--but it was not as good as the earlier, amarretto one. So, I didn't drink but half of it. I was hungry, still. Then, we got home and my son, who is still coughing, took four times the dose of cough medicine that he was supposed to. While I was concerned and know the proper course of action, my nerve finally snapped and I yelled at him to drink the water and get ready for bed. I just couldn't take one more thing. I felt bad and apologized for yelling...then he asked me if he was going to die, and said he understood I was upset....well, that made me feel worse, and I assured him he is ok, and that this happened one other time and he just has to drink water and sleep it off. So, my belly gets hungry and has since a few days after surgery, but I am sick to death of protein shakes. What I wouldn't give for some tuna, or chicken, or a hot dog. I don't even need the carbs...just some actual substance...but then again, I'm terrified of things of substance making me sick. I still have this wretched gas that appears every time I eat or drink. The gas makes me feel stuffed and hungry at the same time. I did mix up a different protein shake, but accidentally put milk in it instead of water and it's goopy...so I won't ingest that. I had a greek yoplait and it was tough to eat, one lick after another off the back of a plastic spoon...with all the gas I'm feeling. Additionally, I have some heartburn this evening, as well...probably from not eating enough protein, and one of my incisions is leaking a mustard colored clearl liquid--which I read could be liquid fat coming out...iew, and ok, then! Then, I wonder if I'm ever going to lose the weight. I woke up this morning, having gained .8lbs. It's probably from the salt in the broth, but still. Then I saw pictures floating across the computer screen when it was in down mode, and some of them have me much thinner and bigger, and the same during other times in my life...and at all those times, and even when pretty small, compared to now, men still found me repulsive, and undesirable...like when we went to the monster truck show...I love those shows, but all the bimbos there had on skimpy tight shorts and bikini tops...it really was disgusting. Then, when going through the autograph line, the men were rude to me, and my little children...and sweet on the skimpy biotches. I felt horrible about that...and I'm feeling emotional about losing weight, and if it will be enough, and getting emotionally tangled up, I realize at this moment, about things that don't even matter...but about things that bothered me when I saw those pictures. Also, when my loser ex-husband came back from overseas, I had pulled my life together and had lost quite a lot of weight, and then he said, 'you lost a lot of weight, I don't think I want a divorce anymore." Well, I layed the law down for him and told him what I expect of a husband...which wasn't what he was willing to give...so he went forward with the divorce, which was fine by me, but very upsetting. It's just been so hard, my whole life a mess, starting with my father holding me down, beating me and forcing me to eat deer meat and mashed potatoes, and then when I was so terrified and upsed, I'd throw it up just to be forced to swallow the throwup....all the way through to being with the wrong kind of men and being judged for my size. One thing is for sure, I would never want to date a man who wouldn't date a bigger woman...how would I know if a man is kind to bigger women or not, I don't know, but I do know I need to get this crap I'm struggling with out of me....and leave it there...and build my life for me....care for myself for my health and the well-being of my children. I just wish I didn't have so much crap in my life all these years....adding being an orphan to the pile, and being abused by so many people, and abandoned, and then raising two special needs children, along with the loss of a child and so many others. I don't wonder how I got this way. It's just sad, and I want to be out of physical pain so that I can really work to move forward. I did not expect this amount of pain...it makes me feel vulnerable, and shed tears now and then, and I'm not used to that. I find myself leaning on the Lord and praying a lot about whatever comes into my mind. Apparently, whatever that is needs attention beyond what I can give, so I give it to the Lord...and get a hug from my best friend, my child....and person for whom I have tremendous respect, love and admiration. I hope to be as great a woman as she has been becoming. I am truly blessed by my children. Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it, a clean slate with which to move forward, and that's what I intend to do...starting with cooking an egg like the one that I enjoyed so much the other day...got to get that protein in.

Thank you! I will see about those lotions, because nothing else is working. I appreciate the suggestions. Cindi

I had an actual good day, today! I got a shower with relative ease!....Walked about .25 miles, maybe a little more. I took it easy, but nonetheless accomplished real walking. I felt my body get warmed up when I finished up. The walk took me about 25 minutes, but I did it...outside, in the sun, with my daughter-my angel, and best friend, at my side. I couldn't ask for a better friend, child, daughter. She is truly wonderful, and I admire her so much! I also took the twins out to get some food to eat as a treat...my son got a crab sub with a ton of bvegetables on flatbread at Subway...it IS Subway's birthday, and it was only $5! That's what he said! My daughter got chili from Wendy's and both of them wanted french fries...hold the salt! I got chicken soup broth from Friendly's. It had some tiny chunks of chicken and very mushy, melty noodles that I smashed to smitherines in my mouth and swallowed, anyway. If I can have a tablet that is the size of an eraser, I think I can have a little teeny bit of substance. I really wanted to go to a movie, and just sit there and soak it in...but movies are a rip off, and the lack of some goodie to enjoy while at the movie made me not go to a movie...plus, I was tired after the walk and didn't want to be away from my daughter. I stayed with her as she did her cyber school--which she loves, btw. Instead, when my boy got home, we left for food, and rented two Redbox movies...the Katy Perry movie--suprisingly interesting, and Hysteria--also very interesting, especially since I had wanted to be a doctor, and at an auction got this old doctor book that had one of the stages of life for women as "hysteria!" I thought that was interesting, and to see it played out in a movie was very enjoyable! I suggest both movies. Once home, and watching Hysteria...I had made a real hot cocoa...it's on the stage 2 diet! 1 cup of organic skim milk...one scoop organic non-alkaline cocoa, and a packet of stevia...yum! I really and truly enjoyed my food, today. I had wanted to drink the cherry Nectar that someone sent to me...and I tried to drink it...but had a hard time because of throwing up last night...so I had some of it and let my son try it...and he drank it ALL! haha! Watching him drink it was funny...the straw was sucking air...yes, I know I'm not supposed to use straws, but they do not give me gas and I thought I could get more protein in. I also lost two more pounds, today!...so I have 97lbs to go! After the violent vomitting of last night, I wasn't sure that I didn't have a leak possible, so I ate nothing until I could get the doctor's office to call me back, and I'm fine. Doctor's nurse said I may need to take Miralax for a while until fiber can be reintroduced. That stinks, but at least I have no leak! It's been a good and blessed day. I am determined to actually go to the fair and do more than sit at a few locations and suffer. Tomorrow I will walk again...and hopefully , I will wake up stronger than I woke up today...just like the day before yesterday when I walked at the fair. Walking is healilng. This is the first day I have felt satisfied with my meals, and happy, with a touch of normal....mostly for just the afternoon into this evening. I even think I'm going to sleep well. I am hungry, too, but I'll have a drink and that will take care of that, until morning. I also purchased some cold pack devices and have started putting them on my belly to try and reduce swelling, especially after walking. I hope it works, and I hope to lose all my extra weight. Hope is high, right now! It's a good day! My skin will not moisturize up. I put olive oil all over my skin today...and my daughter helped me with one of my feet and lower leg...but I am dry, dry, dry. I wish I had a way to fix that. Even the rosacea on my face will not relent.

I just realized that I have lost 49lbs altogether, and that I have 99 to go to reach my goal! That's less than 100lbs! Yay for me! Good thing I can't go eat to celebrate that...because I want to party and celebrate. I'll just have to enjoy that I'm getting better and that the sun is shining, and soon I'll be back outside walkin in it!...maybe even jogging a little! I picked 160 as a midpoint of where I'd really like to be and where I was once before. At 189, the last time I had lost 63lbs....I was happy...then I gained it and more back. I was 165 or so when I got home from the Army, years ago, and that was ok...but when I was my thinnest, and felt the healthiest...I was 145-150. I had starved myself down to 138 one time, when I was going in the Marines...but honestly, I was sick as a dog and if I ate anything, I could not maintain that weight. I remember thinking I wanted to eat a houseplant that was in one of the offices I was in at that time, because I could not maintain that horribly small weight and eat. So, anyway, about 160 would be sweet.

We went to the fair, yesterday afternoon. I had taken some B12 under the tongue, and I think it helped me have energy to drive and be alert. Eating eggs has helped me feel more awake. My son carried my chair for me and gave me his sweatshirt to use as a pillow behind my back. I paid him $3.00 to do it...finally he's done something to help me, instead of the reverse. I just sat there except for a little walking to the entertainment stand, and a bit more walking to get some soup...as well as out to the parking lot. I was not able to eat the soup once I got back to my chair with it because it was all grease. My son wouldn't even eat it. I was in a lot of pain from walking, again....but I guess getting out was good. There were no meatballs there to buy and bring home for later, either!--something about the fair raising it's prices and Sunset not being willing to raise their--so they just got rid of the best meatballs ever, instead! WHAT!!! I was upset about that...and my daughter did not pack me a protein shake, so I had only the two greek yogurts, and I was sick to my stomach when we got home from not having anything to eat. Next time, I'll make sure I have what I need packed...even if my daughter carries ir ot packs it...I'll check it better, because I had to take that liquid Rinitidine--yuck!...and an actual antacid...and rock myself to comfort while watching SNL--Mumford and Sons (my favorite band) was on! The ride home was a little rough, but the belly binder helped--I think...hard to tell since that's the first time I went anywhere, really, since the surgery. I'm having a hard time going potty...went to the pharmacy to get my stack of meds., Miralax and mineral oil, along with some nice warm Unjury chicken broth. I need to figure out how to get fiber in without hurting my sleeve. Yogurt certainly has none! Yesterday, I dropped my second to last shot on the floor. As I had inserted the needle, it hurt, then I flinched with my fingers and dropped the needle without having injected the Lovenox....so, I got new shots and took care of that problem, first thing this morning. I miss summer....these last 17 days have been very cooped up and full of suffering....I can't wait until I can get back to my walks...how I love those walks. The Carnation sugar-free chocolate packs used to give me gas pains in my stomach when I first tried them this past winter. Then I had no problems with them. Now, I think they cause many more gas pains and I cannot use the Carnation packets, anymore. I have an entire plastic chip jug full of them, too. I hope to be able to drink them, or the twins can have them....we'll have to see. I was able to stand them better than the other protein sources...not that there were many...just the GNC Total Lean Vanilla and Strawberry...very expensive. I keep putting lotion on my skin, and it keeps being dry and scaly. I think I'm going to give olive oil a try, followed by Vaseline. As of today, I am down 49lbs...29 since surgery...and i can see my knuckles. My exercise tops fall off...which is annoying, but good. I'm sure glad I did not buy anymore clothes these last few months...except for exercise tops at Walmart for $6. I'll have to get sewing to take them in a bit, because I have no intention of buying more clothes for a long time. Also, I have not been able to wear a bra because it pushes on my incision sites, or down on the muscles and sore parts, and squishes things in an uncomfortable way. Yesterday, I got out a soft sport bra to try and wear at the fair...got to put the girls in something!...but even that wasn't good enough. I cut the areas that were a bit binding to loosen them up. As soon as I got to my van to leave, I took that thing off, right there in the middle of the helicopter ride area! I don't care who saw me...lol! But, now, today, I put a bra on to go to the pharmacy, and it didn't cause me any discomfort! I'm getting slowly better and so happy about that! I just hope I'm better enough to go to open house at my son's school. Onward and upward!

I did go ahead and have the B12 sublingual tab, and I think it helped. I also took a gummy vitamin, today. I think it's helping....I hope I don't get into problems from it.

I did go ahead and have the B12 sublingual tab, and I think it helped. I also took a gummy vitamin, today. I think it's helping....I hope I don't get into problems from it.

Yes, I have talked to the doctor, and the doctor said this is normal...for about 6 weeks. The egg was good...satisfactory, and my stomach felt pretty good. I am not allowed to take any vitamins, yet, because they can mess with healing and if there is a problem like a leak, vitamins can cause problems with a subsequent surgery that might be needed. I have however planned to take a sublingual B12 tomorrow to see if that helps...it won't go down the esophagus, so I think it will be ok.

I got permission to have eggs, cottage or ricotta cheese. I only like eggs...and haven't tried them since I was told I could have them...but right now, I'm having one...in the hopes that my energy will increase. I'm amazed that I think I can eat the whole thing, when others said they ate two bites and were stuffed. I just hope I'm doing it right...chewing enough. I have had no uncomfortableness so far, unlike with liquids, and I am chewing the egg down to bits. It sure tastes good....and the ads on the tv for food, all the time do not help with head hunger, except to show me how brainwashed we are into eating all the time....which is help in a different way...to be able to see the brainwashing. I managed to go outside and walk .1 miles...but when I got back, I was pooped. I have tried to nap a couple times today, but it's not happening. Then, you get the gas that's rolling around in me still...very painfully so...and I'm in tears between the gas and no energy. I also managed to drive to the stores, yesterday, and got a shower. I can use another shower...but showers are exhausting, as well. The landlord is coming tomorrow, and I'll have to get cleaned up for him...or...maybe I won't, and I'll just sit in my chair. My friend who insisted I be part of the Halloween skits finally has it through her head that I'm not going to be involved except to make a few little things if I can swing the energy. So that's a good thing, but she keeps calling about the sewing. I'll have to find a way to accomplish that for her, next week. My son is behaving better, and is still sick. Making him wear a mask and wash often as well as use sanitizer, often has prevented me from getting sick...however, I am still coughing up chunks of junk from the ventilator. I think it's all almost out of my lungs. Looking forward to more energy! I really want to go to the fair! I don't have to eat there, but can bring food home for when I can eat something besides eggs.

Are you watching your salt intake?...considering time of the month bloat?