ChristineeeNYC

I had surgery 8/20 and my curse was due 8/27, came a few days late. No biggie. My second post op period took 44 days to come. My surgeon said this is normal. Not worried about it. More irritated since my curse was fairly predictable pre-op.

I recently tried.nectar (syntax?) Protein drinks. They have little.packets/trial sizes and flavors like apple, etc. Mix with water or.milk and ba,m 23 grams of protein!

My nutritionist said hair thinning/loss can start 3 months out and last for 3 months. Best way to fight it is make sure that you get 60-80 grams of Protein every day. She also recommended biotene supplements.

I started having a sharp pain on my left side (up high, just below my breast) about 10 days post op. I could breathe, no fever, no other pain. It almost felt like a muscle cramp. I started to panic but the MD on call said I was fine, may have pulled something, and not to worry unless I started feeling nauseous or developed a fever. I didn't. A few days later was my 2 week post op checkup. Surgeon said it was fine, nothing to worry about. Even though the incision was a few inches away, he said that they do sometimes cut internally at angles. But he wasn't worried. The pain resolved itself within 2 weeks. No worries. I think it was all part of the healing process.

My NUT told me that it would probably start 3 months post op and continue until 6 months post op. I had long hair and as soon as I found that out, I cut off 9-10 inches to donate. To Pantene (Locks of love is a badly run organization). I get some peace knowing that I've donated healthy hair to them, before I have less of it). Also, as my sister pointed out, having the shorter hair come out in my brush would be less upsetting than having clumps of long hair coming out. NUT also suggested biotene. I guess I will start taking it now, hoping it will offset what's coming... Fingers crossed.

I had the irritated throat post op, but probably since 10 days out, I've had this annoying dry cough, like something is caught in my throat. All day long. Little annoying doggy like coughs. And night too. Last night I took some NyQuil at 3am because I just needed to F-ing sleep. And I did hank God. I also made sure NyQuil didn't have NSAIDs, and it doesn't. Today my doctor said its ok to take robitussin and NyQuil. So I will be stocking up. Did your cough ever go away? I'm starting to get worried that this could be a lifelong side effect of surgery. Yeah I get dramatic like that.

I'm giving myself a year to lose weight, an as soon as I can, I will start weight training to build muscle and help the skin reabsorb. I've heard it can take another year for your skin to readjust up your new body, so I will wait until my 2 year surgical anniversary before I make any decisions on excess skin.

First I am sending you a big, long hug. Second you need to know THIS IS NOT YOUR FAULT. Based on what you're saying, it sounds like he's always had 1 foot out the door (with cheating) and especially more recently (using your weight loss against you). Third, please please please surround yourself with people who love you and support you. I sounds like one day he's supportive the next he's not. This is not good for you. Rely on your family and friends. Find strength in them, and in turn, you will find strength in yourself. Don't even deal with the idea of divorce yet. If he goes, let him go. Rely on other means of support. Give yourself 6 months to focus on YOU. Healing yourself physically and emotionally. Then deal with him once the 6 month period has passed. You've come this far. You can do this!

I am going to be tested on Wednesday to confirm no nicotine is in my system. I think they do the test via bloodwork.

I hear ya! I had wrapped my mind (and heart) around quitting surgery when the surgery happened, so I was blindsided last week when I found out I should have quit smoking a month before surgery. I found out on 8/9 that I should have quit mid-July for surgery, which is set for 8/20. This was the first pre-op paperwork that I had gotten tha mentioned quitting smoking a month before surgery. And I had been upfront and honest with everyone that I smoke, but I am a light smoker - 5 cigarettes a day. I was so traumatized. I told my sister and the surgical consultant i felt like I had just been told I *HAVE* to break up with my boyfriend, and I didn't even get to say goodbye. Here's what I learned: If I have above a certain nicotine level in my blood, they will NOT do the surgery. I've come this far so I'm not doing anything to jeopardize that. Also, my sister pointed out, I'm probably going to be miserable after surgery, so why would I want to make myself more miserable by going through cigarette withdrawal at the same time? Better to get through that now, so then when I am post-op, I can just focus on recovery. And my last two thoughts 1) cigarette smoking SLOWS down your recovery, causes greater risks for gastric ulcers and blood clots. I am going through a lot to get my new little baby stomach. I want to treat it really well, and not do anything that my hurt my recovery, or hurt me. 2) if you were to puff on cigarettes post-op, you would be increasing gases to your new baby stomach. You will already be very gassy. No need to make yourself even more uncomfortable. Good luck, Christine

I call mine the "Farewell Tour". Having some of my favorite foods before my surgery on 8/20 in NYC. My surgeon only requires "liquids only" the day before surgery. I realize that I may be able to have these foods again a few months post-op, but I also know that there is a chance my tastes for these foods will permanently change... What I *love* now, I may hate after. So I am mentally and emotionally preparing myself for the possibility of not having these foods for a long, long time, if ever again. Good luck!

Hi everyone! My name is Christine, I live in NYC and I will be getting sleeved on Aug 20th. Good luck to everyone!