kellyq

Update: I had my surgery on August 30, 2012. Somewhere on this forum, I posted that I wanted to be able to accept my husbands jacket when offered to me on a chilly night. This seemed like a silly thing to "want"... I am happy to say, I can accept his jacket now - and it's BIG! I may be losing slower than others on this forum - but I couldn't be happier! I am almost 9 months out and down about 91 pounds. I went from a size 24 in plus size to a size 14 regular size! I can go into any store and find clothes that fit! I thank god that I had the courage to go through with this surgery - it has changed my life!

Where in South NJ?

I had this discussion with my surgeon yesterday as I asked about caffeine and alcohol. He said from his Medical Perspective, it's not a problem! He said he would tell a bypass patient otherwise, but since our anatomy is the same (just smaller) it's ok. He said I was a "big girl" and new if it bothered me, to just stop. He also said several Starbucks a day is not good - but I was allowed a cup or two. With alcohol, he again said, I can have a drink if I want. No Medical reason why I can't. He did say if the NUT's in the office heard him say that, they would get mad. It's the nutrition perspective they come from - but I did ask him from a Medical perspective.

Congrats! Our stats are about the same. I am 5'2" and started at 272 lbs. I was sleeved 8/30. As of today, I am at 237, down 35 lbs. I have not measured myself, so I have no input on inches - but I'm down about 2 sizes in clothes! My gut and butt have very noticeably shrank - thank god for that!

@seraphina- how much did you lose?

When is the concert?

That must have been such a wonderful feeling!

I was told at this stage, to have 3 puree meals a day (2-3 oz), 3 Protein shakes a day (4 oz each) and then 64 oz Fluid. I get the meals in and the protein (which is starting to make me gag!), and about 50 oz of Water. I assume the shakes and stuff add into that 64 oz - but I'm not completely sure. I just know I haven't been dehydrated yet. After this weekend, I can move to "soft foods" adding in ground meats! YEAH!

I was 4 weeks post-op just yesterday. I am on a puree diet still. Just this past week, I am so tired! I've also had bouts of nausea as well - even with just drinking Water. Nothing ever comes up - just a feeling. Is this normal for this stage? I know I'm still healing and will be feeling different things at different times - but I hate the tiredness! I am taking my Vitamins, B12, Calcium and the complete. I am also on the protonix for the acid. Any advice? I figured I'd get through the weekend and call the surgeon next week if I was still tired. I juat don't like to think I'm overreacting.

I couldn't even lay on any side for 2 weeks. I slept propped up on pillows. I am now 3 weeks out and can sleep on my side, but rolling over is still a little sore feeling.

Thanks everyone. I went out and got the tongue scraper. I'll start there!

When does it go away??? I have never been told I had bad breath (well, no more than the normal person..LOL). But since surgery 10 days ago, my husband says he can smell it when I enter the room! When does this go away?? (Listerine breath strips have become a staple of mine lately!)

What a great post - thank you. I'm almost 2 weeks post op, so the reassurance like this is great!

My doctor said as long as the pill is pea sized or smaller, to go ahead and swallow as normal. Hope this helps!

I'm in Forked River, I grew up in Toms River (Gilford Park Area). You will stay your first day/night in CCU. I only found out about this the morning of surgery. He likes the extra care initially. You will move to the med/surg floor the next day after your swallow test. While in CCU, they let you up with assistance to go bathroom (which is a toilet in the corner of the room with a curtain). They also get you out of bed and into a chair. They really don't allow walking at this stage for us. They prefer to assist with the in and out of bed, which I was actually grateful for. I did not have a foley, but I did have a JP drain. I'm not sure if everyone gets one or not. The nurses in CCU were terrific and really on the ball. I never had to wait when calling for one. I did find it quite noisy though. All the rooms are steps away from the nurses desk. They can see in each room from where they sit. This made the overnight a bit noisy as they all seemed to gather to talk, and they weren't too quiet!