lilac lass

It's okay, we all get it and know exactly how you are feeling. We all are impatient to get thinner ASAP but that is why this forum is so great. We have people we can check in with.

HI, I was sleeved on Dec 6. My doctor said I could start taking my meds and I also asked about fish oil which I was taking before. He said yes. I started taking them, got them down fine. I am only on stage 2, mushie food. So here is my question, does anyone have any issues with fish oil and digestion, diarrhea, etc? I haven't yet but I only took them last night.

HI, I was sleeved 12-6. My doctor said I could go to stage two, soft food on Christmas. But here is my confusion, when I first started meeting with the NUT in July, she went over the nutrition program. I did well on it and was good at not eating 30 minutes before and after meals. After surgery, my doctor said not to focus on fluids and timing with the Protein shakes. That made sense since I wasn't really eating any food, just an occasional bit of apple sauce. The NUT from the office has resigned and they don't have new one yet so I don't have one to ask. So tomorrow when I take a few bites of soft food, do I go back to the 30 minute break before and after the food? Is it now or at the next final stage of full bariatric diet? It makes sense to have a gap without fluids now, my stomach isn't big, but I wanted to know what you did.

Praying everyone is safe!!

I am starting soft solids but I am still to get most of my protein from shakes. So here is my question, do I have to have 4 hours between a meal and a shake? If I do, I don't see how I am going to have breakfast, shake, lunch, shake, dinner, shake. I don't see how to get that all in. For example, I had egg white for breakfast but that wasn't much protein (4 grams). I want to have some turkey at mid day. But I should have a protein shake. But when do I have it to get my morning protein in? So is sipping a protein shake at this stage grazing or do I just focus on the timing of food, things you chew meals? Sorry if I am over thinking this.

Thanks! That is what I thought and I wanted to run it by the "experts" here.

Please reconsider and before you get on it, call your doctor!!!! I had surgery on 12-6 and my doctor said at one week and two weeks how great I am doing. All that said, my doctor also said absolutely no exercise except walking. I know I would love to get on my exercise bike but he shot that down. Other than walking involves your abdominal muscles in ways you don't realize. To do your surgery, even with a skilled surgeon and a laparoscope, they went through some of your abdominal muscles. So they are rebuilding and straining them before they are rebuilt can CAUSE DAMAGE!! I have had abdominal surgery before and know you can feel great but it isn't something you rush. You know how there are exercises to build up your core? Well that is your abdominal and back and you don't want to mess it up! I have had an elliptical and know how it does work your abdomen. Please give yourself time to heal. Walk around your house, walk around your block, walk and walk and walk. It won't slow down your weight loss to give yourself time to heal. I lost 8 pounds in a week just walking and that was just walking in my house. You can probably use your equipment at 4 weeks. I have the date marked on my calendar. But check with your doctor.

HI, I was a huge Fluid drinker before surgery because of dry mouth issues. Right after surgery (12-6), it was a struggle to get liquids down and I was miserable. But after a few days, I got the hang of it. Now I am sipping away. But I need a better system to keep track of my fluids. Currently I have a measuring cup and I pour it into a glass and sip from that. My NUT told me that one way to keep from gulping fluids was to have a container with a large mouth. She said that the larger the mouth, the less likely you were to gulp and get air in your stomach. I have lots of sports bottles and some even have an opening about the size of a nickel instead of the pivot straw type. But what do you drink out of to keep track of what you taking in and to sip and not gulp, chug your fluid. Also is it an issue to take in too much fluid at one time ( not with a meal)? I had a hernia repair with my surgery. I didn't even know I had it and I don't want to get another one. I asked how to avoid that and they said not to overeat but does that go with drinking too much at once?

It could be the meds but not from the pain aspect but from the dryness. Many medications ( especially that nausea patch) dry out the eyes and mouth. I have Sjogren's, an autoimmune disease that is dry eyes and mouth. When your eyes are dry, your vision changes. Your tears create a film that is important to the health and working of your eyes. There are lots of stories like yours of Sjogren's patients going to their eye doctor saying I can't see with these glasses but when he tests them, it varies, depending on the moisture level of their eyes. Also right after surgery, you are dry. During the surgery they did put ointment, yes, kind of like Vaseline, in your eyes to keep your eyes safe ( no harm to your corneas) during surgery. It is the same stuff I use daily. Anesthesiologist are responsible for caring for those kinds of things during surgery. Hospitals are generally dry air atmosphere, you aren't drinking, and yeah you may have an iv but it isn't your regular condition. Your mouth is dry, your lips feel chapped, and the same goes for your eyes. Another factor if you have any double vision, is that some medications can affect the muscles around your eyes. They don't affect all muscles but those tiny muscles and it is a great affect if you aren't eating. You use those muscles to adjust your eyes gently and focus. Think of what you do when you squint. That is those muscles doing their maximum work. So wait and see if your vision how your vision is after a few days.

I had my sleeve surgery on 12-6. I am using Unjury protein and doing okay. I want to start doing more things with it as I go into stage to, mushie stuff. I know I can do Jell-O now but haven't gotten around to it. But how do you make Jell-O with unflavored Unjury? I have been using it in coco and soup. What are other ways you have used it? Thanks, I truly appreciate the wealth of support on these forums!

Thanks!! have you made pudding about the same way?

My doctor told me they sent in my weight on my first visit. I did have other health issues ( high blood pressure, cholesterol) but my BMI was under 40. The insurance said I had to do 3 month with the nutritionist. Then it was approved. When my surgery was scheduled, my doctor told me NOT to get weighed at the hospital at the pre-op registration because I had lost weight while seeing the nutritionist. He said just tell them you were weighed at my office. I did that and they said well we need to know your weight. So I told them the number from my first visit. I hope your surgery is covered. Your cholesterol problems might come under heart disease. I mean I got mine approved but then had to have a stress test ( due to my age). I passed that. Yeah it makes no sense but hey it is insurance.

I was sleeved 12/6. I am doing well with most things. I can usually get liquids down pretty well. I am not eating anything except my Protein shakes. My problem is with taking pills. In the morning and at night, I have several medications I have to take. I break them up and take them. After a sip of crystal light, my throat/sleeve make this weird noise, it is almost like a squeaky door hinge. The pill isn't stuck in my throat. I am starting to dread morning and evening and taking all my meds. In the afternoon, I have other meds but not as many and there isn't a problem. So what are your tips or what am I doing wrong?

Glad things are flowing. Hope your vacation at the loo isn't too extensive and you can get back to your regular routine. The book I have says loose bowels can last ten days. After my Milk of Magnesia vacation, I didn't have a big problem with that.

*By the goose comment, meant to say that after you take the Milk of Magnesia, it might take a while for it to work but once it does, whoa Nellie! But you have to get things moving or you can have a problem.

Call your doctor or check the information they gave you. Mine gave us a book that said if you hadn't gone by day 4 post op, to use Milk of Magnesia. Now word of warning, you have been on liquids and if you use that you could have a classic moment that is referred to by the phrase about a substance through a goose....... My book also said loose bowels could happen for 10 days. But the concern is that if you are using pain meds after a procedure, you could have a bowel obstruction, so they want to make sure you 'get things flowing' so you don't have a problem. While this isn't a pleasant topic, it can lead to major problems if ignored after many surgeries.

HI, I have done research on this topic like the rest of you but the one thing I haven't found is why is it call vertical sleeve procedure? Has anyone heard?

Thanks for your answers!

Just got it on my kindle. Thanks for sharing it!

I had my surgery on the 6th. I was just about to start a thread asking if I was doing it right. I have my first post op appointment on Thursday but the clinic's NUT was replaced and I haven't gotten the name of the new one to contact. I am getting in my 60 oz of Fluid and 60 grams of Protein but that is it, nothing beyond that to eat. I am not hungry. I am doing the walking, breathing, etc. Each day I was feeling better and better until today. I was just more tired and shaky this morning. I checked my blood pressure, it was fine. I checked the book they gave us and nothing in it covers it. I feel okay now but figure it is just under a week after surgery. So I guess this morning was just my body adjusting. The surgeon said to listen to my body and advance as it felt. The menu they suggested as a guide have Protein shakes and 'meals' but how do you get that all in with the 4-5 hour gap between everything? I do kind of miss sitting at the table with my family at dinner but I have to workout how to do that while they are eating say chili and I am sipping a chocolate Protein shake. Those two smells don't mix well.

When I was in the hospital,one of the nurses was adamant I had to take my much needed capsule crushed. My WLS clinic has a book and I have read it 3 times. I had it with me at the hospital but wasn't in shape to debate it with her, hence the need for the medication. I took it and boy did it taste terrible, right up there with licking an ashtray I imagine. Later, the physician assistant came in from the WLS clinic and I asked her. She said no I could take capsules and any med ( except vitamins) smaller than aspirin. She said that the hospital is used by many bariatric doctors but there was ONE who wanted all the meds crushed and some of the nurses just go with that idea. I do have some meds I have to break into parts because of the size.

Thanks! I am measuring my fluids ( crystal light, broth, Protein drinks) and I can tell my sips are getting more comfortable as the days go by and the swelling goes down. My doctor said to listen to my body but I just don't want to mess up any of the surgery I just went through.

This was my question as well. I had surgery last week and I am still sipping from those plastic medical cups. So I can go to a regular cup and just sip as long as I am comfortable?

Praying it all goes well! I know the prep is a hassle but it is for a reason. Just keep focusing on the goal.

Lifting you up in prayer! I have had a lot of surgeries too. I am hoping that the sleeve will help reduce several of my health issues.