Satchel

I have always been a coffee drinker, however, even after 7 weeks out, my taste buds are still not back to normal. I have not had a desire for coffee, and have had probably a half cup twice since surgery. I do hope my taste buds come back soon. :-) It may be a blessing in disguise, since I still have a difficult time getting my fluids down each day, so coffee would not help. Think I will put the coffee pot away for awhile, and buy a new one down the road.....

I also found strained Cream of Mushroom soup very satisfying. Made with milk, of course.

When you say that you order a sandwich, are you able to eat the bread? I am worried about bread, crackers, pasta, rice, as I was told they "expand" in your stomach.

I still go through that, 7 weeks out, dreaming of a Jimmy Johns sandwich or a Little Ceasar's pizza. My first weeks after surgery, I watched the Food Network Channel, no lie! But, my stomach could not "stomach" it, so it was easy to get over it. When you are able to start to clean out your closet, because you are dropping in sizes, that is when you realize that that few minutes of cravings is not worth it. It does get better.

That is funny that you mention that, Richard! I went shopping today and found the diet Green Tea Citrus and the Crystal Light Green Tea Peach Mango. Bought both! Thanks!

One correction . . . scrap the Citrus Lipton Green Iced Tea. I had taken a few sips from mine and it tasted really good, however, I did not realize it has 13g of sugar. Yikes! I will continue to look for a less sugar content of iced green tea. Can always make it myself, as well. Propel flavored waters are good, too.

I keep a pitcher or Water jug measured with water and pour out a few ounces at a time (to keep it cold). I try to sip on it often and keep adding more water throughout the day. Pop sickles help, too. I like Kroger brand better than name brand. Seems like more "water/ice" in them than flavoring. Lipton Green Tea Citrus is good, as well.

Doesn't the bread (wrap) make your sleeve swell? I thought bread, rice, Pasta were "no-nos?" What is your trick for getting in all your fluids?

I have the same exact difficulty. Sleeved on January 11th. Have no desire to eat or drink. Nothing tastes right. Be very careful not to get dehydrated. I ended up back in the hospital for dehydration for four days! My worst issue now, as well, is the stomach acid, having to constantly remove the foamy stuff from my mouth. Yuck! I guess that is what it is. They say it gets better, and I trust that it will.

No undies, and written surgery instructions were not to shave. I think they did that for us.

I was sleeved on January 11th, so this is the end of my 6th week out. 1. I am still getting constant foamy stuff in my mouth (sorry to gross you out). I am constantly having to spit it out. Is the foamy substance considered regurgitation, or something else? It makes it difficult to get all my liquids in, and it is annoying to say the least, and embarrassing. How long does that last? And what can I do to make it stop? 2. One of the food items listed for soft foods is Peanut Butter. Other than putting peanut butter in a shake, how else can peanut butter be eaten, since crackers and bread are forbidden? I was thinking of spreading it on a banana. 3. Does having to chew 35 times and waiting minutes between each bite last forever, or at some point will I be able to eat normally? Thanks for your help.

You definitely do not want to get dehydrated! I just returned home from a four day hospital stay for dehydration. Not fun! However, they hydrated me to the max, where I now have to take a water pill for a few days to relieve the swelling in my legs, ankles, and feet! Go figure!

http://theworldaccor...e.blogspot.com/ (theworldaccordingtoeggface)

Yes, and how many times do you have to re-heat pureed or soft foods during the 30 minutes of eating? And then you are so looking forward to being able to drink something 30 minutes later! I still am trying to figure out how to get all the water in when you can't drink at certain times and you can only sip! LOL! Definitely a learning process.

I have been on Nexium for years. My surgeon told me that during my sleeve surgery he took care of a hiatal hernia that was causing my acid reflux and I should not have to take the Nexium any longer. However, I notice that I have a horrible acid taste in my mouth every morning which makes me nauseous. So, I am thinking about trying my Nexium again to see if that helps that. I see my doctor in a few weeks, so I will talk to him about it, too.

You can also get beaded bracelets on amazon.com.

I seem to be losing a pound a day, but am slowing down.

http://www.myidentitydoctor.com/ Be sure to check out the samples of what people have written on theirs. I chose to put my first name on the front. On the back, I put my full name, then Bariatric Gastric Sleeve, then ICE (who to contact in case of emergency with phone number) and my religious affiliation. It is common, of course, to put what you are allergic to, as well. They send you a card to put more information to keep in your wallet.

Do any of you fellow sleevers wear a medical I.D. bracelet or necklace? I ran across a website the other day that had really nice bracelets and necklaces for diabetes, gastric bypass, etc. and I decided to purchase one for the gastric sleeve. It turned out really nice and engraved with the information I submitted. I thought that, yes, I would want medical professionals to know, in the case of an emergency, that I do not have a normal size stomach!

Yes, I experience the same thing. I do not get enough protein each day. Can only eat 1-2 oz of anything which is not considered a "meal," but cannot get anymore down. Then it takes awhile for my stomach to feel "settled." I wish I could get more Water down, too. I am really hoping this is just a phase that will pass as time goes on.

This is the end of my 4th week and I am on pureed foods. I probably do not puree them enough, because they still feel thick and feel like they are sitting on my chest. And we aren't to drink anything to wash it down..... I have not eaten much at all either, because one pureed dish, and only an ounce or two, is all I can stomach. I have a fear of vomiting, too. My nutritionist did say to take at least 30 minutes to eat something. I did take a walk soon after outside and that helped a lot (even in 30 degree temps - refreshing to say the least). So take your time eating, and make sure you are walking each day.

I have the same issue. I brush my teeth repeatedly throughout the day to try to brush the taste from my mouth and tongue. Mine is worse in the middle of the night and morning. I have sinus issues, so that adds to it. I still do not "eat" much, and am just starting my pureed food stage, so in the morning my stomach is virtually empty and I am nauseous. Anyone with feedback for us, thanks!

What do you do with the cola syrup? Do you mix it with something? Do they make Diet Vernors syrup?

I was told by my nutritionist to stay away from carbonated beverages, but if you must drink them, to have them go flat first. The carbonation is a problem with the gastric sleeve. The gas causes your stomach to stretch like a balloon, and I understand it can be very uncomfortable and even painful. Hope this helps.

Yes, I did call the doctor's office as I had other questions for the nutritionist. I told her about it and she said she had never heard of such a thing. I will call my family doctor, though, and see what he has to say.