pixigrl

I work with scars in my profession. Any oil (E,emu) will work on reducing the built up scar fibers. The trick is not really in the oil, but the actual rubbing and working of the scar tissure. Manually breaking it down and tearing apart the fibers. It's not going to be pain-free, but it's worth it. Scar tissue has no elasticity to it, so you have to stretch it out manually by rubbing , kneading, retrograde massge. Try googling it?

Ok, I did some deep thinking and came to the realization that I had a square of chocolate (my first) since surgery and chocolate is one of the most highly acid producing foods. Oy...I think I did this to myself. LESSON LEARNED. At least I'll admit my wrongs and work on them. I really feel uneducated about so much.

Ok, so I had my first "solid" meal last night. I had chips, pico de gallo and some tosdada around 7. They didn't have Soup and I was experimenting with solids. Probably not the best choice for a first solid meal (7 pm). For this, I'm already regretting the choice and should have probably stuck with Beans or rice. I was awoken this morning (4:30) after only had gone to bed around 2:45 with a burning in my throat. The bitter taste and burn in my throat literally worked it's way into the storyline of my dream. I immediately thought it was the dreaded "L" word and looked for all the signs and symptoms for leaking. My HR is normal, temp normal, incisions fine. I think I'm in the clear as far as that is concerned.

Is this frothing? My nose is also really runny. Like REALLY runny. I took the Omeprazol 20 (acid reducer) and a bit of milk of magnesia to help a bit and it's seemed to have calmed it down. I still feel the need to clear my throat of the burn and metallic taste and I think I'm still producing some bile. I have the need to cough a bit and my nose just won't quit. My spit is clear and of normal texture and not tinted yellow or red.

Would the body take this long to produce this much stomach acids? I didn't lay down after I ate and it's been hours. Wouldn't I feel the symptoms around 10-12? I'm just scared and I'm starting to feel like a hypochondriac.

Back to pureed Soups and liquids for me. This experience really scared me.

Anyone else have this experience? My friend experiences a runny nose at the time of eating to let her know she's basically to capacity. This is hours and hours and hours later. Also, the Omeprazol usually is after I awaken. This is the first time I've ever had anything like this happen.

Any recommendations? I keep hearing "unjury" on here, but I want to see some other options as it's main ingredients are whey and soy. I'm looking to mainly work it into my daily Water (with crystal light/mio) routine and Soups. I'm stalled as of a few days and I keep hearing "up the Protein and water." Maybe I can do a twofer.

I like this show, but there are two things that kind of bug me 1)Norman sounds deaf at time. Blame the Brit trying the American dialect and 2) the fact that it's set in modern times. I love the noir of the movie. I think the simplicity back then would have been awesome and even more spooky.

I thought the new stomach was only able to hold 3.5-4oz of food at once? I just finished off my "first" chobani 6 oz yogurt with no problem. Toward the end I got that "full" feeling (new experience for me) , but my point being that I was able to eat all 6 oz in one short sitting. And yes, this was my first "solid" meal and I didn't eat it slowly because..it was ..solid..and I could wrap my tongue and teeth around it. Come on, you know what I'm talking about after drinking fluids for weeks on end, lol. . Has anyone else experience this, or did they not take enough in the OR, or does yogurt go down easier and kind of treat it like a liquid? I kind of feel defeated a bit. I had a gf who said she was done after 2 bites of yogurt and yes, I shouldn't compare, but it does make me wonder. You know?

I just talked with my dad who is a retired pharmacist and he said the Iron would definitly mimic a GI bleed in look and appearance. It's that whole "lack of insurance, worst case scenario" that's looming over my head. I also emailed the coordination company that I went through and asked for a DR's direct email. I seemed to have misplaced it in my mountain o paperwork.

Stools commonly become dark green or black when iron preparations are taken by mouth. This is caused by unabsorbed iron and is harmless. However, in rare cases, black stools of a sticky consistency may occur along with other side effects such as red streaks in the stool, cramping, soreness, or sharp pains in the stomach or abdominal area. Check with your health care professional immediately if these side effects appear.

Umm..err...what was your first solid bowel movement like? Yes, I just asked that. I'm taking Iron and I know that has an effect on the color and consistency. I don't have insurance and would like to hear others experiences before making a rash plan and heading to the ER to tell me it's the iron causing the issue. I'm also tired, but I just had a traumatic surgery to my body on the 19th and I barely eat,lol. I know I'm going to receive a "better to be safe than sorry" response, but I wanted to ask for others experiences and if this was somewhat normal. I plan to stop takin the iron for a few days and see how that affects things. I know that will increase the lethargy a bit. I also forgot to mention that I went to Mexico for my surgery and don't really feel like I have any support from the company that I went through. I'm on the thickened liquids portion of my diet, so Protein Shakes plus Jello, soups..simple foods.

Soup soup soup! I ordered minestrone at a restaurant today and when it got to the table it was super chunky (can't do solids yet on post-op) and so I sent it back and had them puree it. It tasted amazing. Plus I was satisfied.

I think I'm right there. My "naps" are turning into 4 hours. Gatorade and pedialyte are not on the agenda to pick up tomorrow. I was sleeved the 19th. Freshly off of antibiotics as well.

Hmmm... pretty interesting. They also have models that will vibrate in your hand when it tells you to stop. I'm not sure the brand-name though. I also literally eat off of salad plates , or kids plates. Smaller.

For a few days now I've been able to literally hear and feel my jugular vein pulsing and beating. I'm curious if this is normal, or I'm a freakazoid and just happen to have a very strong heartbeat and circulatory system. I'm just hoping it's not one of those "little known" symptoms post-op that should make you run out to the doctor asap. I'm still learning so much! Please let me know that this is either a)common, b)I'm a freakazoid, 3) I should see my doctor asap 4) stop reading into every little post on here and becoming a hypochondriac.

Thanks gang!

How do I figure out my "excess" weight. I am 5"2 and was 179 when sleeved on March 19th.

I literally bought a baby spoon from the Dollar Store. That helped immensly. No way to take huge bites with such a small spoon.

Huzzah! Right on!

Hi gang! Sleeved on the 19th.

Would anyone have a good timeline of exercise that we can do on a week to week basis? For example Week one and two, just walking. I want to get back into all sorts of activities like kickboxing, yoga, horseback riding, weights, Zumba, stairmaster, spinning, cycling. Just not sure how and when to start incorporating these back into my routine. My two biggest fears, leaks and tearing sutures open. I also know that I don't want to wait 2-3 months before I can exercise again. That just seems like a really long time to wait. Any reasoable thoughts on what they did, or what advice their doctors gave them regarding exercise? I say reasonable because some are extreme in their thinking and precautions and I know I just won't follow that advice. Thanks so much!!

Ok, I have to say it. What weighs more, a ton of bricks or a ton of feathers? Neither, they are both a "ton." Same with fat and muscle. They are just distributed differently in the body. They weigh the same though. If you're losing inches then use that as a terrific marker. Lost inches equals muscle built. It's just plain logistics. How is your stamina endurance? Another great marker. How is the definition in your body?

I personally like putting liquid Stevia in my Water. It's flavorful and all natural. Hope this helps. Oh, about the thyroid..I'm right there with you and I'm doing the "you suck thyroid" dance. I'm almost wondering if your body is rebelling. Too little calories for your workout. The calories and workout need to measure out that it's not putting you in a state of permanent metabolism shut down. If you exercise, but don't put nutrients in you'r body is going to hold on to that food for dear life. I wish you all the best!!

yes. Boxed popsicles don't really count as Water because their base is a Syrup. If you simply freeze your sweetened water then it should be fine. The base is still water .

Here's an idea. If you STILL aren't able to drink Water and use popsicles as an exchange, try the pedialyte ones. They have mass electrolytes in them. Also try freezing gatorade in an ice cube tray and make your own little popsicles. THEN those can be counted. Cheers!

Unfortunately, cold anything causes vasocnstriction of our muscles and veins through our body. The stomach may cramp with cold liquids, or you may not be able to tolerate them. Flavorings help A LOT. I've also found that even adding slices of fruit (strawberries, lemon, orange, cucumber with mint, other types of berries) sweetens my Water naturally. I hope this helps. Just remember that the stomach has been through trauma (any internal surgical procedure is medically classified as a trauma to the body) and the stomach right now is still producing the same amount of stomach acids with 80% less capacity. Anything to ease the transition is best. Wish you the best!!!

IMO, I would stick with a liquid (broth,jello) diet for at least a week. My doctor explained at this point that the body has been through so much trauma and the stomach is going to naturally have a natural "colitis" effect and produce an excess of stomach acids. Hence the "bathroom" issues. These foods are the easiest to digest at this point. One week out from surgery try Protein Shakes. I'm attempting my first "atkins" Protein Shake this morning and I'm not sure if it's my cup o tea. It's not a slice of cake, that's for sure, lol . If you're gun-ho on pudding and such. My doctor recommended literally a tiny teaspoon at first. Then another, then another..so on. Small bites at room temperature. Temperature also has a huge effect in how we digest. Cold foods cause a natural vasoconstriction on our bodies. A natural stricturing of the veins and muscles. This may feel like cramping to you. Try your Water and food at room temperature. Also, I'm taking the Protein bullets and I'm ok with it. I see the # and it makes me feel good. I'm not sure how much I'm absorbing, or not, but in my head I'm sticking to the rules, lol. I say whatever works for YOU. Good luck on your journeys, classmates!

Stupid question, but do you puree the foods like the Soups, meatloaf, potatoes? Pardon the simpleton! lol

OMG, you are totally normal! Believe it or not, we are not Disney Princesses who will go through a dramatic occurence and smile our way through it. In the hospital I kept saying "I paid for this. I did this to myself. I asked for this." And it actually became a joke around the floor. Allow yourself to feel better. Give yourself the leeway to be human and doubt. personaly, I was telling people that I was STARVING for about 4 days. I kind of just got through it, but it was hard. I was sleeved on the 19th and I'm having issues sticking with drinking, excuse me, "sipping" all my Water and not being active. Allow yourself an hour at a time and then when you're ready, a day at a time. We're all here for you! You'll do grand and this will be an uncomfortable memory in the pleasent future.

I talked with my nutritionist/naturopath the other day and asked her about stalls. She says it's perfectly normal and the body will figure it out. She also said to just eat full fat (yes, I said full fat) and nutritious foods. Since we are eating so little anyhow, the fat free and sugar free are really not affecting our progress and your body knows how to recognize things like butter instead of chemically-made up margarine. Try goat or almond milk instead of cows milk. You may be bloated from milk products. You may need to "up" your calories if you have started weights. The body will hold on to EVERYTHING if it's not getting enough nutrients to balance out the exercise. Make sense?