southernsoul

Like JoiaRox above, I also switched over to an e-cigarette vape. However, I also took Chantix, since I didn't want to continue indefinitely on the vape. I showed the rechargeable, refillable vape to my surgeon & he was OK with it as a substitute. I didn't need to finish out the second (continuing) pack of Chantix for month 2, and I found myself needing/wanting the vape less and less. I continued to use it randomly for a few weeks, but ultimately stopped using it. Good luck to you!

As June comes to a close, let's say congratulations once more to all of us. We have all taken a big step this month, one that took a lot of courage and preparation. Raise your protein shakes...may all of our futures be brighter and healthier. Let's hit it!

As June comes to a close, let's say congratulations once more to all of us. We have all taken a big step this month, one that took a lot of courage and preparation. Raise your protein shakes...may all of our futures be brighter and healthier. Let's hit it!

A friend of mine made me big batches of both beef and chicken stock. I had planned to make my own, but was just running out of time before my surgery. Bless her heart, she jumped in & did it for me. There were almost 2 gallons of each kind, and I froze them in about 2 cup increments. Stock is not hard to make, it just takes some time. Most of the time needed is just for the long simmer time, so it's not actually that much effort on the cook's part. Homemade stock tends to be a bit thicker, so I usually mix a cup of stock with about a cup of water & simmer with some whole herbs & sea salt for a few minutes. It gives me about 2 "meals" on my postop clear phase. It's really tasty, and I can control the level of salt & other flavorings. Plus, homemade is usually way higher in protein, vitamins, & minerals than commercially prepared broths. I can add milk to it during the full liquid phase & use it to add liquid to purees when I get to that stage.

My friend made me about 2 gallons each of chicken stock & beef stock. We froze them in 2 cup containers & I have simmered a cup of of one or the other every night with some fresh rosemary or basil. I used the Unjury soup when I was feeling lazy. That has totally saved me from sweet overload.

I'll be on pureed in a couple of weeks, so I am really glad you posted this! I had thought of baking sweet potatoes, scooping out the inside & mixing with unflavored protein powder. Also, ricotta cheese mixed with some SF Torani caramel syrup was a fave dessert on my low-carb preop diet & I know it will be fine for the puree stage. The cauliflower sub for mashed potatoes is on my list (too bad they don't make butter flavor protein powder!), along with tuna, chicken, and egg salads. Also, I love pumpkin pie, so I thought of mixing pumpkin puree with some vanilla protein powder & pumpkin pie spice.

Hooray!! Glad you're home finally. Happy healing!!

I'm getting protein (close to 60g/day) from the skim milk & the

There's a thread at the top of the Pre-Op Forum, I think. I took my own gown & robe & an extension cord for my phone charger, since the outlets are always too far away. Lip balm & slippers or flip flops for walking.

I've been trying to talk one of my friends into joining that group called Events & Adventures. Check & see if you have one in your town. They plan all these events during the month so when you go you're not just mingling trying to strike up random chitchat...you have some kind of activity you're engaged in, which seems like it would make the whole mingle thing have a focus & just be easier.

I am so jealous that you're eating soft foods! I'm 9 days out & will be on clears until next Wednesday, when I go back for my first postop appt. I will then be on 2 weeks of fulls before I can move to purees. Gah...seems like a really long time to have a whole month before a freakin' puree. The only 2 exceptions to my clear liquids are skim milk & kefir (liquid yogurt), which I'm very thankful for. My scale has begun to move, but certainly nothing as dramatic as 22 lbs! I love your attitude...thanks for sharing it!

I didn't take a pillow with me to the hospital, and I didn't need a pillow when I walked. However, I did bring home one of the hospital pillows. It is smaller and flatter than my bed pillows, and it feels good tucked under my belly since I am a side sleeper. I am 9 days out today, and I'm still using it each night.

I'm so sorry you're having such a bad experience! That's just unbelievable to me. I hope you get home safe & sound & can then begin healing in a better environment. Take care of yourself!

Yeah, these first few days have been rough for me, too...feeling like crap, can't keep anything in my system long enough to give me any nutrients...just sucky, all around. Plus, there was so much preparation for the actual day, that I was already exhausted going into surgery. Each day is a little better, though. Take care!

Hi, Philly & welcome. I was sleeved on the 19th, so I'm right where you are. I was having poop issues, too, but mine was too much, too often. I added in kefir (liquid yogurt) yesterday & today has been way better. You have got to get the liquids in, though...dehydration is a serious issue, don't put yourself in that position.

Vixey, I think a lot depends on the psychologist & the surgeon, as well as exactly why the person was not cleared. There are some reasons that might be able to be worked out in a pretty short time frame, but there are other issues that could be far more serious. My guess is that if you are not cleared the psych will give you a full explanation as to why & you can then see what the options are. I wouldn't worry about it, though. I think the number of folks who don't clear the psych eval are pretty low. Good luck to you!

I was also sleeved on the 19th, and my surgeon has me on 2 weeks of clear liquids & skim milk before I can move to 2 more weeks on full liquids. I'm generally feeling a little better each day, but I wish I could add protein powder to the milk. I'm using Unjury chicken soup, which has been great. It's definitely a challenge to get the fluids in, even though I can drink a little faster than they recommend.

Good luck, Corey! Please update us as soon as you can. Good vibes & healing thoughts are coming your way!

I'm doing OK, Amy. I'm struggling a little with diarrhea, so trying really hard to stay hydrated. I wasn't expecting to have to do clears for 2 full weeks after, but I'm trying to stick with it & still get the nutrients I need. The chicken soup has been great for me. How are you doing?

I'm 6 days post op. I'm burping, but not releasing gas from the other end. I am, however, having very frequent & liquid-y poops, which may be why there's no gas buildup down there. I just called my doc's office, too. This pooping situation has GOT to get better!

Vermilly, can you try the unjury chicken Soup? I am on all clears for 2 weeks post op & my doc doesn't include Protein Shakes with that. They OK'd me to use the chicken soup made with Water & I've had it a bunch. Also, what about unflavored Protein powder mixed into Crystal Light or something? That's still slightly sweet, but not the overwhelming sweet of the premade shakes.

Yes, dammit. Well, you know down here we do love our crazy people. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3KQgulBzh0

Haha, Clayton county is about an hour north of me. Why do these crazy folks have to give GA a bad rep??

Personally, I am a "teller". If there is anyone in my life who has had negative or judgmental thoughts, they have (wisely) kept those thoughts to themselves. I have received a huge amount of support, encouragement, praise, and love from every corner. However, I believe that we must each do whatever we need to in order to ensure our success with this tool. If that means limiting the amount of people you tell, then limit away & don't let anybody tell you that keeping a secret is bad or wrong. There is no one "right" way, it's just what is best for each of us. Good luck to you!

I have felt very lucky to have had a couple of months preop to be on this site & learn from others. I appreciate the knowledge, advice, and the sharing of experiences I have found here, and I plan to pay it forward by posting regularly on my post op progress. So far, my experience has been pretty good, although in some ways it’s different than what I imagined. I was sleeved on Wednesday, June 19 at Northside Hospital in Atlanta, GA. When I woke up from surgery, I felt queasy, but I didn’t get sick. The nursing staff was great, and so was my special bariatric nurse, Debbie. I was able to wear my own gown & robe, and somehow that made me feel better. I was up walking within a couple of hours of being in my room. I needed help walking at first, mainly just to have somebody keep the IV stand out of my way. At first, I was instructed to walk once every four hours, but on the second day they bumped it up to once every 2 hours. By the second day, I could do it by myself, but my husband usually came with me anyway. I used the breathing tube thing (spirometer?) almost every hour. I never hit the goal they set for me, but I came fairly close. I didn’t sleep much on Wednesday night, only dozing on and off. They came in to take vitals every 4 hours & I just couldn’t get comfortable. That first afternoon, another VST member, journeybegins05032013 came by to meet me, and brought me the sweetest goody bag with samples of different protein powders & flavors, drink mix-ins, iron & calcium chews, a Dr. Seuss book, and a lovely journal. It was such a thoughtful gesture! I have also received wonderful calls, texts, and messages from many of my sleeve peeps, and I am just so thankful for this community. WARNING – Grossness alert! The next paragraph is about poop. Based on what I had read from others, I was expecting to not have a BM for several days. However, on Thursday morning I started pooping. It was extremely liquid, just like it had been the night before surgery with the bowel cleanse. It literally felt like I was peeing from the back side. Almost every time I peed, I would let go some more from the back. As a result, my anus hurt a lot. It was very tender & made it even more uncomfortable to lie on my back. The liquid poop has continued at home, but strangely enough I did not fart until this morning, on the 4th day out. I have been burping like crazy, but not farting. I never even used a Gas-X strip since I was pooping so much. I am on clear liquids for 2 weeks, and then will be on full liquids for 2 more weeks. My doc counts skim milk as a clear, and I’m supposed to take in 32 oz of skim milk & 32 oz of other clears every day. I made SF Jello with milk & it turned out pretty good. I used about a quarter or half cup of boiling water to dissolve & then mixed in about 1 cup & a half of skim milk. I just tried the Unjury Chicken soup with water, but next time will make it with warm milk & see how that works out. I’m not doing a good job tracking my intake, and I really need to get better about that. I am going to start using MyFitnessPal today, since I know it has been so helpful for so many folks. My energy level is still pretty low. I am walking around my house every couple of hours & taking a longer walk with the hubs every evening. I’m trying not to push myself, and just give my body a chance to heal. I haven’t felt hungry at all, either physical hunger or head hunger. Overall, I feel pretty good about my recovery so far and about how my food intake is going. For the next week, I have nothing on my schedule away from the house except for Wednesday. I am planning to keep taking it easy and just continue to heal & build my stamina back up. One day at a time, little by little, I will get to where I want to be.