blash67

One of the reasons I chose the sleeve is because it appeared that the digestive process stayed intact. I have been wondering the following ... If you drink Water with food (I know it's not recommended), or eat sliders, and food gets to you intestines before your gastric juices start breaking down the food ... does that change the digestion or absorption of that food? Does anyone follow research on topics like this? Where do you get your info?

Started protein shakes on Thursday. Already growing tired of them LOL. I liked them a whole lot better during preop, when I was allowed some food too! Well, this too shall pass, I suppose.

I had my one week post-op appt today. I was on clear liquids only for the week after discharge. My recovery has gone well, except for a bad cough for 2 days (cold or allergies - was able to take robitussin). I am happy so far! Not having trouble getting my liquids in. Had one protein shake, 4 oz at a time, no prob. No prob with milk. I am slightly worried that stuff goes down pretty easy. Wish I felt the restriction a little more. Daily, I am trying to face just how much of this is really up to me. Reading the comments on this forum helps me face that. And I am released to return to water aerobics next week!

Follow your doctor's instructions. Everyone is different. If you want to do more - go for it!

I never had heartburn before, but had it horrible right after surgery. My doctor rxed protonix and carafate, and it's improved. I hope to not be on meds forever, but ... time will tell. I never knew how debilitating heartburn is. OUCH

Wish you the best with your thyroid biopsy. I had to have one right before getting sleeved, and I thought it would derail my surgery plans. Mine is a whopping 3.8 cm. Half of me was hoping it would derail surgery, but it turned out they did not find any malignancy. I have to go back in 3 mos for another ultrasound and likely another biopsy.

I, too, went through the motions, not believing I would do it. Surprised myself and followed through! Beautiful obit about your sister. Best to you,

Honestly, I found the preop diet to be liberating. Never was hungry. I could not believe it. But then again, I think I had a pretty liberal preop diet - 1200 cal - high protein/lowfat/lowcarb - 4 shakes a day or you can trade up to 2 shakes for meals of eggs or cottage cheese or 4-6 oz lean protein and garden salad or 4-6 oz lean protein and 2 c steamed veggies. Good luck with yours on 7/19!

*** Nutrametrix: http://www.nutrametrix.com/

I'll also say I have a friend who was sleeved right after me, same day, and she had no trouble with stomach acid or reflux. She was released to start protein shakes next day after discharge. We speculate that keeping me on clear liquids for several more days may have something to do with the stomach acid.

I was sleeved on 7/10 at Anne Arundel Medical Center by Dr. Alex Gandsas, who I would highly recommend to everyone. Size 40 bougie. Discharged on 7/12. I am still on clear liquids until 7/18 when I see the doc for one week post-op. No complications; textbook procedure. I have 7 lap incisions that seem to be healing fine. Not gonna lie - the first day was pretty challenging, but I got through it. My one problem has been excess stomach acid and heartburn. I never had a reflux problem before. Hoping this is temporary. Doc rxed protonix and calfate for this problem, and it is definitely improving. Never used the rx percocet - it usually makes me sick to my stomach, which now I fear. Plus the pain is very tolerable. I used children's advil a few times, but that's it. 3 days out, I walked 40 minutes and went to a party for 6 hours. Was able to take in 72 oz clear liquids. All good. Using Nutrimetrix for multivitamin and calcium, which is highly absorbable powder form you mix in water. Kinda tasteslike tang. Not too sweet, but needs to be diluted more than the directions IMHO. Best part - in some ways, I already feel better than I did preop. Just with the 10-15# lostfrom preop diet. I already am experiencing a significant amount of relief in joint pain! I was able to stand and mingle at the party yesterday without pain. No shifting of weight or anything. Usually, my feet and hips would almost immediately be causing me pain. Very happy with my decision so far!

Count me in! 7/10 7 AM!

That is so true - love costco! I had a bad reaction to the B12 I bought there, and I returned it, and easily got my refund.

Thanks! I am at peace and optimistic about it ... working towards excited ... ; )

Hi Everyone! I have lurked on your boards and learned alot over the past several months. Thank you! Finally joined today - surgery is July 10 - ****'s gettin' real : ) My surgeon has us do a 2 week preop diet- 1200 cal - 4 protein shakes and 2 low cal/fat/carb meals a day that can sub for 2 of the shakes. I have not been able to stay on a calorie restricted diet for even one day in so long, let alone 1200 calories. The preop diet has helped me develop even more faith in the success of this method. I honestly thought I would be really really struggling and maybe not able to do the preop diet. I have been anti-protein shake for many years, but I am a convert now! They really help with satiety. I have not had one hungry day. Luckily, I gravitate towards a lower carb approach anyways, and so this has worked for me. I guess I am lucky --- from the sounds of it, this preop diet is pretty liberal compared to many. I have heard many say that the preop diet is one of the toughest things to get through. I was secretly even on the fence about whether I was going to really follow-through because I had not started believing I could really do it ... until now ... . Not that there won't be significant struggles along the way. I have worked hard to get my head on straight about this. I know this won't cure my head, and I know it's only a tool, and i have loads of work ahead.

I bought that tub at costco in vanilla shake for $49.99 last month. I have not tried it straight, but use it as a base. I have liked it just fine. Best shake I've made with it so far - 1 scoop vanilla ON whey Protein isolate + 2 TBSP PB2 + .75 cup nonfat greek yogurt + 1/2 cup Water + 5 ice cubes + blend = yum!

Cheers! My surgery is Wednesday! Good luck to everyone! *First forum post : )