Kindle

So here's the deal, and you may not want to hear it. After surgery it is HARD. You feel sick, you feel nauseous, you want to eat then you think you hate food. The sleeve is a tool, not a cure. The real battle is in our heads and it is very easy to screw it up by eating the wrong foods. Many many people lose at first then stop losing, then gain it back plus more. Why? Because they cheated. They ate slider foods (if you don't know what that is search it on this forum), they drank with meals, they didn't get their Protein in and grazed on carbs, they drank caloric drinks, kept their Starbucks habits, and basically did not keep to their program. Some of the worst cases seriously damaged their sleeves. They overate consistently and stretched them. They had leaks. They ate foods too early and caused complications, they didn't get their fluids in and ended up in the ER due to dehydration. So if you can't stick to the presurgery diet, you should seriously consider if you are ready for this surgery, because it is a lot worse afterwards. It's not a game, and when you cheat, the only one you hurt is yourself. Rethink it, dear, and good luck to you.

Exactly why I don't own a scale! I use the dog scale at work (I'm a vet tech) when no one's around . In fact, other than the weigh-in at the doctor's office on my surgery day, I haven't weighed myself since 12/16. No idea if I've lost anything since surgery. I can't help but lose at this point, so why obsess over it?

Exactly why I don't own a scale! I use the dog scale at work (I'm a vet tech) when no one's around . In fact, other than the weigh-in at the doctor's office on my surgery day, I haven't weighed myself since 12/16. No idea if I've lost anything since surgery. I can't help but lose at this point, so why obsess over it?

Ditto on the liquids stage....I had several slugs of drinkable yogurt and a chocolate Protein Drink (instead of traditional eggs Benedict) for Breakfast, butternut squash bisque (instead of prime rib and fixings) for dinner, strained French onion soup as a snack, and vanilla PB2 shake (instead of Danish Kringler) for desert.

I actually researched partial and total gastrectomies while looking into VSG. There's plenty of data out there concerning long term complications and outcomes. Even though these surgeries weren't performed for weight loss purposes, I'm not sure why the WLS community hasnt tapped into this resource to better inform potential patients. I know the long term studies help me make my decision.

Merry Christmas everyone!

I am now 9 days out from my surgery at OCC and feeling great! As of Monday I'm down 25 lbs - 18 pre-op and 7 in the week post-op. I must say, I am so impressed with the care I received at OCC. I had a few bumps (due to my own anatomy) but the care was truly top notch. I had my sleeve done on 12/16. On 12/17 I was not keeping down any fluids. I had a barium swallow test, nothing was going down and I was feeling quite nauseous. I had already vomited that morning. The surgeons were right on top of it - they took me into the OR, scoped me and repaired a small hernia (quite possible I gave it to myself my throwing up that morning) and removed scar tissue that had formed inside (and maybe around?) my esophagus from years of acid reflux. I didn't even know I had acid reflux! The only symptom I had (in hindsight) was a chronic cough for a few years. Dr. Ortiz told me the cough was from acid reflux. The scar tissue and swelling from surgery was preventing Water from going down. After the second procedure I was still struggling to keep fluids down. I had a swallow test every day and I was healing normally. We changed our plane tickets from Thursday to Friday at Dr. Ortiz' request. I was discharged from OCC Wednesday evening. When I got to the hotel, I'd take 3 tiny sips each 10 minutes apart and after sip 3 it would come back up. I emptied the PPI pill into my drink, as soon as those crystals hit my stomach I was sick. By Friday I was pretty worried as I was SO thirsty. I had gained 13 lbs of Fluid between the two procedures so dehydration was not an issue. Dr. So told me on Friday that my sleeve looked totally normal and everything was passing but dang! I could not get the nausea under control! He gave me a liquid PPI (Ryopan). I didn't take it while I was traveling because I was afraid it would make me even sicker. When I got home I took it about 8:00. By 3:00 a.m. on Saturday I could finally keep down fluids! That liquid PPI was a lifesaver! I haven't had a problem keeping anything down since and I've been feeling better and better every day. I went back to work yesterday. My difficulties had more to do with my own anatomy and I was told my scar tissue build up was unusual.
Thanks everyone for your support before and after. Reading accounts of others was super helpful as I prepared for my own procedure. Adoptivemom, HAF, Coopspa and Kindle - it was so great meeting you all! I hope you are all healing and enjoying your holiday!

One word of advice, the flavored infused broths may taste much better if you add half regular low sodium broth and have infused. The infusion can be a bit much on the saltiness, especially the hot/sour one which is awesome by the way! So is the tortilla one!

Wow. What a crazy experience. I just had my surgery with Dr. Ariel Ortiz at Obesity Control Center on the 20th. There were 5 of us that day and I was the last surgery of the day. My preop visits with nutritionist and cardiologist were quick and efficient. The nutritionist went over our whole postop diet and Vitamin schedule in detail and gave us a folder of info. The cardiologist explained the tests as he went. My meeting with Dr. Ortiz was probably the low point. Definitely full of himself and puttin on a show the whole time. He has no problem telling you what a great surgeon he is. Well, as long as it's true, I guess he can be as arrogant as he wants.
Nurse came in put in Catheter (1st stick and I'm not easy), started IV fluids and gave some antibiotics and happy drugs. Walked to OR and hopped on the table. Couldn't tell you much about it because I'm pretty blind without my contacts. Chatted with the anesthesiologist before lala land.
Woke up briefly and remember talking to my sis. Next time I was conscious was 3 hours later and my sis had already gone back to the Marriott. She FaceTime called me and we chatted for awhile. She says I was talking nonsense and was quite entertained. Watched TV until 11pm or so and then dosed off and on until morning. Got up to pee a few times and met fellow sleever zombies in the hall . There were only 5 of us there so it was pretty quiet. The nurse came in twice to give me antibiotics and pain Meds although I never had any real pain.
I was up and headed to the Marriott by about 9am. They discharged us with a pile of Meds...everything we will need for 2 months. Walked to Walmart plaza twice that day and felt surprisingly good. 2nd day I walked up to Walmart again before going back to clinic to have drain dressing changed. Then I and 3 other surgery patients and our companions headed to revolucion market area. I wasn't feeling as spunky that day so I went back to the Marriott for a nap after a couple hours. Actually, other than some gas pains, we were all doing well. One gal had a rough surgery and first night because she has bad reactions to anesthesia. She knew this from previous surgeries, so the OCC staff was prepared and she ended up doing fine.
The worst part about the drain was probably figuring out how to sleep with it. I ended up pinning it to the front inside of my jammy's. That way I could sleep on my back or roll on either side without crushing it. (And yes, thankfully I've been able to sleep on both sides from the beginning)
Back at OCC this morning for barium swallow fluoroscopy and drain removal. Felt great to get it out. I had been feeling bloaty and crampy, and turns out it was the drain. It was very quiet this morning since they are actually closed this week. We had Dr. So, a nurse, the office manager and coordinator taking care of everything. Got a medical pass and we all got through the border in like 15 minutes. I was even able to get an earlier flight home.
As for the Marriott, the staff was great. Very friendly and outgoing. The broth Soup was decent and the pineapple Popsicles were yummy. Good selection at the restaurant for companions. We had one gal that did come down by herself and she did fine, but I agree with the OP about bringing someone along. Even though everything is taken care of for you, it is nice to have help if you just don't feel up to dealing with everything.
I hope everyone on here has a smooth surgery. I am SO grateful to be feeling so good...no nausea and minimal pain. Started full liquids today and am loving the drinkable yogurt suggested by the nutritionist to help replace our normal GI flora.
(OP, sorry to hijack your post like this, but I'm really exited about having surgery and wanted folks to hear that it doesn't have to be a bad experience). Wishing you success!

Wow. What a crazy experience. I just had my surgery with Dr. Ariel Ortiz at Obesity Control Center on the 20th. There were 5 of us that day and I was the last surgery of the day. My preop visits with nutritionist and cardiologist were quick and efficient. The nutritionist went over our whole postop diet and Vitamin schedule in detail and gave us a folder of info. The cardiologist explained the tests as he went. My meeting with Dr. Ortiz was probably the low point. Definitely full of himself and puttin on a show the whole time. He has no problem telling you what a great surgeon he is. Well, as long as it's true, I guess he can be as arrogant as he wants.
Nurse came in put in Catheter (1st stick and I'm not easy), started IV fluids and gave some antibiotics and happy drugs. Walked to OR and hopped on the table. Couldn't tell you much about it because I'm pretty blind without my contacts. Chatted with the anesthesiologist before lala land.
Woke up briefly and remember talking to my sis. Next time I was conscious was 3 hours later and my sis had already gone back to the Marriott. She FaceTime called me and we chatted for awhile. She says I was talking nonsense and was quite entertained. Watched TV until 11pm or so and then dosed off and on until morning. Got up to pee a few times and met fellow sleever zombies in the hall . There were only 5 of us there so it was pretty quiet. The nurse came in twice to give me antibiotics and pain Meds although I never had any real pain.
I was up and headed to the Marriott by about 9am. They discharged us with a pile of Meds...everything we will need for 2 months. Walked to Walmart plaza twice that day and felt surprisingly good. 2nd day I walked up to Walmart again before going back to clinic to have drain dressing changed. Then I and 3 other surgery patients and our companions headed to revolucion market area. I wasn't feeling as spunky that day so I went back to the Marriott for a nap after a couple hours. Actually, other than some gas pains, we were all doing well. One gal had a rough surgery and first night because she has bad reactions to anesthesia. She knew this from previous surgeries, so the OCC staff was prepared and she ended up doing fine.
The worst part about the drain was probably figuring out how to sleep with it. I ended up pinning it to the front inside of my jammy's. That way I could sleep on my back or roll on either side without crushing it. (And yes, thankfully I've been able to sleep on both sides from the beginning)
Back at OCC this morning for barium swallow fluoroscopy and drain removal. Felt great to get it out. I had been feeling bloaty and crampy, and turns out it was the drain. It was very quiet this morning since they are actually closed this week. We had Dr. So, a nurse, the office manager and coordinator taking care of everything. Got a medical pass and we all got through the border in like 15 minutes. I was even able to get an earlier flight home.
As for the Marriott, the staff was great. Very friendly and outgoing. The broth Soup was decent and the pineapple Popsicles were yummy. Good selection at the restaurant for companions. We had one gal that did come down by herself and she did fine, but I agree with the OP about bringing someone along. Even though everything is taken care of for you, it is nice to have help if you just don't feel up to dealing with everything.
I hope everyone on here has a smooth surgery. I am SO grateful to be feeling so good...no nausea and minimal pain. Started full liquids today and am loving the drinkable yogurt suggested by the nutritionist to help replace our normal GI flora.
(OP, sorry to hijack your post like this, but I'm really exited about having surgery and wanted folks to hear that it doesn't have to be a bad experience). Wishing you success!

I had lettuce with flavored vinegar as a dressing. Lots of spinach. Either plain, with Unjury cheese, or mixed in with beef broth and Unjury unflavored powder for a very yummy "hamburger" Soup. I also steamed green Beans and mushrooms. I dipped sliced zucchini, red peppers (I know, not a green veggie) and broccoli in the Unjury cheese sauce and had the same veggies steamed in a little chicken broth one day.
 
I had both the Unjury and Syntrax unflavored powders. They were about equal... The Unjury maybe mixed a little better. Key to mixing is make sure your liquid isn't too hot and I used a Blender Bottle with a wire whisk ball and never had clumping issues. Available on Amazon. I have an individual smoothie blender, but the blender bottle mixed just as well and easier cleanup.
 
Any of the RTD shakes were too thick and sweet for me. I always added Water to thin them up. Also mixed the vanilla Protein with 16-20 oz of water instead of 8. I.d have a huge cup of coffee in the morning, consisting of 1 Premier Protein vanilla shake and 8-12 oz Decaf coffee.
 
Oh yeah, and PB2 was great. I mix 1-2 tablespoons with my vanilla Matrix powder and 20 oz of water. Very yummy. Also good mixed with a chocolate RTD shake. Variety was the key for me. I couldn't have just drank vanilla or chocolate shakes everyday.
 
I was also taking chewable Source of Life Gold Multivitamin, Calcium, and Iron. I will add in sublingual B12 postop. My preop choices must have been OK cause I lost 20 pounds in 16 days.

Three day?!? I was on it for 16 days! I was hungry and whole time and had headaches the first 3 days. Was sleeved yesterday and now the preop is a destant memory. Buck up ... 3 days is a very short investment in you new and improved future.

I had lettuce with flavored vinegar as a dressing. Lots of spinach. Either plain, with Unjury cheese, or mixed in with beef broth and Unjury unflavored powder for a very yummy "hamburger" Soup. I also steamed green Beans and mushrooms. I dipped sliced zucchini, red peppers (I know, not a green veggie) and broccoli in the Unjury cheese sauce and had the same veggies steamed in a little chicken broth one day.
 
I had both the Unjury and Syntrax unflavored powders. They were about equal... The Unjury maybe mixed a little better. Key to mixing is make sure your liquid isn't too hot and I used a Blender Bottle with a wire whisk ball and never had clumping issues. Available on Amazon. I have an individual smoothie blender, but the blender bottle mixed just as well and easier cleanup.
 
Any of the RTD shakes were too thick and sweet for me. I always added Water to thin them up. Also mixed the vanilla Protein with 16-20 oz of water instead of 8. I.d have a huge cup of coffee in the morning, consisting of 1 Premier Protein vanilla shake and 8-12 oz Decaf coffee.
 
Oh yeah, and PB2 was great. I mix 1-2 tablespoons with my vanilla Matrix powder and 20 oz of water. Very yummy. Also good mixed with a chocolate RTD shake. Variety was the key for me. I couldn't have just drank vanilla or chocolate shakes everyday.
 
I was also taking chewable Source of Life Gold Multivitamin, Calcium, and Iron. I will add in sublingual B12 postop. My preop choices must have been OK cause I lost 20 pounds in 16 days.

Each shake container you get with the package has 15 servings, (look at the label on the website) so no, you don't have to order 5 of them. That being said, I did not use them. I drank Premier Protein, and got Unjury and Syntrax unflavored powder to mix in any SF liquid I wanted yo. Also have the Syntrax Matrix vanilla powder that I put in my coffee, or I added different Mio flavors for a variety of flavors. Oh yeah, and Unjury cheese Sauce which I poured over spinach, broccoli, green Beans, etc. thank goodness for our leafy greens options! I seriously never had the same thing as any other day.
 
If you choose to buy RTD shakes from the store instead of getting the Enspira package, read the labels carefully. Get high Protein, super low carb shakes. Things like Atkins, South Beach, and Ensure are more sugar than anything. Most of the protein powders are OK. Isopure drinks are also good and lots of flavor variety.
 
Actually, with all the products I bought, including Vitamins, I spent more than what the Enspira preop package cost. But I had a lot more variety to work with.

Kindle, so glad you're on the sleeved side! Isn't it a relief to finally be through the procedure? You are doing great, I couldn't drink at all post surgery. sleep seems to be a problem for me too since surgery, maybe it has something to do with anesthesia? We got home last night sometime after 8. Before I left the clinic Dr. So gave me a liquid ppi (ryopan) because I couldn't keep the powder from the capsules down. Magic I tell you! I waited until I got home to take it in case it made my nausea worse. It did not, now I'm keeping down crystal light. I feel much better about hydration now.

Thanks! Got in at 1am and are now at San Diego airport getting on the shuttle. Yeehaw

Thanks! Got in at 1am and are now at San Diego airport getting on the shuttle. Yeehaw

RJ, I'm so sorry you have to endure yet another painful event. Have you asked your doc about being able to take tramadol? It's not as addicting as narcotics and it works really well for certain pain (not headaches) More effective for me than Vicodin when I had my neck surgery and more effective for my friend who broke a collar bone and 2 ribs.
If still no pain Meds allowed, have you checked into acupuncture? It may relief some pain and even help with healing and address other stressor issues. (But you have no stress, right? )

I had my first waves of fear yesterday, too. (I leave tomorrow). I even started crying in the car on the way to work. It's not the fear of surgery, I have no doubts that will all go fine. It's more of, "what am I doing to myself!" I like binge eating...chowing a whole pizza cause it's so good, or gorging on a huge cheeseburger with fries, or eating everything in sight on the buffet table. I like drinking beer at parties and on river trips. I like my after work cocktail. Why would I deprive myself of that for the rest of my life? That, combined with the fact that I'm getting hungrier everyday on my preop and I've already lost all the weight I'm supposed to made me say "f....k it, I'm going to eat something good". I stopped at the grocery store and went straight to the deli where they have fresh made hot breakfast sandwiches. I stared through the case, probably even drooled on the glass. Then I walked away. I went to the drink Aisle and got a Lifewater zero and stocked up on some more Mio. Then I went to the pharmacy section and picked up some GasX strips. When I got back to the car I was seriously having a panic attack, but I just sat there and breathed and then drove away. Made it through the day with no cheats. I'm still feeling grumpy and mad at myself today for not being able to eat normally without surgery.
Just hope I don't have a complete panic attack on the plane tomorrow. Does whiskey count for my liquids only diet?!?

Kindle - hate to hear about your worry...you are going to do fantastic! Sitting here smiling because I am not indulging in any holiday treats either as I am SO DAMN CLOSE to my personal goal....I have smelled all the Cookies, pizza, and Snacks over the past weeks but not indulged in anything since the start of December. As I sit here in my size 6 jeans, I am VERY happy to skip the junk and feel frigging awesome (and a bit proud at the same time). You should feel proud too...you are making awesome choices even though you have lost what you needed before surgery.
Like you, I LOVE eating. So, it is kind of a buzz kill when you can't chow down anymore. It really does suck sometimes. But, I will still have a beer from time to time. And I still have things I enjoy, but just can't eat as much. After surgery, you will find your new normal.
Hugs and well wishes as you prepare to leave for TJ...really looking forward to hearing about your travel/surgery experience. GOOD LUCK!

Respond to her question with outrageous lies. Exaggerate huge amounts of food you ate when you got home..... You are taking laxatives.... You want to lose enough weight to shop in the children's department.... I'm training for MMA and this is the diet they have me on. If you give her crazy stupid answers maybe she'll stop asking because she won't get a straight answer anyways.
I was very careful about who I told about my surgery, (I thought) but unfortunately one person blabbed to her mother-in-law. I didn't even know she knew when she came up to me last weekend and asked why would I go to Mexico for surgery. I looked right at her and said "well that's where I always went for my abortions, so why not?". Boy, did she ever shut up. Haven't heard from her since

Respond to her question with outrageous lies. Exaggerate huge amounts of food you ate when you got home..... You are taking laxatives.... You want to lose enough weight to shop in the children's department.... I'm training for MMA and this is the diet they have me on. If you give her crazy stupid answers maybe she'll stop asking because she won't get a straight answer anyways.
I was very careful about who I told about my surgery, (I thought) but unfortunately one person blabbed to her mother-in-law. I didn't even know she knew when she came up to me last weekend and asked why would I go to Mexico for surgery. I looked right at her and said "well that's where I always went for my abortions, so why not?". Boy, did she ever shut up. Haven't heard from her since

I'm with McButterpants... I was trying to get in all my favorites for the couple weeks before starting my preop. I finally got sick of all the "last this, last that" and finally gave it up. Started my preop 2 days early just to de-stress from eating. I was also afraid I couldn't lose what I was supposed to, but turns out that's not an issue (down 11 pounds in 10 days, so I have another week to lose just 1 pound). Just use the next few weeks to really get mentally prepared.

Sounds like you may have to work on some other things, first. Surgery should be the last step in a whole program addressing our eating disorders and emotions that go with it. Perhaps you should continue with therapy and get better prepared (mentally) for this surgery. Otherwise it just won't work and you will be miserable. Only do it when you are 100% ready.

Sounds like you may have to work on some other things, first. Surgery should be the last step in a whole program addressing our eating disorders and emotions that go with it. Perhaps you should continue with therapy and get better prepared (mentally) for this surgery. Otherwise it just won't work and you will be miserable. Only do it when you are 100% ready.

Sounds like you may have to work on some other things, first. Surgery should be the last step in a whole program addressing our eating disorders and emotions that go with it. Perhaps you should continue with therapy and get better prepared (mentally) for this surgery. Otherwise it just won't work and you will be miserable. Only do it when you are 100% ready.