Hudson Patriot

Besides walking, my surgeon restricts exercise for three months. I'm just shy of 6 weeks and begged to get clearance to start lifting. No way! They told me that the risk of hernia is too high until about 3 months. I went to a Center of Excellence surgeon and facility, so they are pretty conservative. That said, their complication rate is minimal...so something is working right.

CamelBak already has that market cornered. The hoses from their hydration bladders, and internal straws from their Water bottles, do just what you described. Simple physics keep the Fluid right at the top of the "straw" or hose. Think of taking a drink and covering the top of a regular straw with your tongue...the suction keeps the liquid at the top of the straw and it does not fall back down into the glass. Same concept with the CamelBak, except no tongue required!

Virginia Kendall Ledges? I live about 5 minutes from Cuyahoga National Forest/Park. Beautiful area!!

My surgery was on December 11th and I have noticed that I am able to take in quite a bit of Fluid. Within a day of discharge, I had no problem putting down 60-80 ounces of liquid. I am well above that now. I went to a Center of Excellence surgeon and am on full liquids for two weeks post op. After my surgery, my surgeon informed my wife and me that my stomach was very large. So large, in fact, that it took several more staples than the average stomach to create my sleeve. As of today, I am down 23 pounds since surgery, so I am very pleased. However, I am wondering if I have greater capacity than the average patient, post op. It seems my sleeve my be a couple/few inches longer - I can put down 10+ ounces of broth with no effort at all. I guess I will be able to tell once I begin to eat foods with more substance. Anyone else heard of this? If so, did it hinder weight loss?

As of today, I am one week post-op. Overall, recovery has been pretty easy and uneventful. I am down almost 20 lbs since surgery, walking at least 1/2 mile each day, and am getting over 80oz. of Fluid daily. I have the occasional "cramp" in my gut, but they usually subside pretty quickly. The fluid and Protein shakes go down without issue and I can pretty much take normal sized drinks, instead of sipping. All that said, I went to a Center of Excellence program & surgeon. They are VERY conservative with the pre-op and post-op process. The one thing that is frustrating me is that I REALLY want to move to pureed food. I know every surgeon is different, but mine does not allow me to move off of liquids until 14 days post op. I can make it without an issue, but I am considering calling my nutritionist to see if they will give me permission to advance a little early. Anyone else run into a situation like mine?

Experiencing the exact same thing...

Had my first half of the 10 oz. bottle about 40 minutes ago and am patiently waiting for the gates of hell to open. I hope to be through the worst of it by early evening so that I can rest tonight. Surgery is tomorrow morning and I am stoked!

My surgery is at 10:30 tomorrow, as well. Surprisingly, I didn't experience too much discomfort with the magnesium citrate. I was expecting the scene from "Dumb and Dumber" to be played-out in my bathroom. Not so much. Well, good luck to everyone tomorrow!

I am scheduled for surgery on December 11th. My surgeon does not allow lifting for a full three months due to the risk of hernia. Once I get the clearance, I intend to be in there hitting the weights pretty quickly. I do not want to become "skinny-fat." I know that I have a good amount of muscle under all this blubber, so it will actually be nice to see results and growth. I was always able to feel the improvements and increased strength, but never able to see it. That will be an "NSV" for me!

I am scheduled for December 11th. Besides wanting to have surgery ASAP, insurance was also a big reason for me. I did not want my deductible and out-of-pocket copay to reset on January 1st. As far as the holidays, we recently moved pretty far from family, so it will just be the wife, kids, and me. No worries. Barring any unexpected complications, I will be back to work on the 30th. Since I have only shared with a handful of trusted people at work, most will assume that I took a long end-of-year vacation. I got plenty to eat this Thanksgiving, which after having been on the pre-op diet for three months, reminded me of how incredibly gluttonous we are. Ugh, disgusting. So, I'm not concerned about the upcoming holidays at all

So, I am scheduled for VSG on December 11th. Earlier this week, I acutely developed what I believe to be an external thrombosed hemmorhoid. I'm in my late 30's and I haven't had a hemmorhoid in 15 years, and never one that was thrombosed and this painful. It is horribly painful and not being able to take NSAID pain/anti-inflammation meds makes it worse. I have been taking Tylenol (which I believe is okay pre-op), doing sitz baths, and applying the normal creams/gels/whatever. From my research, I am past the 24-72 hours of symptom onset to have it "excised" or "drained" by a doc. Looks like I am going to have to wait it out and allow the clot to absorb naturally. I am really worried that this thing is not going to be better by my surgery date...or by the day before when I have to drink magnesium citrate! Has anyone had experience with these types of hemmorhoids? Any suggestions? Besides the pain, am I overly worried? I have had multiple back surgeries and this is almost as painful....if not more!!! Thanks!

Forget it. I just saw your profile and see that you are now in NV. Well, after today, you may want to seriously consider burning that jersey!!!

So, I also live in the land of the Cleveland Clowns. I moved up this way after having to endure the Cincinnati Bungles for about 14 years. With that, I am curious as to who did your surgery. I am scheduled for 12/11/13, with Dr. Hassan at St. Vincent's.