churchgirl

Hey Summer 18 Sleevers - I need some advice quick. Six weeks post op & everything has been going really well! Down 25 lbs. Only a couple of slips when I wasn’t paying attention. Then, all of a sudden, yesterday & today, I can’t swallow! oatmeal, very soft. Peach - no skin, very ripe. Tried a Protein Shake & even that got stuck going down! Is it possible that this far after surgery, I could be having some stricture problem? I chew a lot & really small pieces. Not fast either. My next post op appt is Friday the 27 & I love my doc but I’m not even sure who I should call - primary care care doc or go straight to surgeon! And I don’t want to go to the ER! Help!

Lala 70!
I used to get a yeast infection any time I was put on amoxicillin! Let your doc know that happened & next time they can give you some other type of antibiotic. I like your idea about the “slim fast” type of diet. Gonna try to eat like I did just post surgery!
If you can tolerate pills, try magnesium citrate for Constipation - same stuff as in milk of magnesia. Works great!

Ghod luck with everything!

I discovered the same thing about 2 weeks ago (sleeved 6.5.18) and it really scared me. Then someone from this forum explained to me that there is a catch to this surgery and the reason it is not as easy as everyone thinks! The catch is that, as you learn to eat more slowly and consciously, you leave enough time to make more room in your stomach. So, if you are a grazer like I have always been, you will be able to eat more if you don't get away from food and find something else to do right away! I discovered that this surgery was a tool for me to lose some weight pretty quickly (down 27 lbs since 6/5) but I am forever going to have to be careful, journal what I eat, make Protein a priority, and exercise. This is not a magic cure but I have also experienced more than once what happens when I don't eat slowly, drink while eating, and graze - not fun! Hoping that knowledge will help me be a success at this!

I discovered the same thing about 2 weeks ago (sleeved 6.5.18) and it really scared me. Then someone from this forum explained to me that there is a catch to this surgery and the reason it is not as easy as everyone thinks! The catch is that, as you learn to eat more slowly and consciously, you leave enough time to make more room in your stomach. So, if you are a grazer like I have always been, you will be able to eat more if you don't get away from food and find something else to do right away! I discovered that this surgery was a tool for me to lose some weight pretty quickly (down 27 lbs since 6/5) but I am forever going to have to be careful, journal what I eat, make Protein a priority, and exercise. This is not a magic cure but I have also experienced more than once what happens when I don't eat slowly, drink while eating, and graze - not fun! Hoping that knowledge will help me be a success at this!

Do you get to have one real meal or all liquid? I had to do Ensure and Boost Glucose formula for a week before but I was allowed a regular meal - I chose Breakfast because it's my favorite. Not going to lie, it was really hard! I only lost about 5 lbs pre surgery so obviously I didn't do well!

Tammy,
I am 62 & had sleeve on 6/5. Been a compulsive overeater all of my life - emotional eater. I have lost 27 lbs so far but one thing I have learned is that this is not a miracle fix - it’s a tool to use along with diet & exercise. I just joined Weight Watchers (again!) just to be accountable to someone! It’s a journey & there are ways to get around the surgery but you have to really change your life - really! I wake up every morning & have to remind myself - Oh yeah, I had surgery. I can’t just eat whatever I want anymore. I have to pay attention & plan what I’m going to eat. And when I eat on the run, I pay for it big time!
It is not easy but it is worth it so far. Just wish I had done it 20 years ago!
Good luck & don’t give up!

Tammy,
I am 62 & had sleeve on 6/5. Been a compulsive overeater all of my life - emotional eater. I have lost 27 lbs so far but one thing I have learned is that this is not a miracle fix - it’s a tool to use along with diet & exercise. I just joined Weight Watchers (again!) just to be accountable to someone! It’s a journey & there are ways to get around the surgery but you have to really change your life - really! I wake up every morning & have to remind myself - Oh yeah, I had surgery. I can’t just eat whatever I want anymore. I have to pay attention & plan what I’m going to eat. And when I eat on the run, I pay for it big time!
It is not easy but it is worth it so far. Just wish I had done it 20 years ago!
Good luck & don’t give up!

Danny Paul - New to all of this & 6 days post op & you just answered the huge question & worry that has been in the back of my mind for the nine months I’ve been talking myself in & out of this surgery! What makes me think, after all these years as a compulsive over eater, that I’m suddenly not going to continue that ingrained habit because I don’t like to be sick?! Heck, I spent a lot of time taking Imodium & being nauseous before! You nailed it! “ The wls will help me lose weight no doubt, but if I don’t fix the underlying problem I will be doomed to failure.”
Right now, after 6 days, I’m down 14 lbs & I’m ecstatic! But that ever present thought in the back of my mind that says, “When is the other shoe going to drop?” was just answered by your reminder. The WLS was just the first step down this road. Time to work on my mind now. I so don’t want to fail.

Thank you so much! You’re an angel in disguise!

Danny Paul - New to all of this & 6 days post op & you just answered the huge question & worry that has been in the back of my mind for the nine months I’ve been talking myself in & out of this surgery! What makes me think, after all these years as a compulsive over eater, that I’m suddenly not going to continue that ingrained habit because I don’t like to be sick?! Heck, I spent a lot of time taking Imodium & being nauseous before! You nailed it! “ The wls will help me lose weight no doubt, but if I don’t fix the underlying problem I will be doomed to failure.”
Right now, after 6 days, I’m down 14 lbs & I’m ecstatic! But that ever present thought in the back of my mind that says, “When is the other shoe going to drop?” was just answered by your reminder. The WLS was just the first step down this road. Time to work on my mind now. I so don’t want to fail.

Thank you so much! You’re an angel in disguise!

5 days post op and I went for info session 6 years ago! My husband was totally against surgery! So I waited. Now I'm 62, have diabetic neuropathy in my feet, can barely do more than two things in a day - like laundry and grocery shopping. Desk job made it even worse. Got turned down for long term care insurance and am taking care of my 90 year old parents! I finally said, enough! I would rather have this surgery - my very last resort- than have toes amputated. My Dad had open heart surgery in April 2017 and I spent a lot of time in the hospital. I saw it all and knew I didn't want to end up with major problems! I didn't want to be the person that it took 5 people to get me into an ambulance ! I didn't want to keep asking for seat belt extenders on a plane. I wanted to play with my grandkids. I couldn't do anything for anyone else until I took care of me!! You have to do this!! No matter what!

5 days post op and I went for info session 6 years ago! My husband was totally against surgery! So I waited. Now I'm 62, have diabetic neuropathy in my feet, can barely do more than two things in a day - like laundry and grocery shopping. Desk job made it even worse. Got turned down for long term care insurance and am taking care of my 90 year old parents! I finally said, enough! I would rather have this surgery - my very last resort- than have toes amputated. My Dad had open heart surgery in April 2017 and I spent a lot of time in the hospital. I saw it all and knew I didn't want to end up with major problems! I didn't want to be the person that it took 5 people to get me into an ambulance ! I didn't want to keep asking for seat belt extenders on a plane. I wanted to play with my grandkids. I couldn't do anything for anyone else until I took care of me!! You have to do this!! No matter what!

5 days post op and I went for info session 6 years ago! My husband was totally against surgery! So I waited. Now I'm 62, have diabetic neuropathy in my feet, can barely do more than two things in a day - like laundry and grocery shopping. Desk job made it even worse. Got turned down for long term care insurance and am taking care of my 90 year old parents! I finally said, enough! I would rather have this surgery - my very last resort- than have toes amputated. My Dad had open heart surgery in April 2017 and I spent a lot of time in the hospital. I saw it all and knew I didn't want to end up with major problems! I didn't want to be the person that it took 5 people to get me into an ambulance ! I didn't want to keep asking for seat belt extenders on a plane. I wanted to play with my grandkids. I couldn't do anything for anyone else until I took care of me!! You have to do this!! No matter what!

Do you get to have one real meal or all liquid? I had to do Ensure and Boost Glucose formula for a week before but I was allowed a regular meal - I chose Breakfast because it's my favorite. Not going to lie, it was really hard! I only lost about 5 lbs pre surgery so obviously I didn't do well!

Danny Paul - New to all of this & 6 days post op & you just answered the huge question & worry that has been in the back of my mind for the nine months I’ve been talking myself in & out of this surgery! What makes me think, after all these years as a compulsive over eater, that I’m suddenly not going to continue that ingrained habit because I don’t like to be sick?! Heck, I spent a lot of time taking Imodium & being nauseous before! You nailed it! “ The wls will help me lose weight no doubt, but if I don’t fix the underlying problem I will be doomed to failure.”
Right now, after 6 days, I’m down 14 lbs & I’m ecstatic! But that ever present thought in the back of my mind that says, “When is the other shoe going to drop?” was just answered by your reminder. The WLS was just the first step down this road. Time to work on my mind now. I so don’t want to fail.

Thank you so much! You’re an angel in disguise!

5 days post op and I went for info session 6 years ago! My husband was totally against surgery! So I waited. Now I'm 62, have diabetic neuropathy in my feet, can barely do more than two things in a day - like laundry and grocery shopping. Desk job made it even worse. Got turned down for long term care insurance and am taking care of my 90 year old parents! I finally said, enough! I would rather have this surgery - my very last resort- than have toes amputated. My Dad had open heart surgery in April 2017 and I spent a lot of time in the hospital. I saw it all and knew I didn't want to end up with major problems! I didn't want to be the person that it took 5 people to get me into an ambulance ! I didn't want to keep asking for seat belt extenders on a plane. I wanted to play with my grandkids. I couldn't do anything for anyone else until I took care of me!! You have to do this!! No matter what!

Good for you! I'm glad you finally got your surgery and hope you have a speedy recovery!

5 days post op and I feel great! The night before surgery I was so psyched and then scared and then worried - not about surgery bit about whether I could actually do what needs to be done after. So far, so good - down 14 lbs already. I know that won't last forever!

The hardest part was the air traveling around my body after surgery - kept settling in my shoulders and back! And the only thing you can do is move! Walk - it goes away fast!

Good luck - you're in my prayers!

5 days post op and I went for info session 6 years ago! My husband was totally against surgery! So I waited. Now I'm 62, have diabetic neuropathy in my feet, can barely do more than two things in a day - like laundry and grocery shopping. Desk job made it even worse. Got turned down for long term care insurance and am taking care of my 90 year old parents! I finally said, enough! I would rather have this surgery - my very last resort- than have toes amputated. My Dad had open heart surgery in April 2017 and I spent a lot of time in the hospital. I saw it all and knew I didn't want to end up with major problems! I didn't want to be the person that it took 5 people to get me into an ambulance ! I didn't want to keep asking for seat belt extenders on a plane. I wanted to play with my grandkids. I couldn't do anything for anyone else until I took care of me!! You have to do this!! No matter what!

Where does everyone get these cute tape measure pictures?

Danny S - I am just 3 days post sleeve & have always been an emotional eater, suffered from depression & anxiety. Everything is under control with Effexor but I keep wondering when everything is going to hit the fan so to speak! I mean WHY AM I NOT RUNNING TO THE FRIDGE? Why am I not grazing? Why am I not completely depressed that I can’t just eat whatever I want anymore? I’m not working so maybe because I’m not around my coworkers & there’s no food in my house! So things seem under control. But I keep wondering when the other shoe is going to drop! Crazy? I should be grateful. I’ve lost 10 pounds since Tuesday! I guess I’m just scared about getting through these first two stages of diet - two weeks - until Ivan eat real food again. Good luck to you!

I just had my sleeve on Tuesday June 5 & I’m amazed at how many differences there are in post op instructions on these forums! I have to be off three types of diabetes meds & all Vitamins until my post op visit in two weeks. I was worried my sugar would drop but so far so good. I did buy Mary Ruth’s liquid vitamins on Amazon but not taking them yet! It’s interesting!

I’m up to the plate this Tuesday, June 5 after starting in October 2017! Nine months! And I still look pregnant! LOL. Did great the first few months with losing weight then we had a cancer scare in the family & I totally blew it. But even though I didn’t lose the weight, surgery still scheduled. My biggest fear is not the surgery but being able to follow the rules afterward. I feel like., if I didn’t lose weight pre op, what really makes me think I can post op? And the only reason I think I can is that I absolutely hate being nauseous & vomiting! Is that a bad reason to think this might actually work for me? Sometimes I think I should be having an operation on my brain instead of my stomach because my obesity has so much more to do with my psyche than my stomach! Everyone says I won’t be hungry anymore but hunger was always the LEAST of the reasons I ate & over ate! Guess I’m more scared than I thought!

Frustr8 - So funny! I went to the pharmacy today to get stool softeners & injections for post surgery- I’m 62 so injections are to prevent blood clots b cause I’m lan older patient!l But as I walked around I saw MANY MORBIDLY OBESE people mostly way younger than me. And all I could that knew of was why am I doing this?? Got me really scared! Like, hey if they’re okay with their bodies, why can’t I just accept my 250 Lb 5’2” body!?!? Well I think I’d rather give this a try than have have toes amputated from neuropathy! And the Long Term Care Insurance I was denied for and my husband got!? I want to spend that time with him! I admit, I’m not as scared of surgery as I am of totally screwing this whole eating thing up but I have to do this! And it’s really the first really big thing I’ve ever done for me! Surgery is June 5th - 36 hours away!! I’m freaking but hopeful! Last chance!! Hope I don’t run out of the OR screamed mg!😱

I’m up to the plate this Tuesday, June 5 after starting in October 2017! Nine months! And I still look pregnant! LOL. Did great the first few months with losing weight then we had a cancer scare in the family & I totally blew it. But even though I didn’t lose the weight, surgery still scheduled. My biggest fear is not the surgery but being able to follow the rules afterward. I feel like., if I didn’t lose weight pre op, what really makes me think I can post op? And the only reason I think I can is that I absolutely hate being nauseous & vomiting! Is that a bad reason to think this might actually work for me? Sometimes I think I should be having an operation on my brain instead of my stomach because my obesity has so much more to do with my psyche than my stomach! Everyone says I won’t be hungry anymore but hunger was always the LEAST of the reasons I ate & over ate! Guess I’m more scared than I thought!

Frustr8 - So funny! I went to the pharmacy today to get stool softeners & injections for post surgery- I’m 62 so injections are to prevent blood clots b cause I’m lan older patient!l But as I walked around I saw MANY MORBIDLY OBESE people mostly way younger than me. And all I could that knew of was why am I doing this?? Got me really scared! Like, hey if they’re okay with their bodies, why can’t I just accept my 250 Lb 5’2” body!?!? Well I think I’d rather give this a try than have have toes amputated from neuropathy! And the Long Term Care Insurance I was denied for and my husband got!? I want to spend that time with him! I admit, I’m not as scared of surgery as I am of totally screwing this whole eating thing up but I have to do this! And it’s really the first really big thing I’ve ever done for me! Surgery is June 5th - 36 hours away!! I’m freaking but hopeful! Last chance!! Hope I don’t run out of the OR screamed mg!😱