SugarFreeMe

I've been on a recliner since surgery. I also had to have a Haital Hernia repaired, so I don't want to risk any kind of reflux. Maybe next week I'll get brave and lie flat. (After my follow-up with the surgeon)

Hey everyone. 10 days out and I'm going good. I still don't get all the liquids in, I try but gosh it's a lot. I've been able to eat 4 oz cream of chicken soup strained with 1/2 scoop of protein, strained cream of mushroom soup with 1/2 scoop protein, 1/3 cup regular cream of wheat with 1/2 scoop protein. Also doing 4 oz protein shakes throughout the day. My go to at this point is 8oz hot tea with whey protein, very yummy and easy on the tummy. I've been adding 1 item a day and seeing how it goes. Tomato soup didn't work well, it went right threw, but at least it didn't make me throw up. Tomorrow I'm going to try the pureed re-fried beans with a little fat free sour cream. Very exciting stuff. Down a total of 19 pds since the start of the 2 week meal replacement - I'll take that. Hope your all doing well. Have a great weekend.

My hospital sent me home with a tummy binder. I love it even if I'm just walking around. It holds everything firm so no jiggling around.

I had my staples removed on day 4 before I left the hospital, they replaced them with Steri strip. I agree the staples were awful, it felt like they were biting my insides. WOW, back at work at 1 week. I don't envy you that, I'm going to get at least 2 weeks off, possibly 3. I am working from home so it makes going back later a little easier for my employer. I can't believe your eating food. I don't have my follow up until the 1st at which time they said they'd talk about advancing my diet. It's really not a huge deal to me, I don't have an appetite or feel hungry (who just said that) so food isn't even an interest for me. Best of luck on your continued journey.

I've not told too many people because I honestly didn't want to hear the about how it was the easy way out or that I didn't need to have surgery, I only needed to exercise more. For those I did tell, I said it like this: "I want to let you know about something that I'm going to be doing. I've been struggling for a while now with HBP, High Cholesterol and Diabetes and in order to take back control of my life I'm going to have WLS. Please know that I've thought about this for a long time, I've researched all the options, talked with my PCP and also consulted with a WLS surgeon. What I'm looking for is your support because that would make it easier on me and help me to succeed." I found that by prefacing it like this it basically told them I knew what I was doing, my mind was made up and I really wanted them to support me. It's worked so far, nobody that counts in my life has questioned my decision and they all understand what it means for me and my future. For those who are simply acquaintances or co-workers I don't deal directly on a daily basis, I haven't said anything. It's a very personal decision and not something I think I need to explain to everyone I come into contact with. Hope this helps and congratulations on your journey.

That's awesome. Since my surgery on the 18th I've been able to quit with my high cholesterol and diabetes meds. My blood sugar numbers are better now then they were with meds. It's amazing. Glad to hear about the blood pressure. That's the last med I need to be able to quit. Congratulations!!!

I was given prevacid to take for 3 months to avoid any kind of reflux. The med is a capsule that I have to take apart and then just swallow the crystal inside. I did have to have a hiatal hernia repaired, that's probably why its for 3 months. Maybe call your surgeon, tell them about the diarrhea and see if they can give you something else?

I've not stepped on the scale yet since my 3-18 surgery, I've heard that during your hospital stay you will actually gain upwards of 10pds due to Water weight. The growling you hear is more likely to be gas in your intestines, I hear it usually about 1/2 an hour after I eat, so I know I'm not hungry. Make sure your getting in all your Proteins and fluids and try to stay away from the scale for a week, you're probably at a stall and you'll make yourself nuts. Relax, your body is adjusting and needs time to heal and figure itself out. Good luck.

I'd keep a close eye on it. If it doesn't look like it's improving in a day or so, maybe call them back and insist that they look at it. An infection could land you in the ER or back in the hospital on IV antibiotics. If your surgeon won't take a look, maybe your PC can help you.

Kari, I was semi concerned but I was given a scrip for Lovenox injections to help to avoid blood clots. They gave me 2 injections a day in the hospital, once home I now to give myself 1 shot a day for 10 days. At first when they told my I had to give myself injections I was a little freaked out because I HATE needles, but you don't even feel them. The actual needle is only about 1 inch long and you inject into your tummy fat (imagine a smiley face pattern going from left to right under your belly button). It doesn't hurt going in, it only burns a tiny bit for about 10 seconds once your done - I promise you, you can do this - It's really not a big deal.

Good luck to everyone tomorrow and congratulations to everyone who joined me on the losers bench today. Hope your all doing well.

To all who are having surgery this week, congratulations on your journey to date but especially for your surgery this week. I can officially speak as a loser when i say that everything you will experience during you recovery may not be the most pleasant experience of you life but it is going to be worth it. Every time i feel a twinge or bite in my tummy i remind myself that this one week of discomfort will result in so many more years for me. I'm already off my diebetes meds and cholesterol meds. My blood sugars are actually better then they were with meds, who would have thought that could be possible inside of 2 days post-op? So know that you're doing the right thing for yourself. Best wishes and good luck. :-)

My nut said lactose intolerance tends to develope over time in gastric patients. She suggested lactaid, it has the nutrients milk has, just no lactose to upset the tummy.

The liquids before were unpleasant at best for me but they did get better with time. Hang in there your time is almost here.

Have you tried making your own popsicles or Jello with unflavored Protein in them. The shakes have started getting to me pre-op because of the sweetness. I've reduced the flavored scoops to one and have added one scoop of unflavored, much better.

i was amazed at my medical clearance appt with my PCP when she told me that the night before the surgery was the last time I'd have to take my high cholesterol and diabetes meds. WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Talk about amazing. Next and last it the high blood pressure.

Just got called, they moved me from 11:45 am to 7:30 am. Reporting at 6:00 am - I'm so glad, I didn't want to sit around all morning.

I understand completely. I'm having my RNY tomorrow, Friday my family ordered pizza and it smelled so darn good. I fixed up my shake and hid in the bedroom for a bit until they were done and had everything cleaned up in the kitchen. So far that was the only food that really had me on edge, but I was determined not to eat it. For me it was like a personal triumph and I felt good to have faced that demon and won. You'll do fine, stay focused and positive.

After completing all of my surgeons requirements they resubmitted and everything went fine. They got the approval the same day. My surgery is tomorrow - yikes.

Molly, I didn't realize you were tomorrow also. Best to you also - Here's to being on the other side.

Hang in there Annymarie, soon enough. Best to you and Blue both. Kimberly, yes I'm still on for tomorrow. Getting very gittery, trying to stay focused by cleaning, packing and getting things ready here. How about you?

You can also try the unflavored protein powder instead of the shake protein powder. The shakes tend to be really sweet, so sometimes I only use one scoop of shake mix and a scoop of unflavored, especially when I add fruit or peanut butter.

Annymarie - Good luck tomorrow. Everything's going to go great for you and you'll be home in no time. Prayers coming your way girl.

Although my weight is 207, consider that I'm 52 yrs old and only 5'1". Also, I have High blood pressure, High Cholesterol and type 2 diabetes with a family history of heart disease. My health issues are what's driving me to take control of my life and fix it before it's too late. I have far too many things to do still. Each person has their reasons for wanting to do this or for not doing it. WLS is a very personal decision that only you can make for yourself.

Each insurance company has their own prerequisites that their insured have to meet. It's typically a BMI of 35 and higher with 2 or more co-morbitities (high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, ect...) or a BMI of 40 or higher. Also, some require a 3 or 6 month recorded diet recorded by your PCP or a dietitian before they will sign off. They're all different and deny/approve based on your ability to meet their requirements. It's best to always check with your insurance coordinator before you start your journey.