Nanny'shappy

A lot of these meds are available in chewable. Ask the pharmacist. I was surprised at how many prescriptions and supplements are available in chewable AND/OR liquid! Good luck!!!

I don't mean to belittle your fear at all when I say this, but this comment is so very true. I remind myself of it ALL the time. "Fear is as deep as you let it be". You are LETTING yourself have these fears. You are CHOOSING to be afraid. You have to DECIDE NOT to be afraid of these things. When you realize you are in control of your fears, and you have the chance to "lessen" the fears, you feel a great strength and peace within you. It's your choice....are you CHOOSING to be afraid or are you CHOOSING NOT to be afraid? It's one or the other! I understand your emotions. Been there! One day soon you'll look back and say to yourself..."Wow, look at what I've accomplished!!!" That's a feeling no one can ever take from you!!! You will do JUST FINE!!!! I believe in you!!!

I put a teaspoonful of Benefiber each morning in my coffee. I also take one 250 mg tablet of Magnesium. Last, I take 2 stool softeners each day...Dulcolax. My doctor said the amount of Protein I'm eating will keep me constipated. She said there was no problem in taking stool softeners each day. If I took a laxative each day, then my bowels would get lazy. I DEFINITELY don't want that. But, she said there is no harm in staking tool softeners each day. This works good for me. Keeps me regular and "not so hard to go". Hope this helps!!!

I was sleeved in May 2014, and have had no consequences at all, EXCEPT FOR hair LOSS. That's the only problem I've had with this entire process. I have thin hair also, and noticed it getting thinner about 5 weeks ago. Now, it's so very thin I can hardly style it so that my scalp doesn't show. I eat 60+ grams of Protein each day, I take 5000 mg of Biotin each day, as well as many other multi-Vitamins and supplements and I've still lost so much hair. I'm very scared too. I chose to do this whole process to hopefully feel better about myself....and I do feel better about myself... until I look in the mirror and see my hair. It's really thin. I made an appointment to see a dermatologist next week just to see if I can do anything else to stop or slow down the hair loss, and hopefully start growing hair back again. I know hair goes through cycles, and their may not be much I can do until the cycle ends. I'm sure this hair loss is temporary, but I have to do something in the meantime. I also have a job where I see clients each day and I have to look professional. I wouldn't mind having a hair piece or wig to use till my hair starts growing back, but I don't want it to look like a wig. From what I've read from others on this site, the hair loss can keep happening for several months. I won't have ANY hair left if this keeps happening. Any suggestions or thoughts from others are greatly appreciated. Thanks so much

Yes, talk to your doctor right away. This is not normal. I didn't have any of those problems.

When you WANT your favorite clothes to actually shrink in the dryer so you can keep wearing them for a little while longer!!!!

I was sleeved on May 16, and am down 33 pounds. I'm very pleased with the progress and success so far! My typical day consists of: Breakfast 5:30 am- approx. 1/3 cup of cherios, with little milk. Snack 8:30 am - approx. 1/3 cup of gravy and scrambled egg. lunch 11:30 am - 1/3 cup grilled chicken cubes and green Beans. Snack 2:30 - Pasta salad with peas, carrots and tomatoes. dinner 5:30 - 1/3 cup spaghetti or other type of left overs. I usually try to eat my Protein first, then veggies. I don't have room for anything else. I get full very quickly. 1/3 is all I can hold at a time. I use the Centrum chewable Vitamins. I take one in the morning and one in the evening. Also, I take B12 each day. I always take my vitamins after I eat....never on an empty stomach. The chewables are fruit flavored and taste good. I have a hard time getting in the 64 oz. of Fluid each day too, but I usually drink at least 48 oz. Crystal Light has been my saving grace. I can't stomach lots of Water...never could. But I've been drinking Crystal Light all day long since the surgery (Fruit Punch and regular Lemonade flavor). I try to only drink a Protein shake when I simply don't have time to eat anything. Also, I keep a Protein Bar in my purse at all times just in case I get hungry and can't get to my regular food. My doctor said to refrain from using the Protein shakes after surgery when possible. They want me to "chew" my protein. Hope this helps!!! Take care!

Congratulations to you!!!! I know you are super excited! And, YES, GOD is GOOD!!!

Hello, so sorry you are having troubles. I was sleeved on May 16 and I was not ready for any type of solid food at 6 days. (I'm just now almost 6 weeks out and barely ready for solid foods). I didn't even try mashed potatoes until the 3rd or 4 week. You need to stay on liquids - but not Clear Liquids. Clear liquids do not satisfy your hunger. They just provide fluids for you. I drank a Protein shake each day. Ensure High Protein shakes (available at your regular grocery store). I like the milk chocolate best. It's so very yummy! I drank 1/2 shake at a time because these are 16 oz. shakes. But, also, I made onion Soup, potato soup, chicken noodle soup, and put them all in the blender so no chunks were left at all. Chunks are what will hurt your stomach at this point. The taste is completely normal for these items and they satisfy your hunger. I lived on these Soups and protein shakes for 2 full weeks, and I can honestly say I was not hungry....or should I say I got hungry only when it was time to eat again, which was every 2 hours. I only ate 3-4 bites worth at a time, which was about 1/4 cup. But, that's all I wanted and it definitely satisfied my hunger. When I got hungry again, I ate more soup or drank a portion of another Protein Shake. Hang in there! The worst is over! Hope this helps!!!

Just wondering where exactly the incisions will be on my stomach after the sleeve surgery...wondering if wearing a bra will hurt or irritate the incisions. Does anyone have any comments? Did you get a sports bra that has less elastic binding for the few days after surgery? If so, what brands or where did you find them? Thanks for any advise.

Only 4 more days till surgery!!! Pre-op diet is going very well. Thank goodness for Ensure High Protein Milk chocolate shakes. Drinking those has been like drinking the nicest, thickest chocolate milk EVER!!! No problems following the rules. So anxious to have the surgery over with. I usually don't get nervous about things like this as I've had many surgeries, but the worry in my family is causing me extra stress. They are strong Christians and I know they will be praying very hard for me and my safety, and I'm so thankful for that. But I want to remind them to EITHER WORRY OR PRAY....DON'T DO BOTH. Thanks for listening. Let me know if anyone else is being sleeved this Friday. I want to keep in touch and follow your progress! Thanks so much!

Wow! A lot of surgeries this week! Many blessings and prayers to all of us!!! Can't wait to hear how everyone is doing!

AWE!!! Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! That's so exciting!! My liquid diet has been very easy. The purpose of the liquid diet before your surgery is for two things....one is to get your liver in a good condition so that the surgeon does not have difficulty getting to your stomach for the surgery. The liver is in front of the stomach, and the surgeon has to push the liver aside, so to speak, to be able to get to your stomach. If your liver is not healthy, or in a good, lean condition, the surgeon has more difficulty doing what he/she needs to do. Also, the liquid diet is to jump start your weight loss. It helps to get your mind and body ready for some major changes. My liquid diet is 4 Protein shakes or bars during the day, with one Lien Cuisine meal. The total calories must not exceed 1200. The Protein Shakes are very good. I use Ensure High Protein Milk chocolate. They taste just like a great glass of chocolate milk!!! I love them! I usually have one shake in the morning, a Protein Bar late morning, a Lien Cuisine meal for lunch, then a shake late afternoon and a shake for dinner. AND, DRINK LOTS AND LOTS OF Water OR CRYSTAL LIGHT!!! I've never peed so much in my life!!!! But, it's all doing what it's suppose to be doing! Let me know if you have any more questions! I'm anxious to hear how your journey goes, and I'm anxious for my surgery in about 53 hours!!!!! (Not that I'm counting down or anything!!!)

AWESOME!!!!! I'm so proud of you!!! What a great feeling.....inside and out! Thanks for sharing your story!!!

Good morning! That's wonderful you are thinking of this surgery for a tool to assist your weight loss! Each surgeon has a different method for/if you are required to be on a liquid diet. You'll read here that some patients don't have to do a liquid diet at all, but most do. I'm on my 2 week liquid diet now - surgery is day after tomorrow!!! Also, if you are going through insurance, the insurance company may have a specific plan for you to do before they approve you. If you are paying for the surgery yourself, then the process is much simpler. I am paying myself and all has gone VERY quickly. I only met with my surgeon 2 weeks ago, and now my surgery is Friday May 16. Also, the tests that the surgeon wanted done prior to my surgery are: EKG, Chest X-ray, blood work, Upper G-I, Thyroid test and a letter from my primary doctor that she supported my surgery. Oh, also I had to see a psyciatrist for him to make sure I had the ability to understand the surgery and all involved, as this is very serious. Hope this helps! There are a few steps involved, but it will be worth it! I'm so anxious to start this new chapter of my life!!! Good luck to you!

My 14 day pre-op diet is required by my doctor, and consists of 4 Protein shakes or bars each day and one Lien Cuisine meal. They must all total no more than 1200 calories. The Protein shakes must have more than 10% protein versus calories (I use Ensure High Protein Milk chocolate - very, very yummy. They have 210 calories and 25 grams of protein. So, the calorie/protein ratio is good with the requirement). I've lost 8.5 pounds so far in my pre-op and I'm in day 10. Have 4 more days till surgery. Good luck!

Congratulations!!! Yes, as the clock gets closer, the nerves and excitement increases!!! But that's normal. This is a big step and none of us should take it lightly! All will be good and we won't even remember these jitters after all is done and we begin the "healthier stage of our lives"!!! Keep in touch! :-)

Awesome!!!! So glad all is going well for you! It's so wonderful to hear all the different positive results of each person's journey! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks so much for sharing your story! My surgery is next week and I want to hear everyone's journey as much as possible! Great job and keep up the great work!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOU ARE SUCH AN INSPIRATION!

Great Job! It sounds like you definitely want to make this journey as successful as possible, and that includes being pro-active about temptations! Keep up the great work! Thanks!

What an awesome story! Thanks for sharing with us. I agree with you that you reap what you sow. I have never believed in luck. God knows what he's doing and he helps those who help themselves. Nothing is a free ride. I appreciate your words. I'm going to print your post and keep it as a reminder throughout my journey and try to stay positive, focused, realize than I'm human, but that I can do anything I put my mind to! Many blessings to you! Thanks again!

I'm on day 5 of a 14 day pre-op, high Protein, liver shrinking diet. All is going very well! I love the Ensure high protein, milk chocolate drinks. They are very good! I could drink them all day long! I get them at my regular grocery store. My insurance is not paying for any of the surgery, so of course, they will not pay for any protein drinks pre-op or post-op. But, I highly recommend this product. It's low fat and high protein, so it will help your liver get into good shape for the surgery. And, it's very filling. I'm not hungry at all! I would highly encourage you to begin these drinks now to help achieve your goal of a "healthier you"! Good luck to you and keep us posted!!!

Great job to both of you! I'm so happy to hear great results! Please keep up the wonderful work and keep us posted!

OH MY GOODNESS!!!! I'M SO PROUD OF YOU!!! You've done so well and are such an inspiration! My surgery is May 16th and I'm so excited to see great results!!! Please keep us posted as to how you're doing!