mwestcons

You can also consider switching surgeons. Depending on where you live, there are usually more than one or two bariatric surgeons available. Granted, it's a big switch, and upsetting, but may be worth considering.

Well, I'm just beginning this journey, but I am confident that the sleeve was just what I needed to make it possible to finally find a way to lose the weight and keep it off. Those nay-sayers are just exhibiting their jealousy - and demonstrating to us all that many people seem to want to find a way to feel superior to, or put down others who make them feel inadequate or insecure. Sad fact, but why do people find it necessary to make racial jokes, or other hurtful comments? Treating large people badly is still one of the few socially acceptable prejudices still tolerated in our society.
Livvsmum - what do you do now? You live your life proudly and move forward in confidence knowing that you have won a great battle with courage and perseverance. Incorporate all that you have learned in this journey into your new life style. Eat healthy while allowing yourself "celebratory" foods you like on occasion. Stay active and realize you are still the same person, only "new and improved". YOU GO GIRL!!!

Jenuine629: My nutritionist and a nurse who has had the surgery recommend starting first with mozzarella and/or string cheese as these more solid cheeses are better tolerated. For those who are doing well on the liquid diet and want to try something more solid, they recommend these cheeses. Beyond that, it is still "protein first", with the best tolerated Protein sources being the white meats being more digestible and better tolerated than the red meats - including pork. Fish is usually tolerated ok too. I was told that the rule with "soft foods" is that if you have to use a knife with it, it's not soft enough! Highly cooked foods like chili and stews and marinated meats apparently work much better. The more fibrous vegetables like broccoli and green Beans should be well cooked. Apparently, celery is not well tolerated at all until much later... Chili is a good choice using ground turkey (or all veggies) since the Beans add another source of Protein, and it is quite filling, which staves off hunger longer. This stage of the diet is all about filling you up for longer to prevent hunger. [sharedmedia=trackers:tickers:17205]

Two things about driving - you should be off narcotic pain meds for about 24 hrs before driving (many people can cycle off the meds within a day or two of leaving the hospital) and you need to be comfortable twisting around in the drivers seat to check your blind spots, etc. I was also driving on the 3rd day after being released.
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lashomatic: Well, everyone experiences pain at different levels, as you may have heard. You should not be too shy about taking your pain meds to head-off pain, particularly as you describe. In my case I took only a few doses of the oxycodone they gave me and transitioned to liquid Tylenol as quickly as I could (the oxycodone made be dizzy anyway). Some pain should be expected, and the location and number of incision sites will vary to some degree with each patient. Having said all the above, "stabbing" pains in your belly while you are vertical sounds a little unusual. Being vertical was my most comfortable position, it was bending, and particularly twisting motions that lead to pain in my case. I would definitely mention the location and level of your pains to your surgeon. Do also be careful with your activity level initially - to avoid damage to the sutures, staple line, etc.

Hi Madwife. I wouldn't freak out too much. Things like taking birth control pills can affect your level. If you are nervous about your Protein intake, double-check the amount of Protein in your shakes. Have you tried adding milk to your drink? This is an excellent way to add protein without adding bulk. You can also substitute milk for Water if you a) like milk and can tolerate it. Good luck!

Protein Protein protein! Severely limit your carbs, sugars and fats! My hospital put me on a pre-operative diet of 3 Protein shakes a day (50-70g protein/day) and a small meal consisting of 4oz of meat, a 1/2 cup of a starch (potato, rice, etc.) 1 tsp fat, one small fruit, 1 dairy serving. 2 weeks of that and my liver didn't need to be resected allowing them 4 "holes" in my tummy instead of 5 - which I am sure greatly speeds up recovery time!

Hi Mike! My surgery was a week ago today and I also had some nausea in PACU that they controlled swiftly with drugs. Good luck with your esophagram - it is one of the worst parts of the surgery - waiting to be allowed to have a sip of Water after hours of putting up with the most horrible case of cotton mouth ever! Good luck!