Inner Surfer Girl

Fast forward? Believe me when I say that January 27th will be here before you know it.

I will pass along my NUTs advise. Go to your local pharmacy when they aren't busy with your list of Vitamins and ask your pharmacist to help you find the best/cheapest versions. Also, stock up when they are on sale . Vitamins and supplements are expensive, but for me it balances out since I am no longer paying half my check to the coca-cola company!

Yes, you may have to live in the restroom for a while! If you don't drink a lot of Water normally, you are probably retaining a lot of water. Plus, our fat cells are full of water. I don't know all of the technical ins and outs (note to self research how hydration works) but I know that this is another counterintuitive process. We have to drink more water to lose more weight. If you are used to waiting until you are thirsty to drink, you will need to break that habit. If you are thirsty you are already dehydrated and it is very hard to catch up. You MAY find that once you are staying hydrated and urinating frequently that your bladder issues may become more manageable. Just keep sipping!

I started with a high BMI am over 50 and got the sleeve. Unless there is other reasoning behind his suggestion (do you experience GERD?) you may want to get a second opinion or at least talk with him further about his recommendation.

Welcome! You are in good company. There are quite a few of us in our 50s and beyond on this site. I was sleeved in April and couldn't be happier. You are in for quite an adventure!

Premier protein is a great choice. If you drink three in a day you have 90 grams protein and 33 oz of fluid out of the way.

From the few times I have seen it the entire premise of the show is built around hatred. Hatred of fat people. It uses self-loathing, self-hatred, and self-abuse as tools.

Personally, I think for the first weeks after surgery you need to get Protein however and whenever you can (supplements, shakes, etc.). Getting enough protein and Water is critical for healing. Once you have healed, you will have the relative luxury of deciding how to get your protein (plant-based or otherwise). In the meantime, you have a very tiny, injured, and swollen stomach that still needs nutrition to heal and your body needs to function.

You have had major surgeries, of course you are exhausted. Focus on getting in all of your Protein and Water so you can heal. As to the B12 shot, that is a question for your doctor. Have you started taking your Vitamins? What does your doctor advise about your returning to work early? It sounds like to me that you still need some recovery time.

I made my second trip to Aldi this week and came home with a couple of avocados. I like plain avocado, or a garnish or extra with Mexican food but don't buy them very often so am not quite sure what else I can do with them. How do you like to eat and/or prepare fresh avocado?

You aren't allowed anything but juice, Water, broth, or tea for the first ten days? How are you getting in your Protein? Bone broth does have some protein, but you need to find ways to up your protein. Can you drink Isopure, Syntrax nectar, ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrates or other clear protein supplements? sugar-free Popsicles, sugar-free Jello, and even crushed ice are also clear and can help you stay hydrated. If you find that the broth tastes too salty you may need to dilute it. Just keep sipping. You will feel weak until you are able to get in your water and protein. Sip, sip, sip, and walk, walk, walk. It's a full time job for the next few days but will go a long way to helping you recover.

You just had major surgery and are healing. Keep sipping your Water and Protein and walk. Also, when you are instructed to start taking Vitamins, do so. You are given a lot of vitamins in the hospital which should hold you for a little while, but getting in your vitamins when it's appropriate will help with your energy. Someone above said that the protein is not as important as water and I happen to disagree. I think they are both critical. You need both for healing. Also, don't be afraid to rest and take it easy. You don't have to be at 100% right after surgery. You will feel better soon.

To add to what others have said: you need to be sipping fluids and/or protein pretty much at all times. Until you are able to reach your minimums keep sipping.

I have been taking Tylenol Cold Multisymptom (liquid). I have both the day and night versions.

Congratulations and welcome to the loser's bench.

I love you, too! My birthday is in June but my sleeve birthday is in April. Since I am a Gemini it is only fitting that I have two birthdays!

I agree 1000%.

You definitely need more Water and Protein. You have got to stay hydrated and getting enough protein is critical for healing. With all of your other symptoms, I highly recommend you see your doctor. Have you had your blood work done lately? Are you taking all of your Vitamins?

I agree it's important to take all of your Vitamins. By the way, those of us with sleeve's take vitamins, too!

The sleeve is an easier surgery. Frankly, I am not surprised he was unable to do the bypass on Nikki. She carried so much of her weight in her abdomen I believe it when he said that he wouldn't be able to make the connection. I am sure that was why he asked her to lose additional weight in the first place. According to my surgeon the longer a patient is on the table the more risky the surgery. To me a sleeve surgery that takes 45 minutes compared to a complicated surgery that he may not be able to complete seems like a good choice. Remember, the earliest seasons were filmed 10 years or so ago. A lot has changed in the last few years.

Congratulations! Sounds like you are doing great.

As others have mentioned it is probably a combination of things: dehydration, healing, meds, etc. Stay hydrated and use a good body oil/moisturizer. I had to make sure I kept my belly covered early out to so I wouldn't mindlessly scratch my incisions, too.

It will get better. I don't know if it will go back the way it was pre-op but you will be able to taste your food.

Welcome to all the new folks! I remember that mix of excitement and anxiety I felt once I started exploring surgery. It is quite an adventure. This is a great site for information, inspiration, and support. I was sleeved April 20, 2015 and couldn't be happier with my experience, recovery, and progress so far. It has already changed my life in so many ways and I still have a long way to go. Best of luck to all of you and keep us posted on how you are doing.

I've heard rumors that some people actually like fruit cake. Now, I had to avoid some really delicious smelling spice cake over the holidays. I could understand eating one of those!