Elizabeth21

@@kathy0529 Don't worry. Your "friend" will not matter at all. Mine showed up the day before surgery. No problem. Good luck!

@@blondiebabs, you have come to the right place! The people here at this site are very supportive! So, you can at least count on some emotional help here. And, as you've already seen, lots of great suggestions too. Best wishes to you. Keep us updated!

@@Aerohead21 I am so sorry to learn that you are going through this too. And yes, my stomach recovery has gone okay, but the spleen has been awful. Hopefully since they have discovered yours sooner you will get faster relief. Let me know how it goes for you!

Thanks for the support!

I just got GENEPRO unflavored Protein and have tried it in a few things. I do not taste it and after thorough stirring it dissolves. Only a half teaspoon adds 5 grams of protein. I ordered on Amazon. If your worried about flavor, add it to strongly flavored items and just add a little. Those extra grams will add up and help you feel better. Good luck.

My nutritionist actually recommends Shredded Wheat around week 6 or 7. LIke anything, start small, chew lots. As for Protein, toss a little unflavored Protein powder in your milk to boost the protein if you need. Good luck.

@@BeagleLover Nope. The surgeon has disappointed me with his knowledge in this regard. (See my answer above.) Thank God for the internet!

@@MarylandCrab They are not removing it. It should heal on its own. The worst part is that the injury irritated my phrenic nerve and so I was having muscle spasms to the point that I could not breathe. My surgeon did not figure this out because he said he'd never had someone with this kind of pain at 3 weeks out. My own internet research helped me figure it out. So I took some anti muscle spasms meds and that finally interrupted the cycle allowing my muscles to settle down. It is not unlike back muscle spasms, only in this case when it was flaring up I could barely breathe. The pain was right up there with labor pain. On a scale of 1 to 10, a 12. Once the spasms settled some, then percocet could address the actual muscle pain. So finally after four days of suffering, yesterday I began to feel some relief. It has taken a lot out of me though. I had originally hoped to go back to work this week with shortened hours, but, now I am going to try to reschedule appointments and just try to work from home. Hopefully by the end of the week I'll be much stronger because next week's schedule is not very flexible. Thanks for your support!

Hello. Found out today at ER that I have a lacerated Spleen from Sleeve surgery. I'm 3 weeks post-op. Anyone know about how long it should take to heal? And OUCH!! Thanks.

@@Luana526 Thanks for sharing your excitement! As for getting your Protein, try using some unflavored powdered protein to boost your intake. You can add it to your drinks between meals and foods you eat. Good luck!

Turns out I have a lacerated spleen. Went to ER today. Apparently injury to the spleen in not uncommon with these procedures. Glad I have an answer AND pain meds now.

Hi All. I could feel that darn lap surgery gas pain for two weeks, then it went away -- I thought. Yesterday, after 4 days without, I woke with a fresh painful stab on the left side of my ribs and up through my shoulder. Anyone else struggle with this? Any suggestions for relief? Ouch!!

I started out thinking I would just be open to all but fortunately I read some of the forums here and re-considered. As a result I have only let a few close friends know and my husband. They are all supportive. I do NOT need the extra drama from my mother or others would not only spout all the negative, but then constantly monitor me. I just told them I was having hernia repair. When they notice weight loss I will chalk it up to improved eating habits and exercise. If someone who is truly struggling with weight asks me and I think they might benefit from the truth, I would maybe tell them. Because that is how I discovered the sleeve procedure. I asked someone who had lost weight AND KEPT IT OFF what he had done. He was very kind and explained how this was different from the WLS of 20 years ago, etc. Bottom line: NOBODY DESERVES an answer. YOU CHOOSE what is right for YOU!!

This made me laugh until I cried!!

Hi All. I would appreciate suggestions for Vitamins. I got the Bariatric Advantage chewable and they are awful. So doctor said I could chop NatureMade for Her in half and take it. It makes me nauseous! Has anyone found a gentle, palatable multi-Vitamin and/or Iron supplement?? Thanks for your help!

You can ask for liquid pain meds. I was sent home with that.

Personally, I am now 2 weeks 3 days post surgery and I am REALLY glad I am taking four weeks before returning to work. Giving yourself the gift of the time to heal is a great way to start this journey!

All due respect to your OBGYN, but maybe he/she leave the bariatric specifics to the doc that specializes in that. The requirement for any and all pre-surgery tests pretty much fall to your surgeon. I have heard a WIDE range of differences in these requirements by the surgeon. One of the things I like about my surgeon, he only required practical necessary pre-surgery tests. They did NOT include an colonoscopy (or an endo or mammogram or more than three days of liquid diet prep, etc.) I'm amazed by the number of obnoxious hoops people are having to jump through. YOU are the client!! If you do not want to do the prep the doc is requiring -- find a different surgeon. Be your own advocate!! Good luck to you!

Hi All. I'm just a few days post op and already feel like I am not sure what I am supposed to have and when. Has any found a checklist or an app that helps you keep track of everything? I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thank you!

Thank you all so much for your advice and encouragement!! Great suggestions and I really feel your support which is nice. I hope you all continue to do well.

Hello. I am scheduled for surgery December 11. Veterans, is there anything you wish someone had told you to prepare for surgery day? Thanks!

Hello Veterans. My fear is that I will not be able to eat for the rest of my life. I'll never be able to try a new food, or, enjoy food at all. I get that there is a trade-off of course. But I look at my elderly parents, and really, enjoying their food is a huge part of their joy in life. So: thoughts? THANKS!!

Thank you. Lately... my haunting thought is... "well you will never be able to enjoy food for the rest of your life."

Thank you!

I'm in the research phase and will attend "Informational Seminar" Monday night. I'd appreciate any suggestions of questions to ask the surgeon. Thank you!!!