ShellMilliner

@Rogofulm Thank you, this gave me a big smile.

Not going to argue one procedure over another as I do not have a medical license and my descions were made with my doctor, nurse and a variety of peer reviewed articles on the subject. I don't claim any procedure is better than another. However, I will contend that intestinal necrosis is a risk with ALL WLS to include banding and with each it is a <%1 risk that is widely published in everything I've read along with fistulas and other complications. The majority of them are considered rare. To me that is a more than acceptable risk when the benefits of weight loss are so much greater. Remember we are here to support one another not challenge surgery type decisions.

It is not considered experimental any longer and hasn't for at least the past year and half to two years. There are actually several well documented papers from Europe in France and Spain where the procedure was introduced. My particular doctor has been perfoming the SADI for over two years with great sucess. It is safer than the traditional DS in several aspects and I do not suffer the side effects of diarehea or gas that most DS patients complain about. While the actual surgery only dates pack to about 2008 the results have been very positive, which is what is important. In medicine it is always about improving the procedures for safety while obtaining the best results. It is just another stepping stone in improving WLS from the old days of stomach stapling.

I was doing PiYo and Shakeology prior to my surgery and I think it would still be a great intro back into exercise since it is less jarring on your joints.

@Stevehud I love that idea! Brilliant!

@@Elizabeth21 and @@Djmohr Thank you. I do need to keep reminding myself. I keep comparing my recovery to my C-Sections and then have to remind myself that this was a completely different surgery and my body was re-wired. I also really need to stop comparing myself to other people's stories. That seems to be much easier said than done. I'm back at work today (shh...taking a quick break before staff meeting). I'll check in this afternoon with a drowsiness report. @@CanyonBaby I know I've read about the stalls that happen throughout the entire process, I guess I wasn't expecting it so soon? I know it really has no choice but to eventually come off (unless I do dumb things), which is why I'm okay with it. The only carbs I've incorporated was two ritz crackers with my tuna salad (which crackers and toast are allowed). I just needed a little crunch and raw veggies are still a no no so my normal adding in of carrots and celery make my tuna kinda like mush. But I will definitely beware of them in the future, not to mention I already have a hard enough time fitting in the 80-100g of Protein I require without adding in extras! @scstxrn My next appt and blood work is on the 11th so I will know better then. As of this past week I've finally got my Vitamin schedule down. I learned I had to set alarms on my phone to keep me straight. I will need to check out the lemonade that is one I haven't tried. I've been drinking Premier Protein since pre-op but I think I'm am burned out on it. I do best when I make my own smooties using a protien powder or shakeology, fruit, yogurt and milk, but lately even that hasn't tasted very good. I've been thinking about making popcicles out of the Isopure drinks to see if that works. It is HOT here in Florida already. @Bandista Thank you so much. I did this for my kids, I want to be able to play and keep up with them d not sit on the sidelines and of course to be there for them when they are grown as well. Oh and I also want to get my butt back on my other passion - horses and rollercoasters. Here's to better days!

So I've been having a down day or two. I'm just shy of 4 weeks post-op from the SADI/SIPS and I've plateaued for the past two weeks. Which I can live with although it is a bit disappointing. The harder part is my energy levels, I can't seem to get through a day without needing a nap around 1. When I skip taking a nap I'm so exhausted by the time 7 pm rolls around I'm ready to crash which doesn't work with a kindergartner and a 2.5 year old. I go back to work tomorrow (mostly sedentary) but, I'm not looking forward to the mid-day tiredness that will follow. The tiredness is really making me an emotional mess. I was expecting hoping by this time I'd have all this extra energy and going outside to play with the kids and doing lot of things. I know everyone is different, and other than tiredness I really had no real bouts of nausea or pain since leaving the hospital. I've also been struggling with getting in my Protein and Water. I usually manage about 48 oz water but only about 50-60 grams of protein. The past couple of days has been very hard because absolutely nothing looks or sounds appetizing. You know that feeling when you have a pantry and a fridge full of food but you stare into it for a long time close the door and look again, yeah, that's me. I can't even imagine anything sweet or savory that sounds remotely good to eat. Is this a phase? I try to force down Protein shakes to up the protein but I'm really having problems drinking them now too. What do you do when you really don't want to eat anything? I feel like pre-surgery I obsessed over foods, I ate when I was happy, sad, angry, bored, etc...I even resorted to sneaking food so no one knew how much I was eating. Now, I obsess over it, but in a totally different way. Now it is I need to eat xx grams of protein every so many hours. I know it will get better, I know the weight will come off and as it does my energy will come back, but there is nagging very impatient voice that keeps telling me I'm doing it wrong and it should be faster. Any advice is welcome...hanging in there. Thanks for letting me vent! Shell

I just found this thread and all I can do is emulate the words of everyone else, I'm so very sorry you are both going through this. I hope the stone passes quickly and things begin to resolve. Do you have anyone else helping you so you can have a break. I was the caretaker for my mother for a very extended period of time and neglected taking care of myself. Please allow yourself a break for at least a half a day a couple times/week.

Yes, part of it is your nerve endings are healing and re-attaching. This happened to me for surgery and both of my c-sections. Also, I have adhesive allergies so I had to change bandages every day. I would take a 4×4 gauze pad and soak it with sterile wound wash (look for it in the bandage area at the pharmacy) and gently wipe the area of the incision and then scrub the area where the bandages were.

My doctor's office is fine with coffee, no more than two cups per day. I was a big coffee drinker prior to surgery 3-4 cups/day sometimes more, but since surgery I haven't had any desire for it.

I'm here. I am on FB a lot as well I will look you up. I'd be more than happy to chat with you!

The steroids can inhibit healing by suppressing the immune system making you more prone to leaks, yes. The ER dr put me on the pred and then my surgeon took me off. The NSAIDS my surgeon said I should really never take...which sucks because ibuprofen is one of the few things which actually works for menstrual cramps for me I had the SADI DS and I can never take NSAIDS, ibuprofen or asprin because the will cause ulcers.

@@sjules If you browse the boards enough you will see that doctor's pre-op diets vary greatly from extremely restrictive (3-5 Protein shakes/day for 2-3 weeks and Clear Liquids for 3 days) to no diet at all. My diet started two weeks prior to surgery. I had two high protein shakes/day and a one meal could be a lean protein (4 oz) and a cup or so of non-starchy vegetables, low fat and no carbs. Additionally, I could have a salad with my meal if I chose. To stave off hunger beyond drinking tons of Water, I could add an addition protein shake or handful of raw nuts. The day before surgery was strictly clear liquids and nothing after midnight.

@@jennalia I forgot to mention I had BCBS of IL and they had no problem approving me for the surgery. Once all my pre-testing was complete and the submitted to insurance I had an answer in about 2.5 weeks!

@@jennalia Jenna, I think it is likely you will be smaller than an 18 by then, although it is easier to take a dress in than make it larger. I'm 3 weeks out and almost 37 lbs gone. I think a rule of thumb is about every 25-30 lbs is a size loss. I've had two c-sections, so not fully under but definitely not feeling any pain and an ACL repair to my knee. Don't let the idea of going under anesthesia worry you. The last thing I remember was transferring to the bed in the OR and the two anesthesia nurses joking because they were the only ones in the room at the time. The one nurse said he'll do the surgery, he watched it lots of times...haahaa. Next thing you know I was being wheeled into my room. Surgery was about 3-3.5 hours. I go back to work on Monday. I still get tired in the afternoons but I feel fine. I could have gone back this week if I wanted but I was kind of enjoying the time (and the afternoon nap). You will be up and walking a few hours after surgery and believe me you want to. They inflate your belly with gas to move around and you want to get it out. I think I mentioned in a previous post, my doctor does insert an NG tube (down the nose into the esophagus provided you don't have a deviated septum, this really, really does reduce the gas. You may want to ask is your doc does it. But the best gas relief is walking. At the hospital they wanted you up every 2 hours and moving, increasing your distance every time. The hardest part for me still is getting in all my Protein and liquids. I have days I'm just not hungry or nothing sounds good (that I can have, I'm still on soft foods), and you MUST make yourself drink that Protein shake or eat that whatever and drink that Water. You do it because protein is the key element to healing your body quickly, so you do it. Some days I don't hit my protein or water goal but I push to get as much in as possible. Tip: Water, the first times (even the first weeks) water feels heavy and for me it kind of hurt when I would sip it. I was told this had to do with the surface tension of the water. Add a squeeze of lemon, lime or a crystal lite pack to your water and volia it goes down much easier. I bought an infuser cup and fill it with berries or melon and it make the water taste great. BTW, I LOVED water before the surgery and would drink close to a gallon a day with nothing in it, I'm just now getting back to the point that I can drink plain water but for me it has to be cold. Keep in mind everyone is different just like with healing and energy.

I've seen the same thing. I think people become very defensive of their procedure. I think I know the exact thread you are referring to as well. I think a lot of doctors do call it a DS as it is a modified DS procedure. I had mine done by Dr. Jawad at Orlando Bariatric and Laproscopy. It was a robotic procedure to boot! The procedures offered were thoroughly explained at the info seminar and at the first appointment when you determine surgery type. The biggest advantages are the pylorus is intact reducing dumping syndrome, lessening the gas and diarrhea issues and because it is a bit simpler the the surgery takes less time, so less time under anesthesia and a quicker recovery. While it isn't really a "new" procedure it is kinda the new kid on the block. All WLS procedures were new at one time and doctors and researchers spend hundreds of hours improving them. My doctor's office no longer performs the lap band because the long term results on many require revisions.

@@kingcake The pre-op diet isn't as much about the pounds lost but to shrink your liver. Obesity causes fatty liver, which enlarges it and makes it floppy right over top of your stomach (the surgery site). The idea of a high Protein, low fat, no carb diet (think Adkins w/out the fat) is it forces your body to utilize the fat on the liver shrinking it, thus moving it out of the way for the surgeon. It makes the surgery so much easier for the surgeon and less risky of a nick happening. I've found from these boards every doctor's pre-op diet is different, some don't even do them. Mine was 2 high Protein shakes and a lean meal with non-starchy vegetables. I could add another shake if I was hungry or a 100 calorie pack of raw almonds. Then I was Clear liquids the day before and nothing after midnight. I'm 22 days out today and down 37 lbs (19 pre-op).

@@SippedChick Did you have an NG tube following surgery? I did for 24 hours, they said the tube really helps with the gas and I believe them. The tube was really annoying me and making me gag so they removed it about 24 hours later and that is when I felt the gas. I walked those hallways every 1.5-2 hours and it really did help. One of the nurses said everyone is very different with the tube, some people don't realize it's there and then there are others that it annoys the heck out of.

I had mine on April 1st! I can tell you I usually have 1-2 normal bowel movements in the morning (which was normal for me prior). No diarrhea at all. My doctor told me most of the cases with diarrhea come when you have foods that are fatty or too many carbs/sugars. I have not had any gas issues either. Of note I do still have my gall bladder, I did hear that if your gall bladder removed it can cause a higher incidence of of loose stool. The harder part is that you will require more Protein than the other procedures 80-100g/day. So likely a protein supplement shake or two will be needed to help you reach that goal. That actually works fine for me as I've never been a Breakfast person (except on vacation/weekends). I drink a Premier Protein in the morning and get 30 grams to start the day. You will also require higher doses of ADEK, Calcium, Iron and B12 for life. I've finally got my routine down and it works. Feel free to ask me anything. I have been up and moving stronger and further everyday. I did kind of over do just a day shy of 2 weeks post surgery and walked around EPCOT (Disney is practically in my backyard). I just wanted a change of scenery but I walked a bit too much that morning and was exhausted the rest of the day. I have two kids (2 & 6) so I've gotta be moving, they are the reason I did it. Good luck and let us know your decision.

Wishing you a smooth surgery today and a speedy recovery!

Hi there, I had the SADI (SIPS) on April 1st! I had a smooth surgery and a relatively easy recovery so far. I had some post surgery nausea (just the sick feeling) that they quickly got under control with a cocktail of meds. My surgery was on a Wednesday and I went home Saturday afternoon. The doc gave me the choice to stay another night if I wanted but the next day was Easter and I wanted to be home with my children and family. I really only had one or two episodes of nausea when I got home that I took medication for. I never needed my pain meds when I got home (though I did take a dose the first two evenings before bed to help with sleep. As with everyone's surgeries, it is a struggle at first to get you liquids and Protein in. Do the best you can it gets easier! I kept telling myself as I choked down another Protein shake that protein is the most vital element in the healing of my body and if I wanted to feel better faster I had to do it (just like a job). Some days it would take me 3-4 hours to drink an 11oz Premier Protein, but that's okay as long as you do it. Best of luck to you on your upcoming surgery. I'd be more than happy to chat with you more about the procedure if you want. Best, Michelle

Sugar free/FF pudding, SF Jello or for a Protein boost take part skim ricotta, add a couple tsps of sweetener, a TBSP of unsweetened cocoa and a splash of vanilla. It is yummy and helps with chocolate cravings. Yogurts are good and so is cottage cheese with some SF jam mixed in.

I'm just starting on soft foods and that is my indicator that I'm literally stuffed. Usually that happens around the 2-3 oz mark of whatever I'm eating.

Not sure what happened we are only 2 weeks out.

@@brandnewme2015 That sounds good! I will have to try to add meatballs. I had salmon today and that was very good. I ate about 2 oz and a few steamed yellow squash pieces. @@x0CheekzVSG Where are you? How are you? I know you were struggling getting protein and water in last week. Check in girly! @@CrissyBat Welcome back what's new? How are you doing? Where is everyone?