SAD HATTER

It will kill you in the breathing department at first. But you will have to work through that.

I used steroid cream all over my face. It wasn't hives. I get those all the time when I touch plastic bags. This was a rough raised dry patch that burned like someone ironed my face. I put steroid cream on twice a day and used an olive oil based cream, and it cleared up over the weekend. It's like the old skin was blasted off and what is left is smooth and soft. I am hoping it stays that way. This sucked. This is my skin today...

This is going to sound strange, but my daughter has these episodes. She will have intense pain in the abdomen, and then uncontrollable vomiting, and the pain is so bad she's basically comatose or knocked out after. She vomited from the day she was born, and at the age of 2, they diagnosed her with CVS. Cyclic vomiting syndrome. It will not show up in scans or bloodwork. It is basically a migraine and spasm of the abdomen, that forces vomiting. Once the episode is over, you feel much better. Stress can trigger an episode, as well as certain foods, allergies, periods. My daughter cycled through like a clock. Hers were not so much outside triggers, as they were just on a cycle. We found a gastro that was familiar with CVS, and he prescribed cyproheptadine. Your episodes sound very similar to hers, and it is worth asking a gastro about CVS. Some will tell you it doesn't exist. But it indeed does. It can be debilitating. My daughter finally grew out of it, but I have adult friends in the CVSA support group that were triggered late in life and struggle a lot now.

I struggle with drinking enough. Every sip I take, no matter what the liquid, make me sick. It's like, i always feel beyond full and my mind tells me nothing else can go in. Eating I am starting to get the hang of, a little, but liquids. That sucks.

The only meds I am on are my multi Vitamin, and my gall bladder pill. I have to take that for 4 more months. Then I can stop it. I went to the DR and she had me use aqhaphor once a day, and at night, use a steroid cream. Today it is somewhat better. It doesn't itch near as bad, but it's still really red. This is a big improvement: This is what it was on day 3:

It's like an actual burn on my face almost. Like its dry, and its got these raised areas that look like chemical burns. It's weird.

I had no pre op diet. My surgeon even had me eat a steak the night before surgery.

Plain tuna from the can makes me dump. It's weird, but my pouch hates it. Makes me super sick

Aquatard. Keeps the thighs tight, covers everything, and I wear a shirt over it so it looks like bike shorts and a big shirt. Swimsuitsforall online store has them in plus and regular sizes. They really do help with the confidence in Water since the giggles are covered more.

So I knew my left side would be more sore than any other place. That's where my largest incision is. My muscles don't feel bad anymore, but my left side is still so fricken sore. I really want to start lifting weights again, I have been cleared, but damn, it hurts to do too much. If I walk in the mornings, I can't make it through work. I can't walk in the evenings because Texas is hell and it's hot outside. I am ready to feel somewhat normal again, and not feel like I have to baby myself so much. ' Eating is still not enjoyable. Though I love tasting my food, I dispise trying to figure out if I am eating enough or too much. 1 Tbsp is what I was told to stay around. Kinda hard to enjoy 1 Tbsp of anything. Kinda wish I could skip ahead to November or something. lol Oh, and also... even though my blood pressure is back to normal, sometimes I feel like my heart is pounding during the day. When it does this, I take my BP and it's always normal, and normal pulse. Maybe I am just more self aware right now?

I would love an indoor treadmill. However, our house is small and my daughters instruments and musical equipment have taken over the living room already, lol. I can't wait till it cools off.

Tuna makes me dump. And me the idiot, thought maybe I just ate too much the first time, so a few days later I did just a little... and BAM... yup, TUNA... God was I sick. That was awful.

I am not allowed oatmeal, crackers, and especially the mac n cheese stuff, nor am I allowed popcorn... like... ever. I can't imagine eating something as rough on the digestive tract as popcorn, especially so early on when the pouch is not healed. I am only allowed soft Proteins for another month (I am 3 weeks out). like eggs, Beans, fish, cheeses. Some of the stuff you are eating I was told to stay completely away from. And I am only supposed to be eating 1 Tbsp at a meal for this phase. I would be really scared to eat some of that.

Ok, so. My surgeon's instructions are to eat small bites, and wait a while between bites. I am doing that. But how much did you guys eat in those first weeks after surgery. I have seen some do 1/4 cup, and I was afraid to go beyond like 1 TBSP or 2 TBSP, so I am not really sure if I am eating enough? If that makes sense. I have tried yogurt, refried Beans, and egg salad. I eat very little of it and notice no difference physically. Now, the Protein shakes... How long does it take you to finish an 8 oz one? I have yet to finish one. Wondering if theres something else I can do to get one down. I am afraid to drink too much too fast. I guess I have anxiety over messing up and doing it wrong. My followup is Tuesday with the surgeon.

Lactose breaks down the capsaisin (spelling?) in peppers. So, if you eat something with hot peppers or something, make sure you have cheese or sour cream on it. It helps a lot. Or, gargle with milk and spit. That's what I did.

I guess I haven't hit full yet, cause I am chicken. lol But I am eating enough that I am not starving after, so maybe that's my new full.

So, I am 5 days post op. Doing great. Back at work. Walking. Showering. Getting in all my fluids. BM started on day 3. Surgeon wants me on mostly Water because my BM were more than 3 times a day and she said that is usually from the artificial sweeteners in the sports drinks and popcicles. So I am doing mostly water, and 8 oz of broth a day. Water. Tastes. Funny. Today was the first day. But I have had 50 oz as of 1pm, and It all tastes like, well, I don't know... weird. In fact. My mouth in general has a horrid taste. I am guessing this is the ketosis, and there is nothing I can do about it but suck it up.

I used insurance, but the total billed was around 20K, in San Antonio, Texas.

So I submitted Tuesday to insurance. This is Friday.... They called from UHC and said I am approved, and the surgeon's office called and scheduled me for August 13th. It's finally real. I made it. What a freaking relief.

My surgeon said surgery will not remove hunger. It will allow you to physically eat less, in one sitting, if you follow the rules. Before surgery, I am always hungry. I am hungry all day. However, I only eat 3 times a day. It takes a lot for me to feel that full feeling. Surgery is supposed to help you reach that full feeling. If you give in to the hunger all the time, you won't be successful. bypass won't take that struggle away. The first 6-7 months, your body is in control. You lose the weight. After that, you have to maintain it. You have to eat to the point of near full, slowly, to give your body time to feel that you are done. Then you have to stop. You have to tell yourself, this small portion will fill my tiny teeny stomach, and I will be fine. I have lived my whole life being hungry. I know I will still have hunger. But in 2 days, I will be given a tool to help me control how much I put into my body. And after that, it's up to me. Surgery is not a for sure fix. Or a quick fix. Or a miracle. It still takes work. But it will help you if you follow the plan. Protein first. No liquids with meals. STAY AWAY FROM EMPTY CARBS. No alcohol, and don't drink your calories. hydrate hydrate hydrate. My NUT has preached this to me over and over and over. If I fail. It is going to be because I just flat out didn't follow rules. And I am not about to let that happen.

I am having surgery Thursday... almost your twin. I have had 2 c-sections, throat surgery, 2 D&C , an ablation, and knee surgery. Surgery and recovery do not scare me. I am scared to fail. So far that is where my anxiety comes from.

I live about an hour west of Austin. Surgery is in 2 days. I am so sick of Protein shakes, and the smell of foods that I used to love, are now making me ill. I am ready to get it over with and move on from liquids.

I have gotten the "aawww, be careful, that's dangerous" speech... as opposed to being 350 with high bp? People need to get over it. It's OUR bodies, not theirs. And yes, I have no filter as well, lol

Just sent one, It will be from Robin

After both c-sections, I had to use a pillow when I coughed. Or laughed. Or sneezed. I would gently press it against my abdomen during the cough and it cut the pain down about 60%.