Ashley1213

Supposedly, there is less torque on the skin around the trocar sites, thus less pain for the pt. The cameras also are much sharper and fancier than on your run of the mill laparoscopic sets. But, it boils down to your surgeon's skill with the robot. All of the above is great, but if this is their first robot assist sleeve...no thanks.

PostOp Day 11, had a follow-up with my surgeon. Long story short, she has a very laissez faire attitude when it comes to diet. Basically, I've been released to eat all Proteins in whatever form. I asked for a target calorie and carb goal, and wasn't given one. I was told to eat Protein when I was hungry and eat till I'm full, to get to know my pouch.

Here are my questions:

1. Other than feeling a "stuffed" sensation, will I know when to stop before I stretch my pouch? I haven't vomited yet, always stopping when I get that feeling.

I ate 3/4 of a veggie burger this evening!! Is that too much??

2. On the other hand, just eating I can't even come close to getting all the protein I need. Should I force myself to drink a Protein shake even when I'm not hungry?? (Not tolerating the "unflavored" protein powders)

Yes. The lights came on today (post op day 7)! Hallelujah! The pain is more discomfort (except when sneezing) and I'm wanting to get out and join the world again!!!

Not to mention a 13.4lb loss from surgery!!

Thanks for all the encouragement and support!!

Good deal. I don't feel like I'm being "bad" by getting some nourishment for healing by having a Protein Shake

My nutritionist (who is part of my surgeon's office) outlined the post-op diet as:

Clear liquids 2-3 days post

Full liquids 4-7 days post

Soft around day 10

Upon discharge from the hospital, my surgeon said to stay on Clear Liquids as long as possible (like until my 2 week follow up) so I'll lose more weight.

I am legitimately hungry, light headed and weak. Yesterday I sipped a Protein Shake all day and managed to get some significant Protein.

I'm not going to go crazy and actually eat anything, but I feel like a Protein shake is reasonable at post-op day 5.

I am not getting hardly any protein on clear liquids bc I absolutely can not do the Isopure without gagging.

Anyone have any experience with differing advice from the professionals??

**Update**

First of all, thank y'all very much for all the positive support and well wishes. I was a little hesitant to join BP bc I wasn't sure if I would get the support I wanted. But, you guys are wonderful and I'm glad I'm here.

Post-op Day 5...today is the first day I've felt semi-human. My brain feels more focused and less under attack from the pain.

Still having a little bit of an issue with gas pain and general intestinal gurgling.

I don't know what the designation of the second incision from the right was but holy #%^*. It must have been torqued on unmercilessly or was the liver retractor site. I have bruised so badly and have such intense pain from that ONE site.

Mild to moderate sharp pain with deep breathing on the left side and a constant aching, burning, tearing pain from that incision on the right. But making due with Tylenol...

I really hope I'm over the hump and maybe by day 7 I'll feel 80%.

Thank you all! Today I did #2 and having taken Fiber for Constipation yet. I am on Protein shake #2 now. Drinking it 2 ounces every 20 min.

Haven't been able to drink more than 4 oz Water due to drinking shakes. Hopefully I get better with it.

And yes these past few days are the worst. To top it off I got my menstrual same day I came back from hospital.

Positive thoughts to everyone enduring this. It's so painful and uncomfortable.

Omg!! We are in the same boat. I'm post-op day 4, hating life and Aunt Flo decides to pay me a visit.

Why?!?

I'm 6 days post op and it does get better I went to the movies yesterday:) My husband called me a cheap date because I had all my goodies in my purse chicken broth and water:)

LMAO!! Nothing says night out at the movies like chicken broth!!! ????

@@Ashley1213 - Tylenol is fine but be careful if u r trying pill form. Generally no tablets unless crushed (different doctors say different things ). Meanwhile, you don't have to take a full dose if the hydro cod one. I think my dose was only 7.5mls so try a smaller dose and see if that helps.

Hang in there. It does get better.

Thank you!!

Thank you for all the support. It means so much.

Does anyone just take plain old Tylenol this early out? (Now post op day 3)? I hate the hydrocodone liquid I was prescribed. 20mLs per dose!!! Makes me nauseated. Plus, narcotics slow your bowels and I am on a mission to get rid of this gas and distention.

I absolutely underestimated this surgery. I've had other surgeries before and thought it would be similar.

My son's 5th birthday is tomorrow and I feel like the worst mother ever.

Thanks for the support guys. I wish I could just sleep through the first few rough days.

I need someone out there to tell me I'll feel so much better in a couple of days.

Btwn gas pain, incisional pain and nausea, I am hating myself for doing this.

I loved Water pre-op and can barely sip it without becoming nauseated. The pain med I was sent home with is some God awful cherry flavor.

Everything I can have right now makes me absolutely sick.

It's going to get better, right??

I can relate, my sister who is my best friend in the world is not super supportive of me either. We have both been big our whole lives and we have each tried to lose weight on our own. When I made the decision to do this the first thing she did was tell me about someone she knew who had complications. Thankfully my husband and kids are supportive, but I really wanted her to be supportive too.

Yes!!

Hi, I'm Ashley! I've been a nurse for 11 years and the bulk of that has been in the OR.

I'm currently the day charge nurse for a 6 suite Level 2 Trauma OR.

I've circulated my surgeon's cases before and have had the opportunity to see her do a sleeve.

I have two little ones (7,5) and have been through hell and back with my youngest, as he was born with Biliary Atresia and received a liver transplant when he was 6 months old.

I am recently separated from their father...his choice.

Needless to say, life is stressful for this girl.

BUT, I am looking forward to a new chapter in my life and not turning to food to comfort me!!

Thank y'all for the support.

I really think she's not in a place where she wants to change...I've tried to diet and exercise with her a few times and she would never commit.

She says it's because there is no magic fix and we both know people who have had a band and have not been successful.

*sigh*

I'm getting sleeved on Thursday, 7/16!!

I told my best friend and confidant my news, and all I got was a "good luck..."

Some background...we are both big girls, around the same size, and both nurses. So, we have the same life experiences of being obese and how it affects our life.

I'm pretty downtrodden. I know it's about what I think is best for me, but it is upsetting that I don't have her approval.

Thoughts?

Having a physical earlier this year and having my HgA1C come back at the upper limit of normal and borderline high cholesterol...all at the ripe old age of 32.

Loving to travel and not being comfortable in an airplane seat not being able to latch the seatbelt.

Tired of being tired and hurting just to walk.

I've become a hermit and have systematically avoided everyone who knew me before I gained all the weight.

ashley I feel you. I'm 35. I was tired of being tired, achy from walking a block, asking for seat belt extenders on air planes, I became a hermit too. I live in NYC and it felt great to be able to walk around as new buildingsa are always going up and the city is constantly changing. I'm only 3.5 weeks post op and am amazed at how much better I feel.

AreLin,

I was in NYC on a girls trip in December...we walked a minimum of 5 miles everyday (bc we couldn't figure the subway) and I downed about 5 Advil everyday.

I can't wait to go back when I have more energy and am not turned off of going somewhere simply bc I have to walk a little further!!

So glad to hear you are feeling better!! This time next week, I'll be on the other side, as well!!

My surgery is next week!! 7/15

I'm 32, 5'9, 310lbs

Having a physical earlier this year and having my HgA1C come back at the upper limit of normal and borderline high cholesterol...all at the ripe old age of 32.

Loving to travel and not being comfortable in an airplane seat not being able to latch the seatbelt.

Tired of being tired and hurting just to walk.

I've become a hermit and have systematically avoided everyone who knew me before I gained all the weight.

Hi! I'm Ashley, 32 y.o. mom of two (7,5) in the Austin area (one of the fittest cities in the U.S., ???? ugh). It's no fun being a mom to two young children at 310lbs.

I'm an OR nurse, so I've actually seen the surgery and my surgeon in action.

I'm scheduled for my surgery on 7/15 and am on day 4 of my low carb preop diet and frequently consider embracing homicidal tendencies as a result. ????????