TayaDC

I have a 38, and I think it is the best of both worlds. I can take six pills at once (supplements), and I never had a problem with drinking liquids quickly to get rehydrated, and I never vomited once other than in the hospital the day after surgery. I feel restriction quickly, but I can take more than five bites. I can eat a whole taco, and that's about it for a meal if I want to. It's a size that I can live with for the rest of my life. The smaller sizes work too, but I think there is more of a risk of strictures and problems with a smaller sleeve. You will lost weight either way, and ultimately, it won't affect your weight loss. I would trust your surgeon's advice.

I used Balder from Slidell and he is connected to that group there. I figured that none of them would touch me now.
I have found an amazing GI doctor here at home who doesn't like bariatric doctors in general so he is focused on getting me well with a vengeance. Lol. I am now an "anti-bariatric" spokesperson for him.
On a positive note he has my stomach pain reduced considerably! AND I am eating some now! I am getting 50 g of Protein in food daily so I am thrilled. I will never be able to go to another bariatric surgeon for psychological reasons (fear and lack of trust).
I appreciate your advice and I am very jealous, but even IF your doctor would accept me, which I doubt, mentally I couldn't do it now. I feel safe and cared about where I am finally.
UNLESS..., the attempted scoping left my doctor wondering about my stitches being a problem and they may have to be corrected. In that case, he said I will probably have to go to a bariatric for corrections and I will die before I go back to be treated like dirt by the hateful man I went to. He will attempt to scope again in May after the new medicines have had time to work. If I do need repairs I would like to find someone good to do it IF I can find someone to clean up after another doctor. I may need that name then.
I know I am very negative and I hate it but this has been extremely scary for me as a single mother worrying about leaving two children. And if you could experience the coldness I get when I talk to that doctor you would understand even more. I have heard since my hell that he does have a compassionate partner in the group but I can't remember the name. I may need it but I PRAY I don't.

Upper GI today. Severe inflammation from acid in lower esophagus and upper stomach. (Hmmmm maybe a PPI or acid reducer would have been an idea! But NO, not for Dr Arrogant).
Anyway, Carafate FOUR times a day PLUS the new PPI (starts with a D something like....Dexalon) twice a day. Then if the swelling is down enough in a month then another scope attempt.
I do have hope now. I am in good, compassionate hands so I WILL be okay.
Interesting fact: Barium is amazing at easing off stomach pain and burning!! I actually ATE 2 oz of moist chicken right after the test and it didn't hurt!!!
I have hope. I'd still reverse it but for now I'll take feeling good. And I see that on MY horizon.
I will keep you posted and I wouldn't be where I am now without the encouragement from all of you.
Thank you!

He did get some biopsies but couldn't get to the mass seen on CT. He saw a stricture but could not get to it until swelling goes down. I have a mess. But this doctor CARES!!! He told my daughter that I WILL get better soon!!! Upper GI Thursday and go from there. I see hope now.

THANK YOU!!!! See this is the kind of stuff it would have been nice if I could have discussed it with my doctor.
I love this site! You are all helping me. I'm TRYING to pump up my bravery! I'm testing so we will see. I found a berry flavored Protein and I tried it in a vanilla Greek yogurt....nope. Not my thing. Lol. Maybe I put to much. I MAY try again.
I am doing well with Sobe waters, Vitamin waters, and Powerade with a little Water added. I got 32 oz Powerade in yesterday!! Not much food but fluids are starting to make it thanks to suggestions on here! Your posts are appreciated more than you know!!!

Me too! I just could not choke down plain water for months. I drank apple juice diluted 50/50 with water. It was higher in sugar than I wanted but I got fluids in and it didn't stop my weight loss.

Besides your nausea, If you are having a hard time drinking Water I just want you to know that is not uncommon for many people. It took me six or more months before I could comfortably drink Water. I found out that water has high surface tension so for me it "stacks up" in my sleeve (or it did I am now 2 years out and drink water normally). But at your stage I felt like even water was getting stuck and could only drink tiny sips. Thankfully I experimented by mixing water with diet cranberry juice, diet ice tea like Snapple, or Gatorade and that would lower that surface tension and I could get my fluids in. Before doing that I was getting close to dehydration but this trick worked.
So while it won't solve all the issues, some people just can't tolerate plain water for quite some time post op. Even my doctor who is very good didn't know this could happen. Fortunately I can now gulp water down again and getting water stuck is only a memory. I hope your difficulties will only be a bad memory for you too very soon!

Bless your heart. It is so discouraging I know. To think that you do not have a good support system from your doctor is just so ridiculous. If only they could understand and -- I mean REALLY- understand what this is like! This whole experience has not been what I had hoped either. There are days that I wished I could go back to that day I had this surgery, but I can't. If it had not been for this website I think I would have literally lost my mind-- (I still might). I wish I could offer you solutions on the Protein situations but unfortunately I have not had good luck with the protein situation either. However, it seems as though the others have some great ideas as to how to help you. I just want you to know that you are not alone and you will get through this. I tell myself everyday "Ok you made your choice so learn to live with it". If I didn't say this to myself I guess I would lay in the bed and cry all day. Good luck to you. Hang in there! ????

I'm 16 months post op. I can eat 1 normal slice of pizza and some salad for example or 6 inch from subway minus the top bread and a couple chips. Or a small burger no top bun, with pickles and about 5 fries. Sure with some soda- i dont do diet though. Yes I chug Water, and feel like my portions are healthy. I maintain my weight easily and eat 2000 calories a day. :-)