NewLeaf15

I tried chicken and vegetable broth with powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury unflavored Protein Powder (not Isopure). It The Isopure that I have is the drink protein and not the powder. It's 40 grams of protein in one bottle.
I actually just returned from the supermarket and bought the Oikos Triple Zero yogurt (zero sugar, zero fat, zero artificial sweeteners); it's pretty good.

Thank you sooo much for your reply! Maybe my expectations are too high, and I appreciate your reassurance about stretching it out!
You've helped make the end of my day a positive one! I appreciate your information!

I cannot tolerate the taste of the Isopure which is a shame ...I've tried about 4 different flavors now ... I am going to try to find some unflavored Protein Powder and use that somehow ... I think just being a few days out from surgery I didn't realize how much you don't get prepared for ahEads of time ...it truly is a learning process

Sounds normal to me!! Keep plugging away!

I'm sure you're fine. Check out bariatriceating.com they have a 48 hour reset for those who have truly stretched their sleeve. They also have tons of recipes and samples. I was frustrated cause 2 days home I hadn't lost much but when you first come home from the hospital you have a lot of Water weight from all the fluids. Don't weigh yourself again until your doctor visit. Keep up the great work!

My doc, Dr Duc Voung, wrote a great book for sleevers: Ultimate Gastric Sleeve Success. In it he talks about the 21 day exception where you choose 21 days out of the year, where you may not eat totally on plan because life happens and you cannot be perfect all the time. He instructs us to eat the most nutritious food we can most of the time, knowing there will be exceptions. We can't eat like that every day and expect to be successful, but we can't always be perfect. So brush it off and don't beat yourself up, you can get back on track tomorrow.

Be thankful you can drink so easily. No you aren't doing any harm to your sleeve....liquids flow right through your sleeve into your intestines. Meeting both Protein and fluids goal this early is excellent! I couldn't tolerate plain Water either. Same with artificial sweeteners and lactose. But shakes, Soup, juice, sports drinks, etc, went down just fine. All of these intolerances passed after 4 months.
If 100 people had WLS you would get 100 different versions of what WLS is like. All of them are normal....for that person. So relax and enjoy YOUR journey.

I posted almost the same thing after surgery! By day 3 I was getting all my liquids in with NO issues. You are fine! Like @@Kindle said, we just all experience this a little differently.

Merry Christmas!
One of the strangest things for me after surgery was how hard it was to drink plain Water. I found that just about any liquid was easier to drink than Water. Try Decaf tea. Try water with Mio drops or another enhancer. Try different temperatures: room temperature, warm, or even ice cold. Try sugar-free Popsicles. Try ice. Try broth/soup. You may find some temperatures are easier than others.
Fortunately, you can count all non-caffeinated beverages toward your Fluid total, including your Protein shakes.
Just keep trying. It will get easier. For me, I was eventually able to drink plain water without difficulty.

I could drink a lot after surgery. It took me awhile to where I felt full. But now I can eat a egg and be stuffed. Kinda goes by the day for me.

Thank you! I went for the stress echo this morning and the doctor told me that my heart is 100% good to go. He cleared me so I'm all good. I can't even begin explaining to you the stress I went through for clearance but at least I know I have a healthy heart with no blockage or anything. I'm scheduled for Monday morning. I went also for another pre-op today but since I'm a hard stick, they said they're going to do a PICC Line, which I'm scared, but I heard it's not painful (hopefully). I'll keep you posted.

Thank you! I went for the stress echo this morning and the doctor told me that my heart is 100% good to go. He cleared me so I'm all good. I can't even begin explaining to you the stress I went through for clearance but at least I know I have a healthy heart with no blockage or anything. I'm scheduled for Monday morning. I went also for another pre-op today but since I'm a hard stick, they said they're going to do a PICC Line, which I'm scared, but I heard it's not painful (hopefully). I'll keep you posted.

Thank you for asking. I haven't been on the site since last Tuesday. My update is that I went for the exercise stress test last Tuesday which was the day before surgery and that afternoon my PCP said he wouldn't clear me because it came back abnormal again. I did a lot of crying and I was down that night. The Bariatric center called me to reschedule surgery for Dec 21st (next Monday), until I received clearance from the Cardiologist. I saw the cardiologist on Thursday and he said that he believes it's a "false-positive." He said that at times it could be the breast affecting the test, which I thought it was a very odd thing but that's what he said. He said he wants to be 100% sure it's a "false-positive" before he clears me, so on Thursday morning they're doing an echo stress test.
He said that test will indicate if something is actually wrong or it's nothing. He thinks it's nothing but he doesn't feel comfortable clearing me until he's sure which I understand. Once/if the cardiologist clears me on Thursday then the PCP will clear me as everything else came back normal. I'm scheduled for next Monday, and at this point in the process I feel numb and I don't want to get my hopes up for another disappointment. I'm going on Thursday for that test and that same afternoon I should hear from the doctor what it is... fingers crossed.

Thank you for asking. I haven't been on the site since last Tuesday. My update is that I went for the exercise stress test last Tuesday which was the day before surgery and that afternoon my PCP said he wouldn't clear me because it came back abnormal again. I did a lot of crying and I was down that night. The Bariatric center called me to reschedule surgery for Dec 21st (next Monday), until I received clearance from the Cardiologist. I saw the cardiologist on Thursday and he said that he believes it's a "false-positive." He said that at times it could be the breast affecting the test, which I thought it was a very odd thing but that's what he said. He said he wants to be 100% sure it's a "false-positive" before he clears me, so on Thursday morning they're doing an echo stress test.
He said that test will indicate if something is actually wrong or it's nothing. He thinks it's nothing but he doesn't feel comfortable clearing me until he's sure which I understand. Once/if the cardiologist clears me on Thursday then the PCP will clear me as everything else came back normal. I'm scheduled for next Monday, and at this point in the process I feel numb and I don't want to get my hopes up for another disappointment. I'm going on Thursday for that test and that same afternoon I should hear from the doctor what it is... fingers crossed.

Hi all,
I was sleeved on Dec 1.
I realize that everyone's experience is going to be different, but I hope that by sharing my own observations, maybe I can lessen some of the anxiety for someone else.
I did a lot of research on the sleeve right up until the day before I got it. Even with all that, I felt unprepared and pretty nervous about what was going to be a permanent change.
My friend dropped me off at the front of the hospital for my pre-op check-in. My family all lives out of town and I didn't tell a ton of people what I was up to. So I texted a few well-wishers from the waiting room and then the party started.
There were a lot of questions, a fancy air-warmed paper gown and skidproof socks to change into, and some vitals and blood taken. So far, so good.
I didn't get really, really nervous until the anesthetist showed up during the prep and I think it was because that was the first time I'd been left alone since arriving, so I had time to consider what I was about to do. I was dialing my friend to ask him to come back and take me home, but then the team swept in, being all efficient and professional, and I just kind of let it go. You know, I'm kind of ashamed to admit that I wanted to go home so I could eat. I was THAT hungry.
I don't remember much after the IV was started. I think I was transferred from the surgical gurney to my bed on an inflatable mattress, but I could have been imagining that.
I didn't have much pain at all -- more discomfort than anything. I intended to stay one night, but ended up staying two because the air from the procedure wouldn't er... move out. They said that's common. I also wasn't getting enough fluids in -- also very common.
I packed according to lists I found on here.
The clothes I wore to the hospital (t shirt, loose jacket, fleece pants, underclothes, warm socks, boots that I could just slide on) Phone charger with a looong cord An electric throw (this was GREAT!) A comb, face soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, and hand lotion Aquaphor (or Chapstick) A copy of my healthcare directive I braided my hair while it was damp the day I left for the hospital because it tends to tangle a lot. The band was fabric, so they let me keep it in and it held the mess together pretty well for a full day.
I didn't touch the magazines or the washcloth I'd brought along. I was given an inspirometer the week before my procedure and I brought it with me as instructed. After surgery, they gave me another one, so I just left the first one in my bag.
I also brought a heating pad on the advice of a friend who'd previously had the surgery, but I ditched it for the cozy throw. Plus the throw was nice to use in place of a pillow for the ride home. I left a bottle of Water in the car for the ride home as well. This provided a good distraction from the bumps and turns.
I wish I'd brought along
an extra set of underwear, pants, and socks shampoo and conditioner something to keep all the paperwork in an MP3 player -- my roommate was inconsiderate my FitBit to track my steps I wore the fleece pants to cover up my bottom while I trucked around the halls, but I was strongly urged to keep the hospital gown on because of the IV.
I had a couple of friends visit later on the day of the surgery and can't recall much about the time except that they brought me a sign calling me a loser and some shakes and I was really, really tired. I remember the surgeon stopping by, and a LOT of other people checking in. (I was at a university hospital, so I expect I had a few residents inspecting the surgeon's work.) It's all kind of fuzzy and I just have an impression of people popping in to ask a few questions and look at my belly.
The staples came out the day after the procedure. It hurt a little bit, but not unbearably and it was over quickly.
I was allowed to shower after that and they only gave me a couple of trial-size bottles of Johnson's, which doubles as a body wash. So it took a bit of work and a lot of energy to get my hair combed out afterward.
I had a lot of choices for "meals": vegetarian, chicken, or beef broth (all too salty); juice; Gatorade; lemonade; oatmeal; yogurt; popsicles; teas; coffees; and sherbet. I fixated on the sherbet and popsicles because for some reason, cold felt better than hot. I noticed right away that the artificial sweetener chemical aftertaste lingered and lingered and lingered. Through several cups of Water and Gatorade. The lemonade kind of helped, but I couldn't drink enough to get rid of it completely. I sucked on ice chips whenever I had them handy.
I was encouraged to walk as much as possible, and I got in a few laps. I had to pee in a bowl that fit under the toilet seat to monitor my input/output. That was kind of weird. But when you're drugged up, you get a little less self conscious.
Since this is about the hospital, I won't detail the liquid phase or any of that stuff here. I will say that I came home, put a pillow under my knees and an extra one under my melon and I slept like a frickin' princess. (I'm a week out and just now able to start sleeping on my side again.)
I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but hopefully this will give you some idea of what to expect when you go. I don't think I was well prepared by me surgical team as far as what to expect after the surgery and I plan on sharing that feedback with them. But I was prepared enough and always felt like I was in competent hands.
Welcome to the adventure, you Losers!

My Cardiologist made me take a Chemical Stress test before he would talk about clearing me. Low and behold he saw something that made him uncomfortable so he strongly urged me to have a heart catheter to check this out. Sure enough I had to stints placed on August 28th. One was in the artery that they call the widow maker. I was disappointed that I was sidetracked for a while but very happy I listened to him.
Now I have finished all my other insurance requirement and we are trying to schedule me for Jan 26th which is 5 months from the time of stints. I will have to quit taking my blood thinners for a week.
I have my fingers crossed for you.
No matter what happens you probably should find a PCP that you are more compatible with for the long haul.

So glad you have a second option.

This morning the Surgeon's Coordinator emailed me and said:
You are absolutely not bothering me. Of course you're stressed out. You can see any physician to get your pre-op clearance, even a walk-in clinic. I have had patients with similar situations. We should be able to get the results tomorrow afternoon from the stress test. Where are you having it done?
I replied and asked her if she could possibly send me the paperwork just in case. I'm going to take the stress test tomorrow and hoping my primary will still clear me but I want to have a second opinion as well. These next 2 days will be the longest ever.

I hope he allows it. I mean those physicals are pretty basic.
One thing I know are PcPs and reading EKGs is that sometimes they overreact. I have an elderly Man that I take care of, his EKG showed a abnormality and she scared him. Faxed his EKG to his cardio, demanding he have a stress test and once his Cardio saw it...and repeated the EKG he says "there is a small abnormality, but nothing to worry about". Scared a 90 year old for nothing. Having a second pair of eyes will not hurt, especially since he's so against it

I'm going to email tonight the Surgeon's coordinator and see what she says... If I recall correctly, I think they have a doctor that would give me clearance, because I remember telling her from the beginning that he wasn't supportive and I believe that's what she told me, but I'm not 100% sure.

He's asking for the stress test because if you die in surgery because of a heart issue your family can sue him. If you only had an EKG within the last week or two, then it isn't his fault that you are now unfortunately trying to squeeze in a stress test before surgery. He is covering his a*s, which given the amount of malpractice claims in our country, is not surprising. If the EKG was done several weeks ago and only now this is a problem, then I say raise hell.
I am all about telling doctors where they can go. I have zero tolerance for those who are lazy or who think they get to play God when it comes to approving the surgery or for that matter approving anything I want that is medically valid. My own sleeve doctor hated me and I wrote several whoppingly bad reviews about him online, because I refuse to be treated like a fat lazy idiot who knows nothing about medicine and who has no say in my own health. If a doctor is sincerely being a jerk, you tell him where to go and if he doesn't want to be cooperative you tell him you will be happy to have your attorney contact him. If, however, as it sounds in this case, a doctor is being overly cautious because you are a high risk patient and he doesn't want to end up in court because a minor EKG abnormality resulted in a major heart issue during surgery, try to not freak out too much. If you were in his shoes and you could be sued because you didn't investigate a potential heart problem, you probably wouldn't care too much about making the patient mad either.
It is very possible the stress test will reveal nothing and you will be good to go for surgery. If, however the stress test comes back with a problem that prevents you from having surgery, your doctor being an overcautious pia could potentially save your life. Either way you end up alive....which is really the best case scenario even if it doesn't feel like it right now.

What Avafern said! If it were me and ANY abnormality showed on my EKG or stress test there would be no way I would have anesthesia. Your primary is protecting himself and possibly you. You have waited this long, if you have to wait a little longer for your own safety, so be it.
Good luck on Tuesday with your stress test.

Just wondering.......is this doctor unsupportive in general? Does he dismiss your concerns on a regular basis? If you get denied this time around based on his recommendations which you do not agree with, that is the time for a new PCP and a second opinion. You are not stuck with this doctor forever, and his has to cough up your medical records when you demand them. I wish you the best.

I totally understand how you feel. I'm scheduled for surgery next week. I too have been having second thoughts. However, we've come this far so hang in there and know you are not alone in this journey and the way you feel is completely normal.
Good luck.

Hello,
I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving Weekend.
I'm at my final stage for next week's surgery (Dec 9th). I tried to book my final appointments in one or two days, but of course that didn't work out. I have 4 appointments this week on four different days.
Mon - Pre-Op at the Hospital - more exams
Wed - The VSG Class from 9AM - 12PM
Thur - Clearance with the pulmonary doctor
Fri - Clearance with my PCP
I just hope it's smooth sailing this week prior to surgery. I'm getting my place prepped this week. I feel like my anxiety is on high gear at this point. I'm trying to prep for the hospital as well.
Any advice at this point in the process?
Thank you!