ShelterDog64

@@sunnydeeliteful So happy you were able to find someone!

I think your feelings are pretty normal for where you are...5 days out my stomach was a confused, rumbly mess, I was still sore and not entirely steady on my feet and just kind of OVER being a post-op patient! By Christmas, you'll be more than 6 weeks post-op and life will be feeling more like normal. Depending on your program, you may be on a full diet, which was a HUGE turning point for me physically and mentally. And you'll probably be down 20+ lbs, which is usually noticeable and that will be a great incentive Like The New Kel says, you can take those party temptations and turn them into victories for yourself. I was at a cocktail reception the other night, very fancy with waiters walking around with trays, offering hors d'oeuvres. I said 'yes' to 2 gorgeous jumbo shrimp, skipped the cocktail sauce both for my cute dress and to avoid the sugar, said 'yes' to the harisa meatball and 'no' to the sweet and sour, and 'yes' to the bacon wrapped date with blue cheese (did a quick think in my head about the sugar content of dates but decided it was worth it with the bacon and blue cheese). I also turned down mini egg rolls and some other fried thing. And I was full, didn't have the urge to give in to the Pasta buffet later on, and I was proud of myself. I worried in the beginning that being around other people eating that old, awful food was going to be a huge issue for me, but it's much, much easier to stay away from than I thought possible. When you have such a tiny space for food, you really have a huge incentive to put fuel in (which means Protein and some fats, not carbohydrate-laden food) instead of eating poorly. And this is a mental game as much as anything, I think the sleeve gives us the lack of hunger and restriction, but we have to use that boost appropriately to get the full benefit. In the end, it's true what so many people say...nothing tastes better than thin feels right now. When I feel like just giving in and eating whatever I want, I think of how much I hated always being the fat, sweaty woman in the group, eating the egg rolls. I don't want to be her again, and there's not an egg roll in the world that tastes good enough to get me there.

I'd have gone to visit family on day 3 post-op...I was tired and still taking oral pain/nausea meds, but felt pretty good and was walking a mile at a time already. Just take what you need to consume (broth, Protein drinks/shakes, etc) and don't overdo it helping out with things.

@@busybeebug Congratulations! I love NSVs, almost more than scale victories!

@@ZinNH This is SUCH a great topic, and one I wish more people thought about ahead of surgery. Most programs require a psychological evaluation during the pre-op pathway, that's how I found my therapist. When she and I were talking about where my head needed to be to have success with WLS, I asked her about figuring WHY I let myself get so fat, and how was I going to keep it from happening again? That was the start of a wonderful relationship that's aiding me immeasurably as I make my way through losing weight for the millionth time...her help is making me realize that there's a VERY good chance I can keep it off and be healthy for the rest of my life. So, talk to your support group, and your surgeon's office and find someone...I can't recommend it enough.

@@WLSResources/ClothingExch That made me laugh out loud...now I have to go and think of movie titles that would be appropriate names for topics here! I LOVE a challenge!!!

@@lau1875 I think the best thing for you to do is lose the weight and smile at her a lot You didn't take the 'wrong' or 'easy' way, you took a path that will make it possible for you to lose weight that negatively affects your health. Maybe she ought to consider it? And statistically, you'll keep the weight off and she'll gain most of what she loses back. Be proud of your choice and ignore her attempts to sabotage you!

How many Protein grams are you getting daily? Are you adding protein to your soups? You can eat ricotta cheese, mashed cottage cheese, yogurt, refried Beans...you can add unflavored protein to all of those. I haven't even looked at calories, but I started above your weight and have lost 68 lbs eating at least 80g protein daily, lots of Water and walking at least 30 mins 5 days/week. I'm 40-ish pounds from goal and although my weigh loss is slowing a bit, it's still coming off. Good luck, I can't imagine how frustrating it must be to not get the rapid weight loss most of us do.

Hi Anthony74 I want to preface this with assuring you that I'm not trying to jump on you, bash you or shame you in ANY way. But for every person posting here, there are probably 100 reading, and I think a lot of the vets on here post with them in mind. So, that pain that you have never felt before? It *could* have been your staple line rupturing as your stomach tried to digest the solid food you put in it four days after 4/5 of it was removed. That pain wasn't necessarily your stomach rejecting the TYPE of food, it was it rejecting the insult of ANYTHING other than liquids. And how would you have known that it was your staple line rupturing? You wouldn't have known, and then you could develop sepsis. I mostly want others reading this to understand that it's not simply a case of pissing your stomach off...it could be something very dangerous, even fatal, so soon after your surgery. I'm glad you're okay!

So, my insurance company would pay my claim of injury, plus the other person's injury claim but would not protect me from being sued for physical harm? Good enough for me ???? Edit: Actually, if it's determined that you're under the influence of any narcotic or anesthetic agent, they will cover the damages to another person and their property, but your policy may limit their responsibility to you. It's a silly risk to take. Regardless, bottom line is that unless you can squeeze more than 48 hours post-op and drug-free into your admission (unlikely for most of us), you're better off to get a ride/call a cab...this is major surgery.

@@suzzzzz ^^ Amen! There are thousands of posts and opinions about alcohol, good luck!

A Blender Bottle, Protein powder, broth/bouillon, sf Jello, sf popsicles, Vitamins, ready-to-drink protein (clear and full liquid style). I caution you to not buy too much in the way of protein powders and drinks...my taste changed rapidly post-op and protein that I had liked pre-op quickly became disgusting to me. I barely used any flavored protein, now I only use unflavored (5th month post-op). You'll feel well enough for a trip to a store within a week, so buy the bare minimum until you're through the first few months.

I wasn't required to discontinue coffee at all, but I did because it's always irritated my stomach a bit. I started drinking it again about a month post-op, adding a scoop of Protein powder to my first cup, enjoying the second with just cream and monk fruit sweetener.

@@AvaFern is technically correct, but keep this in mind also: if you were to get into an accident on your way home, your insurance company has grounds to not pay any claim if you're within a certain number of hours of general anesthesia and you don't have a doctor's clearance to drive. So if you decide to 'not tell them', just know that you could be liable. It's not just about narcotics and anesthesia clearing your system, it's also about muscle weakness and fatigue which can reduce your reaction time/ability and put you at risk. Please make every effort to find a better solution than a risky self-drive home.

My best advice to you is to follow your plan. As you start to feel better, you may be tempted to rush your diet advancement, but remember that you have a fresh line of staples along the length of your stomach and you'll *feel* better long before that staple line is completely healed. Keep up with your fluids, walk as much as you can and follow your surgeon's instructions.

Refried Beans with shredded jack cheese and sour cream. They were the best refried beans, heck probably the best food, I'd ever tasted!

@@mahoghani Sounds like you're good to go, then. You'll have to have all of your health maintenance up to date; pap smear, mammogram, etc. and any other health issues have to be under treatment. Our pathway here at Madigan generally takes 3-6 months, so if you push it hard and are available whenever the different appointments you need (dietary, OT, behavioral health) are available, you may be able to get it done.

@@mahoghani It depends on how long the bariatric pathway takes at your particular MTF or in your local area. It's already the middle of November, you need to get in to see your PCP immediately and get a referral to bariatrics. Are you Prime or Standard?

@@mcplu28 A little perspective: You lost 42 (43?) lbs in 3 months on your own. I HAD THE SLEEVE DONE, and I lost 52 in 3 mos...to me, that means you're kicking ass Our docs will do the sleeve on very high BMI patients and then revise to bypass or DS when they've lost some of the weight. Do get a second opinion, for your own peace of mind if nothing else. Congratulations on your amazing results so far...don't give up and don't get discouraged. You're on the road to saving your own life <3

I've followed my food, Protein and Vitamin guidelines precisely and my hair started falling out about a month ago, at about 3 1/2 months out. I have very thick hair and it's down to about what a normal person has and it's still coming out. I've taken Biotin religiously since about 3 mos pre-op and it doesn't seem to have helped a bit. I will say that I've NEVER heard of anyone growing a beard from biotin. I'm shampooing less often and haven't gotten a Brazilian Blowout since it started shedding, to try to avoid any extra stress. It will stop falling out at some point, and if not, there are some awesome wigs out there...I can finally have the long, straight, fine hair I've always wanted, even if just for a while In the grand scheme of things, hair loss isn't that important, IMO. I'm off blood pressure meds and down almost 65 lbs...that's what's important!

@@Daniella5 I've been taking a multi, calcium, Iron and Vitamin D since I came home, 2 days post-op. It shouldn't hurt you in any way.

Why are you crying everyday? You're feeling bad from your pre-op diet? Do you have a therapist associated with your bariatric practice? You should NOT be this distraught heading into your surgery. You really need to talk with someone who can help you put your fears and concerns into perspective. A week before my surgery I was nervous, but it was that good, "I can't wait!" kind of nervous, like before your wedding or when you do a pregnancy test and you WANT to be pregnant...you shouldn't be crying and dreading it. It may be that the time isn't right in your life for something of this magnitude. I'm 5 weeks post op and have had the worst post op care. My NUT has actually stopped emailing me when I have questions and I don't actually have a follow up with my surgeon until next week. I've had no Vitamins as my paper stated I shouldn't take them until week 6. I use this forum a lot to help me through but I'm not getting the medical support I need. Sorry, I thought you were pre-op for some reason. I agree with OzRoo, you need to let your surgeon know about the NUT. It's surprising that you're not on vitamins, six weeks is a long time to go without them when you're eating minimal nutrition. I'm glad the forum has been helpful, but it can't take the place of good medical supervision...I'm sorry yours isn't better.

No, I didn't have a hernia Sent from my SM-G903W using the BariatricPal App If you didn't have a hiatal hernia repair, it's unlikely you have an esophageal stricture. And you are getting something into your stomach, which is very good! I'll reiterate: you need to see your surgeon ASAP. Good luck!

Ha, I thought maybe you had a toddler playing with your phone

@"MYWilliams" A sticture is the narrowing or blockage in your esophagus that can occur from scar tissue, after any gastro surgery. The narrowing or blockage prevents food and liquid from entering your stomach properly and can be quite painful at times. If not treated it can lead to malnutrition, dehydration and major anxiety about eatting or drinking. Sent from my SM-G903W using the BariatricPal App So, you had a hiatal hernia repaired as well?