Armygalbonnie

I have RA and take meds that can elevate my liver enzymes. When my enzymes get way out-of-wack, I also get the RUQ pain. Also, when I'm constipated I get RUQ pain.

I had surgery Nov 1st, weighing 215 lbs. I'm 5'7". I started at 242 but lost 27 lbs prior to surgery. 12 of those 27 lbs I lost in the 2 week pre-op diet stage. Since surgery (3 weeks tomorrow), I've only lost 13 lbs. Because my BMI was low at the time of surgery (33), I anticipate I will be a slow loser. I'll be happy to lose between 10-15 lbs a month.

I'm 2 1/2 weeks post op and I have no problems drinking normally. I can talk multiple swallows without any problems.

How you titled this post, I was completely expecting to hear how you had a snuggle time failure. lol

So I found out yesterday that I've been making a big mistake. I am 2 1/2 weeks post op. While on the liquid diet and now pureed, I was supposed to get 2 Meal Replacements a day. I couldn't tolerate the sweet MR or even the soup, but I could tolerate yogurt with unflavored Protein. That DIDN'T count!!!! I wasn't getting enough nutrients. The unflavored protein is just whey and nothing else. I HAVE to do MRs!!! I still can't tolerate them. This morning I was finally able to get down a Premier Protein Drink. For lunch I tried the Bariatric Advantage lemon pudding. It was way too sweet. I only ate about 1/3 of it, then I had to take a Zofran because I was so nauseated. I wonder if I'm having some dumping.

I took 15 days. I've been back to work since Wednesday. I work in a hospital and I'm on my feet 50/50. I've been exhausted and I'm ready to go to bed when I get home. 3 weeks off would have been better for me, but I'm surviving. I just started the pureed stage and finding adequate time at work to eat slowly and get in my fluids has been tougher than I imagined. But again, I've managed. It's probably been best for me to get back to work on my regular schedule. There's no way I could have come back to work in 1 week. I had to rest several hours every day, due to exhaustion.

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and can have severe joint pain. I don't let it keep me from working out. Instead of walking, try the recumbent bike. It's the one where you sit down low in it and you don't have to bend your back in an unnatural position. Also, Water walking and aerobics is completely stress-free on your joints and believe it or not, burns a lot of calories. It can definitely be hard to get motivated to workout but once it becomes a part of your routine, you will find that you "crave" it. Also, by working out, you will burn more calories and get toned. I find when I work out, my clothes size drops quickly, even before I actually see the weight coming off the scale. Good luck! I hope you can adopt this new lifestyle.

My surgical pain was controlled by pain meds. Many people talk about how painful it is to have the gas from surgery, which was used to expand your abdomen, as it settles in your chest, neck, shoulders and back. The only way to relieve the pressure is to walk, burp and pass gas. Some say it dissipates in 3 days to a week. I was fortunate to not have that. Once I got home, I took my pain meds 1X. I am 2 1/2 weeks post op now. I still have incision pain on the right side but it's not intolerable. My biggest problem wasn't pain but more nausea.

It is my opinion, and only MY opinion, that you shouldn't eat a pork chop through a straw.

I would actually make chicken noodle Soup and just drink the broth. It had more flavor then chicken stock. When I did have chicken stock, I added garlic salt and pepper to it. I would also cook it with carrots, corn and celery in it, and then stain it. It gave it a different flavor that way. I relied more on yogurt with Protein powder, as I found it to not be as sickly sweet as the Meal Replacement shakes, puddings, hot chocolate.

I'm retired from the Army. WLS is disqualifying for induction. Also, you can't have the surgery while in the military, or you will be medically chaptered out. If your heart is set on joining the military, you will need to lose your weight without the help of WLS. It sucks but there is no way your medical needs can be met in any austere environment, i.e. Afghanistan, Iraq, etc.

Can't join the military.

Search the topic "3 week stall" and that will provide you with some valuable information. It's common. Your body is adjusting to the caloric intake.

@NikkiRT It is often a viral attack. Can be from the same family as chicken pox and herpes. Definitely mimics a stroke but it eventually resolves. It can last a few weeks to several months, but with the symptoms slowly improving.

So sorry to hear this. I work in the medical field and I've had patients with Bell's Palsy. Couple of suggestions: #1 call your surgeon and tell him/her that you've been put on prednisone. This can be very hard on your newly healing stomach. #2 As a Speech Pathologist, thin liquids can cause more choking hazards than thicker liquids/soft foods. Please be careful with what you drink too.

I would just say, "I really can't eat much today. Ever since I woke up this morning, everything I've eaten has come out one end or the other." That will shut them up!

OMG, you look wonderful! What an inspiration you are!!! Thank you for sharing your story. I look forward to my next year.

I have a job where I am up-and-down all day. I took off 2 weeks. I NEEDED to go back to work so I wouldn't keep online shopping. lol Also, I needed to get back to an established routine.

I would call your surgeon to rule-out the possibility of a stricture.

Face and boobs!

Actually, the rudeness comment was directed toward my comment and I'm ok with that. I'm just amazed when people are a couple weeks out from surgery, and they are asking when they can have chips, ice cream, alcohol, etc. To each his/her own.

Not to be rude but why on earth are you asking about chips?!?! How can they possibly fit into your weight loss efforts? They are nothing but carbs and fat! They will provide you no nutritional support and definitely not a good choice that is going to provide you weight loss and a healthy body. This surgery is not a miracle weight loss gimmick it's a tool to be used wisely. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Cream-of-wheat is nowhere in my plan. It's a carb and my Dr. says NO. I can have whole grain carbs max 2-3 X a week and oatmeal is not even recommended. While on full liquids, make sure there isn't any food particles. With that being said, it seems like you would only be getting strained Water.

Hope you did well! I know after my surgery it was 4 days before I was up to being on the website. When you're up to it, let us know how you are doing. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was hoping your surgery was the end of Dec. I'll be in Tucson for Christmas. I would come get you. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App