Sullie06

They had my pills crushed in the hospital for had my take a liquid version if possible. My Protonix couldn't be crushed so I had to take it by injection until my 1 week post op when my doc said I could go ahead and swallow it. I now swallow all my pills. I take Levothyroxine for my thyroid and I was actually absorbing to much and have to have my levels adjusted and that was without crushing.

I typically take Tylenol unless I have a very high fever or intense pain. My surgeon said I can take 1 (200mg) Advil, twice a day not to exceed 3 days and not on a regular basis.

I think part of the issue is to much too soon. I am not from the camp that you can never eat fried chicken or anything bad for you ever again. However, you are barely 2 months out from a major surgery and having to learn a new way to eat is the most important part right now. I was just allowed to eat solid foods at 8 weeks and I kept things pretty bland for a good 2 months after reintroducing foods. At this point I would stick with grilled, boiled or baked meats. Try them and if they don't work, retire them and visit them again later. For me Chicken didn't sit well early on. I had much better luck with beef so I ate a lot of ground beef and turkey and would try chicken and pork every so often to see if I could tolerate. I will admit, I've had some things I probably shouldn't have but I also waited to be a further out from surgery and I made a conscious decision to do so. If I knew I was going to have a bite or two of cake on my son's birthday, I made sure my other meals reflected that and were healthy and protein based. I've had fried chicken on a salad a few times but it's not something I eat a lot. Also watch those portion, that is a HUGE piece of chicken, especially knowing it usually makes you sick. I would maybe try something like tuna or some other fish, maybe a slow roasted beef or a chili. You have your whole life to taste fried chicken again, I would hold off until you are close to at goal and remember if it's a trigger, don't eat it.

I'm burnt out on yogurt as well. Some days it just completely turns my stomach. I've been eating cottage cheese a lot. Muuna makes a cottage cheese that's mixed with fruit already that I like a lot. I also eat Special K protein cereal with fairlife milk sometimes or will have an Atkins meal replacement bar. They are low carb, taste well and have high protein. I can't tolerate eggs very well but I'm able to eat Egg whites and hard boiled eggs so occasionally I will bring a hard boiled egg or get an egg white omelet if I'm out or it's a weekend. Sometimes I will treat myself to half an English muffin with peanut butter or a little butter on it.

First off take a deep breath and realize on the internet you can't always believe everything you read. Part of the issue with message boards and internet sites is many of the people who report are those with complications. I understand fear and regret, I had some myself but this is literally the best choice I've ever made. I've been overweight since I was 12, morbidly obese most my adult life and now for the first time in years I have my freedom back. I had the sleeve 12/30/16. I've had no issues with my surgery and my recovery was smooth and as easy as to be expected after major surgery. My physical pain lasted about 2 weeks with minor aches lasting about a month. I returned to work at the 2 week mark and other than being tired, I had no issues going back to work. The worst part for me was the gas pain, which you can help minimize with gas meds and walking as well as pain where my drain was but that was removed on Day 2 post op. I also has nausea on Day 1 but that is a side effect of anesthesia for me and had it after every surgery I've had. I was allowed to begin sipping about 24 hours after surgery and had no issues taking small sips. I had no swallowing issues, no pain with swallowing and have yet to have an issue eating or drinking as I move through the stages. I did have some minor heartburn early on and was prescribed Protonix once a day for 3 months. I no longer have had any issues in terms of heartburn. It's was a minor issue for me and taking a pill once a day didn't effect my life negatively or set me back. To this day, I've been able to eat almost everything I did pre surgery (though I chose to avoid unhealthy foods). I've also been able to tolerate straws, caffeine and carbonation with no issues. I also enjoy going out to eat on a regular basis with my friends and family. I've lost 101 pounds so far and wouldn't change a single thing. I had no co-morbidities but it would have only been a manner of time as I was at the highest weight of my life. My lab work (blood sugar on the climb, cholesterol was high, thyroid was off) was not great the last time I had a physical and my body ached. Now I'm in perfect health, just had my yearly physical and I was 100 pounds down since last year, my lab work was perfect and I feel 10 years younger. As for sleeve effectiveness, I have not heard that it's not recommended for weightloss. In fact at my clinic it's replaced all over forms of weightloss surgery in popularity. I have people in my local support group who are 3-5 years out and have success still.

Early out I would say yes for sure. My NUT said not to eat popcorn until at least 12 weeks post op. At 7 months post op now, I don't have any issues eating popcorn but my incisions are healed.

I usually air pop my popcorn and just throw a little sea salt on it when I need a snack. I think as long as you watch your portion size popcorn is not a horrible snack.

I agree. I felt my C-Section was much worse. The worst part of this surgery for me was the gas pain and the pain from my drain which I had out day 2 in the hospital. My program does require a longer stay, I was in Fri-Sun with my surgery, no complications. It does get better! Before you know it it will be just a normal way of living for you!

I tend to stick to frozen yogurt. We have a local shop that does all diabetic and bariatric friendly frozen yogurts and that's my spot during the summer months. I can eat regular ice cream but I usually avoid it.

They also make protein waters and even protein tea now, check GNC if you have one locally, they have lots of protein options that are not specifically shakes. I wasn't able to tolerate shakes until recently after surgery. As for travel like everyone else said you should be fine. We drove from NY to Florida when I was 12 weeks post op and I did just fine, even lost 5 pounds that week. Just make healthy choices and focus on fluids and protein. I know for me I usually don't drink a lot when traveling to limit stops but it's different post surgery so make sure you are drinking. As for restaurants, I didn't start going out until I was back on a regular diet, which was at 10 weeks for me. Many restaurants have lighter fair menus which I find are better than the kids menu. Also I ask for half orders if possible and substitute things like fries for fresh veggies. Broccoli seems to be a pretty common choice for restaurants when I want to sub fries. Also be prepared to bring food home so pick something you don't mind eating for multiple meals.

I'm 7 months post sleeve. I'm down 100 pounds since I started the program and 71 since surgery. I started at a 22W/2X, lost 30 pounds before surgery and was a 20/XL when I went into surgery. Pretty much skipped right into 16's by 2 months post op and am now a 12-14 (12 dresses/14 pants mostly). I was dropping inches quickly early on and dropped sizes quickly. I haven't changed sizes in about 2 months now though I might be able to go down to a medium shirt since the large is getting a little to big in the boob area. I carry my weight in my hips, thighs and lower stomach so pants have been a slower change for me.

I had my surgery 12/30 and it was not bad for me, the worst part was the first 48 hours. We are required to be in the hospital for 2 days so I went in for surgery on a Friday and was discharged on Sunday. While in the hospital I had a pain pump, IV fentanyl, for the majority of the time and then before discharge they D/C the fentanyl and I took crushed Norco. I had a lot of nausea but that was due to the anesthesia (I've had issues with past surgeries). The worst pain for me was the drain and the gas. Once I was home it was much better. I made sure I sipped sipped sipped and focused on fluids and protein. Also making sure I followed my doctors orders.

Looking good! Congrats on your 100 pounds. I just recently hit mine, it feels good doesn't it?

My NUT said to wait for 3 months post op. I now eat nuts daily with no issues. I'm currently almost 7 months post op.

Thank You. I'm about 20 pounds from my goal of 180, I'm 5'10", but I keep stalling the last month. I was stuck at 207lbs for a month, dropped 7 pounds in two weeks and now I'm stalled at 200 for over a week. I know it will pass but being so close to goal and stalling is frustrating. Still 101 pounds in a year, 71 since surgery, not to shabby

Thank You. I'm about 20 pounds from my goal of 180, I'm 5'10", but I keep stalling the last month. I was stuck at 207lbs for a month, dropped 7 pounds in two weeks and now I'm stalled at 200 for over a week. I know it will pass but being so close to goal and stalling is frustrating. Still 101 pounds in a year, 71 since surgery, not to shabby

Thank You. I'm about 20 pounds from my goal of 180, I'm 5'10", but I keep stalling the last month. I was stuck at 207lbs for a month, dropped 7 pounds in two weeks and now I'm stalled at 200 for over a week. I know it will pass but being so close to goal and stalling is frustrating. Still 101 pounds in a year, 71 since surgery, not to shabby

You look amazing. Congrats on your divorce and your weight loss. I had my surgery 12/2016 as well and am 101 pounds down but still have a way to go. It feels great doesn't it, this new life.

The first week was rough for me but the first 2 days were awful. I was in the hospital for 3 days/2 nights so thankfully I was in the hospital for the worst of it and I had the nurses at hands reach. Once I got home I started feeling better by the end of the first week.

I know hot dogs are not the best choice but have you tried skinless hotdogs? Sometimes in the summer I will have one, we feed them to our children, when I want something quick on the grill. No buns of course. They actually taste so much better than classic hot dogs.

I've had no changes in my taste buds post surgery. I hated artificial sweeteners before surgery and find I dislike them even more now. Otherwise, I can't eat eggs anymore. They taste fine but they bother my intestines now if I eat them any other way than hardboiled.

I will eat Protein bars on occasion when skipping a meal, so mostly on the weekends. I found that I like the Atkins meal replacement bars the best because they are low carb and really not badly flavored. If I'm supplementing between meals I stick to a shake or protein water so that I'm still able to eat my protein based meal as well. I did not start eating protein bars until 4 months out and I had the clearance from my NUT and Surgeon as well. I don't eat them regularly either, I would say maybe once a week.

I have used a straw since very early out. I have no issues with taking in to much air and find it much easier to get my fluids in by drinking by straw.

Best of luck to you. I had the sleeve and have had no complications, I can eat everything I did pre-op except for eggs and recovery wasn't bad.

During my pureed phase I loved refried beans with a little cheese and salsa blended in and microwaved. I also blended chili which was great because packed a good protein punch, my hubby made it with ground turkey and then we blended it until pureed consistency. The Ricotta bake is another good one to punch some protein in a more solid form. Once you get to soft solids/regular diet you should be able to get more protein from food if you make good choices. At my 3 month appointment my NUT wanted me to phase out shakes all together but I still have to drink one a day at almost 7 months to get my protein up near where it needs to be.