FatPharm

8 hours ago, Introversion said:

Personally, my tastes and preferences changed after surgery.

I found myself craving healthy options that I once detested or didn't particularly care for prior to surgery such as steamed asparagus, broccoli, creamed spinach, and green Beans.

I also enjoy higher Protein seafood options that I had previously disliked such as mackerel cakes, salmon croquets, sardine fritters, blackened tilapia fillets, tuna, and trout.

Prior to being sleeved, my food staples that I couldn't live without included instant oatmeal, Honey Nut Cheerios, and frozen meals such as Lean Cuisines. These foods now disgust me.

I'm a pretty picky eater, but I've always loved most veggies, Broccoli, green Beans, etc., no problem. I had gotten off the cereals a couple years ago trying to lose, knowing I'm insulin resistant/PCOS. I lived on Atkins/keto 20g net carbs daily for a year and a half and only lost a small amount and that's when I knew I needed bariatric surgery. A week post op, now I am lower than I have been in years.

10 hours ago, OutsideMatchInside said:

Hell no. Things I didn't like before surgery I hate. Things I loved I really love. My taste buds have not changed, they are just more exaggerated and I have a different outlook on life. I don't do anything I don't want to do. If I taste something and it doesn't taste good I spit it out. I went some place a few weeks ago, and when my food arrived it was terrible. Luckily I paid before I was server, I took one bite, spit half of it into a napkin and spit it out.

We only get to eat so much and we only have so many calories, I can't force myself to eat things I don't like. I tried to like yogurt, nope still nasty and as useless as ever.

Since you are an adult you might find your tastes are more refined and you like seafood, but I don't think anyone should force themselves to eat things they don't like. Our stomach space is too precious

I tend to agree and I don't find that my tastebuds have changed, at least not yet. I'm still on liquids, but everything tastes normal to me. I was hoping I'd "learn" to like fish so that I'd have another Protein source that might be easier than chicken early on. I learned to like yogurt as an adult and now I really do enjoy it.

I do not eat seafood or fish, but now post op have been considering trying it. Haven't eaten it since I was a kid. I need lean Protein options other than chicken and beef. Did your tastes change enough that you were able to start eating things that previously you didn't like?

17 minutes ago, Lizzle said:

We're sleeve buddies! I was one week ago today, too. I've been allowed strained cream Soup "with no particles" since day 3 but have only tried it once as straining to a smooth consistency wasn't easy. Starting Wednesday (day 10), I'm allowed "pureed soup and add a dollop of sour cream for flavor." I'm encouraged to mix Protein powder in the pureed soup.

Thank you. My paperwork doesn't address Soups at all, except broth. This helps clarify things for me. I got the 98% fat free cream of chicken soup, but haven't tried it yet.

I was sleeved a week ago today. None of my post op dietary stages list the low fat cream Soups. I'm getting in my fluids and Protein no problem, but I feel hungry, like I need something with a little more substance. It's not even head hunger, as I have never eaten cream of chicken Soup in my life. It never appealed to me. I'm getting a little cranky today. When I was discharged from the hospital, the nutritionist said that this coming Wednesday, I could start Stage 2, or "mushies," as she calls it. She mentioned Greek yogurt and unsweetened applesauce. That leaves one more day after today until I can have some form of food. I've been relying on broth, sugar free drinks, Water, Protein Shakes, sf Jello and sf popsicles. I should have called her today and asked about the cream soups.

I looked for them prior to my surgery a week ago. There are none in stores here where I live. I had terrible gas pains after surgery, but it's true...you just have to walk, walk, walk to get rid of it. Now, the Gas X strips would have been helpful days later when my sleeve was gassy and gurgly for a few days. You do not need those Gas X strips to get through your hospital stay or recovery. The gas pain I had was horrific-felt like I was kicked in the chest by a horse. I just had to keep walking, walking walking. Best wishes for your surgery.

Even Tylenol tablets or caplets should be no problem to get down if you don't want to go the Rx pain med route. They are not very large.

I was sleeved on May 1st. Been rocking the fluids and doing well with Protein Shakes. Crystal Light lemonade goes down really well and it's tasty. Try that if you haven't. Pour your drinks into cups rather than drinking from the bottle. It helps. Less air, I think. Protein shakes were a little rough, causing lots of gurgling the first couple days, now much better. I was told to try to get in 3x6 or 8oz servings of Protein Shake per day as a goal. Was NOT meeting that at first, now I am. You can even make popsicles out of protein shakes, too. broth goes down easily. I use the powdered Soup base from Orrington Farms. SO GOOD! I'm liking the flavored stuff better than just plain Water right now and I was a huge water drinker pre-op. Fluids are most important right now, otherwise, you will end up dehydrated and back on IV fluids. Protein shakes do count as part of your daily Fluid intake.

Just now, Newme17 said:

That'll probably be one of my first soft foods. I love it.

Me too. Will probably have them without the cheese. Already bought 3 cans of the Old el Paso fat free ones. They get good reviews online.

Try fat free refried Beans, add some cheese if you like.

1 hour ago, TeacherBae said:

Hello all, I just had my surgery on May 2nd and this recovery has been far more difficult than I expected. I'm really struggling with getting my 60 oz of Fluid / 60 g of Protein in and I feel like ONE of the reasons why is it takes me a while to get over drinking my liquid Tylenol. It's repulsive! I've been prescribed 20 mL every 6 hours and honestly I want to cry every time I'm due to take it. First off it's the worst tasting stuff I've ever had (to the point I gag when it goes down) and then it's so thick and viscous that it leaves me feeling super full and nauseous for almost an hour after I take it! Guess my question is two-fold: 1) Anyone know of options other than the liquid form of Tylenol and 2) How long did you feel you needed to stay on pain meds after your surgery? I got "nicked" during my surgery and still had an NG tube in my nose and a drain in my abdomen when I woke from surgery and I'm wondering if that's extending the amount of time I'll be in pain. TIA for any responses, I'm really struggling over here!

Pharmacist here. Liquid acetaminophen is nasty. Ask for some tiny pain tablets. I've been on tablets since day 1 post op. I was sleeved on May 1 and have been taking small tablets or capsules since May 2. They gave me oxycodone 5mg for pain. They are very tiny tablets. They go down no problem for me. When I was on liquid pain med, they gave me the generic Lortab elixir (hydrocodone and acetaminophen.) It was strawberry flavored and not great, tasted like Chapstick and cough Syrup, but better than liquid Tylenol. I tried liquid Tylenol myself at home and didn't like how it sat or went down. Yuck. Ask for something else. It's not worth having your Fluid intake suffer and ending up dehydrated over liquid Tylenol.

I was sleeved Monday May 1. Sent my husband out for Gas-X, the little green simethicone capsules because I can take small tablets or capsules no problem. He came back with the chewable big chalky tablet type. Would chewables like this leave residue along the staple line that could cause problems? Are we allowed to have this type of tablet this early? Thanks in advance.

I was sleeved on May 1. I was getting a lot of gurgling the first few days. Nothing felt stuck, though. Sounds like it is probably just swelling and gas. The gurgling did improve for me. If you continue to have pain, consult your surgeon. Have some sugar free Jello or popsicles if you feel hungry.

1 hour ago, Tamiern said:

Hi!! I'm glad you guys are doing so well. Things are going pretty good for me too. No more pain pills for me here except maybe a Tylenol. My post op appt is tomorrow so hoping I graduate and can add Protein Drinks, yogurt and creamy Soups. I'm getting so tired of Clear Liquids. The pain on my left side has finally diminished so I slept on it last night for the first time. Never had any nausea but probably because I had scheduled zophran in the hospital whether I needed it or not. I also didn't realize my chest would gurgle every time it tries to get Fluid down. That's getting a little better though! Keep up the good work and keep in touch!!

I was sleeved May 1st, and have been on Protein Shakes since I came home, which was Wednesday, May 3.

1 hour ago, new said:

Well I have not really been nauseous thank goodness for that. The pain is getting better today I took total of 3 pain pills early morning than about early evening than right before bed so I can try to sleep better at night. I have been moving gas I even had my first BM today which hurt to push. My incisions are doing well but the one close to my belly button is sore every time I move it burns or just hurts. Other than that so far so good. My mind is playing tricks on me I do want to eat but when I think I need to eat I drink more. The liquid diet is holding up pretty well getting my fluids in which is great. I am glad to hear so far everyone is holding up well.

I had my first post op "movement" today, as well. No pushing required. It was loose. Had a few, actually. I took a half bottle of magnesium citrate to clean things out before surgery so there wouldn't be much left in there. I learned that from the struggle after my c section. Never want a repeat of that. LOL.

You will be able to sleep on your side soon. I've been able to for a couple nights now. A body pillow or two might help that.

I haven't had any nausea since the day of the operation. I remember it being bad. Everyone told me afterward that I was complaining so much of nausea. I made them give me Phenergan in addition to Zofran post op. No nausea, since then, though. I don't have any bruises, but one incision near my belly button bled a couple of times. I still have band aids over steri-strips. I'm on Lovenox shots at my request and no bruising from that. Just from the IVs and heparin I got pre-op. I took a short nap today, otherwise I haven't since I was in the hospital. In the hospital, I kept asking to be left alone so I could nap. LOL. Now at home, I wanna be good and tired for bed so I can sleep. It's much more comfortable now than it was say the first night or two home. I can't seem to burp much although I feel the need to. That kind of annoys me. I want this gas pain gone. My sleeve is gurgly. I hope they gave you medication for nausea.

Pretty good, getting better by the day. I'm able to get my liquids in no problem and Protein Shakes, pretty much, as well. I can drink quite a lot of broth or Crystal Light. Still have gas pain, a sore left side, sore back, neck, etc. The gas pain was KILLER! Felt like a horse kicked me in the chest. I was NOT prepared for that. I also had a hiatal hernia repair, which the surgeon says you can't feel, but I don't know about that. I'm down to one pain pill before bed since my 1st day home so I can sleep without discomfort. How are you feeling?

No, I was terrified of something going wrong during surgery or after, of puking, etc. As for superficial stuff, I worry about losing my boobs and butt. Had my sleeve done May 1st. I bled from one of the blood vessels attached to my spleen. Lost 400ccs of blood. Didn't realize it until surgeon told me. He had to put a stitch in to stop it.

May 1st sleever here, too. Day 5 post op now.

I had my sleeve surgery last Monday, the 1st. I packed a bunch of stuff and really didn't need or use it. I'm usually a makeup junkie and I just was NOT up to it at all. I wore the loose hospital gown (you will be hooked up to IVs and clot prevention cuffs or booties on your legs/feet, so it's difficult to wear anything else.) They are also always checking vitals and drawing blood from your arm. I was too tired and in pain to care about using much of anything, including Chapstick, lipbalm, makeup, electronic devices or much of anything. My spleen ended up bleeding and I lost quite a bit of blood, so maybe that was a contributing factor. The hospital provided swabs for dry mouth (dipped in ice chips or Water, ) grippy socks to walk in, multiple pillows, blankets, additional gowns, toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion, shower gel, etc. I did end up using my feminine supplies as I got my period the day after the surgery. The hospital of course offered supplies, but I had my own. They said it is very common to get your period right after surgery. I was expecting mine. Surprisingly, the broth the hospital served was delicious and I feared it would be dreadful, so I had brought my own bullion cubes, but didn't need them. I also brought sugar free drink packets and didn't need those, either. The Crystal Light lemonade and raspberry flavor they served were delightful post op and still are. The Jello was lemon. I couldn't eat much of the jello. I'm now wishing I knew the brand of the broth they used. I was too out of it to ask. Really, the hospital I stayed at was as nice as a hospital is going to get and they pretty much provided everything without being asked. I did ask for a heating pad for sore back muscles and never got one.

I'd say the things you'd need most are:

-CPAP and distilled water if you use that (I do,)

-Slippers or slip on shoes to walk in (floors were hard on my feet in just socks. I used slip on Danksin memory foam shoes from Walmart)

-Juicebar to charge your phone

-headphones if you use them (I brought but never used. My husband used them.)

-Heating pad if you're prone to back pain

-A comfy front close sports bra to wear home. I was too sore in the hospital to wear it, as I had a hiatal hernia repair and ended up with an additional incision under my bra line. Amazon has fruit of the Loom ones which are stretchy and easy to close. They've been great wearing at home post op, too. I'd order 2 sizes larger than your usual bra band size. If you wear 40, buy a 44.

-hair brush, possibly dry Shampoo, which would have come in handy

-credit card info for TV. It's typically $8/day. I bought it on day 2 just to keep me sane.

-comfy loose fitting clothes and shoes to wear home

-pillow from home to press against abdomen on ride home. Buckle seatbelt around it.

-a drink such as water or Powerade Zero or Crystal Light to sip on during ride home

You will be home and feeling more normal before you know it. Hospitals make me very claustrophobic being hooked up to monitors and IVs and such. Don't let my post scare you.