Miss Topaz

12 minutes ago, Cat B said:

Hello all!

I am new to this forum. I recently had my Consult appointment and received my pre op packet and already overwhelmed. I don't know exactly when I should start implementing the pre op diet. I am guessing that my surgery will be late May for the Gastric Sleeve. Any suggestions?

I would consult with your doctor's office about any pre-op liquid type diet, but right now is a great time to start limiting carbs and adopting a more high Protein, low carb diet. That's what I did while on my 3 months of required physician supervised loss. And I gradually started substituting one meal, then two per day for Protein Shakes, just to get used to it.

On ‎1‎/‎29‎/‎2018 at 5:38 AM, jess9395 said:

A gal who used to post on here framed it best for me... like me (and you) she had lost “on her own” several time and always gained if back. She called it weight MAINTENANCE surgery. It allowed her to keep it off.

I love this! I'm recently sleeved at 53 yrs old and decided to do it because all those times I lost before, there was nothing to keep me from slipping back into bad habits. I realize I can do that with the sleeve, but it's a different feeling of commitment now that it's done, and my body will definitely send me some signals. But for me the real reason to do it was being sick and tired of being tired. I moved to beautiful Colorado, full of outdoor activities that I would love to enjoy, but didn't feel physically able to. I went on vacation mid-decision, and realized that I couldn't go on the excursion DH and I really wanted to do because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to fit into the survival gear. I am sick of my weight limiting my enjoyment of life. I'm eligible to retire in 3 years and want to maximize everything!

I agree with Kim. Please schedule an appointment to talk to your surgeon. Your body and your health issues will differ from your friends. Both surgeries have pros and cons, but you need to choose the one that you're comfortable with, and that is best for your medical and lifestyle needs.

Hey all. I was sleeved on 1/23/18. Even though I'd planned for this since last summer, the morning after surgery I still woke up with a surreal feeling of "did I really just permanently remove part of my body?" Today is my first follow-up appointment so I'm waiting for official weight from that, but I did peek at my home scale today and think I'm down about 11 pounds. Still on full liquids. Haven't been really hungry yet, but tired of sweet liquids or broth. Getting my Protein and fluids in, but a bit concerned I might be coming down with the dreaded thrush. I came home from surgery with a drain out of one of my incisions. Haven't walked as much as I should (getting out around the block or anything) - partly due to the heartbreak it would cause my dogs (who pull) for me to go alone, but mostly because of the drain. I still feel more like a patient with it in than someone recovering. Hopefully it will be gone today and I can move on! Pain was minimal and in general I feel pretty good.

1 hour ago, Creekimp13 said:

Did you guys take a peek in the law library? That whole section of campus feels like you're at Hogwarts in a Harry Potter movie. Very cool:) I would very happily retire near AA!

We had a guided tour of the law quad. I remember the law library from my undergrad days and knew she'd love it. She said if she goes there, she wants wizard robes for her undergrad graduation gift!

7 minutes ago, Creekimp13 said:

What were you doing in Ann Arbor, Miss Topaz?

I love Ann Arbor. My kiddo is studying microbiology at UMich on a research track and has an apartment there. Such a fun city! So many cool things to do:) It's like a weird little international hub. So many cool people from everywhere.

Enjoy your purees! Man, I remember being excited about that:)

Congrats to your kiddo! I graduated from UMich long long ago.... One of my best friend's daughters wanted to check out the law school, so of course, I had to go along for the college visit! (she LOVED it) Was a great opportunity for "food funerals" too, even though I hadn't really planned on doing one. I just wish she'd picked a warmer weekend! Hubby went along because he wanted the food, likes Ann Arbor, and is trying to convince me to retire in the outskirts - exactly because it's such a hub of fun stuff to do. (I'm from West Mich and he's a Yooper originally) I'm enjoying Colorado, but he misses lakes and rivers, which I do understand.

I was just in Ann Arbor a couple weeks ago and thinking "I wish I were having my surgery through a U-M program", but then I had to return to CO. Seeing you're eating, I doubly wish I were in Ann Arbor doing this! But a week out today and dealing with Protein Shakes and Bone Broth and looking forward to some puree this weekend.

Is that your goal? Seems unlikely to me without some sort of extreme dehydration.

I have 3 Premier Protein shakes for 2 days. I agree, breakfast lunch and dinner gets old. But, prepare yourself - there's more Protein Shakes after surgery! You can do it! And after surgery, you can mix in broth - I'm having Bone Broth for dinner. Best of luck on your surgery!

I guess I'm not that surprised by that statistic, but I'm not overly worried for myself. My husband and I have been together for 27 years and have already weathered some tough times. He's incredibly supportive of my journey, even to the point of eating nutrisystem while I'm on liquids and purees to help himself lose a bit of weight as well. I do think it will be tougher getting him to adopt a more active lifestyle than to change his eating habits along with mine (he will still eat badly when out, but he will eat whatever I serve him at home or for lunch). Getting him off the couch will be tougher, although he was once very fit and active. He just says he wants me to remain healthy, and constantly tells me (for years) that I'm the only thing that keeps him alive - figuratively and literally he says. At 53, I don't plan to get skinny and go crazy. I just want life to be easier to move through and to feel better.

10 hours ago, Creekimp13 said:

1. Did your team discuss your post surgical diet with you in detail before your surgery?

2. Did your nurses go over your immediate diet with you in your hospital room?

3. Were all stages of your diet given to you in written form? Did you understand when to start each stage?

4. Did anyone ever tell you not to eat or drink more than a certain number of ounces per hour?

5. Did anyone ever tell you what could happen to you if you ate foods that you weren't approved for yet?

6. Were you allowed to order a meal in the hospital, and if so, what did it consist of?

7. Did you have a clear understanding that the surgery was permanent?

I know doctors are all different and we all go to different groups that handle information differently....I just wondered how well these basics were covered for you. Did you feel well prepared to monitor your own Fluid and nutrition after surgery?

Is a lack of basic instructions a common thing?

1. yes, on 3 different occasions

2. yes

3. yes, in a binder, with suggested daily menus, and examples of good foods to eat and which are acceptable in texture but lower in Protein so should be minimized

4. pretty much told 8 oz in an hour max, but 4 oz the first week, so i guess so. sip sip sip doesn't make it easy anyway

5. not exactly, but know it's a progression to allow my stomach to heal

6. no. they brought me broth and Jello first day, 2nd day, milk and carnation instant Breakfast (sugar free) and broth

7. oh yes. no going back. which, although i knew, was a weird mind trip when i woke up and surgery was done

Thanks all! Glad to hear I'm not entirely crazy! Before hubby went to work today, he stopped by the recliner just to order me to stay off my bed!

Hey all - since coming home from the hospital (where I was propped up slightly in hospital bed) I've been sleeping in a recliner to keep from rolling over onto my drain and to keep my dogs from wanting to climb on me. This afternoon I thought I'd lie down for a few minutes with them to cuddle and make them happy. The minute I went flat on my back I was terrified. It felt really wrong. Not painful, but somehow not right and I was positive that I would not be able to get up again without hurting myself really badly. Unfortunately hubby was downstairs with the tv on so didn't hear me yelling him for a few minutes. When he did, I scared the bejeesuz outta him. He pulled me up to sitting on the side of the bed and I've got orders to stay in the recliner for now. Has anyone else had a problem lying flat shortly after surgery, or a weird "this is very wrong" sensation?

On the plus side, one of my pups didn't even want my husband to touch me, he was so concerned and has laid at my feet, guarding any approach to me for the past two hours. Good boy!

I was just sleeved and told to continue my blood pressure and cholesterol meds. I didn't take them for a couple days as I didn't have a pill crusher and felt a bit lightheaded this morning, so have managed to crush them into my morning Protein. I expect I won't be on them a whole lot longer tho!

Fantastic! Congratulations!

11 hours ago, rosemhill said:

Hello! I was sleeved 1/22. Feeling really good! I’m getting 2 shakes down a day and drinking Soup. sugar free popsicles are delicious too. Not getting a ton of Water down but the shakes and popsicles count too. I have a little pain when I drink but it’s getting better everyday. I’m drinking Smooth Move tea as I was constipated today and that was horrible. Looking forward to purée next week!

Sleeved 1/23. Only managed 2 shakes yesterday as well - but the Premier Protein so at least made the minimum of my Protein goal. Switching it up today with Syntrax (23 gm) and maybe some protein Water, but I'm having difficulty getting in the 32-48 oz non protein Fluid my program tells me to get. I figure it's early days, so as long as I can get protein and stay hydrated, I'm doing ok.

Don't be afraid of the pain! They will give you stuff to help control it. I was just sleeved this week, 1/23, and woke up with minimal pain. I did experience the proverbial gas pain in my upper left shoulder and had a bit across my mid abdomen once or twice, but that pain button at the hospital took care of that right away. Most pain is from getting out of bed. Now that I'm home, I barely have any pain at all. My major irritation is itchiness from where my spare tire hangs and from the adhesive from the bandages. I went home with a drain (not everyone does I believe) and my skin really doesn't love adhesives. But I've only taken one child's dose of tylenol today and we're good to go. Just make sure to walk around to break up the gas.

Wow that's fast! Congrats! Just a couple days post-op here and I'm already sick of fluids! My lifting restriction is 20 pounds for 6 weeks. You're lucky! Glad to hear you're doing so well!

Home from the hospital after finally having surgery 23 Jan. Feeling pretty good so far! I have an annoying drain that has to stay in for a week and some really itchy spots but other than that I feel good!

All - not to share too much but while in hospital two nights the skin under my spare tire got seriously irritated. It's all red, angry and itchy. Doc's office has me watching to make sure it doesn't get worse, but in the meantime, does anyone have a miracle cure? Normally to prevent I dry carefully after showering and apply anti-chafe gel (monistat). Not sure what to do to get it back healthy tho! I'm pretty miserable. Incision pain is minimal but this itching is crazy! Almost tempted to take my pain meds (that I don't need for pain) to try to subdue the itching

17 minutes ago, marty411 said:

Had my sleeve on 1/22 Today is day 4 post op. Feeling better. Struggling to meet Protein goal and fluids. Someone mentioned Protein Water. Where do I get it?

I found a few bottles at my local Safeway and another brand at Target. I have seen it at Sam's though, and you should be able to find it at GNC type stores. It's pretty sweet, but taking small sips, that hasn't seemed too bad.

Home from hospital yesterday after surgery on the 23rd. Spent two nights in and am alone with the dogs today. They don't really understand why they can't jump on my lap. Minimal pain tho I do have a rumbling in my abdomen. Every time I do, I pass gas shortly after, so that's what I figure it is. Sipping very very very slowly or it hurts. I know I didn't get in my Protein goal at hospital or home yesterday. Will try to do better today. I have some protein Water in case the shakes are too much. water does go down better. Most annoying for me is that I have a drain that I have to keep in until my follow-up visit on the 31st. It's not difficult to take care of, but there is some seepage around the connection to my belly which is staining my pjs. And I wasn't expecting so much itching at IV sites. Believe that's the adhesive Just so happy to be home and able to properly care for the skin under my breasts and fat roll - that was getting seriously irritated in the hospital.

Fantastic! Keep smiling!

11 hours ago, Monali said:

Hi.. I am havingg surgery this Jan 23rd....excited and a bit anxious...anyone having it around same time or in S FL? Also I am a pedestrian..no meat...

July 23 here! But not in FL; I'm in CO.

Good luck to us!

So in awe of all the January sleevers! You guys are rockin' it! Today is my last day of food, then 2 days of full liquids and then surgery! Came down with mild cold symptoms Thursday, which worries but, but so far so good on cold meds. I don't want to come this far to be postponed!