KarenLR75

Oh my gosh you answered something that has been puzzling. I've been trying to tell my dr's office that I've been having a GREAT deal of nausea (something I've never handled well). They prescribed me zofran even though I told them I was allergic to it. I was at CVS the other day - one of my first outings - I'm a week post-op...and between the heat and just not feeling "good"..I felt a surge up my throat...and then it went back down. I had been thinking..well, I couldn't have almost vomited as it didn't have that 'vile' taste....but it's hard to mistake the feeling of that moment right before you vomit. It was too close to comfort for me. I'm still at 300 or less calories a day..and all liquids...so am not sure what is causing the constant nausea. I do know that further stressing my body with things like extreme heat..seem to bring it on even more. I SO miss that patch they had me put on before surgery. I've gotta call Dr's office back and remind them I CANNOT take Zofran and I'd really like to not feel so sick every day (have developed sudden major allergies to so the drainage does a number on me too).

wow..demanded it. I know most of us are told not to..but before I even started this journey I started using straws as a barrier for my teeth which suddenly don't handle cold sensations as well. When I started on this journey I tried to make a habit out of tiny sips..and using my tongue to block the straw..almost as a dosing system. OK, I know that probably sounds all kind of weird. No one could tell I was doing it. I've been missing my big -generic Yeti water containers that I had a plastic straw (reusable) that I adored. I love having a huge cup with a lid as I have 3 cats and if they even spot an open cup from 100 yards away, you can blink and suddenly there is a furry head drinking your finest filtered water. Now I'm having to remove the lid off the cup I'm currently using & try to bring it to my mouth to take small sips..usually with a cat cuddled on my chest...and they are like "what do you have there"..then their bobbing and weaving heads get in the way of me trying to drink and I end up spilling water...ok..see, I've talked myself into it..it is for safety and the ability to keep hydrated that I should be allowed to have my big girl cup back WITH a STRAW. Sigh..I'll keep being compliant for now (sans straw)...I did manage to frustrate my cats by pouring water into those little disposable 2 oz containers with lids. I swear they have expressions and they were not amused..but I got my water...2 oz's @ a time.

From what I've read here and having had 'different surgeries' before, mood swings (hormonal or otherwise) are actually experienced by most although different ppl may process (or not) in other ways. It is very very normal I totally get what you said about everyone going and doing. I posted on another thread lately I feel..super ALONE. My family eats out "because they are uncomfortable" eating around me or as they also say "they don't want ME to be uncomfortable". I'm PEEVED because all they are doing is making it WORSE. I've said that I need to be able to be around food although I'm not inviting them to make all my fave foods and have a buffet either. What they are doing is making me feel more left out than I did before. I feel LONELY. My husband & I would go to dinner once or twice a wk and now that is done so he and my youngest daughter are now going "out". Am NOT begrudging family going out to eat & continuing with their life as I have to keep reminding myself that this..almost quarantine like part of the journey is about keeping ME safe and honestly, I am a week post op myself. I think there is some truth in their comments but there is a load of truth that they are eating foods I already was staying away from (did keto for 15 mos) and eating/drinking too much (not being rude, I was queen of overeating..I think THAT makes them uncomfortable AROUND me maybe? It is hotter than Hades here in TX and I did not do well in extreme heat before surgery and I've got to remember - I just had major surgery. Just made a major change to my body & it has to HEAL. I remind myself that before I know it I'll be able to go 'out again' but there are also temptations there that for now..I choose for myself to avoid. I have stated what I am and am not comfortable with. If someone is making or bringing something around that is tempting. I will move to another room and read a book, play some games...I just started buying jigsaw puzzles cuz it reminds me of my mother. I have found them to be very therapeutic. I come here & read the 'headwork thread', the JULY and now AUGUST challenges greentealael (is that right) posts have been enjoyable even on the days I didn't participate. There is a humor thread that is hysterical. Give yourself a break and a big dose of self love. We are JULY surgery siblings! I've given myself permission to have a good cry and I know there is a big emotion shift of finding new ways to fill up my time besides eating. Sounds like a good time to get to know ourselves better. You know you are amazing and worth it! Remember what a brave thing we just did..as 99% of everyone on here did. We did it because we MATTER!

At first I wasn't sure but as I stared at the ingredients all I could think of was "that sounds DELICIOUS!"

This! Even said a long time ago I've been very disappointed that my family cannot tell I've lost 67 lbs. I know it is probably because I started at 390...but I can SEE it. Am newly post op and am lonely as everyone keeps going 'out to eat' so they won't be 'uncomfortable' eating around me or making 'me uncomfortable'. What MAKES me uncomfortable is being left all alone all the dang time.

Congratulations! It is truly inspiring!

I have not been through anything that you went through, I just had RNY on 7/25 but I identified with this part strongly. Although the first 24 hrs after surgery I was only allowed ice chips and I still had enough meds/anesthesia on board that my stomach was 'subdued' by meds is all I can guess. Later that evening I noticed I could literally HEAR and FEEL liquids hitting my..um pouch. I'd get the sound of gurgling as it went down my esophagus and literally feeling it "land" in my pouch was honestly weird. I will say that most of the things I drink seem to end up with me cramping - almost on queue with the liquids landing. I'm still on an all liquid diet although I can eat jello. Jello seems less..."noisy". I've heard the lecture (don't mean in bad way) that all the cramping/shoulder pain/other pain is gas and I 95% believe that. What's hard to discern after you've reached dosing limits on Extra Strength Gas-Ex, you are walking more than ever walked before...are some ppl just more resistant to getting gas efficiently removed from their bodies. In my case what 2 days ago spiked into almost unbelievable pain and caused me to almost vomit as much from pain and distress and my stomach deciding it was done, happened at CVS and I was so embarrassed. I ended up leaning almost over a cart (incisions don't make this easy) and intense back pain set in and I realized I've been thru this before! Constipation will kick your tush! During my best friend's 3 year battle with brain cancer, she shared that out of everything she had been through, constipation, especially from super high doses of chemo, was something that literally would wreck her to the point of despair. Sometimes I wonder are we too cavalier about this subject...are our doctors? I know mine, who I like, seeemed pretty cavalier. I think sometimes they forget that while they have 'seen it all', we are all unique and different. I've been wondering as my stomach continues to cramp/clamp down on what little liquids i send it...is when do we ask the question if we have a bigger issue going on. I don't want to bother my doc or go to ER for no reason.

The first few days after surgery were relatively easy. It was when all the meds wore off (they gave me some sort of 3 or 4 day lasting 'pain block' using a medicine that starts with an 'E' (Experal?). I am losing weight but my body isn't caring for the even closer to starvation level calories well. I am getting intense hunger headaches. The hunger is so bad I get that..well, it used to be a normal nauseated feeling you'd get when you truly hadn't eaten and your stomach was so hungry. I had hunger relief for just a few days and man do i miss them. I'm still tracking at about 300 to 340 calories a day so that explains the weight loss but my body is refusing to gracefully accept it. I still have lower abdominal cramping/muscle spasms throughout the day. I FINALLY had my first..um..BM yesterday. It had been almost 10 days and my dr's office SEEMED to have a blase attitude about it. I finally took some dulcolax. I had already been taking stool softeners for several days but nothing was happening quickly. My constipation was SO BAD that I got extremely nauseated and my lower back was killing me. I couldn't sit in a chair for long as it hurt too much. I'm just trying to hang in there and survive this first week..well...actually first 2 weeks since as of today, it has been 1 week since surgery. Does anyone else's doctor have you not taking ANY vitamins at all in your first 2 weeks? I was surprised when mine said to suspend them. Sorry for whining..I knew this would be hard, that is no surprise. What is surprising to ME, is how hard it is to go through this and work 60+hrs at the same time. Also, I NEVER noticed food commercials nor was bothered by others eating in front of me during my LONG 30 day (cumulative pre-op diet phase)...I'm startled now by intense cravings when I wasn't even THINKING about xyz food until I saw a commercial for it! I feel like my brain is waging war with my body.

OK, when I first was struggling with keto diet 15 months ago, I had ordered some protein powder to make protein shakes with. Flash forward to today, I ended up finding premier protein shakes ready to drink and got a good subscribe and save deal via Amazon. Now I'm scheduled for gastric sleeve surgery on 7/1/19 and am taking stock of what I can still use that I had ordered before but never opened. I have choc celebrate protein powder - expired as of Feb 2019 and I think a cookies and cream one that 'expired' Dec 2018. We all kind of learn what we can/cannot use, taking our own risk of course, throughout adulthood but when it comes to protein powder, I have no idea if it's a definite 'MUST TOSS' as it could cause all kinds of problems or...'CAN STILL USE'. Anyone have any experience with this? Since the one that expired as of 'Feb 2019', well NONE of them have ever been opened...I am SO TORN.

My doctor doesn't let his patients start on the pureed stage until Weeks 3 - 4. The amount of calories he expects us to max out at due to our restriction (mine was a bypass) roughly works out to around the same amount the Mom_of_Chaos mentioned. If your doctor gave you a post op diet to follow, I'd check to see if the calories were supposed to be limited. If it is not clear, but sure to call your doctor's office and ask. I know the first 3 to 5 weeks after surgery is a time of healing and adapting so I'd ask sooner rather than later about the number of calories you can consume, but that is just my own thought. At least you would have peace of mind based on checking. Best of luck!

I have sent a message to my Dr's office asking what they want me to take/do. My abdominal cramps are worse today - maybe it is from the 'need to go'? Going to keep drinking water and staying hydrated.

I'd say YAY for sure. This has been such a nice way to see things about people, places and things. It has been very encouraging to read even on days where I missed participating.

Thanks everyone. I've just been taking Dulcolax/Colace and nothing has happened. I'm on day 3 post-op but I had not have a BM 2 days prior to surgery. We just found some MOM that is still sealed (never been opened) but it expired in 2016...sigh..

Had RNY surgery on the exact same day. My surgery took twice as long as expected but I'm home now. Dealing primarily with discomfort, hoping it approves substantially within the next week..

Still in some discomfort which is frustrating to me as I usually have a decent pain tolerance. I figure most of it is gas as my stomach is still distended and tight like a drum. Just how much nitrous did they use?? I am also getting headaches which I figure are related to the low # of calories I'm taking in. Hopefully these issues will subside in the days to come.

Yeah..same here. I'm still showing a GAIN of 2 to 3 lbs vs. when I went into the hospital. Let's see, my surgery was 7/25 and I was discharged 7/26. On PM of 7/26 I tried sipping my first 'post-surgery' premier protein shake and got 1/2 down. Outside of that the only thing I 'sipped' was water so I was definitely under 200 calories on 7/26. On 7/27, I was able to sip an entire protein shake over MANY, MANY hours. In the evening, I tried some broth/protein soup. Was only able to sip 3 oz's of that. A few hours later, went to a new Premier shake and sipped down about 1/3. Maximum calories would be 300 and it was probably much less. I think I may have husband hide the scale for a couple of days. When you know absolutely/with no doubt that your calories are definitely under 500 (& less than that, even), then it starts to trip me out when I step on scale and that stupid number hasn't moved away from the 2 lb gain I've been carrying since I returned home.

Side question: How many days did you wait before getting on the scale?

1 day post-op here from RNY surgery. Was up and walking within 3 hrs of surgery. I knew this was important to help with gas but also to help prevent me from throwing additional clots (DVT's, etc.). I was surprised that they only kept me one night.. Have had an extremely hard time alleviating the 'gas issue'. My stomach is swollen and very tight feeling. During my 24 hrs at the hospital, I did the 'walk' they required 9 different times and am just now am barely getting the gas to leave my body. It's one thing reading about how much pain this type of gas pain can bring, it is totally another thing to go through it yourself. At home since about 2 hrs ago and am sipping water primarily. Have just started sipping on Premier Clear Protein drink (Tropical Punch). Goal right now is to hydrate...and then work my way up to the # of grams of protein that my dr. wants me to be at (as a minimum, I think).

Thank you, sweet GreenTealael! You are right, I'm still very excited and this journey is for me. I will/have totally forgiven them. I love my little family. Thanks for the vibes!!

@Deedee12 your words were completely uplifting as was @cristobal. Thank you for taking time to write such and encouraging and sweet message. Your take on the situation seems...so right. Seriously - I don't have words to tell you how grateful I am for your reply. Time to get ready to go to hospital - I'm so very grateful for everyone here!

Well, tomorrow at 7 am is the "big day". I'm a bit disappointed that none of my family has come home before now (it's 9:33 PM) as I have to be at the hospital by 5 AM. My eldest daughter flies back to PA tomorrow (mid-day) and originally she was coming with my husband & I to the hospital and then hopefully I would get to recovery before he had to drive her to the airport. Youngest daughter was going to join us @ the hospital closer to my surgery time. My husband called and announced that they have made things "much easier" (not his specific wording but the gist)..and that youngest daughter is going to pick up eldest and drive her to the airport so "they don't have to get up so early" and then..after youngest has dropped her off..she will stop by on her way to work. I am realizing now I'm actually VERY hurt by this. When my parents were alive, we made sure for any major surgery to be there with them no matter WHAT time the surgery was. To make sure we could see them before they went back. I am...stunningly hurt by this and I'm just now realizing it. My husband and eldest are out drinking beer..they said they'd be home early..but it's almost 10 PM and I need to be up by at least 4:15 AM. I have been patient and understanding and ALONE most nights as everyone goes and does the usual 'food socialization'. My eldest doesn't get good Tex-Mex where she lives so this was a long standing tradition. I HONESTLY don't begrudge them that..but what is a SCARY and very important day for me...it's like my husband is only showing up as he HAS to be there. I don't understand my kids..I really don't. You could not have paid me any amount of money to not be by my parent's side...both of them. And I always was. I don't even have my parents left to be there with me..I know many do not. But I am very disappointed and I feel very very alone. Sorry, am not handling this well. To everyone else still upcoming in Week 4, I wish all of you the very best!

I have appt this coming week, they are working me in so am not sure what date it will be on - for final meet with dr. I've been working on researching bypass vs. sleeve to make sure that I feel like I concur with what the dr. has suggested. I'm torn on some of the pros/cons of both surgeries based on following about co-morbidities/health situation: I do NOT have high blood pressure I do NOT have high cholesterol I do NOT have diabetes I do NOT currently have ongoing heartburn/acid reflux (get heartburn 3 or 4 times a yr, and acid reflux..maybe once a year if that) My BMI started out at 60 and is now 54? I am 50 yrs old (not young) I have long clotting history but NO clotting disorder EVERY episode of clotting (DVT's/PE's) had known causation. Have permanent IVC filter since 2011. Knees have severe arthritis and need replacing - have to get to 40 BMI to have kneed surgery Here are some generalities I've gathered on sleeve vs bypass from searching here, google searches, and many youtube videos watched. If anything is wrong, please let me know. It's amazing that despite how much you read/watch, you can come away with questions still - maybe my retention is shot with long pre-op diet?: Bypass – possible chance of bowel obstruction later after surgery Bypass – possible chance of twisting bowels after surgery (don't know %) Bypass - less chance of reflux/resolves reflux for many Sleeve – chance of developing reflux (do not have more than 4 episodes a yr of heartburn, maybe 1 of reflux) Sleeve – chances of clots forming in previous ‘stomach/fundus’ area - not able to get specific % (this was also something dr. mentioned) Bypass – chances of clots/DVT's? (haven't found specifics yet) Bypass vs. Sleeve - hair loss - tied. Rapid weight loss causes this and can occur with either surgery Bypass vs. Sleeve - more long term data on bypass than sleeve Bypass vs. Sleeve - overall amt of weight loss tends to even out for both at around 5 to 6 yr mark, but bypass has 10 to 20% greater chance of 'initial faster weight loss" Bypass vs. Sleeve - chance for hernias, ulcers, etc. %? for both (need to find out) Bypass vs. Sleeve – likely to cause more time in bathroom? Bypass due to dumping/vomiting (some see dumping as a 'pro'?)? Sleeve due to vomiting /diarrhea? Bypass vs. Sleeve - % of Vomiting / Amount of Nausea (same?) Bypass vs. Sleeve - easier to stretch out sleeve pouch?? Bypass vs. Sleeve - lesser % of chances or regain with bypass in long term? Statistically significant? True or False? Bypass vs. Sleeve - sleeve has more reduction of hunger hormones ghrelin & leptin as fundus removed? Anyone know if bypass has statistically significant reduction in 'unger hormones'? Bypass vs. Sleeve - more chance of malnutrition with bypass - what happens with my long term meds & how they will absorb/not absorb (take 2 anti-depressants and 1 is 'slow release' - take 2 diff meds for sleep due to shift work disorder)?? Bypass vs. Sleeve - bypass surgery longer Dang..i feel like I'm missing some obvious stuff on this list!!!! Going to go look at snippets saved in Word doc.

Whether you are having a bypass or a gastric sleeve, anyone else out there on July 1st?? Pre-op is pretty much what I expected....blah I know I've seen some other July 1st peeps out there....would be nice to be able to keep track and talk, especially when some of the 'night before' and 'day of' jitters kick in. Heck, I'd be happy to hear from anyone around the July 1st date (clarification: AM happy to hear from ANYONE - I like people...most people..like..90% of ppl..LOL) Have some lovely ppl who have already been through this that have been SO SUPPORTIVE like frustr8, AZHiker (did I get that right) and then peeps on the July 2019 surgery topics... Man, July 1st snuck up on me!! How about y'all?? Unsure if we need to cancel our traditional July 4th swim party. I don't do the food, and we have very little family left but my folks, before they passed, had asked that we keep some of the traditional gatherings going. I don't care if I happen to be in hospital and hubby always cooks. I want my brother and nephews, etc. to have somewhere to go..wow, that was a rabbit trail I wasn't expecting..sorry!

My CIGNA policy required now back to back nutritionist visits even though my dr's office insisted they did. I was so glad mine didn't require it as I had already spent 15 months preparing myself and working with CIGNA before I ever walked into my surgeon's office.

Sigh...I'm going to take my body out to the pool and work on my arms and legs..(1 leg actually, the other knee is torn out so I'm limited as to what it can do). I'm in funky mood. There are leftovers from eating out that my family has piled in the fridge and I'm on pre-op..but it has never bothered me until today. Long story, but basically I've been thru 2 rounds of pre-op dieting.. This 2nd time is so much harder! I actually had a strong impulse to open one of the to go containers so I shut the fridge door and I'm walking away. I'm going out to the pool as I don't know what is going on with my head. Surgery is this Thursday and I refuse to mess this up. I have to stay strong. I have a pic of 1 thing orange-ish..but will look for something better outside. PS: I think I'm grumpy because eldest daughter is in town and I haven't gone with them out to restaurants as that is just too hard when I'm on the pre-op diet. So much of the socializing truly does revolve around restaurants..and I feel left out and lonely I think