sleevedllama

Thanks, @leanbean -- same kind of thing. I was doing really well, I thought, and then maybe I've overdone it. I have two kids under 6 and even when I'm not lifting them, we're doing things like buckling into carseats, high chairs, getting them dressed, playing while sitting on the floor, etc. Nothing I would call strenuous but it is a lot of movement. My surgeon seems to think this is all normal and just recommended a binder. I've been wearing spanx and a belly band I still had from my pregnancies but neither is particularly effective, so I ordered a couple of new binders that I hope will arrive today and keep me held in (which reduces the pain). I haven't had a fever or nausea, etc. so hopefully it's just as you say. Hope you're feeling well now, one week ahead of me! How has your soft foods phase gone? I get to start that tomorrow!

Second this. I found Protein2O water at Target and I love the Mixed Berry flavor. For some reason it goes down much easier than regular water or protein shakes for me. 15 grams of protein in each 16.9 oz bottle -- so I have been adding 1-2 of those per day so I am able to knock out my protein requirement (I can only drink about a half shake at a time) and get my water/liquids to 64 oz.

I bought the starter kit of Bariatric Fusion shakes & soup mixes from the Bariatric Pal store and was so glad I got the Chicken Soup and Tomato soup packets -- I've had those for the last two days for dinner with my family and it was great to have a break from the sweet! I am so over chocolate, vanilla, banana, ick. Would I have liked these packets before surgery? I can't tell you, but they are such a welcome break from the monotony now. Chicken soup flavor was delicious.

I had surgery on 7/31 and came home from the hospital 8/2. Was not cleared to return to work (a totally sedentary office job) until 8/13. Over the last week, my pain has increased substantially. I'm worried about hernia or maybe infection of one of the incisions? Nothing on the surface -- what I'm feeling is deep, muscle pain. Having a hard time standing up straight because my abdomen is so tight, and I can't sleep unless I'm on my back -- being on my side is excruciating. I've lost 28 pounds (23 since surgery) and I'm encouraged by that, but I'm also frustrated that I cannot move faster and am in so much pain. Tylenol is NOT cutting it. I have two little ones at home, and while I can't lift either of them, just chasing them around on the weekends has been brutal. I felt the same way last Monday. I guess I'm just venting, but I am exhausted and SO tired of being in pain. I'm not hungry at all and I'm still having a hard time getting in my water and protein shakes (not cleared for soft foods until 8/22). Anyone else feeling like things are moving a lot slower than they'd like?

Hi. I realize this is an old post, but I just had my gallbladder out with a VSG on 7/31. Two weeks post op and I'm still feeling pretty rough, particularly sore in the area where my gallbladder pain had been. Did you have any complications or a slower recovery after your double procedure?

Just wanted to put in a plug for Dr. Doyle and the entire Anne Arundel Surgical Specialists team, since I haven't seen her discussed on these forums. She is the partner of Dr. Alex Gandsas, who is highly regarded and is the main bariatric surgeon at Anne Arundel Medical Center. I saw both surgeons, but after progressing through 90% of the pre-op requirements under Dr. Gandas' care, needed to put my process on hold to deal with my mom's terminal illness. Once I was able to resume work and start thinking about myself again, but before I had returned to schedule a surgery date, I wound up in the ER with a gallbladder attack. The NP who treated me said I needed to be admitted right away to have the gallbladder removed. Once the Acute Care surgeon came down to see me, though, my attack had passed and luckily the Acute Care team is part of Anne Arundel Surgical Specialists. Dr. Brook Buckley saw me in the ER and noticed I was already a patient of Dr. Gandsas, and slowed that NP's roll by saying "we have options here." She saved me from two surgeries by referring me to Dr. Courtney Doyle, who scheduled an expedited appointment to review my chart and examine me for cholecystitis. Dr. Gandsas doesn't do gallbladder removals (unless absolutely necessary in conjunction with a gastric procedure), but Dr. Doyle does both bariatric and general surgeries, and was willing to allow me to finish the requirements for my sleeve and schedule a single surgery for VSG and cholecystectomy. Her bedside manner is excellent. She is friendly, spent more time with me than Dr. Gandsas, and made me feel less like a number and more like an individual patient. Post op, she was kind, caring, and firm about what I needed to do to recover. To me, that is the best balance - I want a surgeon with excellent bedside manner (something that is hard to find, in my opinion), who is open, honest, and willing to spend time to answer my questions. She totally fits that bill. Of course Dr. Gandsas and Dr. Doyle are backed by an excellent admin and dietitian team. I can reach the dietitian, admin, and Dr. Doyle's nurse all by e-mail and have my questions answered within a day. I highly recommend Dr. Doyle and her practice.

Congratulations! You look great. I'm just under 2 weeks post-op and this is really helpful, as I feel like while none of this is hard, none of it is particularly pleasant either. A bit like putting my life from a cruise in 4th gear abruptly into first gear. Learning to sip, taking things slow, etc. can be difficult, but I know it's worth it!

I'm doing mine on my 41st birthday - the biggest present to myself. Happy Birthday!

I'm scheduled for my birthday also! July 31. Good luck tomorrow!