momof3_angels

I should add... I have been a little behind in fluids ever since surgery... as my stupid day shift nurse didn't up my fluids post-op like she was supposed to. I noticed, but was still too out of it to advocate for myself. The night nurse caught it, but I think I was already behind by then. And not dissing on nurses... husband and I are both nurses... just didn't like my day shift nurse... had her after surgery and the next morning and was less than thrilled with her both days. Luckily hubby was taking better care of me, as did the night shift nurse.

Just curious if any of you have gone to an IV bar to help with hydration. If so, how was your experience with it? I am tempted, but resistant lol. I know I am dehydrated, but not to the point of going to an urgent care. I feel like getting a 1 liter bag of IV fluids would make me feel so much better, but don't know if I am ready to jump right in with a place that isn't really a hospital/urgent care. I also don't like that they let the bags go in over an hour... although I am sure my kidneys/heart can handle it... I just prefer slow and steady.

Good luck to all of you having surgery this week!

Oh... I forgot to add... she highly recommends putting all fluids in crushed ice. She says that her patients usually get more fluids in that way... I do like it better when I put my protein shakes and vitamin water in crushed ice, I tolerate their taste better. I did have to stop drinking my chocolate shakes, I can't tolerate them like before. I am OK with vanilla.

I am 7 weeks out and still struggling with water intake! Getting a water bottle with time/amount markers was VERY helpful for me. I find that I do best when I drink as much water/fluid as possible BEFORE eating anything solid. Once I start eating solids I start getting behind and never quite catch up. Just know that you can count ALL fluids you take in. You want your primary source to be water... but sugar free vitamin water, sugar free Gatorade, protein shakes, and broths can all be counted! At least, my nutritionist counts them. I was worried until after I talked to her... she was good once she took everything else into account. I do find that my best meal days are meals that are in at least a little fluid... (soups/chili etc)

I am 7 weeks out. I bought a nutri bullet before surgery and have begun using it and LOVE it! It has the motor base, and uses a cup with a blender lid. It is SO EASY to use! I have decided to follow Dr Vuong's (youtube him) advise and do a "green smoothie" for breakfast, a big ass salad for lunch (lol... although I am not at that point yet) and a healthy dinner. I am mixing spinach/kale with fruit and a protein shake for now. I think the cup is maybe 32oz... I don't fill it to the top... just near the fill line before mixing and of course it expands a little. Blend it until it is thin enough for me to get down... then drink it over an hour or so. This way I am getting 30 grams of protein along with a serving of fruit and half to one serving of veggies. Love it so far! What I struggled with was following recipes... for me... Dr. Vuong's recipe books for green smoothies make 4 servings. Instead I am just throwing in smaller amounts. I find that having a variety of frozen fruits is the way to go. I was planning to do fresh fruits but realized that I would waste too many so frozen works much better. Plus... they have nice mixes of frozen fruits already available.

Time is really flying! I am doing well overall. Side effects/complications from surgery were minimal. In the hospital I had 2 dry heave events that felt like I needed to happen to release some pressure/gas or something, and only a couple nausea episodes after discharge. Abdominal pain subsided pretty quickly, except for that main incision site which would have occasional stabbing pain if I moved in a way it didn't like. I haven't had that for about 2 weeks now. Incisions healed very nicely. Energy level is improving, however when I overdo it I am definitely still wiped out. I am much more awake during the day. I can stay up much later than I did before, and still rise early. I sleep better. Still on my CPAP, but I no longer take my medication to help me fall asleep and stay asleep. Haven't taken it for at least a week, maybe two weeks. I also didn't take my restless leg syndrome medication last night and was fine. Wondering if I will be able to stop taking it altogether. Not sure on that one. That leaves me with my metoprolol (for tachycardia/fast heart rate) in the AM, along with Protronix which was prescribed for me to take for 60 days. I haven't had ANY acid reflux since surgery, so once the script is up I will probably go off of it unless I start having symptoms. I think I will be fine, and doc prefers to not continue it unless necessary. Yay! And at night I have to take my Lipitor for high cholesterol, but I am going to ask my doc if I can attempt to wean off of it when I lose a little more weight. Cholesterol has been controlled for a couple of years already and losing weight and eating healthier gives me hope that maybe I won't need it anymore. Seriously, the thought of only taking my metoprolol and no other medications daily has me really excited. Diet: I am doing well, but struggling with measuring and tracking. Need to improve on that for sure! I am finding that things that are higher carbs/higher fat do not sit well with my stomach, but that is fine with me since those are things I shouldn't be eating anyway! I usually take a bite or two and then just don't want them. What can I eat? I do well with ground beef, chicken, and beans as real food sources of protein. I love them when they are in some kind of a broth. I still really enjoy my homemade chili. I made a huge batch a couple weeks post op and froze most of it... and over the last month I finally finished ALL of it off. It seems to be my most complete meal that I actually enjoy. Debating whether or not to make another batch lol... on the fence since I don't want to get sick of it, you would think I would be already! I am fine with cooked veggies but don't feel quite ready to attempt many raw veggies. I am not doing any breads, rice, pastas etc. I have had a few whole wheat crackers with tuna/chicken salad twice... but not sure how much I want to eat of that even at this point. While I have definitely felt the effects of over eating... I have NOT thrown up even once. (Thank goodness lol) Weight loss? I am doing great, although I am on my 2nd stall right now. The first stall was at 4.5 weeks and lasted probably 5-6 days. Maybe it wouldn't have lasted so long, but I was at Disney with my daughter lol. This time I think it was triggered by me ordering take out from my favorite Mexican restaurant. I ordered healthy options and took several meals to eat it... but I am sure it was loaded with salt and such. I also find that when I order something, I am having a harder time keeping my portions small like they should be. Happened at Disney (though less so) and is happening again this week. Guess I need to not order any food for a while! Anyhow... since last May, I have lost 47 pounds, with 26 of those being post op. I wish it was more, but I think I am still on par considering I started at a lower BMI. I have officially lost more than 50% of my weight to get to MY goal (and only 19 pounds away from the docs goal). And as for the BMI... only a few pounds away from being "overweight" instead of obese! I am walking at least 2 miles every day. I hope to increase to doing this twice a day. I am also debating when to start pilates. Anyhow... for any lower BMI people on the fence about surgery... I don't regret doing this for one minute! It is a lot of work. It requires a lot of lifestyle change, with regards to diet and exercise... but it is SO worth it! Personal goals going forward: Do better with measuring and recording Walk more, twice a day preferred Consistently make a green smoothie with protein for breakfast (started this week). Attempt to eat small salads for lunch soon

With the 13 year old just be honest, as teens want basic facts. With the 6 year old let them know the doctor is going to fix your stomach so you start feeling better and healthier, but that you will be sore and tired for a few weeks. Answer questions for both as age appropriate.

I went on trips at 3 and 5 weeks post op. At 3 weeks I drove 6+ hours to havg out at the beach. It was a nice trip but exhausting. I didn't do a whole lot and had to rest a lot while I was there, and needed a couple days to recover when I got home. At 5 weeks I drove 8 hours to take my daughter to a Disney where she was scheduled to perform with dance. I was able to do everything I wanted to do... but again needed a few days to recover. I did use wheeled luggage to minimize carrying heavy things. Biggest challenge was eating. Brought some food with me but also struggled to find food that was good for me at my stage while there.

Every doc is different. Mine went from clear to full liquids then soft then regular foods by a month.

That is awesome! I am at about the same place as you... and just reach my halfway weight too.

I do agree with others that there may just not be enough food in your belly depending what stage you are in and what diet you are on. If I go too long without a BM(which for me is about 5 days), or if I definitely feel constipated, I personally use Milk of Magnesia. So far it has been gentle on my stomach. I take it either at night and have a BM in the AM or in the AM on a day where I am not worried about when it will kick in. But even when it does kick in... it isn't an urgent thing. It works by pulling fluid into your intestines which is often what you need after surgery because we tend to be dehydrated. Miralax wasn't doing it for me. But most importantly, increase your fluid intake if at all possible!

Oh... and I cant eat and get a whole shake in at the same time. Takes an hour to get the whole shake in.

It is breakfast for me... then real food the rest of the day.

I am 6 weeks out today. Drinking fine but not the full 64 oz... but nutritionist was happy with my intake. I can eat soft foods no problem, and most chicken if it isn't too firm or ground beef. I usually eat 3-4 oz of food but a little more if it is something like a soup with liquid. I have found d I do not do well with foods I really should t eat (learned that when trying to find food at Disney last week). Example, battered fried fish or corn dog or anything with unhealthy carbs. I am fine with soft fruits and veggies. But a salad wasn't a good choice lol. There are plenty of foods I haven't tried yet and find my tastes are changing. At home my favorite is homemade chili because it has some non meat protein along with the ground beef and because it has liquids I feel like I can get more in. I such at tracking my food. I am starting to have lots of energy, but then busy days wipe me out. Weight loss is going at a great pace considering I started at a lower BMI. I did stall last week but this week I am losing well again. I am down 44 pounds since May 20 with over half of that since surgery. I have gotten small enough that nothing fits which is a good dilemma. Finally have no residual pain when I do something that pulls at the main incision. Getting into a good walking routine and hope I can continue with this progress when I go back to work. Grateful that my doc gave me 8 weeks off.

Sounds like GERD to me. Like suggested above... try tums and let your doc know. Also, make sure you are sitting up for a while after any intake. Maybe eat drink slower. And smaller amounts.

My symptoms were minimal. But my main incision did hurt. Rare nausea. Otherwise good.

My husband was as supportive as he could be while wishing I wasn't having surgery. He definitely expressed that I shouldn't do it. He was scared of complications and death. I had to appease him and prepare things for him in case I died (I do the banking and he doesn't know what I do lol) and sign a new will for him all while rolling my eyes. In the hospital he was attentive and helped me. Still scared of complications but relieved I survived. Now he is a little more supportive but won't stop buying **** I cant eat.

My husband, daughter and a select few work friends initially. I just told both of my sons who don't live with me 4+weeks later. I am guessing the rumor mill has started at work. I don't intend to tell other family.

I can eat tomatoes already, and cucumbers (easier without the skins). Haven't tried the harder veggies yet. I am 1 month post op (4 1/2 weeks)

I am and plan to for the 1st couple months. Then I am going to transition to small 3 times daily capsules until I can do the once a day large capsule. I already know I cant swallow any bigger pills... so that's why chewable work for now.

I am 4 weeks post up. My nutritionist finally told me my diet should be 25% or less carbs, 25-30% fats, and the rest lean proteins. This is based on overall diet portions. How many grams depends on how many calories you are supposed to eat. There are calculators online to figure that out.

Worst case scenario? Get a hotel somewhere in the middle if you get too tired from driving.

I did a 7 1/2 hour drive at 3 weeks post op. I was fine to drive or sit as a passenger... but I was tired for other activities. Pack protein shakes and water. Stop and stretch as needed. We didn't need to stop too many times.

Congrats! There are some ladies on youtube who discuss pregnancy after WLS, Don't know how useful their info is... but you might want to check it out. Honestly, I would talk with your nutritionist. I am sure s/he can guide to to what to eat to promote a healthy baby... but not ruin your WLS. Your bariatric vitamins should have you covered as far as prenatal needs.. but your nutritionist can verify that as well.