Dee.Lams

On 06/13/2020 at 07:39, Eallen0920 said:

Has anyone that lives in the UP used a surgeon up here? Looking for a recommendation. Thanks in advance!

Hi! I had mine with Dr. Mark Pleatman in Bloomfield, MI and had an excellent experience.

On 07/04/2020 at 19:14, Pckeys said:

Even without the extreme carb limiting, the caloric restriction (less than 900 calories) will eventually put you in some degree of ketosis. The telling factor here is that it happens when waking (after an extended period of fasting overnight)... if getting fluids is an issue at the moment, start thinking less about Water and more about other ways of getting fluids. Bone broth/soups/almond milk etc..

Very good point! Thanks for the education. And I’ll definitely focus on broth/almond milk— appreciate the tips!

On 07/04/2020 at 19:05, Arabesque said:

And Keto body odour! I had Keto breath & body odour for more than a month.

Could be some reflux too. I sometimes get a bad taste in my mouth from that.

Yikes! I guess it’s a small price to pay. I’ve lost 24 pounds this month and I’m just 10 away from entering onederland so no complaints here 😆

The Water *

On 07/04/2020 at 16:00, Pckeys said:

you're very likely in ketosis. The metallic taste (at the back of the throat and sides of the tongue?) is a result of breaking down and using ketones, the by-product of which is acetyl-CoA and acetate.... dont worry about it it indicates your insulin and blood sugar levels are dropping.. also a good thing. It will resolve through the day then come back periodically. This goes away entirely for most people who enter ketosis and stay there after a few weeks.

More info, look up "keto breath"

Very interesting! I haven’t been extreme carb-limiting, but totally possible. I just worry about Fluid intake because the usual additives aren’t making the Ayer more palatable. But it’s good to hear that even if it’s intermittent, at least it’s temporary.

Hi! I’m one month post op vsg and woke up today with a metallic taste in my mouth when drinking Water. Tried adding crystal light thinking it was our water with no change. Just came out and had a bottle of Aquafina with the same taste so it’s just me. Is this a sign of a Vitamin deficiency? I’m diligent about taking my Multivitamins, Calcium, and B12 daily.

Thank you! Great advice!

Good point! Thank you. I think the anxiety is more in my head. I’m just afraid of being a hicupping/burping weirdo at the table.

Hi! So I have a dinner planned for tomorrow and I’m sweating bullets about how to manage it. My husband and his new work friends and their wives will be meeting up— a small group of three couples including us. I’m trying to be very discrete about my operation and would not want to disclose it to them. I’m in the puréed stage of the diet. I’m truly not tolerating much at all. What would you recommend I have them opt for? One option is Italian with Soups like Tomato bisque, mushroom Soup. Other is a Thai place with hot pot style soups. And another is a ramen place. What would you opt for?

Hi everyone. I’m 3 weeks post op and currently in the “puréed food” stage of my diet. I’m having a really hard time having one single meal a day. I am tolerating tuna well so I’ll be able to have about 6 bites/3 quarters of one of those starkist packets over 40 minutes with slow chewing and long pauses. But truly no more than that a day. I’m meeting my Protein goals with GENEPRO in Water and a Protein Shake daily. But I’m really struggling with food. Is this normal a few weeks out?

On 06/08/2020 at 21:07, Lanie992 said:

Oh gosh! I thought the same thing at that stage. I thought it would be the new normal and luckily it is not. I am good with liquids, but I just sip on them slowly.. Before surgery, I used to down half a bottle of Water in one sitting - just gulp it down. I've had to train myself to hold back. Just really try to concentrate on sipping instead of gulping.

Once you get through day 3/4/5 -- it gets easier day by day.. Some days it would be hour by hour for me. I am on soft foods now, but my diet consists mostly of the same things from week 1.. I don't eat seafood or most of what's on the soft food menu.. I eat a little of the soft foods, but mainly stay on liquids.< br />

That’s exactly my impulse— to gulp down a whole bottle of Water. I’m effectively relearning how to drink and soon how to eat again. I’m looking forward to something other than broth or Protein Shakes or fruity water additives so I’m glad to hear that comes soon! *high five*! Good luck to you!

On 06/08/2020 at 20:48, California Guy said:

I did the revision to DS three weeks ago. My sleeve was done 7 years ago. I have no problem getting liquids or food down. I do have a reduced appetite and portion sizes have to be small. I remember having no issues with getting enough fluids post OP for the sleeve.

I understand your back may get tired and sleeping on your side can be painful. I was able to sleep on one side or on my back since the first post OP day in the hospital. I also had one larger incision that caused pain for two weeks. I'm recovering better than expected because I actually had three surgeries in four days, two were laproscopic (used same incisions). Fortunately, the pain goes down a lot each day until you don't feel it anymore.

Following a serious motorcycle accident years back, I had a fractured pelvis and could only lay on my back for 6 weeks. Laying on my side or stomach would put pressure on the fractures and cause pain. It is strange how sleeping on your side becomes your number 1 goal in life when you can't do so. My best advice is to sleep on your back. When you feel your back is tired or sore, stand up and walk even if it is just one minute. Try sitting in a chair for a few minutes then try laying on your back again.

My goodness— you’ve been through so much! But great attitude about it all Thank you for sharing your story. That’s very reassuring. And advice taken— I’ll work on sticking to the back for now.

On 06/08/2020 at 20:28, California Guy said:

Regarding Vitamins, my surgeon said to wait two weeks post OP to start. This is to prevent nausea.

I found I had plenty of energy during the 2 week post OP diet. Drinking 3 - 4 Protein Shakes per day and occasional Soup broth covered most of my needs. After 2 weeks I stopped Protein shakes. I planned to get all my Protein from natural sources. I found my energy levels dropped so I am drinking one shake per day. It will take some adjusting.

Excellent advice! Thank you. My surgeon also suggested 2 weeks but reading through forum posts, quite a few sleevers started after the first week. So this is reassuring. And 4 protein shakes! That’s amazing! I can barely make 1-1.5 so far.

Vitamins/minerals

Also, when did you all start your supplements?

On 06/08/2020 at 20:12, Lanie992 said:

Propel Water (lemon flavor is my favorite) is also good. I learned that from a youtuber. It has electrolytes in it & it is flavored but not as intense of a flavor as Gatorade Zero / G2 .. Hope you are holding up okay.. Day 4 was my worst day. Everything has gotten better since then-- keep that in mind.

Thank you for saying that! Ive been really praying this isn’t my new normal. I’ll check out propel Water for sure! Great tips. How are you doing with intake now? I see that you’re at least two weeks post op?

On 06/08/2020 at 19:37, It's time. said:

How do you feel?

Very sore, very slow still. Walking very tentatively because of the dragging pain from largest incision. Have trouble finding a comfortable position at night, even with wedge pillow and multiple king size pillows. I’m not one to be able to sleep all night on my back. First two nights, turning to my side produced excruciating pain. Was prescribed liquid norco on discharge but only took one dose and didn’t tolerate it well. I find a dose of liquid Tylenol nightly to be helpful in getting me to sleep.

On 06/08/2020 at 18:57, havethree said:

And herbal peppermint tea has been awesome, too! and chicken Bone Broth - if you're looking for any variety!

Good deal! Will check that out! I’ve been cycling between chicken broth, beef broth, and vegetable broth the last 3 days for some variety.

Thank you! So helpful! Havethree the timer idea sounds brilliant! Will have to do that. Good luck to you, as well!

Hi everyone! Just had the sleeve done on 6/4. Quick question regarding Fluid intake. Per my surgeon, the first two weeks goal is 64 ounces fluid and 45 G Protein daily. Are you counting the Protein Shakes to your fluid intake, as well, or logging it separately? I’ll be on a full liquid diet for these next two weeks so I’m sticking to Water, Bone Broth, Powerade zero. Made my first Protein Shake today and tolerated it okay. Still have trouble going from sitting to standing due to incision pain. Still feel pretty distended but no further gas pain today.
Look forward to being on this journey with all of you!