Dogmom68

On 08/23/2022 at 14:14, Emilyjaguar said:

I feel this too. Yesterday was one week post op for me. I am so sad and depressed about eating Tomato Soup for every meal except grits in the morning. I start pureed diet tomorrow and I am not looking forward to that. I mentally cannot eat baby food and honestly I cant eat Tomato Soup for another meal.

anyone have advice on that?

I may have missed an earlier post but is there a reason you have to have Tomato Soup for every meal? I have Swansons sipping Bone Broth in chicken flavor with a little salt since it’s so bland. It gives me a lot more Protein. Since you’re about to start the puréed stage, try the small tuna pouches (hickory flavor is the best!) put that in your food processor (I got a tiny 2 cup one at Target for about $20), add some Mayonnaise and some seasoning. Purée that stuff really well. It’s really good! I watched a lot of YouTube videos about the puréed stage by this lady (TimeToShrink) who is very creative with her food! Don’t be discouraged! You can do this! 😊💕💕

On 08/23/2022 at 13:56, Slwhurst said:

My list contains 100% Isolate Protein Powder. Brands are Unjury, Celebrate, nectar, body fortress, inspire,isopure and dymatize. I am a little defeated right now cause I did loose the 5 pounds requested but have to start on the 31st with only Water and 3 Meal Replacement shakes a day… I might die y’all. I could have done liquid easy cause I love Soup but only 3 shakes???

Can you have some bullion in your Water? Only water and three shakes a day seems really harsh! What about tea? I would ask your dietitian if you could add some different Clear Liquids. How long is your pre-op diet?

On 08/23/2022 at 11:59, SleeveDiva2022 said:

I have an appt with my NP on Friday. They said if I haven't gotten a call from the GI by then to schedule my appt for the scope then they will call them to get me in quickly. I was given a "GI cocktail" that numbs my esophagus, treats the acid in my stomach, and prevents nausea and vomiting. My hubby is going to get it filled now. My paperwork says it's an antacid, Donnatal, and viscous lidocaine. I was given a dose in the ER and it BURNS initially, but then after about 20 or so minutes, I was actually able to eat a very small amount of food!!!! I came home and had 1 plain scrambled egg, and it was GLORIOUS!!!! Actual food!!!!! I'm back on a liquid and mushy food diet (just like after surgery) until this gets resolved, but at least I have a way to have some food again!!!!

My official diagnosis thus far is esophageal dysmotility with esophageal spasms, moderate esophagitis, mild to moderate gastritis, mild to moderate reflux. Referral to GI for scope to rule out hernia. Prescription for GI cocktail consisting of lidocaine, Donnatal, and Maalox. No leakage, blockage, or stricture.

I’m so glad you have some answers! And that you can eat something now! I’ve had esophageal spasms and they really hurt!! So sorry you’re going through this but I really hope you can see the GI specialist soon. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻💕

On 08/22/2022 at 08:13, Slwhurst said:

Surely no one would be that awful. I believe no one on our group would be that disrespectful. So far everyone here is extremely helpful!

Oh no! Everyone has been great!!! I was saying I was worried about losing continued support during this process since everybody else will be done with their surgeries and my surgery is so late in the month. Everybody will be moving over to the post-operative posts. Everyone has been wonderful!!💕

On 08/22/2022 at 08:14, SpartanMaker said:

Would also love to know how the preop diet is going for you? Struggling? Any tips for the rest of us? How's the hernia and GERD doing now?

I’m on a two week liquid diet and it’s been a killer (again! This is my second bariatric surgery.) I can have Protein Shakes or greek yogurt for my ‘meals’ every three hours. I would be lying if I said I had been perfect throughout this process. I’ve slipped up a few times by stealing a fry off my husbands plate or eating a couple of olives when I was simply sooo hungry. I’m going to have the hiatal hernia repair during my surgery on the 29th and the revision to RNY, as well. The GERD burns me up a lot of the time so I take esomeprazole in the morning and Pepcid in the evening. And thank goodness for Tums during the day!

08/22/2022 12:17 PM, tranquil_chaos said:

Jealous too!! My surgeon says no caffeine...for the rest of my life! ((cries in Nespresso))

Holy moly! Yeah, the nutritionist told me not to drink anything with caffeine but… um… YEAH, RIGHT!!! I didn’t drink it for several months after my surgery and I’m not drinking it now pre-operatively. However, I have been known to have a caffeinated coffee pretty often. 🙄😬

On 08/22/2022 at 13:26, SleeveDiva2022 said:

Hi sorry for the delay in update. I had to wait for the NP to call me back. I left a message with everything going on and she just called me and said my surgeon said to go to the ER. He's calling ahead to tell them to expect me and he wants a scope done to see what's going on. The NP said it sounds like a really bad hiatal hernia but they need to be sure. So I'm changing clothes and heading there. I'll let you know what's going on once I know.

I figured they would probably tell you to go to the ER. I feel terrible that you have to do that but they can run tests that your surgeons office can’t. I hope everything is going okay and you can get some definitive answers! 💕

On 08/22/2022 at 08:01, Slwhurst said:

Welcome welcome welcome! The more the merrier!

Thank you! I was afraid of losing all the support from August Surgery Buddies since my surgery got pushed so late in the month. I really appreciate you all! 💕

Hi, September Surgery Buddies. I was wondering if you all minded if I joined your group. My surgery was pushed from August 8th to August 29th so I’m right at the tail end of the month. My recovery will be in September. I’m having a revision from VSG to RNY due to a hiatal hernia and severe GERD. I’m currently in my pre-op/ liquid diet stage. My Starting weight before VSG: 275, My CW: 207, My height: 5’9”, GW: 150. 😊

I tried to edit my post but it wouldn’t let me….. anyway, I also wanted to add that you should tell your surgeon you think you may have an ulcer that could possibly be bleeding. I think that would account for the very dark stool. (I know, TMI but, hey, we’re all friends here.)

On 08/22/2022 at 01:49, SleeveDiva2022 said:

I made a post about GERD here: https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/441776-is-this-gerd/

But now I'm not sure what is going on. So here's what I'm dealing with:

1) burning in my throat and occasionally my chest and stomach

2) nausea when eating anything at all, no matter what it is or how much or little of it I try to eat

3) can't tolerate anything but liquids now

4) if I try to eat, it literally won't go down. It sits at the bottom of my throat and doesn't move for AGES. Drinking liquid doesn't help. It just gets stuck there, too.

5) lots of burping and hiccups

6) dark, sticky kinda poo (sorry, tmi)

7) heaviness and pain in my upper stomach/abdominal area

8 ) occasional shortness of breath

9) feeling full after literally 2 or 3 bites of something (small bites, and before stuff wouldn't go down, I was trying to eat and I would be PAINFULLY full after 2 or 3 bites)

10) literally woke up with what felt like acid in my throat this morning (now my throat feels raw and hurts)

Some of this sounds like GERD, but some of it doesn't. My husband looked it up and said it sounds like a hiatal hernia, but I don't know. Anyone have experience with that? I'm up late because I'm in so much pain and I can't sleep. Definitely looking forward to calling my surgeon's office. But still, anyone on here have any clue at all what this might be??

I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this!! It sounds like a severe hiatal hernia but I’m not a medical expert. Please call your surgeon ASAP!!! Don’t let them schedule you where you have to wait. You need to be seen immediately. Put your foot down! Tell them you’re in extreme pain and this is emergent. Have them work you into their schedule. Let us know what they tell you.🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️

On 08/20/2022 at 12:05, SleeveDiva2022 said:

I'm going to call on Monday and see if I can get in to see my surgeon or the NP. The burning in my throat is constant now and I have zero desire to eat because everything either makes me really nauseous or triggers a BRUTAL reaction (pain, intense burning in my stomach, chest, and throat, nausea, shortness of breath, PAIN). I had my gallbladder out in 97 so I know it's not that. I'm going to try OTC Nexium (comes in 20mg but I'm going to buy extras and take 40mg) for about a week to see if it helps at all. The 40mg of Omeprazole isn't helping. I thought about taking it in the morning and at night, but I want to run that by my doctor first. If the Nexium doesn't help, and if taking one of them 2x a day doesn't help, I will absolutely do a revision to bypass. I'll figure it out with the pills, but I'm on day 3 of this and I can't do it. It's horrible. It's like everything and nothing triggers it. I don't know how people live like this.

You absolutely need to contact your surgeon ASAP! I developed terrible GERD about 6 months after my VSG and have been living with it for about a year. It truly is horrible. My heart goes out to you. I wonder if you have a severe hiatal hernia which would cause your extreme reaction. Regardless, please call your doctor as soon as they open in the morning! You sound like you would be a prime candidate for a revision to your surgery. I really hope things get better. Please keep us posted.🙏🏻💕💕

On 08/21/2022 at 15:03, karakent said:

Sleeve getting done tomorrow! So excited/nervous/anxious/happy…I’m having all the feelings. At once.

Best wishes!!! You’re going to do great!❤️

On 08/20/2022 at 02:51, lavette43 said:

My dr. Told me how he was going to write it up to get it approved for the hiatal hernia and to bypass.And I got approved and didn't have to go back through all that paperwork again, My surgery is sept.16 2022 I'm so happy !!! This Gerd get on my nerves I've never had this.

Sent from my SM-G991U using BariatricPal mobile app

I’m SO happy for you!!! Thank goodness everything worked out well. Let the countdown begin! 😁💕

On 08/19/2022 at 09:37, lolarose13 said:

I got denied yesterday by Aetna. They changed their rules, and now they want 24 abnormal PH reflux monitoring to prove my “GERD.” Gosh, I hope my doctor tells them about the hernia, and we can get approved because of that or get that surgery + the bypass. How big was your hernia? Mine is 4cm, which is big (I imagine) since I’m a very small person. Wish me luck!

I’m so sorry your insurance denied your surgery. If your doctor will submit for a hiatal hernia repair then I’m sure you would be approved. That’s what mine did and I found out yesterday that I’m approved for the repair. I do, however, have to pay out of pocket for the bypass portion. I’m not sure how large my hernia is but I think your insurance should approve you regardless of the size. Talk to the surgery scheduler at your doctors office on Monday and see if she can submit for the hernia repair. My out of pocket for the bypass was $2600 which we went ahead and paid. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you and hope you’ll get your approval!! Keep us posted! 💕

On 08/18/2022 at 13:51, valeriejbrock9 said:

Hi. Congratulations on your surgery today. I'm excited for you. My surgery date is August 27th. I would love to hear about your 2 week pre op diet and how that went for you. I am just at 7 days in and I've only lost 5 pounds. I'm so discouraged


Sent from my SM-G986U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Before my VSG, I only lost 2 lbs during my 2 week pre-op diet! Talk about discouraging! They had me only eating/drinking Protein Shakes and greek yogurt. I never eat yogurt because it’s too high in calories and carbs. I think that is what kept me from losing any weight. However, my surgery went very well and I recovered quickly so there’s that… This time around (I’m getting ready for a revision from VSG to RNY) I’m drinking Protein shakes but not eating much greek yogurt. I’m sipping on chicken Bone Broth a lot instead. I started my pre-op diet 4 days ago and I’ve lost 3 lbs. so far. Hang in there! It’s all going to work out great! Just stick to your pre-op diet and everything will be fine. You’ll start dropping weight after your surgery. I lost almost 80 lbs in about 3 months after my VSG.

On 08/16/2022 at 11:58, I Am Enough! said:

Is anyone here old enough to remember SPAM and potted deviled ham in a can? Full of sodium and preservatives! I'm hoping to make a copycat recipe with organic meats, some avocado mayo for Fiber, and cooked egg yolk. Puree and then freeze them into little 2 oz. portions.

Lordy, yes! I remember eating the potted deviled ham when I was a kid. 😂 After my VSG, during my puréed stage, I made a lot of tuna salad (just tuna and mayo with a little dill pickle juice) in my food processor. I’d whip that stuff up and put it in little 2 oz cups and keep them in my fridge. I really liked the Starkist Hickory Smoke tuna in the pouch and I would use that most of the time. I liked having some guacamole with a little salt, too. I watched a lot of YouTube videos by this lady who was very creative with the puréed stage food. If you want to get some ideas, watch TimeToShrink videos. I plan to use a lot of my old “recipes” after my revision to RNY.

On 08/10/2022 at 15:45, A Curtis said:

Thank you. I had a little bit of another drop this morning so I think I'm working my way out of the stall (thank goodness). I am trying to promise myself ill avoid the scale lol but then every morning it calls my name

Hi! Just wanted to see how you’re doing and if the weight loss has kicked back in!😁 It’s very frustrating, I know! Just hang in there, keep pushing your water/fluid intake and if you have to incorporate Protein Powder or liquid to boost your Protein intake then do! Hope everything is going well!

On 08/13/2022 at 06:23, Sunnyer said:

I'm having real problems with nausea today. I can't stomach another Protein pudding or shake.

Last night I tried some clear Soup and it went down fine.

I've been using myfitnesspal to keep track of my Water and Protein. I've only been able to get 8-25 grams of protein per day, and around 1 liter maybe of Water and drink (33 o). I'm supposed to aim for 1.5 l of water (50 oz). I can tell by the color of my urine (hope that's not TMI) that I'm dehydrated, as it's more orange than yellow.

It's just so hard to get more down with constant nausea. Do you have any tips or tricks for getting more fluids and protein?

The only things I know to do are to sip on Swansons chicken (or beef) Bone Broth (9 grams protein) and/or to add unflavored protein liquid or powder to your drinks/ broths. You can order protein liquid from Amazon and it will really boost your protein intake. Maybe incorporate some Pedialyte in your water or no sugar Gatorade or Powerade to help with the dehydration. My dietitian told me Soups, broths, and Powereade all count towards my Fluid intake. I’m so sorry you’re having nausea. That is so miserable. If it gets really bad and uncontrollable then call your doctor for sure. I hope you feel better soon. 💕

I used to have active hobbies like gardening but since I was diagnosed with arthritis in my spine (all over my body, really) I can’t do things I used to be able to do. I was very depressed for a long time because I had to leave my job I loved because of all the pain. That was three years ago and since then I’ve found other things to do that make me happy. I go to the pool and just walk around in the waist deep Water to move my legs (I had a hip replacement recently.) I have gotten really good at needlework/ cross-stitching and have completed some beautiful projects. It took awhile to change my mindset and now I focus on my health and eating well. I’m able to focus on tracking my food which has allowed me to gain control over my eating/ calorie consumption. I’ve lost 80 lbs and I have 50 more to go. We all can do this!❤️

On 08/09/2022 at 18:02, A Curtis said:

Thank you for posting. I was just searching the forum for a post about the 3 week stall. I am currently 6 weeks post-op and have been stalled from week 3- the current. I know all the FB support groups etc warn you about the 3-week stall, but I have been so discouraged watching the scale not move for 2.5 weeks.

I keep my net carbs at below 35 a day, my calorie intake is usually between 550-700 calories a day. My Protein is always between 70-90 grams a day. And for the most part, I reach 64+ oz of Water. i don't know what else to do to break the stall.

I did lose 1.3lbs in the last 24 hours, so I'm hoping that's a sign I'm back in the game and will see the scale changing again.

It sounds like you’re doing everything perfectly! But don’t worry. The weight will start to drop again. Summerseeker mentioned weight loss like a staircase and I found that to be true for me. Keep up the great work. You’re really doing well! 40 lbs down is great! 😁

On 08/09/2022 at 18:11, hellohalo said:

Hi everyone,

I'm 5 days post op and I have been having a cough for the past 4 days that almost can be described as whooping cough. Are my lungs trying to clear themselves? I have ocassional phlegms and post nasal drips. I'm really worried that it's reflux. I'm on a liquid and puree diet and on 40 mg reflux meds as well.

Oh no! It could be left over from anesthesia and the dry oxygen they push during your surgery. On another note… are you having any other symptoms of COVID? I know that sounds awful but you might think about checking with a home test kit just to be safe. If you were coughing from reflux, you would probably have the burning in your chest and throat. Does your doctor have you on a PPI? You could ask them for a prescription. I was on it for at least a month following my surgery. Just tossing a few ideas…. I hope you get better soon!😊

On 08/09/2022 at 14:22, I Am Enough! said:

These are theprotein ones I use:

1) AGN Roots Grass-fed whey from Amazon - you can heat it in Soups, or blend into smoothies, too and it does not have any flavor https://www.amazon.com/AGN-Roots-Grass-Whey-Protein/dp/B07X9V8718

2) Pre-protein Liquid Protein - You have to make sure that it has the L-Tryptophan ingredient in it to be a complete Protein. Bariatric pal sells it here on their website and it is available on Amazon. I have been running into out of stocks lately because it works so well. I dissolve it into my Water and it actually tastes good instead of that funky Protein flavor. I also dissolve it into my Jello. https://www.amazon.com/Pre-Protein-Predigested-Hospitals-Nutritional-Grape-Flavor/dp/B09JBDGKBW/ref=sr_1_5 They also have cherry and peach flavors. I like them all. Since there are out of stocks on a few items, I have just recently ordered ProSource Neutral Flavor to mix into my jellos and waters.

I sure hope that helps! I am still in pre-op Clear Liquids, but I can easily average over a 100 grams of protein a day with the help of the liquids and unflavored versions.

Thank you sooo much for sharing this! I have struggled for so long trying to hit my protein goals without incorporating too many calories. Hopefully this will be a game-changer for me!😁💕

On 08/09/2022 at 14:10, I Am Enough! said:

Have you tried adding Protein Powder to your pureed foods? Like if you make a potato Soup and puree it, you can add a scoop of unflavored Protein powder to get that nutrition in. Or adding the Liquid Protein to your Water or smoothies?

Maybe you could recommend a different unflavored Protein Powder other than GENEPRO. I can’t tolerate it at all! Where can I get the Liquid Protein? ?

On 08/09/2022 at 14:05, SHORTY_ said:

Ahhh this gives me hope. I've been having this issue this week. It wakes me out of my sleep its so painful. Its only lasts seconds but sucks none the less.

It really does hurt!!! I’m so sorry you’re dealing with it along with trying to recover from your surgery. The spasms will eventually calm down. Hang in there, my dear!! It gets better, I promise!💕