Malaika

Depends on your doctor's post-op diet - Dr. Aceves says 10 days clears, 10 days full - if you can see through those bullets, then they'd be "clear" liquids, if not, then they'd be "full" liquids -- I never tried them, as everyone said they were very sweet and I wasn't able to tolerate anything sweet following my surgery - 7 months out I still have that same issue - I don't consider it a problem though, more of a blessing! I think 9 days off work will be sufficient - I was definitely tired at the end of the day; however, I wasn't anywhere close to "passing out" or anything like that.

What a GREAT day the 19th is (lol - it's my birthday) - anyway - I had my surgery on 6/12 (a Friday) and returned to work the following Friday (I was in the hospital for 4 days/3 nights) I would have returned to work on Thursday; however, due to intestinal "issues" I decided to stick close to home. I think this was plenty of time for me - I have a desk job that does not require any heavy lifting, so I was fine with 5 days off.

Thanks all for your concerns and well wishes. My mom is doing great, considering she had to have the upper quadrant of her right lung removed. She had surgery on 12/8 and was totally released by her surgeon on 12/28 with no restrictions. She will have to see an oncologist; however because the lymph nodes came back clear and the biopsy of the lung showed the cancer had not metastisized, she will not have to undergo radiation or chemo - thank God. I was able to get her off the RX pain meds while I was there and she was handling her pain with Ibuprofen 800 and Xtra Strength Tylenol. She is planning on going back to work on 2/14. She's a remarkable woman! My car and my pride were the only things damaged in the accident. Neither myself or the other driver had any physical injuries, thank God. My car is still in the shop; however, it should be done sometime this week. It wasn't something I had planned in my schedule;however, that is why they are called accidents. Thank you all for the concern, well wishes and welcome back - I missed everyone!

I drink right up until my food comes, don't drink during my meals, and wait at least 30-45 minutes after eating before drinking. As a kid, we were never allowed to drink with our meals - my father's reasoning was that we wouldn't chew our food as well and would wash the food down - so I guess he was probably right. To prevent myself from drinking with my meals (early on, not now), I leave all beverages in the kitchen away from the table.

You have to get in your protein and your fluids - if you don't you will get dehydrated and that is not a good thing. Try sucking on SF popsicles - crystal light are really good ones. I also constantly suck on ice cubes when I am not drinking - they melt in my mouth and trickle down my throat, so I don't have the pain. You can also try drinking warm SF jello that hasn't set-up yet. If you have unflavored protein, mix it in everything you put in your mouth if possible - that will help get your protein up - I didn't worry about getting in all of my protein while I was on liquids or mushies; I did the best I could and got in as much fluids as I could - that was the main goal - to stay hydrated. Just keep liquid right by you at work if possible and sip, sip, sip ... I promise, it will get better!!!

Megan - I can't recall exactly how long it takes for the swelling to go down; however, it does and drinking should get easier. You might find that it's easier and less painful to drink warm liquids - even if it's warm water -- I still cannot drink anything super cold first thing in the morning - I stick with everything warm. Also, when I take medication before going to bed, I take it with warm water too. Did you have a hiatal hernia repaired during your surgery? If so, it may take you a little longer for the swelling to go down. Experiment with warm liquids, broths, etc. and see if they are easier for you to tolerate - you can add unflavored protein powder to them for increased protein and energy.

Tilapia is a really good fish and doesn't have a fishy taste at all - it's a white fish. We either squeeze lemon or lime on top with a little lemon pepper, then put slices on top, wrap it in foil and grill it - only takes about 6 minutes or so. Also, I spray Pam Olive Oil in a skillet, sprinkle with lemon pepper and cook it - about 3 minutes per side - then serve with veggies. I loved grilled salmon, too. Sam's Club has some frozen salmon that is blackened, indivdiually frozen, and is very tasty.

Thanks Tiff - we have friends who hunt and always have venison - I think I'll ask them if I can have some and try this recipe out - I love chili - and the fact that you do most of the cooking in the crock pot is a big plus for me.

Hi all - sorry I've been MIA for so long. There's been a lot going on and I needed to make a trip back to Indiana to take care of my mom who recently had surgery. I was there for 10 days and my internet access was limited. I also wrecked my car on Christmas Eve and have been dealing with all of that ... SO - THAT SAID: Please allow me to extend a belated WELCOME to all of our new members - there are so many it seems. WELCOME TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU and congratulations on your decision to get healthy! I am trying to catch up on all the posts - however, I have about 150 to read, so that may take me a while -- I will try and respond to posts; however, until I get caught up on the posts, if you really need an answer from me, please PM me and I will respond to those first. Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Looking forward to catching up on everyone's news and learning about our new members!

Thanks for sharing that Tiffy - it looks wonderful - you should share your recipe.

I took Bendaryl for about 4 days because I wasn't able to sleep soundly - that seemed to help; now when/if I have trouble for a few days, I'll take Tylenol PM - it's non-addictive and it allows me to get a sound night sleep. I have found that I do need more sleep than I did before I had my surgery - I used to be able to get by on 5 hours and feel great - now I seem to require at least 6-7 to feel rested.

Marci - I ordered mine from www.vitalady.com - if you type in nectar in the "search this site" it will take you directly there. Hope this helps.

Shanda - You are looking GREAT girl - the pictures are great and you look so happy - and your future husband is one very lucky man - you two make a great looking couple. Thanks for the update and keep up the GREAT work and keep us posted. DEFINITELY want to see wedding pics!

Take measurements - when you hit a stall - take your measurements again - even though you may not see the scale moving, you will see inches lost and that should be a great motivator to you ... it's amazing how the inches seem to melt off even if the scale isn't moving - the scale will move again - so if you hit a stall - put the scale away for a week, take your measurements and don't stress over it - you will lose!

The hospital does have wifi for free, as does the resort. Cell service is hit or miss - my fiance found that if he went up on the roof he could get US service - not roaming - to be safe, you might want to get an international plan before you go and then switch back when you get home -- since my fiance was with me and he was the only one who knew about my surgery, cell phone was not an issue for me.

Hi Amy and welcome to VST. Congrats on your surgery with Dr. Aceves, too - you will LOVE him and his staff. It's great that your husband is so supportive. I agree with Tiffykins that if you have problems with depression, even if mild, seek counseling. I have lost 60 lbs. (last I weighed) and have gone from a size 22W to a 16 misses - and from 2x tops to L and I still don't feel thin or sexy - although my fiance tells me I am all the time. Keep us posted on your journey.

Maggie - Dr. Aceves is so awesome - you will love him and his staff. As for traveling along to Mexico - you'll be safe - if you fly into San Diego, Ernesto will pick you up at the airport (or the hotel if you have to stay the night due to flights) drive you to the hospital where you will have all of your pre-op tests performed, then he will take you to the Lucerne Resort - everyone there is so nice - and they have several restaurants on site, plus room service. Ernesto will pick you up the next morning and take you back to the hospital where you will be taken to your room, then you will meet with the internist to go over your tests results, then Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos will come talk to you - you're then taken to surgery, then recovery and then back to your room where you stay for 3 nights - on the day you are to leave, Ernesto will pick you up at the hospital and take you back to San Diego to the airport -- so you are 100% safe the entire time you are in Mexicali. Any more questions, feel free to ask or PM me.

Lucy - it is temporary and it will get better ... that was my only complaint after surgery and going back to work - by the time I hit the door at 5:30 pm, I was ready for bed ... most times I was in bed by 8:30 or 9:00. You should gradually start to get your energy level back once you are on mushies - and not feel as hungry - and then once you move out of the mushie stage to "normal" food, the energy level begins to come back. I think it is another way your body is adjusting to the shock of surgery. Hang in there, this too shall pass - HONEST!

Here you go - Dr. Aceves is totally AWESOME and LOTS of us on this site have used him. He's performed over 700 sleeves with no leaks. You won't find a better surgeon anywhere (IMO). LAP-BAND,laparoscopic banding,bariatric surgery,obesity

Dr. Aceves includes it as part of his pre-op testing ... I think chest x-rays are pretty much standard for any surgery ... I had to have one when I had carpal tunnel surgery and when I had a D&C.

The Oh Yeah Protein drinks are the only ones I have found that I can tolerate - but not on a daily basis -- I drink them when I am in a rush and don't have time for food. The DaVinci sugar free syrups are also available at Sam's Club, Smart & Final, and Albertson's if you don't want to bother with having to order them online.

Olivia - welcome to the VST family and good luck with your surgery on Monday - no need to be nervous - just think of the future and how great you're gonna look. don't hesitate to ask us any questions, we'll almost always have answers for you!

marstout - welcome to VST and congratulations on your surgery. I've heard Dr. Cirangle is an awesome surgery . Keep us posted on your progress and if you have any questions, ask away.

Sorry - I forgot - there's been a lot going on in my life these past few weeks and sometimes I forget what I've said/done.

Interesting the bad feedback you got from going to Mexico -- my PCP was very supportive and agreed to treat me afterwards. As I said, maybe that is because he is of Indian origin and knows about discrimation? Also, Bearded's cardiologist was VERY interested in his surgery and his surgeon - and in fact asked us to provide him with Dr. Aceves name and information as he was often asked for a good bariatric surgeon. I'm sorry you have gone through what you are going through -- it was wrong of your doctor to post that in your file - have you tried fighting it or filing a claim with the Medical Board? Also, do you have to go to Southwest or can you see a doctor elsewhere? My PCP is at the UMC (not the Quickcare, but next to it) off of Buffalo and Lake Mead. If you want his information, let me know. I hope you're able to make a decision soon ... oh yeah, and the surgeon I couldn't think of in SF is Cirangle ... MacMadame used him.