Malaika

Congratulations Thin - I would say January 19th is a GREAT day for surgery (that's my b-day:biggrin0:) although I'm sure you'd like to have it much sooner)

Again, thank you to everyone for your well wishes and I hope I don't let anyone down!

Thank you for the information Cajun -- I may have to check it out -- I quit visiting OH because I just found it too difficult to navigate -- however, this sounds easy enough.

You're fine to drink that Protein drink - they recommend not drinking coffee; however, there are some on here that started 6 days after surgery -- I waited until I was on mushies before I started drinking coffee -- and then it was about 1/4 cup -- now I can drink an entire cup between 6 and 8 am and don't seem to have any issues with it. I would definitely watch the carbs though - that's a lot if you drink the entire thing.

34 sounds good - ask him if he oversews?

Try some papaya pills - they're chewable and tasty - and they are an enzyme that helps in digestion ... so maybe it will help with your bezoar? Certainly worth a try - and it won't hurt anything to give them a try. I got mine at GNC.

You will be able to eat a bagel again, too -- maybe not the entire bagel, but at least 1/4 or 1/2 of one ... I've had a bagel - toasted works better than not for sure - with a bit of cream cheese or PB or lite laughing cow for protein. So hang in there - remember -you have a fully functioning stomach; however it's just smaller now.

SoCal - take care of yourself and be sure to stay hydrated!

I don't think it's going to work for me -- I've been on 40 mg. since 9/25 and I'm still having problems and having to take Zantac during the day - thinking I might just switch to Zantac and see how it works. I have worse acid reflux now than I did when I had GERD and before my hiatal hernia was repaired -- does that make sense?

Thanks for the update Trudy on Judy ... so glad to hear she's is up and going ... and glad to hear you'll be home tomorrow -- give me a call - I'll PM you the CORRECT work number - I'll be anxious to hear how you're doing and your thoughts about the surgery, etc.!

Diane - that is wonderful news - what a great way to start 2010 and you're right - what a great birthday gift to yourself. Hang in there and if you have any questions, ASK!

No Jenn you are not the only one - I want to be there NOW. I am almost 4 months out and down 47 lbs and several sizes - and since I started working out, the inches are disappearing; however, I am at a stall now - for 2 weeks and it's getting to me - even though I had to pull more clothes out of my closet because they are hanging on me like a gunny sack, I still feel I'm not progressing fast enough ... it's very frustrating and not sure what to do about it except keep on keeping on!

I was told that too; however Mac has posted research that shows it doesn't matter if you drink up until the time you eat - doesn't seem to change anything, so I haven't stuck so much with the rule as before eating but definitely stick to the rule of nothing to drink for 45 minutes AFTER eating - one time I forgot and it made me very nauseaus.

Millie - rere posted that Stoongal was doing great - was actually ahead of schedule as to being up and going -- haven't heard anything in the past few days though.

Wow Natalie - that is very SCARY indeed -- I have never heard of a bezoar before. I'm so sorry you had to go through that - and I know now I'll stay away from coconut and pumpkin seeds ... I've had celery several times since surgery and no issues -- but I will definitely be more careful when eating it - and pull off all the strings beforehand. I hope you are feeling better and that the coke works for the bezoar - makes sense to me - and it surely can't hurt to give it a try given the pain you are in. Keep us posted, PLEASE!

LOL - Susan you're too funny ... but you are oh so right -- I think it may be a few days before we get that answer!

Lan - give the prilosec time to work. Also do not EAT or DRINK ANYTHING for at least 3 hours before bedtime. I am sure it has nothing to do with eating the cottage cheese or any other soft mushies you are eating. It also may be that the Prilosec may not work for you - I was taking Nexxium, which worked great; however my insurance no longer covers it and now I am on Prilosec - I find that it does not work nearly as well as the Nexxium and that I need to take Zantac (2 OTC) along with it most days to avoid acid reflux.

I've never had a c-section; however, this was my first major surgery and I didn't find it bad at all - the only pain I had and I wouldn't even call it a pain so much as an ache (like sore muscles) was where the drain was - once it was removed, the incision was still tender, but there was no pulling feeling like when the drain was in. I was up walking within hours of the surgery and only had pain medicine the first night - and that was more so I could be sure to sleep. I didn't have any other pain meds after the first night. The heating pad helped with the gas pains from the CO2 given during surgery. Everything you're experiencing Lan is normal and it will pass and you will be happy with your decision ... I thought the same thing as you and that is passing!

Thinoneday - doesn't sound desperate or dumb. Just be very careful NOT to become anorexic - that's a whole other set of problems. You will do well with the sleeve if you follow your doctor's order post-op.

It's on here somewhere, but I have it memorized so will post it here: 16 oz. container ricotta (I use low fat) 1 egg 1 C parmesan cheese (freshly grated is best) 1-10 oz. pkg frozen spinach - thawed and squeezed dry Mix altogether, put into a 1 qt. casserole dish. Top with another cup of parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes - until bubbly. (I spray the dish with Pam Olive Oil so it doesn't stick) Serve with spaghetti sauce (heated) ... it's really yummy and is good the 2nd and 3rd day too. I've also made it with canned chicken (well drained) and asparagus (that didn't work too well -- too much moisture) Enjoy!

Welcome Cattster - and of course it's PERFECTLY FINE that you join our family - doesn't matter what country you are from - we have Canadians, Ozzies, I think there is one from Saudi Arabia ... so we don't care where you're from - we all share a common problem and a common goal. We'll look forward to hearing about your progress!

Welcome to the family Amanda. There is a group on here of 20 y/o sleevers, so you will find others there that are in their 20s to share with. I was a self-pay - $9500 - I went to Mexicali and Dr. Aceves performed my surgery - the $9500 included everything - pre-op tests, surgery, anesthesia, hospital, 3 days in the hospital, 3 leak tests and post-op tests. I was back to work in one week. I had my surgery on 6/12, so almost 4 months ago, and have lost 47 lbs and gone from a 20/22 to a 16. I am sure you will get many more responses - everyone on the site is great!

Thank you all, again. :001_wub:

You need to get in at least 70 gms of Protein, less than 30n gms of carbs and 600-800 calories - otherwise you may have stalls; plus you may start burning muscle instead of fat. If you have trouble remembering to eat what your doctor has suggested, set an alarm on your cell phone or on your outlook at work to remind you -- you should eat/drink even if you aren't hungry. If you can't eat/drink all that your doc recomments, but you are drinking Water - then add some protein to it, so you're at least getting your protein in at the same time as your fluids. You should wait 45 minutes to 1 hour after eating. You can drink up until the time your start eating, then wait afterwards. The reason being the water causes your stomach to empty faster as it washes it out of your stomach. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

That's great Cajun -- I think it took me 2 weeks before I could sleep on my side. Bearded was sleeping on his side in the hospital - I so hated him for that! LOL You can't sleep on your side because the incision where the drain was is extremely tender - like a pulled muscle - and it hurt to lay on that side ... at least that is why I couldn't sleep on my side - guessing the same for Susan and Cajun.