Malaika

Dr. Aceves had me do Clear liquids for 10 days; full liquids (tomato Soup, Protein shakes with milk (very thin); oatmeal (thinned), SF pudding, etc. for 10 days, then mushies for 10 days, then soft solids ... because of the issue I have with a spasming esophogus, he had me stay on mushies even longer. So I think you'll be fine to start on full liquids next week - probably now actually -- 10 days on clears for me started the day after my surgery. If you had your surgery on 9/15, then 9/16 + 10 is 9/26. You'll feel better once you're on full liquids.

I am sure they will have a hospital gown to fit you -- may be long on you - but I am sure it will fit. Yes, the hospital can be cold - however, it also can be hot ... take a warm robe and you can ask for extra blankets. If it gets hot - don't hesitate to ask for a fan - they will bring you one.

Trudy - are you leaving Sun or Mon? If you're not leaving until Mon. and want to get together tomorrow afternoon sometime, let me know.

You will be able to drink more down the road -- truly I'm impressed you can drink an entire glass in 5 minutes -- I am 3+ months out and I can't do that. As for drinking with your meals - that is a definite NO-NO ... you can drink up until you eat and then you are supposed to wait 45 minutes after you eat to drink anything ... and the reason is exactly as you state - you don't chew your food as well because you're used to washing it down ... and when you wash it down, your stomach empties out faster and you'll be hungry sooner and then you'll end up eating more. When I was growing up, we were NEVER allowed to drink with our meals - my dad wouldn't allow it - for the same reason -- he said we wouldn't chew our food as well and would just wash it down with whatever we had to drink. I didn't even drink with my meals for like the 1st year of my marriage, but then that changed over time. Since the surgery, I just leave my beverage in the other room while I am eating so I am not even tempted to take a drink/sip while I am eating. You might try that and see if it helps with the drinking while you eat ... that's a habit you're going to have to break!

Are there options? Self-pay? Appeal? Gaining more weight (or putting weights in your pockets to up your weight?

Yes, it was Ky.Hen (Judy)

I can't drink wine - it gives me a horrible headache - almost instantly. I did try a drink while I was on the cruise, and was only able to tolerate 2-3 swallows as it burned all the way down. I finally gave up and dumped it out.

So far I have lost any hair - my hairdresser and I do notice that it isn't growing nearly as fast as it used to; however, neither of us have noticed any of it falling out -- so if I have a choice between it falling out or not growing as fast, I'll take the not growing as fast!

I LOVE the fuji apple pear - it's the only one that isn't sickening sweet tasting to me.

Everyone slips now and again ... I'm just amazed you were able to eat that much at one time. There's no way I could get down 2-3 cups of anything, especially something that has to be chewed so well. Mark it up to a learning experience, let it go, and move forward!

Thanks Mac ~!

Welcome Lisa - I never had the band; however, from what I have read/heard, you'll be much better off with the sleeve. I'm very happy with mine. The surgery was very easy and the recovery was minimal as well. I was back to work within a week. You'll be tired for a while due to lack of protein, and the fact that you've had major surgery; however the energy level improves once you're able to get in all your protein.

I was up and walking about 3 hours after surgery and made sure to get up and walk often. Also, not all doctors use a catheter--mine didn't!

Congrats Cajun. Glad everything went well (we knew it would) and the fun begins in about 3 weeks when you get to eat mushies and you see the scale moving down on a regular basis.

Hard to have much of a "bowel" movement when all you're putting into your body is liquid - my doc says "liquids in, liquids out" and that it's not unusual at all not to have regular movements even on mushies as you're not putting enough into your system to "push" things through. I am 3 months out and still don't go regularly - and have never had any "constipated" feelings at all .. so I quit worrying about it - when I go, I go.

Finally it is going down - the past few months it's been about the same because we've been experimenting so much - and the last time we went, Bearded bought all kinds of meat - so now we have LOTS of food in the freezer and from what I can tell, we won't need to go to the grocery, except for coffee creamer, coffee and stuff like that -- as far as frozen veggies, meat, etc. we've got enough for quite some time -- so now I expect the grocery budget to decrease immensely.

No, not everyone has a catheter. Dr. Aceves' doesn't use them (thank God) ... I did have to have my urine measured each time I went to be sure the output was good, but I'd rather that than a catheter.

I agree with Susan -- I didn't worry about getting in all the Protein, only the fluids and even then I wasn't able to get in the amount my doctor wanted me to - on top of that, I was dealing with esophogeal spasming, which made it even harder to drink any substantial amount at one time - so I lived on ice cubes (let them melt in your mouth and the Water trickle down your throat) and SF popsicles. Try to set a goal of 2 oz. every 20 minutes and see if that helps. I am now 3+ months out from surgery and I still have trouble drinking really cold drinks - so I stay with warm drinks until about lunch time and then try moving to something cold - sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't - the trouble is, I really don't like room temp. water. Just keep experimenting and you'll eventually figure out what your body can tolerate and then stick with it! Hang in there, it does get better -- promise!

Welcome Henner - sorry you will have to wait for so long - and hope that it happens sooner than 3 years - that seems like eternity to you, I am sure. If you are able to afford to pay for it yourself, you may want to check that out in the states or in Mexico - it's very reasonable in Mexico. Lots of us here can give your our experiences with our surgeons if it's an option for you.

That's AWESOME news Hayley and you most definitely deserve it after all you've been through!

I've been dealing with that later and think it's from my BP ... when I was at the doctor on Monday for my ears, the nurse took my BP it was 88/45. She took it again, same thing, then she tried my right arm - it was 95/45. She made a note in the chart; however, the doctor didn't comment on it, and I was more concerned about my ears and forgot to say something to him. Yesterday was the worst, I was standing at the printer at work and nearly passed out. I didn't think it would be related to blood sugar - I was just going to stop taking my BP medication for a few days an dsee if that made a difference (and call my doctor about it too).

We were talking about this at work today and someone said "If your dog is fat, YOU'RE not getting enough exercise" :001_smile:

You won't get warm blankets or massages in Mexicali. You will get instant response if you push your call button and clean rooms. Lots of checking on by Dr. Aceves and/or Dr. Campos and his staff. The most comforting thing for me was Bearded being there with me and Ruthi & Eyfura being there to share the same experience with me at the same time.

Welcome Mr. Sister - glad you found us - we're GREAT (and modest too) ... don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have and I hope you are able to find a surgeon that has the experience to do your VSG.

WOW that's a lot to deal with. Sounds like you're doing well though, and I am sure that you will continue to progress nicely and that before long you'll be back to your normal self, only with a smaller stomach :001_smile: