i1Linda

How do I get a sparkle?

Hey SoCal ! Thanks for checking in on me. I'm a little stronger each day. I just woke up from a long nap. Still having trouble getting in my fluids. I have already gotten 75% of my daily protein requirement - so much better there. I went for a walk around the block this morning - made pretty good time. All in all, not a bad day.

"your a mean one, Dr. Grinch" :lol0: That's funny!

Hey Everyone! My surgery went great. Still sore and am having trouble getting in all the protein and fluids I'm required to have, but otherwise good. I never thought that I would struggle getting enough nourishment. My whole life, I easily got more "nourishment" than I needed - hence my weight problem. Several of you talked about what a chore it was at first to get enough protein everyday. I could not comprehend it. Well, I do now. Sipping anything (protein, water, broth, etc) is work. I just don't want it. I am sure that as my stomach heals it will get much better, but for now I will begrudgingly sip, sip, sip.

Thanks Susan.

Vegas - Thanks for the advise. I'm really not in much pain (left side a bit). I really just don't have any desire for anything. I am sipping on a Protein drink this morning. Whereas before surgery, I could gulp down an entire 24oz bottle of Water with no problem, Today I am struggling to just sip the 1 ounce cup of water/protein every 10 minutes. Once I get this protein "juice" down this morning, I am getting a SF popsicle to suck on. That actually sounds pretty decent.

Hey Bob! Glad to hear things went well for you. I got home this morning also. You are so right, a hospital is a horrible place to get sleep. As a whole, I am doing well. I'm concerned that I might get dehydrated. Nothing sounds good, and drinking 1 ounce every 10-15 minutes is a chore. I'm a bit sore, especially the left side but the pain meds seem to take the edge off -although liquid Lortab - yuck! I hope your recovery (an mine for that matter) is quick and uneventful.

All right! It's August 4th. I leave in about 30 minutes for hospital. I very excited and a little bit nervous. I will soon be a sleeve sister. Say a prayer for me.

Ghrelin is produced by cells in stomach wall called GOAT cells. The majority of these cells are located in the part of the stomach called the fundus (top right). With a RNY, that's the part of the stomach that remains intact. With a sleeve, that part of the stomach is completed removed. RNY patients can see a reduction in hunger because there is less stomach and therefore less ghrelin but the reduction is not as significant as what they see with VSG patients.

Two other things to consider: 1. With the sleeve, your surgeon removes the part of the stomach that produces ghrelin (the hormone produced in the upper portion of your stomach that helps stimulate your brain that you are HUNGRY). With less (or none) released, you are typically not as hungry. With RNY, that part of your stomach remains and continues to produce the hormone. 2. With the sleeve, the part of your stomach that remains is less elastic and doesn't stretch much. With RNY, the part of the stomach that remains is the elastic/stretchy part. If you overeat, it will stretch out over time and let you eat more than you should. These are two additional factors in my decision to have the sleeve.

Doing well. Hungry (on Clear liquids today), but otherwise very anxious and excited and a little bit nervous.

BobBayCity is having surgery today - should have been early this morning. Dange's surgery was originally scheduled for today but got pushed to next week - Aug 10th. Both DeeDee and I are scheduled for tomorrow.

I read your post about a month ago - my surgery is tomorrow and I have to say your post has kept me honest with my pre-op diet over the past two weeks. Thanks for the words of wisdom. It really can be difficult, especially in the beginning. The last few days have been much easier. It gets easier to focus on the "prize" at the end.

Welcome Renee! Wow! What a great story. Thanks for sharing. Congratulations on your weight loss and hitting "Onederland". :thumbup:

I agree on this one. My doctor told me to steer clear of the NSAIDS for several months since they do irritate the stomach lining (after my knee surgery I am an ibuprofen junkie). He told me after 3 months I could take it again if I needed it and could tolerate it. Other than that, if you could take it without problems before surgery, you can take it once your stomach is heeled.

On LapBandTalk.com there is a sticky for mushie recipes. Don't know if there are any good ones, but there are lots of options. Mushies Stage Recipes - Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum

I vote for Awesome Augusts too. Yes we want a sparkly thingy.

Congrats Jill! Welcome home. As for gas pains - best medicine is to WALK, WALK, WALK. A heating pad helps, sometimes so does GasX Strips (but not always for surgical gas). Good luck, it will pass eventually (no pun intended).

Fatigue and headaches hit me hard between days 4-6 of my 2 week pre-op diet. I had already given up sodas and caffeine so that wasn't a problem. Yesterday and today I feel MUCH better. Just a few more days, I'm on the downhill side.:thumbup:

Yeah! Congrats on your date. We August folks have been pretty quiet lately. For me, I think its the pre-op diet. Too tired to type. Only 5 days to go, on the downhill side, so I am getting back some energy.:thumbup:

I hope everything went well for you today!

Alright, here's my two cents on this conversation... as a somewhat former makeup junkie. I love wearing make up. Makes me feel good. In my twenties, I bought and used everything. Couldn't leave the house without it. Now, as I am approaching 40, I am finding that less is more. To explain, I found an incredible women in Dallas that gives amazing organic facials. She switched my cleanser and "stuff" to an organic brand (mind you, I am not often on the organic bandwagon) and changed my makeup to a minerals type (Jane Iredale - kind of like Bareminerals). I find that I like my complexion now much more, and tend to wear just a little make-up. It's all I need. I have to swear by her facials and products. The icing on the cake is the eyelash extensions. I never liked mascara, always ended up with smudges on my lower lids/cheeks by mid-day regardless of which brand I used. She uses real hair for the extensions and they FEEL real. I will never wear mascara again.

Funny - that's what I was thinking when I started reading Ruthi's post also. I started giggling before I realized Ruthi wasn't writing what I was thinking. :thumbup: However, I bet it would be fun Ruthi to walk (or ride in the jag) by your ex wearing a hot little number from VS. Eat your heart out is right.

Jane is right. You will stall for awhile and then lose a bunch at once. The only thing reliable about our bodies and losing weight is that it will be unreliable.

Okay Daisy, have to ask. What is the 5 day pouch test??:thumbup: