cajun

Sounds like a hernia to me.

I've been stuck at a 50 lb wt loss from my highest weight, (30 lbs since surgery) for two weeks, but am obviously shrinking. Two weeks ago I tried on some new jeans but could not fit into a smaller size...today, I tried again and have jumped down two sizes. That does not seem possible...maybe it's the brand or something, but what ever, I bought some! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: The moral of the story is, don't worry about stalls...things are still moving along as long as we keep to the program!!!

Dr Aceves recommended 3 months at least. I guess every surgeon has his/her own theory about it.

I agree, military wives are as strong as their husbands, and they fight a different battle entirely. Thank you for your service to our country! You are doing great and from the way you are starting out, it's clear that you will be very successful with your weight loss!

The ability to eat only a few bites does not last forever. From what I read (I'm not there yet), after about 6 months the stomach is able to accept a larger portion of food and most sleevers eat about 1200 calories a day which is a "normal" amount. So that's why they say to take advantage of the first 6 months post op, when the restriction helps you lose most of the weight faster. I was a volume eater at times, and could eat 2 or 3 times that many calories and I never want to go back there!

My previous post in response to this topic was not meant to imply, nor did it state, that any one particular surgeon is unethical, unskilled, or "in it for the money". It was a general statement, and that is all.

Wow Bob, you are AWESOME! Congrats.

I sometimes blend a few chunks of papaya in my protein shake, especially if my new tummy is bothering me. Am also taking nexium since the surgery, for at least 3 months.

Hi Megan, I like the Jay Robb Whey chocolate proteinpowder, 1 scoop in 8 ounces Lactaid milk, with a splash of banana extract added. 33 gms Protein per serving.

Most of the protein drinks taste horrible or leave a bad aftertaste. But I did find one that I like. Jay Robb whey chocolate Protein powder, one packet or scoop in 8 ounces of lactaid milk, and I add a splash of banana extract. It tastes just like a chocolate shake to me. GNC carries it. 33 gms protein per shake when mixed with the milk.

After any surgery one of the side effects is the bowel kind of shuts down temporarily. Before they will discharge a patient, surgeons usually want to know that it has "reawakened" and passing gas is the sign it is waking up. So the always ask about that. I had a problem too like many others, with thinking it was a fart on the way out, but it ended up being purple peacock diarrhea. Thankfully this happened after I was at home, and not in the airport or on the airplane. That would have been very embarrassing not to mention messy. So a word to the wise...beware of "fake farts" after surgery! Be prepared!

We are all cheering for you!!!!!! Keep in touch!

You and Newmom are doing so great, congratulations on joining the sleeve sisterhood! My Vitamins tasted so nasty post op, crushed up, that I stopped taking them and just took my blood pressure and thyroid pills, ( the most essential) which were very tiny, and not so bad crushed. After I started mushies I took the vitamins, broken into small pieces and that did not taste so bad. I also got a sublingual B12, and liquid D3 to take for the first month. Those were easy and palatable. Things gradually get better and better, with an occasional back step here and there. When I'd have a bad day, or vomit because I ate too close to bedtime or something, I'd just go back to Protein shakes for a day and let my tummy rest. Things would then move forward. Just keep tuned in to what your new tummy says, and you will do great.

I take no offense at your post, and am just so very sorry that all this has happened to your mother, and your family. What a tragedy. It is so good of you to post this, and I sincerely hope that it will help many other potential sleeve patients to follow ALL of the surgeon's preop AND post op instructions, and not ask for surgery unless they are ready and able to do comply. ALSO, I hope your post will somehow get to surgeons, so they are aware of the urgent need to assess their patients carefully preoperatively, and not operate if the patient is not a good candidate. I know that my surgeon, Dr Aceves, has turned a patient away who presented for surgery, without meeting all of his specifications. This kind of practice shows his expertise AND that he follows appropriate standards of surgical practice. He's not "in it for the money", or just to make patients happy...he wants to perform successful surgery. There are many surgeons who are highly skilled and ethical like this, and there are many who are not. It's up to the consumer to do their homework ahead of time and know how to choose a qualified surgeon. Again, I am so sorry for what you are going through. Thank you for sharing.

Hi Angel, Yes, it is so normal to cry over losing a relationship with food that you've (we've) had for many, many years. After you are feeling better, and see that your new relationship with food feels just fine, and in fact feels even better, you will be so glad you did this. It just takes time to adjust though. And for now, you are having the discomforts that go with being newly sleeved, so grieve as much as you need to! We are here to help and if you have any questions or worries, just talk to us on this forum. We'll try to help. It's been two months since I was sleeved, and I am just now beginning to feel "normal". I was able to fix a small plate with small portions of what ever I wanted at our thanksgiving dinner at work. I only ate a few bites and was full....but I got a taste of turkey, cornbread dressing, and pecan pie. I did not stuff myself...just tasted and ate more turkey than anything to try to get in my Protein...it felt so good to be able to share the holiday with my friends. You will be better soon. Take heart! Take it slow so you protect your new sleeve...soon you will be feeling better.

AWESOME news. Congrats! It will be here before you know it. You will truly have a HAPPY NEW Year!

I showered the day after surgery. Tub baths or any hot tub, swimming, etc, was not allowed until all incisions were well healed...about a month I think was what I was told. Otherwise, you could get an infection in the incisions.

When I am carrying in groceries that are heavy, I think about how I have lost about 4 times that weight since August...and can't imagine how I carried all that weight!

It will get better. One advantage of the situation is when you feel you are getting constipated, you can just correct it easily with food having a little fat in it! I used that to my advantage over the past 10 years!

Yes, it sure is!

Dalite, You have had a lot of major changes in your life, and another one is approaching...it is normal to have emotional ups and downs when going through such changes. Be patient with yourself. Feel what you feel, then move on one step at a time. You will get through this! And you will be glad you did when the pounds start falling off.

Janette, I have not had any experience with drains/TPN after getting home, so I can't be much help on that. But I certainly will keep you in my prayers that you will be comforted by your own inner courage which I'm sure is in there somewhere even when you don't feel it. And it sounds like your son and husband sure are comforting. I don't know what I would do in your shoes, having no children or significant other...guess I'd be in a nursing home unless I was strong enough to take care of myself. Tiffany had sort of a similar course post op as you, and her husband was deployed at the time. She has a son too...am sure she can relate to your situation. Know that many are behind you in support...

Thanks Tiff. Happy Thanksgiving to you too. It's great to have you as an inspiring friend.

DITTO everything Vegas Angel said. You are just having a little slump day. It will pass. Did you take any "before" measurements and photos? Maybe posting them on your refrigerator will help you. YOU may not be seeing a difference, but I'll bet that other people are. You can't lose 65 lbs and not have it show. But even if it did not show, you can't argue with the scale. It is working. Keep working it!!! CONGRATULATIONS!

Caution...TMI for some... It was more painful that VSG surgery for me too. I had mine about 10 years ago, and it was a lap surgery...but I do remember walking bent over, and being sore for a couple of weeks after the cholycystectomy. I also had diarrhea when I ate any fats, for quite some time after the choly. Over the years, I have noticed it less often as time went on, unless I really overindulged. Now since I have had my VSG, I have NOT had ANY of the diarrhea after eating fats, like I had before the surgery. In fact I tend to be constipated, maybe because of the other dietary changes (hi Protein, little carbs/veggies/fruits). Once I am past 6 months post-vsg, and am eating more veggies and fruits, maybe my bowel habits will change again. I don't like this constipation one bit. Am getting hemorrhoids. Even with taking miralax and keeping my stools soft.