cajun

Sometimes after a bad bout of reflux it is helpful to back up and do clear liquids for a day or so to give the esophagus and sleeve a rest. The reflux puts acid in places where it is not supposed to be, so you get some reactive swelling. Treat it nice and it will heal!

I had laparascopic gallbladder surgery in the past, and this was WAY easier than that. Much less pain. Even in the hospital, I only had pain once in a while, like a spasm in my esophagus. If I tried to sleep on my side, the little incisions bothered me...not a lot but enough to keep me on my back but this resolved after one week. I have not needed any pain medicine at all since I got home from the surgery. I did not take much in the hospital either. For me, it was amazingly easy. Everyone is different.

The small incisions from the surgery seemed to hurt when I tried to sleep on my side. Not a lot, but just enough to aggravate me. But now that I am 1 week post-op, I can sleep on my sides.

Lan2K I had the same thing happen to me the first night home. It is no fun. I received some advice right away from Dr Aceves' office, and it was helpful. I was already taking nexium, and sleep on a wedge pillow but still woke up with a mouth full of Isopure (nasty stuff and that may have been the whole problem for me). I had taken some Isopure 2-3 hours before going to bed that first night I got home from Mexicali. Now I am very careful to avoid it, only take broth or sobe lifewater in the evening so my tummy is "happy" and wait 4 hours after drinking before Iie down. That seems to have stopped it...no more reflux.

Hi Amanda. You are smart to do your research before deciding...there are safe and not so safe places and surgeons. One post on this forum helped me a lot in doing my own research before I decided. It was entitled "researching Mexican sleeve surgeons". If you enter that phrase in the search engine at the top you will find it. I read hundreds of posts on this site, and the Obesity Help site, as well as many medical journal research articles. I watched videos of the surgery on You Tube and viewed testimonials at that site also. You can also look at the section on bariatric physicians on the OH site, to see how many VSG's they have performed. Research that I read gave statistics that supported the fact that once they have done over 300, their complication rate drops significantly because they have seen just about everything and know how to manage it. Cost is always an issue but don't let that be your main deciding factor. Safety comes first. I had learned all that I needed to know and was comfortable with my choice BEFORE I called the surgeon's office to inquire about the surgery. I did not want anyone just talking me into using their services. It had to me MY decision. I am so glad I did. I had my VSG 1 week ago by Dr Alberto Aceves in Mexicali, Mexico and I would do it again in a heartbeat. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Some foods take longer than 45 minutes to clear the stomach, particularly fats. A lot of meats and some seafoods contain a lot of fat. I'm not into "real" food yet since I'm just 1 wk post op, but I think I'll be waiting 1 1/2 hours after eating before I drink. Just don't want to risk the vomits.

AttitudeFree: One suggestion would be to prepare yourself some home made chicken broth Soup and have that as your meal while you socialize with your family. Here's the recipe I use which I got from Gaby at Dr Aceves's office. ( I added a few spices of my own). Cut up a chicken, boil for about 2 hours. Then add 1 cup of chopped carrots, 1 cup of chopped onions, 1 cup of chopped celery, 1 cup of chopped tomatoes, 1/2 cup of finely chopped cilantro, 1 tsp of ground cumin, 1 tsp of red curry powder (not hot kind), sea salt to taste. Simmer for 1 hour. Let cool, then strain the liquid out with a very fine strainer to remove all particles. Refrigerate this broth overnight then skim all the fat off after it has solidified on top. Voila, great broth. You can freeze it in ice cube trays or other containers. If you leave fat in it you may have diarrhea. Debone the chicken completely once it is cooled, and place the meat and all the cooked veggies in a blender. Add a small amount of the broth and you can make a delicious, high Protein Mushy (or soupy) meal, depending on how much liquid you add. Be sure you remove ALL of the tiny bones...I used gloves to remove all the bones I could feel by mushing it up in my hands, and then used a larger hole strainer to be double sure there were no bones to get caught in my new sleeve. Freeze it if you are not ready for mushies yet.

Another reason to not drink with meals is it causes the stomach contents to swell a bit and if you get too much swelling on a new sleeve you could cause a leak, or cause vomiting and retching, which could cause a leak. No liquids until way after meals...I'd think 2 hours but I don't know what your doctor recommends.

YIPPPEEE! Can't wait to hear his reaction to the new you!:001_wub:

Clarification That wt loss includes 17 lbs pre-op liver shrinking wt loss! I'd probably be horizontal if I had lost that much in 7 days!

1 week post op and I finally can sleep on my side! Feeling good and almost at 30 lbs loss already!

Yep, I'm a walmart gal myself!

thanks for the heads up, Susan.

...yes, or we would get an obstruction. It's "just right", this little sleeve of ours!

But then he takes up some of the slack when he does the oversewing, so you end up with about a 32.

Good for you! I am doing well this evening. Had some lower GI problem still today but hopefully that is all done.

That's what I was thinking. Thanks.

So how did your sleeve like the cottage cheese lan2K?

I just got back from Walmart where I went to get fixins for some more chicken broth. Just walking into the place near the Subway Sandwich shop and the Deli made me so HEAD hungry!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the aroma of fresh baked bread, etc, etc, etc...you get the picture. I reflected on what my sleeve was feeling, and it was not the usual churning hunger that I would feel when going in there before a meal...but the aromas were so fabulous... It is a good thing that this sleeve is such a restrictive tool...at this point I could not have "cheated" if I'd wanted to, because it could cause a leak and threaten my life...knowing that helped me focus more on the 25 lbs I've lost so far, and the future weight that I am going to see leave these bones. I made a mental note to avoid going through that entrance from now on, and probably better to go in the evening when they are not cooking all that aromatic stuff. Gotta protect this sleeve! Clears for me, for one more week!

Any advice on safely increasing the amount of Fluid intake? I am 6 days post op and find that I can swallow more than just a tiny sip at a time. I don't want to overload the sleeve, but am wondering if this progress is an indication that most people are able to drink 6 or so ounces per hour safely at about one week post op. Anyone know? Thanks for feedback.

Good for you and your wife, Rick! I have heard lots of good things about Dr. Almanza but have no personal expreience with him since Dr Aceves did my sleeve. I was skeptical at the very beginning about going to Mexico for the surgery but once I did a LOT of research, I became more and more confident. It was the best decision I ever made. Not easy...there are rough days and you will have them too...but once you start seeing the pounds drop off, it is so motivating to follow the doctor's regimen exactly, and lose as much as you can. It comes off fast at first then slows down to a steady pace. I am so happy for you both.

You are so right. I finally found a way to get in some Protein. Could not tolerate the Isopure clear and can't find the plain

Ky hen, you leave tomorrow for Mexicali? Best of luck to you.

The organizational expertise of the staff was very comforting. When I notified the coordinator that my connecting flight was missed due to weather, Monica immediately rearranged my hotel stay, ride to Mexicali, preop labs and surgical time so that I knew everything would be fine once I arrived . What a MAJOR relief that was! When I first arrived in my room, Dr Aceves brought all the other pre-op gals in for a group session, and he gave us a lot of information and recommendations on how to make this a successful journey toward healthier living. His kindness, willingness to listen/answer questions, and obvious commitment to help us be successful was so very comforting from the very start. He loves his life work and it was so obvious. After surgery, the frequent visits by Dr Aceves and Dr Campos and their prompt attention to all of my concerns was so very reassuring. There was NO delay when I needed pain control, and it was offered even more than I needed it. Having other sleeve sisters there to visit and help each other out was also very, very comforting.

Yep, your message is on the forum. We are all cheering for you, and I know you will do great. I had my VSG done there 6 days ago and am feeling great! Best of luck to you, and keep us updated on your progress!