1-4-Many

I was sleeved last Wednesday. I'm doing fine with Water which is great. I was very concerned water would not settle well in my stomach and I love water. Otherwise, it's slow going. I can take very little in other than water. I've read posts where people are almost back to eating at this point and I find that amazing. So since I'm not really sure exactly how this might go, can you help me with your experience. As of today, my "full" feeling is more of a knot in my stomach than normal full. It's a very uncomfortable feeling and comes with the introduction of anything other than liquid of the consistency of water. Protein drinks, after just a few sips, make me feel that level of full. On the other hand, I have not been sick due to eating too much. I have had very little today and need to get two more "meals" in but it's not going to happen. In fact, I just hope this knot goes away by the time I go to bed. Is this knot I feel going to be permanent in terms of being my feeling of full? I really don't like it at all. I'm still getting very hungry. I will eat 2 tablespoons of milked down cream of wheat, get that "full" knot, and yet still be hungry. I just can't do anything about it. Did anyone else have hunger that disappeared later on? Frankly, if I get to the point that I can actually eat some food, this hunger won't bother me. But it's very frustrating to be hungry at the same time I'm physically on full. Thanks.

Can you go back to the full liquid diet for a while? I agree that the foods you are taking are a bit mature for your new stomach. I do not leave full liquid until 21 days after leaving the hospital. I don't think it could hurt you to step back for at least a week? What sort of instructions were you given regarding your progressions on food?

I really hope this works out for you. The only concern I have is that for the first 48 hours after my surgery it was my throat that gave me the most pain. My surgery was not a straight laproscopic one, but a partial open so I was under longer than most so the tube was down my throat longer, But my throat was absolutely raw after wards. BTW, when you asked them what their policy was for a standard cold, no flu, no fever, just a cold, did they answer before hearing your voice? Anyway, will be thinking of you. This is your basic rock/hard place situation.

I can't remember the last time I had meatloaf. But for some reason that's all I am craving. I was actually mad at myself for not fixing one before I started my pre-op diet. But since it's a once every 5 years thing for me, it would have never occurred to me to prioritize it....until I've done nothing but crave it. I'm sure it will pass. And if not, I'll go by a Meatloaf CD and see if I can make that work for me.

They put mine on me in pre-op. Having been through this, I'm not 100% sure what the concept is really since mine spent most of the time bagging around my knees. They told me to pull them up but they didn't stay up. I'd have never imagined it, but I think the ones they put on me were just too big. For the first few hours in my room they had those wraps on my lower legs that inflate and uninflate but that didn't last long either because they encourage you to get up and walk on your own as often as you can. Doing that when you are hooked up to the leg wraps tends to discourage just getting up and walking. I was told later that they were to have put them on me during my 4 hour rest at night (they skip one two hour walk so you can sleep some) but they never did. For the socks, I was told I could take them off when I dressed to go home and that home use was then optional. If mine had fit I probably would have used them for the next few days at least. I'm 99% certain all facilities will supply them to you.

Because I had a 2 for 1 (actually 3 for 1 but that's another story) surgery, I had to have one of those nasty rubber hose drains. I had to redress it each day and I was starting to get worried as it started looking awful, especially compared to the other 4 incisions. But I have no fever or nausea and am able to keep things down so I just decided to ride it out. So I had my follow up today and they thought the big incision looked great, so much so that they removed the drain, added a few new stitches, re-dressed the incision and sent me on my way. Sort of funny how something so gross to me made them smile. So if anyone else needs a drain (and you probably will if you have anything else done at the same time) don't worry about it. It was stapled and stitched in place but aside from a minor twinge or two, I would have never known what he was going when he was removing it. I was laying pretty flat on the table so the DD mountain range between him and me kept me from having to actually see what the was working on! Surgery one week ago today and feeling a bit stronger each day. Getting all hopeful that this wasn't a stupid bad decision after all.

My update: I was sleeved on 4/27. Horrible nausea post op. Left the hospital having had nothing but Water and a few tea spoons of broth. Thing are gradually getting better. Probably getting in about 300 calories per day. Missing by a mile on the Protein, but doing pretty well on staying hydrated. Weighed this morning and I am up 2 pounds from the scales Wednesday morning as I left for the hospital. That's not fun to see. I understand now how this plays with the brain. I mean, what??am I going to start gaining weight when I am able to take 500 calories in per day? They've told me that any sort of risk of a dangerous episode is pretty much over on day 21 so that's all I have my sights on now. As long as I know it's just a matter of accepting this was my decision and plugging away at it, I'll be fine. But right now, it's all feeling a bit futile. Or maybe my concerns are just the nausea talking. I hate being nauseous so it might just be that big mouth that's bugging me. -- A little side note: My BF drove me around a bit yesterday. We went to McDonalds so he could get some lunch. He kept asking if it was okay or if it would bother me. I told him it really didn't bother me at all. Well he's normally a really slow eater. Yesterday he ate like he was in one of those hot dog contests. I could tell he still felt really bad sitting and eating in front of me. But it really didn't bother me in the least. I do miss salty since all of these awful Protein drinks are so very sweet. But aside from wanting to lick one of his french fries, I was fine,

No problem with the peeing. But this has definitely shown me what a huge drinker I was pre-sleeve. I was constantly having to go. Now, even tho I am getting Fluid in pretty darned well, I feel like I never have to pee. But what you describe about yourself is what I expected for me, to feel and appear bloated. But I'm not at all. I can wear my rings fine, shoes are actually a bit loose. It's odd. But my follow up is tomorrow so I'll just see what he says. Who knows what my body is doing . I'm pretty sure parts of it think it's been tortured.

I would take a wire mesh strainer. In the event you stop somewhere that a creamed type soup is an option, having a strainer would make that a possible full liquid food choice for you. The soup must be strained to removed any pieces. Just ask for a second bowl and strain the soup over the bowl. If you are like me, it's not real relevant. I'm 1 week out from surgery and my lunch was 2 table spoons of thinned cream of wheat. And I was doing good to get that down. On full liquids I don't think you will have any fast food choices really. Even yogurt, at least according to my NUT, needs to be thinned with skim milk during the first 21 days. Good luck on your surgery and the trip.

I'm freezing. Absolutely freezing. I can't get warm. I definitely did this at the right time of the year for me. I have a strong suspicion this will be an air conditioning free summer for me. I knew this would happen but I wasn't expecting it in the first week. Brrrrrrrrrrrr

I would hate to have done this sick. But I asked as I often get colds when I dramatically change my diet. They said that if it was just a cold -- no infection, no fever -- and I was okay with having it, they would not cancel on me. (Which was sort of funny since they ultimately canceled on me twice for other reasons) Luckily you have some time so that if it is just a cold, you can recover. Unfortunately, if it's more, you might not be so lucky.

So exciting to go shopping in summer and not end the trip with my head soaked with sweat.

Way too sweet for me. And it does seem thick. This is a difficult window for those like me who do not like chocolate or sweet. I bought too many of these protein drinks thinking they would be just dandy for the next month. I was not prepared for the level of sweet. Uck. I'm just counting the days to mushy.

I've done quite a bit of research on issues like this because the discrepancies between programs drives me nuts. This is one that, based on what I learned about the digestive system, makes sense. For me personally I will still occasionally chew a piece of gum if I want it but I do not want it to become a major habit. The following link gives a fantastic explanation of the stomach's digestion process by a poster named Firehorse. When you chew, you start the ball rolling on the creation of acid. I don't want that to happen as I do not want to create an environment for acid reflux. But I think that as long as you pay attention to your body's reaction and stop if it appears to bother you, it wouldn't be that dangerous. I have never, in my adult life, swallowed a piece of gum. But you can bet that if I ever will, it will happen now! http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/803844

I wanna know more about the soup. What is the brand? Sounds like something I'd like to add to my menu's as a part of my goal is to learn new foods and expand my sometimes limited foods. I'm 6 days out and barely able to process Water. I can get about 2 ounces of "food" down and then it sounds like my stomach is a boiler. Oh well, at least the puking has stopped. (Hunting that positive spin! Not easy to find when your head is in a bucket several times a day!)

Thanks all. I think it concerns me to be going to see the surgeon on Wednesday for my follow up and not have lost a single pound. And same thing here. I knew it would be difficult but I didn't know it would be so hard to drink liquid. Just Water seems to stay in my stomach forever and I had been told that it went through quickly which is why my program suggests you not drink after taking in any nutritious liquid, just as you will doing going forward on real food. So I'm surprised when I take a tiny sip of water and it sounds like a cauldron in my stomach........wondering why the heck is it all hanging around instead of just going on through. I feel like I am getting enough liquid but this experience tells me how much I drank before. I love water. And while it feels like I am drinking a lot now, I"m not compared to before. So I'm not going to the bathroom hardly any and that makes it seem as if I'm not getting enough water, even though I think I am.

I completely understand. For me, I decided to stop thinking about it. I actually had a calender and marked a day when I stopped stewing about whether or not I was going to have the surgery, but started thinking about how I would cope with having had the surgery. I started meditating, positive self talk and so on. I literally forced myself to accept that the decision had been made, as if I could not change my mind. I'm not saying that anyone else should try this, but it worked for me. You will always find people with regrets. You'll find those folks regarding other kinds of surgeries too. I know a man who had back surgery and really regrets it. But I also know a lot of people who are trilled with their back surgery results. You really can't measure your yes/no against another person's results. I had to smile at iegal's comment. During my pre-op diet days, drinking that lovely crud for the longest 9 days ever, I saw a commercial for Hometown Buffet. I've never eaten there before. I really regretted not doing that while I could have. Then I looked at their website and I saw where you can carry out a meal. And I realized I could carry out 1 meal and, what I would have normally eaten in 30 minutes in the restaurant, I could bring home and break out into 6 tiny meals over 2 days. I think that was the day and time when I knew I wasn't going to back out. I was actually looking forward to the idea of having what I want but just in smaller portions + a better life. Don't know any of this will help you. As said, it's your decision and yours alone whether it's with this date or a rescheduled date. Let us know your worries. Good luck!

When I first spoke with my surgeon I tried very hard to impress upon him that "success" is measured very differently by everyone. His program is driven toward the number on the scale. I told him twice, in a very clear and descriptive way, that if I had lost a ton of weight but was miserable -- weak, ill, life altered for the worst - - that I would not in any way consider it to be a success. This was one of the sticking points (fears) I had with him. He would absolutely make the same comment you made about "the success that you are having at the moment". I'm sorry, but this really hit me the wrong way. Yes, I know we all no longer want to be fat. But I hope most of us are here for an improvement to our health and that has to be hand in hand with the weight loss to have anything to celebrate. Just my opinion. Erin - so sorry your problems are continuing. Things will eventually get better but it stinks that you are having to take such a long way around the track. Not a lot I can offer except for you to know that I am thinking about you and wish nothing but better days ahead.

My place said it was all about the liver. You are not at an extremely high weight and have lost over recent time. Since your body is in a losing mode already, they may think you just won't need it. I'd actually ask if some have to do, some don't. It would concern me to use a surgeon who does not have anyone doing a pre-diet (everyone can't be "ready" without it) but I actually would applaud a doctor who applies common sense as to whether you personally need that diet. My place has a one size fits all mentality which has always sort of tickled me about this program. If there was ever a program that should realize one size does NOT fit all, it should be this one! Go on the safe side and eat very healthy in those last 4 or 5 days. I would suggest cutting out all bad carbs, as tempting as it might be to enjoy that last sweet thing. Enjoy the type of diet you'd expect to be eating once you are sleeved and back to a typical healthy diet.

So I was sleeved Wednesday. I had a "mass" in my lower right side that was found during all of the sleeve testing and I also had them remove my gall bladder. So my surgery was a bit more complicated and, man oh man, did they ever knock me out. I have 4 laproscopic incisions plus a 5 inch where they had to take the gall bladder out. It was so packed with stones they could not get it out the little holes. I was put under at noon and it was about 11 pm before I knew where I was and who I was. So even as of today I'm a little loopy. Two things I wish I'd have done: Bought an oversized bra. I can't put mine on, too tight and right at the tender area. Since I want to walk outside, it bothers me to just be flopping along. Secondly, I shouldn't have taken 90% of what I took and I didn't take much at all compared to some. I never even hardly opened the bag. Probably a little TMI so if you don't want the gory details, don't read on. Biggest point of the story is that if I had not had terrible post off sickness on Thursday it would not have been a horrible thing. But let me tell you, about the 5th time I had my head over a can (I was dry heaving so hard they got me larger bucket type item so I wouldn't 'spray' -- kind of a power wash type thing. I was starting to wonder if I'd lost my mind in thinking this was a tool to help improve my life. It may surprise you but power dry heaving can shake your resolve. The doc said a lot of it was due to my surgery being much longer than a typical sleeve so don't let it bother you. I think its much easier when just being sleeved. Aside from the nausea issue, my throat was very sore. My voice is still working on coming back. But that, along with the incision pain, are minimal compared to heaving up every drop I was trying to take in. So if the pain of the surgery is holding you back in any way, don't worry about it much. They stopped my pain med Thursday morning and I've taken none since. And each day I can tell it's getting much milder. I also have 2 drains. One small I removed today and one large the doctor will removed next Thursday. So I have cleaned myself, re-bandaged, removed a drain. My next step is to give myself a shot. If I can do that, I'm over the hump and it will just be a matter of healing. I feel like such a big girl! Oh, and he said was liver was great.

I have the kellogg's version in a couple of flavors. Considering I bought it at one of those stores that sells dying products, I'm guessing it wasn't a big hit. I almost gagged on the first I tried pre-surgery! It was an ice tea w/ lemon flavor. And ultra sweet. I don't like sweet and was hoping it would be an unsweet type tea. Not to be. Tomorrow I'm going to try unflavored Protein in brewed ice tea that I make. I've gotta find a way to get some more protein.

I'd call if it does not let up. I doubt it's serious. At least for me, the only real pain since leaving the hospital has been the hard coughs as a part of clearing my lungs. (They were a bit congested.) It might just be the result of so much coughing with getting a cold. I specifically asked my doctor if I should be concerned at all that coughing or sneezing could cause any harm and said no. With allergy season as I recover, I wanted to be sure. Your doctor and his staff work for you. It might be a 1 minute call that will let you stop being concerned.

Kelsey - I was the exact opposite story Even until 2 weeks before my surgery date I got one last call asking if I would go for the RNY instead. The thing was, my brother lived in Australia for a while and knew about the sleeve. As others said, it's not really "new" at all, it's only new in the sense of being covered by insurance and sort of proliferating to the US medical market. I wanted the sleeve. I waited my time out specifically because I wanted sleeved. So here's the only suggestion I have. Ask how much value it is for you to still have your stomach inside your body, cut away and non-functioning. The actual act of having it reattached and functioning again is --according to my surgeon -- more dangerous and there are few surgeons with experience. So if it becomes, especially after years, essentially ornamental, what does it accomplish. And dumping, according to my folks, frequently clears after 18 months, assuming you ever got that benefit to begin with. So you end up having to fight that little fight anyway. And many who have had RNY gain back. It's not magic either. I want you to get what's the best for you. It may be RNY or sleeve. You're doing exactly the right thing. Ask. Research. Decide. But yea for you!!! You're taking action. It's a little sideways right now, but you'll be great.

For the next 30 days you have full permission from the universe to be wasteful. If you, like I, are on full liquids you can use cream of chicken soup which you then strain with metal/wire strainer. Those bits and pieces are very dangerous at this window. The creamed soups will fill you a bit more so take them slow. (Any creamed soup, I like cream of mushroom myself. ) The brother of chicken noodle soup is much more tasty than plain broth but again, strain. Toss the noodles and bits of chicken. Very little likes me these days and I'm not even coming close to 60 grams of protein a day. But I'm getting all of my need fluid and working on the protein. I don't like sweets to begin with so the pre-mixed drinks do not agree with me either. I know it's going to be a long month before I get to mushies but it will be over before I know it. Until you get there, fear not to waste. You're setting some important ground work. Good Luck!!

Hi all - I am scheduled for surgery Wednesday and have been doing the liquid fast. This may sound odd to some but this is an experience I wish I had done 18 months ago when I was first considering having this surgery. Every now and then I will read where someone who is about 50 or 60 pounds overweight and wanting the sleeve as their solution. Well, to those folks I would make a suggestion that they consider doing a few days pre-diet fast as a first step in evaluating their need. First, with the exception of about 2 or 3 hours a day this has not been that bad. I've been amazed at how not horrible having something like 680 liquid calories per day has been. My difficult time is 4 to 6 p.m. Otherwise, I can't explain it, but it's a challenge but not horrible. Secondly, this has forced me to really examine how I use food. Because in those first 2 or 3 days I realized that my eating was a combination of habit and fighting boredom. For instance, lunch is a way to get away from my desk for 30 to 45 minutes and away from my job. I think I always thought I was hungry when a least some of the time it was only because it was on schedule at the time to eat. And because I spend a lot of time in meetings where you just can't suddenly break out a turkey sandwich, I would eat at noon when in reality, if I had waited, real hunger might not have come until 2 in the afternoon. And the longer you push out when you eat, the fewer calories you eat in that day. And in some way, maybe utilizing liquid, I could have managed that better. I learned I ate things I maybe didn't even really like that well. That will stop. If I only have space for a few bites, it will be of what I want. You know my "last meal" was ribs with mashed potatoes and the potatoes were cold. And bad. Even with it being my "last meal", I didn't send them back. That will change. Now that I'm one day away from surgery, it makes me mad at myself that I accepted crappy potatoes at a pricey restaurant. Another growing experience which has very little to do with food. (And I don't mean I will be rude, but something like that will go back in the future.) And mostly, I now know that if I had learned to use distraction it might have made a big difference in my life. This week I've had to do other things to distract myself and it worked. A lot of the times when I was hungry I would do something and 30 minutes later realize I wasn't all that hungry anymore. I've never been a hobby or craft type person. I am going to be investigating and finding something for going forward. There are a lot of other things I've discovered. And mostly, I really do wish I had tried this at the beginning of my process. It's taught me that much. I really think this will be helpful for someone who's 350 pounds, I don't think it will impact whether or not you should have the surgery. Those of us with serious weigh issue simply can't change our lives as soon as we need to with behavior only. But for people who are moderately overweight, I think this would be an excellent learning experience. It could change some patterns, help you realize what's really driving your reach for food and help you learn new food skills that could be applied to where you are not "dieting" but just learning what food really means to you in your life. For those 50 pounds overweight, even I believe there are some who can avoid this not so easy surgical step by examining your relationship with food maybe from a different view. And the clearest way I've ever done that is to do this fast. So before you self pay and sleeve, I just wanted to put the suggestion out there. And now I'm going to ask that you send positive energy to the fat woman in Ohio on the afternoon of 4/27. I am so concerned that I am going to wig out. Surgery makes me so nervous giving up all my control. But now that I've starved all these days, if I'm ever going to do it, it will be Wednesday. Good luck to you all in this struggle. I have high hopes that in 3 months time I will have finally won the war and not just the occasional short term battle.