PdxMan

I did ask the surgeon to bring it in after, but he said he couldn't do it. Had to be sent off to pathology.

My insurance also has a WLS exclusion, so I went to Dr Thomas Umbach in Las Vegas. Paid $10,400 and everything was great. I used miles for the flight and stayed at the Golden Nugget ($40 a night), rented a car for 4 days ($100) and my wife and I turned it into a little "vacation". And we stayed in America, which made my wife (and myself) a little more comfortable. If I had complications a week or so after surgery, how would my current insurance react to a procedure done in another country? Didn't want to take that risk. I would highly recommend him.

Hey Sunny, Pre-surgery, I was fine with the Protein powders, but afterwards, NO WAY! I couldn't stomach them. My NUT suggested Premier brand from costco. Way mellow on the tummy and 30 grams of protein. I've been drinking them ever since and no problems at all. I see you have several Costcos all over your neighborhood, so I think it would be worth a try. I know your directions say it's OK for juices, but just be sure they are not from concentrate and are all juice. They really can be super high in carbs.

Skyblew, just curious ... who was your Dr? 4 weeks and recommending eating anything sounds a little aggressive to me. I was still eating blended foods til week 6 as it didn't feel good to eat anything else. I think your body may be telling you the same thing. Slow it down, you'll get there.

I am just over 7 weeks out. For me, the first 6 weeks was the hardest as I too, watched people eat and it made me sad. I didn't want to over-eat, I just wanted something to crunch. But, yes, I started eating solids and I feel like I am on the other side of the slope now. I had two bites of BBQ chicken pizza a couple days ago and it was fantastic! Felt great afterwards, too, so I know there is a light there. I have lost a huge amount of weight in such a short amount of time. I am so happy I got the sleeve. Two bites of pizza and I was full. Amazing. It is hard to believe sometimes, I know, but it does get easier.

Ah, the after taste. Yes. For me, was convinced it was ketosis. Acetone is in your mouth and it makes everything taste funky. Terrible, actually. I talked to my NUT and she suggested I increase my good carbs, so I started eating cooked veggies. This will knock you out of ketosis. I was only consuming 10-20 grams a day before, but now am up around 40-60. It has made a difference in my energy level as well.

I am exactly 7 weeks out today. I can eat just a little of anything, though I have not tried bread\pasta, yet. I pretty much stay close to hearty soups though, because the vegetables and meat are soft. I get protein, good carbs and liquids in one meal. What's not to love about that!

My Dr also said it is possible to stretch it, but not very likely. I asked him about shrinking it back if it were to stretch and he said that shrinking it was not possible. You cannot shrink your sleeve whether stretched or not.

Mine has always been around 40 - 47 ... pre and post surgery. When I was waiting to go in for surgery and they checked my vitals, the nurse asked if I was actually alive. I assured her I was. Edit: Just checked ... 42 right now.

MeMe, I had the same thing. I am convinced it was ketosis. I have read a few articles supporting this. I hated eating anything because after about 15 chews, it tasted like $4!+. I talked to my NUT about this and she agreed it could very well be ketosis and encouraged me to increase my carbs to get out of the ketosis state. I did this by eating lentil, ham, veggie Soup pureed. It went down nicely and after about 4 days, I don't have that taste in my mouth anymore. I used to be on PPIs, but I had a hiatal hernia repaired during surgery and haven't had acid issues since.

I lived on lentil/ham Soup (pureed) - Cooked veggies inside chicken soup (pureed) - Cooked veggies inside Cottage cheese Jello Tillapia Mashed potatoes did not sit well for me. Tried my first shrimp on my 6 week surgiversary. It was good, ate just one big one.

When were you sleeved? Is it all foods (note liquids OK)? Could it be a lactose thing? Something else? Limit the combinations of foods and try to determine if it is something in particular. I am just starting solids, so, for me, everything is a bit *weird*, but I attribute that to the fact my stomach hasn't had anything solid in it for over 2 months (pre-op diet, too). But I think things are getting better.

I was on a two week liquids/lean and green diet. I had a Protein shake for breakfast/lunch, then a salad for dinner with chicken, shrimp or pork. Large salads with lots of other stuff, too. Artichoke hearts, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli ... everything. Large restuarant size. Lost 10 pounds and the Dr said my liver looked great and was easy to work with. BTW, I did not eat anything the day before surgery as I didn't want to be sitting in the bathroom a couple hours after surgery ... if you know what I mean.

Everyone is different, but for me, it was about 10 days. I kept neosporin and bandaids on them at night when I slept and took them off before my shower.

Ah, yes, I forgot ... my Dr told me to walk every half an hour to avoid blood clots, so I just strolled up and down the aisles. Be sure to tell the flight attendants and be sure to time it around the drink carts.

Without a doubt, talk to your surgeon. I was told to do what feels right. For me, I had been going to the gym religiously before my surgery and was able to to half an hour on the elliptical no problem. My endurance was great, which I believe translates into a faster recovery. I was back at the gym 4 days after my surgery and was doing half an hour on the elliptical. It felt great, but that was me. I did what my body felt it could do and no more. Be sure to hit the driving range beforehand to get warmed up. If something doesn't feel right, just ride in the cart and participate in the putting. Have fun!

You'll be able to play, no problem. But I have to ask, what is the nature of the tournament? 3 days, 18 holes each day with walking, no carts? Will you have to carry your bag? Or, is it a Saturday afternoon charity 4 person scramble with carts and beer wenches running around the course supplying you with all sorts of good stuff? If it is the first, don't expect to play competitively, but if it is the second, you'll have a no problem. Just take lots of liquids before and with you on the course. Be sure to have most of your Protein in you before as well.

I had my surgery on Friday and flew home Monday. 2.5 hour flight. No problems. I took a dose of pain meds before I got to the airport just to be sure. Just make sure you buy a bottle of water once you get past security. Remember you can't take it through security. Also, if you have the liquid loritab, you must declare it as soon as you drop your carry-ons for the scan.

I also agree with what Kelly is saying ... but I think the timing is what is important here. We are not talking about day to day life. This is post op. Kelly is 3 months out. My wife wasn't allowed to leave the hospital after her c-section until she had a BM, which is a very common practice after general anesthetic. The OP was taking in fluids for 2 weeks before surgery, as was I. I remember how my first BM was after my sleeve surgery, which was 5 days and with MOM. I thought I was going to have an aneurism. Not kidding. And I didn't eat a thing the day before my surgery and drank a TON of liquids. I took some more and everything balanced out. Abusing anything will bring problems, including laxatives. Don't freak the OP out. You can take a dose of MOM and see what happens. I'm guessing the chances of you becoming a MOM junkie are pretty slim. I know I made it through. No reason to suffer.

I would just take it when you get it. I was the exact same as you. 2 week pre-op ... I didn't put anything but water in me the day before to ensure I was cleared out. I was. Even being on just liquids now, your body is still extracting the nutrients out leaving solids in your tract. The longer it stays in there, the more moisture is removed and the harder it will get. Do yourself a favor. Just take some. It won't hurt you. BTW, your whole digestive system is a little confused right now. It is going to fluctuate between constipation and explosive diarhea. MOM balanced things out for me.

Yes, you don't want to take it, then jump on a plane, bus, boat ... you want to have a plan, for sure.

I talked to my NUT yesterday about this. She said I needed to get more carbs in my diet by way of fruits and cooked veggies. Since you are two weeks out and probably in the mushy phase, try eating yogurt and blending cooked carrots into whatever you are mushing up.

Had the same thing here. Milk of Magnesia was (and sometimes still is) my friend. Got things moving right along. Trust in MOM.