Hopeful Spirit

Go to the emergency room of a hospital and get it checked out NOW. They can tell you if you had a stroke and they have meds that can help a lot if they get to you quickly. Please don't delay. I am very serious. I truly hope this isn't anything serious, but it definitely could be, and I am only being a little tough because I care, Good luck, Phyllis, aka Hopeful Spirit

Hi Sandy and congratulations to getting to the other side. There will be a lot of "pains" which may seem like hunger, and may or may not be, but you can always have your Protein drinks, sipping very slowly, and that will help. DON'T eat anything now! Take your time and don't do anything crazy. You WILL LOSE WEIGHT, but it is a little disappointing sometimes after you return from the hospital and the scale doesn't seem to be moving. It is because they fill you up to the brim with fluids in the hospital and it takes a little while for you to lose that extra Fluid weight. I was weighed at 298 a couple of days before I went into the hospital for surgery, and when I came home, 2 days after surgery, I weighed 295. I was disappointed. Only THREE pounds after all of this with litterally NO eating for several days!! But I read this forum and learned about the "hospital fluid thing" and found out that people GAINED weight in the hospital. I was also supported by forum friends. Then, after a few more days the weight started to FLY off. For a few days, I was losing 3 pounds a day, then 2 pounds a day, etc. and now, after 19 days post surgery, I am at 269 which is 29 pounds lost since surgery. So, hang in there. Drink those Protein shakes -- the protein will definitely help with the hunger if you really are hungry, sip really slowly and I promise you the WEIGHT WILL COME OFF. Your Boston friend, Phyllis, aka, Hopeful Spirit

Hi Hibblesmom! Oh, yes, I have had experience with lactose intollerance. Didn't have it before surgery -- never had it in my life -- but after surgery (2 weeks ago today -- I had diarrhea every day. So Hello Lactose Intollerance. I changed to Silk Soymilk (vanilla flavored) or Whole Foods Lite Soymilk or Lactaide for the milk part of the Protein shake and whey Protein ISOLATE (purchased at Whole Foods) for the protein powder. That particular Whey Protein Isolate is 99.9% Lactose Free. The key word is "Isolate". Unfortunately it is more expensive that Whey Protein by itself, but I needed to buy it. Also, I had to give up Greek yogurt and go to Soy yogurt, which I don't really care for, except the Silk Brand. Remember that most yogurt is made out of milk products and has lactose. By using the lactose free products, I seem to have stopped the diarrhea which is a good thing. The Lactaid "milk" isn't bad. I haven't tried the lactose "pills" you can take before you drink products with lactose in thiem, but I think I will buy some today. Our guidelines here in Boston at Mass General Hospital is less than 25g sugar per serving, and no more than 25g protein per serving. But I have learned from this forum that each hospital and program are different. As for the "Clear Liquids" we can use Water. Propel Vitamin Water, Fruit 2O, V8 juice, bouillion. Good luck! Phyllis, aka Hopeful Spirit

Hi Sandy, my Sommerville friend! I will be thinking of you tomorrow morning. I also had the first surgery, early in the morning and even though I didn't like getting up at 4 am to get to the hospital at 6 am, I was really to get it over with early rather than later. That way you are in your room by early afternoon. Sorry to hear that you have to spend your "clear liquid day" collecting candy with your son, but it is what it is. Just keep that Water bottle at your side at all times and keep sipping. I found that I drank a lot of fruit2O and Propel flavored water on my "liquid day". The artificial sweetness helped. This is interesting because now, after surgery, I don't care for it, and much prefer unsweetenend beverages. Keep your eye on the prize (!!) and all good luck for a smooth recovery. Let's get together when you are up to it. I am only across the river! Phyllis, aka Hopeful Spirit

Gunning, 2005. Sorry to hear about the plumbing problem. If it isn't one thing it is another. If the collace doesn't work after 2 weeks, our program at MGH here in Boston suggests a little bit of Milk of Magnesia. That may do it. Keep up the good work!! Phyllis

Welcome home, JP! Sorry to hear about your rough start, but it will get better every day. All good hopes for a speedy recovery and lots of weight lost!! Phyllis, aka Hopeful Spirit

Hi Leah, my October 17 Sleeve Sister!! Sounds like your post surgery experience was very difficult which I am really sorry to hear. But it also sounds like things are getting slightly better every day, which is good. Hold on to the thought of your progress, and also hold on to the support of your husband which sounds like it is good. You will make it through this. I can say a little bit about diarrhea since I have had it since I left the hospital on 10/19. It has really worn me out, and at first I thought it was normal -- you know liquids in and liquids out -- but I finally took this problem to my doctor. She thought it was lactose intollerance and told me that it was very common after all GI surgery. I was, indeed, using a lot of milk products for my liquid Protein, so I have had to change over to soy-based Protein powder and soy milk and Lactaid. Apparantly it takes about a week to improve, but I have noticed an improved difference. This doesn't happen after I take my medication like it happens to you, and if you only have it ast that time, and no other time, you may have a totally different situation from lactose intolerance. I just thought I would tell you my experience if it may help you. I have even more experience with anxiety than I do with diarrhea , and if medication helps, it is good. It doesn't mean you have to take it forever. You are going through a difficult time. Everyone responds to things differently. You had major surgery, and this is how you respond to your particular circumstances. That is totally okay. It also sounds like the medication is working in that you were able to leave your house for the first time since surgery and do the awsome motherly task of getting your son ready for Halloween!! Yippee!! And, by the way, you are doing much better than me in the exercise department!! 10 min at a time on the treadmill. I have to admit that I have trouble walking 10 min at a time. So hang in there. You should be losing some weight by now, aren't you? That should make you feel good!! All good things to come for you, my dear, Phyllis, aka Hopeful Spirit

Hi Bonnie! I have been thinking about you all week and am happy you are home and getting on with your recovery. I am so sorry to hear about the "extra procedures" during surgery which held up your recovery. Sounds like you had a rough start. But in one way, it may be better that they found the lesion on your liver and removed it so that there would be no chance that it would turn cancerous at a later time in life. And the repair of your hernia is a positive as well. My diet for three weeks is almost as restrictive as yours. I am totally on liquids -- clear (at least 24 oz) and protein-type liquids (at least 24 oz) like Protein shakes, yogurt, diet pudding made with skim milk, soy milk -- for 2 1/2 weeks before I get the mushy diet. I have to admit I am getting sick of Protein drinks, and the work of it for me is that I have developed lactose intollerance so everything is now soy or vegetable based. But I like soy milk and found a soy based Protein powder, so I am doing that now. Hang in there and may your journey get easier every day. Love from Phyllis, aka Hopeful Spirit

Hi Sandy. Just want to wish you lots of luck for a smooth surgery and quick recovery. You should be getting a little nervous now with surgery only a couple of days to go, but remember that positive thoughts help to have a positive outcome. The first day or two may be a little unpleasant, but the best part is that you will be over the worst part of this journey. It will get better every day after that. Let us know how you are doing and best wishes! Phyllis (from Allston, MA) aka, Hopeful Spirit

Hi Everyone! I have been using and enjoying the forums on VST but only just today found this "Boston Area Site". Great! I am from Boston (Allson neighborhood) and had my Surgery on October 17 at Mass General Hospital. They have a great program and have done a fair amount of Sleeves. My surgeon, Dr. Mathew Hutter, told me he had done 20 before me and others in the MGH Program had done as many or more. 20 seemed low to me, but he was a very well respected Gastrointestinal Surgeon at MGH and had done hundreds of BiPass surgeries as well as other GI surgeries involving cancer, etc., so I trusted him. And he was WONDERFUL. I couldn't have been happier. I had absolutely no complications and I am 66 years old. Mass General was the only hospital I could find in the area that took people over 65 for this surgery. The hospital care was great and the pre-surgery and post-surgery nutritional guidance and psychological care are also excellent. The only problem is that the non-insurance out of pocket costs are higher than most of the hospitals in the area. It costs $1,045 paid in two payments before surgery for the educational and support part of the MGH Weight Center program, but the support is excellent and the program is life-time support. Another issue is that it usually takes a long time to get an appointnment since they are very busy. But most of the people I have talked to say that it was worth it. If you all still want to have a "Regional Meeting" we can meet at my house if you would like, or maybe I can find some space at one of the local universities. Let me know what you think. Phyllis, aka Hopeful Spirit

CONGRATS on your Sleeve. "Get in my Belly" was updating the Roster and I don't know how to do it. Since GIMB is in surgery today, be may have to wait until someone else puts you on the roster or until BIMB returns. I just want to make sure to welcome you. How are you doing? Phyllis, AKA Hopeful Spirit

ALL GOOD WISHES and HOPE for a SPEEDY RECOVERY!! Go get um!! It looks like you will soon be getting the Sleeve "In your Belly"!! Phyllis

Thank you SO much for the info on unjury and the "tip" aobut BiPro. I will definitely look it up. I was sleeved on October 17, so we are almost "Sleeve Sisters." I agree wiht you that tastebudfs do seem different. The bummer is that I developed lactose intollerance after this surgery, AND I am getting really sick of Protein shakes with soy milk, so I am looking for a new liquid way to get my protein. My program doesn't have me starting solid food until next week. Thanks again, and good luck on your journey! Phyllis

First and Foremost, CONGRATULATIONS on getting sleeved!! Thanks for the info. Best if luck for a smooth recovery and good luck with getting the liquids down. Phyllis, aka Hopeful Spirit

Hi. I am looking for a truly unflavored, unflavored Protein powder and saw your post. What did you think of the unjury unflavored protein powder. Can you taste it? Does it have a bad smell? Thanks so much! Phyllis, AKA Hopeful Spirit

Wow, what a story!! You must have enormous strength to endure all those hoops that you had to jump through. Never heard of anything like what that first surgeon of yours was requiring. He should be reported to someone (as if that were ever possible. So glad you finally found someone to work with you and help you start your journey to a new life. I was also sleaved on Oct 17 and very happy I did it.. How are you doing now? Managing the liquids okay? Out of the "pain zone"? All the best to you. You deserve it!!!! Phyllis, AKA Hopeful Spirit

Great news, Ren!!! Somehow I didn't know you had a drain. So soon you will be totally free. Sounds like you are progressing so well. Makes me very happy to hear that! All good things to you, my friend!!!

Hi Really Rosy: Just thought I would add to the "Chorus of 60's gals" to help you through this. I, like azsenior, am 66 years old and surgery went without a hitch. Yes, there was anxiety before and a million questions, and yes, there was a fair amount of pain the first couple of days after surgery, and yes, I did find myself (only) once questioning myself on what a ridiculous thing I was doing to myself!! BUT I am absolutely, positively sure it was the right thing to do for me. Like many others our age, we have been dieting most of our lives -- which are a lot of years!! I finally came to the conclusion after trying EVERYTHING (and I mean EVERYTHING) that I iwasn't capable of losing weight and keeping it off on my own. Then I started thinking of my 25 or 30 years left to live, and decided without much trouble at all that I simply do not want to live the rest of my life like this. I don't want to purchase 2 airline seats to travel anywhere, and I want to be able to fit in a movie seat and move around. The moving around was getting more and more difficult. So decision made and now I feel like I have a new lease on life. As far as your nerves are concerned, they nerves will happen. That is natural. You have made your decision and we all went through it with good results and a new outlook on life and you can too. Good luck to you. Phyllis, aka Hopeful Spirit

Gool luck to you tomorrow. Let us know how you are doing as soon asyou feel strong enough. Phyllis, Hopeful Spirit

Hi! Well, I am 66 and just had my surgery last Monday, 10/17. And YES, I was nervous and apprehensive, but I have this theory that positive thoughts bring a more positive outcome, you know like the self-fulfilling prophecy, only on the good side. So through my fears, I managed to visualize a successful surgery without complications, and pretty much, that is what I got. Right now, I am experiencing some pain which may be a complication, but I will deal with my anxiety about that the same way. Also, it is good that you are on this forum because there is a wealth of experience and support here. So joint the November 2011 people going through the same experience that you are going through and see how much better that makes you feel. I am way too old to have much experience at this "forum stuff", but I have found the support and information to be invaluable. I even connect with 20 year-olds, and feel I have a lot to offer them from a slightly different perspective. So Yippee that you are doing this. Keep in touch, Phyllis, aka Hopeful Spirit

Welcome to the Losers Bench! And glad your surgery went smoothly. I also was sleeved on Oct 17 up here in Boston at Mass General and had a "smooth" surgery which doesn't mean, of course, without pain. But, being 66 years old, I was happy to get through this without complications! Today I am slowly sipping and sipping. It is my first day of adding full liquids (such as Protein Power and skim milk) to my clear liquid diet. I am just on Breakfast, but at this rate, it will probably take me all day just to eat my meals! LOL Keep in touch and let us know how you are progressing. Phyllis, aka Hopeful Spirit

Great to hear you were home so quickly! Great to hear your surgery went well. All the best, Phyllis