dallasmom4

That's where I had my surgery. Is Dr. Nicholson your surgeon?

Male or female you are welcome! Halloween will be a great starting point and I'm sure your procedure will go well. I'm happy to say that I did not experience one negative side effect and that's pretty common. Where are you having your surgery?

Male or female you are welcome! Halloween will be a great starting point and I'm sure your procedure will go well. I'm happy to say that I did not experience one negative side effect and that's pretty common. Where are you having your surgery?

Congratulations, JM. What a great attitude. I hope my stall ends soon! This is a life-changing procedure

Congratulations, JM. What a great attitude. I hope my stall ends soon! This is a life-changing procedure

It sounds like you're doing quite well. I couldn't do the protein shakes, either, but my saving grace was Chobani brand Greek yogurt. Each small container provides 14g of protein. It takes me about 20-30 minutes to eat one but I try to get in 4 per day. I focus on other types of protein (cheese, salmon, tuna, beef) for other meals. I'm not eating raw fruits or vegetables yet--still on "mushy" foods.

I had a lower BMI and am also moving very slowly. I had surgery 6 weeks ago and have only lost 22lbs which fell off pretty quickly. For the past 3 weeks I seem to be in a stall. I'm also not obsessing about it because I can't imagine that with the small amount of food I'm eating I wouldn't lose weight. However, I need to increase my exercise and eat more regularly which would probably speed things up. My goal is to lose another 28lbs.

I was sleeved on September 6 in Dallas and have had no problems at all. I stayed in the hospital one night and required very little pain medication while there. I had no problem urinating or swallowing. Since I've been home I've not taken even one dose of the pain meds which surprised me but I have taken things slowly. I have gotten a lot of rest and my husband has been a saint....DISCLAIMER: I am past the age of having little kids to take care of which I know would be a game changer! I am on thin liquids for 3 weeks but I fill up very, very fast. Since I'm not a sweet eater the Protein shakes are pretty gaggy to me and I prefer chicken buillion and pureed homemade Soups. Luckily, I have a VitaMix which liquifies things very easily so they flow through a strainer. I also sip a little Bloody Mary mix in addition to my Water to keep my salt craving at bay. I have had no issues with constipation or nausea but I did begin experiencing the sharp "tearing/searing" pain in my left side about 10 days post surgery. This is due, of course, to the healing of the largest incision and will take about 3/4 weeks but it comes and goes and is not dibilitating. When it hits though it hurts like a SOB for a few seconds before it's gone. I find if I adjust my position it subsides. I also have been able to discontinue my medication for acid reflux. I believe the key is to follow what Dr. Nicholson outlined for me to the letter. It's pretty simple and I have to be patient. Prior to my surgery I read numerous positive posts that helped me understand what to expect and I really appreciate it. I have lost 15lbs in the 12days since my surgery with 32lbs to go. I am really grateful to have been able to have this surgery. Good luck to everyone!

The absence of the ghrelin hormone really is evident in the hunger factor. I find it hard to believe that I haven't had a bite of whole food in 13 days and am still sane.

I was sleeved on September 6 in Dallas and have had no problems at all. I stayed in the hospital one night and required very little pain medication while there. I had no problem urinating or swallowing. Since I've been home I've not taken even one dose of the pain meds which surprised me but I have taken things slowly. I have gotten a lot of rest and my husband has been a saint....DISCLAIMER: I am past the age of having little kids to take care of which I know would be a game changer! I am on thin liquids for 3 weeks but I fill up very, very fast. Since I'm not a sweet eater the Protein shakes are pretty gaggy to me and I prefer chicken buillion and pureed homemade Soups. Luckily, I have a VitaMix which liquifies things very easily so they flow through a strainer. I also sip a little Bloody Mary mix in addition to my Water to keep my salt craving at bay. I have had no issues with constipation or nausea but I did begin experiencing the sharp "tearing/searing" pain in my left side about 10 days post surgery. This is due, of course, to the healing of the largest incision and will take about 3/4 weeks but it comes and goes and is not dibilitating. When it hits though it hurts like a SOB for a few seconds before it's gone. I find if I adjust my position it subsides. I also have been able to discontinue my medication for acid reflux. I believe the key is to follow what Dr. Nicholson outlined for me to the letter. It's pretty simple and I have to be patient. Prior to my surgery I read numerous positive posts that helped me understand what to expect and I really appreciate it. I have lost 15lbs in the 12days since my surgery with 32lbs to go. I am really grateful to have been able to have this surgery. Good luck to everyone!

Jessica, Will you share your soup recipe? My husband and I love soup so that can "kill two birds". I am only one week out so it will be 2 weeks more before I am able to eat anything that doesn't go through a strainer.

Try bariatricadvantage.com. My doctor recommended I use their products for post-op diet and I ordered 30 days worth of Meal Replacement Protein Powder. I would be very surprised if they don't have what your looking for. Good luck and feel better.

Whew! So glad to hear you're cleared. A postponement was my dread, as well. When is your surgery?

I also received a call yesterday telling me my EKG was abnormal just five days before my scheduled 9/6 self-pay surgery in Dallas. I've never had an abnormal EKG so I was floored and made arrangements to have it re-done immediately...this time at a cardiologist's office. So glad I did because I just received a call a few minutes ago from the cardiologist and my EKG is fine. Appears the first reading was incorrect so I'm glad I had the test re-done. These tests are so often misinterpreted if not read by a specialist and jumping straight in to a battery of cardiac tests didn't seem plausible to me. I was able to get right in to my Mother's cardiologist so I didn't burn valuable time had I needed to go ahead with the full range of tests which they could also have done. Simply retaking the EKG was certainly the way to go. My surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday and I was not looking forward to postponing. Wheww. PS...I'm not a doctor but I recommend re-taking the 5 minute EKG anytime there is a question arising from only one prior test. My first test was done at Forest Park Surgical Center....was yours done there, as well?

I just received a call from the cardiologist and my EKG is fine! Appears the first reading was incorrect so I'm glad I had the EKG re-done at a cardiologist's office. These tests are so often misinterpreted if not read by a specialist and jumping straight in to a battery of cardiac tests didn't seem plausible to me. I was able to get right in to my Mother's cardiologist so I didn't burn valuable time had I needed to go ahead with the full range of tests. Simply retaking the EKG was certainly the way to go. My surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday and I was not looking forward to postponing. Wheww. PS...I'm not a doctor but I recommend re-taking the 5 minute EKG anytime there is a question arising from only one prior test.

I just came across your posting. How did your surgery go? It looks like we're about the same size and I am also using Dr Nicholson. Would love to hear how you're doing today.

I received a call yesterday telling me my EKG was abnormal just five days before my scheduled surgery in Dallas. I've never had an abnormal EKG so I was floored and made arrangements to have it re-done. I'm waiting to hear the results this morning...pretty nervous. Hopefully, it is a bad reading (which happens) or easily resolved. Good luck. I will be watching to see what happens with you.

I had the same fear. When I met with Dr Nicholson last week I told him I had 3 fears. 1) catching on fire on the table after seeing the GMA report 2) blod clots, and 3) a leak. He told me the ONLY thing (other than an incorrect surgical procedure) that can cause a leak is eating the wrong foods too soon. He said if patients follow the standard for recovery and eat just what they are supposed to there is no fear of a leak. He, of course, looked at me like I was a crazy person when he heard about the fire issue. The resident who is training with him started laughing and my husband, God love him, just shook his head. Whatever. I got my fears out on the table and got practical answers. Now I really have so much less apprehension. Are you moving around normally now?

J, You may not want to answer but how much weight are you going to lose?

That must be the reason he didn't put me on one. My BMI is 34. My surgery is 2 weeks from today. How are you feeling?

My preop diet doesn't seem too awfully stringent. What was yours like? Could it be the lower BMI?

It all sounds reasonable to me . I have to give myself Lovenox injections for 5 days prior to surgery and I hate doing that!

You look beautiful. So glad you're feeling well.

You had your surgery last Tuesday and you've already lost 20lbs? Wow! I noticed that you said the first several days were rough. Was it pain? Nausea? Both?