Lissa

I adored fresh, hot bread before surgery and I probably haven't eaten 3 pieces of bread since surgery. The last piece of bread I had contributed to my one time getting sick. I also loved Pasta, but can't/won't eat it now, except for toasted ravioli. A few of them at a time makes a meal; I just try to make sure the filling is Protein. I didn't like green Beans before surgery and now I'll eat them. I still don't find them yummy, but they are tolerable for me.

(((Mary))) I'm so sorry you're having problems, but I'm glad you're going to the doctor. IIRC, you had a band to sleeve revision? I hope that everything is okay for you. I know it's tough when you can't even hold water down. Please let us know what the doctor says.

Congrats!! You've made an amazing change in your life and I can tell you feel a million times better!! Great job, keep rocking that sleeve!!

My insurance has a bariatric surgery exception. The employer is self-funded and does not cover WLS at all, no exceptions. I checked into appealing, but there was no point.

Amy, You can do quite a bit with the protein shakes. Freeze them to make them ice cream consistency or use them as a pudding like edible. Pour them into other foods (decaf coffee) instead of creamer, or use them as part of a protein shake made with fruits if/when that is allowed for you. It's one way I get my carbs in before I work out, blend a protein shake with a banana and it's double-yummy.

Oscar, This site is a wealth of info, so welcome to VST! There is a search button in the upper right corner where you can look for answers to specific questions. Of course, if you can't find an answer that way, you can post a topic and usually get several replies pretty quickly. Good luck with your journey!!

I've been taking Biotin every day since 2 months out and my hair loss, IMO, hasn't been too bad. Kat1, there are different theories from lack of Protein to natural side effect of anesthesia. Everyone's hair loss is different and you don't lose it in the places you'd LIKE to lose it from. It all seems to come from our heads!

LOL, Tibbie! Alien butt probe indeed! Yeah, that stuff is nasty! I worked in a prison while in college and the high carb diet fed to the inmates caused them to have problems. Mag Citrate is what I ordered for them (Pharmacy Tech) and they had to drink it standing in front of me because it came in glass bottles that I had to confiscate. More than one solved their constipation issue after the first sip, or decided they would rather be constipated than drink that crap.

Congrats!! Isn't it a great feeling to be halfway there this fast?!

I self-paid in Florida. $12,500, including doctor, hospital and anesthesia. WORTH every penny, IMO. I've finally stopped wanting to kiss my doctor's feet every time I walk in his office, but it's tough. He gave me back my life.

If you haven't already gotten sick from eating the potato chips, then you probably won't. That is NOT license to eat all the chips you want. Are you back on soft solids yet according to your dietary plan? If not, NIX the chips until you're back on solids. Once you're on solids, it's okay to have a chip here and there, just don't let it become an every day or every week thing. The goal (for me) is to eventually eat like a normal person. I'll always have to do my Protein and Water, but I want to be able to incorporate things like a few bites of birthday cake or a small serving of potato chips into my diet. I am NOT on a diet; I'm working on lifestyle changes. The only thing I've found so far that I flat cannot have in my house is cheetos. Baked cheetos are from the devil, IMO and they cannot come into my house because they sit in my pantry and call my name "Lissa, Lissa"! LOL

Protein shots aren't good for you. Most of them are made with collagen as the protein source, and collagen is not available to our bodies. So, you're forcing the nasty protein shot down and not getting any benefit from it. Wheetsin made an excellent post a few days ago about protein shots that I recommend for anyone who is considering taking them.

Good, Corinna! It's tough to know if they doctor gave specific instructions or not. It seems that a lot of docs aren't as thorough as my surgeon was with me. Of course, mine may have been a special case because I asked about three quadrillion questions, even if I thought they were stupid.

Yep, going back to work will help. It will make you feel like you're "normal" again. This is a tough journey emotionally, especially when you've already got other things going on... and we have to take this journey while still dealing with "real life". There are lots of times now when I forget that I'm sleeved, until I get ready to eat. It will get better! ((Hugs))

Sounds like my recovery process. Do you have pain meds? Are you using them? There are NO awards for not using the pain meds. Take them if you need them. To help with the gas, you need to be walking, even if all you can manage to go up and down the hallway slowly, it helps push out some of the gas used during surgery. The diarrhea is pretty normal since all you're taking in is liquids. Liquids in, liquids out. Lightheadedness could be caused by the pain meds, by the gas, or just because you're not getting in much in the way of food. It could also be cause by Rx meds. Are you on meds for BP or diabetes? If so, a call to your doctor is in order. They may want you to slow down or discontinue those meds. Soreness on the left side is probably normal surgical pain. That's where the incision is that was used to remove the stomach for most doctors. If you develop fever, nausea, or other signs of infection, go to the doctor immediately, but right now you sound about normal for being only a few days post op. Take your pain meds, walk as much as you can, try to get in your Water (sip, sip, sip) and relax. Good luck!!

Your doctor should have told you what s/he wanted you to use. I believe the gold standard is magnesium citrate (comes in a green bottle, looks like sprite, tastes like crap) and it definitely cleans you out thoroughly. You'll need the day off tomorrow if you drink it tonight. I'd check with my doctor before I took the laxative and make sure you're taking the right one.

I've read several, but most were written by folks who had other surgeries besides the sleeve. One that I found interesting was "Passing for Thin". The author's journey convinced me that talking to a therapist was a GREAT idea after my sleeve surgery.

I'm with the petition to remove "what if" from the language, but we must lose "only" as well!

Great Sharon!! I'll be checking it out!!

I just got a good healthy dose of that hostility directed at me. I suppose the poster can block me if I bother them that much. I'm staying.

30 seconds at a time is better than not trying at all. Good luck!! Oh, and don't be scared of looking like an idiot. I think I have that one covered!

I'm not sure the early post-ops wouldn't take "drink and run" literally and end up hurting themselves!

It's tough, but doable if your child is able to walk and possibly climb up on the couch to sit beside you. Someone here said they told their small children that mommy had "skinny shots" that made mommy unable to pick them up for a few weeks and their children accepted that and cooperated to help mom heal. I thought that was a great way of explaining it to little ones.

Yes, they are irritating, but they are what we need to be doing early post op. They become routine because they ARE our routine to start with. Truthfully, I think many of us are tired of typing them, but they are the tried and true way to get past the early post-op discomfort, so we keep typing them.