Lissa

I had a drain for 8 days post op and there was a little oozing from it for the last few days. When my doc removed the drain, he put a large band aid over it and told me to leave it there for 3 days. That took care of the last of the oozing and mine has healed pretty well. At almost 8 months out, I can still find the scar, but it's smaller than the end of my finger and a little pink. Nothing to worry about unless, as others have said, the spot gets hot or the discharge becomes greenish yellow. If it really worries you, though, a call to your doctor is always a good thing.

Seriously? If you have to be addicted to something, why not exercise? However, I get your point about not wanting to go hard and heavy, then drop off to nothing. Part of this journey is learning how to LIVE with the sleeve and with food. Some of us, me included, need a little help to deal with the mental aspects of this journey. If becoming addicted to exercise (or anything else) is a real concern for you, maybe talking to a therapist will help.

I was the queen of not being able to walk pre-op. Everything hurt and I have RA in my knees. I went to the grocery store with a friend and had to take several breaks to finish shopping. I literally started out walking up and down the hallway in my house, then I added in walkign around the smaller end of my building, then the further end, and then the lake. I can do about 4 miles on the treadmill now and I've recently started walking to the gym in my community, about .7 miles outside. Boy that is tough right now because walking on real roads is not as smooth and easy as the treadmill. Every little bit counts and it adds up quickly. My legs and butt look great from all the walking. Now, if my tummy would just catch up!

You don't have to exercise like crazy to lose weight with the sleeve. But, you should exercise some, at least. Start slow and gradually work up to a routine that you can live with for life. You'll find that you have better muscle tone, that your skin recovers better and that you feel better in general. I started out with just walking inside my apartment and doing 10 reps with 2 pound weights of biceps curls, triceps extensions and front arm raises. I'm now up to walking daily, using the exercise bike at least 4 days a week, and I carry that 2 pound weight in my car so I can get in arm work while I'm driving. I do a LOT of driving. I also have 5 pound weights at home and I do quite a few arm exercises at home, plus ab exercises and I just added squats and lunges. I'm seriously working to add in a little at a time and keep my workout routine under an hour a day...and not all at once. I keep the home weights on top of the entertainment center. If I walk by there, I'll grab the weights and do a few reps for my arms. If I'm sitting to watch tv, I'll do a few ab crunches. It takes under 10 minutes to do 30 crunches, even when doing them slowly to make sure you maintain proper form. You don't have to spend hours a day in the gym to work out. But, if you're going to be addicted to something, why not exercise?

Well, I guess I'm the only one still posting around here, but, here goes. I went to someone's house today and we were standing in the yard when the gent offered me a chair. It's one of those sling style chairs where there is a frame and then fabric to hold you up. I declined the chair out of fear that I'd break it. When I said as much, he told me he'd pick me up if that happened. That's the second NSV, a man offered to pick my big butt up! LOL The first NSV is that I sat in that chair, comfortably, for about 35 minutes and it didn't even creak or groan! YAY ME!!

You're gonna get in trouble! I know that Mrs. Dawg isn't gonna be happy to hear about all the girls flirting with you!

While I think it's wise to plan ahead so that you are covered for the early post-op period, don't get hung up on being perfect or following a "diet". This is a total life change and you're going to want to learn new ways of dealing with food so that you can maintain your weight loss in the long term. Good luck!!

Beans, beans, the magical fruit. I bought a small crock pot for about $15 and use it to cook a cup or two of beans at a time, then I eat bean for a few days. Today I used the crock pot to cook a small, mark-down pack of back ribs to meltingly tender and had them with some broccoli in cheese sauce (frozen, single serve). The broccoli will actually be part of my lunch tomorrow. I don't feel too badly about spending $3 for a 4 pack of them, especially when I get 8 servings out of it. Bonus, my puppy gets a beef bone to chew on, athough the bone is nearly his size! LOL

I love Wendy's chili, too. It's really high in protein and I can eat/drink it on the go.

It truly doesn't sound like a leak to me, and, obviously, not to the nurse either. If she thought you had a leak, she'd have probably screamed at you to get to the hospital NOW! Our sleeves are funny and they do strange things sometimes. I was advised to just back up a stage anytime a food didn't agree with me and eggs don't seem to agree with you. Don't jump. I think you're going to be fine. I understand how scary it can be, though.

Hi Jess! Our restriction is pretty tight to start with, so it will take awhile to be able to get in the calories they recommend. It will happen, though. I'm lissa912 on MFP if you want to add me. Lissa

Zeus, I never used a pill crusher, but I did wait until nearly 7 months out to stop taking chewable vitamins and switch to ones I can swallow.

Well, good luck and we've got your spot on the loser's bench warm and ready for you!!

I had to take some antibiotics that were horse pills early post-op. I just broke them in half and went on my merry little way.

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt! I had a blood clot in June, 2011. Started Coumadin and took it until my 7 days before my surgery date, August 30, 2011. My doctors had me take Lovenox shots for 7 days prior to my surgery AND I had a filter installed the Friday before my Tuesday surgery, then removed 3 weeks after surgery. I went off the Coumadin, took the shots for 7 days before surgery and 3 days after, then restarted the Coumadin. Luckily, the doc had discontinued the Coumadin before the removal surgery, although my clot factor was high during a blood test later and I had to go back on the Coumadin for 3 more months. I also had to wait 90 days after discovery of the clot before I could have surgery. The filter that was installed DID catch two clots, which undoubtedly saved my life. Not sure why you're taking blood thinners, but please be sure to ask your doctor about filters. And, the ready to give Lovenox shots are expensive, even with insurance, so you may want to find out if there is a way to mitigate that cost. Good luck!! Even with all of the above, I'd do my sleeve surgery again!

There's a website where you can actually visualize the difference in your body (for gals, don't know about for guys). It's http://api.modelmydiet.com/women You can compare the two models on the page. Set one at your high weight and one at your goal weight, or current weight and look at the differences. It's amazing!

Good to see you, Colorchic!!

Your body may not be ready for mushy food yet, even though your diet says it's time. Drop back to the last stage for a day or two and try again. It may also be the food you tried. It may not agree with you. Many people have a hard time with certain things like eggs and milk. Good luck!

Well, congrats on your amazing success so far! Thanks for checking in and letting us know how you're doing!

Glad to hear that you're on the loser's bench with us! Congrats and welcome home!

Up your protein and water intake and lower your carbs for a few days. That should shake up your body. If that doesn't work, lower the protein and up the carbs..but keep up that water intake! Everyone I've read about says that water is the KEY to losing weight. Good luck!

Irene, I truly cannot think of anyone who would be better at this than you! Just like former drug addicts make the best recovery counselors, you will make an amazing bariatric counselor! Go for it!! You CAN do this!!!

You've lost 14 pounds in six days? That's phenomenal! I realize that part of that was the fluids from surgery, but WOW!!! Sip, sip, sip, walk, walk, walk. Your body is healing. You'll hit a true stall for a few days around the third week, then you will be amazed at how fast the weight will drop off you. Don't let the scale run your life, but enjoy the ride!