AutumnLily

So for future patients of any doctor they should find out what the post op pain meds will be and then check with their own doctor who has prescribed their Fibro or other pain meds and see if there will be interactions with the drugs, or discontinue their prescription(s) or if they can take their prescribed medication with the pain meds that are provided. Plus maybe see if they can get a short term liquid version so as to avoid having to dissolve meds in juice/water. We always learn new information by someone else's experience. Glad you are on the mend and that now future fibro/pain med patients know what to ask pre-surgery and will be able to understand how the pain can be controlled.

Carbonated bevies are off limits for awhile as they could have the potential to cause discomfort from the carbonation. Plus you do not want to be drinking your carbs when you are trying to lose weight. There might be other problems associated with drinking soda's but I am not sure what they are. I just avoid them and maybe will try when I am in maintenence. Drinking with meals. I used to guzzle fluids during meals and I practiced before surgery to not have as much so that afterwards it was not as hugh of a change. When you are eating yoru protiens first you really do not have room for fluids. Oh and the 30 min before a meal I usually chug Water 5 mins before a meal give it a couple of mins to clear to my intestines and then I have my meal. I am satiated and do not need another drink till 30 mins after a meal (sometimes longer). I keep myself hydrated with approximately 96 oz fluids a day so I really do not feel the need to drink during a meal. Maybe a sip here or there but that is it.

It is normal as some people their swelling goes down really fast. I was one of the lucky ones that is in the same position as you. Just means you will be able to stay hydrated easier than those that have troubles getting in their fluids. When you get to mushies or even solids you WILL feel the restriction. Keep up the fluids and you will do fine.

Little things that add up. What do you take in your Starbucks coffee? creamers, sugars? You can still have them just change it up to low fat and sugar free. Definitly up your water! Water will flush out the toxins from your body and if you are getting below the minimum amount you are retaining salts and toxins which hold onto water and so some excess weight can be due to water retention. Sounds weird to up your water when you are retaining water but it is the salts that keep the water and increased water will make them move out of your body allowing the excess water to leave as well. Protein first. Track your food and make sure you are getting 60 and up of Proteins. Vary the proteins (do not always have to be from meat can be legumes as well). Carbs are tricky there are good carbs and then there are bad carbs. I would keep the bad carbs to a minimum. Do you take Vitamins and minerals? If you are not eating enough of the foods that contain the vitamins and minerals you should supplement your diet. Have you tried the 5 day pouch test to see if you can kick start your losing again. And lastly what if this is the weight your body is comfortable with, are you comfortable with this weight?

Mina if they are as opposed as my sister would have been then for your sake I would not say anything. I too did not tell my family before I went because they would have made it more stressful. I had enough stress just going by myself. I was fine with the decision and told within one week that I was back to my sister. She said she would have tried her best to talk me out of it if I had told her before hand. Now that I had the surgery all she could do is either support my decision or not talk to me. She decided to support me. I let the rest of my family know within the next couple of weeks and they were supportive. If I too had told them before hand they would have hounded me to not do the surgery. They see the results now and are fine with it all.

Eggface does not put in the protien/carbs due to the varying types of protein/carb nutritional info that will be used for the recipies. Plus serving sizes can vary from person to person. But if you can find a standardization and put the info in that would be awesome.

Congratulations!!!! You are rockin that sleeve.

You can get liver damage from long term use with several drugs (Tylenol is one). If you are using the maximum dose every day there is the chance that your liver could be damaged. I think most of us are on a low dose (20mg or next stage up 40 mg a day) and I am sure the maximum dose is higher than 40mg. If you are worried you should try to keep to as low of a dose as possible and at some point (you choose) try to ween yourself off of them, or get yourself down to one every other day.

If you add liquid to it then it counts as a liquid. Broths, protein shakes (measure the milk or water before and that is the amount). Hope that helps.

I remember the nerves I had for several months before my surgery. When it was time I seemed to have gotten over most of the why's for the surgery. Night before I was given a relaxer pill and it worked awesome I was relaxed.

Is that high or low as here in Canada we read in mmol/L and the range is 4 - 6. If its this range then its super high but I have a feeling your range is different across the boarder. Something to be aware about that can happen. Thanks for the heads up.

Congratulations!! Your hard work has paid off and now you can more onto maintence. I am very happy for your success.

Another way to look at it is your body has 2 fuel tanks a primary tank (uses carbs) and a secondary tank (uses fat) when the primary tank is empty. So if you keep on filling the primary tank with carbs over a certain amount for your body (some people can eat more carbs than others) then you will burn the carbs but will not make it to the secondary tank to use the fats. I found this analogy somewhere and it made total sense to me. Hope this helps.

I am on 20 mg of omeprazole a day. I had one day I forgot to take my pill in the morning and by lunch time my tummy was letting me know it was not very happy. Got home took the pill and within 30 mins to 1 hour all was resolved. So I am going to stay on and maybe at 1 year lower to once every other day to see what happens.

I went in to have my blood and urine tests before my UGI so will update when I get those results in. So today I went in for my upper GI to have my 3 month leak check. I brought my xrays from Mexico with me incase the radiologist needed to see them. They gave me this powder and Water to make it bubble. I was concerned as it was the normal stomach amount and I asked if I really needed it. The had me take it then said try to keep the burps it. Umm no they just started flying out like there was no tomorrow. Next I was being questioned on what surgery I had. He had never heard of it (glad I brought my xrays as he looked and got a better idea). I got on the machine and was positioned. I was given my chalky barium drink. Told to take one sip and before he could say hold it in your mouth I swallowed. Oops my bad. So he had to race to follow the Fluid. Next I had to gulp down the yummmy drink and then they proceeded to follow the fluid alst the while being questioned by the radiologist from his little room. Where did I get the surgery? Why didn't I get it done in Canada? How much would it have cost in Canada and how much in Mexico? Why were they checking my stomach at 3 months? Had I lost a significant amount of weight with the surgery? What was my doctors goal for me for weight loss? Was I hungry? The list truly goes on. I was not sure of the questioning but I answered truthfully and in the end after making me roll around on the table to assume several positions. He said well good for you. I thought I was going to get a lecture about what I had done after all the questions but no he verbally applauded me. Told me there were no leaks the stomach looked great and to keep on taking my PPI. Whewww that was an interesting day. Oh and one more funny thing there were 2 ladies waiting for their turns as I was leaving and they said we couldn't help over hear the conversation in the room. How is everything going for you. When I said almost 70 lbs in 3 months they both said good for you. Did I luck out in finding strangers who were understanding ! It could have played out soooo much worse. Glad it didn't

I would have dragged my key down the side of her car! Make her think twice about parking that close again.

What is/was your losing plan: 60- 80 grams Protein less than 40 grams carbs at least 64 of Water How far out from surgery you are what percentage have you lost? depends on my goal weight going to aim for one weight and if my body keeps on going down then I will aim for a lower weight. Depending on my goal weight I have lost 36 - 40% excess body weight in 3 months How many times a day are you eating? 3 with 2 Snacks What is the amount of normal food (non liquid) you are now able to get down? 2-3 oz dense protein little more for not so dense protein. Depends on the food I can eat half a can of tuna, a whole filet of sole, 3/4 of a 1 egg omelette with ham and cheese. What kind of supplements are you taking? Types and Brands Wellesse liquid calcium citrate with vit D, gummy vitamns, B12 every other day and 20mg of omeprazole How much protein are you supposed to be getting and how much are you actually getting in daily and what are your sources of protein (brands of shakes etc), all my protein is from food. I drink a shake once in awhile to boost my protein but body is starting to not like them. How much water you are actually getting down each day 70 to 96 oz What is your exercise routine, type of exercise, and how often. have not started one yet will do soon How is your energy level? energy is fine when I get in all my protein.

you could let your body decide what is the weight it wants to be. When you get closer to "goal" bring your calories up to maintence levels and then see where you body will adjust to.

Booking directly with an airline is usually cheaper than the online sites. Check out the different airlines that fly out of your area to San Diego and then plug in the dates and times. See who has the best price. Oh and I packed too much I travelled alone. I did however have a few days before hand that I spent in San Fancisco so that is where the extra clothes came from. I would pack a couple pairs of your favourite pajama's, socks (keep feet warm if chilly there), shoes that slide on or a flip flop (reduce the amount of bending needed). Travel clothes home should be loose and comfortable. Oh and I used my chapstick for my dry lips. Maybe a pair of sweat pants and a tshirt for when you want to walk outside the hospital. Keep it minimal and you should do well.

SN............................starting wt...............current.........goal............lbs to goal Autumnlily................297.2.........................286............270.....................16 Slow week but back on the wagon and seeing where I will be next week

You are rockin that sleeve! Congratulations on the over 150 lbs lost!

I get all my protein in from food once I was onto mushies. I have a few drinks left that I drink on occasion when I need to bump up my protien for the day but once they are gone I am not buying them again.

Is it head hunger or physical hunger that makes you eat these large portions? Sounds like you are on the right track seeing a therapist about your addiction. The sleeve will reduce your stomach capacity and you will not be able to eat anywhere near the amounts of food you are now. That being said are you fully prepared and understand that you may grieve the loss of food. There is a chance for depression. I would suggest that you research everything about the sleeve and its benefits and possible down falls so that you know it is the right surgery for you. A doctor telling you vs you knowing you want it will help you with the journey. I am saying all this because from reading your post you do not sound like you want to do the surgery but are being told you have to do the surgery. Become informed and you will know if this is truly the tool you want to help you lose the excess weight.

Congratulations!! You should celebrate all the milestones with what ever makes you happy. If its clothes or jewelry or a trip to a spa. You deserve it for all your hard work and tenacity. Keep on working that sleeve.

What a wonderful follow up story. She is beautiful! Congratulations on becoming a mom.