melissa45154

I am having the same problem. I even stocked up on it before surgery, because I loved it so much. I also kept reading how that was a go to drink for many after surgery. Not me. I'm hoping that in a few more weeks I will be able to enjoy it once again.

Yes, mine was so bad that I would actually gag. It was horrible. I ended up living off of ice and sugar free popsicles for a few days. That seemed to help the swelling a lot. I no longer have that, but I feel your pain.

Yeah, my doc does different pre-op diets for different people. I didn't even find out what my pre-op diet was until a couple of weeks before surgery. My doctor was Dr. Hamn out of Presbyterian Plano. Presby Plano is a hospital of excellence and one of the few that my insurance would cover. They were really great. He has actually trained other doctors in the Dallas area on wls. You stay in the hospital for 2 days with him. Also, while I only had a couple of days of pre-op. He requires all his patients to do 5 weeks of full liquids after surgery and then start the progression to soft, diced and regular foods. That I couldn't do. I did it for about 3 weeks, but finally had to start eating soft/mushie foods. I have a lot more energy since I started doing that. I just want to be careful. I will be 5 weeks post op next Wed. so not much longer. Good luck to you.

You are welcome.....Thank you for your kind words and good luck to you

I have been craving dill pickles. I am 4 weeks out Wed. I was told I could go to any reg food at 5 weeks out. However, they said to try and limit carbs and do just lean protein and either cooked veggies or a salad......i can't wait to have a crispy dill pickle.....heck, i can't even wait to have a salad....i just want to crunch, crunch crunch......

also, i didn't really have a pre op diet.....just liquids 2 days before. so this weight loss really is all post op....the pounds do not do it justice. i've lost so many inches....i really suggest measuring yourself. I even measured my neck. i've lost 1 1/2 inches off my neck....crazy stuff

I didn't take this lightly either. It took me 2 years to finally decide to take the step. I was lucky. I did the 6 month program in 3 months. Basically, my husband's employer is such an advocate of the surgery that in Feb 2011 they customized the Aetna program. Basically, they did away with the 2 year weight requirement, and took the 6 month program and cut it down to 3 months. I was very very lucky. I'm doing ok now. Honestly, it was difficult the first couple of weeks. I have had 9 abdominal surgeries and have a lot of mesh in there. They docs had to peel some of it away and cut out some scar tissue. It was a little more difficult surgery. I also had a lot of trouble getting Water down (resulted in severe dehydration), but I used this site as a tool and found lots of people had problems with this. What ended up working for me was the sugar free popsicles, ice ice and ice (i hated before surgery), chicken broth, and putting a wedge of lemon in my water made it go down better. I also couldn't get any Protein shakes down. I bought tons of them, but they all made me vomit. As a result I was very weak and not feeling well. Once I was allowed to eat scrambled eggs and such it was 180 degree turn overnight.....literally. I am 4 weeks post op tomorrow, and I'm feeling so well. I honestly was regretting it the first couple of weeks with all the problems, but now I'm glad. I am still stuggling mentally. I thought I had a handle on my addiction with food, but now I really do understand that addiction. I am taking it day by day and learning more and more. The best thing was I had to take my son on a cubscout trip this past Saturday. All my jeans were too big. I was wearing a size 20W. I went to Kohls to get an outfit to wear. I grabbled the 18W and 1x stuff.....IT WAS TOO BIG. I am officially in regular size clothes again in less than 4 weeks.....I'm just amazed. I sat in the try on room crying. Now, I'm starting to exercise and am happier. My kids are loving it too, b/c I'm starting to do stuff with them. I still tire out, but before surgery I didn't do anything, and now I am.......Hope this helps some.

I have Aetna as well. If I'm not mistaken. You only need a consultation with a dietician, and the rest is physician supervised which means your pcp. I had my surgery on Dec. 28. In November we discovered that while my doc was covered for surgery (i was using my surgeon for my monthly visits) the hospitals he was affliliated with was not. I had to switch surgeons 1 1/2 monts prior to surgery. My new surgeon just wrote a letter stating that they were taking over my care. This goes in the file. That way you don't have to start the program completely over. I would look into doing something like that. Also, were you assigned a case manager to help your through? Mine was wonderful at answering questions and helping me out. Just some thoughts.....

I just saw these post. I'm so glad you're feeling better. I have to admit. I was having trouble like you. I wasn't dehydrated, but oh so tried and felt so bad. I was like wth did I do to myself? I could hear my brother in the back of my head saying "I told you so". Not so much support there either. Also, I could not and can not get down 1 protein shake. I've wasted hundreds of dollars on so many different ones, and none work. My doc requires protein shakes and liquid diet til 5 weeks out, then progress to soft food, then regular food. I started going online and finding the majority of docs allowed soft foods at 2-3 weeks out. I was scared, but I took the plunge and started myself on soft food. It was like a night and day difference in a matter of 1 day. I finally started feeling better and had energy. It was weird. I'm only 3 1/2 weeks post op, and am scared I'm going to cause a leak. My body just couldn't take the strict liquid diet.....Anyway, glad you're feeling better

thank you all for your suggestions. Some of them I have tried, some not. I will try some new ones and try the old ones again to see if maybe now that I'm farther along it might sit better in my stomach. Again, thanks for all your help on our journey.

I am 3 weeks post op today. I am getting my daily Fluid intake. I drink Water with lemon, unsweetened decaf ice tea with lemon, and a cup of apple juice (my doc wants me to drink this for the next few weeks). I also suck on ice chips still and eat sugar free popsicles. The problem is I still have this dry mouth, and I've been craving something refreshing to drink. I don't know what to drink. I have tried a number of things to no avail. Does anyone have any suggestions of something that my "quench my thirst"? Thanks

I am 4 days post op. I get to start full liquids today. However, I am having a hard time getting the water to go down. I take sips and it hurts. I constantly have this fullness feeling or pressure in my chest. It kind of feels like indigestion. I thought it was from the gas they pumped into me. I have been taking gas-x but doesn't really seem to be working. I am also having diarehha. I don't know if this is all normal or if I'm doing something wrong. I don't want to call my doc on new year's day if it's normal. I have my 1st post op appt on Wed. I feel like I can wait til then, but am unsure. Anyone have any ideas if this is normal?

thanks for the replies...i'm in pain right now. i ate my vitamin too fast and threw up.....i'm having a this sucks and why did i do this moment....broth does go down better...i'm going to try some hot tea....i can't seem to get hardly any protein down and my doc said to make sure if i get anything down it was that...thanks again

i just ran to the 7/11 in shorts and a tshirt....it was 46 out and everyone was looking at me like i was crazy......i can't wait til i have to wear long sleeves and a coat.......12 more hours to go.

Mine is on the 28th at 12:30. I'm right there with you. I think I was hyperventilating last night. I'm better today, but only because I made myself stay busy. I'm scared out of my mind, but I know we both do great. I've been researching and researching this. I have found tons of people regret having the band and having to have revision, but I haven't really found very many people regreting the sleeve. I know it is newer, but still even though most stats are only a few years old....If it was bad you'd still have some people regret it, but none.......That's a good sign to me. Let us know how it goes, and I'll keep you up to date as well.....Good luck

Merry Christmas to all. I am sitting here while everyone else is asleep and thinking. My family and I had a wonderful Christmas. It has been one of the best ever. However, this afternoon it struck me that I will be in surgery in 3 days. I thought I was dealing well, but I just broke down and started crying. My dh reminded me of how much better I will feel in 6 months. That was great b/c it wasn't how much better I'd look but he's right it is for my health that I am doing this and the perk is how I will look. I don't know what is wrong with me, but I am literally freaking out and crying. It's like I'm scared to lose weight. How can this be. I've wanted to lose weight for years. I've been thin before. Just about 8 years ago. I know how great it was (although I didn't know then). So why am I all of a sudden scared. I have been contemplating surgery for 2 years and now it is finally happening. What is wrong with me? I'm not sure of what I am looking for in this post. Like I said I'm just sitting here crying and freaking out. Since everyone is asleep I just needed to tell someone......

Thank you all so much. I know it is just my anxiety getting the best of me. Beyond the nerves, I am excited to see what I look like in a year and the energy I will have. I also can't wait to be able to play with my kids without being so exhausted all the time. The 28th can't get here fast enough and it is getting here too fast....

I'm so excited, nervous, scared, anxious, and elated....I have a surgery date scheduled for December 28. I only have a 3 day liquid diet scheduled which I find odd that it isn't longer. However, I will take it. If anyone has any advise for the hospital and the first few days/weeks after I would greatly appreciate it........a new year, and a new me. Can't wait.

Good luck to you as well. Mine is scheduled at Presbyterian Plano with Dr. Hamn. I don't start my pre-op diet until Christmas Day.

My surgery is sceduled for Dec. 28, and right now I am so scared. I keep thinking of all the things that can go wrong. However, tonight I was shopping and I wondered into the "regular" women's sizes and I couldn't help but fantisize about finally being able to shop in that section and all the stylish clothes there was to choose from. Goodluck to you. I know that all will be fine for you and me, but it is normal to be anxious and nervous before hand......

Thanks.....and good luck to you as well. The closer it gets, the more nervous I get. My 7 year old is so excited because I will finally stop drinking soda. Just hearing him say that makes me know that I am doing the right thing to help give me tools that I need to get healthy for myself and for my kids......keep me updated with how you are doing.

Thank you so much for this post. I too have PCOS and have my surgery scheduled for Dec. 28. This is very helpful information in my journey....

Thanks for your kind words. I did go through an actual program. Not all Aetna clients are required to go through this "inst. of quality". Anyway, you are right 1/2 the battle is the attitude. I'm wanting this so badly, and am ready for it. This is just one more hurdle to prove I can do this. Thanks

I have Aetna through my husband's work. They have a special program that I can do the 6 month in 3 months. It is not the multi-disciplinary...just the regular physician supervised diet. Anyway, I have been working with this Surgeon's office that I respect and trust so much. He is the chief of surgery at his "main" hospital, and he has done a few surgeries on me to fix a botched surgery that someone who calls themselves a surgeon did to me. It has taken 3 years to correct all of her mistakes.....Anyway, I have done the sleep study (have severe sleep apnea), the pysch eval, and I have 3 weeks left of my nutrition program and then we can submit to insurance...yeah, almost there. I found out Wednesday from my case manager that my particular plan requires I go to an Aetna Institute of Quality. There are about 5 in the Dallas area. My surgeon is not affiliated with any of those hospitals.....Ugh!!!!! His asst. went to see if he can become affiliated with one of them and he is not able to. So, I'm pretty much finished with my program and have to switch. My doctor's office was great and got me into another Surgeon's program. The only thing they are making me do extra is go to their seminar. Which I do Wednesday. I know he is a great doctor. He actually trained my original surgeon. I guess I'm just getting nervous, and with all the problems I had a few years ago I'm even more nervous. We are submitting to insurance on Dec. 5 with my case manager calling me on Dec. 8 or sooner with the verdict. Fingers crossed I will have my surgery before the end of the year.....I guess I really don't have any question, I'm just kind of letting it out. I want so desperately to be approved. I've done everything asked, but don't want them to say sorry it's a no go......and now I'm even more nervous with having this new team do the procedure and I haven't even met them yet...

I hope all goes well for you. I go to my seminar and consultation tomorrow so we will see how that goes. Hopefully, they can transfer all of your previous doc's evaluations and you can squeeze it in before the end of the year. That is what I am hoping for......Goodluck to you and let me know how everything goes for you.