monty

You Guys are the best!!! I needed to hear some positive feedback and you have made me feel sooo much better! I guess being a lab rat never entered my mind and now that I have read your posts it makes me think that some Dr.s are like car dealerships-once they sell you the car they don't want to service it. I am so grateful to all of you as my new family.

No, I don't have a fever, which is why I did not call the Dr. Thought I'd wait, but this happened last Thur, and I still have all this congestion and cough. Only thing that helped that night was to take a hot shower and put Vicks on to ease the cough and aid in getting my breath. Only thing that helped me get some sleep. I take a Zantac every night so if it was Acid it happened because the esophagus got too irritated and because of the small opening may have backed up.

Hi everyone, Haven't been on in a while but now have a problem I'm hoping someone can help me with. I had an episode of dumping when I accidentally ate 28 grams of sugar in a 6oz cup of Greek yogurt. So now I check the sugar on all labels. This was different! I eat pumpkin seeds for protein, usually sprinkled in my yogurt. Well last week I wasn't hungry for yogurt so I ate a handful ,not all at once, late in the evening. Went to bed feeing fine, woke up about 2am for a potty run and when I stood up could not get my breath as it felt like my windpipe was blocked. I could not heave, or slime and my throat was burning. Started to violently cough and got minimal relief. Coughed all night every two to three minutes. Finally was able to get down about a tablespoon of Galviscon which helped ease the throat pain a little but not the cough. Felt better in the morning but badly shaken. But you know as the day wears on you think you overeacted and start talking yourself out of calling anyone. The next day out of the blue (no cold) and since, I have had terrible congestion, where it sounds like a full blown bronchitis attack. No fever or yellow-green type mucous, but bad episodes of hacking slime type mucous up with shortness of breath. The Dr removed two large hernias in the esophagus when he did the sleeve 5 and a half months ago. I have read similar symptoms of aspiration of food in the lungs. I thought I'd check here to see if anyone else has experienced this. The problem is aspiration can lead to pneumonia. Could be terrible case of acid reflux but doubt it. Any thoughts from you would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for listening.

Thanks everyone for the info! It helps to know that some others have the same experiences. Thanks for a Happy Valentine's Day :Banane55:

Hi Everybody, I am 4 months out and 68 years old. I am almost too embarassed to ask this, but you're family right? I know there is improvement in body image as a factor in libido, but I have had such an increase (like someone turned the switch to on) that I have never experienced anything like this even when I was in my 20's and in great shape. Believe me, my husband isn't complaining, he just feels like he's sleeping with a new woman LOL! I am concerned, however, feeling like this has become an obsession. I know some people would say go with the flow (no pun intended), but I feel out of control. I read somewhere that as fat cells shrink they release hormones, not sure what kind. My husband is concerned that the switch will just as suddenly be turned to off. I know some won't consider this a problem, but I truly am worried.

Check out Amazon. They have them free shipping if you are a prime member and no tax. I always check there first as they come right to your door which was especially helpful when I was recovering.

You and your mom are in my prayers. Gather your support system around you and consider a grief counseling class. It helped me so much when my son died. We are family here and will always be here to listen and support you.

Just wondering if any one else got a road map for % of weight loss. My Dr said 30% excess body weight in 3 months was what is anticipated. Does that seem about right? Did you get any guide lines? Thanks, as always.

Hi everyone. Just wanted to chime in here. I had my surgery 10-3-11 and turned 68, on the 24th with a new "birthday suit" LOL! I have lost 62 lbs to date and have done well except for some nausea that mysteriously appeared two weeks out and lasted about 3 weeks. I too can eat about anything but when my head rules, my body talks back with pain. I have learned to get away from the table so I don't experience that feeling of something stuck and having to burp to free it. It's trial and error but if you follow the guidelines you will do fine. The biggest help to me was this board and the responses, sleevers take the time to write. Good luck on your journey.

Hi Everyone and Happy New Year! I am 3 months and 2 days out. I have developed a rather disturbing symptom in the past two weeks. I am bruising all over my body. I don't remember hurting myself or bumping into anything. My husband is embarrassed to go out with me. He is afraid someone is going to think he is abusing me. Did anyone else experience this or do you have any idea what might be causing this? I I haven't changed my diet, pills, fluid etc. Thanks for all your info. It has helped me so much with my concerns.

Sasicas, Did you have bruising before the surgery and if not about when did it start? My last blood work levels were perfect on 12-12-11. But I see my surgeon on Thur. Congratulations on your weight loss!

Thanks guys. I went to the site and it had excellent info. Also less fat does mean skin not padded. I use to get bruises a lot when I was young due to being anemic. I thought as I got older I had just outgrown this problem. However, it makes sense that when you lose weight your skin isn't protected like before. Thanks for the replies. As usual, excellent feed back here and I appreciate the time you took to respond. I see my surgeon on Thur. and will be asking him about this. Happy New Year!

Check your blood pressure. If you were on meds for BP you may need to have the dosage adjusted as you lose weight.

Just curious! Does this include pre-surgery loss? I am 3 months out and my Dr. says to include weight loss from the time you start your journey (usually the highest weight you have been). Not sure if others agree.

Best of luck to both of you. You are in my prayers.

I didn't experience this until I was 3 weeks out. My doctor advised me to skip the protein drink in the morning and start with a warm liquid drink with spacing my pills every 10 min. Then an hour later have my breakfast. He prescibed an RX but the thing that helped me thru it was sucking on ginger mints. I tried several but the ones that worked the best were Newman's own at Amazon. They have others like Altoids and you can read the reviews. It seemed to get better after I got my protein from solids but I occasionally get a little and pop the mint. Hope you get some relief soon.

Congrats on moving on to the next stage. Some foods I ate were fried or soft boiled eggs, or breakfast sausage patties (I cooked the whole package and then took one out as needed) topped with cheddar cheese. Just like Holly said I found seafood to be a friend. I still liked getting the protein from Wendy's Chili, and soft meats like moist homemade meatloaf in small bites. Probably some of the things you were pureeing are good in small bites. Are you going to the party tomorrow night?

Hi everyone. I thought I posted this before but I can't find it and got no responses so maybe I forgot to hit post. I think I left some brain cells on the OR table LOL! Anyway, my doctor said becaus of my age(68) he used a 36 bougie instead of 32. Something about the esophagus as one gets older doesn't stretch as much. So I am wondering if I have enough restriction. I can eat a whole large orange with no trouble! Is anyone else able to do this or is this a sign of not enough restriction. I hate to ask the dr. As he might think I am questioning his expertise. Would, as always, appreciate your feedback!

Niceeee side step! I'll try it with you Know who. How are you feeling?

Thank you for that info. I will check it out. Feeling better about the size now with the info shared here. :Banane55:

As usual you guys have helped me so much. I do feel tightening when I eat dense food and did not realize an orange is a slider. I just get worried the surgery won 't work for me because of my age. Thanks to you all for responding. It helped so much!

Amen to that! I am 68 and wish I would have done it years ago. I was able to walk a mile and a half today. It may not seem a lot to some but I used to get winded just walking from the store to the parking lot. I had a heart stint put in 6 years ago. My husband, who walks every day, was shocked I could accomplish that after only 7 weeks. Heck, I think he was shocked period that I could keep up with his 6'3"stride. We are all on an amazing journey and it is soooo nice to share your company.

Wow!!! You look fabulous Dahling! Would you mind shgaring what you typically eat BF L D Snacks and(about how many calories?) Do you work out a lot I know we all lose differently and it's nice to see a success story and what you think may be the reason. Was it all since surgery? Thanks so much.

Hi everyone. Hope you are enjoying the post Holiday weekend. I am confused about liquid/foods and am asking for your help. My doctor has said do not "drink" 60min. before or after you eat. Ok, seems simple enough. However, lets say you have finished "eating" soup. Liquid or food? Could you then have an entree? Or if you consider the soup, food how about following it with a popsicle? (food or liquid?). I know these aren't big questions but I don't want to "wash" my food out. I know if the soup is so thick you could eat the ingredients with a fork it would be a food, but what about thinner soups? Wondered what your thoughts are. Thanks!

I like the 30 min before and 30 after. I could handle that. Thanks everyone for your input.