Katie713

I'm another shorty at 4'11" with a decent set of "girls" at my highest weight of 280 I was a 42H and at 175 I'm at 38DDD, so still big chested and have been since I was 13. Went straight from a training bra to a C cup when I started junior high. I was always petite and busty. They aren't nearly as firm but they look good in a nice supportive bra. There may come a day when I opt for a lift but for now its wait and see and I'm so used to them I'm just fine, but being so short when I was really heavy I was such a wide load, and everyone keeps telling me now how little I seem, back on my way to petite.

The Special K ones don't have nearly as much protein as you might get from other choices and it can be difficult in the beginning to meet your protein needs. Isopure which is a clear protein comes in ready to drink 20 oz bottles with 40 grams of protein the grape and orange flavors are ok. Pure protein has 25 grams of protein for each can, or the powder which is mixed with water or milk (for more protein). Later on you can add protein bars and you will get much more protein in normal foods but that is after 6 weeks. EAS carb control ready to drink is pretty good, and has 17 grams of protein. You just have to try a few different kinds and write it out to see what will total up to 65+ grams of protein per day.

The classic pain pattern is a radiating pain on the right side under the ribcage that radiates out and quite often radiates to the back between the shoulder blades. I had those exact pains 23 years ago and had to endure the episodic and very painful attacks for 6 months before I was given surgery to remove my gallbladder. Since I did not have an infection, the surgery wasn't what they considered emergency. Gosh that pain was awful. I would curl up in a ball on the bed to try and get through the pain. Often I was in the bathroom feeling like I would explode...but I was not vomiting or having the runs, I just needed a private place to get through the episode. An ultrasound can diagnose the stones in just a few minutes time, if that's what it is.

Deedee....with the exception of the first week or two I have ALWAYS lost the same way. I stay the same for a period of time then lose 3-5 pounds overnight. After all these months one thing is for sure, I have succesfully LOST alot of weight and it takes staying the course to get there, getting some exercise and drinking lots of water. I was a 3X-4X and now. 14 with about 35-40 pounds to goal and I love how my body has changed and how I have energy and strength. Just BELIEVE and this is YOUR journey and you may lose slow but like many of us slow losers, it still works!!

Thinned down hot cereal made with lactaid is perfect for the stage you are at. I loved cream of wheat and malt-o-meal. I also made chicken broth and beef consomme and had that for lunch (at least it has protein). How about herbal teas, do you like them at all? I agree about making warm chocolate milk with your protein powder.

You need proper nutrition. Don't avoid following up on these symptoms as they are not normal. You can end up really dehydrated and lacking your basic nutrients, you need protein to heal properly, and you need vitamins too. Just do it.

Liz...happy birthday girlfriend! I am glad you are home recovering and yes, even though this may be the most difficult experience of your life, you've exhibited such a strong will to survive and demanded the medical attention you needed that you deserve nothing but the best for your future!! The ricotta bake was a fave...in a ramekin, layer marinara sauce then ricotta (mixed with some parm and an egg) a little motzarella, then another layer of sauce then motzarella and parm on top. Bake until brown and bubbly. You can make about 6 and bake together, then refrigerate the extras and microwave as needed, they taste like little lasagnas. Even though I am not a huge proponent of carbs these days, mashed potatoes with gravy was so easy to get down in the mushy stage, add a can of chicken drained to the gravy for protein. Refried beans with melted cheese and a dollop of sour cream and mashed avacado was devine. Butternut squash roasted then pureed to a soup with a bit of chicken broth makes a nice snack. We are here thinking about you and praying for you. Keep up the good work!!

Liz...what's the latest news? Are you still on TPN or are you able to have oral nutrition yet? Hope you are well on the road to recovery.

From what I've read from countless others here on this board you might have a stricture that needs to be dialated. It can't hurt to seek medical attention now rather than waiting until the 15th. Perhaps they can give you IV meds to stop that acid buildup and get you fully hydrated and some nutrition. You have to be your own best advocate concerning your health, better to be safe than sorry!

Darn that hurts. Mine was a minimal tear and felt better in 3-5 days. I took the pain meds and forced myself to take it easy. Finally the pain became a thing of the past. Hope you feel better soon.

So how goes it, did you go to the doctor or did the pain subside?

Since our meals are so small, many people eat every few hours in small amounts. Choosing the right foods becomes paramount in this regard. Breakfast then perhaps as a snack a protein shake, lunch then apple slices with peanut butter or a cheese stick, dinner then a SF jello or yogurt.

Yeah OTR, can ya help an old gal out?? Geez. Here's what I think...when the time is right, go for it. Give it all you got. Period. No regrets. I was in a size 3X - 4X and now a size 14 at 57 years old. I haven't been in a 14 since my 20's. Darn straight I'm happy, I feel mahvelous. Go for it!

Had my surgery at age 56 in April, 2012. I turned 57 the following July. The journey has been amazing. My surgery went well, very little pain and just some minor discomfort. I have lost in one year approximately 100 pounds and am working toward my final goal weight. I was so heavy before, and I would huff and puff walking even a short distance. My knees hurt. I felt and was so out of shape and I led a sendentary life. No more...I am out and about and enjoying being active. Best thing I ever did for myself, and yes, I wish I had done it earlier, but the sleeve surgery is fairly new, so I guess the timing was just perfect for me!! Good luck!!

Lux...sorry to hear you are still battling the complications. Has any other alternative diagnosis been made as to your condition other than this auxiliary "pouch" in your stomach that kept filling up thereby blocking your ability to get your proper nutrition? The wait and see approach can be mighty frustrating, can't it? Having patience is probably the hardest part of this journey. I do hope that they go ahead and give you surgery to repair the defect if they can. On the good side, yes, you've lost a ton of weight, hopefully once you have recovered, the road will not be a long and hard one! Good luck to you Lux!!

There are plenty of books available on amazon that have tons of information on this new lifestyle. You might want to go ahead and do your own research so that you feel confident about moving forward in your nutritional plan. At Kaiser we followed these basics: 3 days - Clear Fluids (clear Protein, broth, teas, SF drinks, Jello, popsicles) 4-7 days - Full Fluids (Soups, thinned out hot Cereal, yogurt, protein shakes) 7-14 days - pureed foods (refried Beans, yogurt, cottage cheese, tuna, mashed potatoes, chili beans pureed, cooked veggies pureed, soft cooked eggs, shakes) 15-45 days - Start with soft foods and work toward solids including meats cooked in the crockpot, stews, scrambled eggs, lunchmeat, cheese, beans, soft cooked veggies, soft white fish, shrimp, avocado, Peanut Butter, shakes, cottage cheese, yogurt, SF puddings) 45 days and beyond - all foods but hold off on celery, nuts, popcorn, very dense protein until tolerated. In the beginning about 4 oz is about right, later, say 6-8 months down the line, you may be able to tolerate up to 8 oz. Focus on protein first (3 oz) and a little vegetable. Try to avoid white carbs while you are in your losing stage, that means bread, tortillas, sweets, rice, potatoes...etc. Fruit is ok and whole grains like oatmeal, whole grain bread (1 slice) low carb tortillas. You will find what works for you, just go slow and easy...and chew well, and eat as slowly as you can. Once you eat solid protein, you will feel the restriction of your new tummy. You will get full very fast!! No drinking fluids with your meals, wait 30 minutes after drinking to eat, and then wait 30 minutes after your meal to drink again. Protein Shakes are an easy way to meet your 65+ grams of protein daily along with the protein you eat from beef, poultry, pork and fish as well as dairy products. Try to get your 64 oz of fluids daily and take your Vitamins...a multi-Vitamin, D3 1000 mg, B-12 1000 mg sublingual 3 times a week, and B2 Thiamine 50g daily. Later add Calcium citrate to your diet (after a month). Good luck...you can do this!

Post op was just that, a follow up appointment wherein the surgeon checked over my chart, looked at how the incisions healed, recorded and discussed with me my weight loss to date. They took pre appointment blood work to make sure I was nutritionally sound....it was a breeze.

Same thing happened to me, it can be a tear of internal stitches, but with rest it should heal quickly. Take your pain meds if you have them until the pain subsides.

Anatomically we are all unique, that probably plays a huge part in what surgeons face when they enter the body with instruments, but I thought the camera preceeds the actual surgical instruments. The camera records the internal movement that is watched on a screen by the surgeon. When a lawsuit ensues, an investigation proceeds to examine all the forensic evidence by professionals to determine if there was evidence of neglect or other factors or may reveal an anotomical issue that would have been hard to detect. If you feel that there is any doubt, it doesn't hurt to seek the guidance of an attorney. It doesn't mean anyone is at fault at this point, it investigates the actual evidence, the history of the surgeon and the attending staff. Good luck whatever you decide!!

Liz...sorry if Iggy and I hijacked your thread. We go WAY BACK, before the claw days.... Have a good weekend girls!!!

That was pretty bad Iggy.... A Irishman and an Englishman walked by a pub. What? It could happen! Bad joke for drunks. Yes I had my veggies today Iggy. I'm on holiday!! You know how I get my veggies, slap me on the head, I coulda had a V8!

Whether one signs a waiver or not, things unintended happen. To those who minimize that, I hope for you that it doesn't happen to your loved ones, and then have someone tell you that you signed a waiver, so OH WELL. How insensitrive and out of touch you are. From one that has lost a loved one due to negligence I will tell you that we each have a right to get" litigious" if it is warranted. I fought for my children who lost their FATHER and rightly so the jury found in OUR FAVOR. How ridiculous to minimize someone elses pain and suffering!!

Ha Ha....dirty "No tell Hotel" Dirty hole SEX. This thread has run amok!!

Liz, just as we read Iggy's story as it unfolded and prayed for her everyday, we feel the same way for you. It royally sucks, this messed up journey you're living through, but life ain't for sissys and you my dear are no sissy. You are gonna get thru this. Hang in there and about the messy house, well I'll give it over to Irma Bombeck who so eloquently said, "Don't sweat the small stuff". Right now its about trying to keep fluids down and getting some rest (at an incline, of course) to help you heal. Good thoughts woman.