Mommadreams

I am 2-4/7 wks post op and have had no problems with reflux before or after...until yesterday. I started introducing pureed meats and soft fish and OMG the pain in my chest and throat was really bad! Worse than anything else related to this surgery and life change experience, which I must say has all been really bearable. My doc did not prescribe anything for reflux. My hubby got Pepcid last night and I crushed it up even though it reads "do not chew" because I was desperate. I don't want to just treat symptoms, I want to prevent the acid production so think I should take Prilosec. They are OTC and in tablet form but I am not cleared for tablets. Anybody had a doc say they can crush? Any other suggestions? This reflux is MAJOR food aversion therapy but as you know we have to get our protein and liquids in. Need help, thanks so much!

Thank you all so much! I started Prilosec and took Pepcid for two days and haven't had any more pain...I appreciate the suggestions. You guys are awesome.

So sorry, guys!! I accidentally submitted my post twice and can't figure out how to delete the duplicate! I feel like a dingbat.

I'm two weeks too and I can totally relate. I can now get the Protein in by starting the day with decaf coffee with 1/2 scoop unjury vanilla protein powder. One scoop is 20g protein but I prefer taste with half scoop. I drink protein shakes or have Greek yogurt almost every day. Sometimes if really having desire for something with weight to it, will add full scoop of Unjury cheese sauce powder to grits or mashed potatoes but liken others have said, I try to avoid carby stuff. One scoop of the cheese sauce is 20g. I also add the fruit punch flavored protein shots to sugar-free fruit punch/crystal light/watered down Gatorade. Protein shot is 25g. It's the only way I can tolerate protein shots. The rest that I tried I found to be pretty yucky. We can do this! Some days I feel like I have worked so hard to get the protein in and then realize I did it but only ate 200-300 cal. Feels like a lot of work but totally worth it! Hang in there...

I'm two weeks too and I can totally relate. I can now get the Protein in by starting the day with decaf coffee with 1/2 scoop unjury vanilla Protein powder. One scoop is 20g protein but I prefer taste with half scoop. I drink protein shakes or have Greek yogurt almost every day. Sometimes if really having desire for something with weight to it, will add full scoop of Unjury cheese sauce powder to grits or mashed potatoes but liken others have said, I try to avoid carby stuff. One scoop of the cheese sauce is 20g. I also add the fruit punch flavored protein shots to sugar-free fruit punch/crystal light/watered down Gatorade. Protein shot is 25g. It's the only way I can tolerate protein shots. The rest that I tried I found to be pretty yucky. We can do this! Some days I feel like I have worked so hard to get the protein in and then realize I did it but only ate 200-300 cal. Feels like a lot of work but totally worth it! Hang in there...

Great suggestions! I am so literal that I have been eating canned broths only. Going to the store to get chicken noodle TODAY. I'm not worried about the sodium. I'd rather lose a little slower and prevent dehydration. Am also having watered down fruit juice or gatorade and my energy level is pretty good. Counting the days until full liquid...Thursday, come on, baby!!

PEvette- I was (and am) SO excited too! Congrats on the decision to go for it!

Went and got the Gatorade. I used a little sip to chase the Protein shots down. Much better, thanks for the suggestion, Precious Cargo! I can only have clear liquids until 7th day post-op so no shakes for me. I am interested that some people can only have clear liquids first week and others can incorporate shakes, etc. I am envious. Even the shakes sound good about now! one thing I meant to mention that I didn't expect about the surgery... It was not a big deal, but right before going into surgery they gave me an injection of Heparin to prevent blood clotting and twice post surgery they gave injections of Lovenox (sp). Both in the tummy area. Didn't hurt as it was a small shot but thought I'd share my experience in case it helps others prepare their questions to stay informed about what their own experience will be like. I was also pleased that they did not insert a catheter to keep the bladder empty. They just had me use the ladies room right before surgery. I was pretty numb after surgery so had to make myself try and go. You'll want to keep your bladder empty to avoid UTI. For those about to be sleeved, let us know how it goes! (i'm trying to add the weight loss ticket tracker to share my progress too!)

Hi Noob! I had my surgery same day as you did. I didn't have to have the drain, and the pain pump was through my IV and therefore removed before discharge. I had very similar experience: showed up, normal prep with IV being worst of it and that is just a few seconds of a needle pinch. I loved the compression socks...was like getting a massage . I stayed overnight on Thursday and was sent home Friday mid-day. I STRONGLY recommend staying overnight to folks who can. I was a self-pay and one night was included in my package, so I took advantage. The nurses were able to answer lots of questions and it was reassuring to know what was normal or not. Also took the burden of care off the family . First few out of bed experiences were slow but not hard. Took pain meds 20 minutes before planning to walk so that helped. I am not in much pain at all but I am really worried about dehydration. Even if I have not had anything to drink for a few hours due to sleep, even the very first sip causes gurgling down the entire esophagus and significant pressure in my chest and across the top of my stomach area. Lots of burping. Having a hard time getting the liquids down due to the intense pressure each sips causes and want to make sure what I can get down has lots of Protein. Are you using Isopure for your protein? Were you able to drink the 3 oz protein shot in a few sips or did you have to work on it for awhile? It took over two hours for me to get 5 oz of Isopure down. Lots of work, but worth it to make it to the skinny side. I am excited to follow your progress since we got sleeved same day. BEST OF LUCK!!

Hi all! My M.D.'s nutritionist shared the following for pre-op requirements (one week before surgery): Diet for seven days: -3 servings of Protein shakes (recommended is Bariatric Advantage Protein Shakes; 1 serving = 2 scoops w/8 oz cold water) -1 meal (see below) -64 oz of Water (32 water only, rest can be from Crystal Light, sugar free Kool-aid, Sugar Free Lemonade) NOTE: can add 1 tsp Peanut Butter and/or flavored extracts; use a Ninja/Bullet, etc to blend. The Bullet, for example is cool in that it has measured cups you add ingredients to and then invert on the Bullet blender and mix. Gonna get mine this weekend! If you hate the protein power, grocery stores like HEB have the "oh yeah!" brand of Protein Shakes that are popular. DailyNutrition Breakdown of the Pre-Op Diet: -approx 800-900 calories -approx 100 gm protein/day -approx 25 gm carbohydrates/day -1000 mg Calcium Multivitamin: can take Biotin for concerns with hair loss. 7500 mcg; 1000mg Calcium each day can be broken up to 250-500 mg Ca lunch and then 250-500 with dinner. For Breakfast take Multivitamin and for snack take bariatric Vitamin if M.D. recommends. if you are hungry and want a snack you can have 2 sugar free popsicles and/or 2 sugar free Jell-O cups. I am low on Iron so am taking an Iron supplement and it is recommend that I take a Vitamin C with the Iron supplement. Meal: the one meal a day can be baked/broiled/grilled only and options are: chicken, turkey, all fish (she said cod and talapia may not be substantial enough during pre-op so go with Salmon, etc), Lean beef, pork, bison Veggies allowed are low carb veggies and should follow this rule: 1 cup cooked OR 2 cups raw OR 1/2 cooked and 1 cup raw Objective of the above diet: reduce size of the liver to allow easier access to the stomach during surgery and to prevent knicks and bleeding. by drasticallly reducing the carb intake, the body goes to the liver for stored carbs and therefore reduces the liver size. Who knew? I also received the post-surgery Vitamins and diet but it's a bit overwhelming so just focusing on pre-diet for now! Happy Holidays to all!

Hi all! I am scheduled for January 12. Start pre-op diet January 5. I'm so excited and also a bit nervous. I met with the dietician today and also had the required TNE pre-op procedure to assess for any existing hernia that may need correction during surgery or gastric bacteria (h pylori) requiring antibiotic treatment pre-surgery. TNE was not a pleasant experience but not horrible...Glad it's over! I will post the list of Protein supplement suggestions and Vitamins from the dietician in case they are helpful Dania621. So, for the period of time before pre op diet starts any thoughts on taking one Vitamin that covers the daily recommendations vs taking so many separate vitamins? I got the ok (when I asked) to just take a prenatal vitamin. I was told I could take Biotin since I expressed concern over potential hair loss. Yay January sleevers! I am so excited for us!