WhoozisAnyway

Miralax was recommended by my surgical nurse, she said to wait several weeks before using Benefiber because it is a "bulking" product and can swell the new tummy. I cannot seem to get enough Fiber in mushy stage, so using Miralax until "real" food time.

Yes, I've tried baby food a few times. I have to add seasoning to give it a little flavor, but it's really not bad at all. The lasagna is good if you're craving something savory.

I used Benefiber pre-surgery, but was warned by the nurse not to take it for quite a while post surgery because Benefiber is a "bulking" product and can distend a new tummy. She recommended a daily dose of Miralax. It really is flavorless, I add it to Crystal Light and don't taste a thing.

I had a bad experience with scrambled egg last week. Pain and weird feeling in my esophagus for about 14 hours. Won't be making that mistake again for a while. However, I've had a couple of poached eggs that went down just fine. Try poached or hardboiled egg if you are really craving it badly.

I was sleeved 4/9, lost 10 lbs the first two weeks post surgery, then I've fluctuated up and down the same pound over the past week. Net change is zero for the past 7 days. Frustrating but expected. Had my first post surgery checkup today and my NUT said this is completely normal, my body is in shock and starvation mode and things should improve once I can start eating "real" (soft) food next week. Hang in there! Sent from my iPad using VST

I can only speak to my own experiences, but when I have a "dumping" episode due to a milk product, it starts with a stomach ache, followed with terrible gas pains, cold sweats, cramping and then don't get between me and the bathroom. Not to be too graphic, but I can literally lose my entire meal almost the same way as throwing up. All of this can happen in less than an hour. This is COMPLETELY unrelated to the sleeve. Extreme stress or drastic change in diet and eating times also bring on the attacks for me. Luckily I've had many years to learn my triggers and avoid them, but in the beginning I had to take stomach tranquilizers. After an episode, I could then be constipated, sometimes for days. From what I've read and seen with family members who have experienced dumping from excessive sugar (they had a RnY), it's pretty much the same type of symptoms as what I've experienced. IBS, dumping, lactose intolerance, I think it's all very similar, and not something you want to have. The trick is to learn your triggers and avoid them at all costs! The OP may be experiencing dumping because she has developed a sensitivity to something that may not have bothered her before. I may be completely wrong as to what is causing her issues, just offered my two cents so she can check it out. Sent from my iPad using VST

cheese has very little lactose. Neither does yogurt. Everyone's body reacts differently though. I can eat cheese and yogurt with no issues, but milk products give me dumping and hives, things like cottage cheese and whey Protein just give me hives. I've given up trying to understand it, but you are on the right track in keeping a food diary and marking times that you got sick. I'm sure you will find a common denominator somewhere. I've been lactose intolerant for 20+ years, but I've read on this board that a lot of people develop it post surgery. Good luck to you! Sent from my iPad using VST

I've never had a problem with negotiating time with a new employer. Wait until they offer you the job, then tell them you accept it, you appreciate the opportunity, however, you have an upcoming surgical procedure that may result in your being off work for a week or two. You do not have to tell them what you are having done and they are not required to make you answer. Sent from my iPad using VST

I've also lost 30 lbs since starting my preop diet and although I dropped two sizes on top and one on the bottom, most people haven't seen it. I've had a couple friends say they see a huge difference but coworkers and other people I see daily haven't noticed. One friend who knows about the surgery even said something like "when you do start to lose weight . . . ", ummm, hello?! I personally can't see it unless I see a photo of myself. I guess I'm just saying to be patient, I think as time goes on and more comes off, it will become much more noticeable to those around us, and to ourselves as well. Sent from my iPad using VST

Are you lactose intolerant, or suspicious that you might have become so after surgery? Many years ago, before I was diagnosed with lactose intolerance, I experienced many of the same symptoms as you are describing. Just a thought. Sent from my iPad using VST

I was sleeved with hiatal hernia repair on 4/9, and started mushies on the 22nd. I haven't pushed it too much, slowing adding pudding, poached eggs, was going to start refried Beans today. Last night I had 1/4 cup of egg whites scrambled. Even though I ate slowly, chewed really well and the eggs were soft cooked, something just didn't go down right. I felt like all my food was stuck in my esophagus, had terrible hiccups and just didn't feel well. This morning I have mild but constant discomfort in the area underneath my left shoulder (which was the only place I had gas pains after surgery), a feeling like my esophagus is really restricted, and my tummy is making a lot of noise. liquids are going down OK although the sleeve sounds like Chewbacca again when liquid hits it. I spoke with one of the surgeon's nurses. She thinks a piece of egg might have gotten stuck and caused irritation and swelling. She told me to double my Protonix and stay on liquids through the weekend. I have a 3 week follow up appt. with them on Monday, but to call if I don't feel better by Friday. This has set my mind to fretting and worrying about developing a leak. Has anybody else had a similar experience? Talk me off the cliff, please!

Thanks, everybody! I've had a poached egg twice with no problem, wonder why soft scrambled is such an issue? Shoot, the only reason I had it was because it was on my "mushy" food list from the doctor! I feel better now. Well, not physically yet, but mentally! You guys are awesome!

Thanks, Lissa! My inner hypochondriac is begging to come out, lol. It's just uncomfortable, I feel like there's a lump in my esophagus, and the weird discomfort I feel under my shoulder is just that . . . weird. I guess this is karma for feeling cocky about having such a smooth recovery.

Blend equal parts prepared sugar free Jello with plain greek yogurt for a light mousse type snack. Adding Splenda to plain yogurt makes it taste like vanilla yogurt to me. Sometimes I'll add a little liquid from a jar of fruit preserves to make a fruit flavored yogurt. I also use it in place of sour cream.

I'm two weeks out and have no trouble "eating" 3-4 ounces of liquid/mushy food (like yogurt, pudding, baby food, etc.), although not in a hurry. I'm getting more than necessary water/Crystal Light in as well, can do 20 oz over a couple of hours. However, I tried a thicker crab chowder two nights ago and could only get a couple teaspoons down. Seems like I'll have no issue with liquids and will have to watch those calories, but more solid food just sits there and gives me hiccups.

EPCOT is a fabulous park and if you are feeling pretty well you shouldn't talk yourself out of going. Just make a plan, take frequent rest stops, stay hydrated and pre-arrange meeting places with your group for when you need to take a breather. There are lots of shaded/cool spots to relax. I agree with randalljohn that if you have trouble walking, arrange for an ECV rental. If you are an experienced walker, take your best walking shoes. You can reasonably expect to walk 3-5 miles in a full day at EPCOT if your group is on the go. Disney doesn't skimp on rest areas, guest assistance or facilities for disabled or walking impaired people, so take full advantage of their services. Here's a link to the map if you aren't familiar with the park: http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/epcot.htm Above all - have fun! PS - I'm an experienced Disney parks person, feel free to PM me if you have any questions about EPCOT.

Don't buy too much! I made this mistake, stocking up on broths, cream Soups, soy milk, yogurt, pudding and applesauce multi packs, etc. Unfortunately I was shopping with a full stomach mindset. It didn't register that it might take me 2-3 days to go through one can of Soup, for example. I have enough Protein powder to last through the end of the year. Make a list of what you think you need, then buy about 1/4 of what you THINK you will consume.

Took my blood pressure tonight for the first time since surgery on 4/9 . . . And it was 112/68. Halle-freakin'-lujah! My BP has been high for over four months and I was put on pills through my surgery date, my PCP didn't think I'd need them after surgery. She was right! Also, today I tried on a pair of shorts that I haven't been able to wear in over three years, and they fit with room to spare. 9 lbs down since surgery date, but I really should have started taking measurements because I've dropped a size. Only unexpected event was that TOM showed up 10 days early (which NEVER happens) and I've been in a lot of pain. Had to take some of my post op liquid pain meds to make it through. Oh well, small price to pay. Today was a good day. Sent from my iPad using VST

Prescription Protonix (or generic). It's a miracle worker. Sent from my iPad using VST

Welcome! Waving at you from Biloxi, practically down the street, lol.

I use myfitnesspal, because I can do "reports" that graph my weight loss.