kiki19

I am easily able to get down 64 oz in a day...soups, protein shakes, water, and coffee is about the extent of my diet at this point. I start soft foods next Tuesday. I was wondering the same thing. I realize that then I will have to start following the no water 30 minutes before to one hour after a meal...and, hopefully, my mealtimes will be more controlled. I just try to constantly drink something at this point. I really need to transition to more water when I start consuming more food. I am glad there are others who say they can consumer liquids fairly easily and food fairly easily, just don't want it to be too easily for me.

Hope everything is all right. Reading your post, and now you haven't been on since you got back from the ER, other than just letting us know what he said. Let us hear from you. Praying for a full recovery.

I got my staples out Tuesday...it was a huge relief. They were causing a little bit of a reaction too. My skin was red and puffy, but no infection or anything, you could tell it was some sort of contact dermatitis.

One week post op -- feel fantastic!!! Staples are gone--yea!!! Will be glad to start mushy food....tired of soup and yogurt and shakes...Best wishes to everyone about to be sleeved.

I too can drink a pretty good bit of liquid. However, yesterday was my first day to try soups. I have been on clear liquids. The tomato soup just about killed me to get down 1/4 cup, but the cream of chicken, 1/2 was not a problem. I constantly sip liquids, whether it is protein, water, soup, juiced juice in 1 ounce portions. So I can probably drink about 8 to 12 ounces in an hour. The protein is a little heavier so may take a little longer. I think liquids are absorbed pretty quickly. Once you start eating real protein, ie, tuna, etc, I think you will see that you can only eat smaller portions. Everybody please follow your doctor's and nutrionist's advice on when to start solids. There was an 18-year-old in a town close to mine who ate a Whopper Junior at 2 weeks out and he died from perforation. (I know this because I am taking a nutrition class at our local college and our teacher is a dietician that travels around the state.) Do not force your pouch. Eat the recommended amounts until your pouch heals...usually about 6 weeks out.

I arranged about five large pillows in my bed to raise my head and back a little, and then put one long pillow under my legs. That helped me to sleep in my bed, like a little cacoon. I also put a pillow on my right side in case I need to roll over to one side...And then to get up, I would put my knee down, from my side and get on all fours and scoot to the edge of the bed...it works better than trying to get straight out of the bed.

I was sleeved on the 10th also...Have you eaten tomato soup yet? I just tried some today, and it did not feel good going down...however, my protein shake was pretty darn good...today was my first day of regular liquids...I have been on clear liquids.

My ankles have been the first place to lose weight...it looks like it is moving up my leg...I can see my kneecaps...So tell your ankles to hang on...they won't be all swollen once you have your surgery...they will get fast relief. (I am not sure if it is from doing the liquids or my bp is leveled out, but really, my ankles have not swollen one time since I had surgery and they used to stay swollen all the time and I am day 6 post-op.

I picked up a pizza for my husband and child last night, 5 days post op, and I could have licked the whole thing...I didn't but I wanted to. Today is my first day of regular liquids, which includes protein powder...yea. I have been on clear liquids. Now, I made my smoothie this morning with scoop of protein powder, coffee, and 1/2 cup skim milk and ice. I poured half of it in a cup. That was an hour ago. I still have more than half left. It is way heavier than just the clear liquids and it is way more filling. I saw a post above about watching the food network...I have been doing that too. Also, someone sent me a link to a blog which had some great recipes if anyone is interested, but I don't even start soft foods until next Tuesday or Wednesday.

You will be fine!!!! I have equated this whole experience to when I had my first child...you wait and wait and are so excited and can't wait for it to get here, but when that first labor pain hits, you burst into tears because you know it is coming no matter what...See ya on the loser's bench...

Yea, you made it!!!!! I started laughing when I read that. It is a scary process. That was one of my first thoughts when I came to, I made it through...I think that is something everybody thinks about when going into surgery. My incisions are still a little tender. Walking does help with the tenderness. I don't know why. Water and walking, I saw where someone wrote that...that is what it takes. I ate a lot of ice chips on a spoon with water...still do. I guess it gives me the thrill of holding a eating utensil. I can't wait until soft foods...only nine more days to go...Looking forward to beans and cheese...that sounds funny saying that. I can have fish after the fourth week, which will be around mother's day...I keep thinking tilapia and grilled zucchini...but, heck, I will probably change before then.

CML, you will do fine...See ya' on the losers' bench.

I did not have drain pain...don't know why, just didn't. Really, the only pain has been the incisions themselves...and a little gas pain. Like I said, I really thought I was having a heart attack when I was in the recovery room even though I knew about the gas pain...I didn't know it would be in my heart, but it comes up the left side of your body. And another thing, you almost need a grabber. That has been the hardest thing for me, trying to bend and pick up things, shave my legs, etc. I have cooked for my family, cleaned the kitchen, made beds,. washed and folded clothes. Everybody has tried to pitch in some, but I still do the majority of everything, and I have been able to. So I am glad of that. Again, my biggest thing was I needed somebody with me in the room when I got in there, so I could disconnect my compressors from my legs, get a towel and things out of my bag without having to wheel the IV pole through an obstacle course, close the curtains, close the door the nurse inevitably left open every time she walked out, answer my cell phone, just basic stuff. I think you really need a woman more than a boyfriend or husband, even though my husband was okay....he just didn't want to stay there the whole time, because I was mostly sleeping...really, it's a job for your momma or sister or best friend...LOL.

I know...I got so nervous. It is an operation. So as with all operations, it is not a day at the beach. However, mine wasn't bad. I was sore. The anesthesia made me feel groggy and tired afterwards. I woke up in recovery saying I was having a heart attack...they said, It is the gas, the CO2 used to pump up your abdomen to allow for visualization and manipulation of instruments. So I quit saying I was having a heart attack. When I got back to my room, I really needed somebody there with me, but I had to wait in recovery room for a room to get ready so my husband had gone to get dinner when I finally got to my room. Plus, we were from out of town and I didn't have a cell phone to tell him where I was....Finally, the nurse was able to get him. I was sore and groggy...I got dilaudid the first night, and slept with my cpap. I walked two or three times by 5:00 that afternoon, and again at 8:00 and then at 2:00 in the morning, and then slept until 7:00 a.m. and got up and walked again. I was then discharged. Headed home about 10:30 or 11:00 in the morning. Stopped about an hour into our trip home, used the bathroom, walked around the little area, got back in the car and headed home. Once home, I did have a slight headache. I took liquid tylenol for that. I ate a lot of ice chips and Water, because popsiciles and Jello tasted too strong. I mostly just drank water and ice the first 24 hours, trying to get in the 40 ounces. Then, the next day, I drank a little coffee mixed with ice and water with splenda and it was so good. It also got rid of my headache. I did eat a couple of popsicles, wishing I had a banana one for some reason. Crystal lite was too strong too. So I mixed some with extra water, just to give it a little taste. Getting in and out of bed was tough, makes you hold your breath. I walked around the house and outside, just up and down the sidewalk, trying to make sure I got rid of most of the gas. I have tried to not go anywhere, because I do not want to get sick. So I have stayed at home. I did send my husband out for grapes and carrots, and I got out my juicer yesterday, which was the 14th, and my surgery was the 10th, so day 3 or 4, however you want to count that, and I juiced about 5 or 6 grapes, strained them, and that was about 1 ounce. And I also did that with carrots and celery. It is so much better than broth and at least has some nutrition. So I drink one ounce of juiced juice for Breakfast, lunch and dinner, and then drink water, popsicles, jello, and diluted coffee, some broth, but not much, and that's been it. I have been staying hydrated, as evidenced by the color of my urine (should be straw). My wounds have all healed nicely. Still sore...bazillion sit-ups sore. I was told I could start regular liquids tomorrow...yea!!!! Looking forward to a Protein shake and some yogurt. So long story short -- it is not a breeze, but it is not something that is unmanageable. Four or five days out, I would do it again tomorrow. Of course, I haven't really seen any results -- other than my ankles look thin -- and have been assured the reward is coming. You have to keep your eye on the prize, because you have the pain with no results, but if you look at pictures of people six months out, oh, man, you get that, that's gonna be me feeling....and that makes it all worthwhile. So don't be nervous. YOU KNOW WHAT LED YOU HERE TO THIS POINT....so it's time to let go and take the ride. Roll with the punches. Just keep telling yourself the pain is temporary -- this is a process -- this is my leap of faith!!!! YOU WILL ALL DO FINE!!!!!! Six months from now, the pain will be a distant memory!!!

Just sips...I know, it's harder than I thought...so used to just drinking normal...after a couple of days, it does get easier. I have dixie cups with measurements on the side...also, I used a spoon to eat chips of ice and water. Good luck....a couple of days makes a huge difference....my ankles are getting skinny.

I was sleeved on the 10th. I left the hospital at 10 a.m. on the 11th. Stopped on our way home to walk. Drank Crystal lite. I have had no complications, other than I have had a headache. I don't know if that is from the Lovelox(sic) or not. It's not been too bad giving myself the injections. My incisions are way low...like at my waist and below my waist. I thought that might be because I had a hysterectomy and maybe my organs have moved down, I don't know. Does anyone else have low incisions? Mine are not like in the picture I had...As I mentioned above, I am getting out my juicer. Has anyone else juiced their own liquids? My child said I looked like I was losing weight in my ankles...and it does appear that way. My ankles and calves look thinner...haha. Maybe I will lose from the feet up...I hope everyone is doing well. I am still tired, but I think anytime you do a surgery, you need to rest after it. I am also still trying to stay away from public places, because I would hate to catch anything...that's the biggest thing...trying to stay healthy, rest, and drink plenty of liquids.

I would follow the pre-op diet that they gave you...doing liquids until the 26th is a long time...I did one week of liquid pre-op, 1 day of clear, and now, my diet is clear liquids only until day 6 post-op and then 2 weeks of liquid diet and then two weeks of soft diet...that is a long time to go without food. Those shakes get old quick....save them for when you really need them. I am finally getting out my juicer today. I don't know why I didn't think about it...my husband went to get me some grapes and carrots for the juicer...I just about can't drink anymore broth. I am living on coffee and water...that cannot be good. So I thought I would juice an ounce or two, water, juice, water, juice. Some days are easier than others to get my liquids in...but it is a constant battle to make sure I sip and don't gulp...and that I am constantly sipping...

Can't wait to hear how your surgery went. I am sure everything will be fine. Saying prayers for safe and perfect surgery...and a fast recovery. I am four days out and feel good today...well, my surgery was on the 10th, so 3 or 4 days out. Good luck...

This is my fourth day out. I had my surgery on the 10th. Anyway, I was having this horrible headache. I thought maybe it was coffee withdrawals, so I made coffee this morning and blended ice and coffee and splenda, and it is pretty darn good. Nothing else has tasted good at all. Like broth or popsicles or jello...I have mostly been drinking water, but the coffee actually hit the spot. I am just wondering what you are eating (drinking) now. Did you do clear liquids until yesterday? Are you starting on protein supplements today? What are you doing and how do you feel? Are you tired? Kiki19

Praying.

I got sleeved yesterday, and I am back home...yea. I hate hospitals. I am about to try a popsicle... Glad everybody is doing good.

Me too...I am excited and nervous also...not worried about pain. I will say a prayer for all of us...

I wish I had done this surgery in my 30s...I was always of the mindset that I could do it on my own...well, fifteen years have passed and I am still fat, fatter than before...I have lost 50, 60 pounds, and put it right back on even though I would tell myself I wouldn't. I decided last year that it was time I took some action, no matter how drastic, to change my life. My surgery is tomorrow. Yes, I am nervous, but I am looking at it as a new beginning. I have been hiding in my fat for so long, I have forgotten what it was like to be normal. Anyway, this is not the miracle -- this is a tool to help you achieve weight loss and be able to keep it off. P.S. They used to do this surgery a long time ago, but they called it something else...my husband's aunt had half of her stomach taken out 50 years ago. I assume she probably had h. pylori or something, before they knew it was bacteria. She has always been slim since.

Love reading the positive comments...it makes me more excited than nervous...I am 5 days away...can't wait. I am almost 50 too...I went through the whole decade of my 40s fat...I just feel like I am letting life pass me by...that's what really kick started my butt.

Thank you for this post....it was what I really needed to read today. I am getting so excited...I can't wait until I am 11 months out...yippeee....thank you.