MinaT

My thoughts and prayers are with you. I have two 13 year old cats and a 10 year old dog, that I love dearly and today we had to make the decision to bring one of my beloved 13 year old cats in to be put to sleep. It's heartbreaking. I am three weeks out today and I think I'm going to try make it another day before I bring her in so my family could have one more day with her.

Thanks Nancy, I had some weird thought that a year down the road, I'd be walking around with my one ounce med cups still lol. It does make drinking easier, and while I heal, I am all for whatever is easier. I am trying to use regular size glasses a little more since I am doing well with the sipping and not drinking or gulping. I used to be a chugger. I know it's nothing to brag about but I was known to be able to drink a bottle of beer with no hands without stopping once in my day, and I won a lot of chugging contests at a young age. I could easily take down a 16.9 ounce Water bottle in two drinks. I am glad that I used my six months wisely pre-approval to learn to sip and I quit drinking water with my meals. I foresee myself trying to avoid drinking out of water bottles for a while to come though. I take in way too much air and the feeling isn't good.

How about drinking out of a Water bottle. I am 3 weeks out today and I still use the med cups and I truly truly don't like drinking out of a water bottle. Does that get easier with time? It really is easier out of a glass and is a lot more inconvenient now that I'm going places again.

I cleaned out my closets and drawers. I made sure I had very soft nightgowns when I got home. I used my lazy boy a lot. I brought with me to the hospital my brush, toothbrush, biotene for dry mouth, Bigelow Peppermint Decaff Tea and my favorite artificial sweetener Truvia. They usually serve you decaff tea and generic artificial sweetener in the hospital. The hot Water is served in a coffee cup usually and smells like coffee and is disconcerting. I asked nurses for a styrofoam cup of hot water. The tea was refreshing but more calming for my tummy. I brought my own cottonelle/Charmaigne Butt Wipes. After you get the catheter out, you will want to clean yourself up. They have the betodine (or whatever it's called) on your stomach, and areas. I'd pick up a bottle or two of Isopure (Grape flavored with added grape mio) Green Tea with Lemon (added Lemon Mio) because when you first get home you may be on clear Protein for a while or whatever flavor you may like. Don't go crazy buying Protein drinks, what you like today may disgust you tomorrow. Remember to use the spirometer, and the med cups to sip. If they don't give them to you ask for them. It makes sipping much easier and you take in less air. Make sure your nightstand is equipped at night time with kleenex, the mouth swab sticks, your spirometer, you wake up use it, it keeps pneumonia at bay. After you get the catheter out, when it's the middle of the night and you think you may have to go potty, give yourself time. Use the Button. That's what it is there for. They aren't going to dislike you because you push the call button. Give them time to get to your room, let down the sides of the bed, unhook you from the leg compression machine, unhook the IV and give yourself time to get out of the bed to get to the bathroom. Don't feel bad that it may take a while for your kidneys to wake up. (turn on the faucet if you have to). A lot of kidneys & bladder take a while to wake up after surgery and it takes a while for the process to work again. I had times where I would nod off in the restroom waiting to empty my bladder. If you can't go, take a trip around the nurses station. (I suggest bringing a mouth wet thing with you, because the antinausea medication (or patch) behind your ear will dry your mouth out. Nothing worse than being in mid sentence and your mouth dry out and you can't talk lol. Good luck and keep a smile on your face, and positive attitude and we'll see you when you get back. Oh yeah, bringing your own cuddle blanket, made my time there so much better. I didn't use my cell, my kindle, didn't watch tv, it was just background noise. My blanket, the wipes, the biotene dry mouth wash and my peppermint decaff tea, made the 5 days I spent in so much better.

REMINDER THE UPDATED LIST IS LOCATED http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/42535-updated-new-june-sleeve-compilation/ Unfortunately I am not allowed to edit this compilation any longer, it's too long so I had to recreate it so I could add people to it, so I wanted to give a shout out to those going in that were not in this original list. June 25, 2012 Looking Ahead Ready Rudy Artichokes -- Dr. Lautz Brigham & Women’s in Boston Jubjub07 -- Dr. Aceves anais02 -- Dr. Garcia Skane10 -- Dr. Garcia Janedeaux3 Lose4good2012 -- Dr. Billy (may use spider surgical tool) aled carolinagirlz 136HereICome- Lawerance hospital in NY ChristianMomma7 CRichard1107 SMP1126 Mariec1 Tam1965 June 26, 2012 locoladi Trista1975 -- Dr. Almanza-reyes, Mexico JTmoas s.ledbetter17 -- Dr. Edwards and Lane – mcg. Nardelkn cherryseven chuckles -- Dr. Keith Gersin Misslorlor MsPerry 1920-Zeta tumblersmom glocks90 suzilouise rudekitty ShrinkingBellyKelly

added lsmith, kmywalla and Tam`965 to the Updated sleeve list located here: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/42535-updated-new-june-sleeve-compilation/

You can always order ala cart at most places and that's just the price you pay. A children's menu is really for children. I understand about not wanting to pay for food you aren't going to eat, but it's not the waitress fault that those are the rules. It's up to the owner of the restaurant to set the prices.

Are you drinking real coffee or decaff? Real coffee causes dehydration and being 6 days out from surgery I would definitely rethink it if it's caffeinated. I would definitely talk with your doctor and nutritionist. I think sticking with more liquids for now is important. I am not allowed tomato Soup at 20 days out because my doctor said it's too acidic for my sleeve. You had salsa, which is hard whether or not it's pureed 6 days after surgery. Banana's even pureed is a bit hard on the stomach at 6 days. I was on Clear Liquids for 9 days, I know all doctors are different but I think you are rushing the stages and your stomach is not even close to being healed yet inside or outside your belly. Drink more Water and try to find something to occupy your head hunger. I wish you the best of luck.

Some people will say yes, most doctor's say no. I was told I could have hard cider again some day if I open it up and leave it in the refrigerator all night long to get the carbonation out. I read someone today say she drinks diet pop still, there's a lot of posts recently regarding it. If I had to make a choice between drinking Diet Pepsi every day or an exotic beer once in a while, I'd do a beer once in a great while and forgo the pop. You have gone without all this time, why start. It's going to cause bloating and gas, there's a few doctors that told their patients that it's a wives tale that the sleeve will stretch, well carbonation does cause for bloating and gas and you do it a whole lot, of course the sleeve is going to stretch some. Is it going to stretch to the 85% that you lost, of course not, but why put something into your body that gives zero nutrition? Just my opinion.

Sending my thoughts, prayers and positive vibes and wishes to all those that are getting sleeved tomorrow. Keep a happy thought, stay positive, sip, walk and know that we are thinking about you. June 25, 2012 Looking Ahead Ready Rudy Artichokes -- Dr. Lautz Brigham & Women’s in Boston Jubjub07 -- Dr. Aceves anais02 -- Dr. Garcia Skane10 -- Dr. Garcia Janedeaux3 Lose4good2012 -- Dr. Billy (may use spider surgical tool) aled carolinagirlz 136HereICome- Lawerance hospital in NY ChristianMomma7 CRichard1107 SMP1126

I would lower on the Protein and push the Water more so. Lazy kidneys and intestines happened to me after my hysterectomy and bowel resection. There is a prescription medication that I used to use 'pre-surgery' caused Amitiza which works much better than colace. The issue is you need to up your water intake. I know it's pushing it getting 64 ounces in, but you will have to push as much as y ou can to even get more for this issue. I'm so sorry you are suffering like this. I didn't go yesterday and I felt miserable for just one day, my thoughts are with you. I literally walked around this morning doing the please let me go poopy today mantra.

I was told no to Tomato Soup but if your doctor says it's okay then it should be fine. I was told it was too acidic at first. I didn't go the complete fat free route, and you eat so little of them anyhow. At almost 3 weeks out I eat about 8 teaspoons of soups and that's about it. Here's a teaspoon to cup converter http://www.asknumber...ToTeaspoon.aspx edited to say I use skim milk with the cream soups and I sometimes I unjury 'unflavored' Protein powder to it or add a teaspoon of Carnation Dried Skim Milk Powder to get a little extra protein.

Gas x strips didn't seem to help me much, I need 4 of them to = 1 Gas X Xtra Strength Chewables. Maybe try that and also use the med cup (one ounce cup to sip). If I drink out of a water bottle I get too much gas, make sure you sip and walk. I also sat in a rocking chair with my feet up and rocked (so I didn't hurt my belly and used a heat pack on my back, that helped me. I had some serious gas for the first 10-12 days.

Good Luck, stay positive and keep good thoughts and will say some prayers for you.

I got it through it by realizing if I gave in to the cravings, I'd be back in the hospital and I'd be rolling around in extreme pain. I decided that grumbly hungry tummy == pain tummy and found a way to talk myself out of thinking it was hunger pains and it was just gas pains. I'm 20 days out and I'd do just about anything for a pickle, besides eat it. good luck

I realize that there are probably people on this site that think I'm too blunt and to the point and whatever, I'm fine with it lol. I am giving myself this pep talk as much as I am giving it to you. I feel like crap today. I am hungry. I want a stupid pickle. Listening to people that had surgery after me talk about eating real food, gives me a sour puss face lol. What you are going through sucks, pretty hard. If I can't find a way to give you support, how can I support myself because I realize my day is kinda crappy, my tummy hurts. I spent my morning walking around saying to myself please go poop today, because yesterday I didn't and all I wanted was one fart and a wet watery poop. I just want you to know that there are people that are not having the easiest time but as long as we keep our wits about us and try to stay a little positive (I pooped and it made me happy) we'll get through it

You really need to speak to your surgeon or a doctor and maybe get a blood test. Craving sugar like that is either a head hunger psychological thing, or it could very well be a medical issue, thyroid, diabetes, or whatever. We all have cravings but if you aren't able to control them, then you need to seek help from the doctor.

Soon2b, I was suffering the same issue as you. Try to get in at least 64 ounces of Water. You just had surgery, you don't need to be worried about the Protein as much as you do the water. If you can't handle the Protein shakes itself try taking a step back and try maybe one of the Isopure flavors. Protein shakes that I loved pre-surgery made me so ill. Important help: If you were given med cups (one ounce or 30ml medicine cups) pour your water into that and take sips from it. I normally get 2-3 sips were one ounce. I can do 3 cups in pretty quick sip succession, usually the 4 ounce may be a bit too much, I just slow it down a bit. If you don't have them, see if you have a shot glass. It really truly is easier to drink out of a small cup than it is out of water bottle. I swallow way too much air drinking out of a bottle. I will have to talk to my doctor wed. about this. I'm 3 weeks out and going out in public, I worry about getting dehydrated because I really hate drinking out of the water bottle because of the gas I seem to take in, no matter how I try to sip out of the bottle. I have been told by my surgeon, nurses, and nutritionist that the most important thing to get in at first is your fluids. If most things make you nauseated, try some decaff tea in a flavor you may like. Bigelow Peppermint Decaff Tea with a truvia or some artificial sweetener of your choice is actually very soothing on the belly. Unfortunately, taste buds change after surgery and it does get better. I have tried GNC brand, Pure Protein Shakes, Muscle Milk etc. and though I liked them pre-surgery after surgery the taste became like elmers glue disgustingness. Luckily almost 3 weeks out, I am able tog et one shake a day in and i'm hitting about 40-45 grams of protein a day, which I need to start upping, but as long as I get my 64 ounces of water in and I keep trying, I'm fine. The surgeon assured me that I have enough protein stores that it's not going to affect me. Dehydration will affect you and cause harm, so make sure you get in your 64 ounces of water, try sugar-free popsicles, sugar-free jellos, water, decaff tea and then slowly retry the protein shakes just 2 ounces a time if you have to. Good luck.

Shane I am so very sorry. Did the doctor say why you are having such a problem? Why two drains? Were there complications? I had one drain for 9 days and I felt so much better when I got it out, though my drain became infected. I would really like to know what type of complication may have arisen that would cause two drains. Did you have hernia surgery also? I know people that have had hernia repair surgery and had to have two drains. McTrisha, I had some complications too, so I do understand. My anesthesiologist let the esophageal tube drop into my stomach - while the doctor was in mid staple and it got stapled inside me. It extended surgery another 5 hours and a team was brought in and was very rough. I almost ended up with my esophagus narrowed because of it. I am still on full liquids and I find out Wed. if I can go to pureeds, but I honestly believe I will be on full liquids until June 9th, which is over a month of full liquids. I tried strained cheddar broccoli Soup from Potbelly today and got in less than 1/4 cup and my tummy got really full and it kind of bummed me out, I am a little tired today because all of a sudden my incisions are more sore the last few days. I haven't lost sight of why I had this surgery and I know right now you are, but stay strong sweety. You are so close to Onederland and come Thanksgiving & Christmas when you are close to or at goal, and you are sitting with the family having dinner, I believe despite the complications, you will have felt that it was worth it in the end. This is something I hold onto tightly. I'm sure like me you read how people had no complications and their major complaint is not being able to eat whatever they want and it's a bit hard sometimes, I admit. We're obviously pretty strong to deal with the complications we have to deal with and we will get through this.

I can't wait. I have Fright Fest written all over my name. I haven't been to Six Flags in like 10 years and this October I am heading there.

Getting dehydrated correlates to not getting in enough Water. Being dehydrated is preventable if you aren't throwing up having constant diarreah or nausea, if you have the other issues, then there's something more wrong and you need to seek medical attention. Start keeping track of how much you are getting in. Practice sipping all day long. We are all told before surgery that we need to sip, sip, sip, it doesn't change after surgery. Sipping water all day and keeping track of how much we get in is extremely important to good health.

Wow I'm 20 days out and still on full liquids, good luck with the pureeds. Go slow try only one thing at a time and only a little bit at a time. Seems most people do well with a few teaspoons of refried Beans with ff sour cream on top. Instant mashed potatoes with ff gravy, but only a little bit at a time. I believe tuna blended with celery salt, and ff mayo or miracle whip is something a lot of people do. I'm looking forward to trying tuna eventually. I just hope that I get off full liquids Wednesday. I'll be 23 days out and I could use a little change I think.

I can sip easily 3 med cups of Water or other liquids in quick succession, the 4th cup usually goes down a little slower. I can drink my Protein shake sip after sip but it takes a while. SF pudding sometimes I can get the entire 3 ounce cup in and sometimes I can only get in 1/2. I'm 3 weeks out tomorrow and I'm still on full liquids. I am sure it will change when I get to pureeds.

Three weeks out tomorrow here and I would like to move to pureed food and see surgeon on Wed, but I think I'm going to be made to wait another 2 more weeks. I sure hope not. I am still using the med cups to drink out of. I really seem to take in way too much air when I drink out of the water bottle. I hope I can get away from the med cups eventually, but I still can't. 3 sips from the one ounce med cups is usually what I get, and I can easily get down 3 ounces one sip at a time but my 4th ounce, seems to do me in a bit.

If you areon liquids only just try some sugar-free popsicle and drink more Water. I wouldn't add food unless your doctor allows it. Always do what your doctor tells you to do. Realize day 3 & 4 are the hardest and it goes away. I had a 14 day preop shake diet, and tomorrow it will be 3 weeks out from surgery and I am only on full liquids, I have had no food. I am actually craving a pickle. I know that if I would eat a pickle it would hurt like no tomorrow, so I'm just going to let it go and I can tell you the day I get a little slice of a garlic dill pickle, will be a day that I grin from ear to ear You can do it!