MinaT

Sending my biggest thoughts and prayers and well wishes to the following sleevers for Monday! Keep your spirits high, press your pain button, walk as soon and as much as you can and never forget to ask for help and anti-nausea medications. At one time I was on 3 plus the patch. It made everything much easier. PEvette Vanb0052 Readytobeslimxoxox Blondeej Dr. Aceves, KamloopsMom Healthy Mama Kat1 Pam2011 bogeydog blackdahlia Detroit_Tom

Surgery June 4th, today is the 10th. I am sore still, I walk and I'm getting almost all my liquids in but I can't deal with isopure . I also just ran into a fever today and spoke with my nurse. If it hits 101.5 we'll be heading back to the hospital, so I'm trying to break it now. I'm allergic to all pain medications and I'm suppose to be on Adult Tylenol and I can't do it, it makes me completely sick. The drain is a pain in the neck but I get it out on the 13th. Such a long time to have a drain I think. I am more tired today than yesterday, but I'm having severe coughing fits. I use the spirometer and Rhinecort and Ventolin throughout the day, but I had pleurisy in April and I am very susceptible to pneumonia. The coughing does hurt, but it is what it is. Having Lupus will obviously make recovery a little harder, but I think I'm doing pretty good. The nurse said to try 1/2 cup skim milk today so i can get some protein and I'll start regular liquids tomorrow because I can't tolerate the isopure. I hope everyone else is having an easier time than me. I'm grateful my husband has been amazing this week. He goes to work tomorrow and I'm a little nervous, but my son will be here to help out.

Monday I will try a real shake. I'm very flemmy still and I have post-nasal drip and i cough a lot, though I have an inhaler and use the spirometer a lot. I'm worried about the shake causing more conjestion. If this isn't better by Monday I will call the surgeon, to have a chest xray and make sure I didn't end up with pneumonia. I did all the right things, I walked and sipped, and used spirometer.

Thank you so much Robin33 for all the hard work you are doing keeping up with the lists!!! We all really appreciate it.

Glad you are doing well. I think the extensive nature of the surgery with the complications during the surgery has made it a little more rough for me, on top of having lupus and the coughing issue, but I'm getting better. I walk fine but my drain was leaking really bad earlier. I just can't wait until that's out on the 13th and I'm looking forward to trying the pure protein 100% Whey Protein frosty chocolate. I loved it before surgery and I have to new tubs of it, and that will be a bummer if I can't tolerate it. lol

on clears until monday then I will make 1/2 batches of frosty shake. The isopure grape isn't that great, but I added Grape MIO and it is much better. I am downing liquid with no problem really. 1/2 sf cherry jello made me extremely full and that = 1-3/4 ounces.

Can you please add ta1020 and comfortably numb = both husband and wife to June 1st with Dr. Kelly.

Yes, the gas is explosive!! I have a prescription for simethicone or something like that. I also have a patch behind my ear for nausea, and I have one to replace tomorrow. I'm allergic to all pain medication and I'm stuck using Liquid Tylenol which is like a brick in my stomach. DO not HAVE benefiber the week of your surgery. As your doctor. 5 weeks out is different than less than a week out. Walking is the only way to relieve the gas pains really. Let your tummy heal.

Thanks Robin and thank you for taking care of the forum June compilation. I won't be at my computer a lot, I think the lupus is holding me back a bit. But I'm following everything I'm suppose to do. I am going to shower and change the drain padding and perhaps go relax before my next walking session.

I'm the same. I am only taking in liquids, and after I walk, my tummy gurgles and makes all kinds of noises then i pass a lot of gas and have diarreah. No way to have solid stools if we aren't eating solids, so it's absolutely normal. I run to the bathroom often and sometimes it's just gas but it's all the liquids that i have had. I say very normal.

Giselle, I'm so very sorry, but there are reasons for caution. My surgeon worked with a brand new anesthesiologist which he wasn't happy about and the anesthesiologist messed up and the esophageal tube poked into my stomach at the same time during one of the last of two staples. Needless to say a tube stapled was a big commotion. A gastro team was called in and they couldn't cut the tube and my surgeon was extremely peeved with the anesthesiologist and point blank told my family, he will never work with him again. The surgery was over 5 hours long and my parents and husband said, oh my gosh, he was PO'd. He had very few choices, one choice would be to staple behind the tube which would really narrow the top near the esophagus, but after he spoke with my family he was able to go back in there and he managed to cut the tube and then follow the natural staple line. He's really a good surgeon, but that anesthesiologist just lost a surgeon and I'm sure there have been some major repercussions. My drain is a bit draining, getting in and out of bed isn't so bad. I use my spirometer a lot, but every 4 hours I get a racking cough that is horrible. I'm allergic to pain meds except the morphine, so I'm stuck with Children's Tylenol (it's HORRIBLE...one ounce of that is like a brick in my tummy). I can't understand how I've read people posting 5 days out they ate solid foods. That blows my mind, Best wishes and prayers for all those. I questioned myself with the surgery day 2 and I'm now I'm doing okay. Every day I'm getting stronger, I think I'll feel much better after the drain is gone on Wednesday.

I'm home. I had some complications from surgery, I also had a mesh put in for hernia and scar tissue removal, but my surgeon wanted me in another day so I just got home this afternoon. I walked a lot and sipped a lot and no matter what getting rid of the gas was not easy. it seems my kidneys and intestines didn't want to wake up. The upper gi with the gastrique or whatever it's called was the worst experience for me. My nurses and na's were absolutely wonderful though. Sipping slowly is important, trying to get all the fluids in is a bit hard, but I'm sipping and walking. Day of Surgery 229 - Today 235. Oh gotta love it, but I'm really quite swollen I just got my iv out this morning and just stated passing gas yesterday and my first real bm was today, so it will be a while. I get start full liquids on Monday, which I was shocked about. I was told 2 weeks of clears, but that made me happy. Binders are great. Walking is so important. I was on 3 different antinausea medications at once, and I even went home with a new patch, plus I have a prescription for another which is awesome. I get the drain out on Wednesday. Sorry I couldn't check in from hospital. Hoping all that have been sleeved in June are doing great, and best of Luck to all of next week's sleevers.

I have to be there at 6:30, surgery is 9:00 and I still need to shower, bags are packed and hospital is only minutes away. Wanted to once again wish everyone the best of luck, quick healing, keep a positive attitude, walk, sip, and sent prayers up for you all.

Added nmg4unj5, NJHANIBAL, rherrara, mommyof3 to the June Complication list located at http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/39508-june-sleevers-compilation-good-luck-well-wishes/ To all those that are going to be going this week, good luck to you will be back on Friday. I believe Robin33 will start a new thread June Compilation #2 to add any new June dates while I'm gone! Take care and good luck on the pre-ops, you can do it, I made 14 days on 3 shakes a day and it was hard, but I am worth it. Be back soon.

I am so sorry about the complications, my heart hurts for you and I will say some prayers. Hopefully in a few days you will be feeling better.

Why must they know the exact surgery you are having? Did you do all your pre-op testing? I have a hernia and adhesions and 2 polyps that need to be removed. I've had previous surgeries and my insides are a bit of a mess. I'm going in to have those removed. Enough said. I'm not telling anyone but my parents, husband son and ONE friend. 3 week liquid pre-op diet...I started a Protein shake diet, my doctor thinks I should lose weight before I have surgery, enough said. You will not know if you can or can't have a family until you lose the weight, so you have to look at what is right in front of you, the immediate. Life is scary and we are all afraid of things but fearing something that you have no control over right now, is not worth the anxiety (and binge eating or overeating because of fears it brings on). Take one thing at a time. I have a lot of fears, my fears are ridiculous, will I poop during surgery, will the drain make me want to gag, will I be able to afford new clothes once I lose weight. I have big fears too did I remember to pay the bills that are due this week while I'll be gone, do I have enough money to pay the bills. Will there be complications? My husband is an eater and a muncher and our relationship has changed over the past 7 months. He needs to keep up with me a bit, I can't just sit around, I need to move, he needs to move with me. He's accepted me and loved me at this weight, but I haven't loved myself. He needs to adjust to the new me, just like I have to adjust, and life has to change for the family. I can't take care of them, if I can't take care of myself. His habits will change because I have been cooking different and I am making him and my son become more active. Your relationship with your husband will change, but it doesn't mean it will be for the worst. That's another fear you need to let go of, and take it one step at a time. Long term fears, will I lose all this weight to end up still feeling insecure. Will I still have this pleasant disposition (hahaha - i'm quite the cranky person) after I lose weight. Will I do all this to end up having a stroke or kidney failure due to the lupus. These fears....I have zero control over right now. I let it go. What happens happens... I'm taking one step at a time, fear will eat me up. I spent since 1999 sick with one thing or another and battling my weight, I was embarrassed by my weight enough I refused to shop on weekends because I might run into someone I know. Take one step at a time, spend each day working on giving yourself some positive feedback, and figuring out where you have issues with food, if you don't chart your food, do so now, chew slowly, get your 64 ounces of Water in, and realize you are worth it, you can do it and you will take each thing as it comes. Get your husband involved with the new you, make changes together and the transition won't be so hard. I wish you nothing but the best and there are so many people that share the same fears as you, and there's so much support here, I'm sure others can relate to how you are feeling too. I just had to give it up because it was eating me alive.

I'm not really thinking. I thought early would be better. The reason I would have liked the later, is after surgery I'm always thirsty and I will not be able to have anything by mouth until after the Upper GI on Tuesday morning. To me later surgery is less time without drinking, but I will rinse my mouth out and be fine. I like the earlier surgery better truthfully. I did an hour gazelle today and tonight my husband, son and I are going for a walk. I got my sheets washed and on bed, my bedspread is almost dried. We are asked to wash bedding the day before. I have my hebiclens ready for my shower tonight before bed. Tomorrow before going to the hospital, I will have to shower again with hebiclens. The hospital is 5 minutes away so it will be no problem !!! I hope everyone else is going well.

Best of luck to you. I added you to the June Compilation section located here so you can see who you share a surgery date with. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/39508-june-sleevers-compilation-good-luck-well-wishes/

Added you MrsLittle and Detroit_Tom - Good luck to you all.

glsun0612 - I added you to our group I received a call from the hospital today. I luckily got to the phone on time, it took me til the third ring because I didn't know my husband and son were outside. I saw my hospital and my heart dropped lol. They changed my time. Arrival was 10:00am - surgery 12:30pm - Now arrival is 6:30am and surgery 9:00am I thought there was a surgery scheduled at 7:30am and it must have been canceled or changed. Good luck June 4, 2012 ptprincess93 DcMak72 Furby036 -- Emma Patterson Portland,Oregon 6-4-12_sleever Karenb4729 Teasha1 -- dr. Ponce de leon, Mexico Tlaff79 -- Dr. Blaine Nease Angelakay2 -- Dr. Brad Waggoner IrishSoul -- waiting on okay from insurance Dkna2 -- Dr. Garcia, Tijuanna MamaM -- Removal/Revision Mina T -- Dr. Paul Stanish labubakari Ready for the new Lay-Lay -- George Woodman, Memphis TN Sallyincincinnati -- Thegoddesszilib Since I will not be back home until Friday, I would like to wish the following people the best of luck. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. I will attempt to get online at the hospital, but if I can't, please know I'm praying for you all. June 5, 2012 shereebarb Chichis77 Bubblesbgood -- Dr. Michael Nusbaum Kstalvey -- Dr. Nick Nicholson from Plano Miss scarlet Back­­~To~Amy -- Dr. Nick Nicholson from Plano ShannonK Aznoel -- Dr. Stephen Burpee New_Hope -- Dr. Stowers, Decatur, Tx. txdee -- Dr. Nick Nicholson Amom2twins -- Dr. Aviv Ben-meir raindrop Erica E Cat Scratch Fever Redbottoms82 June 6, 2012 Sunshine08 -- Atlanta, GA Kmaskery SylviaMom -- Dr. Aceves – lap to sleeve MadisonPA kfitch Soon2bhotmama -- Dr. Ryan Heider Pooh June 7, 2012 Giselle3264 -- Dr. David Kim, Dallas LULU TAT justsleeveme23 -- Dr. Minkin, St. Louis Lovingmeforever -- Dr. Almanza butterflylegacy -- Dr. David Kim MsYoYo -- Fl. Alp50 -- Dr. Kelly Debbiesclipper June 8, 2012 Mari6257 Cristal602 -- Dr. Jaime Kelly Jenz531 Crystalaine -- Dr. Kelly TinaP -- Dr Jose Rodriguez Moms3boys

CRosa I added you to the compilation list http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/39508-june-sleevers-compilation-good-luck-well-wishes/

I was calm but some of the threads I have read are freaking me out. I haven't been nervous, haven't dreamed about the surgery, or anything, lol. Karen, we are twins seriously I swear out doctors are following the exact program. I also noticed you lost a lot of weight pre-surgery and you should be so darn proud! I think your fear and mine is the same, the pain and soreness. But we are both survivors, so I think perhaps that is what is giving us courage and strength. We got this, and in need I have the tissues!

This is just what my surgeon and bariatric center tells us. I understand that mine is a little stricter than others, but it's a very extensive program and with it we have free nutritionist and nursing for life, so I'm definitely following their plan, but everyone should follow what their doctor says. If your doctor says you can eat the 2nd week...well then, mayhaps you want to research and be your own advocate and do what you really feel is right for you. Clears are anything you can hold up to a light and see through. sugar-free Jello & SF Popsicles are on the clears. As is Propel Zero, crystal light, Isopure. Post op clear diet we were told to purchase IsoPure. You can buy them in glass bottles at GNC. They have Grape, Ice Tea with lemon (tastes like Ice Tea but has a wheat grassish taste) Orange, then Banana/Pineapple/something/something, a blue berry flavor, a fruit punch flavored. I tried a few of them and truly, they aren't all that great, but cold they aren't too bad. Each bottle has 40 grams of Protein. Sip, Sip, Sip at first. It will be a while before you are downing 80 grams of protein, just make sure you are getting as much protein in as possible. I bought MIO to enhance the flavors, I bought an Orange, Lemon and Grape MIO. *EDITED TO SAY ISOPURE COSTS ABOUT $5.00 A BOTTLE - most have 20% off so you can get 2 bottles for $8.00. You will not be drinking 2 bottles a day, at first it will be hard to get all your liquid in and clears is normally a short period of time. To me it's expensive, but I bought some and one bottle is guaranteed 40 grams of protein and that in itself is worth it. chicken broth is next. Some like unjury Chicken Soup, I tried it, I didn't care for it myself, I am more of a broth person. I have tried several (these don't have protein) but the least salty and best tasting to me is Wyler's Mrs. Grass Chicken Noodle (with the egg). I just use the broth packet with 3 cups of Water and it's good. After that is liquids. Liquids is anything you can drink through a straw (don't drink through a straw though...) Find a good high protein, low carb shake. I will probably use unflavored 100% whey protein powder to enhance things like my broth and when we get to mushy stage, i will probably throw it in instant mashed potatoes, and on food to help out. I will make sure I stick with at least one shake a day that has a minimum of 25 grams of protein in it and perhaps two and just slowly work my way into food. When I'm on mushy I bought white albacore tuna and light mayo and will make it mushy and try a little at a time. My surgeon has us doing this really slow - 2 weeks clear, 3-5 full liquids, mushy, soft then regular. I have sheet sheets with ideas and recipes. Don't forget to your chewable Vitamins, Optisource is the one I chose, it's chewable, the other ones people use is Flinstones but you will still need to buy Calcium and I think it's Iron, i'm not sure. I chose optisource because it's all inclusive. Since I take Flaxseed Oil and Glucosamine Chondritan, I bought liquid forms. I bought sublingual Vitamin b too. pills we are not allowed to take any pills larger than an M&M. Good Luck everyone. I think it's setting in a little bit this evening. One more day of shakes...one more day and then we all go in and will be on the other sides. Wow!

You are only 8 days out. Did your doctor give you any directions? I am suppose to be on clear liquids for 2 weeks then when I get approval move to full liquids for a few weeks before I move to mushy food, then soft food then regular food. This should take close to 10 weeks. Your sleeve is still healing, what kind of food are you putting in it? Are you just doing protein shakes or eating real food? Also, the IV fluids cause weight gain, so if you had an IV for a few days that's going to take time to leave your system. Your stomach is still swollen and it takes well over a month for your stomach to full heal inside, so maybe someone else knows better than me, but I had several nutrition classes and they scared the heck out of me with the fact I should not be eating real food or solids because it could cause so many issues. Good luck.

Luwanna, I'm sorry you are so upset right now. It's very normal after surgery, anesthesia also has a lot to do with it. You just had major surgery. I hope things are better next week for you. I am not fond of Isopure, I have tried it (i'm pre-surgery) so I bought MIO to use with the grape, lemon to go with iced tea, and orange MIO for the orange, hoping that helps. I have to be on them for 2 weeks, and it's going to be a long two weeks. Hoping they are more tolerable after surgery. I have tried unjury, didn't care for it myself, which I'm glad I tried one pack before I bought it. I decided to try to find a broth I like, and Ramen is too salty for me, but I found that Wyler's Mrs. Grass chicken Noodle Soup (just the broth packets not the noodles) is just right for me. Good luck to you all.