Webchickadee

I learned to ride when I was 18 and owned 3 bikes before I had a terrible accident (at age 29) (just me....hit something small on the road, slide onto a dirt shoulder and flew about 30 feet into the ditch!). That was 13 years ago and I broke my wrist (needed a plate inserted), broke 3 ribs and punctured my lung, ruptured my spleen, dislocated my shoulder and had crazy-bad road-rash (think burn-dressings for a month afterwards just to get them to heal enough for regular bandages) on my elbows and knees. And as if that wasn't enough, I must have had a small gallstone I wasn't aware of. The force of the crash impacted the stone into the wall of the gall bladder where it festered. A month later, I was admitted back into hospital with a burst gall bladder, septicemia, and EXCRUCIATING pain. I nearly died! Gall bladder bits were removed (my first laparoscopic surgery!) and I eventually recovered. Luckily no long term effects (and thank God, no head injury, though my helmet was caved in on the side!). I swore that day to my family that I would never ride again. That doesn't stop me from wanting a bike again, especially every spring when I see them first appear after the long cold winter. There's a reason they call motorcyclist's "organ donors". And most of the time it's not even due to our own negligence in riding. It's circumstances, other drivers, etc. But there's no protection, and too dangerous, in my opinion. If I had kids, I wouldn't even consider it.

Do you have a fever? Diarrhea? Vomiting? Nausea? It could be the flu, which when it causes fever can also cause "heart flutters". Could also be anemia (when was the last time you had blood work done? Are you taking Iron supplements since your VSG surgery?). These are some benign causes of heart flutter, but there are more serious ones (heart disease, overactive thyroid, etc.). So I think you might want to get checked out. And I probably wouldn't wait around....sooner rather than later is wise where heart questions are concerned. Especially if it turns out to be nothing serious.....and you spend time worrying for nothing! If you do have the flu, you might need some medical care, as you can get dehydrated quickly this early following your surgery and that will probably land you in the ER to get an IV. So be proactive! And feel better soon. Let us know how things go.....

I would say yes. But to be on the safe side, why don't you figure out how many servings you require prior to surgery and only take that amount? And leave the rest home. That way you don't have to worry about bringing it back home. You won't be drinking protein right away after surgery anyways (you'll be on clear fluids for the first little while).

Count me in!

Deepest condolences on your terrible and sudden loss! I know you've been planning and looking forward to your surgery, but right now your world has shifted right beneath your feet. You need to focus on your family and your own emotional health. There will be time for your physical health to be the first priority, and you will know when that time is just right. I am certain your surgeon will understand. This surgery requires your full attention, dedication and the wide support of your friends and family to be successful long-term. At the moment, none of you are ready to do that.....you need time to mourn, to heal and to understand what your lives will look like going forward from today. There's no way to know how it will all go......just take each day and each moment as they come and know that love surrounds you in your loss and in your recovery from this shock. I lost my mother suddenly and unexpectedly and my brother 5 months later. It took a VERY long time to "normalize" after that. My thoughts, prayers and support are with you.

Pain, fever...if you had a leak, you wouldn't be "thinking about calling your doctor". You'd be in the ER demanding attention (or your family would be on your behalf). You would be DEATHLY ill! A VERY strong chance that your symptoms are not a leak, but please, do get checked out tomorrow. Just try not to drive yourself crazy worrying about that tonight (unless you DO have a high fever, excruciating pain and feel deathly ill....which I pray you don't!)

Congrats! Woohoo! Keep up the FANTASTIC work! Onederland is about 96 lbs away for me (I'd LOVE to get there by my birthday, Oct. 20), but that's a pretty aggressive timeline. I'll take what I can get. I can't wait until I can start working out and really rockin this sleeve! Walking is good, but I would love to swim and start weights and cardio. Just another 4 weeks and I'm joining the YMCA (and signing up my hubby too!).

If you're allowed full liquids, you could try having a Protein shake. It will definitely make you less hungry. Take VERY VERY tiny sips. It will take you a long time to get through a whole shake, but you'll be less hungry and cranky. I started on Protein shakes a bit earlier than I was supposed to (allowed at 10 days post-op, but I started at 7 days post-op) because I had no energy. I still had the pain for the first 2 days of shakes, but it was worth it! My energy went up, my hunger pangs diminished significantly and eventually the pain went away too. Just a thought.....you know you're body best! If it hurts too much, or you react poorly......stop!

Sounds almost identical to my experience on the day of surgery on May 14th! So today, you are no doubt sleeping a fair bit, may have already had a shower (so nice, but very tiring!) and walking the halls with your trusty IV pole, getting ride of gas! I was in room 211! Don't forget to use your incentive spirometer (the little 3 ball breathing thingy) as often as possible. And get as many of the balls up (and stay up for a second at least), as often as you can. Very important to re-inflate those lungs! Good luck and keep us posted!

I had this too. Mine was mostly after I took a drink (even small sips, but was worse with bigger sips). And DAMN was it painful. Sometimes I would wince so badly my husband would turn white, thinking he was about to take me to the hospital! It went away after 7-8 days post-op for me. I think it was the swollen and raw stomach just "cramping" when anything hit it. Yours could even be reacting to any saliva you're swallowing (!). If it continues on for much longer, contact your doctor for advice. If you're not satisfied with the answers you get, go to the emerg and tell them what's going on. They can run tests to make sure all is well with the sleeve.

Congratulations for making the decision to change your life for the better! It takes real courage to admit that we need help and even more courage to accept that help. You sound like you've done all the right things. You researched and sought out the information you needed to put your mind at ease. You recognized that your future with your family can be SO MUCH MORE than it is now, as you will not be restricted in any way by your weight and size. You see that your world shrunk as your weight grew...due to shame, due to mobility restrictions, due to it's overall effect on your self-esteem and self-worth. And now you're taking it all back.....claiming your life and taking no prisoners! Great work! Best of luck today and every day to come. Hopefully you'll feel minimal pain and discomfort. Be ready for a roller coaster ride in your emotions and mind. The surgeon only works on your stomach.....the mental part will be your "homework" for the next 6 months - 1 year to really learn how your new life will be, and what' you're comfortable with. I'm only 2 weeks post-op (today!) and I already feel a MAJOR shift in my mental attitude. Today is my first day back at work, and even though it's really hot out today (84 degrees, with humidity that makes it feel like 97), I just went for a 20 min walk on my break. I couldn't sit still any longer (I have an office job). A month ago you couldn't have PAID me (in ice cream!) to leave the nice air conditioned office today, never mind walk a mile in the blazing sun.

It is possible that the puddings and carbs in soups is defeating his goal. Usually the liquid pre-op diet is done to deplete the glycogen stores in the liver, thereby reducing the "fatty liver" and making it smaller. This helps the surgeon manipulate the liver out of the way, as it sits right on top of the stomach! If he is consuming carbs in his soups and puddings, the glycogen stores are not being reduced! And his blood sugar measurements seem to reflect this possibility. You need to switch him to sugar-free products right away! Sugar-free Jello and puddings (pre-made or packages you mix), sugar-free Popsicles (not the ones made with natural fruit....they have a lot of sugar...even if it is naturally occurring!), and low-sodium broths (he can add some spices or hot sauce to make them more palatable) will help adjust his glucose counts and should also help him feel a lot better. The hunger is another tough issue though. He needs to remember that this is one of the hardest parts of the entire journey. He most likely won't feel this hunger ever again. After surgery (sometimes a week or more after the grehlin has left his system), he probably won't really feel true hunger pangs. If he does, it is probably "head hunger", which will take a lot longer to retrain himself against! He needs to reach for fluids when hunger pangs hit now. The liquid will help stave them off and also hydrate him as he loses weight (he will lose weight....which is usually one of the major motivators during this difficult phase!). If he's following all of those guidelines and suggestions from his doctor and after a day or two, things don't improve, you should see medical advice to make sure everything is okay (maybe he needs some labs done, perhaps he's anemic....could be countless things!). Good luck!

You mentioned that you're "eating so little". That could be the problem! I know it doesn't sound like it makes sense....but try increasing your calories (with extra emphasis on protein). If your intake is too low, often your body thinks it is starving, and holds on to every calorie! And of course, make sure you're getting at least 64 oz of water/liquid each day. The scale will start to move. And finally, keep track of your measurements (start now, if you didn't take any before). You are most likely losing inches, even if the stupid scale isn't cooperating! Keep the faith!

I can't speak to what it will be like at the 6+month mark yet, as I'm only 2 weeks post-op. But I too was starving in the 2 week pre-op liquid diet and thought OMG, I can't do this for the rest of my life! At the moment, I don't really get HUNGRY the way I used to. I do feel "empty" every 3-4 hours and sometimes it has to do with excess stomach acid more than hunger. I can eat or drink a little bit and it cures this problem right away. I'm getting about 500-600 calories a day and sometimes can't even manage that. And no real hunger. And prior to the surgery, I was probably eating 3000+ calories a day!

I'm having trouble sleeping too. I thought it was restless legs, and I had some problems with this for a month prior to surgery too (anxiety? excitement?). Yesterday I thought I'd try something different and went for a 1.5 mile walk a couple of hours before bedtime. Theory being that it might just use up extra nerves/energy and let me get a good night's sleep. Wrong! I was up at 4:45 am and could not go back to sleep! I finally got up at 6:00 am and I've been puttering around, reading the newspaper, etc. I don't start work until 10 am! Sigh. Looks like I'll be buying some Benadryl today.

I've been struggling with this the last few months (just had my surgery 13 days ago). And even if I fall asleep, I invariably wake up around 3 am and can't get back to sleep! It leaves me exhausted, and I can't take Benedryl every night! sleeping pills are out of the question, as they leave me "zombie-like" the entire next day! Today I decided that rather than suffering through another night like that (I go back to work tomorrow after 2 weeks off for the surgery), I would take a walk (1.5 miles) a couple of hours before bedtime (that's now!), with the hope that it would calm my legs a bit. I don't know if it will work, but I sure hope so!

It definitely could be a stall already. Or, it could be that you're not eating enough calories! It's great that you're getting the Water in though. I find that a challenge! Try eating just a little bit more (if you can do it) and see if that helps. If not, just be patient (yes, I know...that sux). The numbers will continue to drop soon. You've already lost 24 lbs. That is freaking amazing! When was the last time you lost 24 lbs in less than one month? Never, I'll bet! Also, did you take body measurements when you started? If so, then hide the damn scale (so hard....I know!). It's only frustrating you right now. Instead, do body measurements 1/week and you will probably see changes there, even if the scale is not moving. Focus on NSVs (non-scale victories). For me, for example. I have hardly needed my Asthma meds since I started the liquid diet pre-op. Before that, I was on 3 different puffers and an oral med. This is a life-changing NSV for me and I've only lost 22 lbs (with another 160+ to go!). There are TONS of great things happening for you right now.........even if the scale doesn't reflect that. Keep the faith and keep up the good work!

Darn, wish I had seen your post earlier! Hope you had a good talk with him. Even though you didn't have any specific questions, I'm sure Dr. Kelly was able to put you mind to rest in many ways. He's very good with patients (even better in person!). If you think of more questions now though, I'm sure he'll be happy to answer by email, or even by phone again! I had a long list of questions to ask, but many of them were quite technical in nature, as I have a medical background. I asked about: - his rate of complications (leaks, infection, clots, deaths etc.) - how many VSGs he had performed, and for how many years - did he use prophylactic blood thinners to prevent post-op clotting - average % weight loss of his patients after surgery (approximate) - does he oversew his staples (yes!) - what size bougie does he use (36 Fr) - is there good support for pre-op and post-op diet instructions? And many more.....

Fantastic work! Thanks for reminding us that our goals are attainable. You're living proof! Keep rockin' that hot bod. LOL

Hot tub might not be the best approach at the moment. If your tendons and ligaments are inflamed, adding heat might exacerbate the problem! It will feel good at the time you're in the tub, but probably worse later on. You can give it a try though, if you want. Just be aware that it may not help! Usually cooling helps more, so ice packs (no more than 20 min on at a time) can help. And keep moving, so the joints don't "freeze" up! The stiffness is even worse than radiating pain! Moving means keeping limber.........NOT working out! You'll feel better in a couple of days Lissa. Just hang in there!

I agree with MinaT, you should probably just check in with your doc and make sure your labs are all in line. It could be any number of things that are perfectly benign, from sodium intake to hormonal changes, etc. But to be on the safe side, do get looked at. Good luck!

I am also a Dr. Kelly patient! I was sleeved on May 14, 2012 and now, 13 days post-op. My BMI was high (in the mid-50s) which added a bit of cost to my surgery for extra OR time and anesthetic time. If your BMI is 49 or lower it is $5500 plus airfare. If your BMI is higher than 49, it is $6000 plus airfare. I was told to start a liquid diet 2 weeks prior to surgery to shrink my liver and make the surgery safer and less traumatic. I lost 11 lbs on this diet, but it wasn't enough to bring my BMI down below 49. Dr. Kelly's team was really rooting for me though, to bring my BMI down so I didn't have to pay the extra $500! I had a fantastic experience with Dr. Kelly and his team. His assistant Omar is very prompt in answering questions and Dr. Kelly spent 45 min on the phone with me answering a lot of detailed questions prior to my making my decision. As well, I have an anaphylactic allergy to latex which can complicate things. They were totally on top of this the whole way, from pre-op testing to my surgery to my care post-op in the hospital and the hotel. That was VERY important to me and it didn't cost me anything extra and really put my mind at ease. I saw Dr. Kelly and Omar several times a day while in hospital (admitted on Monday, surgery same day, discharged Wed. morning) and at least once per day until I came home on Saturday. He even accompanied me across the border as he had a meeting that same morning in southern California. I spent a lot of time with his wife Cecey who took me shopping, sight-seeing and out for lunch (hmmmm, broth!). His practice involves his family and you are made to feel welcome as a member of his family. It really is amazing! I know how difficult it is to make this decision (I was in your shoes just a short time ago!), but ask as many questions as you possibly can, read as much as you can online from this forum and others to get the best picture of each of your short-list choices. Eventually one will "rise to the top" in your mind. And you will have the satisfaction of knowing you did everything you could to arrive at your decision. My personal surgical experience was outstanding. I have not taken pain meds nor nausea meds since the 2nd day after surgery. My incisions are TINY and healing remarkably well. I can sleep on my sides since day 5 and have never vomited. In the beginning I had "cramps" when drinking and it scared me as it was very painful, but they went away after about 7-8 days post-op. I thought I had a leak! But it is just due to the stomach being so swollen and sore. I can now drink without any pain and in larger mouthfuls (no more sip sip sipping!) Of course, I still don't "chug" my liquids, but I can drink fairly close to my normal way and much faster than last week. I did have some issues with intense diarrhea, but I finally figured out it was probably due to the antibiotics. I bought some Probiotics (Bio-K) and it's cleared that right up! The biggest challenge has been head hunger and missing chewing. For me it's been 4 weeks without chewing, which feels like a lifetime! But I'm down 22 lbs and the chewing is coming back soon. So worth it! Good luck with your decision and if you have any questions, feel free to private message me!

Sounds like you body is trying to tell you to slow it down a bit. Maybe try to find a low-joint stress form of exercise for a while to help your joints heal a bit, and then work it into your exercise rotation to allow healing throughout your regular routine. I don't know if you have a pool (either at the gym or a public pool) nearby. Consider using it for some water-based activities (like pool aerobics....it's a great cardio workout) or even just swimming some laps. Your joints are complaining because you're pushing them too far. Your muscles are adapting to the current routine much faster than the tendsons and ligaments in your joints!

I had that weird cramp-like pain also, though mostly after I drank something. It's fully gone now and I think it might have been from having a very swollen stomach right after surgery that was cramping when liquids went into it. Swelling and the cramp pain seem to have resolved about 4-5 days ago (7-8 days after surgery) for me. Everyone's different and at the time, I was worried it was a leak! Or that it was going to be like that forever.....but now it's gone and I am VERY relieved and much happier when drinking and eating my thinned out thicker liquids.