karenb4729

If you don't follow the preop diet your liver won't shrink. They need to retract the liver to get to the stomach and if it's too large they can't do it. Each Dr has their own way to get the liver smaller but the general rule of thumb is to limit carbs to no more than 50 or less per day for a minimum of two weeks and that puts your body into ketosis which will shrink down the liver however, all it takes is one day where you exceed that 50g carb and you liver will blow right back up. That's what my NUT told me - my Dr required a 30g carb or less diet 30 days before surgery. My liver was the first question I asked when I woke up.... thankfully it was teeny tiny according to the Doc.

I can't seem to do cold very well. For me, popsicles were the worst.... although at the hospital I loved the ice chips. What gets me through is the unjury chicken broth warmed to about 125 degrees... now that goes down good. I'm a week out from surgery and the popsicles are still sitting in my freezer.

Oh I remember when I got the date I started crying... Its so hard because you are the one taking this step to make a change that will impact your entire life and you hope you aren't making a mistake. Part of the problem is because we think of this surgery as "Elective". After all, if we had appendicitis we would all get out our appendix without a 2nd thought. However with this surgery we have lots of seconds thoughts because we are making a choice. I ended up changing my thinking so that I knew it was no longer "elective" for me but a medical necessity to save my life just as an appendectomy. Anyway - I'm out 1 week and have learned the term "head hunger" really means. Its not an easy journey but I think it's one that's worth it for the removal of my obesity related problems.

I think the key is to really remember that it's not the surgery that causes you to lose weight but the changes in your eating habits and the lack of room to overeat. I lost quit a bit of weight during pre-surgery went from 258 (the day I met with the Doctor on 3/29) to 229 the day of the surgery (last week). My doctor's pre-op low carb diet really worked for me and I did wonder if I should go through with the surgery since I was finally being successful at the weighloss. What I realized is that I need the surgery to have the tool that will always limit the amount of food I can stuff into my mouth at any one time. I don't know about you but for me, in the past, I would hit a plateau on a diet and give up and just go back to my old way of eating... gain the weight back and feel aweful. I wanted a solution that would keep me on this path and frankly I hope to only lose 10 lbs a month - at least that would give my skin a little time to catch up. Bottom line, there is no magic in losing weight or perfect solution where we go to sleep fat and wake up skinny.... Everything takes hard work and its a hard decision to make but you will know when you have made it for yourself.

My Dr made me promise that I would not drink any alcohol for a minimum of a year. My understanding is that with your new metabolism alcohol hits you different than it did in the past. i am always amazed though at how different Drs have different requirements.

Keep up doing such a great job! Ice chips were my friend and the only thing I really wanted - the hospital kept bringing jello and broth. If you get a chance, ask for an ice back to lay on your stomach. It really helped me and I think it helped to keep the swelling down.

You look fantastic!!

Hi Chimera - way off topic but given you "name"... did you go to Lynnwood HS? The Chimera is their mascot. Anyway - I get to start my pureed stage next week too. Can't wait to have a taste of something other than sweet. I'm thinking refried Beans with a little sour cream.

I was sleeved last Monday and am taking off a month. I would have taken longer if I could get away with it. My main reason for taking enough time off is to allow time to get use to the new way of eating. Next week I will start pureed for 6 weeks.... by working out menu items and how long it takes me to eat during my time at home it will be easier to transition when I add in the work stress. I think it's a good luxury to have the time off.

I had a drain and it wasn't painful - just a little odd. I didn't have much drainage so it was removed before I left the hospital 2 days after my sleeve. Normally my Dr leaves it in for a week.

I lost a lot of my hair when I was 31 and going through Chemo. At that time I learned that I would never complain about a bad hair day and in the end, my hair came back better than every and it's been 23 years that I have been cancer free. I was just sleeved last week and if I lose hair, well I lose hair and stlll will be healthier with the weight and hair loss than I would be if I didn't get sleeved and kept the weight on. Its all about priorities. .

I'm doing pretty good using the unjury chicken broth and the Cytosport whey Isolate (ready to drink) in the Tropical flavor-this is a clear Protein Drink and tastes better to me than Isopure. Both of those will count as your liquid and your protein. So 8oz of the chicken broth is 26g and the Cytrosport drink is 32g so I'm almost up to 60g of protein. The cytosport can be found at the Vitamin Shoppe and taste better to me than anything else I have tried.

Awesome job Ames! I was also sleeved on the 4th - today I'm completely exhausted and I feel like I'm going to burst from the liquid I'm trying to take in... but it's all a learning experience.

I laid on the gurney waiting to go into surgery and started bawling my head off. My Dr came in and asked if I was excited... I said "NO" and he said that we should probably cancel surgery because if I didn't have the fight needed to win this battle or was the last bit unsure than it wasn't the right time to do the surgery. Of course I told him I really was ready and believed that I would have successful weight loss and it gave me back my confidence. But, I was a basket case leading up to the surgery. Actually asking for prayers helped to calm me down. Oh, it will be 1 week tomorrow.

It sounds like you aren't eating enough calories and you body is in starvation mode. How is your exercise level?

yep, my Dr's instructions say this: Increase Water intake decrease pain meds because they can cause constipation if that doesn't work then try in this order: Milk of Magnesia Magnesium Citrate Miralax Anything is better than a blockage. I haven't had a bowel movement since before surgery but I also haven't had much going into my system.

My surgeon said that I would know if I had a leak because the pain, fever and nausea is so bad you would immediatly call or get to the hospital.

I have not had any type of bowel movement since last weekend which was prior to Surgery on Monday. I had to do a bowel prep of magnesium citrate so was pretty much cleared out. Yesterday I did have my husband pick up some Milk of Magnesia to help get things moving - pretty sure it's the oxycodone that's making me a bit constipated. As for liquieds - my Dr says that 64oz of liquid is the ultimate goal but most people can't do that in the first couple of weeks so he told me to shoot for 32oz a day and to focus on the liquids first then on Protein which should be anywhere from 40 to 80g a day. Once I'm through the first two weeks then the focus moves to the 64oz a day plus the protein.

I would try the Unjury unflavored protein and put it in your gatorade. I have not been able to get much liquid in and today was finally able to get the Unjury Chicken Broth in - took all day but I got it in. My Dr said for the first week or two to at least try to get the 32oz of liquid in and try to get what protein you can but first and foremost get in the liquid.

Maybe it's the milk in the protein shake? I have heard that some people develop lactose intolerance. I'm out 5 days now and just can't get beyond 10 to 12oz of liquid. Today Unjury chicken broth seems to be hitting the spot.

Wow - I don't know how I would have responded to a statement like that. I had my surgery on Monday and it feels just like I thought it would... bruised and sore but nothing a little pain medication doesn't cure. Honestly, I have had sprained ankles that felt worse. My challenge isn't the surgery pain, it's getting in the needed liquids.

Don't feel bad... I'm right there with you! Today is my Day 5 and for some reason its the day that I have felt the worst. Eveything seems to feel "bubbly" if that makes sense.

I'm at the same point as you. Trying to get in liquids is hard. I'm just trying to take a sip every 5 minutes eventually it will come. I was just sleeved on Monday and my Dr said they pushed enough fluids in me that I don't have to worry about dehydration for a week or so which allows me time to get use to drinking. He would be happy for me to get started with 32oz a day and work up to the 64oz.

I would contact your Dr. Sometimes if you over do things you will get a pain but better to hear it from your Dr.

I was just sleeved on Monday and I will get that weird summersault type of feeling. Its because now the stomach is finding its new postion with the other organs. From what my Dr says it actually drops down a little bit.