JenC

Gastric Sleeve Mine: 4 incisions laproscopic plus drain hole....I would say they are in a wide diamond shape on my abdomen. Top one: two inches below my bra line Bottom one: 1.5-2 inches above my belly button If I put my thumb on the top incision I can reach the bottom or the side incision with my index finger. I have no idea if they are simuliar for other folks. I wore a bra and comfortable t-shirt home (12 hour travel day in total including two plane rides) and shorts with a comfortable stretchy waist with underwear. In hospital I wore the gown day one, and a pair of pj bottoms and t-shirt day 2 and 3. I don't blame you for not watching a video, those things creep me out too! Have a good surgery and speedy recovery to you!

Good luck tomorrow! Speedy recovery wishes to you!

Good job getting in all your liquids I'm 5 weeks out and yet to get in a full 64 oz in one day!! I've stopped weighing myself everyday, I know as long as I'm doing the right things the weight has to come off. And I have always been addicted to the scale. Today was my day to weigh and I got my period yesterday so I'm doing myself a favor and not getting on until its over! Because without even getting on I know I gained some water weight, retaining fluid. I've had a day here and there when I had that queasy yucky feeling trying to drink my morning protein, I think I know what you mean. But I did my best with the rest of the day and on average I hit 70-80g of protein so I don't sweat the occassional morning that my tummy doesn't want to cooperate.

Funny I can't remember if I wore underwear or not??? I know I put clean ones on to go to the hospital that morning...hmm I wonder who took them off? Maybe I did, I'm pretty sure I woke up with them on. Once you're in lala land you won't really feel weird or anything for that matter

I know every doc's post-op diet is different but at day 13 I was still on liquids and most of them (if not too thick) agreed with me. If I tried something too dense at the two week stage it did not agree with me. I looked at those first few weeks as a big opportunity to let my tummy heal and my body let go of weight while on liquids. I didn't eat any solid food until after 30 days. If you feel hungry consider you may be dealing with some stomach acid especially if you are eating things that don't quite agree with you yet. Are you on a PPI (nexium or something like that)? Cream of Mushroom soup (mushroom bits removed) cream of asparagus, cream of brocolli made with water where my friends at about 2 weeks out and kept me feeling full 2or 3 oz at a time. Good luck to you hope some of these suggestions help. Like Tracey said...Hang in there, it gets better, don't rush it!

Day one I stayed in my gown...easier with the IV than trying to get a t-shirt on. Morning of day 2 I was in my sweats and a t-shirt with my IV unhooked...so where most of the folks in the unit. Mid morning of day two I had a shower put on a pair of shorts and took a number of walks around the block, circling the nurses station can get a little boring.

http://www.shakeology.com/the-shake/-/dl_get_file/46e2ddef-1eca-4307-87d7-cebd191bbdd8 If you are looking for a vegan shake, Beachbody's Shakeology in Strawberry is now Vegan. It is a little expensive but I think my breakfast is worth $4. It may have a few more carbs than you are looking for but it is a super food rich with nutrients. I have used Shakeology for awhile and discovered the Vegan Strawberry while doing Beachbody's Ultimate Reset pre-op. I have only been getting in 400-500 calories post op and so I have returned to my Shakeology to up my nutritional intake. I'm on whole foods but I'm struggling to eat enough right now. Anyway the link to the supplement facts is above if you are interested.

Personally I like my Isopure so when yours arrives chill it and try it with an open mind. the colder the better!

Looking Great! Good job!

You are stunning! Congratulations on all of your success!!

You look great! Congratulations!

My stomach was swollen for the first 6-7 days. And back to normal after that : )

Love my Himalyan salt on cottage cheese or chopped melon...canteloupe or watermelon. Himalyan Salt is a great source of essential minerals that table or sea salt does not have and will not make you retain water or raise your blood pressure : ) I like to add Emeril's Essence or Bayou Blast or Curry Blends to bland soup. I have a variety of spice blends from Dangold ( www.dangoldinc.com) many grocery's carry them too...The Gourmet Collection my favorite in chicken broth is the Chili & Lime reminds me of Lime soup I get in Mexico. All of their flavors are great and have no salt or msg in them. They are great too for when you get back to baking chicken and fish or other meats or veg. Just sprinkle and bake and you've got healthy yummy!

Hi I'm on day 32 today! I've been feeling great and have been for that last 3 plus weeks. I just got home from being out to lunch, I had curry chicken salad (took half home with me if I had been traveling I would have left it on the plate.) It was delishish made with yogurt and curry, a few craisens and walnuts. I chewed until it was liquidfied!! Tomorrow night I will be out to dinner with friends and plan to have the crab cake appetizer as a meal. My doc's program post-op is up to day 6 clears, days 6-11 liquids including milk in protien drinks and cream soups, 11-21 full liquids including thicker soups (no chucks) 21-30 mushies and soft foods including tofu, scrambled eggs ect. Day31 and beyond full diet with warnings regarding tough meats and adding things as tolerated. So yesterday and today I've adventured out a bit and tomorrow I will try something else and slowly add healthy solid foods as tolerated. I would not hestitate to travel at this point. I am still having 1 Isopure a day ( I like all the protien I get from it) and I think I will continue to drink my protien for breakfast. It's fast and easy and nutritionally what I need and if I where traveling I would bring my shaker cup and individual travel packets. I have been to two cocktail parties in week 3 and no one noticed that I was sipping my lemon water and enjoying the company. I can honestly say that I haven't felt hungry since surgery and when everyone else is snacking and having apps it just doesn't seem to bother me. Of course I'm so happy being out in clothes that are two sizes smaller than what I was wearing a month ago I'm in a happy place as everyone is noshing! Unless you have complications of some sort I would totally embrace a NYC trip at one month out, you'll feel good in your clothes and in control of your diet! Everyone is different of course, but with some planning you should be on track for travel

Love my calcium chews too! Feels like a little sweet treat!

I was having some reflux issues right off the bat and my doc increased my PPI (Pantozole 20mg) to 2x per day. One dose in the morning on an empty stomach and one dose at night two hours before bed no liquid or food after that. He said I could use Gaviscon mid day if I had any buring midday. I have to say by the second day of dosing I had no more issue with reflux and only had to use the Gaviscon for the first two days. I hope you get some relief soon reflux is nasty and painful! No sweating for me so no insight there sorry. Jen.

Ice cold is the key to Isopure for me too!

Personally I like my clear Isopure, many don't but I like the benefits of it and the taste is good with me. Also the high protein keeps me feeling full. I get the mixed case from Lucky Vitamins online so I get a variety. My favorite flavor of them is the Peach Mango but it's nice to have the variety. It was great on clears to be able to get the liquid and the protein. I did not like Unjury protein powder pre-op but post-op I like it because its not too thick and right now too thick makes me feel sick. The only Unjury I really don't like is their Chicken Broth...yuck. I prefer my shakes made with Unsweetened Almond -40 calories, rather than Silk. Good luck with the pre-op. Jennifer

My doc said no creams or neosporin (antibiotic creams) until they are completly healed not for at least 4 weeks. But I will for sure be putting some Mederma on them later because this body is headed for a bikini next year!

self·ish   <a onmousedown="spk(this,{lk:'nx1fkx',en:'wotdau',io:'0',b:'wotd',tp:'lrl',m:'wotdau'})" href="#"></a><a target="_blank" href="http://dictionary.reference.com/audio.html/lunaWAV/S02/S0298400"><img border="0" src="http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/speaker.gif"></a> /ˈsɛlfɪʃ/ Show Spelled[sel-fish] Show IPA adjective 1. devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others. 2. characterized by or manifesting concern or care only for oneself: selfish motives. This does not sound like you at all. In fact based on your post is sounds the exact opposite of you. A few days/weeks of recovery will not change how you ultimately love and care for your family but it certainly will change how you love,care, and respect yourself and your health and well being in the future. Good luck to you. I hope you end up with some of what you need too!

Best thing is...tomorrow's a new day...move on! BTW is sounds like you chose a bunch of protein which isn't altogether bad.

Once I got to full liquids my doc approved vegetable juices ( but recommended watering them down to help with their acidity). I had to thin them out with water because too thick made me feel sick! I personally am not a sweet food/drink lover and appreciated this. Slices of cucumber or mint are nice in water instead of sweet things and very refreshing this time of year. You can add a scoop of Unjury unflavored whey protein to cold veg juice and you don't really even know it's there but you get 20g protein and 100 cal.

Those 31 pounds you have worked hard for pre-op...aren't coming back post op. And those other 54 pounds you have in your goal ticker will be achievable with this tool. And all those miserable thoughts and feelings and struggles with your weight that you have had in the past that even made you start thinking about and pursueing this surgery will be just a part of a journey towards your new lighter life. Its a major life changing event that you will take part in, in next 40 hours. Its normal to be nervous. I'm not to far into this game just 24 days out and I don't regret it one bit. I went into my closet today putting together clothes for an interview I have tomorrow and I had to go through a few things I had not worn in quite awhile to find something that fit and was not too big and baggy. I'm amazed at just how much difference the first pounds have made...what a huge difference. I can barely imagine how I'm gonna feel in 6mths to a year from now. Oh and if all this encouragement doesn't help...take an ativan...it'll all be over in no time! lol

Hi Amy, I want to say the PPI was $18 a box for 28 doses. There are two pharmacies, one across the street that you can see from the ER entrance and one on the same side of the street around the corner from the main entrance. The pharmacy on the same side of the street is less expensive by a few dollars and you can use a credit card there or US dollars. Dr. Campos will write it down for you if you like but no prescription is required. I walked around the corner on day two to get it...so I was glad to have a track suit with me so I didn't have to wear my pj's.