iggychic

LOL Donny...in the old days would you have thought that was a "crazy" day? heh heh

My doc is an absolutely balanced diet kind of doc. While early out you are naturally lower in carbs, they are not a requirement for me to worry about aside from totally empty ones (white bread, egg pasta etc). I eat them a bit, but prefer whole grains, which are encouraged in my program. I have asked "how many carbs" only to be told that I am not on atkins Healthy carbs is the focus, not carbs in general.

How premie were you? The sexual organs are sort of the last to develop and right before that is the internal gastric system, from the neck to the umm bottom (inside stuff). It's there earlier but not refined enough to work on it's own until the end. My son was 7 weeks premie. Delayed gastric emptying is not uncommon among babies who are premature. Most grow out of it entirely but some don't ever see relief. Sadly it's not diagnosed and these babies are considered to be extra fussy or colic'y etc. It's a very badly diagnosed syndrome. My son's issues were studied closer because he was fail to thrive and vomited as well as had horrific diarrhea and malabsorption (hence my fear of bypass). We saw some pretty high level specialists for the diagnosis. I learned later how often it's missed and often discuss this with preemie mom's who have "difficult" babies. It's also confused with reflux rather often. You have to do the test to really get to the clue (which is easy by the way...much harder when you have an infant who refuses to eat the dye LOL). But knowing if it's one or the other is key to future feeding issues...and as an adult to issues you have with food (ie pain with many types, difficulty swallowing, feeling overly full or never full). It's a bizarre syndrome and challenging to those who deal with it. So I feel for you! I can see that if they take the upper most portion of the feeding system out of wack (which happens with gastric bypass) it might actually cure you. It does make sense as the part that causes the delay is also what is worked on with bypass and not effected in sleeve. I'll be closely following your story. I hope it's a great one, whichever way they go!!

Too much sugar hun. It will make you much worse. That said, peppermint tea, sweetened with sugar free or plain, is very good for nausea. I drank a lot of it post surgery and in the hospital after both of them.

That's interesting. I do find that many docs don''t know much about my son's syndrome so I have to say you have a good doc if he's admitted that and is studying the issue instead of guessing If it were me I'd like the idea of sleeve first and the full bypass worries me long term. I mean it's possible, but there are so many issues with it I didn't want to deal with nutrition wise so I can see your concern. I'm sorry I wasn't much help. I have to admit that curiosity made me reply as I have never run into an adult who has this syndrome (my son is 7 and his is a condition of prematurity that is getting better with age). I will continue to read incase you get other answers (or any is better I guess) but I want to thank you for putting up with my curiosity I wish you the best whatever works for you and I hope that you find you just have a case of reflux verses the syndrome (the two are often confused). Good luck!

I don't have the syndrome but my son does. In a conversation with my surgeon his issues came up and my surgeon said that I was lucky I didn't have that issue because if I did they wouldn't do a sleeve. I found that interesting thinking that the sleeve wouldn't have an effect and asked why. He explained that initially you would find the swelling combined with the syndrome would make it nearly impossible to get more than a bite down and that this feeling would likely continue for months if not forever because you already have restriction. I don't know what it feels like on a normal day for you, but for my son, when he's full up, one tiny sip or bite more means it all comes back up in spades. The sleeve kind of does that for you as well. Combined might be too much. That said, I don't understand why a bypass is better, but then maybe it bypasses your syndrome issues so that they become a nonissue?

Simply... Quite true that my leak was not caused by anything I did. I followed doctors orders to a t after surgery (both) because of a fear of leaks While I didn't cause the leak, I do know what can cause one, as well as...and the more important part...what happens to your body when you have a leak. Who cares how it happens? I spoke with Liz many times when she was feeling off about what a leak is and how it could affect her to help her with symptoms. Her leak was not caused the same way as mine, and yet, turns out Liz had a leak and talking about it with her led her to go have her symptoms checked out. The why of the situation isn't the issue...it's the outcome and I'd rather the OP never know what a leak feels like. Heck I'd rather no one ever knew and I'll keep making an effort to educate people as to how and why they happen as well as how to avoid them. You are not a doctor and have never experienced a leak, and yet you are an expert apparently on what's ok to eat and how. Your lack of experience or medical expertise is obvious and yet you are going to question the validity of the statements of someone who's been down the horrible road first hand???? That's kind of silly really isn't it? You see the irony?? OP, I'm glad you found a support group to attend. I was not trying to insult you in suggesting help. This is a long road and it's not just about the surgery. It's about understanding the seriousness of this huge step you took and using the tool correctly...and recovering in a healthy fashion so you have a long and happy life without the burden of food issues over your head. I hope you find huge success in the journey, but please...just think quickly of what could happen early out. It's not "cheating" it's Russian roulette and no one wants to play that game.

LOL Of course you do (i did too) and ice water is better than the luke warm stuff.

The "harsh" people have nearly died from this process. Their insight is one of the pain and horror that "Just a bite" can actually take you down. We do this out of a deep desire to NEVER see anyone else post that they have a leak and the trauma they are going through. If you think the temptation is killing you, try slicing a hole in your lungs while you're awake to drain out the poison Fluid the leak is sending there. We are trying to knock some sense into people we don't want to see suffer. Holding your hand and saying it will be alright is not the responsible course. Those who say "it won't kill you" haven't had complications, definitely didn't face life threatening ones. That's very clear. We don't have a lot pretty to share because we've seen the ugly side and to see someone take themselves there without need is difficult for us. A feeding disorder is any disorder or "illness" associated with food. It can be eating too little, too much, throwing up on purpose, chewing and spitting out, limited textures, it runs the gambit. It's a medical term associated with food issues in adults and children. Eating too much or eating to tamp emotions falls under the umbrella as well. And as to communication styles. I was on the national speakers circuit. You may not like me, but people pay to let me tell them like it is. I'm ok with doing it frankly...sharing both the good and the bad in life in a way that should send a clear message. I didn't pat my clients on the back either. They seemed to like that. If you don't like it, try ignoring me please.

Liz I honestly don't remember. I was 22 days there, and if I remember right I was cut off within a week...so between 14 and 20 days???? I seem to remember pushing it towards three weeks, so shorter than you and honey it so sucked! I was not allowed to use the spray. I was allowed to have those sponges to wet my mouth which taste like styrofoam. I asked for ice to dip them in which did help with the medicine taste. But they watched me like a hawk LOL I know that feeling. But the icy dip was so much more refreshing than the warm water! Do you at least get the sponges???? Not that I want to see them ever again, but they were better than nothing. I wasn't allowed to have anything once they discovered the leak, then not until after the repair. If they aren't repairing...just going on the "hope it cures naturally" that sounds like too long without Water Darling I feel for you!!!! Gad I just want to hug you woman!

As I just posted in another forum about someone who wanted booze one week out....my answer here is different than it would be if this poster was two or three months out. Then I'd say, one bite won't kill you. In fact I encourage people to remember to live life. This is not a diet! Don't be stupid but do think in terms of moderation. But if you have just had this surgery and you can't find the motivation to do what your doctor told you...this means you weren't ready for this surgery. If you are bitter because your spouse eats normal food...you weren't ready for this surgery. If you can't say "NO" early out, where will you be when the restriction ends? That's all. I'm not going to pat someone on the back and say it's ok to barf on purpose, chew and spit out, or any other behavior that encourages a feeding disorder exchange from the one they had. That's being a better supporter than to say "it's ok" in my mind.

Someone asking about booze a couple months out would get an entirely different answer than someone one week out would get from me. Not well informed??? Well you just had your freaking gut cut out of your body...if you weren't informed you shouldn't have done it! There's even that silly little thing...common sense? My doctor did not tell me I couldn't swallow a sword or fire the first month after surgery so heck...he didn't say it so I'm gonna have me a nice flaming ball of cotton for lunch. Stupid sure But at least I can come to a public forum and be told it's "OK" because it's just a little charcoal. If I spit it back out I'll be fine right?

I am about the same and have to say that I didn't have the surgery so that I could never eat anything again I do enjoy a holiday treat once in a while, but just a few bites. This is what life after sleeve should be about...not continued diet and deprivation, which leads to where? Where we came from. I couldn't eat a glazed doughnut myself. Sugar does not sit well, but it sounds like that is an issue for you as well. How about taking 1/4 the amount and enjoying that and seeing how that sits. This will not throw your calorie goals out the window. This is how I operate in life now. I had half of a ww flat bread with fondue cheese last night. Previous to surgery I'd have eaten it on french bread and had much more. I enjoyed that with a glass of wine One, not two or three. Life in moderation is not a bad thing. I do avoid one thing and that is pure candy. Hot tamales type of stuff. Mostly out of fear that it will make me sick but I also broke myself of that habit prior to surgery and don't feel the desire to pick it up again. But if I did want some, I'd have one or two. Not a box...one or two Moderation with out deprivation.

Actually I would say what I said to her face if she was asking me this in person. I don't hide behind a computer. I am a real person and I care about other's deeply. I suffered terrible consequences of having this surgery so in person or on line, if you take a stupid risk I would call you out on it. I don't want anyone to suffer damage nor destroy their efforts with stupidity. If at one week you are even contemplating something like this...you shouldn't have had the surgery. Period.

Alex just knowing it is on the horizon makes it more bearable. Thanks for working on it! I was feeling like the "Fix" was just turn your pad sideways.

Peace, I hope you are recovering well. Good luck to you. Love...you know what? You make a very fair case. I was tired last night and when tired often make blanket statements Pun intended heh heh If I were the insurance agency in your world I'd accept your back up documentation of life long struggles and your family history and I'd make the approval. Partly because I read reality and total logic in your case, not statements like "killing myself with poison" type stuff, which is justification that's not valid (I know cuz I made them LOL) You're right, my family is fat and happy and we live far longer than anyone else wants us to 100 is an expected age for us to achieve, not an abnormal one. Probably part of the reason I felt so confident going into surgery. You just can't kill us easily! (and while they tried, it didn't work). For people who have never maintained a healthy weight in their life and have shortened life outcomes to face it is a fair option, but if I was king of insurance and boss of the surgeons, I'd sure as heck make those folks prove this, and show their efforts prior to having the surgery. I definitely wouldn't have let me have it. But you...you are going into it with a much better head on your shoulders! Will you invite me to your 100th party?

this is a great way to develop a full blown feeding disorder. And when you don't fear damaging your new stomach (I can't believe anyone would take a risk after surgery frankly) what will you do then? This is a sign that you need to get some help dealing with your issues with food. Take the sign before you trade one bad issue for another.

If your doc didn't say anything about booze it was because you were underage, but seriously...call him, see the reaction and then make your decision. Why did you have the surgery? Did he also not mention that you shouldn't eat half a prime rib as a celebration either??? I'm sorry, but this is a silly question and speaks highly of someone who wasn't ready for the surgery. No you shouldn't have a drink ONE WEEK after a major surgery.

OH liz, what a horrible holiday! I hope you get that christmas wish because when they let me have ice...e gads I was in heaven. And tea! Peppermint tea...I must have sipped a gallon the first day I was allowed. Those horrific sponges are sheer yuck factor aren't they? I don't know if waiting is better than a stint. I hear they are hell so maybe it's better. I just ache for you I'm glad you got to see your dogs though! It's so nice to have a tiny piece of real home isn't it?