makemyownluck

Why did you throw it out? I'm confused. I went to the grocery store yesterday for the first time since surgery, 8 days out. I was cleared for full liquids and mushy foods. He said do that for a week or so, and when I feel ready to start puree. Did you do okay with soft foods like yogurt? Yesterday I tried yogurt for the first time, and a scrambled egg with some cheese later. It was wonderful. I'm going to try ricotta bake with tomato sauce and parm tonight. If you explain why you couldn't eat it/threw it out, we might be able to help you better. I'm sorry you're struggling!

so many surgeries so close together - I can't decide if you're crazy or if you're a genius to just get it all over with! lol - jk - you look fantastic! I assume you had to pay out of pocket for at least some of these, do you mind sharing how much all the procedures were? Can't wait to see you healed up!

I went to see my surgeon this morning for follow up. He was pleased with my progress. Down 14lbs since surgery. It's mostly Water weight - BUT this puts me 6 lbs down from the day BEFORE surgery, so either way, I'm happy. ) He released me to full liquids AND mushy foods as tolerated. He told me to go slow and make sure I get my Protein in every day. He asked me to follow up with my NUT in about a week to see if my diet needs any adjusting. She already told me pre-op that she could do it by email to save me some money,so yay! that. Today I had my first Protein shake, which I've learned is making me very, very gassy! My tummy doesn't hurt, but it's making all of these digestive noises! I'm home alone so I don't really care, but I hope this calms down before I'm drinking these things at work! Awkward! I also had some a scrambled egg, later a little (2 bites) of yogurt, and then a tiny piece of sharp cheddar cheese that my friend cut up to have with crackers. I just had the little bit of cheese, no cracker. It all went down just fine. I didn't feel any restriction, and I never got too full. I felt like I was taking nearly regular size bites. No weird digestion sounds like this shake is giving me! I wonder why the shake is doing that, but the food isn't? I would think my tummy would do better with the liquid... So other than the weight loss, my BP was good, so I'm staying off my meds. I have to follow up with him in a month, then 3 months, then 6 months, then 12 months, then every year after that. It seems a bit excessive. But I like him, so I'll do it. All in all, I feel much better. I still get some sharp pains in my belly button more than I'd like, but he said that's normal and should start to get better soon. I was able to go to a couple of stores after the appointment, do some shopping, then my dad suggested I try driving and he'd go with me in case I had any issues. I drove fine. I'm so happy to be mobile again! The doc asked me when he shook my hand as I was leaving, "So are you glad you did it?" I sure am. I thought it would be a LOT harder than this! :)

Good idea. I have gas-x strips but haven't really needed them yet. I'm gonna go get one now!

I had surgery May 2nd. Eight days post op and feeling fine! Cleaned my house yesterday, went to the follow up appt and then shopping after - been released to full liquids and mushy foods. Down 14lbs in 8 days (it's mostly water weight from surgery - down 6lbs from day before surgery weight! Yay!

I'm only 9 days post op and having the same issues - but not with everything. Remember, our lil tummies are still healing and we're asking it to digest more and more complex stuff with every stage. I've read other posts on this forum that say this is totally normal and it DOES go away. For some people a few weeks, sometimes a few months, but it should eventually subside when we've completely healed.

if you're still in the hospital, ask for a scope patch. I had them put one on BEFORE surgery, and I never had nausea when I woke up. The pain tho - I was in pain for about 4-5 days. It gradually got better, but those first few days it was very difficult to get around. I'm 8 days post op and feeling A LOT better. I cleaned my whole house yesterday (slowly, and with help). Today I went walking around costco and Target with no issues.

OH NO!!!! Ha, I woulda been doing the exact same thing trying to get out all the salt! :( That stinks, hopefully tomorrow will be a better day! ((HUG))

I would think the apple is too soon. It's too hard and fiber-y. I'd stick to soft cheese, yogurt, pudding, cottage cheese and such.

Did you ask for her opinion? If so, you get what you ask for, I guess. Even if you did, there's no reason for her to question your will power or strength to do this. It TAKES will power and strength to do this, to admit to yourself that you CAN'T tackle this problem and you want the help you think will be best for you. Shame on her! I don't tolerate bs like this from anyone in my life, so if someone said something like this, I'd put them in their place. So anyone in my circle who felt like this would know dam better than to say something like this. That said, I was scared to tell people. Still haven't told many. Because even though I can put them in check for saying something like that, it is still hurtful to hear, and I'm sorry someone who's opinion you value is being a jerk! Only you can make choices for you, don't let the naysayers get you down. Maybe you'll find out how good a friend this person really is through this journey. And though it hurts, it's not a bad thing.

I agree with Arts!! Some companies make it so complicated with all these extra requirements because there is a percentage of people who will give up OR won't even start the process in the first place to avoid the hassle! But if you have your mind right and know what you want - let them deny you. If they deny, they have to tell you WHY they deny (which they did), so now you just give them what they want and eventually they will approve!! The good news is that they didn't deny you because you don't have coverage for it, because THAT you can't get around. You got this!! Good luck with a fast approval!

No memory of the breathing tube - BUT before they put my out, they were tying my arms down and THAT was weird. I would have panicked, but I was taken off to sleep about 2 seconds after that...

Hi! I noticed that you had surgery with Dr. Ayloo. I saw her before going to Rush and I did NOT like her at all. Worst experience with a doctor ever in my life! I'm hoping you had better care with her!

I took off 2 weeks for a desk job. I'm really not looking forward to going back and wishing I could afford to take more!!

How wonderful it would be if you could stop taking those strong medications for good! I hope that this surgery can tackle all your ills and that life will only continue to improve for you! Good luck!!

One of my oldest and bestest friends just stopped by. She's been MIA since I had surgery because she was diagnosed with strep the day after I had surgery and she didn't want to get me sick. Today, she made up for her absence (not that she had to, by any means) BY BRINGING ME SOME chicken broth FROM PANERA! I never thought of going to a restaurant and asking for broth. This genius friend of mine just made my whole day. This is divine!!! had to share...

I don't know why, but reading "your stomach is still swollen and angry" made me laugh! I tried a Protein shake for the first time last night (about a day and a half before I'm supposed to... SHAME ON ME, right?) and my tummy was doing whale songs for about an hour afterward. It was interesting!! I wonder if my tummy was angry at me for the shake or thanking me for it?

This friend of mine is always so thoughtful. I talked to her on the phone when I was still in the hospital, the day after surgery. I was still pretty loopy, and I remember telling her about my upper GI that morning and how my stomach looked like "a little worm" Well, that night she and her 4 year old daughter made a little sculpture of a worm for me out of clay. It's psychedelic colored and glittery... She brought that over to me as well! I love that woman - everyone should have a friend like her!

Good luck with your visit! Hope all is well and that traffic wasn't terrible! You know, you're a mom - it seems to me that moms have special MOM powers, so maybe you will bounce back quicker simply because you're used to running after your kids? IDK - just trying to think positively for ya. As far as your husband getting time off work - he could apply for FMLA. It guarantees time off for medical needs, either your own or for immediate family members. He would qualify for it since you're his wife and having major surgery. He should check with his HR department and find out what he has to do. Your surgeon can fill out the paperwork for him and then he doesn't have to worry about whether or not his boss will approve the time off! Definitely take advantage of the rest in the hospital. It's hard sometimes with how often the nurses come in to check your vitals and stuff, but for the most part, they left me alone to sleep and tried their best not to disturb me.

Yes you can! Everyone's stages of diet seem to be different, but it's such a high water content that you should be able to have it soon enough. I'm looking forward to having it just in time for summer and the delish watermelons they have at the farmers market.

What's the mechanical diet? Are you eating machine parts? Cuz that would explain the pain...

I'm a week post op today, and the pre-op diet was harder than anything I've experience post op! But try to keep your eye on the prize... it will be worth it in the end, and by day 3 or 4 of my pre-op diet, my hunger was completely gone - and hasn't returned yet! good luck, you will make it! DON'T CHEAT! I know you didn't say you did, but cheating, even a little, keeps you on the hunger train... The trick is to cut out your processed sugars and carbs so that you aren't feeding the beast and still feeling hungry all day. You can do this!!

I'm sorry you're going through this!! Biotin will help, but it takes a few months to build up in your system. how much are you taking? It's not possible to "Overdose" on biotin, so get something strong and take it 2-3x/day. I got a liquid version from puritan.com, it's 3000 mcgs per dose: http://www.puritan.com/biotin-421/liquid-biotin-3000-mcg-051290 They also sell a biotin conditioner as well, but I haven't tried that. You can also try Rogaine for Women, or even for Men because that formula is stronger. And thickening mousse might help. Or even try a new haircut so it's not as noticeable. Go to a good stylist and tell them about the thinning so they can suggest something to hide it best. Coloring your hair also plumps up the hair shaft, but can be damaging, so do that with caution or under the care of a stylist. It may sound counter productive, but cutting it shorter (obviously, I don't know what your hairstyle is now!) can make it look thicker, too. I'd also suggest not washing/styling it every day. And if you put your hair in pony tails often, don't do that - pulling your hair back causes a lot of breakage. I use Wen hair products and I don't have to wash my hair daily with that. I also feel like my hair feels fuller using that (I've always had thin hair). Good luck, hon. Hopefully it will slow down, soon!!

I had my surgery last Thursday and didn't BM til Monday. Didn't have gas coming out that way until Monday, either (but I burped plenty!) My MD put me on Colace (stool softener) to make sure it wasn't difficult to pass. If you're not on anything, I recommend getting some milk of magnesia or other stool softener to make sure it doesn't get too backed up in there.

The sleeve is NOT reversible! They remove your stomach, and it ain't growing back! My PCP didn't know much about the sleeve, either. How funny! But, congrats on the referral! I hope it goes well for ya!