jennyblue111

I am now the proud owner of 2 bottles of acid reducers & a bottle of stool softeners. Shopping for these things makes me feel totally geriatric @ 38. New experience.

I wondered what the hell I did when I got home, I've mourned food. I've just gotten rid if my 1st set of 'too big' clothes @ 19 days post-op. it's a physical & emotional rollercoaster in the beginning. Its a lot to absorb, this new way of life. But I absolutely do not regret it!

Sleeved on Aug 1, just saw this thread. It's like a club w/in a club I've had a textbook surgery, recovery, & an amazing experience @ a COE medical center on Birmingham, AL. I'm getting out of my 'what the hell have I done; mourning food stage'. Giving away my 1st set of 'too big' clothes really helps ya get thru that. It's been an interesting, crazy ride I don't regret. Still taking it easy, sore, tired, trying to get used to my food/drink regimen. Getting used to my new life, free from food, guilt, & shame. It's awesome! Good luck u guys!

19 days & still have discomfort. Today's the 1st day I haven't felt the need to take my pain medicine, which has usually been late afternoon. I kinda felt like a sissy, but have read people are just different. Sometimes it's achy above my belly button, sometimes it's time a pulling where my incisions are. It was 2 weeks before either pain would allow me to sleep on my side. Now, in just doing Advil for soreness & try not to do too much.

I just bought my 1st ever stool softener, Dulcolax. Talk about 'u know you're a grown up when..' Never had this problem before. I'm 2 1/2 weeks post-op, & tho I'm sure b/c of my mostly liquid intake, I won't poop like a champ for a while, getting a red ring on my butt from trying so hard, so long is not working for me. It took me forever to go @ all after surgery; I've only had 3 BM's. But im pootin, so i know its workin I kinda miss it. Who knew?!

Walk as much as possible to get that gas out & it'll help that pain so much!!!! If it's back pain from muscles & laying around, my Dr said it was ok to use a heating pad. If you're taking liquid Lortab, my Dr. Also told me I could take ibuprofen (not more Tylenol which is already in the Lortab) also to help w/swelling pain. It gets much better, so hang in there!

I thought I was gonna die that 1st night & day, but it gets soooo much better, every day! U hang in there! Walk, sip sip sip, take ur meds every 4-6hrs, stay ahead of the pain, try to stay as hydrated as possible, & let people help you. I'm 16 days post-op & can't believe how far I've come! It took me 3 days before the 'what the hell have I done' phase was gone. Also, a really neat trick I used for getting up out of bed was have someone super tuck the bottom of my covers @ the foot of the bed, so I could use them to grab & pull myself up!

I've been blessed w/never having heart burn, indigestion, acid relux.. But man, the burning, gurgling, burping, bubble things down my throat when I eat anything thicker that my protein shakes are S.C.A.R.Y! The Dr prescribed me Pepcid time released capsules, & I thought 'what for?' But if it's like this on Pepcid, man.. Am I gonna have to take this stuff forever? Is it just not working for me & I need to try something else? Or can I supplement it w/other things as well? Is Satan burning holes in my esophogas? Is there something proactive I can do? Help!

I posted the same question not to long ago. Day 6 was the charm for me, & it wasn't anything to write home about either. I'm 15 days post-op & just had my 3rd BM. I'm starting to feel like I'm never gonna have a good 1 again. But think how little we're putting in our bodies, & it's mostly liquid. If u have gas, the poop shoot is still working it just takes time, especially if your sensitive. Nevermind, u pooped ur guts completely out not too long ago. I have found it hard to go, & am anticipating an embarrassing trip to get a stool softener. Any recommendations anyone?

Zofram, anti-nausea prescription, was my Best Friend in the beginning. Maybe call your Dr. & ask for it by name. & put an ice pack on the back of your neck & chest when that horrible feeling happens. I even use a calming aroma & my temples, cuz I freak out about being sick. Maybe try a different approach & focus on mentally centering yourself, calming down, trying to relax; deep breathing. Try not to stress so much or be so anxious. I was so intimidated & scared to eat/drink, it only made it worse. It's a life altering process, it just takes time. Trial & error for me & trying things I didn't like before (since I didn't like the things I normally liked) worked for me. I chose banana Popsicles, creamy tomato & creamy chicken Campbell's Soup to go, Syntrax matrix chocolate Protein, unjury vanilla & Unjury unflavored in all my soups & purees. I put ice, Water, & chocolate protein in blender for slushee type texture when I couldn't stomach the milk or plain water deal. Instant mashed potatoes. & try flavoring your ice cubes by making them in trays w/mint, lemon, orange.. Instead of flavoring your water. I got bags of those great 'hospital type' ice @ Sonic to chew on. Hope this helps. It does get better. It even took me 3 deodorants to find an aroma I could stomach, but I found 1. Don't forget to love yourself either. You deserve it

I'm in love w/this forum. But I have a couple of people who I can call or text w/any questions or experiences I have. My mentor in this thing is a client of mine who had the same surgery I had 2 1/2 months ahead of me, & she's been invaluable to me. There's an extra sense of comfort & comradere in knowing I have someone in the flesh who is sharing in my experience. If u can't find a VSL buddy, I highly recommend a 12 Step group, of which I also belong, where there are people who know exactly where your mind is. Altho this forum is awesome, nothing replaces actual people. Hang in there! It gets better!

Guess what I didn't miss 2 weeks post-op?!?! Totally, horribly binge eating before I started my period! & that horrible, guilty feeling (nevermind the horrible "God, im so fat!" feeling that comes after!! Followed by depression, followed by more eating because I'm depressed. Hallelujah! thank u Sleeve. I was just like, "huh, I just started my period. How refreshing!

Full fluids are liquids that aren't clear like Protein drinks, tomato & creamy chicken Soup.. It's the next step from Clear Liquids like broth, Popsicles.

I've been wondering if I could ever go to Starbucks again. God, I'd love a Matcha green tea frappacino w/no syrup & 2 scoops of protein, but have no idea if it's on my diet. We need a 'Diabetic-type' Starbuck's menu!!!!!

I suffer from them, but haven't had one yet. They hospital staff was very caring & supportive. I've prayed alot. But other than that I can't explain it. I felt sure I would've had 1a day before & after surgery. Keep your spirits up & have faith. You'll do great!

Omg, the drive home from the hospital was horrible! 1 1/2hrs in the car. I stop to walk around to keep from having painful gas bubbles in my shoulder. Had a shot of liquid Lortab right before I left. I would have never been able to drive pain wise, & it's totally illegal in the US to drive under the influence. I couldn't keep my eyes open. 1 1/2 weeks post op I drove back to the hospital for my check up w/a pillow between me & the seatbelt. The Dr. said not to drive for a week, due to possible injury of the stomach. Please take a taxi!!

I confess: I'm mourning my clothes too. Clothes shopping=no fun for me. I actually nervous about shopping for new one's, smaller size or not. I'm also sad I'm 14 days post op & returned to work I'm my same ole size, like a 50lb miracle was supposed to happen in 14 days. Nevermind I've lost 19lbs. I confess: I'm afraid I'll never have another normal bowel movement again. I confess: I'm more obsessed w/what I put in my mouth & the scale in my bathroom more than I ever was before surgery. I confess: I'm so intimidated by food & nervous about feeling bad, I just don't care to branch out past my Protein drinks. I'm scared. But I'm very grateful for the confessions, & all your honesty. This app & u guys are a HUGE help! <3

I love Unjury vanilla & Unjuey unflavored to put in my soups & now my mushy foods. I also love Syntrax Matrix chocolate & mint chocolate chip. All 4 have the consistency of milk, not heavy, gritty, or chalky. No weird aftertaste. Can be heated or cold, mixed w/water or milk, coffee, or tea. Highly recommend them! I just had a $15,000 surgery.. I want to treat it right. These medical grade whey proteins are worth every $$.

I took 13 days off & then am working 1/2 days this week. Today was my 1st day back, no blowdry's yet (they work the abdominal muscles too much), shampooing, or sweeping. 4hrs. I felt exercised, but sore @ the end. Came home & napped. Maybe full days next week; I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

Both Unjury protein powders & Syntrax Matrix have the consistency of milk, of high quality whey, taste good, & very filling. Sometimes I add ice w/the milk & make a shake in blender. I love Unjury unflavored mixed in my soups & mushy foods. Doesn't change the consistency in most things, except applesauce. Can even put both brands in coffees & teas.

I'm going back to work tomorrow. Im a hairdresser, & im gonna try to work 4hrs for 4 days this week. I'm so nervous about it, I'm sticking to shakes while there, & try my newer 'mushy foods' list @ home, in case it doesn't agree. I've tried instant mashed potatoes w/ garlic, salt, & pepper, & I Cant Believe It's Nor Butter. Far free refried beans w/a dollop of avacado & fat free sour cream. Sweet potato, laughing cow cheese & crackers. Yogurt & almond butter. Sugar free applesauce. Protein powder in sugar. Pureeing thicker soups. Hummus. Good luck!

Awesome input! I miss my coffee even if it was just 1 cup a day. Gonna try the iced coffee w/protein in it. I hadn't added it back cuz I'm so full if I get all my proteins in & didn't want to start a habit of replacing the coffee w/a protein option. I tried the 2 together & felt there was nothing grosser that warm coffe or curdled protein. Iced sounds nice. A good poop sounds nice too.

I'm 13 days post-op, & I've had 2 experiences: 1 was when I tried my 1st mushy food, instant mashed potatoes. I thought I could do 5oz like my soups. Wrong! Instant hot flashes & nausea (no vomiting, & lost of belly rubbing & prayer! Dr. T said 5oz of food does not fit in a 3oz tummy. 2) I was drinking WHILE I was supping 5oz of tomato soup. It's just habit. I'm learning not to drink 30 min before or after I eat. It was a good lesson. Same symptoms as before + a cold pack on the back of my neck & a very angry sounding insides.

It gets better! I literally had to look @ the clock every 15 min & sip something. Like a need, I carried a bowl full of 1oz ramikins to measure them out. That lasted a day @ a half, ha! I try to treat my Protein drinks as 'meals' & sip in between them. Ice chips from Sonic & sugar free Popsicles have been my best friends; as have Propel Zero & Sobe drinks=electrolytes! I'm 13 days post-op; my goal is 64oz of protein & 64oz liquids; I get about 60oz protein & 35oz of liquids a day. The most important thing for me is to TRY (& don't throw up)!