popsicle_20721

mine didn't

What is a stomophy X. Never heard of it. Just tried to Google it, but nothing came up. Nevertheless, I wouldn't let this "nut" do one more thing with my body. Go to a reputatble surgeon who has proven track record for performing surgery and get a second opinion. It should be fairly easy to determine whether the surgery was done at all, or done incorrectly. If you find out that the surgery was done incorrectly make you next stop to a good attorney; then call AETNA and get them all the information they need e.g. second opinion information so they can go after him too and, work with you to get this straightened out. IJS... I live in MD and I had my surgery performed at Wash Hospital Center, not my preference but that's where my doc's practice is. His name is Dr. Brebbia. The general office staff left a lot to be desired, but the physician's group and nutritionist were very knowledgeable and methodical about their business. They very definitely took their business seriously. The have a whole group of physician's associated with their practice with different specialities. You are in NoVa, so it's a thought. Good luck, be patient, but be persistent.

I'm new, but I can't even imagine having a problem with overeating at this stage, and I doubt that you are either. I'm 5 weeks and I'm barely eating anything, not because I don't want to - but I just can't. I definitely would get a second opinion. I couldn't even drink Water while in the hospital, though I did have a little broth (very little). I do hope another doctor will give you the straight story regarding what's going on with you. If your surgeon messed up, it's time to lawyer up and post his name all over the place so no one else will be subjected to this hack. I may not know much, but I do know this is a very serious type of surgery that should only be performed by a more than competent surgeon. In my mind there is no margin of error here. Good luck to you and let us know how you make out.

Thank you for the suggestion and for the nutrition selections. I think you are right, my system is just not ready for soft foods. I've tried to consume some, but progress is either slow or, I spend more time trying to keep the food down e.g. not vomiting. My biggest problem is that most of the items on the list, which is similiar to what my doc provided, I either don't like (really don't like) or, I can only consume an ounce or two at a time - even water and protein drinks. I'm trying very hard, but I'm also getting frustated and quite concerned; because I know I have to eat something.

Thanks all for responding. For the most part I'm glad to know this is normal. I do need to exercise as I haven't been. Only cleared to walk so far, but haven't been doing a lot of that as consistently as I should. Quite frankly, I have been trying to adjust to eating. I'm just struggling in that area. I can hear my body asking "what in the heck have you done to me..." Definitely an adjustment phase.

Hi All, I tried to do a topic search to see if others had posted on this subject, but couldn't find anything. I'm almost 5 weeks post-op and over the last couple of days I begun to have back pain. Nothing major, mostly just a nagging soreness. Has anyone had this experience? If so, please help.

I have a difficult time with nausea in the morning. Usually it seems to coincide whether I take my vitamins and meds before I eat or after. I think when I take them after I eat, then it is a little better. Still monitoring this. I'm definitely not enjoying anything that I eat. Today I had a lean cuisine meal. I actually ate all of it, not at one time but eventually I did finish it. I had to run an errand while I took a break from eating it. I remember thinking as I was headed back home "darn, I've got to try and finish eating that thing." (like making a child do something that don't want to do) I made myself do it, because I'm not eating anything really. Still have problems getting protein/fluid amounts in. I know I have a vit D deficiency - so I'm getting a little scared about the whole lack of eating thing right now. I also hate vomiting so, that's got me spooked too about eating. I keep hearing "it gets better" and I hold on to those thoughts as best I can. Sore joints, muscles, back - my whole body feels foreign to me right now. Oh yeah, and I don't seem to like the taste of any food at this point.

I'm new so I don't know much about anything, but I was vomiting so much 2 weeks after surgery that my doc sent me to have an endoscopy procedure. Apparently I was having something called "stricture" or scarring which required doc to insert a balloon into my esophagus in order to inflate the opening a bit to allow food to go in.

will do. Just nagging, not severe. But will definitely keep my eye out.

I understand being a little afraid of the unknown. You read all the information you can find, talk to you doc and his team and still, that little fear of what will it be like is there. You came this far, so I have to assume your committed in going through with it. I'm new so don't have much to offer except they give you good pain meds, sometimes you need them, sometimes you won't. I have definitely lost weight since my surgery - and I also had pre-op fears.

Glad everything went well. Keep us posted. I had a good day myself. Still struggling to get fluids/protein, but I actually was able to eat an egg (with a little pureed shrimp & cheese) for breakfast. Little vomiting but most stayed. I had a whole Lean Cuisine meal and no problems. They say it gets better so I hope this is a sign of good things to come.

Well this is day 2 (actually 1st full day on Prilosec). I still have the "hungry" feeling, hard to describe but its' there just behind my top ribcage. Today I had one egg, with pureed shrimp and a little shredded chedar cheese. I got everything down, but it was fighting to come up. Another I didn't know whether I was going to poop, vomit or both. As it turned out I did both. Not a lot of vomiting though. I think it was taking the morning meds so soon before eating. I've got figure out a routine with these meds. Chewable vitamins (yuck), think I'm ready for the pills now, chewable caltrate, vit D (I have a deficiency), prilosec and depression meds. A lot of stuff was rumbling around inside, right before I ate. Well good news after I had my little bathroom visit, I walked on the eliptical for about 15 minutes. Actually I felt pretty good after that; exhausted - but felt ok. Drank some water. I'm still having very hard time getting all protein and water in. I know I'm not getting even half of what I'm supposed to - Ahhh the struggle and journey continues.

Humm first week... was actually better than week 2 and beyond for me. Everyone will have a different story, and so is mine. The day following my procedure I was up walking around, able to shower and dress myself so they discharged me from hospital. I wasn't able to eat/drink anything, hot liquids where easiest - everything else I vomited; not that I tried anything else - wasn't hungry at first. Thanks to the meds I had for pain, I pretty much slept for the first couple of days. Didn't work, even though I could have worked from home, but didn't want to deal with the stress. Everyone encourages you to walk so I tried to at least 10 minutes a day. Then things went horribly work in week 2. Couldn't keep anything down, no water, juice, protein drinks (still can't stomach these too much) NOTHING. I guess I had what is known as stricture and ended up having an endoscopy procedure to address the blockage. Since then it's been a rollercoaster ride physically and emotionally. I'm not at the stage where most are who just "love their sleeve" but, I'm doing better than I was... I think. Everyday gets better - at least that's my story and I'm sticking to it. PS. Make sure you do the walking, sometimes I didn't; but I really think it does help.

I recently underwent a revision from band to sleeve. Initially I was bound and determined since I was doing a revision I wanted to have the procedure that would produce the most optimum and proven results - which I didn't have with the band. Clearly that was the by-pass. However, when I heard and read about the dumping syndrome, inabilty to tolerate anything that had sugar and all the pills I would have to take for the rest of my life, I started to reconsider. The final straw was when my physician who I think is a really nice, personable sort of fellow (most docs to me are not) told me that he only does sleeves and bands, his partner did the by-passes I really started thinking. Then I met his partner, another doctor with no personality - I decided to do the sleeve. It was important to me this time to have a physician that I felt I could talk to this time around. Lot's of stuff to consider. My DIL had the sleeve and her highest weight was a little bit more than mine e.g. over 220lbs and 2 years later she looks great and says it's the best decision she ever made. Oh yeah, when I got the band 4 years ago, I was going to do the by-pass then. I asked my doc, which surgery do he think I should have and he said I didn't have that much weight to lose, so he recommended the band vs. bypass; sleeve was not really as available then or maybe insurance companies weren't approving it. He was wrong, but in a way I'm glad I didn't do the by-pass then, because this time I was much more informed regarding the things I needed to consider.

If I never see another protein drink again it will be too soon; although I still have a whole case that I plan to take back for refund and a couple in the fridge. I absolutely hate them and the ones I do like have too much sugar and my sleeve doesn't like that; or, some are made with milk and cause too much gas, cramping etc. Most take like sludge LOL. I'm also pretty sick of soup too, of any type. I'm 4 weeks out and today, I decided to get my protein in by eating soft foods that I will either chew until they are water or, process them in the food processor if needed. Will see how it goes. Had some sushi today, not much but my sleeve has been able to tolerate it so far. Today, just feeling fatigue and my back in bothering me a little. I guess from being so inactive for the last month. I guess the feeling for me today is "I'm sick of being sick, I want to be normal again,"

You may have to confide in one or two of the people that know your having the surgery and ask if they would just be willing to call you everyday, see how you are making out. Being alone going through this surgery is certainly not the preferred method, but for some of us - it is what it is. I have had a very trying time personally, but I have been able to manage on my own - except the one time I had to get the endoscopy done and then God did for me what I couldn't do for myself, when I got a ride there and back. I don't know where you live, but if you were in Wash/MD area, I would give you a ride myself. I guess I just know how it feels in situations like this. They do have location specific forum's on this site, so maybe you can post in one in your local area to see if someone has any suggestions to offer. PS. Don't overbuy at the store, half the crap I bought I had to throw out, stick to the basics as outlined by your physician. I think you will be fine doing most things without assistance. Most of the 1st week you'll be sleeping more than anything else - at least I did, cause the pain meds really leveled me out. We are both new here so Good luck and I hope we can keep each other up to date on our progress. It will be fine.

Thank you for posting the possibility of hunger feeling as a possible indicator to take Prilosec. I am almost 5 weeks out and feel like I'm always hungry. I will eat something and then 20 minutes later, I'm hungry again. I find myself mixing different things up when I do eat which then makes me feel nauseous and gassy and constipated. I don't have heatburn, but if not careful, food will try to come up. I was concerned about taking anything else, because the other side effect I fear is stomach cramping due and diaherra. Another problem that I've had. I will try the Prilosec and hoping it will solve the hunger pains.

I went through the surgery pretty much alone. My mom and dad (both elderly) live out of state; as well as much of my family. My son and I are estranged and haven't spoken in a few months (heartbreaking). I have a DIL who also went through the same surgery, but was too busy dealing with divorce issues and 3 small children. Fortunately, I had one dear friend from work who drove me to hospital and drove me home. The friend was only available because he was off work during the holidays, but trust me, being around hospital or sick people was the last place he wanted to be. So when I say he literally dropped me off and picked me up that's what he did. I have very few people that I would call true friends and I am a rather private person, so most people don't even know what kind of surgery I had, or that I had surgery, until after the fact. The good news is when I left the hospital after an overnight stay, I was in stable enough condition to walk around, take a shower (wash up) and get back and forth from my bed to the kitchen and bathroom on my own. This means I could get most of everything I needed to care for myself, by myself. Thank God for that because I was definitely by myself. I too made sure I had everything I needed pre-surgery. The 1st couple of weeks I took the pain meds as prescribed which helped relax me a lot, besides I couldn't eat too much anyway except popsicles, hot tea and a sip or two of the dreaded protein drinks. Unfortunately by week 2 I was feeling awful, I literally vomited anything I tried to put in me even water. I was weak and feeling so miserable that it was almost unbearable; and I was alone. I think this is where I could have used company; just to have someone in the house that I didn't feel so alone during this struggle. I even drove myself to my follow-up doctor's appointment. With the continuation of vomiting, I ended up having to have an endoscopy procedure done. I thought what am I going to do, I knew I was supposed to have someone take me home after the procedure - but there wasn't anybody and by that time, the holidays were over so even my friend from work wasn't available (though he did call me everyday to check on me). Well I decided I would drive myself to the appointment and figure out how I was going to get home later - figured I would probably drive myself home. I had to have the procedure, because I was close to being dehydrated and wasn't keeping anything down - not even water. I guess when they say God doesn't give you more than you can handle, is true - the morning I was getting dressed to go to the appointment, my work friend called and said "hey listen, I'm going to take you to your appointment, you can't drive home alone." I was floored, but was so grateful - because truthfully I was scared. The weather was awful and I had also been having car trouble too - so my driving alone was really a risk. Well I had the procedure, friend stayed during the procedure and then drove me home. I've been home alone ever since, with the exception of a visit from DIL and grands and another girlfriend. Being alone in this situation has not been great, in fact it's been downright depressing, but it is doable. This experience certainly has made me re-evaluate my "pride" in the sense that sometimes you need help in your life. When you do, speak up and ask for what you need, even if it is from folks that you may not normally ask and sometimes don't want to. So my advice, if you don't want to pay someone to help you, then at least find someone to confide in and ask would they be willing to check on you everyday - even if it's just a phone call. There were a couple of calls I made that I wish that I had not, but it did not stop me from continuing to reach out to others, but it was mostly just to have someone to talk to, not to offer any physical sort of help. Of course, mom and dad also called regularly - just to be sure I was ok. This site has been helpful to me and I strongly encourage you to reach out here, as you begin you journey.

I figured I would create this blog so as not to hog up space posting in various topic areas. I also wanted a place that I could just write and record my feelings about my WLS journey. Since being sleeved on 12/26, this has been one of the most difficult medical related situations that I have ever encountered. You read all the information, you follow posts on the site, your doctor is constantly talking to you - along with his entire team, you talk to others who have had the surgery, you go to all the required meetings scheduled by the nutritionist and medical practice; or as required by the insurance company and STILL, nothing really prepares you for what your journey will be like post surgery. Pre-surgery I stayed on my doctor's office and insurance company to approve this surgery. I wanted the weight off, I needed the weight off, I was miserable with the weight. I was also very disappointed because I had had a prior weight loss surgery e.g. lapband and it was dismal failure. At most I think I lost 30lbs. When I saw my DIL and how well the sleeve surgery "looked" on her, I knew I had made a mistake with the band, but at the time I thought "oh well" I'm stuck with what I have. Over time I began looking into the options regarding revision. My first physician who placed the band in wasn't budging in considering a revision - so I got another doctor. At first the new doc was a bit resistant, but after 6-7 months of no progress, he finally approved the procedure; and so did my insurance company. Of course I was ready to self-pay if they didn't. A loan, anything, I was desperate. Surgery was scheduled on 12/26 and off I went to my new me... Post-op things seemed to be progressing well during my initial hospital stay, overnight - except for my experience with the overnight nurse assigned to monitor me throughout the night. He just was not helpful and would not give me pain medication in timely manner. I made such a fuss and actually threatened to leave the hospital if someone didn't help me. Finally, some pain meds and off to sleep I went. Needless to say that I was so interested in getting out of there that the minute my doctor asked me the following morning if I was ready to leave the hospital, I said absolutely. I had gotten up early that morning and was actually feeling pretty good, probably all that fluid they were pumping in me via the IV. I was able to wash up on my own and get dressed, so I thought...ok this is good. I couldn't drink water at that point or anything else, but I was even ok with that. I wasn't feeling hunger at this point, I just wanted to go home. Home - this is where the journey really gets interesting... After about two days, I still couldn't tolerate liquids - especially anything cold, so I mainly subsisted on hot tea and popicles. Periodically I would try to drink one of the many varieties of protein drinks I had purchased in advance of surgery, but they were all horrible and I couldn't get them down anyway. I think for the first 2 weeks, I was literally starving myself to death. Finally it got to a point where I couldn't keep anything down. By the time I got to my 1st follow-up appointment with the doc, I felt weak and confused e.g. what the heck is going on confused. What happened, why am I feeling this way confused. I asked my doc and he said... the good news you have lost 17lbs isn't that great! Uh yeah, but I'm starving and puking anything I try to take in and I'm not taking anything in. I wanted to lose weight in the worst way, but I didn't want to starve myself to death. He said, it will get better - and if I was still vomiting after a week or so, call him - an endoscopy procedure may be in order. He sends in the Nutritionist who reviews my meal plan with me. What meal plan?!, but ok - I go over what I'm supposed to eat, what I'm not and some food options to consider. As I was leaving the office, one of the Physician's Assistants who had been helping me push to get the surgery approved, said quietly on the side - don't wait to call the office back if I was still vomiting, no need to suffer he said. Boy was I suffering. In fact the following day, I called the doctor's office and said I can't take it anymore, they have to do something. I could barely get out of bed. The following day I was scheduled for the endoscopic procedure. The doc who performed the procedure said that he saw some blockage from scar tissue, so he inserted a balloon that would help stretch the opening of the stomach so I could get something in. What a relief I thought... Following the procedure I was able to get fluid in, not much but at least broth, soup, more popicles, hot tea. In fact one day I actually ate some shrimp and started buying different foods that I could try e.g. mushy's. I guess that wasn't the best idea, the shrimp stayed down - but some of my other selections e.g. shellfish did not cooperate at all; even though I would chew this stuff until it was water. Finally, I got tired of trying to eat and just stuck with broth, creamy soup, popsicles and hot tea until even the thought of these foods turns my stomach. Don't want to forget all the pill popping e.g. vitamins, calcium, antacid, gas x, additional Vit D... Anyway the next round has been gas and diaherra (which is still the case). A couple of days, I couldn't make up my mind whether to go to the bathroom, vomit or both - sometimes it is both. Oh yes, i forgot this whole time I've been so weak, that I could not work, I live alone with minimal support or encouragement - so depression began to creep in; until it was so full blown that I asked my PCP to put me back on depression meds, that I had been off for the last year. So now, 4 weeks and 3 days into this journey, I'm sitting here wondering exactly how am I feeling. I have been able to add a couple of more foods to my list of what I can tolerate. Yesterday I was finally able to drink water and drank a whole bottle. I am also slowly beginning to tolerate drinking juice from the fridge; although slowly and very cautiously. My sleeve seems to be "teaching" me what it will accept and what it won't - it is very, very particular and any misstep on my part will be dealt with immediately and painfully. In fact, if I get ahead of myself, I'll be right back to clear liquids if not the same day, the following day. I still haven't developed a taste for protein drinks, but there is one that I can tolerate more than others. I'm sure my doc would say it has too much sugar in it, but it's either that one or none. After 2-3 weeks of practically starving, I'm just glad I'm able to tolerate anything close to protein. I definitely don't overdo anything - too scared and too tired of being sick and too weak to move beyond the bed, bathroom and kitchen (just to look around, cause eating is limited). So is it getting better? Well I have my good days and bad days, today seems to be going ok - yesterday too. Today I had a boiled egg. Wow - who would have ever thought that eating a boiled egg would be a major thing in someone's daily life. To be continued.

Thanks to all posters on this subject. I am 4 weeks post surgery and I'm experiencing all the feelings that have been mentioned by others. I am trusting you all when you say things get better. They just have to... I won't lie things have been quite miserable for me. I see other people post how great they feel after 1 or 2 weeks; unfortunately that has not been my experience. I'm struggling, it is as simple as that. But it's a done deal, so I've got believe that things will get better

Thanks for posting this topic. Until now I didn't really understand why there was a need for a psychiatric evaluation as part of the requirements for surgery. Now I definitely do. Not only is there a serious physical component to this surgery, but there is a significant mental aspect as well. I'm 4 weeks out and didn't realize this until now. I have been on a rollercoaster ride, both physically and emotionally since having this surgery. Sometimes I wonder WTH was I thinking??? Everyone says it will get better and I'm praying that will be the case. I live alone and my support network is somewhat small - which adds to my depression. I suffer from depression, but it has been a year since I had to take depression meds. Recently I asked my PCP to put me back on the depression meds cause I can't handle the emotional aspect alone. My body feels alien to me know. I'm weak constantly, when I eat (which has been difficult to get much of anything in) I'm either fighting to keep it down or, having stomach cramping - a sign that something (I don't know what) is trying to come out. I don't sleep well and I swear I feel like I can actually tell that I'm missing something inside, when I'm lying down. Only two people know that I had this surgery, others know that I've had surgery but don't know why. Whatever anyone says, this is not easy. It's probably like being on the strictest diet that one could ever imagine, except you can't get off or cheat even if you wanted to. Still, I'm praying that things will get better. Keep your chin up Frye, your not alone.

I took approximately 4 weeks. I work in HR too, so primarily desk job; though very high stress e.g. labor relations. I worked from home when I felt up to it, but like it's been said before - not everyone has that luxury. I've had a very hard time transitioning e.g. very weak, unable to take in food/fluids, endoscopic surgery last week because of inability to eat. I see my experience is little more extreme than others, but your body will tell you for sure.

An update... what the heck am I doing wrong???? Well I don't know where I left off, as it has been a few days or a week since my last post. It's been a week since I had the endoscopic procedure where the physician inserted a balloon to address a blockage presumably caused by swelling and scar tissue. That worked somewhat as I have been able to increase my food intake; not much, but certainly better than before. Well actually I seem to have good days and bad days. For example, yesterday I was actually able to eat an egg, with 1/2 slice of finely diced ham and 1/2 slice finely diced cheese. I was so pleased. For lunch I had about 3 teaspoons of tuna fish salad; of course I had to chew all these foods slowly until they were almost like liquid, but still they went down and stayed down. I forgot what I had for dinner, I have to start writing this stuff down. Today on the other hand, it's not been a good day. I felt a little constipated, mainly proteins tend to do this to me - so I took a laxative. I actually meant to take a stool softener. Since then, it's been horrible. Horrible stomach cramping, running constantly to the bathroom to eliminate nothing, because nothing is really in me. Well actually I had some cereral, with lactaid milk. It was a very small amount of Special K cereal which I let sit until it softened enough to chew until it was liquid. Apparently not a good idea because shortly afterwards, the stomach cramping was almost unbearable. Sometimes I can't decide if I want to go to the bathroom or vomit or both. I'm still not getting in the proper amount of protein or fluid, which concerns me greatly. I did have about 8 ounces of lemonade yesterday too. I guess I was just too happy that I was able to eat/drink something that tasted halfway decent, though I didn't drink and eat at same time. I still feel extremely weak and do not sleep very well. I'm not fully back at work yet, but expect to go back full time next week. Actually I was in the office 1 day this week for a couple of hours and coupled with running a couple of errands, I was exhausted by the time I got home. I'm trying desperately to figure out how to make my sleeve happy, so that I can be happy. I haven't felt normal since before my surgery. I've been very depressed regarding all this and, yes I do see a therapist, but my next visit is not until next week. In fact I saw my regular physician this week, and asked that she place me back on my depression medication. I feel really sad about this because it's been almost a year, if not a year, since I've had to take this medication, but I know I can't fight this depressed mood on my own. I literally hate all the protein drinks I've tried so far, in fact I have cases of some of this stuff which is just sitting in the corner. I know I probably sound ungrateful, especially since I was so excited to have this surgery and stayed on my doctor's office and the insurance company to get it approved. Now, I feel a little "buyer's remorse" but it's not the surgery, I want the weight loss and needed help; but I never imagined how difficult this transition would be for me. Everyone says that it will get better. My DIL who also had the surgery says that it's like going through an addiction withdrawal, but it will get better. I hate feeling and being physically weak all the time. I live alone and have to do everything for myself... another thing that is probably contributing to my depression. I'm sorry to sound like such a cry-baby, I generally am considered the "strong one," except this time... Anyway, I keep writing in this forum because I do like to hear positive feedback and need all the suggestions, encouragement and shared experiences I can get. I am trying so hard to tell myself that things will get better. I have also been weaning myself off the pain meds, haven't had any in a few days. I don't have actual pain, though I do have serious stomach cramping associated with constipation/diarrhea. I take Gas X, which seems to help; but the other meds my doc gave me to help with acide reflux, don't help at all. They actually seem to contribute to more stomach cramping and diarrhea, so I stopped taking them. The pain meds did help me sleep, but now they are gone so sleeping has been difficult. I have sleeping pills, but I try not to take these either. I'm really not a "pill" person and don't need another addiction. I feel like a human slug, because I just walk from one room to the other, lay/sit down; sometimes I just walk around the house just to keep it moving. Oh geez, I think I'll stop writing now because I'm making my own self even more depressed. Thank you for being patient with my ramblings.

doing a little better but please see full update under separate post in same topic.

Thank you all for your post. They were very informative. I had the endoscopy yesterday and the doctor stated after the procedure that he saw some sort of minor blockage and stretched the opening to my stomach about 1/2 cm. Someone mentioned the terms "stricture" which I don't really know what that means. Anyway, after the procedure I was hopeful everything would be alright, I actually felt ok after leaving the hospital; of course they pump you full of fluid, which is what I need. However, after only one day, I'm back to only being able to drink fluids and popsicles have been my friend. The problem is I still can't get enough fluid in. I tried to eat some mash potatoes, but after 4 spoonfuls, I vomited. (sorry to be so gross) I'm starting to get scared of eating anything that I can't drink and I can't drink hardly anything. Figure that one out. I feel so weak… I will continue to tell my doctor what's going on, but I don't see him again for another month. I have to go back to work next week. I only pray that things will improve. I'm still trying not to give up, what's the point anyway because it's not like I can put things back like they were. Anyway, I still appreciate any additional information shared regarding complications, maybe something you've experienced and overcome will work for me.