pcindy

Has anyone here tried taking a teaspoon or tablespoon of olive oil once per day post op, in order to maintain skin/hair/nails as well as help to lubricate the esophagus? Any luck with it?

I'm 3 1/2 weeks post-op and for the last few days, absolutely EXHAUSTED beyond belief! It's like the worst jet-lag I've ever had. Just dragging myself around and haven't even gone to work the last couple of days. My friend who had a VSG 3 years ago said she had the same thing and that it lasted a few months! I'm getting in plenty of Protein, carbs, good fats, and about 1200-1500 calories a day (fluids too). Can anyone else relate to this?

I had MASSIVE constipation- felt like I'd given birth after a 45-min session of straining (should have weighed myself before and after!). After a couple of days of feeling like I'd been through a prison experience (if you know what I mean) where it hurt to sit, I broke down and bought some Colace. Boy oh boy did THAT do the trick! Pushing fluids as much as possible also of course. Whew! Then I went in the other direction. I'm getting back to normal now. Love your subject heading... makes me think of the Rocky Horror Picture Show!

You guys are a pisser! Jane, you set a whirlwind in motion! But I'll put in my two cents with a nod to the French. I give you... Vincent Cassel: Check out his latest films, "Mesrine" in 2 parts- he won the Caesar award (French Oscar) for best actor. Also hot, Romain Duris: His latest film is "Heartbreaker" with Vanessa Paradis (wife of Johnny Depp). Enjoy!

If that sweet smell is coming from your urine, go to your PMD and have him/her check your A1C and blood sugar. When I have diabetic patients with high blood sugar, their urine can smell like apple juice, it's so sweet-smelling. That would be my concern. I know that 'lady issues' can be uncomfortable to discuss with a doctor, but believe me, you won't make them uncomfortable. The more forthcoming and honest you are, the better they can diagnose and treat you. Good luck.

TMI!!! But also LOL! Good for you! We should all be so blessed after 36 years! I am also blushing however, and if you know me, that takes a LOT!

About 4 weeks, and it's better. That's all I'm gonna say! Well, I'll say this too: I think that as a married person, I have no body-image issues beyond the ones I already had. The scars aren't gorgeous, but having a smaller stomach makes up for them. If I were single and facing (as it were) a new partner, I don't know. Logistically, having a smaller stomach makes things easier (and that's all I'm gonna say about THAT!). I never had great-looking breasts (even when they first arrived), and a lift is in the future, but my weight loss doesn't really affect them. For me, it's a stomach and face issue, and those are slowly improving. I had to wait until I was pain-free and past the point of having that internal 'pulling' sensation I had to the left of my belly button. Also for my incisions to feel really stable. My husband seems more interested. Frankly, sex with a huge stomach has been exhausting for me, and just 25 lbs down is a relief. And that's all I'm gonna say!

DITTO! I'm 4 weeks out and TOTALLY get that stomach-rumble/hungry feeling regularly. I'll have eaten (and have that feeling that the food is up to the top of my esophagus- which it probably is), but still feel like my stomach is empty. I know I can't get any more food down, but my stomach still feels like it still needs it! It doesn't feel terrible, but not pleasant either. I'm sure it will go away with time, and I'm looking forward to it! My friend who had her VSG 3 years ago says that it goes away. I've been on Prilosec since a month before surgery. No acid-y feeling, just the rumbling.

Getting in well above 60g of protein/day, plus all my vitamins and calcium. The fatigue is starting to get a little bit better as I start to get more active, ironically.

Wow, what a story! You're a brave woman. I wish you all the best with your financing and a speedy surgery and recovery. You've worked hard and deserve great outcome. I'm very happy with my VSG, and hope you will be too.

I hate when people comment about my body, thin or fat. I feel like my body is none of their business. Maybe your family doesn't know if you're sensitive about it, and are trying to respect your privacy and not put you on the spot or make you feel self-conscious.

You shouldn't have pus coming out of a 6-week old incision. See your doc. You could have an abcess.

I'm taking Iron suppliments and drinking Vitaminwater zero, which has B Vitamins, as well as a multi, and the vitamins that are in my daily Protein shake. Uch, I'm SO tired! HELP!

Dudes, right in the middle of my sternum. Friggin' GAS! Taking lots of careful slow sips, trying not to take in air, not going too fast or I get hiccups as well). Taking Gas X strips. All I have to say is, goddamn GAS. I am exhausted. I am occasionally farting too, although this does not bother me. What bothers me is this epigastric sternal GAS. GAS.:thumbup1: Erp, thank you.

I'm 3 1/2 weeks out now. The epigastric pain is gone and so is most of the gas (except for after I eat and drink, and even then, as long as I don't go too fast it's managable). Now, I'm mostly battling hunger, and the inability to eat fast enough to satisfy it! I hear that gets better too. That horrible gas though, thank God it's resolved!!!!!!!

I had the same thing. It helped to have my husband "burp" me (patting me on the back, just like a baby!). It definately hurts and it is definately temporary. It will get better. Try tinier sips, NO STRAWS, and to get as little air in as possible. Someone else said sippy cups helped her. Give it a try, and hang in there- it really will get better. I'm 3 weeks post-op and the difference is night and day.

Ditto to what the above posters said. We sometimes give banana flakes to patients with diarrhea, so maybe some pureed banana would be helpful. I'm surprised your doc won't give you some Lomotil! Go get something OTC (pepto bismol or whatever)- screw your doc on this one. Yes you MUST keep yourself hydrated! I know it probably feels counter-intuitive (liquid in, liquid out), but you really need to replace it. The first week post-op absolutely SUCKS (read my posts!), but it WILL get better. Just push those fluids, get some pepto bismol, eat some pureed banana, and buy some new undies. :001_rolleyes:

I am actually trying to keep my daily calorie intake between 1200-1600 to keep my weight loss slow. I want to lose about 10lbs/month (which is healthy) in order to avoid the many pitfalls of too-rapid weight loss. I'm hoping it will keep my hair in my head, and allow my skin an opportunity to keep up. I'm taking an Omega 3-6-9 oil as well as eating things like olives, to keep my unsaturated fat intake high. Keeping up with my Protein intake (about 70-80g /day) and Vitamins as well. Tiffy posted an interesting article a couple of months back about the reasons for hair loss (in all my years of nursing- I don't believe in a million years that it has ANYTHING to do with anesthesia, otherwise we'd be seeing it in our myriad of other surgical patients, many of whom have endured far more complicated surgeries; we don't). It seems to be purely hormonal- which makes a ton of sense. That's why I'm keeping my weight loss slow, in an effort to keep at bay a hormonal storm. I'm only 3 weeks post-op, but I'll definately keep you posted if I do or do not lose my hair. I'd like to see if slower weight loss is the answer. Hey, Tiffy- maybe that article is worth another re-post...

I take Prilosec, but you should really follow your doctor's advice for medication, not an online forum. There's usually a good reason why they have their favorites, and you can ask why they prefer what they prefer. Prilosec OTC is pretty small, therefore easy to swallow. I get a prescription capsule that I can open up and swallow the beads. Whatever you choose, generally take it in the morning, about a half hour before eating. Again, ask your doc- also, if they write a prescription, it may be a cheaper alternative to OTC if you have insurance.

One joint (unfiltered) is the equivalent of a pack of cigarettes on your lungs. You need your lungs to be in the best possible shape before and during and after surgery. Hacking up tar is not optimal. Also, yes, the THC does cause an unknown element with your anesthesia. I would be brutally honest with your medical team (they don't give two hoots about legality-believe me). As a nurse, I can tell you that there is NOTHING more annoying than being lied to about drug use, when trying to give a patient the the best, most informed care possible. They may want you to be competely clean for a certain amount of time to ensure your best possible outcome. Be honest and upfront. There are many options for anxiety, both behavioral and pharmaceutical that are available. Ask for help. Go to your PCP. There is also a 12-Step program for dealing with marijuana addiction. Take care of yourself and good luck.

I don't know about any vitamins that cause less nausea, but you can ask your doc for Odansteron (Zofran). It comes in liquid form as well as a tiny pill form. You can take that for your nausea about 10 or 20 minutes before your vitamin and that should help. Good luck.

LOL! I actually asked a mommy with a 1 year-old a the supermarket what type of bottle she could recommend to reduce burping! She said her kid had never been bottle-fed so she didn't know. I told her that I didn't have the same option! Funny. I wasn't sure about sippy cups (although I thought about it) because I wasn't sure if they reduced burping, or just spillage when the kid drops them! Great tip- thanks for sharing it!

I had the same pain- it's where your stomach is! I'm 3 weeks post-op (today, actually!), and my pain there is mostly gone. I feel some tightness there still when I lie on my stomach. Mine got much better after the drain was pulled out. I think it just takes time. Hang in there.

I'm curious to know if there are any VSG folks out there who DIDN'T lose their hair...

I recommend the "12 Steps and 12 Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous." Lots of literature available at www.OA.org Good luck!