Donna4545

I got through it by really pushing clear protein drinks--isopure plus is a clear. And crystal lite. I only had 3 days on clears post-op, then we moved to full liquids for 10 days, which is where I'm at now. The more protein I get in, the less hunger I have. Hang in there!

I can drink a water-based protein drink at pretty much pre-surgery speed. If it's thicker, it really slows me down though. For a water-based shake, I would say 25 oz in an hour. For a thick shake, 3 sips max and then I have to rest 10 minutes.

OK, this might sound weird, but is anyone else feeling strange about losing weight so fast? I mean look at my ticker--I'm in shock. I've never lost weight like this, it's like I don't know if I can trust it--will it stop? Will it come back? It's a lifetime of conditioning that's preventing me from feeling good about this without reservation. I'm not sure how to react--and the worst part is when I look in the mirror I can't see a difference. Is my scale lying to me?

I seem to be able to drink a lot of liquid--I hope that's not a bad sign. I've got no problem getting in my liquid and protein, but I do have a problem with exercise motivation. Today was my birthday, which is usually kind of a downer day for me, but I'm telling myself that I'll do better tomorrow.

My BCBS approval was good for one year.

Make sure you are drinking enough water. Are you diabetic? Their urine has a sweet smell to it.

I bought a ton of Davinci sugar free flavored syrups and my shakes rock! I have a different flavor every time. I mix with IsoPure Zero Carb vanilla and unflavored powder.

If anybody hates their Isopure zero carb please send it to me! I love it!

Get back on the horse and ride it!

I've haven't cheated on the post op diet. I'm only 5 days out and I feel to shaky to rock the boat.

I take my nasty meds on top of a sip of protein shake to mask the taste.

In terms of reporting the problem and getting a lawyer, do it NOW--there are statutes of limitations of filing complaints. For medical help, walk into an ER and raise hell until you get treatment--threaten to call the media--and then call the media right in front of them if they won't treat you! Get the names of everyone you talk to and get a refusal to treat in writing.

You can dissolve synthroid in your mouth, if that's what you're taking for your thyroid, and they will put you on a liquid pain med called Lortab. You can't take NSAIDs any more but you can take liquid Tylenol.

100 pounds--that is amazing! As long as you stay away from fat, carbs, and sugar, I'm sure you will keep it off. Great job!

I was a little uncomfortable yesterday. I was burping constantly, a bit nauseous at time, and my legs and ankles were swollen. I called the surgeon and he said the swelling was normal after a surgery, and just to keep walking around, and if it didn't clear up within a few days, or if there was pain that went with it, to call him back. Day four - I'm not burping constantly any more, and the swelling in my legs/ankles has gone way down. Today is the first day of full liquids, and also is the first sense of feeling how much the pouch will hold. I have a 2oz medicine cup that I pour my full liquids in so I don't accidentally overdo it. I can have about 3 and a half oz before I get a pain signaling me to stop. Now I know why they say stop BEFORE you are are full lol. I guess 3 oz for full liquids is my limit. Clears, I can sip constantly. I'll be on full liquids for 10 days.

Just keep pumping the morphine drip and asking for ice chips and or the mouth swab--you'll be fine :-)

I have BCBS PPO North Dakota and they approved within a week.

I cheated because I got desperately hungry and couldn't stand it. Week one I had quite a bit of wine and buttered bread, and 1/2 wild rice at a restaurant. Week 2 I had 2 KFC biscuits (not on the same day) and some wine. Haven't cheated since, and didn't cheat on the clears diet the day before surgery. I lost 18 lbs over that time. After the surgery I asked the doctor how my liver looked, and he said it was "small and healthy" and not a problem. Now, I'm not suggesting that anyone try to "work the system" by cheating because that's a bad habit to get into for later. I got sleeved on 7/14/10 and haven't cheated on the post op diet. Don't plan to.

Look at the "post op" boards to see more of what you can expect. Congrats on your surgery date!

Congrats on getting approval--that's the biggest hurdle!

Here's a good source of clear protein (forgive me if I already said this lol) that I've been using because I'm on clears until Sat (tomorrow). IsoPure Plus Ready to Drink, zero carb/sugar 8oz bottles. You can Google for the best price if you local GNC doesn't carry it. There are 2 flavors, Grape, and Fruit Punch. Another clear I've been using is Unjury Chicken Soup Protein Powder, but I dilute it by half, otherwise it's too much salt. Those are both considered clears. My bariatric coordinator said take a sip, and if your body doesn't want protein yet, it will let you know--if you're ok with it, then it's ok.

Good point about the possibility of swelling after the 2nd day. I'm taking liquid Tylenol which might be helping with the swelling, letting me drink more. Whatever the case is, hang in there, and go sippy sippy as much as you can! We're all rooting for you!

Like a toddler would get from a sippy cup--not enough to fill or even half fill the mouth, just little sips. No straws allowed. Some people disagree with that, but I've heard it from more than one doctor, so no straws for me!

My PCP, the one who suggested sleeve surgery had the same routine "you're such a pretty girl, your life will change after the surgery"; "you have such a pretty face" etc. I wanted to barf! But since she was the one who had to sign off on everything, I didn't correct her, and just let her have her "fat people delusions". I really don't care if I'm pretty--I'm too old to be running in the beauty Olympics. I just want clothes to fit and my co-morbidities to disappear.

Only 2 people know about my surgery-my mom and my best girlfriend. Everybody else is getting told I had a hiatial hernia repair, if they figure out that I've had a surgery at all, that is. To everyone else, I'm just on a diet. I'll be traveling for work at 4 weeks out--but I've seen people post and say they went back to work in a week or less. I feel like I could go back to work today (2nd day out) but since I'm a teacher and it's summer, there's no one there to teach lol, so I get a few weeks whether I want them or not. I am definitely not telling my boss or any co-workers. It's just none of their business--I don't want to be local sideshow attraction!