Sunshine

Today I saw my Dr for the first time after surgery. My surgery was on the 19th. As of today, I've lost 12 pounds. I didn't have a pre-op diet plan, so I'm sure most of that is Water. He stated that he'd like to see me lose 30 more pounds at the 6 week mark. He said that I needed to start doing my exercising now. That this week is the foundation of what I'll do the rest of my life. To put up an exercise/food chart on the fridge for accountability. He said to always eat 3 meals a day and ABSOLUTELY NO snacking in between (which I never, ever did to begin with....my vice was the midnight PBJ). I asked about the Esophageal Spasms and he said they would go away in time and not to be scared. To keep taking the medicine for as long as I needed to. I can now eat 'normal' food, but I need to chew it up good and eat slow. Had 5 bites of a fish sandwich today and 6 bites of Soup broth and thought I was going to be sick. I think I ate too fast. But, I'm learning my body and it's limits and things like that. He is more concerned about me staying hydrated vs getting in my Protein. It was a GREAT appointment. He was extremely proud of me and stated I was a very positive person. 12 pounds in 11 days isn't bad. Oh yeah...his nurse told me that many patients always feel as though they will be the ONLY patient in the world that doesn't lose weight with this surgery. And she says it's normal. It was part of the eating/dieting that has my mind confused. She says I will lose tons of weight. I just want to lose it all NOW!...he he

Way to go !!!!!

You are living what I'm going through right now. Saw my Dr today and he said that it WILL go away. It HAS subsided somewhat (10 days post-op). They said to take the medicine religiously. No reason for you to suffer. Just work yourself through it. You can do this.

Thanks so much!!!

Well...let's put it this way. I technically should be on my full liquid diet. Then, mushy foods for a week. But...talking with them, they made me understand that if I did this, I would have to pick and choose my foods VERY carefully (soft, etc.). Which, I did (fish and soup). I chewed them up BIGTIME. I think they were just very pleased with my health so far and the outcome of my surgery and the way I'm handling things. I think they sort of made an 'exception' for me. The nurse said I probably needed to puree my food for the mushy food week, but that if I didn't.....it certainly wouldn't kill me. Basically.....it's all about good choices that I will be making. I know not to eat Doritos and things like that. he he he. It'll be very soft foods for a long time (and that's my choice).

Laylasmojo... Thanks. It has been the most painful thing....by far....from the entire surgery experience. Good Luck on your surgery.

10 days post-op...WHEN will these Esophageal Spasms stop?????? :thumbdown:

I'm not exactly what it is...but it feels like either a knife stab or someone ringing out a wet rag in your stomach. Quite painful. But...my Dr said I had a severe case of it...so, I think the pain level would be different for each person individually. I feel after I swallow food.

Saw my Dr today for routine visit. I've had the spasms since the surgery on the 19th...so about 11 days worth. He says they will go away in time and not to be scared. He said that I had a severe case of the spasms.....sort of rare, but to just stay calm. They WILL go away. Thanks everyone.

Soooo, I had surgery Monday (6 days ago). Had it a little rough. Esophageal Spasms, my abd has been hurting due to the incisions, slow-going,...etc, etc. I've been sticking to the diet (only cheated 1 time - had a bite of mashed potatoes and mac/cheese ---- both went down fine). My husband works 24-48 hour shifts. He came home this morning and said, "OH MY GOD honey, you look skinnier BIGTIME". Then, my son commented on how I looked skinnier. Which FINALLY gives me some 'hope'. I was getting upset because I felt so bad. I had the "What have I done" feelings, and it just felt like I was going to stay fat forever. My family made me soooo happy. NOW,....my journey can begin. I am finally smiling. All I needed was a little 'something'. Know what I mean?

Thanks Kathy. For some reason, I just have this fear that EVEN THIS won't work. Not sure why. Like I said, I haven't weighed yet since after surgery on the 19th,....I do that tomorrow at the Dr's. But I am soooo scared that I will be that ONE person who only loses 50 pounds or something like that. WHYYYY do I feel that way?

How awesome for you!!!!!!! ......but why do I feel as though I'm the only one that the surgery isn't going to work for? lol....I must have a distorted mind. And, I haven't weighed since my surgery, so I have no idea how much I've lost.

Well, I don't think everyone has them. But I sure do. Through the surgery, and the pain of it all......the spasms are the worst of it ALL. I hate them. They make it very difficult for me to stay on top of drinking and doing the Protein thing, because most of the time when I swallow....it spasms and hurts. I just want to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel!!!

Does the Dr. take blood on the first post op visit to see if you've gotten all your protein in? ...because, GASP...I haven't been able to get it all in yet.

lol Well, some of them are gritty, ...and I don't like that. But....I don't like milkshakes, chocolate milk, ....those things anyhow. So, it's been hard for me to get my Protein down. But - it's GREAT that you like it. Good for you!!!!!!

So, I'm on my last day of the liquid diet. And I started early and went ahead and had a SF pudding (yum). But, as soon as I ate it (which only took 3 minutes...is that normal?), I felt guilty. I felt like...."Oh my gosh, if I eat food instead of just drinking broth, etc.....I'm not going to lose weight". Is this a normal fear?...or the beginning of a small eating disorder. Please don't laugh, I know it's a silly question.

Globetrotter....I'm glad I'm not alone in this thinking. My husband thinks it's silly....but he's not the one who had the 20 year struggle with weight.

Mary...you literally took the words out of my mouth. I told my husband tonight (as I ate my Protein infused Jello for dinner while they had a nice hot meal) that I thought 'I' would be the 'ONLY" one who doesn't lose weight from this surgery. I haven't 'cheated' badly. Just a nibble here and there. Nothing substantial AT ALL. But...even a taste of something not allowed makes me feel as though I have cheated. pudding is on my Full Liquid list of foods I can eat (and BOY OH BOY is it good). We went to a chinese restaurant today for lunch and I had 'Egg Drop Soup'..which is also allowed on my Full liquid diet. YUUUUUM It's just that if I eat ANYTHING.....I think, "Boy, if I continue to eat, I'm never going to lose weight". But, I'm glad you have had the same thoughts (that sounds bad....but you know what I mean). I'm not the only one who has thought that. Thanks Donna!!!!....I'm lovin' the pudding!

I'd like to see if I can get some Smoothie recipes for protein. I can't stand the pre-mixed. Thanks so much in advance!

I see your surgery has already come and gone....but I'll comment for others who are interested who haven't had the surgery yet. I started my period the day of surgery. It was no issue. Just a little embarrassing. But, we're all women.

Hello! I had my surgery Monday, ...and soon I will be on the Full liquid Diet. I know that I can have: - Cream Soups (I'll be eating a lot of Tomato soup!) - Hot cocoa - I will still be able to eat the broths from the liquid diet What are some other things that I can have on the Full Liquid Diet? (P.S....I don't like Cream of Wheat)

Currently: I am a 43 yr old woman. Mother of 1. Married for almost 10 years. I am 5' 5" & 242 pounds. From southern TN area. Past: Extremely thin all my life until around 19. Before that, I was the girl in H.S. that everyone said they were jealous of because I was soooo thin. 100-105 lbs. in H.S. Reason(s) for weight gain: All sorts of things. Bad things in my life, not exercising anymore, got a car so I didn't have to walk everywhere, got married/divorced, parents died...etc.,etc.,etc. But --- the REAL reason was because I ate. Period. MY FAULT. I own it. Surgery of choice: The Sleeve. I have a few friends who have had The Band with little results. The friends I have that have had the Bypass - well, they have all been sick since. So, I chose The Sleeve due to those reasons, along with the fact that it's the 'best' choice for me and it's the 'medium' surgery on the scale of WLS's. I've done loads and loads of research. Timeline: Time from calling for 1st weight loss seminar to the date of surgery - 34 days. Yes, very quick. Why? ....'cause I'm Self-Pay. Insurance doesn't cover ANY WLS's. Surgery is the 19th of this month. Just a few days away. I've been thinking about this for a long time though. Finances: I'm self-pay. I've read that many people ask how they have come up with the $. Well, my house is paid off...so I just went and got a Home Equity Loan and will pay it off in a few years (or sooner if my timeshare at Disney will sell!!!) My family: Supportive, but nervous. Husband is glad I'll be happy, but loves me the way I am. Son (9) is worried I'll look a lot different. Both are somewhat nervous that I'll stop cooking the 'good food'. My brother (and the only sibling I've told...and basically, the only sibling I'm close with) doesn't want me to get it. He says he loves me the way I am and wants me to feel better about myself. I told him it had nothing to do with that. He'd never understand though. He's 40 and has a 29 inch waist with a six-pack. Yes,....a six-pack and he NEVER works out. I know...it's crazy. So, overall.....support is there. All 3 men in my life will be there for surgery. Friends: The ones I've told are very supportive. Pre-Op plan: Magnesium Citrate 1 day prior. liquid Diet 1 day prior. Health Issues I have: none My reasons for wanting surgery: Other than the obvious reasons, ....I'm sure all of you can relate to my reasons. I want to feel good. I've been overweight for 20 years. It's time. I may be healthy now, but I will not be healthy for much longer if I stay this size. My fears: I'm not scared of the surgery. I'm not scared of the pain. I'm scared that I will hate eating since I've heard so much about the hard-to-swallow issue. For some reason -- that is my biggest fear. The fact that I will hate to eat. Also, I don't want to stop cooking for my family. I'll cook healthier...but I don't want MY plans to affect them too much. My schedule for surgery: Show up at 6am, surgery at 8am. In on Monday....and out on Wednesday. Preparation: I've bought EVERYTHING needed. Got all my RX's. food. I know the hospital I go through individualizes the plans and I told them that I would not do the Protein shakes. I KNOW I wouldn't keep them down. It would be of no use. So, we will be doing the bullets, and Isopure for the liquid phase. Isopure/bullets/non-flavored protein to put on mushy food for the other phases. Then, when I can eat...the protein will be taken care of. But I know me....and I'll eat loads of protein. So....that is me. I'm excited. I'm scared. I am prepared to run through every emotion possible (anger at myself, regret, guilt, happiness, relief, etc etc). My finances are in order. I have an Advanced Directive (already had one). House is spotless so I don't have to worry about it. Yard will be mowed 2 days before surgery.he he. Prepared my family. Told some friends. Researched and researched more. I'm new to this forum. Only been on about a week. So far, I've learned so much. I know I will rely on you guys a lot during my journey. Then, I hope to 'pass it on' to other newbies. Thank you for reading this. And I hope this helps you understand me a little better. I am soooooooooooooooo excited. I've been smiling the entire time I was reading this!!!!!:biggrin0::thumbup::thumbup1:

Whey Gourmet? I may try it if you're saying that it's THE BEST. I have no idea why I am having trouble doing the protein drink thing. But, I may try that. I am going to Walmart tomorrow. Thanks soooo much.

Wow. I am sorry to hear that you are having to deal with this. All I can tell you is that I will pray for you....

NURSE --- so far, I've tried all sorts of protein things. But not the powder shakes. I think because it's gritty. Is there a way that you can add ice cream to it?