TX.Geek

If you are running to Costco, there is a ready to drink protein shake they sell. It is chocale flavored and under the brandname Premier Nutrition. Not too bad tasting either with 30g of protein. Check with your NUT to be sure they are cool with you taking that.

Hi Tiffykins, I know you asked about pills and chewables, however I thought I would point you to a liquid I use called Liquid Reviva High Absorption calcium citrate. You can get it from costco or Sam's. I went to the liquid after trying UpCal D (which I thought did a marvelous job of making my beverages taste like I was licking chalk board erasers... I'm just saying...) It provides 1000 mg Calcium Citrate, 1000 IU Vitamin D, and 400 mg of Magnesium. It is blueberry flavor, which isn't too bad (I also have heard of folks adding it to smoothies). The same company also provides a liqid multivitamin too. The website with the product info is at http://www.revivanutrition.com/product_more.html#pd3. I hope this helps! ---Geek

I had the same experience after my srugery Oct 19. The good news is that it is very likely the swelling; you have not had anywhere near enough time for scarring to be the cause. It is very likely due to swelling around the staple line at the top (entrance) to your new sleeve. Trust me, tt get's better! I am finally able to drink this week without the pain. Before it got better with normal drinks, I found that warm (not too hot) broth and drinks were the easiest to get down. On a side note, you mentioned that your Doc did not tell you of the joys of a close personal relationship with Gas-X. Did he talk to you about getting on a stomach acid reducer (like Prilosec OTC)? If he didn't you may want to bring it up at your post op appt. It really helps with any potential acid reflux (you will see many posts on the board here about it). Congrats on your successful surgery and the best of luck for a speedy recovery!

Good call Tiff! I am just hitting my 3 week post-op mark myself. I had the same swallowing problems too until I tried warmer fluids. The warmer drinks went down MUCH MUCH easier. My Doc said it is common that colder drinks can cause a spasm when you are trying to drink early on after surgery, so I would not be too concerned yet. I would however make sure your doc knows what is going on though, in case he has some other suggestions. Oh yeah, I have been able to start drinking a little bit cooler drinks now with fewer problems than I had last week. Best of luck and hang in there!

I am currently using a powder calcium citrate + d3 and I have to agree with those who don't really care for it. It is hard for me to get down. However, I just found a product at costco (I think they have it at Sam's too). It isn't a chewable, but a liquid. It is called Reviva High Absorption Calcium Citrate liquid and is blueberry flavor (they also have a REALLY good liquid Multivitamin that is tropical flavored). Check out http://www.revivanutrition.com or head to your local Costco, Sam's or other discount club. I hope this helps!

I've got 6. 3 x's 1.25 inches and 3 x's .5 inches. I was hoping for some "cooler" looking scars too. All the scars are really neat (the doc used glue) and are all parallel to each other. It looks like I lost a knife fight with some kind of OCD thug!

Howdy All! I just had my sleeve done last week as well (10/19) and will be getting the drain removed tomorrow morning (I will be glad to be rid of that danged thing!) Thought I would throw in my $.02 for what has seemed to work well for me, but your mileage may vary. Also different doctors have different recommendations, so make sure you discuss any questions. For example, I will be on fluids for at least another week before going to fluids and yogurt-like mushies. Recommendation for before the surgery: 1) Get any heavy lifting stuff done now (adding salt to the Water softener, fixing the fence, moving boxes, etc). My doc has me limited to lifting no more than 10 lbs for at least 4 weeks post-op. Beside, your abdominals will hurt liek the devil after surgery. Best to avoid any unnecesssary tightening of the abs immediately after surgery. 2) Pick out your Protein drink during your presurgical wieght loss diet. After surgery you will be on clear liquid for a bit and broth will just not cut it for protein. Besides, it will be difficult to hunt down a preferred Protein Drink after surgery while recuperating. I discovered grape Isopure from GNC works best for me. 3) Lose as much as you can prior to surgery to defat the liver. The fattier the liver, the harder the surgery can be. After surgery: 1) You will have gas pains like you won't believe. When I woke up I felt like my left shoulder had been knocked out of place and in severe need of chiropractic adjustment. Turns out that some of the gas they pump in to "inflate you" for surgery will stick around. My lovely bride was kind enough to rub my shoulder from top down which seemed to releive the pain. I also found that getting up and walking laps of the hospital floor helped as well (for the shoulder pain, as well as intestinal gas too). 2) So mentioning intestinal gas... yep they inflated your sleeve as well. Although you may feel like burping, that is not going to get rid of much if any of the gas. Walking loosens the back end too; besides, they seemed to truly encourage post-op farting! Did I mention to get up and walk as early as possible? It REALLY helped! 3) You will likely not be allowed to drink fluids until after getting a swallow study done the morning after surgery. Be sure to ask your nurse if they have swabs you can use to swab water on the inside of your mouth. I felt like i had cotton inside my mouth until I was able to swab down. It was REALLY a relief! 4) Stay ahead of your pain meds. No reason to be a hero; if pain meds are recommended every 4 hours, do it. They also gave me Gas-X at the same time I got pain meds to help with the gas pains as well. Also, be sure to ask about a stomach acid reducer. 5) Schedule your Fluid intake, exercise (walks), meds, etc and stick to it as close as possible (at least until your drain is removed). If you get behind schedule early, you will not be able to get your 64 ounces of water in without drinking too much later in the day or evening. It is important to stay hydrated and get 70 grams or more of protein in per day. I hope this helps. Please keep in mind your mileage may vary. And discuss this with your doctor prior to your procedure. Good luck! Geek

Great post! Although I feel positive about my upcoming procedure, you have definitly helped me put the remaining nerves at ease.

Hi All, Just finished my pre-op appt at the hospital for all the final tests (blood work, pulmonary function, cardiologist, etc). One last appt on Oct 14 with the surgeon, then surgery on Oct 19th. I have gone from nervous to excited and back again three or four times; right now I can say I am absolutely psyched and ready to get this thing going. I have also been on liquids since Oct 5 (Premier Protein shakes from Costco, Chicken Brothn and sugar free Jello). I have to say I am REALLY suprised. I am not suffering the cravings or feeling like cheating at all. I imagine pacing out the shakes, broth, and jello throughout the day (and chewing lots of sugar free gum) is helping keep the cravings away. Best of luck to all of you fellow October sleevers!

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