elise

Congratulations! Wait until you go into LB and find NONE of the sizes fit you!

Great effort and success on your will power. Keep it up!

I didn't have any gall bladder issues, but, was told that during my surgery they would check my gall bladder. If it was needed, they would remove it during surgery. Luckily, my gallbladder was OK. Part of my post op instructions was to start taking Actigall (Urisipodol) one month after surgery and continue for 6 months, to prevent gall stone formation. No problems so far. Elise

Yes I was told that all liquids count toward your liquid intake, even the shakes. But I was also told that Vitamin water (any kind water with vitamins) ar not a good thing to take because of the fat soluble vitamins in them. You are taking supplemental vitamins with fat soluble vitamins in them and too much is not a good thing. I would avoid the vitamin containing waters.

I tried about 2 oz of wine at 6 weeks out and tolerated it well. I am now at 8 weeks out and enjoy about 3-4 oz of wine every once in a while. Hard liquor, has higher alcohol content will make you a "cheap drunk" as my surgeon would say. A little goes a long way. I tried but it burned too much on the way down, so I don't think I'm ready for it yet. Carbonated alcohol drinks (and non- alcoholic) are also a no-no for at least 6 months. They expand the stomach, and can stretch it. Healing continues for a long time and you don't want to chance a leak. From what others had mentioned on this site, Treat yourself with a small drink when you reach a goal you've set for yourself. Eventually you will be able to have a little more,but, alcohol are empty calories. They can slow down your weight loss. Keep that in mind too.

I'm using the Syntrax Nectare protein shakes. They come in many flavors and mix well with water, milk, soy, etc. I started with the Vanilla Torte flavor and added flavorings to change the taste when I wanted a change. I bought flavorings in the baking section of the market like rum, strawberry, lemon. The thing I like about the Syntrax brand is that there is NO chalky aftertaste, It mixes completely with no sediment. AND it tastes grear! I bought it online though, not found in the stores around me.

Loser mama is right. Are you on a PPI like omeprazole, pepcid or such? I'm 2 months out now but at first these meds really helped with the reflux. My surgeon put me on for a month after being sleeved. Now I only have occasional "silent reflux". Maybe talk to you doctor...... It won't hurt.

Congratulations! Your weight will drop off now that you are not on TPN. That thing has a lot of calories and protein. But you needed it to heal. Now that you are on the path again- go for the goal!!!

Execerise is the problem for me. I can't walk on hard surfaces due to Osteo arthritis of othe knees. Too much hard surfce jars and hurts. I can walk on soft sufaces though for a short period. :-)

I heard the same about using Biotin to prevent hair loss. Dose is 100mg twice a day. I started taking shortly after my surgery (8 weeksago) so far no loss yet. I wear Sisterlocks, so I would hate to lose them. (took too long to grow)!

As the holidays are here, I have been faced with the sweets-pie, cake, cookies. I don't crave them now nor do I really "feel like" eating them. I did try a very small sliver of sweet potato pie, but, it just didn't taste right. Sweets don't taste sweet. So I don't eat them. I guess in time my tastebuds will change, but, I don't miss nor want sweets now.

What's a Ricotta Bake? What's the recipe? Sounds good.

Hi everyone! I'm Elise. And I was sleeved on Nov 16, 2011. I'm trying to adjust to the liquid/mushy diet and must admit I missed the "crunch" factor. I will be strong, the time will come. LOL! Anyway, I'm glad to find you guys. Looking forward to chatting with you all!

Hi all! I'm now 2 weeks post being sleeved! I'm feeling great. No pain, just bloating and gas if I try to eat or drink too fast. (Gas-x thin strips seem to help though) Hopped on the scale and have lost 14 pounds since surgery. Now that I am increasing my meals to more varied meals, I hope I don't gain. I know I won't because I can't eat much and I am still post-op diet,but, the "big girl" in me is nervous because she is craving something crunchy, something to chew. UGH!

Wow! I didn't know that you could EVER drink caffeinated coffee! I was told it was one of the NO-NO things never to consume again! I switched to decaf a few weeks before my surgery, but, I miss the real deal. Yeah! I think I will wait until I'm at least 5-6 weeks past surgery though, to make sure my new tummy if healed. Thanks! Now if only I drink Champagne again :-)

Would have liked to come to the meeting on Saturday, but, I have another commitment in LA. Please let me know of the next meeting because I will be there!

It's 5 days until my surgery and I'm feeling anxious. I've been getting ready for this for over a year (when I started taking classes) and now the date is looming right in front of my face! I trust my surgeon completely and know he has a very, very low leak rate. I'm prepared for the post-op stuff and my new life style but I'm still nervous. UGHHHHH! Any one else felt this way? :confused5:

I agree with the other responders. You may be going to fast to soft food. I was sleeved 7 days ago and I believe another week of liquids is needed for me. Listen to your body, allow to it heal. Take it slow. As for the acid reflux, I was told to take acid inhibitor for 30 days post surgery. So far no problems with reflux. Perhaps and acid inhibitor is needed for you. Ask your Doctor. Good luck!

Thanks to all who responded! You really helped me in getting "my head straight". My surgery went well, no complications, and I got home yesterday. My new journey is now beginning!!!

Hi everyone! I was sleeved last Wednesday (Nov 16) and now in adjustment mode. Liquid diet (ugh!) My surgeon did not have me do a 2 week pre-op liquid diet, only on the day before surgery, so now it's kinda hard to do. BUT, the good news is that I'm really not hungry. The problem is getting the fluids in me. I don't "feel" to eat so I have to time drinking my fluids and protein shakes. Anybody else have this problem?

Hi Juke cat, I'm 57 also and became sleeved on Wed Nov 16! So far so good. My surgeon said everything went like "textbook". No major complications. Only thing that happened was post-op and my blood pressure was elevated for 2 couple of days and the hospital had to treat me via IV meds. Now I did have high BP prior to the surgery but at the high levels that occurred post-op. At first I was worried, but, my surgeon came and spoke to me about it. He said it is common for the BP to rise after major surgery, and the levels were not critical. In fact 48 hrs after surgery the levels started to return to normal levels (for me). I am now 5 days post -op and my diabetes is normal,without meds! My surgeon instructed me to continue to monitior but not to take my diabetes medicines unless greater than 180. My levels are 86-114. I didn't expect so quick a response. I am basically, pain-free. I have liquid Lortab but only used it a couple of times. My incisions are small (5 of them) and healing well. They were closed with Derma-Bond, type of super glue for surgery, not stitches or staples. I am still adjusting to the small amounts of fluids I need to swallow, if too much it hurts a little, but, the feeling passes quickly and I can restart drinking again. My surgeon gave me a analogy: Think of the esophagus to the stomach as a funnel. Liquids swirls down fine unless you add to much then it builds up and can over flow, but, it still is going down. Just stop and wait for the funnel to empty. So, that's what I do. No problems- no vomiting, no nausea. So far so good. Also my cousin had it done at 58 and now is 61. No problems either. Just follow the directions from your doctor and listen to your body. Hope this helps!

Thanks you all for the encouragement and letting me know my nerves are normal. You are right I will probably be laughing at this 5-6 months from now. Thanks again. :-)

When I went to my Bariatric classes, I was told that this is not a problem with gastric surgeries ( Roux n y, gastric sleeve and lap band) because in part of all the fluid we have to drink ( 64 oz) and the body's need for extra protein to heal and maintain now that be eat less. I don't think the grams of protein will be a problem, but, you should ask you doctor. You will be monitored though with blood lab work and one of the labs measures the amount of protein. Kidney function is also monitored. If either is too high, your doctor would and should know and adjust your diet accordingly.

I am using Pacific Bariatric in San Diego. There have seminars in many areas. Try the web site- www.pacificbariatric.com for places and times. They are a Bariatric Center of Excellence- a designation for surgery programs that have a strong and consistant record in positive surgery outcomes. They perform surgeries at Scripps-Mercy hospital in San Diego. They are also contracted with different insurance plans, including Kaiser.

I agree that you should try for the weight that makes you feel and look healthy. You should try work with your doctor and his suggestions. He should try and work with you. My doctor wanted me to get to 125 lbs at first. I wanted to be about 160 lbs. But we decided on about 145-155 lbs. At that weight I feel I will look "right". I have big bones and high bone density, so we think this will be OK. I probably would still be listed as obese, but I know I will be healthy at this weight, too. Good Luck!