DanaInNewOrleans

I'm wondering the same thing...

This has been a very hot topic over the last few weeks. And I've got to say that things can get pretty heated and very preachy. Now, I know the "preachy" posters mean well and many have survived very harrowing life threatening complications (Iggy is one of them ...she nearly died). BUT, when chastising one person for "cheating" based on his/her particular doctor's conservative guidelines you are completely discrediting the other 50% of the docs who have more liberal guidelines. It is obvious from the wildly varied physicians post surgery instructions and "absolutes" that there is NO standardized guidelines. One surgeon allows mushy foods in the hospital, one says Clear liquids for 7 days, another one says clear liquids for 2 days then full liquids for 7 days then mushy, the next one says full liquids immediately after a leak test..... and on and on. One of the recent threads has a poster who was allowed STEAK 3 weeks!!!!! Obviously there is no consensus....and I'd find it hard to believe that the docs who are more liberal with post-op diets are incompetent or negligent. And in order to be so arrogant about one surgeons individual directives over another, that is the approach you would have to take. So, at this point I believe that the more conservative docs may be in CYA mode because people can be given and inch and take a mile. And I can say with almost certainty that the more liberal docs have never run into a complication that they believe was caused by patient compliance or their liberal guidelines. If they would have they would have immediately turned to the conservative route because malpractice sucks.... Now, to my individual experience. My doc's instructions fall into the conservative category... (clear liquids for 7 days then full liquids for 7 days then mushy).... I am 11 days out and for me to believe it poses a danger to eat some mushy oatmeal or thinned mash pototoes would mean I would have to believe that half the bariatric surgeons in the US are incompetent and negligent. Now, that does not mean I'm going to go hog wild and order a pizza and eat a steak tomorrow. I have no intention of eating solids until I've progressed along the actual phases. I am using common sense, my own research and my brain to make choices.

Hi Everybody! Happy New Year! I'm 7 days post op and have done really well. Zero complications and pain other than nausea right after surgery, gas pain that went away quickly and overall soreness ( it felt like the type of soreness that you get when you're out of shape and exercised hard). I was able to sip Water and suck on ice chips, Popsicles and Crystal Light while in the hospital with no problem at all. I've been on Clear liquids and full liquids since.... my concern is that I am able to take relatively large sips one after the other without any discomfort.... I guess after reading VST and my docs instructions, I was thinking I would only be able to take tiny sips. I'm kind of worried that maybe my restriction is not what it should be. Maybe once I get to actual food the restriction kicks in? I was just curious if any of you guys were able to drink much more comfortably than anticipated? If so, how was it once you graduated from liquids to solids? Surgery Date: 12/21/12 Starting weight (day before surgery) : 271 7 Day Post -Op 260

I thought of another one... Play on the beach and in the surf at Cape San Blas

Dehydration can cause leg cramps, potassium deficiency.... Are you drinking enough?

April will be here before you know it! I bet your diabetes improves almost immediately once you have surgery. Good luck! ~Dana

....Learn to play golf!

I've been drinking coffee since my second day post-op. I started with black ( yuck - but better than nothing) and now I'm drinking it with milk since I'm in my full liquid stage (week 2)

Hey Kaila And a couple more things you have on your side because of your age ...you haven't had 30 years of bad eating habits ingrained in your psyche or 30 years of body set points that get higher higher sabotaging your attempts to lose weight. As far as I'm concerned you have bee given an awesome gift!! So happy for you! ~Dana

New Orleans

Right after surgery I had mild shoulder pain and chest heaviness, which was from gas. It went away pretty quickly. I never really had any "pain". I felt soreness-- the kind of soreness if you're out of shape and exercise hard and the next day your abs are sore. Or the kind of soreness from coughing during a bad cold. The only truly truly miserable thing I experienced was nausea right after surgery, which lasted a few hours until they found the right combination of drugs to treat it. So all in all, I rate my pain a 1 or 2. I know I'm very lucky.

We just took our 3 dogs to the vet yesterday for their annual shots and all had gained a few pounds....we were laughing saying they needed a sleeve!

Hi Kaila, Oh how I wish I would have had this option when I was 20. I cannot imagine how different my life would have been! I'm 49 now --- with so many regrets! BUT, I do have a second chance at the second half of my life and that is awesome. Good Luck!! Dana

Hi Karissa, 9lbs in a month does not sound like a stall, especially 5 or 6 months out. You didn't mention how much you've lost or how much you have to go but it sounds like you're doing fantastic. I'm only 8 days out and I know one of the evil inevitable stalls is in my future. I've read many many posts on here that suggest upping your Water is great way to kick start things again.... Good luck! ~Dana

Hi Sarah, I'm 8 days out this happened to me just today ( for the first time). I had been able to drink as much as I want and I started on Cream of Wheat and thinned oatmeal a few days ago with no problem. Today I could not eat more than a couple of tiny bites without discomfort-- which surprised me because this was the only time I've had a truly distinct uncomfortable feeling. I tried again later and felt the same thing. I ended up just going back to my regular Protein Shake, which was fine.

Yep!! I must agree, I'm always thankful for O.T.R.'s posts and responses!! I did not realize you're a moderator O.T.R.....have I always missed it or is it a new promotion? ~Dana

I'm missing food too, although I haven't felt regret yet. My surgery 12/21 and I'm on liquids...which is getting very old. Today I tried some watered down oatmeal and I got through a few spoonfuls and was stuffed. Once all the dietary restrictions are past and I'm able to eat real food I know I will be fine. I'm looking at my surgery as freedom....freedom from diets, freedom from self loathing..... I intend to eat anything I want ( within reason!) but in much much smaller portions. Good luck, hang in there. I bet in 6 weeks you will feel so much better about your decision.

My surgery was 12/21.... I'm averaging 300-500 now. The first few days it was only about 200. I try to do my Syntrax nectar chocolate Truffle shakes twice a day (I use a couple spoons of cottage cheese and milk which adds some Protein as well). Each shake is about 200 Calories and 30 grams of protein. I'm still not getting in the required amount of Water though....

Hi Richard! Thanks for the explanation - you made me feel better!

Hey! Guess what? I have a Honey Baked Ham bone from Christmas that I intend to make a pot of white beans with and do the same thing as you! I cannot wait!!! The only time I've felt really full is when I have my Protein shake with low carb milk and cottage cheese (in blender). It is awesome and so delicious! I cannot wait for FOOD! ~Dana

Good Luck to you and everybody who is getting sleeved tomorrow!! Tomorrow morning will be a week for me and it went very smoothly!

I'd like to throw my two cents in here. It is obvious from the wildly varied physicians post surgery instructions and "absolutes" that there is NO standardized guidelines. One surgeon allows mushy foods in the hospital, one says Clear liquids for 7 days, another one says clear liquids for 2 days then full liquids for 7 days then mushy, the next one says full liquids immediately after a leak test..... and on and on. One of the posts above has STEAK allowed at 3 weeks!!!!! Obviously there is no consensus....and I'd find it hard to believe that the docs who are more liberal with post-op diets are incompetent or negligent. And in order to be so arrogant about one surgeons individual directives over another, that is the approach you would have to take. So, at this point I believe that the more conservative docs may be in CYA mode because people can be given and inch and take a mile. And I can say with almost certainty that the more liberal docs have never run into a complication that they believe was caused by patient compliance or their liberal guidelines. If they would have they would have immediately turned to the conservative route because malpractice sucks.... Now, to my individual experience. My doc's instructions fall into the conservative (almost cruel! ) category... (clear liquids for 7 days then full liquids for 7 days then mushy).... I am 5 days out (surgery was Friday 7am so it's more like 6 days) and I am freaking hungry.. I sometimes feel weak and lightheaded. I have no energy. I have existed on popsicles, broth, Jello for 8 days (2 prior to surgery) and I've come to the conclusion that this is controlled starvation. I cannot take it anymore. I am having a freaking Protein shake with low carb milk as soon as I finish typing this because for me to believe it poses a danger would mean I would have to believe that half the bariatric surgeons in US are incompetent and negligent. Now, that does not mean I'm going to go hog wild and order a pizza and eat a steak tomorrow. I am using common sense, my own research and my brain to make choices.

I've been on Clear liquids since last Wednesday night. My surgery was 7am Friday...I've been existing on Popsicles, chicken broth, beef broth, Jello. I am hungry-- probably a combination of head hunger and true hunger. My doc's instructions are no full liquids ( Protein powder shakes) for 7 days, which seems extreme to me compared to other people here on VST. It's crazy how everybody's doc has different restrictions for the same surgery. I was just curious about everyone's clear liquid stage post surgery -- how long and what did you eat (drink)? I feel myself getting a little down and depressed.... ~Dana

I thought my nutritionist said clear liquids included protein powders mixed with water but when I was going over discharge instructions with the nurse she said no, do not add protein.

Ok Party Pooper Fiddleman ! I know I can't do it....Once the launch sequence has been activated (putting in my mouth) it's waaaaaaaaay too late. It has to go down....