kellyq

Update: I had my surgery on August 30, 2012. Somewhere on this forum, I posted that I wanted to be able to accept my husbands jacket when offered to me on a chilly night. This seemed like a silly thing to "want"... I am happy to say, I can accept his jacket now - and it's BIG! I may be losing slower than others on this forum - but I couldn't be happier! I am almost 9 months out and down about 91 pounds. I went from a size 24 in plus size to a size 14 regular size! I can go into any store and find clothes that fit! I thank god that I had the courage to go through with this surgery - it has changed my life!

Where in South NJ?

I had this discussion with my surgeon yesterday as I asked about caffeine and alcohol. He said from his Medical Perspective, it's not a problem! He said he would tell a bypass patient otherwise, but since our anatomy is the same (just smaller) it's ok. He said I was a "big girl" and new if it bothered me, to just stop. He also said several Starbucks a day is not good - but I was allowed a cup or two. With alcohol, he again said, I can have a drink if I want. No Medical reason why I can't. He did say if the NUT's in the office heard him say that, they would get mad. It's the nutrition perspective they come from - but I did ask him from a Medical perspective.

I was 4 weeks post-op just yesterday. I am on a puree diet still. Just this past week, I am so tired! I've also had bouts of nausea as well - even with just drinking Water. Nothing ever comes up - just a feeling. Is this normal for this stage? I know I'm still healing and will be feeling different things at different times - but I hate the tiredness! I am taking my Vitamins, B12, Calcium and the complete. I am also on the protonix for the acid. Any advice? I figured I'd get through the weekend and call the surgeon next week if I was still tired. I juat don't like to think I'm overreacting.

Congrats! Our stats are about the same. I am 5'2" and started at 272 lbs. I was sleeved 8/30. As of today, I am at 237, down 35 lbs. I have not measured myself, so I have no input on inches - but I'm down about 2 sizes in clothes! My gut and butt have very noticeably shrank - thank god for that!

@seraphina- how much did you lose?

When is the concert?

That must have been such a wonderful feeling!

I was told at this stage, to have 3 puree meals a day (2-3 oz), 3 Protein shakes a day (4 oz each) and then 64 oz Fluid. I get the meals in and the protein (which is starting to make me gag!), and about 50 oz of Water. I assume the shakes and stuff add into that 64 oz - but I'm not completely sure. I just know I haven't been dehydrated yet. After this weekend, I can move to "soft foods" adding in ground meats! YEAH!

I couldn't even lay on any side for 2 weeks. I slept propped up on pillows. I am now 3 weeks out and can sleep on my side, but rolling over is still a little sore feeling.

Thanks everyone. I went out and got the tongue scraper. I'll start there!

When does it go away??? I have never been told I had bad breath (well, no more than the normal person..LOL). But since surgery 10 days ago, my husband says he can smell it when I enter the room! When does this go away?? (Listerine breath strips have become a staple of mine lately!)

What a great post - thank you. I'm almost 2 weeks post op, so the reassurance like this is great!

My doctor said as long as the pill is pea sized or smaller, to go ahead and swallow as normal. Hope this helps!

I had my one week post op surgical appointment today and also met with the NUT. I was excited knowing I was moving to pureed foods today as per the plan by my surgeon. According to my surgeons plan, I can have eggs, yogurt, applesauce, tuna fish, canned chicken, ricotta, cottage cheese, cream of wheat.....etc. Now that I got the OK to have these foods, I'm now afraid to have them as well. Ever since I've been reading these boards, I've been seeing that most people are on liquids only for 2-4 weeks post op. I then read about the "leaks" and well.....that scares me more! The NUT did say if I was comfortable and wanted to stay on liquids a little longer, I could. The advice was to do just what I was comfortable with while staying within their plan. I'm so confused.....

I'm in Forked River, I grew up in Toms River (Gilford Park Area). You will stay your first day/night in CCU. I only found out about this the morning of surgery. He likes the extra care initially. You will move to the med/surg floor the next day after your swallow test. While in CCU, they let you up with assistance to go bathroom (which is a toilet in the corner of the room with a curtain). They also get you out of bed and into a chair. They really don't allow walking at this stage for us. They prefer to assist with the in and out of bed, which I was actually grateful for. I did not have a foley, but I did have a JP drain. I'm not sure if everyone gets one or not. The nurses in CCU were terrific and really on the ball. I never had to wait when calling for one. I did find it quite noisy though. All the rooms are steps away from the nurses desk. They can see in each room from where they sit. This made the overnight a bit noisy as they all seemed to gather to talk, and they weren't too quiet!

I'm the same way with going to the bathroom - why is that? I used to wake up a few times in the middle of the night - now I sleep through the entire night! My urgency changed as well...now, I know I have to go w/o feeling the "hurry" you gotta go feeling. I'm 1 week post op and wasn't sure if my bladder was still "sleeping" or whether removing part of the stomach caused a pressure to be lifted from the bladder. Whatever it is, it is GREAT! Like 2 surgeries for 1. This is actually a question I have on my list for the surgeon at my next appt. as I'm curious.

I'm feeling great. I can't believe 9 days post op, I can feel almost normal. Yes, I still have some minor pulling in the belly, but other than that nothing. This is making it hard to NOT overdue it. I could have easily gone back to work a few days ago. One thing totally not normal is I still can't sleep flat - either on my back or my side. When I do, it feels like my belly is so heavy, or like everything is all pressing on one side - it's hard to explain, but it's uncomfortable. So, I'm still sleeping propped up. My NUT visit this week was with Ginger. Week 1 for me was a breeze. When you are not hungry - just drinking is perfectly fine and satisfying. Although I didn't get in ALL the liquids, I was pretty close. It's just strange how you can feel every sip all the way down. As for food, I decided that I really should start eating. I'm sure Dr. Reich knows what's he doing and if he said to start eating, I really should!! So, today, I start 3 meals a day, even if I'm not hungry. When is your surgery again? And out of curiosity, what town do you live in?

I'm 6 days post op and had my follow up today with my surgeon. I got permission to start pureed or "applesauce" consistency foods. Although I haven't been hungry, I was advised to have something anyway 3 x a day, 1-2 tbsp at this stage. I decided to have some cottage cheese. I ate slow, took small bites, but I think because I'm so paranoid of NOT knowing what I'm supposed to feel, I ate the 1 tbsp and stopped. I hear about the pain and this "slime" (which I really don't know what it is yet) - and I think I'm afraid of feeling all of that. I'm sure as I get more comfortable with the sleeve, I will find my limits as I'm sure they will be pushed may times. For now - and so soon after...I'm afraid!

Tomorrow is my day! I just received my phone call to find out that surgery is at 7:30 tomorrow morning. I am so excited - not a bit nervous (yet). Looking forward to sharing my experiences (all positive I'm sure)! Wish me luck :-)

Dr reich did my surgery. Love him- personable and great bed side manner. Very comforting through out the process! The office staff has. Even superb as well.

Yes, I'm drinking Protein shakes, I use the unjury vanilla or chocolate. I'm having 3 a day (4 oz each) - which I think is about 66 grams of protein if I'm not mistaken. What is hurting? I know the first few days, I felt like all the drinks had to pass a "lump" to go down...that lump is now gone. My other mistake was taking a sip and as that went down, I was "staging" my second sip...too much! One sip at a time, wait for it to go down and then another.

Sorry - protein yes, from when I came home. This is giving me about 66 grams of protein a day plus the Water after that. I'm hoping "applesauce consistency" food starting tomorrow!

Hi Hank- I am also from Central Jersey (exit 74). I had my surgery last week at SOCH in Manahawkin. So although I did not go to Monmouth for mine, they do have a great repuation, so I know you're in great hands! Although the hospital matters, just make sure you have the trust in the surgeon - that's where it really counts! It's nice to hear from others in the area - good luck!

oh - sleeping....ugh. I am looking forward to being able to sleep flat on my side again instead of propped up!