ReduceReuseRecycle-Me!

My surgeon's nutritionist has a new rule, based on their research. You can drink right up to your meal. Then, after a few spoonfuls, take a sip. They are telling sleevers this, because it has been found that food may get backed up a little and a sip or two will help break it up. Then wait 30 minutes before starting to hydrate again.

So, Thursday, 12/27, my son and I are sleeved! What a trip it is. We arrived at 6:00 a.m. They took me in first. The nice preop nurse set me up on my gurney and did my IV. The anesthesiologist came in and chatted and I had something to relax me then off to the OR. It was funny, but so true, they put the mask over my mouth and they said I would go to sleep and I said oh, yeah...then someone said Christine, you're all done. Uh, what just happened? If it wasn't for the pain in my chest (gas, ugh) I wouldn't have believed it, at that moment. Weird! Went right up to my room, which was nice, no waiting. So then hubby got to listen to my groans. The gas pain in the sternum was awful. No sorethroat of any kind, not even a hint of one, from intubation, I expected something. Spent a pain-filled (gas-filled) night. Walked three times before settling in for the night. Nothing to drink but I had some icewater and these spongey swabs to moisten my lips and mouth with. The morphine drip did nothing to help, really. We were given shots for blood thinners and an anti-inflammatory and omeprozole in the IV. So, finally morning came and we had our upper GIs to look for leakage. Nothing was seen so I guess that's good, but I did not handle it well. I thought I would faint and throw up standing at the machine, but didn't. So now we can have Water and I have some broth and Jello for lunch. Actually, they put us right on full liquids. No problem swallowing, but the gas moves around when the liquid hits my sleeve. Our surgeon came in and said the test looked good. Unfortunately, we do have drains in the middle of our stomachs. Doc said we are keeping them until Wednesday at the postop visit he will remove them then. As the day goes on, my son is doing really well, but I decide I am going to stay another night. My son will go home and he gets to have the drain out, since it is leaking less than mine. Staying one more night made a big difference. So far, knock on wood, it has not been a horrific experience, although you fear the worst going into it. Gas is still a problem, though I'm hopeful it will go away soon. I get really aggravated really easily. I have to direct the two able bodied persons in my house and I hate not being able to just do the things I have to tell them to do. I can't get a handle on how to get the Protein in when you can't really eat anything. I am just concentrating on liquid intake, with sugar-free pops and italian ices (nice) and broths, etc., and I am nursing a Protein shake, like, all day. The omeprazole is in capsule form and is small enough to just swallow, which I did, and had no problem with it going down or in the sleeve (small blessings). Tonight, New Year's Eve, we're going to get chinese food, including my son and I; we will get some eggdrop or wonton or some similar Soup. It's nice to be able to do that and really appreciate and savor the food. All in all, definitely could be worse. I hope all of our 27th co-sleevers have come through at least as well, if not better, and I hope we all have the best ever new year. That's all for now. Catch up with ya later!

So, came back today from first postop visit. Doc removed the drain. He was surprised (not concerned) that it was still bleeding. Ugckh, it was weird to pull that thing out! I am back to preop weight, so down 18 pounds from our first weigh-in by the doc's office scale. All good. My amazing son, started at 429, down to 366 . He already looks awesome. So far everything in our recovery is within the circle of normal. So, I'm happy. He, of course, said start trying to push Protein. So we went to GNC and picked up the Isopure zero carb drink, alpine punch. It's pretty good, tart, not super sweet. The bottles are ridiculously expensive ($5.39) but the powder is half price right now ($45.98) so we bought that. We can sip that all day long and push our protein. Now just to work on a good recovery. Thanks for reading everyone and good luck!

We take no more than three tablespoons at breakfast, lunch or dinner, soup or cream of wheat, and yes, sipping, all day long, every ten or 15 min. I take three little sips.

That's what I'm going for next. I want to throw up the shakes now that I'm postop. Isopure is made from whey protein which is what we are supposed to have so why not use those instead.

How absolutely BORING this forum would be if we all just posted, "my surgery went so well, I have nothing to say." Again, I have to say, I am greatful for this forum, for this country and all the opportunities we have that allow us communicate with each other this way. I think Iggychic is awesome, too. I'm sure she knows that if her experience had been different, she would have a different feeling about it now. Is there anyone who doesn't have a negative opinion about something that happened to them? Even something simple like, oh, that meal made me sick and I haven't had one since. So, would you promote a surgery that almost killed you? Also, there are a million good stories on here, from all over the world, not just here in the best country in the world (sorry I'm patriotic). If something on here was too rough to listen to, then maybe you do belong on a "different" site. I would prefer straight talk, even if it sometimes comes out sounding mean. Most people can't handle the truth. That's why they leave. Yes, sometimes, you encounter posters you won't like, but, it's the same out in the real world. I believe for sure, those posters are probably walking around staring at the floor because they fear ever having to be in contact with a real person. So sad for them. I was just sleeved on 12/27 and since I expect the worst and hope for the best, I am still waiting for something to happen, but will be so happy if it doesn't That's just me and we are all different and that's great. Frank, you did great, as we hope we all do and keep posting!

Hey, chub, just want to chime in with my son and also had the sleeve on 12/27 and he is 22, 6'6" and started the journey at 429. At surgery, he was 385 and looks awesome (better than his 53 year old mom). He is doing really well, so far. Our postop visit is tomorrow. Just wanted to say, there are more of you out there! Good luck on your journey.

Same here, 27th, etc. We need to be concerned about Fluid intake right now. I hate the protein shakes since surgery and really, only water is ok. Sweet flavors just don't work for me, but I am eventually going to try those Isopure protein drinks. They would still be better than the shakes (yuck).

While in the hospital, I went full liquids. Will have that for three weeks. Smooth will be two weeks.

Hi, again. I was at Renown South Meadows. It was lovely there. Every single nurse and CNA was awesome. I brought a nightgown and slippers, but never used them. They provided everything else, like toothbrush/paste, sock-slippers and gowns of course. They are easier to use since they have openings all over the place for stuff and you may get blood and other unmentionables on them. I was given shots for blood thinners in the hospital but I didn't come home with them. I mentioned the drain ( ) but hopefully that will come out tomorrow. I have liquid pain med from pharmacy and liquid tylenol. I take a omeprazole (that's like, Prilosec or similar) capsule and for nausea, if we get it, we have suppositories that are suppose to be really good, but I haven't had nausea, knock on wood. I stayed two nights. The worst part about coming home was knowing I couldn't do anything that needs to be done in my house. We have a lot of animals and I am the one who feeds them and keeps their area clean and I'll tell you, my place is a mess. I can't constantly direct my husband to do things and I don't think he cares if it is messy and smelly. I can't wait to get better so I can clean.

Hey, Tammy. I live in Sun Valley and was sleeved on the 27th by Dr. Kozar. My postop visit is tomorrow and I hope he will take the drain out. I think I am doing well, although I didn't sleep well last night and I think I had a panic attack. I do suffer from them and haven't taken my Paxil since the night before surgery so this morn at 4:00 I braved it and went and took a pill. I hadn't wanted to take one just because I don't want to swallow anything that will sit in my sleeve a while, but the effects of not taking the medicine for a while are not fun. Anyway, where are you in the area? Nice to talk to someone from here. I tried when I first started to get other area sleevers to join in but I couldn't find any.

Thanks Mel. I ended up getting egg drop and putting it through the processor. It was delicious but it will last forever as a couple of tablespoons is the limit.

Sleeved 12/27 and weighed 246 that morning at home. Yesterday I weighed 253 so still have hospital weight gain.

Yeah, walking helps. I was sleeved on the 27th also and I still have bubbles when I drink or move certain ways. I think it takes a while before it goes away.

Thanks, Lisa's Hope!

That is sooo true. No matter how much preparing, the reality doesn't sink in until you are postop and can experience first hand. Like giving birth. You have to experience it to really understand its reality. Yet you still get these people who like to tell you that you couldn't have been ready for the surgery if you cry and moan a little.

Don't leave it there. How the heck to you get that much protein in after 7 weeks out and no shakes?

Did someone say preachy just kidding.

It's true, the varying degrees of postop diets can be so confusing and if yours seems particulary strict, I can totally see where you would want to say, well, if they can do it, why not me? My son and I were sleeved together on the same day. He is 22 and I'm 53. Even a couple of little things were different between my son's postop rules, and mine. What I'm saying is, to add to the great info Butterthebean posted, there are so many differences even between my son and I and we have the same surgeon. Factors could include, age and weight and height of each individual. I find it all so confusing and I just hope, if we follow the rules, we will minimize our risk of complications. I don't think you can say exactly what causes a leak. I wouldn't be quick to blame it on the surgeon, either, unless you find out that his percentage of leaks was high. I know that I take a few spoons of Soup and worry that I have expanded my new tumtum too much.

Regular, regular food since surgery day?

Hi, Liz, just read all the posts. Just wanted to say hi and say I just had my sleeve on 12/27. I am a glass half empty kind of person, but I am grateful for what is left in the glass! That said, I am always waiting for something to go wrong so that if it doesn't, I can be really happy about it. I was so sorry about what you went through. You made a new family of the hospital staff, I'm sure, as well as everyone on this forum. I hope you start feeling better real soon and have a really happy new year.

These are the ones we are using

We were told only sugar-free liquids and other, like jello and pudding. This time is when we will lose the most weight so we should avoid the foods that have high sugar and high fat. I don't like anything fake so it is a struggle for me to get the sugar-free stuff, but I'll try it for a while. I was just sleeved on 12/27.

Just checked out your albums, they are remarkable. You did great. You must be very happy.