VSG AJH

A VS shirt in medium? Seriously, I cannot even imagine getting to that size. If I EVER do, I'm going to pin a note to my shirt to tell the whole world. You should be SO PROUD of yourself. Sweet mercy, I know I would be! I'm sorry your family isn't complimenting you. I think you look great!

You look amazing! So inspirational!

I was sleeved at Baylor Grapevine by Dr. Matin's office partner, Julio Rivera. Dr. Matin rounded with me post-op, and he answered a midnight call one week post-op. He's great! Love his personality!

I've been eating the Pacific Organics boxed soups. They're about $3/box, and they each have 4+ post-sleeve servings. My favorites are Cashew Carrot Ginger and Curried Lentil. Like you, I've been hungry since surgery, or at least I think in have been. I'll feel totally hungry, then have a little soup and a pudding and/or a jello. I'll totally feel satisfied, or even a little stuffed a time or two, then when I log my calories, I've only used 150-200. . Doc says I'll feel more restriction and "full" longer when I move to purée and soft -- TOMoRROW!!

There are several threads out there with skinny drink ideas (Skinny Girl mixers, drinks with Diet Coke or water, etc.), or faux drinks (the juice suggestion, tomato juice, etc.), and while I don't know what your surgeon recommends, some surgeons say it's okay to try a drink in as little as a month out. I went to a wedding last winter when I was several months pregnant, and the bartender had a whole list of delicious virgin drinks to mix up for me. If you're worried about being judged for not drinking, tell the bartender you're the sober friend and ask him to mix up something special for you that doesn't involve alcohol. It might be fun to spend the night sober so you can be coherent enough to enjoy all the compliments.

I've had three C-sections. The sleeve was MuCH easier for me.

Syntrax Nectar unflavored protein powder is good when mixed in water with a Crystal Lite packet. It's also good mixed with savory puréed soups, although don't mix it straight into hot soup, or it will clump. Many people like the Isopure clear protein drinks. I tried them pre-op and didn't love them, but I've heard they can be improved by thinning them into a similarly flavored Crystal Lite. I also drink the Click Decaf Mocha protein, and the Unjury chicken flavored protein mixed in chicken broth.

I didn't have to do a bowel prep, and I've had no trouble taking in fluids from immediately post-op, so no, neither of us became dehydrated. (Cold fluids immediately post-op made my stomach cramp up, but I drank a whole lot of broth and warm tea.). He's never stopped having very wet diapers, and he's pooping regularly. I'll be three weeks post-op on Tuesday. Still taking things day-by-day, but so far, so good.

It's hard to accept because it's a big deal. Best if luck to you as you make your decision.

I suggest you stop. My mom passed away nearly 18 months ago after a rapid progression of Oat Cell Carcinoma, an inoperable, incurable, super-aggressive type of lung cancer reserved primarily for smokers. Even these months later and with small children at home, I'm more Bah Humbug than Merry Christmas. It's very difficult losing your mom. We've had holiday takeout for two seasons now, and this year is no different. Take time to heal and grieve, and let others take care of you, or at the very least, themselves.

My surgeon ordered Lovenox. It's administered in the fat pad of the belly. The nurse in the hospital showed me how to do it when he injected me pre-op, then the next morning, I got another refresher. The syringes are preloaded, and the needle is super tiny and thin. I had to give myself shots for 10 days post-op, and you cannot feel a thing. Honestly, not only no pain, absolutely no sensation at all. Don't let this deter you.

I'm VSG AJH. Fun thread!

I'm almost three weeks out, and I've asked the same thing of my surgeon, and his nurse, and the nurses in the hospital, and the surgeon again -- haha! I have had ZERO trouble taking in all kinds of fluids, even straight out of surgery. At first, I couldn't tolerate cold stuff, but now, my only intolerance is Popsicle. I can drink water and protein almost as quickly as if I hadn't even had surgery. Every single medical professional I have asked insists that there is no problem with this and that it's doing no damage. They've assured me it's a blessing, and that when purees and soft foods are introduced (in a few more days) that I'll notice the restriction. I do notice when I have something thicker on my full liquid plan, it takes me a while to get liquids down in that half-hour after, so maybe there's something to what they're saying. I say don't worry, and drink on!

Certainly not a thing to feel bad about or hated for, and if your friend has a problem, I'd question her friendship. Everyone in the WLS community understands there's a wait for some reason or another, whether it's an insurance thing, a patient education thing, the surgeon's schedule, etc. Because of your career, your wait was shortened, and that should be a thing to celebrate -- by you and all your friends. You're on your way to weight loss and improved health. Thank goodness for perks! If you worked in fashion, would she be mad that you were able to pull stuff of the racks before the public? No, it's understood that that could happen. If you worked in film, would she be mad that you previewed movies before others? No. Similar thing. She needs to get over herself, or you need to get a new friend.

Tell me about it, Branmuffin (appropriate name here, by the way!). In the almost three weeks since my sleeve, I've had to use stool softeners, Miralax, MOM, enemas, and green juice just to clear out. I've been able to take care of business a few times since surgery, but it's been mUCH more work than before. I just this week ordered Squatty Potties for each of our bathrooms, and hoping they work as miraculously as promised.

I'm vsg4me. You can also search several hashtags to find fellow sleevers: #vsg #verticalsleevegastrectomy #verticalsleeve #sleevegastrectomy #vsginstacrew #vsgeats #wls #wlsstrong

Linda -- do you think you ate too close to bedtime? My NUT said to eat no closer than 2 hours to bedtime or misery will ensue. Wonder if that might be part of this. Your chicken sounds moist and delish. Hope it soon becomes tolerable!

Replying to this thread again because this was a topic I was very interested in pre-op. Just wanted to update that I'm two weeks post-op, and I'm still successfully nursing my six-month-old baby. I cleared my plans in advance with his pediatrician, and I was told that I should have no problem continuing to nurse since my protein and fluid levels would be that of (or better than) other nursing moms. I nursed in the hospital parking lot pre-op, then waited 24 hours post-op to let anesthesia totally clear my system. I did take pain meds foo about 4 days when I came home, but I took liquid hydrocodone, the same pain med they sent me home with after my c-section. My PPI (Protonix) is also fine for nursing moms. I noticed about a two-day dip in my supply, but I was constipated at the same time, so maybe a little low on water. Since, I've been extremely careful to get all of my water in, even if I'm still sipping at bedtime. I take both multivitamins each day, and I take in 75-100g of protein daily.

Replying to this thread again because this was a topic I was very interested in pre-op. Just wanted to update that I'm two weeks post-op, and I'm still successfully nursing my six-month-old baby. I cleared my plans in advance with his pediatrician, and I was told that I should have no problem continuing to nurse since my protein and fluid levels would be that of (or better than) other nursing moms. I nursed in the hospital parking lot pre-op, then waited 24 hours post-op to let anesthesia totally clear my system. I did take pain meds forabout 4 days when I came home, but I took liquid hydrocodone, the same pain med they sent me home with after my c-section. My PPI (Protonix) is also fine for nursing moms. I noticed about a two-day dip in my supply, but I was constipated at the same time, so maybe a little low on water. Since, I've been extremely careful to get all of my water in, even if I'm still sipping at bedtime. I take both multivitamins each day, and I take in 75-100g of protein daily.

Replying to this thread again because this was a topic I was very interested in pre-op. Just wanted to update that I'm two weeks post-op, and I'm still successfully nursing my six-month-old baby. I cleared my plans in advance with his pediatrician, and I was told that I should have no problem continuing to nurse since my protein and fluid levels would be that of (or better than) other nursing moms. I nursed in the hospital parking lot pre-op, then waited 24 hours post-op to let anesthesia totally clear my system. I did take pain meds for about 4 days when I came home, but I took liquid hydrocodone, the same pain med they sent me home with after my c-section. My PPI (Protonix) is also fine for nursing moms. I noticed about a two-day dip in my supply, but I was constipated at the same time, so maybe a little low on water. Since, I've been extremely careful to get all of my water in, even if I'm still sipping at bedtime. I take both multivitamins each day, and I take in 75-100g of protein daily.

Yay! Good luck! Cigna was very quick to respond in my case. Hope they are in yours!

Will you report back if you find anyone local? Also in DFW.

This is a GREAT tip! Thanks!!

Here are a couple of idea lists from my surgeon's office:

I'm two weeks out yesterday and just saw my surgeon today. I've been great -- zero problems taking in 65-95g protein per day and all my Water from the very start. No complications, and no need to sip. I was hoping he's let me go on and advance to purees today, but no. My center requires three weeks of full liquids, then nine weeks of purees and soft foods. Shaking up my Premier Protein for dinner now...