VSG AJH

I'd love to crash a DFW meetup! I live in the north part of the Metroplex.

I agree, you don't want to add unflavored protein powder to plain water, but I've been having success adding Syntrax Nectar unflavored protein into water with a Crystal Lite package. Mixes thinly. No protein aftertaste.

I'm now three days post-op, and I've been sleeping on my side. It hurts a bit to turn from side to side, and it hurts a bit to sit upright from a laying down position, but neither are unbearable. My doc put me in an abdominal binder straight out of surgery, and I'm still wearing it now that I'm home. I think the slight pressure of that keeps everything in place and helps me feel more comfortable when side-lying.

I, too, have been drinking coconut water. It's a good source of potassium, which is the same stuff in the hospital IV bags. Love the idea of blending it with chocolate! I think I'll do that with a little chocolate protein or chocolate PB2.

While perusing the natural foods section of my local Kroger, I found a stellar markdown on PB2 chocolate flavor. It was $4.59/container marked down to $0.99! They don't expire for a year, so it makes me wonder if the chain is closing out the flavor, and eliminating it from their store shelves. I have enough to last me a long while, but I wanted to pass the deal along in case anyone else wanted to see if they could find a similar deal. I'm in the D/FW Metroplex, and the PB2 was in the natural market part of the store, right where it would normally belong (so not in a markdown bin in a different section). If you don't spot any there, perhaps check the markdown bin. Every Kroger seems to have one.

So happy for you, LL!

I think getting in less protein straight out of the gate is more common, so please don't worry. It took a long time for the thicker protein in soup and Premier Protein to go down. The Unjury chicken protein in broth was super thin, as was the Click, so they went down fairly easily. I started early in the day, and as my NUT suggested, focused on those four opportunities for protein. I'm certain I will have a harder time in a few weeks when I'm eating solids, but for now, I'll take what I can get.

Posted above in the thread...

Bunny -- you look amazing! Happy surgiversary!!

Wow! The difference is astonishing! You look amazing! Great job!!!

In using My Fitness Pal. The calorie breakdown is found under the little pie-like circle on the bottom of the day's entries. From there, click on the list button in the top right corner and you'll see your nutritional breakdown for the day.

One Click coffee protein drink this morning (15g protein), Syntrax unflavored protein mixed into a cream soup at lunchtime (17g protein), Unjury chicken protein mixed into chicken broth at dinnertime (23g protein), and one chocolate Premier protein drink (30g protein). 548 calories and 85g protein in total.

I'm 2 days post op (surgery on Tuesday at lunchtime), and I've had no problems getting in Fluid and Protein so far. I've had 85g protein today, along with Water, broth, and a little bi of diet juice.

You look awesome! Looks like you've lost years along with the pounds. Way to go!!

My surgery was 12/3, and I'm taking the Lovenox injections. The nurse gave me an injection before surgery, and I've administered them since and will until 10 days post-op. I'm having no trouble getting liquids in, and I just started protein today. It, too, is going down just fine.

Many times insurance will cover the removal of that skin if it's causing rashes, pain, etc.

Hooray! I was finally officially sleeved today around noon. I've been in my room now for about three hours, and I've already taken in a good bit of liquids, used the toilet, and been out for a couple of laps around the wing. I had a bit of pain coming out of anesthesia because my surgeon uses a tap block instead of a pain pump. It takes a while to kick in evidently, but in spite of that, he didn't put me on a PCA pump with pain meds in it (I have a sensitivity to morphine). Instead, I've been given some other pain medication through the IV, and that's decreased the pain significantly. Feeling a little tender, and have a bit of gas pain, but nothing unmanageable. I had a bit of nausea (no vomiting) in recovery, but I think it was related to the unmanaged pain. As my pain quickly came under control, so did the nausea. I have also felt the discomfort of restriction. Water, ice chips, decaf tea, and broth have gone down in good quantities and without discomfort, but sugar-free Popsicles and sugar-free Jello haven't been fun. Still no vomiting, but certainly not a pleasurable intake. Not sure if the discomfort is related to swelling, volume, taste, texture, etc. I'll try again later on after I haven't had broth or water also.

You look cute! Totally natural!

Yay! You look so great! No also started at 267, so it's fun to have a visual of where I might end up. Sleeved yesterday.

I also had my sleeve done yesterday, and when I woke, I too thought I was hungry. I ordered broth and tea once I got to the floor, and in reality, I don't think I was hungry. I think I mistook my swollen, irritated stomach as a hunger sensation. Over a couple of hours, I did eat the broth and drank the tea without issue. Then today, I've had some puréed/strained Soup in addition to broth, but I still don't think I've experienced true hunger. Nurse told me to start omeprazole when I got home, so maybe the "hunger" feeling is really just the overproduction of acid we've all heard about on these boards? Hang in there, Luminous!

It is broth. I got both bowls down with no problem, then another two later. The jello and Popsicle didn't work for me, but I tried an Italian ice today, and that seems to be fine. Maybe the artificial sweetener in the Popsicle and jello were what killed it for me. I've been taking in lots of water, and today I've been moved to full liquids. Having puréed chicken noodle soup and tomato soup now. Leaving the hospital in about an hour. Hooray! Can't believe I'm finally sleeved!!!

Thanks to you all! Up at 3:00 A.M. for a couple more laps around the nurse station and a redose of liquid Lortab. All in all, doing pretty well!

My surgeon requires a 2 week pre-op with shakes and a limited amount of mushy foods. Post-op, it's three weeks of full liquids followed by another 9 weeks of puréed and soft foods.

In doing great! Had surgery around noon, and was in my room a bit before 4:00. I'm having a manageable amount of pain that's been addressed by pain meds in an IV. I also have a tap block for pain management (vs. a pain pump), but it doesn't seem to have kicked in just yet. Still, not unmanageable -- very much like many, many sit-ups. I've had no vomiting and no significant issue with nausea. A tiny bit of queasiness immediately after surgery, but even then, no vomiting. I've been able to take in liquids with no issue. Since 4:00, I've had four small bowls of broth, two cups of decaf tea, and some ice chips. I did have trouble with sugar-free Jello and sugar-free Popsicles, but I'll try them again at a later time. I've been up walking laps around the floor, and everyone is right -- it really does help! Good luck, everyone!!

Hey group -- As of today, I'm officially sleeved! Surgery was easy peasy, and I've been doing good since. I've attached a hospital selfie and a pic of my first post-op meal. Actually getting lots of liquids in, so that's good. I was so worried about not being able to take in liquids, but since 4:00, I've taken in 4 small bowls of broth, two cups of decaf tea, and some ice chips. Had a difficult time with sugar-free jello and sugar-free popsicles, though. Not sure if it was the texture, weight/volume, temperature, sweetener, etc. whatever it was, I couldn't handle more than a couple tiny bites of each. I'll try them again at a later date when I have no swelling in my teeny-tiny belly. As for pain, my doc used a tap block instead of a pain pump, but evidently, pain relief from that doesn't kick in until 24 hours or so. Taking pain meds by IV now. I am having pain, but it's more muscle soreness than anything else. I have been up to walk laps, but even before then, I wasn't having any unmanageable gas pains. Feeling very happy with what seems to be a good outcome. Be blessed, everyone!