Sadlers1999

I don't think these prescription antacids "heal" the sleeve. What I think they do is basically make life more tolerable if you have any acid reflux. I have never had acid reflux BEFORE surgery, but I certainly have felt it post-surgery. Based on the numerous threads I have read, it would seem that acid-issues are a common problem for sleevers.

H2 receptors react with pepcid. Parietal cells react with prilosec. That's the difference, but they are used in a similar way (for similar reasons). Not sure why some doctors prefer one over the other. My sister says that none of these products (including Nexium) were designed for long-term use. If stomach acid is permanently reduced, it can't kill the HARMFUL bacteria that it was meant to kill...leading to other GI problems. Unfortunately, our mother is permanently on Nexium because every time she comes off it, she has reflux. So, my sister knows that some people use these drugs "forever," but we should all be cautious. If you are feeling better, try a day without taking them. Also, while I took a prilosec this morning after more than 7 days of not taking it, I was also eating a few tums in between. I thought the tums helped a little, but I didn't need 10 of them, either.

I was given prilosec. My sister doesn't know if pepcid works on the same "reactors" as prilosec. She is a nurse. She says some things can lead to the same "relief" but through different channels.

Ms. Skinniness gave you good advice, but I think I would see the doctor sooner than later since you are a full 6 weeks out. If you were only 3-4 weeks out, I would think you have time for your stomach to adjust, but most of the major healing should be done around 6 weeks. So, drink your broths, etc, but get an appointment! 300 calories could make your body think it is starving and then it will start eating away at your muscles.

Hope you feel better. I haven't had any vomiting, but I guess if it continues, you will see your doctor.

I was on prescription antacid. Helped a lot the first few days of surgery and then I stopped taking it because my sister (who is a nurse) said that you can't stay on them indefinitely because prolonged usage can neutralize your stomach acid permanently and cause other types of digestion problems. That being said, this morning I took another pill because I could not get rid of the burning feeling in my throat.

Even though I was sleeved on the 17th, I don't get to see my doctor for the two-week appointment until the 2nd. I haven't even lost 10 lbs, so I am bracing myself for some kind of disappointment from him, but I don't think I did anything wrong as per his instructions. As for SCARRING - if it feels lumpy, I think that is normal. Two of my scars are really lumpy. I would be more worried if you said the incisions were causing pain and/or if there was increased redness.

BTW, I have been eating pureed soup about once a day since Day 5...I am using the Magic Bullet and it seems to do a good job.

I am down 7 lbs, I think. My scale is hard to read, because it's not digital. In any case, my BMI was 42 in July when I started the process and now it's under 40, so even if I haven't lost big numbers, I am going in the right direction.

Glad Starlite is better. Worried about Lana. Keep us posted. Prayers.

1st- glad you are motivated to stop smoking. Was talking with my cousin about his dad (my uncle) who died of a blood clot post surgery...A doctor told him that even though his dad hadn't smoked in over 25 years, the damage he did in the past probably contributed to that fatal blood clot. So you can't stop too soon. 2nd- re: bending - I was sleeved on 17th and I can bend okay. I don't push it, but I am not in any pain.

I became hypothyroid after the birth of my first child when I was 32. At the time, I was told it was thyroiditis and I believed that if I took medicine, eventually my body would regulate and I would stop needing medicine. A year ago an old classmate was describing her Hashimoto's and I had to ask my doctor if I had Hasimoto's. He was like, "absolutely," but he didn't think that mattered to my treatment. It mattered to me, because it's an autoimmune disorder and you can eat differently to help symptoms. When the doctor removed part of my stomach, there was an "irritated" section and I believe it was damage from gluten. Body shape wise, I would say I am more of a pear than a box or apple. Maybe the box shape is easier to see on a male frame?

I didn't have any co-morbidities, but even with medicine, my hypothroidism has always contributed to fatigue. I am finding that I am get tired so easily even though I am in my second week post-surgery. I took a nap today. 2 hours. Now maybe it is just the body needing to heal, but I keep reading about other people and their higher level of activity at this point. Also, I was wondering if the hypothyroidism would continue to be a problem with weight loss. I have read about people on 600 calorie diets not losing weight and that is my fear.

@VSGRachel and Trishn - I am glad to hear both your stories since you are a few months out and you ARE making progress. As for losing weight helping the hypothyroidism, it might if you have a temporary case of thyroiditis, but I don't think it matters what weight you are if you have full blown hypothyroidism. Nevertheless, losing weight should help us all in so many other ways that I guess it doesn't really matter. I don't know if either of you have read my other posts, but you should ask if you have Hashimoto's. If so, you may want to give up gluten. My thyroid medicine has only increased in dosage over 10 years, but since I am avoiding gluten, it is a little flatter (change wise).

Could you try couples counseling? There's two types....with a licensed therapist or with a minister/pastor of a church. I know you said in an earlier thread that your low self-esteem allowed you to take his BS in the past and that is something you struggle with now. But, if you are feeling like you want to salvage the relationship (if possible), I think counseling would be helpful. Ultimately, if he won't do it and/or if you do it and nothing changes, you can leave the relationship knowing you gave it your best shot. I am not a great fan of divorce, but I also do not believe that people should remain in abusive relationships. Obviously, he has his own issues. People who abuse usually were abused in some other time of their lives. (What kind of father-figures did he have?)

I think as long as you don't make eating pound cake an every day thing, you will be okay. Maybe Weight Watcher's hasn't helped me lose a ton of weight, but I do agree with the philosophy that no food is evil in moderation.

I watched a You Tube video on this topic today. The girl in the video was probably at least a decade younger than me (late 20s/early 30s) and she lost an excess of 100 pounds. She could wear single digit sizes, but she also had purchased "girdles" (old fashioned word, but I forget what she called them) to "hold in" her loose skin. Well, I was thinking that she must have so much loose skin, but when she took off the girdle to show her natural body, I thought she had done a fantastic job of toning up. Yes. She had loose skin, but it wasn't sagging like my 80-year old grandmother's. I would have called the stomach area a small "pooch." Now, I have had 4 kids, so to me if I could look like that (with the pooch), I would be okay and not need plastic surgery. She was in a different place in life, though, and opted for plastic surgery before her wedding. That being said, I think for everyone it is a personal decision how we live with (or without) the extra skin. Most of you who have lost around 100 lbs have said that the saggy skin is much preferable to the fat and don't think you will find anyone who disagrees with you.