Chele H

Reflux is very common with the sleeve and can cause damage to your esophogus if left untreated. Many doctors prescribe an acid blocker post op. Call your surgeon or try something better than Tums. Prevacid, Nexium, Prilosec are all over the counter.......but, I do advise yo to research about dependency. I used them for about 9 months and weened off to only Zantac, which is an acid reducer not an acid blocker.

You can get yeast in any area where the skin folds touch. Is it under your breasts? Moisture helps it grow. You can any Monistat or athlete's foot type product on it but documenting with your doctor can help if you ever need plastic surgery and want to see if insurance will pay for it.

Nature's Bounty...cherry flavor. They only have 2500mcg that I could find so I cut them in half and take them 3 times per week.

I did exactly that! I went to 3 and "met" 3 surgeons and chose the one I liked.

Have you attended an informational seminar? Most if not all surgeons offer them for free....I highly recommend it. My surgeon actually required it. The surgeon will go over all types of WLS, answer questions, etc and usually there are WLS patients there to talk to in person.

How many grams of protien is in your shake? Premier has 30, one of them and you are half way there. You will gradually be able to eat more than 2 oz. at a time. Some people add unflavored Protein to Soup, yogurt, etc. Quest bars have about 20 grams of protein, you can try half in place of the cheese stick. Greek yogurt has much mor protein than regular. It gets easier. I never actually counted I just made sure I drank the Premier every day for breakfast(I still do) and make sure I eat meat and/or eggs for lunch and dinner and always eat all of the protein source before eating any veggies.

I like plain greek yogurt with one Splenda packet mixed in. I would say it is definitely an acquired taste. Do you have to have plain? There are lots of flavors of light greek yogurts available.

I am a creature of habit and eat a lot of the same things. For breakfast I still drink a Premier shake on my way to work. If I am still hungry I have a sf greek yogurt. For lunch I like turkey or ham rolled up with swiss cheese. I make my own coleslaw with Splenda and that and/or a pickle goes well with the deli meat roll ups. I also like egg salad, lentil Soup or refried Beans for lunch. For dinner it's a Protein and a veggie....chicken, pork, burger. I have a husband two kids so cookong for four is easier with less leftovers than cooking for one or two. How about buying small containers and freezing individual portions instead of having 7 day old food from all of the leftovers. There is really no way around food prep though. You can make a meatloaf, chicken marsala or lemon chicken, meatballs, pepper steak, chili. Maybe google some crock pot recipes so you are not tied to the kitchen.

Gain a few pounds, wear heavy clothes, leave your shoes on, rolls of quarters in your pockets.....seriously you are so close. As far as the anesthesia....I was weighed the day of surgery. You are most certain to lose weight on the pre op liquid diet and no reputable anesthesiologist will take a weight from your first weigh in months before your surgery so no need to worry about getting too much.

I believe if buy Hanes or Fruit of the Loom they have hip measurments on the package as a size guide.

Ouch! My sister says one side is longer than the other so she needs a hem.

I don't know if I look older but I definitely have more lines and wrinkles because there is not fat in my face filling it in.

I loved when she insisted that she needed oxygen when the oxygen monitor was reading in the high nineties and the doctor told her so.... but she insisted she needed it.

When your shoes fall off your feet while walking up the stairs

Welcome! I am 18 months post op so I guess that makes me a veteran....you can private message me here and I will try to answer any questions you have.

I still drink one every day and I am 18 months post op. 30 grams of Protein for only 160 calories and 5 carbs. I drink one every day on my way to work. I think the chocolate tastes like chocolate milk. I found the vanilla to have an artificia taste, never trid the strawberry. I put it in the freezer for about 20 minutes first. Great way to start the day. You've got nothing to lose if they will take them back.

Does your doctor's office sell the Optifast??? Premier Protein is a much better choice.....30 grams of protein and only 5 carbs. And..no, I wouldn't drink the Coke Zero either.

Try Vitamin Water Zero, G2, decaf tea. Try different temperature water. Try mixing apple juice with water. Sugar free ice pops are good too.

Yup...totally normal, give it time...but you must force yourself to drink, dehydration can happen very quickly.

Try some Vitamin Water Zero or G2, the electrolytes will help

Are you walking? I was blessed with no gas pains but I have read many, many posts that say walking is the best way to released trapped gas and just moving will help your recovery. I walked up and down my hall when it was raining outside and I couldn't go outside.

Did your surgeon prescribe anything for reflux? Ask for something or get something over the counter. Prilosec, Prevacid, Nexium....just be educated on how your body comes to depend on them long term. But for now, no need to suffer Some people develop a lactose intolerance....are your Protein drinks milk based? That could becausing the mad dash to the bathroom.

Premier Protein Ready to drink has 30 grams of protien with 160 calories and only 5 grams of carbohydrates. You can get them at costco, BJ's and Sams's Club. And, yes it counts toward your Fluid intake. You can use Miralax mixed in your Water, broth, etc. to help with the bm situation. Some doctors say no straws ever, some say it is ok. I use a straw now but didn't for the first year.

Here is the info....it is the 4th Wednesday, January 28th. I am going to put it on my calendar and try to make it. http://www.rbmc.org/events/weight-loss-support-group-meeting/

Thanks for the info. I am very close to Somerset Medical Center but I have told no one except family about my surgery and I didn't want to run into anyone I knew so I have never gone. My little town is like living in a fish bowl, everyone knows everyone's business and love to gossip. Raritan Bay is close enough but yet far enough.