Alabamasleever

Lotions and exercise definitely do help but remember that genetics also play a huge role! The elasticity of your skin caries from the next person regardless. Just like stretch marks, theres women that can have 10 kids, never use any type of cream or lotions and have zero stretch marks. Then there some that have one and stay greased up the entire pregnancy and are covered in them. Look at your moms, dads, sisters, brothers for more reassurance. Again, of course, lotions and toning exercises certainly help!

Did you have clear tape around then at first? It's a clear occlusive dressing called tegaderm, which is fairly common to be allergic to and can take a while to beak out because the glue is left on there. With the redness being perfectly round, it looks like a reaction to the tegaderm if they used that on them, they did mine. I agree, hydrocortisone and if no better or if other symptoms exist (fever), def see doctor.

Not sure what your doctor would tell you but as far as swimming, wait until incisions are COMPLETELY healed. Chlorine or not, water caries some nasty bacteria!

Ok, I'm in. Here comes a smoking confession... I confess that I smoked on the way to the hospital morning of surgery and quit for the next 48 hours. I also confess that my surgeon requires a pre-op urine nicotine test and my teenage daughter passed! I love to smoke and have no plans to quit! BTW, I am fully aware of the risks involved in case anyone feels the need to remind me

I'm feeling so ready for more food, not hungry necessarily but just feel like my sleeve it's ready (yes, I'm aware it's still healing). So, today I had a piece of deli sliced ham with feta cheese rolled up in it. It was delish, satisfying, and no pain whatsoever. Considering I have yet to get my protein in with liquids, at least I chose protein foods to cheat with, lol

You too

And I think the second leak test may be kind of pointless because, like you said, it would have to be pretty darn big at that point because of the swelling but it did help mentally.

I actually am not gurgling that much, not like what I've read about. Really, my worst problem is upper back pain, across my entire upper back. May be the gas but I really just think it's from where I slump over trying to protect my abdomen. I have 3 children, two under 5 so I just stay hump back when I'm walking to be ready in case they throw themselves into me, lol. Pain hasn't been to bad. I can certainly tel when I've swallowed one sip too many, feels like a brick in my chest. That's the new 'full' signal for me. I'm really hungry when I first wake up (which can apparently be acid also, not hunger) so the first thing I do is take my prilosec with about 4oz of protein shake. So far, I'm extremely pleased, just fighting the mental issue of not eating.

He was also very adamant about telemetry immediately after surgery and throughout the stay, said the first sign of a leak is elevated heart rate, elevated being around 170-200

That low of a 'fever', with no other symptoms, I would just say your body is still recuperating from major surgery. Yes, Maliapur did both. The day of surgery I could not have anything until that night. They came and got me and took me down for the barium swallow. I was actually still so drugged, I was falling asleep while standing for the test, lol. Just keep an eye on the temp and monitor for any additional symptoms but I wouldn't worry at this point.

Oh, your wife used Facundus? I'm assuming she was not ever one of my patients Like I said, I'm sure he has a ton of success stories, being a nurse, I only see the failures unfortunately.

I never saw Dr Foreman, sure he's great too but I knew I didn't like his partner, Facundus. I'm a nurse and I've taken care of many Facundus patients, not good. I'm sure he has plenty of good cases too but for me, I just knew I've never had to take care of Mailapur or Foreman patients, lol.

Dr. Maliapur in Huntsville. He was absolutely amazing, as well as his staff. He is adamant about education, which is the key to success. He has a zero fatality rate and has had one leak. Love him!

Oh, my clothes still fit me too. In fact, a little snug around my gassy swollen mid-section, lol.

Ok, I was just sleeved 12/17. I am completely aware of the head games involved in being a food addict and thought I had prepared myself for that. However, I'm now freaking out a little. Last night, my daughter was eating pizza rolls. I am still on the full liquid phase of my diet and have no problems with my family eating all around me, I've even cooked for them. But, I was driving myself nuts watching her eat those. Longing for the taste, dreaming of the consistency to chew. I ended up having 3 pizza rolls, I chewed them to mush and then spit them out. Let me be honest, holy moly that felt good! Anyway, this morning, the guilt and fear have set in. What if I don't have a full grasp on the mental aspect? What am I going to do when I can actually eat solids? OMG! I'm going to fail! Can someone share their experience with this? Surely I'm not the only one that has 'chewed and spit', lol

Desert19, I did the counseling also and found it very helpful, that's why I know whats going on and I know it will pass but it's still a mental game. Thank goodness for counseling and this forum!

I was also sleeved on the 17th and have found it pretty exhausting to try and get in enough liquids and protein. Have yet to squeeze them all in. My husband took me out yesterday to finish up some last minute shopping, we stopped at two stores and by the time we got back I passed out! Pain isn't too bad for me, I took the liquid hydrocodone once and immediately threw up so forget that, I'll tough it out before I drink that mess again. My worst pain is in my upper back. I really think that is because I'm not standing up straight, I tend to slump over trying to protect my stomach without even realizing it then my back is killing me! My biggest problem right now is the mental aspect. I was doing really well until yesterday and today. I'm feeling sorry for myself and thinking 'what have I done' because I'm wanting to eat. It's strictly out of habit. It's cold outside, everyone is off work and out of school and thats what we've always done this time of year, sit around the fireplace and stuff our faces. Life is still the same for the hubby and kids. As I type, they are in the living room, watching a movie and eating chips and rotel dip. Ugh, I had to get away! I just keep reminding myself that next christmas I can eat too (smaller portions of course) but I'll eat it without looking in the mirror afterward and hating myself. I chose this for my health and I WILL succeed but the depression of taking away my crack has hit me hard today! This too shall pass! On another note, I've lost 18lbs since Tuesday, woo hoo. However my measurements are exactly the same. Not sure how that's possible but I've read it many times on here so my eyes are still on the prize. Good luck to everyone and thanks for sharing stories, very helpful!

I'm right there with you. Actually posted about it earlier. I was sleeved 12/17, wanting something to 'feel' in my mouth. I also have chewed and spit, mine was pizza rolls. Right or wrong, it was very satisfying! I've also heard of someone chewing cheetos because of the crunch. May just want to make sure no one is around because the spitting part is not pleasant, lol!

Thank you! So true, once an addict, always an addict. Have to re-focus now