luckysmomma

CJ - I have my 1 month follow - up tomorrow. I am kinda new to this site; I will try to find this thread & tell you what she says. If I can't, I will start a thread called Tanning & Surgery...so you will know what my dr says, but I am sure different drs will say different things.. I am sure it is fine, too, if your incisions are healed. I have 3 spots - they are healing very nicely, and when I get my tan on, they will be barely noticeable.

...I am glad you posted this. I am nearly a month out from my surgery. I started tanning last week - I didn't even think about the incisions...I did put a towel over them & didn't use lotion on my stomach...uh-oh...hope I haven't hurt myself..

WW is awesome. I have lost 100 lbs three different times in my life prior to an injury in 09. I am nearly a month out from surgery, but I am still going for the weekly accountability of the scale & the support of the meetings. It is kinda expensive, but I know if I wasn't going ...I'd spend the weekly fee on drive thru (well, at least, before this surgery I would have!).... monthly pass is cheaper, online is cheaper...good luck!

A week after surgery - I had to take 4 iv bags of Fluid in my dr's office. My surgery date was March 6; I can barely get 1/2 of my fluids. I hate Water, plus I get a really full feeling in my throat & chest, a tightness. but...like people have posted here...many have NO trouble at all get in the fluids. I just saw a post where a lady got in 80 oz water the very next day after surgery.. Good luck to you.

...I dread when this starts for me. I have hair to my waist. I have heard that you need to improve protein, increase biotin, Nioxin shampoo/conditioner once it begins & that it will eventually stop.

A Weight Watchers (laughing cow) cheese...30 calories, 2 protein

Water & protein shakes...

Everyone knew I was planning to have the surgery, but as my surgery date neared...I couldn't believe the shame, humiliation, etc I felt . . .months before, I told everyone I backed out...I have done Weight Watchers for years & lost over 100 lbs on three occasions before an injury a few years back, so everybody thinks I am losing with it again plus I told everyone I gave up the diet sodas... I have told no one! I went to the hospital alone, recovering alone, etc...it has been hard to keep from my family at times, but I live alone, so...so far, so good... I told my workplace I was having surgery for female issues. I will take this to my grave. This one is in the vault!

...no, I'm not getting in the fluids. I try, but about 48 oz is the most I can do. One week after my surgery I had to take 4 bags of iv due to dehydration.

March 6 was my surgery date. I am getting more protein from food now, but I am no where near 70 grams. I just can't drink or eat very much. I tried to do the shakes, but never could find a brand I could stomach...

It doesn't make me sick...but I am never hungry or thirsty. I have craved nothing so far, luckily. I can't do the shakes...gross to me.

Butterfly Gal - My answer is...as sad & as pathetic as it sounds - food was a huge part of my life. I miss my life with food. I miss going out to eat. I miss lots of things like movies, family, friends, shopping, drinks, trips, dates - my life can no longer revolve around food with these outings just the outings which I guess is good, but it doesn't mean my family & friends are going to change on these outings - so I live alone & now spend even more time alone & it makes me sad. . . I didn't anticipate feeling this way, but I do. So, I do regret it & feel it is the worst mistake of my life. I will keep saying it on this site, too. I usually get lots of mean & ugly responses when I do, but if my truth can help one person not to make the same mistake as me, then, I've done a good deed for the day! I did the surgery because I fear for my mobility since an injury a few years ago plus I am not dead yet, I wanted to look good again once more & feel good about myself. I thought 100% it was what I wanted...it isn't! I didn't anticipated the shame & embarassment I feel as well. I have not told a living soul about this surgery, and I never will. I had told everyone I was preparing for it for over a year, and I told everyone I backed out of it. I am continuing Weight Watchers and trying to do what I can exercise wise - as far as the world will never know...I've lost it again using Weight Watchers not surgery. I lost 100 lbs three different times in my life prior to my injury.. Even though I have had no complications, even lucky - I've lost weight, I have no hunger & no thirst & no cravings for anything...I wouldn't do it again. It wasn't for me, but now I have to live with that...it is starting to get a little better each day. I can eat a few bites now; I am feeling a little more normal, but I fear I will never feel like the real me again...sad! I hate the shakes (if I could have done shakes I wouldn't have needed the surgery in the first place), so I know hair loss is going to be terrible. I knew about hair loss prior to surgery, but now the reality is setting in...I have hair to my waist. It is about all I got with my looks...so I am so sad about that. What is the use in being skinny again, if I have horrible hair? Sorry to vent! I hope I answered your question. I hope someone reads my post & re-thinks their decision. I worked from May 2012 to March 2013 to have this surgery - and I was dead wrong, period.

Excuse my language, but Hell No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...I am a diet coke, I freely admit it. However, I had not had a single drop since March 3, three days before my sleeve. I got through the withdrawal & headaches. I haven't craved soda at all. I am not thirsty since my sleeve and luckily not hungry... Last week, I poured 2 or 4 oz of Diet Stewart's Rootbeer & allowed to melt into ice last week - tasted the same to me, but I didn't want any more of it to drink. I wasn't even craving it...just curiosity. It didn't make me sick or anything. ...tonight, I did the same with diet coke tonight...but it was horrible; it tasted like syrup..the way I remember a regular pepsi or coke would taste to me...I am in total shock! How could our taste buds change so? Again, I wasn't craving it or anything, just curious. It didn't make me sick. ...so I guess I am a Water drinker now...but I am not at 64 oz - not even half... ...also, I had a single Weight Watchers Laughing cow cheese tonight...best cheese I have ever eaten!

Not doing the protein shakes...can't wait to get protein through food

...I had my surgery on the 6th...besides not doing the shakes like I am supposed from my dr's/nut's orders...I've went strictly by the post-op diet sheet given to me by the dr/nut -it's been easy 'cause I am never hungry or even thirsty...but the more time I spend on here for info & support...the more dazed & confused I get...if it is the same surgery, why does the ok food and no-no food vary so???? ...just now on another thread, a guy 10 or so days out was eating a sloppy joe? a girl 3 weeks out was having 100% whole wheat tortilla chips and salsa?...things like that are not even listed on my sheet!!! When I asked my nut about baked chips & salsa in the future...she literally said I would fail at this if I ever ate any type of chip again & besides 1 slice of low-cal, whole wheat toast about once a month, I'd fail....what gives? I know my hunger & thirst will return one day...so what gives?

Walking...lat pull downs and tricep extensions....I am worried about the same exact thing. I heard on here Palmer firming butter lotion is good to use, also. Good luck!

I was sleeved March 6...started the process last June, read, researched, did not change my diet except lost 16 lbs with WW, didn't try any shakes...and I have done well with everything except I cannot do the shakes! However, I regret it.I do not recommend it!!! I didn't anticipate feeling this way, but I do. food was a big part of my life when I was skinny at various times in my life, and an even bigger part at my heaviest times. My friends, my family, my neighbors, my coworkers - I have spent little to no time with them due to this because everything I've been asked to do revolves around food. World is not going to change because I can't eat - I've just put myself into even more isolation with this stupid surgery! I'm not ordering broth at a restaurant! I live alone & now I'm alone even more! I am so ashamed of having it - I've told no one about it. I will take it to my grave! So, I pray to feel differently once I can eat something normal...but as of today, I regret it. I think this may be the worst mistake I've ever made!

You look great!

I have been struggling with the Protein since my surgery on March 6. I am not thirsty. I am not hungry. My pain is nearly gone. I have been doing the meds/vitamins. I have been doing the walking. I have experienced a ton of regret & remorse. Now, with that being said, I have been trying to read, research, and learn more about protein & the diet, etc...because there's no going back now... I know different dr's have different guidelines....but I just read a thread on there about pureed food (chilis, veggie burgers, and lots of good sounding recipes)...in stage one & two???? My stage 1 is Clear Liquids and sugar free Jello and popcicles... My stage 2 is skim milk, cream soups...and the continuation of the sugar free jellos, puddings, popcicles, etc.. My stage 3 is bananas and Peanut Butter added to the mix. My stage 4 is eggs, toast, cheese, flat breads, soft cooked veggies, soft canned veggies. My stage 5 is fish... with that being said, my question are....# 1 are this people posting all these decent sounding recipes & eating it at week 1 and 2, basically going against the drs? or # 2 am I just clueless and should be eating a whole lot more than what I am? or could the same surgery's guidelines be that much different regardless of dr? I am not craving anything, but common sense tells me, I hate the shakes & I haven't eaten anything except a few bites of jello, pudding, one banana, and few tsp of peanut butter yesterday since March 3...I don't want my body to break down ??? who is right on the diet? my dr and this sheet I am staring at? or people on here with different dr's who sound like they feel great and are losing, but are actually eating a little half-cup stuff? One post even mentioned eating KFC mashed potatoes??? is that even allowed ever again after this surgery?

I had my surgery March 6; I had to take 3 bags of IV yesterday at my dr's office due to dehydration...I'm not having trouble drinking Water...I just hate it & haven't been drinking enough... I desperately need help with the Protein...I can't stomach the shakes....they taste so nasty to me...what is an alternative? Please help! I don't want to lose my hair

yep, I have...I've tried several...I hate the smell, the texture, I've tried hot/cold, vanilla/chocolate, etc... ...If I could do 2 nasty shakes & a meal....I would have never needed this surgery is what I told my nut this week. My goal is to find a unflavored, odorless Protein powder & start mixing it up with eggs, tuna, etc when I am able to have such things...

UPRR Wifey - I am peanut butter & bananas this week...I think next week is when I can have toast, eggs, etc..and I absolutely cannot wait...I pray it makes a difference in me mentally about all this...because I am full of regrets about it currently. I mean, I am not hungry or even thirsty or even craved anything, but I miss my best friend, my good food...if that makes any sense.

...I had it done 3/6...I have regretted it every day. I absolutely cannot do the shakes; I am fearful of getting sick due to this & losing my hair. I can't afford to keep trying this brand & that brand. My soon-to-be monthly payment regarding this surgery is now weighing on my mind too...I have insurance, but I will be out about $1700 total...and at the time, I felt it was well worth it, but now...I am not so sure...I've lied to family & friends about this surgery and even missed out on a couple of dates...so I am probably hell bound now, too. ...everybody keeps saying wait til I can actually eat things like eggs, toast, etc...that I will feel a thousand times better about my sleeve. I hope they are right. I wish you the best of luck. Please please think about all aspects of it...the good, the bad, the ugly...from every angle, before you do it. As of right now, no way would I do it again...I hope a month from now...I am saying the total opposite...Time will only tell...again, good luck!

I am 14 days out...I completely know where you are coming from...with the comfort and home statement. I live alone. I have told no one about this surgery. It's like my best friend is gone. I haven't craved anything, just the 'companionship' of food...that sounds crazy, I know. You have done great! I hear you on the shakes; I can't stand them either. I have been lucky so far - no appetite, but unluckily, no thirst, either....I am struggling to drink anything. We can do this. Just stay positive. Take it one day at a time.