tempname123

Okay, so I another question, and I'm trying to figure out if it is gallbladder related. Everything taste like salt. I never cooked or used salt prior to surgery because I cannot stand the taste. Now, even drinking a Protein shake, there's a strong salt taste. Another problem I've had is chocolate. Before surgery I never ate chocolate. It tasted icky to me, and the caffien in the chocolate gives me migrains (I'm allergic to caffien). Now, I can't get enough of it, and I don't know why. I still don't like the taste, but my body is craving it, mostly dark chocolate too. I almost feel like I'm having cravings as if I were pregnant. But I'm not because I had the hysto a few years ago. I have had a couple epitopic pregnancies, and they kind of take care of themselves. But either way, the cravings are so strong that if I don't address them I will get really irritable, and mad and it's not good. I've noticed these two issues only since I started having the gallbladder problems. I'm wondering if it could be related? Has anyone else had weird tastes issues with their gallbladder issues? It doesn't matter if I pull out a piece of romain lettuce and eat it raw, it'll taste like salt. I'm also having days where I pee and pee and pee. And I don't know why. I do take in enough fluids, probably more than what most people are. But I still can't drink plain Water. It upsets my stomach bad. So I add crystal light or the propel fitness stuff. Am I the only one having these wierd food problems? The doctor said my tastes would change, and I'd want to eat stuff I didn't like or eat before, and the I'd not eat stuff that I use to like. I also still, cannot eat bread. Even a bite and it's instantly coming up

Thank you all for your help. I'm really glad I posted here. I was doubting my choice to go forward with the surgery on the 20th, due to Christmas and my birthday. My birthday is 12/21 and we were planning on going across country to go home and be with family for Christmas. The doctor told me no traveling, even if it's driving, after the surgery. The only other time is to do it on Jan10th, which is 3 days before class starts. And I definitly don't want to repeate what I went through with the VSG, having surgery a week before classes. But it's crappy to spend birthday in the hospital and Christmas too, leaving my family alone for Christmas. But I feel like I made the right choice.

I'm having my gallbaldder taken out this upcoming Friday the 20th. It'll be one day before my birthday, and 7 months minus a day since my VSG. I have ultrasound pics. My bile duct is nearly blocked and half of my gallbladder. I've had this horrible pain since the end of July, but we didn't know what it was until the week before Thanksgiving when I could finally get in to see my doctor, because they kept rescheduling me. It's horrible. I am living of Dycicolmin or however you spell it. I had gallbladder problems years ago, like 16 years ago. There are days where I am on the floor crying in pain in a ball. Nothing is comfortable. I throw up bile every day, and I have this insane gas even if I don't eay, I burp. I have no idea where it's coming from. The only things that are somewhat okay are popsicles and ice cream broth and mashed potatoes. Maybe cause it just goes right through? I'm really worried about this surgery because every time I have surgery, I under estimate it, and it's worse than the one before. Ialso have several auto immune disorders, so things are a lot worse for some reason. I'm also a clotter too. So far, in no particular order I've had; DVT Thigh - 120 day hospital stay. Tubal Lit - 4 day hospital stay. Hysto - 24 hour hospital stay - stayed in bed 2 weeks, miserable a good 6 Endo/Adheisens - outpaitent - discomfort for 3 days VSG - 3 day hospital stay, bed for 5 weeks, back in hospi due to dehydration Kidney Stones - 4 day hospital stay Two live births, with a 1 week stay for one of them, and a 60 day stay for another.

The answer is, it depends. It depends on if you're using insurance, if so, they have certain pre-op diet requirements. It depends on how long it takes you to complete your pre-op insurance requirements, which vary from company to company. Your work/school schedule if applicable. If you are a private pay, it can depend on when you have the money gathered up. If you're using insurance, do you have your deductable amount? There are too many variables for anyone to give you a difinitive answer. For some people it only takes 30 days, while others a takes a year.

Don't be frustrated! I had the same thing happen to me. I lost 20, then gained 10, now I lost the 10 plus more. I forget what it is called, but it happens around the 3 week mark because of some sort of cell. I think they are water cells that weight roughly 3-5lbs and the body puts them back on. There's a thread in here somewhere about it. But you will quickly break the stall and see the scale drop. Also, be sure to take measurements. While I was not losing pounds, and had gained some, I was still dropping inches. I have not updated my ticker or put my inches up cause I've been busy, but I have lost around 20 inches.

What was your starting weight? I lost 20 lbs the first two weeks too, but then gained 10, and lost it again. So, I am still at a 20lb weight loss. Starting week 4 today. I was sleeved the 21st of May. I took a side shot before surgery, and then this saturday, and you can see the difference, but when I do my measurements, it's only a few inches here and there. It's strange. I've been getting a lot of walking and gardening in. I can't be eating more then 500 calories a day, and I am in deep ketosis, have been since surgery. I still have some pain with twisting and bending. My stiches have not dissolved all the way, and sometimes the incision locations hurt bad. I have a really bad hematoma at the manipulation site. I can't get the protein shakes down at all. But I have tried a lot of foods and they all seem okay. I am suppose to be eating 6-8 oz of food now, but I can barely get 2-3oz depending on what it is. I made my family pot roast with roasted potatoes, carrots, celery and onion last night (yes, even though it was 103 degrees here) and I was able to get it all down after chewing it well. That was my first time with red meat since prior to surgery. All veggies and fruits are going and staying, and I am able to eat chicken breast as long as I cook it very tenderly.

I did 10 days pre-op liquid diet. It is absolutely nothing like the post op liquid diet, or anything else post op for that matter. The healing phase is more about the healing process of just having 85% of your stomach removed, plus the fact that you have around 5 incisions, and stiches, etc. Any regretful feeling that I woke up from surgery having, as the sheer fact that I was in total misery. As such, one would have that feeling after ANY surgery. I know when I had my hysto, I had the same "wtf did I do" feeling. I'm now entering my 3rd week post op and I am feeling much better. I think of my digestive tract as that of a new born baby. Things have to be introduced slowly and if it doesn't work the first time, give it a few and try again.

I'm only 2 weeks post op, but I found something that helps significantly with the gas, bloating, smell etc. It's called CharcoCaps, sold at Walmart in the Gas-X area. I used Gas-X for years, and after finding this product I won't be going back. I also use "Colon Clenz" Herbal colon formula, also found at Walmart. It's far more gentle than any other laxative. I also take Chlorophyll caps and Probiotics.

I felt that way immediatly waking up from the surgery, and the first week post op. I did have a psych eval done (mandatory per insurance). Surgeon and the psychologist both said it's normal to feel and think that way afterward. It's like postpartum depression I am told. (Though I never had that with either of my children).

Thank you! I am suppose to start soft/solid tomorrow, but that is not going to happen. I don't feel ready yet. I steam everything until it is falling apart, or slow roast it. I was very weak too, but the more I walk and the more veggies I eat, the stronger I am feeling. I didn't puree them at all, but I smashed them until they looked like nothing at all edible. I am also eating baby food and broth still. I only try one thing at a time, and I am using these tiny little spoons from Baskin Robbins for my bite size. I am suppose to be up to 6 tablespoons already, but I can barely get 3 down. Today was better then yesterday. The first week was horrible. Last week was alright. Tomorrow I am going to try applesauce (no sugar added) and a smashed banana. If the applesauce goes down then I will make some using the juicer, and drink the juice too. I'm concerned about not getting any protein in. The protein drinks and my tummy do not play well in the sandbox at all. I'm also trying small grated peices of sharp chedder cheese. Tonight I am making some green chili and steamed potatoes, and so far, the broth is staying down.

I saw the surgeon today for my 2 week follow up. He released me to go back to the gym, but no weight training. I got my first work out in. It's a far cry from where I use to be, but considering, I think it went well. 30:00 minute bike ride, 3.76 miles, 67 calories. I don't think I eat more than 500 calories a day and I am doing house/yard work so, not to bad.

I have the same problem. The protein drinks I could get down for years before, no longer stay. I think it's the whey in them. I gave up making myself sick with them. I saw my Dr. this morning for my two week checkup. He said don't worry about it. Just keep trying to get high protein foods in another way.

More foods I've gotten in. Cauliflower, Broccoli, Chicken Breast, Cream Cheese, Scrambled Egg, Land O Lakes Deli American Cheese, Broccoli & Cheddar Soup, Broths from Chicken Noodle and Vegetable, Potatoes, Melted Cheese, Zucchini, Parmesan Cheese. Of course not all at once, just as “meal time” approaches. I really can’t eat as much as they say I should be able to. I’m getting good amounts of water and fluids in. What other types of foods are people able to eat? I’m still in Ketosis.

It's for anyone. It is called "Partners for life" Weight Loss Surgery Discussion Group Meeting Location: Penrose Hospital 2222 North Nevada Ave Colorado Springs, Co Cancer Center Conference Rooms A/B/C Meeting Dates: 2nd Friday - 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm 3rd Tuesday - 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm 3rd Saturday - 10:30 am - 12:00 pm There are arts and crafts, guest speakers, meal planning, exercising, game nights, hair/nail care, Label Reading, Blenderology, etc. The June schedule is; June 14th (Friday) 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Group Meeting plus Nutrition Bingo June 15th (Saturday) 10:30 am - 12:00 pm Group Meeting plus Open Forum June 18th (Tuesday) 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Group Meeting plus Plastic Surgery w/ Guest speaker: Dr. Heinz

Oh my dear, the VST support group at Penrose is full of people who have not had surgery and have had surgery. There are some very big boned people there. No one is going to comment at all, because everyone is on the same path. :-) The main gal who runs it, use to be over 500lbs. She had the VSG about ten years ago, and helps a lot. I will look up the info and post it in a while. It's not just sitting around talking. There is crafts, and meal planning, tip exchanges, etc.