DeniseM

The reason I chose the sleeve over bypass was because I have worked in the medical field for over 20 years, and over the years I have seen many patients with life-long complications from by-pass as a result of mal-absorption of nutrients. I felt that for me, the safer option would be the sleeve because it was only restrictive, and I would not have to worry about not receiving the correct nutrients in the future. I know several people who had severe complications from by-pass, requiring months-long hospital stays, and I know of two people who can never eat solid food again in their lifetime due to intestinal complications from bypass. One of my friends can eat absolutely nothing with sugar or fat, not even one bite, or it sends him straight to the bathroom with explosive diarrhea and dumping syndrome, and his surgery was three years ago. That was just too much of a risk for me to take for myself. I know the weight loss will be a bit slower, but as far as long term, I know I will be able to have a few bites of all my favorite foods without having to worry.

You need to go back to the ER immediately. Listen to your doctor! Dehydration can be extremely serious, and can even cause death. If your doctor thought you could get fluids in on your own, he would have told you how to do that. Is there another hospital or a 24 hour urgent care where you can go?

This week I was go sick of drinking RTE Protein Shakes that even the thought of tasting one made me nauseous. I went to GNC and got some unflavored unsweetened Protein powder (called Pro Performance) and mixed one scoop of that with 8 oz of juice and it was SO much better than the premixed shakes in the can. I've been drinking those all weekend.

Where are you? I'm in Fayetteville.

I was also tested for nicotine before surgery and told if I tested positive my surgery would be cancelled as well, but I don't smoke so it wasn't a problem for me.

Why can you not drink it after being sleeved? Do you not tolerate the taste?

I bought one of each flavor to try them all, and only ended up liking the Alpine Punch and Coconut. I mix them half Isopure and half water though because I think they are too strong if they are not diluted.

I also chose to not tell anyone for almost the exact same reasons. The only people I have told so far are my immediate family and my co-workers who see me on a daily basis. I don't want to be judged. I don't want them all staring at me every time they see me to see how much weight I've lost. And there is a small part of me that was afraid that this, like every other diet I have tried, will not work, and then I will be judged even more. Eventually, people will notice, and I will not lie about my surgery, but for now, I am keeping it to myself.

My favorite is GNC Pro Performance 100% Whey Protein (unflavored and unsweetened). I have tried many different kinds, and this is by far my favorite. It is not chalky tasting like many of them, and mixes great with both sweet and savory foods and both hot and cold foods. I have been putting this in everything.

Hi! No, I haven't heard that you cannot PCS after bariatric surgery. If you have no complications, I don't see why it would be an issue unless there is not a hospital where you are PCSing to. Have you asked Jasmin or one of the doctors? Who is your surgeon? I had Dr. Perkins- LOVE her!

I didn't have a pain pump and I did just fine. The nurses were right on time every six hours with my pain meds. Only one time did I feel like my pain was unmanageable, and that was due to gas pains that resolved once I got out of bed and started walking a bit.

The only way to know for sure is to call your insurance company- they will be able to tell you for sure what your policy covers. I have Tricare and we were told that our BMI on the day we started the program was our official weight, and even if we dropped below 35 during our pre-op phase our surgery would still be approved for surgery. Not an issue for me, but some of the other people in my orientation were concerned about that.

My NUT told me never to have more than 20 grams of protein in one hour, so I would recommend that you divide that shake up and sip it throughout the entire day, not just in the morning. Maybe divide it in four separate cups to space out your protein and calories all day?

All the wraps do is remove water from the tissue underneath them. They are temporary and expensive. It would be fine for a special occasion, but the will not permanently fix loose skin, only surgery can do that. Don't waste your money!

My goal of 150 is 25 pounds heavier than when I graduated from high school at age 17. I remember how I felt then, and I know that 24 years later I will most likely not be that thin again, but we will see what happens when I get there. I would say that you should let your body decide what your goal weight is. Keep following a healthy eating and exercise plan, and if you lose more, then you know your body is not done losing. If you stay the same, then your body is done losing. As long as you feel good, I wouldn't worry about the actual number.

I've been craving olives. There's a jar in my refrigerator and every time I open the door I want one! It's crazy. I haven't had one though because I'm still on pureed foods.

Great idea! I am planning on donating all my clothes that are too big to a local woman's shelter. Many of the ladies that go to a shelter arrive with just the clothes they are wearing, so woman's shelters are always looking for clothes. I have some really nice clothes too, so there are going to be some happy ladies!

I can swallow a normal sip, not a gulp, without any problems now 2.5 weeks out. I just can only take a sip every 7-10 minutes depending on what I am drinking or else I feel full.

We had a big family party last weekend, and I was able to avoid not eating while everyone else was by volunteering to feed my 14 month old nephew. So I was still at the table but I was able to keep busy so I didn't feel like I was missing out. At work, I have been walking on my lunch break so I avoid the break room and just eat/drink at my desk. I know I can't just avoid social eating situations, but in another week I will be on soft foods, so I can start eating out without a problem.

I downloaded an app on my phone that is a stopwatch, and all day long, I set it at 10 minute intervals to remind me to sip my water. It has really helped me to get down the right amount of fluids every day. If I am drinking plain water, I find that I can take a sip every 7 minutes, but anything other than water I set for 10 minutes so I don't ever feel too full. I am probably only at about 300-400 calories a day, but my Dr. told me to focus on fluids before protein, which is what I do. Most days I can get in both my fluids and my protein though, but only by supplementing my food with protein shakes and using the timer to remind me to sip.

Same for me, for several days the first week. It got better once I started drinking liquids that were thick like smoothies or soup, and then no problems once I started on pureed food.

I am going to start adding protein powder to my food to get away from drinking protein shakes (which I am beginning to loathe) so my question is, when you are making hot food like oatmeal or soup, do you add the protein powder at the beginning and cook it with the food, or at the end when the food is already hot? I added protein powder to yogurt yesterday without a problem, but that was cold. I haven't tried any in hot food yet.

Thanks!

I haven't heard that about the heat, but after my surgery, cold felt SO good. I could not imagine applying heat to my stomach.

No matter what you have to do for pre-op or post-op, just keep reminding yourself that you CAN do it, and keep focusing on the end result- a healthy, happy you! This is not an easy journey in the beginning- it takes commitment, dedication, and strong will power. But when you are feeling weak, you just need to keep reminding yourself WHY you chose to go this route. For me, I had battled my weight for 20 years and I was so sick of being fat and feeling like an 80 year old, and feeling like my life was passing me by because there were so many things I could not do that I want to do, at my current weight and health. I was willing to do ANYTHING to change my life, which is why I chose surgery. So far, I have been amazed by how quickly I am losing weight, and the food issues, such as liquid diets, are so insignificant to me compared to how good I feel about myself now. You can do this!