AmyInOrlando

I still haven't felt hungry, and I had my surgery on Aug. 1st. I'm still on full liquids for another 11 days. I'm really not having any difficulty getting fluids down as long as I go slow and take small sips. Soup goes down better then cold or room temp drinks. Popsicles are the easiest. My instructions were 1 week clear liquids, 2 weeks full liquids.

I brought $100. I spent a few dollars on bottled water, and tipped the hotel shuttle driver, that was about it.

I have no idea what "Paneer" is..... but it sure sounds yummy. I was worried about eating anything spicy after the surgery, but yesterday I liquefied a can of Progresso Southwestern Vegetable soup and added some cajun spice. It was pretty hot, but my tummy loved it. It looks wayyy too complicated to make just for myself. Maybe I'll look for a frozen version once I get to the pureed, soft food stage. I love Indian food. Can you recommend any Frozen brands that are good? I'm the queen of the microwave.

It was meant to be a joke...... sorry....

I'm "just" a Nurse, but I would advise him not to stop any meds without the OK of his Dr. Is he checking his blood sugar everyday? If you don't have a blood pressure gauge, he can stop by any fire station and ask one of the medics to check his Blood pressure. Perhaps his meds do have to be changed, or discontinued... but let the MD make that decision.

I can sympathize with you on many levels. I had my surgery on Aug. 1st. I have a rectocele and have suffered with chronic constipation for many years. Because of this, instead of doing a 1 week full liquid diet as instructed. I did 11 days of full liquids and 3 days of clear liquids prior to surgery. I also did a bowel prep (not requested by my Dr.) because I wanted to be "cleaned out: before surgery. It's been 2 weeks since I did the bowel prep. and have not had a bowel movement since that day. I started taking Colace a few days ago, then added one senokot tablet, and the next day 2. I also tried a glycerin suppository the other night.... NOTHING. Today I started Miralax. I don't feel like I have to go, I have no abdominal cramps, and have had no solid food in three and a half weeks. I'm afraid of straining. I also had a "surprise" hiatal hernia repair along with my VSG. That's left me weak and easily winded. I had all the symptoms you described above. Most of that is better except for the weakness and becoming easily short of breath. This afternoon I ran my Swifter over my wood floors. It's light weight and doesn't require much effort, yet I was short of breath when I finished. I had my surgery on August 1st. I thought I'd be able to do some light exercise by now (walking). Even walking my dog around the block leaves he short of breath. I'm not having anymore pain, and my pulse rate is normal. My Doc says it just takes time and patience. I'm due to return to work next Monday. I sure hope I'm better by then.

I try never to discuss religion or politics.... But I remember my Dad said once, "The worst part of being an Athiest is..... NO HOLIDAYS !!!!!

Dr. Alvarez is awesome. I had more worries then problems, but Dr. Alvarez was concerned, took all my fears seriously and called and emailed to address each and every one. How many Dr's do you know that will call you on Sunday afternoon just to reassure you. He also sent a Thank you card for allowing him to be my Surgeon. Not only is he a skilled Surgeon, he's also sincere, compassionate and humble. I'm a Nurse, and I don't know any Surgeons in the Orlando area that are that "Patient centered" Once the surgery and post op appt. are completed, you never see or hear from them again. Dr. Alvarez encourages his Patient's to stay in touch with him. I wish he would move his practice to Orlando.

Nope, my Doc said clear liquids for 1 week, and full liquids for 2 weeks. I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize the integrity of my sleeve. I sure don't want to test it. I've got the rest of my life to eat... I'll gladly wait another 12 days. I'm just following my Dr.'s instructions. I know there are very many other Dr.'s that aren't as conservative as Dr. Alvarez, but I trust his judgment. A co-worker of mine who had a different surgeon was on soft foods the first week with no problem. As long as you're following your Surgeon's instructions, you should be fine. Don't test it though, the results could be fatal.

Definitely call your Dr. Also check your pulse.. if your pulse rate is >100, and you've got a fever, it could indicate a leak. Please keep us posted, we'll keep you in our prayers.

I agree, the first post-op week of clear liquids was torture. I had no trouble during the pre-op liquid stage. Even the 3 days of clear liquids weren't bad, cuz I could gulp that nasty Isopuke and get it down. Pre-op I did the first 11 days "full" liquids, then 3 days clear. I was never hungry, usually thirsty, and had no problem with getting in enough liquids and protein. Post-op, having to sip that yucky stuff was like punishment. Now that we're back on full liquids and we can have shakes and soups it's much easier. My challenge is getting in all the protein and keeping the carbs and calories low.

I had a really rough week. I'm finally beginning to feel better. I had a lot of chest pain, pressure and shortness of breath. This was mostly due to the unexpected hernia repair. Today I finally felt strong enough to get out. I walked the aisles at Target just to get some exercise. It's just too hot outside to go walking. Glad to hear my "sleeve sisters" are doing well. Let's all just stay in touch.

I'm 8 days out and I still haven't felt hungry. The first week staying hydrated is the most important thing to do. Apple juice and Mango Italian Ice were my favorites.

Geez... how do I convince my friends and family I am not having a heart attack without having a full cardiac work up or a trip to the ER? Yes, I had a hiatal hernia repair, and yes I did not know I had a hiatal hernia before my VSG. Yes, I'm having some chest pain, shortness of breath, pressure, left shoulder and jaw pain, gas pain and feel like I've swallowed a golf ball. I also have a wonderfully skilled surgeon who has called me from Mexico to re-assure me it's all part of the healing process and I am not having a heart attack. I need a little back up here from people who survived a hiatal hernia repair along with their VSG. Did you have similar symptoms and how long did they last? Anything else I can do other then take gas x, antacids and walk?

Nope.... I can't say I've every had any of those thoughts... at least that's what the voices in my head tell me

Wow... sounds yummy. How about packing some up in a container and shipping it to Orlando on dry ice. Special delivery !!!! Any recipe that includes more then 3 ingredients and uses more then 1 cooking utensil is too much for me. Tonight was going to be Campbell's 98%FF broccoli cheese soup. Maybe I can grind up some shrimp and add it.

My Doctor recommended the gummy vites and gummy fish. You have to chew them very well, but they don't get stuck. I also found sublingual B12 and Biotin.

It's really a matter of taste, and tastes change after surgery. As above, I suggest you try different products. Don't go out and buy 12 assorted bottles of Isopure, because one is as bad as the next. You'll find people here that love it so it's really a personal thing. I liked the EAS Advantedge RTD shakes during my pre-op liquid diet, but now I'm not so sure. There is no easy way through this. Sometimes you just have to think of it as medicine.

Congratulations.... and yes please, let us see some of your daily menus.

I'm on my 7th day of Post-op clear liquids. Some are harder then others. I have no problems with Italian Ices, but the Isopure is vile. Diluted, there is just more to drink. Currently I'm choking down one of those protein bullets, on ice with a little cranberry juice. At least it's a smaller amt to drink. Tomorrow I'll be thrilled to start full liquids. My first meal is going to be an EAS Advantedge shake, for dinner It's Campbell's 98% FF Broccoli Cheese Soup. Hopefully the shakes will be easier for me. I don't think I'll have any difficulty getting all the fluids in. This past week the most protein I've been able to get in is 40 Gms. I've done pretty well on water and other liquids. Tomorrow I'm shooting for 70 Gms of Protein and 32 oz of fluids. The first week your goal is to stay hydrated, so liquids are really more important then protein. Sip, Sip, Sip

I think those of us that have had to have both surgeries need our own recovery support group. Our symptoms are different, our recovery seems slower and watching others soar through recovery without "issues" is discouraging for me. Agree ?????? Right now I'm 8 days out and I feel like I'm recovering from heart surgery rather then gastric surgery. My left shoulder still hurts, I have shortness of breath, I feel like I've swallowed a golf ball, I have hiccups, chest discomfort, gastric reflux, night sweats and the worst part is.... I had none of these issues before surgery. I never had any symptoms of a hiatal hernia, so I was never diagnosed. I'm scheduled to return to work on August 19th. I just hope I'll be strong enough to do that. Just a short walk around the block and I feel like I've run a marathon. I would have thought that by now I would be able to walk a mile effortlessly. I am 60 years old and no history of major surgery before this. The only surgeries I've had are a knee arthroscopy, rhinoplasty and tonsillectomy when I was 5. Is anyone else having a hard time feeling better? How long will these symptoms last?

I took my dog for a walk around the block and felt like I'd ran a marathon. I had to take a nap. I would have thought by now I would walk a mile effortlessly. Recovery from VSG is not for sissies....

Sip and walk, sip and walk. That's the best advice I can give 1 day post op. Ice chips were easier then water, but it will get better. My Doc made us wait 24 hours before we could have even ice chips. They were heavenly. Wishing you an uneventful, smooth recovery. Welcome to the loser's bench.

Hiccups are the most painful part of this recovery period. My Dr. said they're related to the hiatal hernia repair he had to do before he could complete the gastrectomy. I'm 60 years old, so maybe my recovery period is significantly longer. The two other women that had surgery with me are way ahead in their recovery. Actually, today is the first day I'm beginning to feel "somewhat" normal. Still having the chest tightness and pressure. Feels like I've swallowed a golf ball and it's stuck in my throat. The good news is today is my last day of clear liquids. I can start soups and shakes again tomorrow. That alone will make me feel better. I have not been hungry at all, and today is day 8 for me.

I didn't have any problems during the liquid pre-op. Now that I'm post-op, It's the clear, liquid Proteins (Isupure, Gels, bullets) that I'm having difficulty getting down. Thank God today is my last day of Clear liquids. I am so looking forward to my EAS Advantedge Café Caramel. Full liquids start tomorrow !!!!! YEAH!!!!