stellar313

Howdy neighbor! Looking forward to following you on your journey!

Hi! I'm doing really well, feeling good. I've lost 45 lbs since surgery, a little slower than some on here, but I'm OK with that. It was rough at the beginning, I had a lot of pain the first couple days and had an infected incision which was frustrating. I have been lucky and have never thrown up and have only been nauseated a few times (mostly the day after surgery) . My advice is the same as most...walk and sip, sip, sip. Its hard to get all the fluids and protein in at first, but every day it gets easier. My struggle now is eating slowly. It was easy at first but I find it harder as time goes on. Sending good thoughts your way.

I live in Green, Ohio and had my Surgery at Akron General on Oct 1st. Best Wishes to my fellow Ohioans!

I'm a nurse too, its crazy being on the other side, isn't it? My nurses were great too, and I had a couple awesome nursing students. I saw them more than I thought I would (had heard stories - I work at a pediatric hospital and we have to check patients more) . I guess I was lucky as far as the barium swallow - my surgeon only does them postop on his sleeve patients. I did have one preop and I really feel for you having to do it postop! Hang it there - the worst is over.

I slept in a reclined for the first week too. I'm a side sleeper and that was too painful for quite a while. When you stand up, make sure you use your legs, not your abdomen - best advise the nurse gave me. Agree with the coughing, sneezing! Horrible, splint your abdomen as much as you can.

The app I use on my android phone is called Slow Mow Eating. You can set how many "bites" you want, how long between each one, and what kind of alert you want to remind you. I do about 120-180 seconds between sips. I only turn it on when im struggling and im at home where i can be near it. Looks like android has some called waterlog too, I'll take a look at those too.

I have a couple cups with markings that I use so I know how much I'm drinking. I have an app on my phone that reminds me to sip, that probably helps the most!

My surgery was 10/1/12 and I have lost 40 lbs, so I know how you feel. It came off pretty fast at first but now it is creeping slowly. I guess as long as it is moving in the right direction. It probably didn't help that it took the whole first week postop to get back to my preop weight (I came home from the hospital with 8 extra lbs of fluid - not included in the 40). The nurse said at this point 20-30% weight loss is normal, I am at 20%. It is kind of discouraging because I lost 44 lbs in the 3 months before surgery. I just need to remember that I could not have maintained that without the surgery. I know I need to step up my excercise. I was walking pretty regularly but the weather in Ohio has curbed that lately. I get a free months membership to my Hospitals Wellness Center along with a training session, so hopeful this will help me kick start a new routine. Going back to work has thrown me off too, I work 3 12hr nightshifts a week. Trying to figure out how to get the fluids, meals, and vitamins in. I'm just going to keep plugging along, hope you will too!

Good idea, I'll look and see if I can. Thank you!

I started on my CPAP a couple months before surgery and it took me a while to get use to it. I really had the hang of it at the time of surgery but have been having issues since. I didn't wear it right after surgery because I was sleeping in the recliner and didn't want to move it, convinced each night that I would be able to sleep in my bed the next night. When I started to wear it again it was just like starting over. I felt too congested at first, but that got better, but my machine keeps shooting water into the hose and gurgling. I end up taking it off.

I am not supposed to have bread, rice, or pasta until 6mos either, not because they are carbs, but because they are often not tolerated.

I have a Ninja blender that works great. Bought it BJ's and it came with a bunch of accessories.

I wanted the sleeve, but changed to the RNY due to signs that I've had severe reflux. I was on prilosec for a month after my surgery, but a week after I stopped it, I started having horrible heartburn - So back on it. At first I was upset, since it was the main reason for my switch to the RNY. Glad to hear that it may pass after some time. Now that it's done and went well, I'm glad I had the RNY, because I have a lot of weight to lose and I think this was the best for me.

I like Unjury best so far. I tried Chike but they are a strange texture to me (they do have more protein, probably why). I was going to try the Nectar ones but found them on my nut's "unacceptable" list. She says that they have b. s. albumin in the ingredients, which is cows blood protein. She has me paranoid now!

I put hot sauce on everything and have not had problems! After being on the liquid diet where everything seems so sweet, I was craving savory stuff, especially spicy stuff. My nut had told me it was ok to use it.

I did not have to do a liquid diet except for the day before surgery, so you may be ok...it depends on your surgeon.

The Injury comes quick, usually 2 days. It has worked best for me, hope it does for you too.

I was on liquid antibiotics and I had lots of gas and diarrhea while on them. I took them a week after surgery.

I am 5 weeks out and I lost quickly the first 2 weeks but really slowed down since then. I also recommend trying on clothes. I went through my closet and found tons of scrubs that fit now - haven't been able to wear them for years. This was a big boost to my confidence!

Its not unusual to have trouble going after having a catheter - and anesthesia and pain meds can also make it hard to go. It may just take more time, don't get too stressed or it will make it worse. Did you try running the water in the sink while you were trying? Sometimes that helps. Good luck!

Hey all! I'm 43, so glad to have found the 40's club. Had my surgery Oct 1st.

Surgery Monday, home Wednesday evening.

My instructions for starting on foods said no soup. I didn't ask why, but I figured it had to do with the combo of liquid and solids. For cereals it says with a small amount of milk. I hope to be able to have soup at some point. I would really miss it.

I am having the same problem. Surgery was Oct 1st, came home 8lbs heavier. My 1st visit was 18 days later and I had lost the water weight plus 20 lbs. It has been 2 weeks since then and I have only lost 7 lbs. I am due to start my period so I was hoping it was that. I also have not been walking as much as I should due to the effects of hurricane Sandy - its nasty out. Supposed to be better tomorrow. Working harder at getting fluids in. So glad to hear I'm not the only one going through his.