seattleslew

Sleeved: April 2014 Highest weight: 356 current: 238 Pre surgery size: 26 Current: Xl or 18 Haven't been on BP for a while so just checking back in to see how everyone's been doing? After my weight free fall , the arthritis in my knees settled down --I am pain free and mobile again after having to do some serious training and PT to get strong again. I feel fantastic -- no regret (except that I waited too long). I have my life back and I am never going back. I see obese people on the street and want to run up to them and tell them they don't have to hurt anymore, there is hope. I can't believe I carried so much pain around in me for so long. 72 more pounds to go in Joy!

I really didn't believe I could manage without coffee -- it has beeb my morning, afternoon and evening indulgence. But almost 4 weeks post-op, I have tried to drink it, doesn't make me sick but it just tastes so awful. I have lost all interest but I missed the warm morning cup of something. I have found herbal &/or mint tea fits the bill. Just funny how your tastes change post-op. And aside from the initial withdrawl headache, it's been much easier than I anticipated.

Jenelle - I am in the same boat with an early stall! I free fell the first week, a pound a day and was in cloud 9. Now I've been stuck for the last four days. My husband tells me to throw the scale away -- but I kind if got hooked. But I have to admit, my clothes are all loose and I am looking different. I have been afraid that they used too large a bourgeois (sp?) and my sleeve has stretched but my husband just laughs.. There's no way with the little bit of food I've been managing. But still the fear is there. I'm just not going to look at the scale for a while, try and get faithful with all the stupid meds I'm either chewing, sprinkling in or injecting, and shoot for the fluids and my protein. "Trust the program"...yes, okay. I weigh in I two weeks *heavy sigh*

I was really surprised to be able to tolerate cream of tomato soup and lo sodium V8. For me, the unflavored isopure disappeared -- but everyone's tastes are different especially post op. The actigall I dissolve in Sobe and can get it down, the nexium is a little harder.

Me too...I got to move on to purées and had 2 ounces of my favorite unsweetened Trader Joes applesauce....it tastes horrible! Even the syntax nectar shakes I loved, blech! And I can smell more sharply - anyone else have that? I had 2 oz of mashed tuna fish (with onion powder and a little nonfat fage to make it soft purée "tuna salad") so good!

Doctor removed my steri- strips (well 4 out of 5 anyhoo..one wasnt quite done yet), cleared me to get back on my bike, moved on to puree (just had mashed tuna for lunch...yummiest 2 oz in a long time!) and gave me a release for next week to hit the pool. Although he's happy with the 8 lbs since the morning of my surgery (weigh in 294, I went home at 301 due to my period & water/swelling). we are both celebrating that I have lost 30 lbs since my 2 week prep diet, I'm at 285 this morning. Woo-Hoo!! Loving my sleeve. I have to kick myself out of the bed to get moving, but trying on clothes I haven't worn since my daughter was born...12 years ago!

Congratulations on your surgery Sha0717! I had a lot of chest congestion -- for about 2 days coughing it up. But you might be speaking of something from your tummy like froth? Get walking, and maybe watch your food choices. Somethings will work better for you than others. Welcome back!

Welcome PelicanLady -- If it helps to know it, the only co-morbidity I had beyond my BMI was osetoarthritis in my knees. I was approved w/Cigna after completing their nutritional counseling requirements working w/my NUT. Easy-peasy. Getting into the Doctor I preferred, that was a much longer wait!! I just tried on a pair of pants I haven't worn in two years. They're too big!! My surgery was Mond 21st, went home Tuesday night (pretty scared & sore) but by Thursday morning I was feeling good. Today I did laundry, took my short walk and have started weaning off the pain meds. I know I have a long road ahead, but I feel so happy. Good luck to you on Monday & Welcome to the loser's bench.

I'm on full liquids this week and cream of wheat tasted good to me. My surgeon said 3-4 oz is a serving and if it "Plops, stop!" So My husband just made the smallest possible serving size (using skim) and then I put it in tupperware and when i'm ready for Breakfast I mix about 3 oz of the cereal w/1 oz skim milk to make it runny because it does set up a bit. It portioned out to about 3 to 4 servings. I find this the best way to mix in my nexium too...all in one nasty bite & enjoy the rest. Just slow & steady..Good Luck!

Way to go Recylced! Halfway..that's awesome!

SparkleCat I hear you -- I am day 4 post op and the gas elephant that sat on my will only go away if I get out and walk & drink those fluids. I've started weaning myself off of my pain meds, seems its only at night that I need them. I know its 64 oz of fluids as the goal, but nowhere in my mountains of info does it say what the caloric/protein should be. I'm just shooting for 800 cal/80 grams Protein. I am nowhere near making that, I don't feel poorly but I just have trouble pacing the hourly 3-4 oz of food or Fluid. I feel like I can get up & get going but I feel strapped to my house and my 4 ounce cup this week. Hopefully on Monday (my 1 week sleeversary) my doctor will put me on purees (3 meals a day). I am hoping that will be soooo much easier to manage. Stick with it day 1,2,3'ers...they aren't lying to you when they say it gets a little better every day. I can't believe how different I feel day 4.

JustMeJFD....hang in there - there's a little something different for everyone it seems. Keep your chin up if you can.

Thanks for that seatleslew it's good to know this is the hard part lol... Okay so maybe I was a tad hasty in my opinion there,...LOL...because today I have the biggest darn gas bubble you can imagine! If they can pump that air in there, I sure wish they could pump all of it out. In the hospital, I was supposed to walk 4 times a day and the nurses never asked me to once, I had to ask them to take me. So stay on top of what you know you should be doing post op!

I struggled with telling people outside my family and also I'm a leader of a Girl Scout troop of Junior high girls; want to talk about body consciousness issues, talk to a 13 year old girl. I had serious reservations. I mentioned it to a couple of parents and they were supportive and when it becomes obvious to my girls I feel ready to tell them I had WLS, and it was appropriate for someone my age who had health concerns. I think of all the humiliating situations I've been in because of my weight and I realize, I need to do this just for me. There may be folks who look down on my decision, and cruel people will be cruel no matter my size. Those kind don't have a thing to do with me.

Lu-ucky!!

Congratulations BrendyMom! I was nervous going home in pain but waking up in my own bed made me feel better And walking/sitting up really helped the gas. Hard to eat/drink 3-4 ounces every hour - but my husband is being a good watchdog! I made myself a chart and water tally record so I can keep myself on track. Still pretty sore and bloated though I'm getting around great! Welcome home!!

So glad to hear that SSlade! Everyone's different but I'm glad to hear you avoided the gas pains!

I am only three days post op but I can honestly say the pre-op (especially through Easter) was THE harder part for me. And yes, BAD breath! Try some sugar free lifesavers??

Good luck Nicey2U! I am day 3 and will reiterate jezelle's comment on motivation. It would be real easy to lay in this bed because I am sore and it does feel weird to stand with the incisions: but once I got up moving and ate something the gas started moving out (burping, farting -- TMI sorry! ) I felt a lot better and it doesn't feel so scary. The heating pad for my shoulder helped ( odd that it hurts there), and Chapstick really helped.

Virgo63 did you go home in quite a lot pain? I was just surprised to go home feeling so bad -- pretty naive I guess!

Surgery went well Monday -- i went home Tue night. I did have quite a lot of has pain, up high under my sternum and haven't felt very good. The morphine caused a rash so now I'm on some other pain med -- I can tolerate water and beef broth, I guess I'll try s//free Popsicles. Kinda feel like the flu.

I just scrubbed up with my special soap & am heading upto Houston for my surgery this morning at 9am. Say a prayer for me if you will -- I'm a little nervous, but mostly I am excited. Can't wait to hear from you April 21st pals! Good luck to all of you & thanks for the support over the last couple of weeks. See you soon!!

We are enroute! Strange my dr didn't require a bowel prep...just stayed in same pre-op diet. Hope he doesn't 'run into anything'!! Oh I cannot wait to see those pounds start going. Good luck ladies!!

Goodluck girls! I'm on my way this morning too!!

You look fantastic!