A.c. Nelums

Everybody has their own "normal" way of eating. And different diets have their what they think is “normal” eating. Before surgery, mine “normal” way of eating was Fast food, at least twice a day, like at Taco Bell, the # 10 supreme with a large drink, cheese roll ups, those cheesy fiesta potatoes and dessert. At Arby’s, chicken sandwich combo, sometimes with a loaded baked potato, super size plus mozzarella sticks. I could go from Wendy’s to McDonalds within 2-3 hours and eat 2 large size combos or about 30 nuggets from places plus fries and drinks. Go to Logans or a steak resturant, I knew how many sides you get with your entree, if they served rolls or peanuts. Looking back, it was a sickness. I suffered from food addiction. Now, the only thing I miss about the Fast Food is the convenience. Grab it and go. But I like my eating habits now. Very, very small meals. I don’t get hungry. There are times I don’t even want to eat. When I eat, it’s so odd how many bites I can take and get so full so fast. And I’m okay with that. I do like my new Bariatric “normal” way of eating.

Last year I decided to return to school but didn’t know what field. I also decided to have WLS. In my opinion, my health was a little more important than schooling. AGAIN, MY OPINION. So, please no rude comments about that. I didn’t know how I would have done dealing with school, work, surgery & recovery. Thank god I waited. I was a mess. I struggled during my recovery. I cried every day afterwards for a couple of weeks, I regretted having surgery, and I couldn’t get in my fluids or protein. I was very weak and shaky and over all sick. But I do applaud the ones who were able to get back into school right away.

Last year I did decide to go back to school but I also decided on having surgery. My health was a little more important than my studies (only in my opinion) So, I have postponed school until Fall of this year. That way I can give myself enough time to recover, etc.

I've never really been able to insert a tampon, and the times I tried, I swear I was like playing twister or something, had to put one leg in the air, reach over, under, etc. I HATE wearing pads with a passion. So, its good to know it's a possibity the process to go through will get easier.

Now the Protein and viatmins, I've spent a pretty good amount of money but since the surgery, I'm not in need of the protein shakes. As far as viatmins , I bought the Bariactric Advantage pills from my NUT, multi vit, Calcium, Iron and Vit. D. The pills are either chewable and/or disolveable. It's a 3 month supply.

Well, my doctor wanted the drainage tube in, it was suppose to be for 7 days but with the holidays it stayed in my body for 9 days. And I was on 2 week stages at a time, clear liquids the first 2 weeks after surgery, then advanced to Stage 2 (protein drinks) now Im at Stage 3 (soft foods) Got another week on it then Stage 4, I'll be able to have more of a varitey

My eating out expense's has plumited. Which helps out the bank account. As far as the grocery store. I did spend alot of money on vitman's, stocked up on broth, Protein shakes, etc before hand. But now, the list has shorted to pretty much, liquids, fish, eggs and cheese. But when I am able to eat more like the Bocca Burgers, turkey sausage/bacon etc it'll probably go up a little bit.

I was 335 pounds the morning I had my sleeve surgery. Started at 356. I've lost 48 pounds since December 1st. My doctor said either the Sleeve or Bypass was a better option than the Band. I didn't feel comfortable with the re-route of my intestiants so I decided on the Sleeve.

I do also use coconut oil on my skin as well.

My doctor hasn't approved me to exercise yet. I've had ALOT of DOWNS, It started Christmas Day when I had this horrible pain in my belly around my incision & drainage tube was. I didn't sleep well that night, maybe got 3-4 hours, I was naseua, having hot flashes, weak, shakey. So I went to the ER the next morning. My urine was the color of Apple juice. I was dehydrated, had a UTI and an infection where my drainage tube was. I could barley get in my fluids, couldn't take my medicines without getting nauesa. I couldn't stomach the Protein drinks, my hair has started falling out. But I'm doing better, getting a little food in my system and I've been able to up my Fluid intake.

Well, all my incisions are ITCHING like crazy! There is one incision that my Doc sewed up all the way (and looks great) the other 6 he used those sterlie strips. I did see my PCP this past Tuesday and she said all my incisions are healing up well. I thought one was infected. I'm not too worried about scaring. I know it's gonna take a while for he incisions will go away. When I had my gall bladder taken out, I can't even really tell where my incisions were, of course they were more on the side of my stomach unlike the sleeve.

I was not allowed to drink Gatorade G2 due to the total carbs. They have suggested Vitamin Water, Crystal Light, Mio, unsweeten decafe tea, decafe coffee. (Today, I have "cheated") I have ordered an unsweeten tea from McDonalds (which I do believe has cafeine in it but I was dragging butt this morning sooo bad, I had to have something (espically since I work 2nd shift.)

Thank you for asking. I am feeling better. I am finally on Stage 3 (soft foods) I am addicited to cheese now! It is sooo delious! Of course not really eating for 44 days anything anything would taste good.The cheese is Kraft, skim milk, 40 calories, 4 grams of Protein and maybe 2 total carbs. I'm just still in shock. I think what I use to eat, which I was like a bottomless pit, could eat 2 chicken sandwiches, fries, a large Sprite. Even at Taco Bell, I would eat like 3 Taco's plus 2 Cheesey Roll ups and 2 bowls of those Fesita Potatoes followed with an apple pie and a large Mt. Dew. And now its like, I eat 2 pieces of cheese and I'm stuffed. And I'm not hungry at all. And don't really care about eating, I just wanna eat ice all the time!

Amen! I'm so sick and tired of, you have such a pretty face....that won't do it for 'em, huh? Well, screw them, we are all on our way to more than pretty faces...

Hi, My name is Amanda. I was sleeved on December 17, 2013 at Centennial Medical Center. I am from Hendersonville, TN. Would love to chat!

Phew! Thank you for explaining it further for me.

Thank god I'm not the only one. I am almost 3 weeks out from VGS. My stomach talks to me ALL the time; it's quite annoying. It's gurgles, bubbles, etc.

I'm only 2 and a half weeks out from surgery. And my mom is already finding my hair in the shower drain. Protein is the key but I can't get my protein intake, can barley get my recommend amount of Fluid or my Vitamins without getting sick to my stomach. I've thought about shaving my head, going bald...

I'm usually the "hot" one, hot blooded I'll say but ever since the surgery I'm freezing. I wore jogging pants, a short sleeve shirt, a light weight jacket plus my house coat...I do have thermal socks. Still having to look for long johns, I've been "hot" maybe 3 - 4 times since I've had surgery....very odd

Right. Like I said I am going to see my doctor tomorrow. Thanks for your input

the brown has been around and lightened up. No creamy white Oh, its pink around my incision (and some other incision) I have 6 plus a drainage tube. I'm not getting really any blood out.

The color like a milky white/brown.

I am having pain, all day, where my drainage tube is. It's a little swollen and has a odor. I'm worried it might be infected. But I am going to see my doctor tomorrow

There is some swelling around my incision where the drain if hanging out. Plus a little odor. I wonder if this will make a difference.

I am going to my doctor and they should remove my drainage tube.