Aunt GG

I just wondered if anybody out there has been, or is going to go to the Barix in Langhorne. If so, what were your experiences? So far, I have nothing but good things to say about my experience there, but was curious as to what other people have found.

Does anyone know if it is safe to take cold meds? I am 2 months post op and have a yucky cold and a dry cough. I am not sure if we are allowed them. Anybody out there know?

Best wishes to you during your pre-op and for a quick recovery afterward! I was so determined that I never once felt like I was missing out on anything during my pre-op time. I wasn't hungry, and even though I didn't like the Protein shakes, I managed to get them down. The think I missed the most was my coffee with cream and sugar. You can do this, and before you know it, you will be sitting right beside all of us on the loser's bench!!! Go get em! You got this!!!

I had a 2 week stall on the scale, but I could feel my body changing shape. Pants were all getting bigger, and I was still getting smaller, even though the scale wasn't moving. I actually had to put my scale away and only get it out once a week! I was becoming obsessed with the fact that it wasn't moving. It has started moving downward again though, and it will for you too. As NMJG said, your body is saying "WTH happened here"?

I actually called my surgeon about this last week. I am 5 weeks post op as of tomorrow, and last week had one day when I felt terrible. Bloating and a burning pain in the lower left of my abdomen. Anyway, my surgeon suggested that I stay away from milk and see if that helped. I had mixed a Protein shake with skim milk that morning, and he hit it right on the head - pain is gone, never returned, and I am much much better. I can get away with low fat cheese, and yogurt doesn't seem to bother me, I just think for some reason I can't tolerate milk anymore. I hope you feel better!!!

All of a sudden it hit me right smack in the forehead that I am having this surgery tomorrow. And for the very first time, I am scared. Up until right this minute, I was confident in my decision, and excited about it. WTH happened to me? So I ran to my computer and posted this. Hoping for some friends to make me less scared. What if something goes wrong? What if What if What if? Is this normal? I have scared myself silly! I think I might throw up!

Don't know whether to be worried or not, but just not feeling too well today. A little nausea and lower left side abdominal pain and burning. Anyone else experienced this? I am 4 weeks post op and have had no problems at all until today.

I feel much better today! I really believe it was the milk I made my protein shake with for breakfast. I felt completely better by 4:00. My doc felt it was the milk too. Thank you all for all your support!

Oh no! Hope you feel better! I just talked to my surgeon and he said to avoid all milk and milk products as well as anything sugar free and just go to broth and things like chicken soup. Oh and of course stay hydrated. He said if it worsens to go to the ER, but I am nowhere near that bad.

I am a Hellman's girl but they don't seem to have a fat free. They have a light and an olive oil one but I can't find a fat free. Does anybody know of a good one?

Mmmmmm... That sounds yummy! Thanks!

I haven't been able to find fat free but that is what the NUT told me to buy. I will have to compare labels. Thanks for the tip!

I am allowed to have light bread but I have been extremely careful about not having it very often. I am just worried that I will eat more than I should. But maybe my sleeve will prevent that. I just eat a few bites and then stop.

I am on soft foods right now, ready to start trying regular foods very soon. I am concerned about how much I should be eating. It seems like I have more room now than I did 2 weeks ago. Is this normal? For example, I ate 1/2 sandwich with Peanut Butter for lunch today, and then finished the other half for a snack around 4:00 this afternoon. Is that too much? I don't feel uncomfortable, I'm just worried that it is too much food. I am terrified that I will stretch my sleeve out! Advice anyone?????

Sleeved 2/24, down 34 pounds

Oh boy, do I ever understand your situation! I have many family members (my husband's side) who know nothing about my surgery. Frankly, I looked at it as it was none of their business. And I still feel that way about it. Do what you feel is the right thing for you and your hubby!!! And if that includes keeping that information from them, then that is the right thing to do! I wish the very best to you both! Go get em!

Wow, I was 3 weeks post op this past Monday, and I am feeling pretty lucky after reading these. I have been very lucky to have no nausea, no fatigue, and no soreness since the 5th or 6th day. I kind of was bad and skipped right over the pureed food stage, and went right to soft. I just couldn't stand the thought of pureed. But please don't change what you are doing because of me. I was just so careful to chew it until it was pureed. I am still on soft foods, and it is so much better. I did learn a valuable lesson yesterday though.....I had errands to run on my lunch hour, and ate my lunch way too fast. Let me tell you, it was awful. Instant nausea, sweating, and felt awful for about 15 mins. So I learned the hard way......eat VERY slowly. I wish you the best - hope you continue to feel better and better! Maybe you had a stomach bug? There is a nasty one going around where I live, and I live in mortal fear of getting it! Take care of yourself, and feel better soon!

I am 2 weeks post op today, and can start pureed foods. I can't even think about it without practically gagging. Has anyone else had this problem? I have to admit that last night I had a small slice of turkey (chewed it until it was pureed in my mouth), and it was fine. This morning I made myself an egg and did the same thing. Is this ok? I just can't stand the thought of pureed stuff. I would almost rather remain on liquids. Am I doing something wrong by eating turkey? I kind of thought it was soft, so it would be easy to chew into a paste. Now I'm wondering if I am doing the wrong thing. Help!

Thanks init! I was feeling like I was a terrible person, and you helped me feel better and not beat myself up! I am doing the Soup thing too, but I take all the Pasta and potato pieces out before I puree it. I am just so SICK of soup!

I was scared too - Not quite to the extent of panic attacks, but the night before my surgery I was a mess! Just try to relax about it all, and think about the good you are doing for yourself. My surgery was 2/24, and I am doing really well. No side effects at all, back to my normal life, just a little bit of soreness in my tummy. Oh, and STOP taking Advil right away! You shouldn't be taking that before surgery. Switch to Tylenol. No Advil, Aleve, Motrin, Aspirin or any other pain relievers. They thin your blood. So try Tylenol. At least that's what they told me. Just think, in a short time you are going to be on your way to a whole new you! Hang in there - it is worth it! And you can always postpone it if you truly feel you are not ready. It's not too late until you are asleep in the O.R.! You can do this!

Ok, so here's my story. I am 12 days out, and still on full liquids. Someone on here suggested to me that I use the broth from a can of chicken noodle soup - I liked Campbell's Light - and just strain the broth into a mug and drink it. It tastes SO much better than plain broth, and my nutritionist was totally fine with that. She said it is also ok to put the soup into a blender and then strain it. I tried that, but it takes forever to go through the strainer. Something in the soup must just makes the broth taste better. I have about a half of a can a day, and found it so much better. I can't tolerate the look, smell, or taste of plain broth. Blecchhh! I went out to lunch and ordered a soup that had sort of a clear kind of broth, and just spooned the broth and left all the solids. It tasted wonderful! You can really do it with any kind of soup. I hope this helps you somewhat! Don't get discouraged - time passes and you will feel better every day. I was out shopping with my niece most of the day today, and not once was I tired or sore. And I'm not even 2 weeks post op yet. As soon as you see the scale going downward, you will be so happy! Keep your chin up, and you will be eating food before you know it, and this will all be just a distant memory!

Wonderful job! You look GREAT! I hope I can be as successful - I'm only 9 days post op.

I actually had that reaction to a tiny bit of squash soup that was puréed into liquid. I am 8 days post op. It tasted wonderful but the after effects really got my attention! Keep on doing your post op diet and no cheating. It only hurts your success. By the way, I laughed right out loud at your description. Thanks for that!

I sure hope you are feeling better sweetcheeks. I was sleeved on 2/24, and I am still in a whole lotta pain! This really sucks. I mean really. It hurts to even move. I don't think it's gas anymore, that wasn't really a problem for me. It's from the incisions and the sore muscles. I was totally unprepared for how horrible this was going to feel, and have had several moments since I came home yesterday (and even before) where I have wondered why I ever thought this was a good idea. Hope you feel better soon!

Well I got sleeved yesterday. And other than the pain it isn't so bad. I just wasn't 'to prepared for it to hurt so much. But it is bearable.