oweemytoe

I have the fitbit too, and have a goal of 8,000 - 10,000 steps a day. I find it a great tool to keep me accountable for exercising.

I never made it down to Gothenburg while I lived over there.. is it a nice area of Sweden?

I lived in Hallsberg. Where do you live?

I don't live in Sweden anymore but did for a period of time.

What happens if you drink too quickly after surgery? Do you throw it up?

Thanks Ashlee!

I'm sure your 60 page informational booklet is the same as my binder, the place I am having the surgery through just stuck it in a binder with different sections so that when you go to the different appointments, especially the pre operative educational classes, you can add stuff in. Each practice just does it differently..

Has anyone tried the Isopure fruit flavored Protein drinks? How are they? They got mixed reviews on Amazon .

Wow.. I have a 4 month process that I am about 1/2 way through. That has been filled with the initial informational meeting, first meeting with the surgeon, 2 meetings with the dietitian, 2 psychological evaluation visits, three 2 hour educational workshops, a final visit with the surgeon and a 1.5 hour to 2 hour informational meeting (with my support person) with the nurse practitioner. In between all these visits I have had to have a chest xray, an EKG, blood work, medical clearance by a pulmonologist and then of course keep my PCP up to date with everything that has been going on. I actually am glad it has taken the amount of time that it has, as I wouldn't want to feel rushed. I am surprised to hear that your surgeon is requiring you to buy shakes from them, as my dietitian and my surgical binder lists what we need and encourages you to comparison shop.

According to my surgical binder week 3 foods consist of low fat, low to no sugar very smooth foods with no lumps. Foods such as: pureed oatmeal thinned with skim or 1% milk, Low sugar or sugar free plain puddings, sorbet, applesauce, Jello, popsicles and custard.Whey or soy Protein, non fat dry milk, carnation instant Breakfast or other low carb high Protein Drinks. Strained low fat cream Soups ( you can add Protein Powder or the non fat dry milk to the soups to get more protein). But you should be able to call your nutritionist if you have any questions and I would definitely ask because what my surgical team says is ok for me, may not be the same for you.

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You look fantastic! Keep up the good work!

Congratulations Mike! Keep up the good work and before you know it the pounds will be melting off in no time!

You are looking fantastic! Keep up the good work!

What did your doctor say??

If you are really worried call your surgical team and let them know what is going on, they should help ease your mind. Do you have hemorrhoids? As the bright red blood could be from that.

Thanks for the tip, Mike!

H Pylori can be difficult to get rid of, but it doesn't mean that it is. I had H Pylori last summer, took my 2 weeks worth of high doses of antibiotics and it was gone. I still felt pain in my stomach and intestines from it,as it was an active infection for me. I will keep my fingers crossed for you that you only need one treatment . One thing I did do afterward was eat a lot of yogurt to rebuild up the good bacteria in my stomach and intestines.

Yes, I have a few worries and anxieties about this surgery, as I am sure we all do. I thought I would make a top ten list of my post op worries and would love it if you would share yours as well, so that I can see I am not in this alone. These worries are listed in no particular order: 1. Losing my hair. I already have very thin hair and color it because I am 80% grey. I have been told to avoid coloring it for a few months afterwards, so first I will go grey then bald?? 2. Lovenox injections. We all have to be on blood thinners for a week post op and it seems that Lovenox injections are the most commonly prescribed type. I'm not a fan of needles, but not afraid of them. I do have a moderate Essential Tremor in both hands and am fairly sure I would end up stabbing myself before being able to inject myself. I do have someone who will give me the shots, but the whole idea makes me anxious. 3. Gas. When you have laporscopic surgery they pump your abdominal cavity full of gas so they can see what they are doing. This gas is very painful after waking up from surgery, that and Ashley Page (from this forum) just informed me that we pass stinky gas after surgery..great! 4. Catheter. I have never had a catheter.. that I remember anyways.. what if I get a urinary tract infection from it, I know I will deal with it if it happens, but it will just be on top of everything else. 5. Complications. 6. Lack of support or understanding from family friends and coworkers. 7. Dehydration. What if I can't get in all the liquid they want me too each day? 8. I have had problems with my stomach since I was a teenager, I am 45 now. What happens if I have problems with it post operatively? How do they look into your stomach after it has been separated and sealed away from the pouch in a RYBP? 9. Dumping Syndrome. Now, if this happens at home, it happens at home. Home is a safe environment for strange,painful, embarrassing body function things to happen at so I am not worried about that..but what if it happens in public?? 10. Loose Skin. How can I prevent it? Is it preventable?

Wow.. itsmekarenlee.. you already have a lot of stress and anxiety that isn't even surgery related. The good thing is that there is tons of support on this site, so use it, it does help! I have a mild anxiety disorder too, so it helps me to write everything down that I am worrying about and get it out of my head. As for your mother in law, if she has OCD (cleaning), no matter how clean your house is, she will find things to clean it is how she deals with stress and anxiety , but also she can't control the urge to clean, that's why it is obsessive and compulsive. Heck, if she wants to clean your home after your surgery.. let her.. if she wants to nag about the cleanliness of your house and you don't want to hear it go for a walk or listen to your mp3 player and tune her out. As for meals for you after surgery you will be on a liquid diet for a period of time, then pureed food.. Just buy the Protein drinks or powder that you need beforehand and it is one less thing to be anxious about. Thanks for the info on the Nexxus shampoo, I am going to give that a try.

I am curious as to what or who everyone has to follow their Bariatric process and progress from the medical standpoint. My surgery team is based out of a group of hospitals in the area. I have a nutritionist who will follow me for 5 years, a surgeon who will follow me for 5 years as well. I have the pre op educational classes in July and then get post operative support groups for as long as I need them. The local ER is familiar with the Bariatric surgery (which is a huge relief, just in case). Our local YMCA also has exercise classes just for patients that are pre and post Bariatric surgery, they are free if you belong to the Y and only $5 a class if you don't. My surgical team will also help me get in touch with a plastic surgeon if I decide I want loose skin removed. So, what kind of support do you get?

Have you tried the Bariatric Advantage sugar free chewy bites? They are nothing like the big chewable chalk tablets the other brands have.

I am sorry to hear that you are having so many problems post operatively. I assume you are still in contact with your surgical team, right? You should call them tomorrow and tell them about the pain and the trip to the ER, they will want to know and can prescribe you paid meds and PPIs (like Prilosec or Nexium) to help with the acid production. Do you have a gastroentenologist? If it was me, I would make a whole lotta noise and get them to listen to you. I think it is time for a new PCP at the very least. If you can't get in to see any doctor right away go back to the ER.