JerzyTomato74

I am 3 days post-op. I didn't need the Gas-X strips while I was in the hospital but have definitely needed them today! My stash includes: SF Jello SF Popsicles (only problem is they start melting before I can eat it all) Isopure RTD (I combined it with a 1/2 gallon of prepared Crystal Light. Mango Peach Isopure w/ Mango Peach CL is yummy!) Powerade Zero (this is nice when you're tired of water) Peppermint tea (good for tummy; liquid stevia if you need it sweetened) broth (College Inn beef broth has a little Protein content) A body or king size pillow (tummy support for sleeping on your side; this is the only way I can get comfy in bed right now) Extra blanket (I'm more chilly than I was before) Comfy/roomy clothes Back scratcher

My surgeon said that many people develop it after surgery. As a precaution, they have me on prescription Prilosec with a couple refills. I'm not sure how long he will keep me on it though.

Glad to hear you are doing well! I'm day 3 and was discharged last night. I was miserable at home and couldn't sleep. I finally found some comfort laying on my side so I did sleep a little bit. Today has been progressing much better! I took a shower earlier which made me feel better, walked around the house and then spoke to my surgeon's assistant who told me I can up my pain meds if need be. I also drank a cup of hot peppermint tea which helped a little.

Every surgeon and NUT is a little different in their post-op meal plans. Your best bet is to call your doctor and/or NUT to find out and get a copy of what they want you to be eating/drinking.

I am 2 days post-op and my "meals" consist of 2 oz clear liquid with calories and sips of non-calorie Clear liquids in between. So, for instance today my "meals" have been 2 oz of Isopure RTD and in between I've been drinking Water, hot tea and SF Powerade. SF popsicles are a nice treat! I know this will get old and cream of wheat is going to taste like heaven next week! LOL

So my first day and a half was ok in the hospital. I was on some really good pain meds so I slept most of the time, well, except when the nurses had to come give me more meds every 2 hours or the CNA had come take my blood pressure & temp. LOL I had wraps around my legs that massaged them to prevent blood clots since I wasn't able to get up much due to the pain meds causing me to sleep. Prepping me for surgery was fun (insert sarcasm)! It took two ER nurses to find a vein for my IV. This, after the first ER nurse botched the first stick leaving me with a nice bruise on my right forearm. The second nurse finally found one but the IV went in on an awkward angle. Everything was very fast paced once the IV was in place. Had my surgery first thing Wednesday morning. By that night I felt ok to get up out of bed. I wanted to at least pace around my room but nausea kicked in not long after I started walking so I had to lay back down. Later on in the night I was able to change out of the hospital gown and into my nightgown and underwear on my own. That made me feel so much better! On Thursday I felt ok but still sleepy from the pain meds but this time I was able to get up and walk to the bathroom with no nausea or any other problems. I went for my Upper GI test that showed no leaks so I was then able to drink my first clear fluid; apple juice. I sipped the 2 oz with no problems then I had to wait 3 hours and have another 2 oz. They just had to make sure I kept everything down. I was discharged around 5:30 pm and was in some pain when I left. DH went to get my scripts and the pain meds could not come soon enough. I am not going to lie; last night at home I was miserable. I was so uncomfortable and in pain. I literally said out loud, "what the hell did I just do to myself?" I was able to finally find some comfort laying on my left side with a king size pillow to lean on. I was able to sleep off and on and I have been taking my pain meds every 4 hours religiously! Today, Friday, the morning was a little rough. I feel comfortable sitting in the recliner but I'm also feeling antsy but I can't do much so when I get up I just pace around the house. I decided to take a shower finally and it was the best thing I could have done!!! I felt so much better getting out of my hospital clothes and washing my hair and myself. I have felt more upbeat since then also. I'm currently sipping my Water and about to get on my treadmill for a little bit. I'm also waiting for an in-home healthcare nurse to come because one of my meds is an injectable blood thinner I have to take for 7 days. She's coming to show me how to give them to myself as well as go over all of my other meds and discharge instructions. My tips: Don't wait until you absolutely need your pain meds to take them! Even if you feel mild pain, if the nurse says you are clear for another dose, take it. Don't wait until pain worsens to take it! Of all the things most people said to make sure to bring to the hospital was Gas-X strips, I didn't need them. But, bring it anyway because everybody is different! Just because I didn't need them doesn't mean you won't. Take a shower as soon as you feel up to it. It will make you feel better! If you have sleep apnea, don't forget to bring your C-PAP to the hospital! (My surgeon would have canceled my surgery if I forgot to bring it!) Follow your doctors instructions! His/her word is final. If the nurse told you not to take your chewable multi-Vitamin the first week but your surgeon instructs you to take it, take it. Your doctor's word is the one you should listen to!

I'll be getting sleeved on Wednesday and I have all of the same feelings you do. I know I won't be able to sleep Tuesday night because I'll be so anxious and afraid to oversleep. Good luck and keep us posted!

I understand how frustrating that can be and I will probably be the same way when I hit that stall. What you have to keep in mind, as I remind myself as well, is to stick with it. Two lbs never seems or even feels like a lot but it really is so Celebrate those small losses just like you would a bigger one. It's all going to add up in the long run. Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint! Good luck!

You are comparing an elective surgery in another country to ill-fitting dentures? LOL Ok. I didn't make any assumption that you have to return to the same surgeon. It is, however, always in your best interest to return to the same doctor IF you can. Yes, we all move and relocate and have to change our doctors. I am talking specifically about WLS. Because of the complications that can arise, I simply believe that this type of surgery is best being followed up by the surgeon who did it. Many people who have their surgery in Mexico travel back for their follow ups so it's really not that unheard of. It's all a personal choice. By all means, go to whoever you want for follow up, it's your body. Personally, I'd rather follow up with the doctor who knows what he did to my body but that's me. Insurance companies don't allow someone to do all of the pre-testing for nothing so there must be more to their reason for denial. Also, if you have your surgery in Mexico and come back here for follow-up, your insurance company isn't likely to cover it. Have you looked into any recourse you have if your surgery in Mexico does not go well or if complications arise when you get home? Most of the time, you are unable to sue off-shore surgeons. And yes, American doctors would be open to lawsuits if they provided you with post-op advice without the actual knowledge of your surgery. I wouldn't be surprised if you are asked to sign a waiver.

That sounds delicious! I'm adding that to my list of foods for when I get to that stage. Thanks for sharing!

Definitely contact your surgeon. He may be able to let you take liquid Imodium for the diarrhea. Also, you can always add a packet of Crystal Light or other sugar-free brand flavors to your Water if your surgeon allows it.

Technically, the doctor who does your surgery is responsible for your post-op care. Your doctor is not necessarily going to know the quality of care you received in Mexico or with any other doctor for that matter, as well as the quality of the work that was done. In my opinion, if you choose to go to Mexico, you should follow up in Mexico. The doctor who does your surgery is more familiar with what he did to you than a doctor here who doesn't know what was done. This is a huge liability risk. The other thing to consider is that the medical standards are not the same as in the US.

Even if you did give in, at least you were making a healthy choice of what to eat so you can be proud of that also! I am 5 days into my pre-op diet so I know how easy it would be to cheat and by cheat, I mean not with a nice healthy salad!

You're not the only one! I am jealous of those people! LOL As someone who has tried for years to lose weight the "old fashioned way", seeing someone with only 50 lbs to lose is a little annoying to me.

I got a pack of 12 samples from bariatricpal.com. I've only tried the lemonade and cherry so far and both are pretty good. It mixes well also.

Congrats! I'm having my surgery on the 29th and started my pre-op diet yesterday. Good luck!

I never considered WLS before I heard about VSG. GB was never an option for me because I didn't want my intestines to be messed with and seemed too invasive. Having two friends who went through VSG last year and talking to people at the bariatric support groups I attended also reinforced my decision.