JamieLogical

I don't think just a few days is enough time off. I went back at 15 days post-op and was still really tired. The pain and discomfort last about 3-5 days. The fatigue lasts a couple of weeks.

You are going to have many ups and downs along this journey. You are not going to be 100% perfect 100% of the time for the rest of your life. You need to be able to move past any slip-ups without getting yourself into some downward spiral of self-pity and self-loathing. No one is perfect. I had two pieces of ice cream cake for my birthday just yesterday! I'm not beating myself up about it. It's one day in my whole life, coming after a day that I ran 7 miles for my half marathon training. I'm training for a half marathon! That's how much my life has changed. A couple of pieces of birthday cake? Who cares. It's the same for you. You need to focus on all the positive life changes you've made. You are down 70 pounds! Move on.

So you were supposed to have had a revision from band to sleeve in 2013 but you think they didn't actually sleeve you? Have you had any sort of restriction while eating? I can't see how you could not be sleeved and not know. That seems crazy!

Which Dr. Ortiz? Ariel or Elias? Still didn't say which one. There are two Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana doing bariatric surgery.

I have been to several theme parks post-op. I usually pack peanuts and turkey sticks. But some theme parks have pretty decent options as well. I have been able to buy beef sticks or turkey sticks, cups with cheese and pepperoni, and yogurt at snack stands within the parks. I also once bought some chicken tenders and stripped all the breading off. And one time I bought a hamburger and just ate about half the patty/cheese without the bun.

It will completely depend on your insurance requirements. If they require a 6 month supervised diet, then it will be a while before you can get the ball rolling.

Just 2 weeks post-op, things can be a little unpredictable as you are still healing, still largely on a liquid diet, and possibly still on medication. I didn't have any accidents or issues, but I have read many on here say something like "never trust a fart". I'm sure just like almost everything else, it's different for everyone. For me, if anything, constipation was more of an issue in the early weeks.

There's no reason you shouldn't be physically able to eat crepes. Would I recommend it as a regular thing? Probably not because of the higher carbs. But once in a while would be fine. No one is going to be perfect 100% of the time. For me, when I'm out to breakfast, I always order a scrambled egg with a little feta cheese melted in and a side of breakfast sausage (preferably turkey if they have it).

How long were you on pain meds post-op? They can cause constipation. Plus the fact that you just aren't eating much now means you don't have much waste building up to pass in the first place. Hang in there and get your water. If it remains an issue, you could try something gentle over-the-counter or call your surgeon's office and ask what they would recommend.

I was look on Amazon ,GNC has them by the bar. But yes I have to consider what works for me although I haven't gained I still would like to get my protein in. Seems like I can implement them in my diet somewhere it couldn't hurt. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App The whole process will be a lot of trial and error in the first year or so. The guidelines from nutritionists and usrgeons are a great start and very important while you are still healing. But you ultimately have to figure out what will work for you long term and how you can live the rest of your life. I think the goal to get more protein in, by whatever means, is a noble one. Even with all the variation in programs and advice, I think one thing we can almost all agree on is that protein is key to long term success!

It will get better. At one week, getting protein and water in can still be very challenging if your new stomach is still swollen. I really turned a corner with water around 2 weeks post-op. I also found that drinking it VERY cold was easier for me. Some people have an easier time with warm water. So maybe experiment with different temperatures.

Yeah, going out isn't as big a deal as people thing. My husband and I go out to eat all the time still. Just went out on Friday and will probably go out again tonight. It's easy to find things and just get a to-go box for the rest. Sometimes my husband and I will even share an entree if we know that one has enough meat for us to split and then he can just fill the rest of the way up on sides. Attending social events hasn't been a big deal either. Most of the time, no one even notices what other people are eating. And there is almost always at least SOMETHING I can eat. Diabetes and sleep apnea are serious issues. She should be wanting to keep you healthy and around as long as possible! This surgery could literally save your life!

That's less than a month away! It'll be here in no time!

Awesome! What are you going to get your degree in?

My husband was not on board with my surgery either. He didn't think I needed it. He thought my decision to have it was coming from a place of weakness. And he initially lost some respect for me because of it. Now I am 19 months post-op and he sees how much our lives have improved. He has a more objective perspective on the whole thing. And he has FINALLY come around. I just made a post about it a week or two ago here: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/362447-my-husband-finally-gets-it/ You have to make this decision for yourself. No one can know the realities of your daily struggles and what is in your mind and heart besides you. Your wife is likely operating from a position of fear or lack of understanding. While it would be lovely to have her support, you shouldn't sacrifice you health and future happiness just to alleviate her short-term fears.

I was really tired for a good three weeks after my surgery. I went back to work at 15 days post-op and fatigue was my main complaint at that point. I was so tired that I went straight to bed as soon as I got home from work for the first few days. It got much better once I was allowed more substantial food and could get more calories in. As for exercise, I was only cleared for "brisk walking" for the first 60 days. I was told to try to walk for a total of 60 minutes a day (not 60 minutes straight!). Once I was cleared for more intense exercise, I worked really hard to get myself up over 800 calories a day and then when I started really pushing my workouts, I was trying to get 1100-1200 calories a day. But that took a few months.

Which Dr. Ortiz? Ariel or Elias?

Yeah, I had esophageal spasms in the first few weeks post-op. Just seems odd to have them last this long, or in the case of the OP, they didn't even start until she was 2 weeks post-op from the sound of it. If she's been having the pain for only the last two weeks and is a month out.

This site has some good ones. I lived for the baked ricotta: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2007/08/pureed-foods.html

You should contact your surgeon. It's possible you have a stricture. Pain while drinking is common in the early days/weeks before the swelling goes down, but if you are having it at over a month out, there may be something else going on.

I watch My 600 Pound Life as well. Obviously that show is a pretty extreme example. since the patients involved are all over 600 pounds. They are usually at a level of immobility and dependence on others that most of us don't reach. I also have noted that most of them gained weight steadily and never made any serious attempt to lose weight. Whereas most of the people I have talked to on these forums are more like me where they have gained and lost and gained and lost weight over and over and over again. I think the only reason I didn't reach 600 pounds is because I'd managed to lose and regain about 300 pounds over the course of my life. If I'd only had the "ups" and not the "downs" then I would have been pushing 600 too! While they are extreme cases and maybe haven't had the past weight loss attempts that most of us had, I do think they still have a lot of the same struggles. They are emotional eaters. They use food to cope with things. They are addicted to food. They are overwhelmed. I can definitely relate and sympathize with almost every single person I've seen on that show. I have had some great talks with my husband about the show as well. I posted about that not too long ago: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/362447-my-husband-finally-gets-it/

Easter and candy-centric Holidays definitely make it hard! I broke down and had two Starburst today. Not the end of the world, but kind of a waste. I hope you can get back on the low sugar bandwagon tomorrow and the chocolates don't lead to more cravings.

I was allowed popcorn and nuts at 3 months post-op. At 19 months post-op I can eat 3-4 oz. of dense Protein or about 6 oz. of liquidy things like chili. When eating out I often just ask for a to-go box at the beginning and transfer the food I know I can't eat into it right away. I order Entrees with no sides, or high protein apps, or a la carte. I'll do grilled chicken sandwich with no roll and eat half for example.

The no carbonation rule is due to the fact that carbonation can cause discomfort in sleeved patients. Definitely avoid it while your stomach is healing. After that, you can try it and see how you feel. Some people on these forums drink carbonated beverages every day. I personally haven't felt the need to, so I avoid them still, though I have had a couple of beers with no I'll effect, other than getting sloppy drunk off of one beer now. I was allowed alcohol at 3 months. Don't have it often because I am such a lightweight now. I was allowed caffeine at 30 days post-op. Every surgeon has their own guidelines there. Definitely high Protein diet forever. That doesn't necessarily mean low carb. Some people are more sensation to carbs than others, so you will have to figure out what works for you long term. I personally never tried to stay below a certain number of carbs, but I found that getting all my protein in (100 grams a day) left little room for carbs.

I second checking with OCC. They filled out my FLMA paperwork, so I would think they'd be able to do what is needed for FSA as well.