EllieMae

I'm a little over 6 weeks post op, and I haven't started losing any hair yet. I've been dreading it! I was just wondering at what point you starting losing hair after surgery?

So, my surgery was this past Monday, Nov 3rd, and I'm doing really well, except for the largest incision. When I cough it burns like hell on the inside! How long will it take for this to at least lessen to a tolerable amount of pain?

On Monday, I will be 12 weeks post op, and eating is a chore for me. I get so hungry, and then I smell wonderful-smelling food, but then when I eat, my stomach just feels odd and uncomfortable. There have been many times that, even though I felt really hungry, I would just drink a protein shake because it's easier than eating actual food. I chew the heck out of the food so there aren't large chunks going into my stomach. I probably don't eat as slowly as I should, but I try. I've read many people on here that say they are able to eat whatever they want with no problems. So, at this point in my journey, should I be feeling better while eating or will it be this way forever and this is just what I signed up for when I had the surgery? Just to clarify, this is one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life, and I have no regrets. Even if this is how my life will always be when it comes to food, I wouldn't change my decision at all!

Oops, that post was for @@chasingpolaris321

@chasingpolaris what is the calorie range that you shoot for daily? I find that protein agrees with my tummy much better if I have it simultaneously with some type of starch (protein alone hurts my stomach), so I haven't been doing low carb. I strictly track my calories every day, and they have been averaging around 600 per day.

Arkansas

If you read a lot on this forum, you will learn about the dreaded 3 week stall. I am one of the fortunate ones that did not experience it, but many here have. I've read that it can last up to 2-3 weeks.

OK, so I guess I'll just continue with the Biotin and hope it doesn't hit me too hard. It seems that 3 months is a common marker for when to expect it. Wish me luck! Thanks for all the replies!

I am taking 10,000 mcg biotin every night before bed, but I've been averaging only about 60g protien per day.

Thanks for all the responses! I'm just now beginning to tolerate food and drinks without nausea, so I'm nowhere near ready to try it yet. If the craving goes away, maybe I just won't ever have it again.

Just a quick question. How long after surgery before you were able to drink diet soda? I don't miss any foods, but I really miss Diet Dr Pepper.

Not ever? Ugh! I do need to check with the doc on that! I was hoping I could try it after 6 months maybe.

You go girl! That's awesome! So happy for you!

I was sleeved on 11/3/14, so I am 4 weeks out today. I am having just a terrible time with everything! Don't get me wrong, I am still so, so happy that I did this because the alternative of continuing on the road I was on before surgery is unacceptable. I guess I'm just hoping to hear that you've all been through these same things and it will all be ok. Here's a list of my woes........ 1. I stay nauseated almost all the time unless I just don't eat or drink anything. That would be fine with me, but I start getting weak and dizzy, and I don't want to get dehydrated and end up in the hospital. 2. I stay constipated ALL the time! I won't give any more details than that because I know you all have been there and know what I'm talking about. 3. I'm supposed to be on soft foods and purees, but nothing I've tried tastes good to me at all and most food hurts my tummy. The only thing I have found that doesn't hurt, of course, is instant mashed potatoes, which is super high in carbs and low/no protein. 4. I have gotten so sick of protein shakes that they make me gag, and even my Genepro added to decaf coffee is beginning to make me gag, so I'm not getting my protein in. 5. I'm only getting about half my fluids in (see #1 of this list). If one of you is my fairy godmother, please wave your wand and make it all better. Otherwise, any words of wisdom you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Carmex! My lips were so dry the day and night of surgery since I wasn't allowed anything to eat or drink until the next day. The Carmex really helped.

@@mishelcrz88, I've read a lot on here about the dreaded 3-week stall. That might be what you're experiencing right now, too.

Congratulations!

Does anyone here eat LCHF? How are you doing on it? All of my literature about post-op eating stresses low fat, but I've read a lot about how the lchf way of eating keeps your body in ketosis and, therefore, burning more fat.

So, how was your tummy at 3 weeks? I'm having an awful time with mine. Nothing seems to set well except liquids. I can deal with the discomfort if I have hope that I will be able to eat most anything at 8 wks.

My plan says to wait 30 min after drinking before eating, then take 30 minutes to eat, then wait 30 minutes after eating before drinking again. So, at what point can you relax/eliminate this practice?

Thank you for the replies. I feel like I'm constantly watching the clock! If I didn't, I wouldn't be able to get in everything that's required (and still don't about half the time).

Have you heard of Genepro unflavored protein powder? I was drinking the Premier Protein shakes but I got to where I just couldn't stand to take one more drink of them. I read about Genepro on here in another thread, and they were raving about how great it is, so I decided to give it a try. I love it! One scoop is only about a tablespoon, and it has 30g protein and only 98 calories. I use it in my morning decaf coffee with sweetener and sugar free creamer, and I use it throughout the day in my sugar free beverages.

@@LaLoLaughs, thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this! I just ordered these gummies, and I hope they work for me, too!

I do not remember having a leak test. I know it's a test for a leaky sleeve, but what exactly do they do?

Hi nmsugirl06. I have bcbs federal basic, too. Here is a link to the brochure that will tell you exactly what your requirements are. http://www.fepblue.org/en/benefit-plans/benefit-plans-brochures-and-forms/#tab-brochures When you get to the web page, use the link to the "2015 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan Brochure", and go to page 63 of the pdf file. To be brief, I had to do a 3 month physician supervised diet, a psych evaluation, and only one visit with a licensed dietician. Also, the morbid obesity diagnosis for 2 yrs only required a copy of one of my doctor's notes (PCP) for 2012 and one for 2013 that showed my weight was in the range to classify me as morbidly obese. The rest of the requirements are pretty much self explanatory. Best of luck to you.